Chapter 475: Arena

"Then how can we guarantee the so‑called intellectual property—whether it belongs to an individual or a cultivation faction?" Yan Buji asked lightly.

"We have a dedicated verification agency, so you need not worry, Daoist friend. For example, if you create a pill formula and the pill you refine has effects similar to someone else's, as soon as either party requests a review we will immediately prohibit both pills from circulating in the market. If you can each prove that your pill originates from yourself and is not plagiarized, we will recognize that both pills have legitimate and lawful selling rights in the market. This is something the Nine Heavens Five Domains Grand Chamber of Commerce can guarantee."

Yan Buji looked puzzled: "Then what if a faction comes knocking to cause trouble or makes threats?"

"You can report to the Chamber; we will negotiate. However, I must say that the Nine Heavens Five Domains Grand Chamber of Commerce is not a coalition of multiple factions but a purely commercial organization. We have sufficient martial force to protect the lawful rights of every seller and buyer in each district."

"Hehe." Yan Buji chuckled.

"If I were to trust you, I'd truly be seeing a ghost."

Yu Jiang didn't mind the sarcasm hidden in Yan Buji's laugh and smiled, "Then what else would you like to know, Daoist friend?"

"Since the shop includes rent and only a one‑percent tax, it doesn't include other product taxes, right?"

"It does not."

"Then in shop operations, the product price must be the total price including tax; if it exceeds the market price, how will the buyer's rights be protected?"

Yu Jiang was momentarily stunned, thought carefully, and said, "There is no strict rule dictating the exact price for each item. However, we will force merchants here to display the Nine Heavens Five Domains Grand Chamber of Commerce's suggested price list; if a merchant sells too high, you can just buy elsewhere."

Yan Buji nodded: "I understand. Where is the Arena?"

"Huh?!"

Yu Jiang's face twitched, "You ask all this half a day, aren't you here to fight rather than open a shop?"

"It's over there. To enter the Arena you must provide identification and concrete strength; the Arena's manager will assess you based on your power, and outstanding individuals can join the Arena as official gladiators. Of course, there are outside factions that value the Arena's profits, but you should find out those details yourself, Daoist friend."

"Thank you."

After Yan Buji left, Yu Jiang scratched his head: "There are so many weirdos this year."

Yan Buji walked along the street and casually asked the various shop owners.

But he received no answers he wanted, so he headed straight for the Arena.

"Entry requirements…"

"Daoist friend, are you trying to join the Dongxing Arena?"

"Can't I?"

"What you say makes it seem impossible not to join. But the Arena is full of twists and turns; if you're interested, feel free to take a look."

Yan Buji glanced at the cultivator beside him and asked, "Is there a deathmatch here?"

"Deathmatch?!"

The cultivator raised an eyebrow and sized him up:

"There is, but Daoist friend, are you so confident you can survive? Once you join a deathmatch you can no longer take part in other gladiatorial bouts."

Yan Buji said lightly, "Then why am I here?"

"Good! Daoist friend, you truly have great spirit!" The cultivator bowed and laughed, "I am Long Zhou of the Dongxing City Martial Dao Association."

"Xu Long, are you a local of this city?"

"To be precise, I'm a wandering cultivator in this city who enjoys doing business in the Arena. If you don't mind, Daoist friend, why not come with me for a chat?"

"Alright."

Following Long Zhou, Yan Buji arrived at a large residence in the city.

Observing the location, people came and went, merchants bustling continuously; the rent was certainly not cheap.

Long Zhou opened the door and gestured, "Please come in, Daoist friend."

"Sorry to intrude."

Inside, it actually resembled a small Arena; besides the mansion ahead, there were many Golden Core Martial Cultivators fighting here, the battles quite intense!

"Golden Core Martial Cultivators?" Yan Buji raised an eyebrow.

"Hahaha, Daoist friend, you're far stronger than they are," Long Zhou laughed, leading Yan Buji to the inner hall.

After entering, Yan Buji saw a Nascent Soul Cultivator seated on the main seat.

Long Zhou entered, bowed, and said, "Brother Wu."

"Brother Long, who is this?"

"This is the Xu Long I met today, who wishes to join the Arena, Daoist friend Xu."

The Nascent Soul Cultivator descended, smiled and bowed, "I am Wu Qian of the Martial Dao Association, I have met Daoist friend Xu."

Yan Buji clasped his fists and asked, "Long, you brought me here; feel free to be straightforward."

"Daoist friend Xu is straightforward; please sit."

Yan Buji nodded, and the three took their seats.

Long Zhou said, "Daoist friend Xu must be new here. The Arena is said to provide a place for people to resolve troubles, but it has already spawned many commercial demands—ticket sales, prize money, advertising, gambling, etc. In short, the Arena at its simplest is just win or lose, but since you want to join a deathmatch, you need to learn the rules in advance."

"Rules? What rules?"

"First, not everyone can enter at will; you must pass three Arena trials to become a junior gladiator. The term sounds a bit barbaric, but it's for profit. Under profit, another way to join the Arena has emerged."

"Hmm?"

Wu Qian smiled, "It's like our Martial Dao Association: we own enterprises in Dongxing City and, after close cooperation with the Arena, we obtain recommended gladiator qualifications, allowing us to skip the three trials and join directly."

Yan Buji pressed his chin and asked, "You mean you would let me join here and, through your recommendation, go forward? What benefit does that give me?"

"First, since you want a deathmatch, we can purchase high‑value insurance for you. As long as we can guarantee profit, if you win the combat we will provide 10,000 Spiritual Stones as a prize, and we will take none of the Arena's prize money, provided you let us manage your reputation."

"Reputation?" Yan Buji frowned, "What do you mean? You aren't planning to wait for my fame to rise and then fix the match, are you?"

"That's right; of course fixing a match wouldn't happen. Since you're in a deathmatch, our only request is that each bout be entertaining, preferably hard‑won, and you survive step by step."

"Making extra money is no problem, but I have an even better idea," Yan Buji laughed.

Long Zhou and Wu Qian raised their eyebrows and said, "Please elaborate."