Chapter 63

Excluding other factors and focusing solely on the viewing experience, the fights on the large arena are more aesthetically pleasing. Even those gathered around the smaller arena couldn't help but frequently turn their heads to look at the larger arena. Meanwhile, the fights on the smaller arena felt a bit like a life-and-death struggle. If the fighters weren't from all over the world, the spectacle would have looked like a personal vendetta.

The fighter on the small arena: What the hell is beauty? Can it be sold for money? A personal vendetta? Stealing my chance to shine and make a fortune, do you think this counts as a personal vendetta?

Bei Qiao turned her head and looked towards the VIP seats in the distance. In the upper middle of the VIP seats, she saw Qin Huan with a polite smile on his face, and Qin Yan chatting with someone.

To give the VIPs a better view, the VIP seats were higher than the arena and arranged in a stepped pattern. From a distance, they looked a bit like the steps at a school sports meet, with the rostrum filled with students on both sides. It was unclear what criteria were used to allocate these VIP seats; the Qin siblings didn't even make it to the second tier.

Regardless of their figures or demeanor, the clothes worn by those sitting in the VIP seats were expensive and uniform, which was why Bei Qiao could tell that it was the VIP seats and not the referee seats.

Bei Qiao, a newcomer, didn't know anyone here and could only stand far away near the ring, glancing at the left and right rings. The people in the VIP seats admired the fights on the big ring, occasionally exchanging a few words with each other, their voices neither too loud nor too low, anyway, Bei Qiao couldn't hear clearly from his position.

Without the identity of Qin Huan's cousin, Bei Qiao and the VIPs were in a completely different world. Their gazes toward the arena were slightly downcast, a touch nonchalant. The so-called "Bo Le appraising a horse" might occur at a martial arts conference, but Bo Le always stands at a higher vantage point. A thousand-mile horse, even if it can travel a thousand miles a day and is extremely rare, is still just a horse in Bo Le's eyes. The protagonist of the story of buying horse bones for a huge sum of money has never been the thousand-mile horse itself.

"It feels a bit boring..." Bei Qiao had only come to see what the martial arts conference was like, but she was a little disappointed. There might be famous knights like those in martial arts novels, but they were all in the VIP seats, surrounded by guards. They wouldn't interact with ordinary people, and a lively conversation with them was a dream.

As a martial arts beginner who learned from a wild source, she actually couldn't really understand how the people on the stage were fighting. While others were cheering, she was analyzing why they were cheering. Occasionally, she had to cooperate and pretend to be immersed in the cheers, so as not to be beaten up as a show-off because she was too out of place.

The crazier others acted, the less Bei Qiao wanted to talk. Looking at those warriors who were shouting themselves hoarse but still waving their fists, Bei Qiao felt that he was becoming a social anxiety disorder.

There is a saying that goes, human joys and sorrows are not shared, I just think they are noisy.

"Mr. Qiao, you're here." Seeing Bei Qiao folding his arms in boredom and looking around aimlessly, Liu Ji, who had just finished his work nearby, came over with a bamboo broom and said, "Are you bored? Do you need me to explain the situation on the stage to you?"

"You recognize it...Oh." Bei Qiao took a look at the fan in his hand. Although it was not unfolded, its appearance was different from ordinary fans, so it was indeed easy to recognize.

Bei Qiao raised his hand and gently suppressed the yawn that was about to come out. He glanced at the broom in Liu Ji's arms: "Have you finished your work?" If he delayed his work, he would probably have his wages deducted.

"It's done, it's done." Liu Ji nodded vigorously.

"Okay, thank you for your help then." Bei Qiao took out a small string of copper coins from his sleeve and threw it into Liu Ji's hand: You can't ask people to work for free, right?

"Thank you, Mr. Qiao!" Liu Ji happily stuffed the copper coin into his arms. Although the amount was not much, it was much better than nothing. He had been kind to others before, but not many people had offered him money on their own initiative.

Of course, this was also because he couldn't curry favor with anyone more powerful. Those powerful people were always received by the stewards. He was just a reserve disciple, and his status in the Canghai Sect was only slightly higher than that of a handyman. Not only did he have to sleep in a room with eight people, but he also had to pay for his own meals!

Liu Ji was an ambitious man. He hoped to climb to a higher position, at least to become a true disciple of the Canghai Sect and obtain the badge that represented the Canghai Sect. If nothing else, at least formal disciples could eat for free!

"I wonder what Master Qiao likes to watch." After receiving the money, Liu Ji became even more enthusiastic: "The fight between the two sects currently competing in the arena is quite interesting, but it's a bit time-consuming. The two sects that are about to take the stage are different..."

Liu Ji was usually good at collecting information. In addition, this time Canghai Sect held a martial arts conference, and the manager told them a lot of things to pay attention to. He taught them in person, so he couldn't forget them even if he wanted to. He didn't dare to forget: if he accidentally forgot and offended some noble person, being beaten up and kicked out of Canghai Sect would be the best result!

"Does winning or losing really matter in the big arena?" Bei Qiao noticed that the people in the VIP seats only seemed to stare at the people in the big arena. Regardless of winning or losing, they would react politely. As for the fights in the small arena, no matter how intense the fights were, not a single VIP looked over.

"Well, I can only say that those who can go on the big stage are generally the children of sects and families. They have one-on-one teaching from famous teachers. Even those who are not suitable for martial arts training can achieve results." Liu Ji smiled dryly: "How dare I comment on how you do things?"

"With the fight going on in the small arena like this, aren't you afraid of someone getting killed?" Bei Qiao took a look at Liu Ji's embarrassed face and changed the subject smoothly.

“If I must say it, actually, people have died.” When it came to the topic he dared to talk about, Liu Ji said boldly: “But no one thinks that they will be the unlucky one who dies. After entering the ring, the competition will not end until someone falls. Oh, many people who have not made a name for themselves in the martial arts world are so disgusting when they fight. To be honest, they are just hooligans wrestling... cough.” Liu Ji felt a chill on his back, and quickly glanced at the warriors around the small ring who were staring at him: Oh, I didn’t control my mouth again!

"Will they have a chance to show off their skills in the arena?" Bei Qiao glanced at the warriors nonchalantly. The latter took one look at Bei Qiao's outfit, which was no less impressive than that of the VIPs. They averted their gaze with dissatisfaction, then quickly pricked up their ears in Liu Ji's direction. "Yes! Is there? Tell me!"

Liu Ji bowed gratefully to Bei Qiao, his tone becoming increasingly respectful. "It all depends on your ability. If you can't even become the champion in a small arena, then going to a big one is just asking for trouble. If you're defeated in just a few moves, you'll be ridiculed for the rest of your life!"

The eavesdropping warriors rolled their eyes: "Everyone knows this! Get to the point!"

Perhaps sensing the warriors' resentment, Liu Ji changed the subject and gestured towards the area between the small and large arenas: "If you want to go to the large arena, you can only build up your momentum on the small arena first. Once you become the arena master and create excitement, someone will naturally take you to the large arena. Look, that's the one standing in the middle. She's one of our Canghai Sect's stewards, Steward Rong. If Steward Rong sees a candidate that the Sect Master might be pleased with, she'll go up on stage and take the champion away, having them wait at the edge of the large arena. Whether the Sect Master chooses you or takes you away from another clan or sect, that's all up to the Sect Master."

The lone ranger competing in the small arena hopes most of all to be spotted by a noble person and rise to prominence. Forget the saying that those who endure the most hardships become the best. If there's a chance to become the best, why bother going through the extra mile? The effort itself is hard enough.

Liu Ji: Actually, I also want to show off on the stage. With my level, I can be the champion for a while. Unfortunately, I am now a reserve disciple of the Canghai Sect. If I go on stage without permission, the steward will think I am a traitor with high aspirations and a traitorous heart! Sigh...

Suppressing his yearning for the small arena, Liu Ji calmed down and continued to explain the situation on the stage to Bei Qiao.

The identities of the people on the small arena were mixed, and he could only recognize some of the locals. However, he was very familiar with the people competing in the big arena. After all, the portraits of these people were hung under their noses by the manager and had been there for several months, so it was difficult for him to forget them.

Incorporating the butler's instructions, Liu Ji began to explain the people on the ring with great passion. His knowledge of martial arts wasn't as good as that of Butler Rong, and he couldn't understand every move the warriors used. But he knew a lot of gossip about them, especially when those with romantic ties took the stage together. His explanations became even more vivid: "...They say a beautiful lady is a gentleman's dream. The Qiushui Sect's eldest disciple is truly a match of both talent and beauty. It's no wonder those two talented young men fell in love with her at first sight, but... "

"But what?"

"But..." Liu Ji looked at the warriors surrounding him, opened his mouth, and almost forgot what he wanted to say: What's going on? Why are there so many people around?

Bei Qiao: What else could it be? Of course I love gossip! It's human nature to join in the fun.

Liu Ji's voice was not too loud. There were about a dozen warriors who came over after hearing the sound. They surrounded Liu Ji, kept a distance of half a meter from Bei Qiao, and urged Liu Ji to continue: "Why don't you say anymore? Go on!" It is immoral to stop telling a story halfway!

Liu Ji glanced at Bei Qiao awkwardly: "Mr. Qiao, look..."

"Look at what he does. He is not from the Canghai Sect, so how can he control you?" Don't think that the warriors are all rough and muscular just because they have been in the martial arts world for so many years. They have sharp eyesight and can tell at a glance that Bei Qiao is not from the Canghai Sect.