Chapter 209 – The Black Dragon Listing (1/2)
Chapter 209 - The Black Dragon Listing
“Newbie!” The purple robed youngster took the talisman from Ye Wei’s hand, a small smile appeared on his cold and emotionless face. He waved and said: “Welcome, but be warned, there are one hundred and thirty-seven new recruits in total, and they are all trying to prove something, you will really have to work hard to stand out.”
Ye Wei nodded, surprised that anyone at all could tell that he was eager to compete and to prove himself. He was then led to an area filled with outgrowing weed, soon they arrived at aremote villa, it was old and dirty, its walls were cracked and decorated by moss.
“This is you newbie.” The purple robed youngster didn’t even bother to remember Ye Wei’s name. He took a deep breath, coughed as he nearly choked on the unpleasant odor.
‘This looks like an abandoned house…’ Ye Wei frowned as he assessed the building, wondered if Helian Jieyuan’s invitation was a joke.
“Don’t give me that face. All newbies are assigned to places like this.” The purple robed youngster quickly read Ye Wei’s body language. “There are a few more newbies to come, I will call all of you for a meeting when they’ve arrived.”
“Being here give you access to the Helian’s bottomless resources, but if you want better access and a better life, you will have to fight for it. I will be on my way if there isn’t any questions.”
“Thank you very much for leading the way, may I ask how you would like to be addressed?” Ye Wei handed over a small jade bottle as he spoke in a respectful tone.
“Ha blood essence pill huh, you big spender.” The caretaker popped open the cork and smiled, “I am Baili Hengtian and I will watch over you for now.”
After receiving the handsome bribe, Baili Hengtian’s attitude changed completely, he walked to back towards the villa and patted Ye Wei on the shoulder. “It’s true that all of us were invited here by the Helians but they seldom come by, let alone governing this place, we have our own rules here pretty much since the palace was built.”
“Let’s put it this way, the Helians recognized everyone of you newbies, but that is just as much they recognized everyone who was chosen to stay here. If you wish to blend in, it’s not the Helians you have to impress, it’s the veterans you have to prove yourself to. Before then, you are just another newbie, a disposable trash here in the Million Star Palace.”
Ye Wei frowned immediately and asked. “That sounds harsh, doesn’t the Helians interfere with the bullying?”
“Interfere?” Baili Hengtian laughed and replied, “what is the point? All the cultivators here are gifted and know better than to steal and to kill. I actually think they anticipated this to happen, as an intended gauntlet to mould us, making us humble and tough. Haha!”
“I see. So are there any shortcuts to be accepted into the inner circles?” The young Runemaster asked curiously.
“The quickest way?” Baili Hengtian gave Ye Wei a brief visual inspection and smile, “the annual newcomer fights is the palace’s tradition, if you win that you will probably be recognized by the veterans.”
“I see.” Ye Wei nodded, ‘it makes sense, they are all elites in their own rights and their have all the reasons to be a bit prideful. I will have to show them I am on their level as much as I would prefer learning from better cultivators.’
“Well, yea what you said is right, but…” The caretaker hesitated, look at the valuable jade bottle in his hand, “don’t tell anyone that I’ve had this conversation with you.”
“Even if you win, don’t expect that the veterans will accept you right away. The newcomer fights are invented by alumni long ago to establish fear and authority, and its effectiveness is the reason why it’s still around. They’d do just about anything to make all the newbies taste the dirt, to repress them.”
Baili Hengtian spoke slowly to make sure Ye Wei heard every detail. “Once newcomer champion has been decided, he will get to fight one of the veterans. Needless to say, the oldies will show no mercy just to make a point.”
“Okay, I get it.” Ye Wei nodded, “by the way, when and how can I move to a better villa?”
“The Helians officially host a series of fights for this facility every year, the better villas will be rewarded to the top five thousand contestants. Unfortunately that just happened not long ago, you will have to wait a year.” Baili Hengtian patted Ye Wei’s shoulders, “Don’t feel bad, most of us here have lived in one of these trashed villas. It will only make the upgrade feel even better if and when you get to move. You could be an elite, be treated like noble back in your hometown but even dragons will have to coil up here.”
“Is there no other way?” Ye Wei sighed as he looked scraped paint on the walls.
“No, unless… Unless your name appears on there, then the Helians will send you to one of the private quarters, and they will even assign servants to serve you.” The caretaker shook his head, pointed at the black dragon statue’s head in the sky towards the center of the palace, with its height at five hundred feet it was visible from all corners of the Million Stars Palace. He did not get into details as he didn’t think much of Ye Wei.