In the martial world, seniority and status mattered everywhere.
Though Jiang Chen was the young master of Peacock Sacred Mountain — a first-rate figure across the entire Upper Eight Regions — this was an identity he simply couldn't show in Dan Fire City.
The enmity between Dan Fire City and Liuli Royal City ran deep. If Jiang Chen's identity went undetected, that was fine. But once exposed, it could very well ruin everything.
That was precisely why Jiang Chen had claimed to be from Wanyuan Island.
Wanyuan Island was shrouded in mystery, unfathomable in its depths. If people couldn't determine his true identity, then the name "Wanyuan Island" alone would make them tread carefully.
This was something of a case of borrowing a tiger's might — using someone else's power to intimidate. But in a place like Dan Fire City, such small tricks were unavoidable if he wanted to get anything done.
As the saying went, even a dragon couldn't suppress a local snake.
Though Jiang Chen was a dragon crossing the river, he understood that before so many local snakes in Dan Fire City, he needed to know when to keep a low profile and when to strike. Getting that balance right was essential.
Just like back in Liuli Royal City — if it hadn't been for the Wei family as an intermediary, he couldn't have gone in guns blazing from day one.
Without a foundation, without understanding the lay of the land, he'd have hit a wall at best — and at worst, could have lost his life.
Back in Liuli Royal City, without the support of the Panlong Grand Clan, how could Jiang Chen's Taiyuan Pavilion have opened? It would have been crushed by the Royal Court Grand Clan long ago.
Jiang Chen understood all this well, so he gave these matters thorough consideration.
He had to admit, Lin Yanyu's suggestion was somewhat risky, but it was undoubtedly the best option available right now.
If he didn't participate in the Bounty Arena, he might not even qualify for the auction in the end. Even if the Star Plucking Society was willing to grant him auction eligibility, without an identity to back him up, he'd have little voice at the auction.
So the Bounty Arena truly was a golden opportunity.
"Yanyu, when does the Bounty Arena start?" Jiang Chen asked.
Lin Yanyu had been eagerly hoping Jiang Chen would enter the Bounty Arena. He looked forward to his master making a name for himself across Dan Fire City, sweeping everything before him.
When he heard Jiang Chen ask, Lin Yanyu was thrilled and quickly answered: "Master, the arena champion selection has already begun. The actual selection starts in seven days. If you'd like to register, I can handle it for you."
"No rush. Tell me about the Bounty Arena first." Jiang Chen knew nothing about the Bounty Arena and needed to learn more before deciding.
"This registration — is it for the sub-arena champion selection, or the main arena champion selection?" Jiang Chen asked.
Lin Yanyu chuckled. "Master, the sub-arena champions don't need to be selected. Only the main arena champions are chosen through the selection process."
"Oh? Then how are the sub-arena champions chosen?" Jiang Chen was taken aback.
"Sub-arena champions are appointed directly by the main arena champion, or the main arena champion can simply choose not to have any. Each main arena can operate without sub-arenas," Lin Yanyu explained with a smile. "Throughout history, plenty of selfish champions chose not to set up sub-arenas. But most main arena champions do appoint sub-arena champions, because those who become main arena champions are usually big shots in Dan Fire City. And they always have their own sect brothers and followers."
Jiang Chen understood after hearing this.
In plain terms, sub-arenas existed to shoulder some of the main arena champion's burden. Since they were appointed by the main arena champion, they essentially worked as the champion's assistants.
"So it's hard for rogue cultivators to become sub-arena champions," Jiang Chen sighed.
"Not necessarily," Lin Yanyu said with a grin. "In bounty arenas like this, many powerful rogue cultivators show up. Throughout history, quite a few main arena champions were rogue cultivators themselves. They also appoint sub-arena champions — but they select purely based on strength. And here's the catch: if a sub-arena champion solves a bounty, they must hand over fifty percent of the reward to the main arena champion."
That was how it worked?
Jiang Chen was speechless. This was essentially selling sub-arena champion positions and splitting the profits — a more primitive and straightforward arrangement.
"Master, do you think fifty percent is a lot?" Lin Yanyu asked with a laugh. "It might seem like a lot, but plenty of people are practically killing each other for the chance to become a sub-arena champion. After all, it's a zero-investment venture. If you can actually solve many bounty problems, even fifty percent of the profits is quite considerable."
Thinking it over, Jiang Chen had to admit it made sense. If he were in their shoes, he'd probably do the same.
Even giving fifty percent to the main arena champion, he'd still keep the other half.
That was still far better than those who had no right to participate at all — this was a chance to make a fortune for free. As for the registration fee, the main arena champion covered that.
After all, the main arena champion invested their own capital. Recouping some returns was perfectly natural.
Of course, Jiang Chen had no interest in competing for a sub-arena champion position. If he was going to compete, it would be for the main arena championship.
"Yanyu, it's settled. Don't go register for me — your identity shouldn't be exposed yet. Give me the specifics and I'll go register myself."
Lin Yanyu's identity must not be exposed, or his situation would be even more dangerous than Jiang Chen's. If the various factions in Dan Fire City learned that a remnant of the Lin family was hiding within their walls and plotting against them, they would spare no effort to crush him. That much was certain.
Hearing this, Lin Yanyu was deeply moved. He knew he had chosen the right master.