The first encounter with Chong Yun and the others was quite pleasant.

At least on the surface, the four of them were quite courteous to me and didn’t meet me with any ridicule.

"However, directly handing the entire arena to me is planning to make me a puppet!"

In the three days prior to coming here, Chen Jiuge didn’t do nothing; on the contrary, he spent a lot of money to have Xing Xia help him gather some intelligence about the Mountain City Dark Star.

Most of the intelligence was incomplete, only offering some very simple information.

However, Chen Jiuge still deduced some critical information from these scattered reports.

Because of Mountain City’s unique location, the Mountain City Dark Star established the Blood-colored Arena, which, although a Third Level Dark Star, has annual profits not much lower than some Second Level Dark Stars. This has made the Luocheng Dark Star very envious, frequently sending some Dark Hand operatives to harass, causing much annoyance.

Additionally, there’s Star Lord Chong Yun. Chong Yun is a core member of the Weak Water Organization and was invited to Mountain City to serve as Star Lord. According to circulating rumors, this seemingly gentle Star Lord is not so simple; many suspect he’s about to break through to the Seventh Level!

Once Chong Yun breaks through to the Seventh Level, the entire Mountain City might be under his command.

As for the other individuals, the intelligence didn’t mention much. Fang Lei, as the commander of the Dark Hand, rarely appears in public, and Yun Yan’s background is also mysterious, having suddenly arrived.

She is very capable and stabilized her position in just a year. Afterward, she reformed the Mountain City Dark Star, enhancing its overall strength and interests.

The one most frequently mentioned is Warehouse Master Dang Yue. This elder has been with the Mountain City Dark Star for at least five hundred years, and there’s enough information about him to write a book.

"Interesting, obviously needing four Vajras, yet there have always been only three. The most important arena has never had a Vajra, that’s really intriguing!"

Chen Jiuge chuckled twice, not unfamiliar with such tactics. The position is left vacant so the arena’s accounts must be checked personally by Chong Yun, which then allows for alterations at will?

"But if you want to use me as a scapegoat, let’s see if you can bear the consequences!"

Chen Jiuge’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Although the Star Lord is the highest leader of a local Dark Star, the Vajra need not fear the Star Lord, because a Vajra can openly recruit forces and expand strength.

In the cultivation world, might makes right is the fundamental rule.

Chong Yun may seem gentle with the other three, but that’s because each holds their own power.

Conversely, the other three are the same; if not for Chong Yun’s strong cultivation and the backing of the Weak Water Organization, he would have been sidelined long ago!

........

Early the next morning

After a simple wash, Chen Jiuge opened the door intending to head to the arena, only to find Andrew waiting at the entrance.

"Hello, sir. I am Andrew, mainly responsible for the No.1 Arena," Andrew greeted respectfully.

Although the new Vajra before him only had First Level cultivation and appeared quite young, Andrew dared not underestimate Chen Jiuge.

No matter how incapable Chen Jiuge might be, he is Mountain City’s Vajra. Although Andrew is a manager responsible for the No.1 Arena, he is just a minor Dark Hand in the Dark Star, with merely a Three Stars Dark Hand rank.

(The Dark Hand ranking is based solely on cultivation level, with First Level cultivation equating to a One Star Dark Hand!)

"Andrew?"

"No.1 Arena?"

"Yes, the Star Lord had me familiarize you with the No.1 Arena first. When you’re familiar with the others, the Star Lord will arrange for you to meet with the other managers one by one!" Andrew replied respectfully.

"Hehe, I understand!"

Chen Jiuge chuckled with an unclear meaning, quite aware of Star Lord Chong Yun’s intentions.

Under the guise of unfamiliarity, keeping the other nine arenas under his control allows him to openly collect more money, and someone else takes the blame. What a grand situation!

"Let’s go, let me experience the arena!"

"Yes, sir!"

The arena is large, resembling the Roman Colosseum in shape, with a circular structure that steadily rises, offering spectators a better view of the combats below. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Chen Jiuge arrived just in time as a new gladiatorial match began.

A robust gorilla faced a highly agitated wild boar.

Arriving at the spot closest to the fight, Chen Jiuge focused on the two fierce beasts inside, curiously asking, "Does the arena never stop for rest?"

Andrew shook his head with a smile and said, "Sir, you might not be aware of this!"

"Our Dark Star, unlike other underground entities, has support from genuinely influential people. Whether it’s the Political Affairs Department or the Ten Temples Department, they’ll give us face as long as we don’t openly violate Yellow Springs Law, they won’t bother us!"

"Moreover, many officials from the Political Affairs Department and Ten Temples Department in Mountain City have taken benefits from our Dark Star, and some even hold shares in the Blood-colored Arena."

"The revenue during the day is indeed low, but there is still income. The cost is only some cheap fierce beasts, of which the hunting teams that make a living capturing them are not lacking in Mountain City!"

"I see!" Chen Jiuge nodded, understandingly.