Chapter 16: The Three Great Tycoons and the Underground Death Arena

Central Metropolis, one of the three great families, the Qian family’s secret chamber.

A small, thin old man was lazily sprawled on a sofa, a massive screen before him. On the screen, a three-person video conference was underway. The meeting consisted of three individuals: a fat man with a face full of coarse flesh, and a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Simultaneously, the screen played last night’s news footage.

A young man had stormed the auction, single-handedly subduing the security, and, before everyone’s eyes, slaughtered the Sima father and son, instantly dispatching two Japanese experts. His subsequent declaration sent chills through all who heard it.

“Qian Wanbao, you really don’t understand the need for vigilance in prosperity. Even now, you have the leisure to lounge around,” the middle-aged man adjusted his glasses and squinted with a smile.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Old Sun, calling me up this early—surely not just for that trivial matter?” Qian Wanbao twisted his skinny body, sinking further into the sofa.

“A mere remnant of the Ye family—even if he’s talented and a formidable fighter, he’s isolated and unsupported.”

“No money, no influence, no connections…” Qian Wanbao played with a white jade ring, utterly indifferent. “With a few words, I could have him starve in Central Metropolis.”

“Just a Ye family leftover—what’s there to be afraid of?” The fat man, Wu Ba, scoffed, “You’re old, but your courage must have fled to the dogs.”

“Just send some experts over, let him die in the street—is that so difficult?”

“Vulgar,” the man with glasses sneered.

As the three argued, a servant entered the chamber, respectfully offering tea with his head lowered.

“Sir, your tea is ready.” With that, he turned to leave. But as he did, he inadvertently glanced at the screen and was instantly stunned.

The conference featured none other than the heads of two of Central Metropolis’s three great houses: Wu Ba and Sun Qishan. Including the old master on the sofa, all three families were assembled!

Such a grand gathering this early—something major must be brewing.

The servant left, deep in thought. But just then, Sun Qishan spoke from the video:

“Master Qian, your water boy isn’t discreet. Feed him to the dogs.”

“Mm, understood.”

Qian Wanbao’s face darkened. He clapped his hands.

“Take him out. Feed him to the dogs.”

“Yes!”

Two men in black appeared from nowhere, seizing the terrified servant and dragging him from the chamber.

“Back to business. What do you intend to do about that boy?” Sun Qishan asked.

“No rush. Let him jump around for a few days. We don’t have time for him right now.” Qian Wanbao’s expression suddenly turned grave.

“The Grand Elder from the capital has arrived in Central Metropolis, Old Sun. This is our chance!”

At those words, the others’ eyes gleamed with excitement.

That extraordinary person’s arrival would stir up a storm. Finding opportunity in such tumult was now the most pressing concern.

“Indeed. Let that boy live a few more days. Once the Grand Elder departs, we can act,” Wu Ba agreed.

“Very well. Meeting adjourned.”

...

Ye Tian woke late, sitting cross-legged by the floor-to-ceiling window made of bulletproof glass, meditating as he took in the view.

“My method of forming the inner elixir, my martial arts realm—both are stuck at a bottleneck.” He shook his head, helplessly muttering to himself. “To break through, I must further master Dragon Heart… Truly, Dragon Heart is both my blessing and my burden!”

The Dragon Heart bestowed by his masters had granted Ye Tian incredible martial talent and rapid progress in the art of inner elixir. Yet now, its domineering backlash prevented him from advancing even a step.

To solve these problems, it seemed he had no choice but to seek his senior sister’s help…

Thinking this, Ye Tian recalled last night.

After causing havoc at the Sima family’s auction, he had turned left upon exiting and encountered a handsome, blonde-haired youth driving a luxury car.

The man claimed to be the lover of Gu Qingcheng, Ye Tian’s senior sister, sent to escort him to safety.

Lover—surely not a flattering term?

Recalling the man’s confident demeanor, Ye Tian almost laughed aloud, instantly understanding.

The man brought him to what he called the safest neutral hotel in Central Metropolis: Tianhua Hotel.

He had rested peacefully for an entire day.

Now, as evening approached, the hotel bell sounded and a staff member called, “Sir, your room expires tomorrow. Would you like to extend your stay?”

“Extend for a week.”

“Very well, presidential suite, one week extension. You receive a thirty percent discount. Please pay twenty-one thousand yuan by eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”

What? Over twenty thousand?!

This was highway robbery!

Ye Tian was stunned by the outrageous price, then suddenly remembered: this was Tianhua Hotel, a nationwide chain, famed as the safest hotel in the Dragon Nation and even the world.

Even the glass was bulletproof, and strangers underwent thorough screening to enter.

He was doomed—he didn’t have nearly enough money… Ye Tian couldn’t help but worry.

Right, call Senior Sister.

He immediately used the hotel’s landline to dial a number.

On the other end, a seductive, wanton laugh rang out.

“Hehehe, I knew you’d call your senior sister, little brother!”

Gu Qingcheng’s laughter was enchanting, almost magical, making Ye Tian’s face darken.

Thanks to Dragon Heart, some of his instincts were already hard to suppress, and his senior sister was so provocative.

He could only grit his teeth and ask, “Senior Sister, could you lend me some money?”

“You’re asking the wrong person. I don’t have a single cent to my name.”

…No way!

Hearing such an offbeat reply, Ye Tian felt cold sweat bead on his back.

“Seriously, Senior Sister? With your skills, after so many years in Central Metropolis, you haven’t saved a penny?”

“I don’t need money. I usually dine at the homes of my dozens of lovers. The little rooster picks whom, and I follow suit!”

At this, Ye Tian was utterly speechless.

So these so-called lovers were your long-term meal tickets, Senior Sister—you madwoman.

“But,” Gu Qingcheng suddenly changed the subject, “sometimes, when I want to buy pretty clothes, I go to the underground deathmatch arena.”

“Underground deathmatch arena?”

A strange name.

“Yes, the underground deathmatch arena,” Gu Qingcheng explained. “It’s simple: just go in, fight, and if you win, you get prize money. If you fight several at once, the reward multiplies!”

Such a wonderful place!

Ye Tian’s eyes lit up.

He’d never make it as a singer or performer, but in terms of fighting, few in Central Metropolis could match him.

“Quick, tell me where it is!”