“Wow, they really appeared at the city gates. I wondered if they just dropped them off at random or what.” I muttered.

Xinyue replied, “that’s nearly four hundred thousand people. They come marching in like ants. Straight line for the center of the city.”

“I wondered how they will feel when they run into the barrier keeping them out?” Shuren said.

I shrugged, “If they are strong then it shouldn’t be hard. Reaching level ninety should be easy for anybody thinking of challenging me. I should be worried about those reaching level one hundred. That means they are capable of beating past me using only fire skills.”

Shuren rolled her eyes, “I never seen such shameless dragons before.”

“What do you mean?” I looked at her with a confused expression.

Shuren rolled her eyes as I giggled.

“You know exactly what I mean. A dragon utilizing fire skills is like a tiger clawing someone. If someone can’t beat either of them when they are using their innate ability, then what..”

“Someone already made it up to the thirtieth floor in eighteen seconds. That’s core elder speed.” Xinxiu interrupted.

I pulled up the screen for the Star tower and saw a sword user cutting through his foes with every step. The spirit replicas of the soldiers weren’t capable of stopping him one bit.

With another wave, several screens began illustrating the strongest of those who went in.

“That woman is using pure ice skills. She has to be God Descendant.” Xinyue pointed out a beautiful woman in a purple robe wielding a purple ribbon.

I pointed at a woman using nothing but palm attacks. “Demonic techniques. She is probably the Devil Emperor Descendant.”

Shuren pointed out another. “Nine tail Peacock race, exceptional grace.”

Su pointed at a young man with golden iris. “He will be your biggest rival. Already at the ninety floor and he walked through at your pace.”

I looked at the guy Su pointed out and nodded. He would be a rival only if he could beat the imitation of me holding back my best abilities and utilizing only the strength of peak monarch stage experts.

“The Star Palace disciples and Elders are here. Elder Xue wanted to let you know that someone called Goddess Bing of the Rain Pavillion and Hai Yun of the Alchemist Association requesting a meeting.” Su reported after touching his ear.

I frowned, “Pass down the order. To become a resident of the inner ring, they must make it to floor seventy. To become a mansion owner, floor ninety. To gain entry to shop, floor fifty. The same applies to any Merchant or Crafting force. Strength dictates position inside the inner ring.”

“Oh, he lost to your imitation.” Xinyue sounded kind of sad for him but what the fuck?

Who’s side is she on?

I glanced back to see Li Wei and Li Jingyi walking together. Though they didn’t look all that happy together. There was even an odd expression on Li Wei face upon him spotting me.

I smiled and zoomed in on Long Yun, after that weird cat fight. She hasn’t been as proactive as annoying as before. Maybe she realizes I wasn’t the type of man she thought I am?

“How did those two get into a zone together?” Xinyue's voice brought me back to the screens and zero’d in on them immediately.

A man and women were fighting against a greater number of foes but they weren’t all that strong to begin with. They were merely on level twenty.

“They could be married and have soul oaths. Together it would count them as one. Same as Yun and me, we would be counted as one. Though from their joint performance, Yun’er alone would be able to kill them. They might not make it past the fortieth floor.” I scooted over as Long Yun dropped onto the couch with me.

“Who has the best chance of rivaling you?” First thing she asked was such a controversial question.

“We thought it would be a golden eye kid but he lost instantly against the fire imitation and that wasn’t even full power. Though Master does kind of cheat with the attacking the moment you focus on him.” Shuren said while throwing me a glare.

I rolled my eyes, “It's not a sneak attack if you know for a fact you will be engaged in battle. If you are so relaxed that you die due to such a killing strike then there really isn’t any reason for you to live.”

Xinyue snorted, “Is this your justification for launching sneak attacks?”

I sat up and looked at them both.

“First,” I pointed at the screen. “It isn’t a sneak attack if the goal of the attacker is to kill the one being attacked. Secondly,” I pointed a finger at them two. “Don’t you use the same tactic when triple teaming me? Don’t say you don’t because one of you would ask for some instruction then the rest would attack when I’m giving it. Like little thieves in the night. Don’t think I’m not onto you.”

Shuren moved to the edge of her seat with an evil grin.

“That’s different. We have to use such tacticals because you're so strong, using such tactics is called sneak attacks and is dishonorable. You should talk to us and give us time to adjust to losing.”

Li Wei nodded, “She has a point. If all super strong guys didn’t give weak people a chance. How would we know who we are offending but if you are like a wild tiger that has locked onto prey and uses all your strength to take us down. Then isn’t that unfair to us?”

Wait, are they really utilizing weak people's logic against me? Da fuck do they think this is?

I turned to Long Yun, “Do you think they are right? As the strong one, do you think giving your opponent an opening to fight back, the best. Or killing him fast so that you can move on with your day the best?”

Long Yun shrugged and looked at me with emotionless eyes.

“I’m considered one of the weak when compared to you. So of course, I am going to agree with them. Plus I am on the side of that who strikes first, leaving nothing behind the attack. I much rather someone strong talk me down, give me other options than to be suppressed like that.”

I sighed and leaned back. The story of the Elephant in a room full of ants.

“Okay, but this peacock girl isn’t bad she just made it up”

“The question is can she beat you or not.” Li Wei said as if he could beat any stage of me.

“How about you go down there and give it a try?” I threw him a glance and picked up a wine glass.

No response? Of course.

I took a sip and threw words at Shuren and Xinyue as I rose off the cough. Grabbing Long Yun hands in the process.

“When they are all finished, guide the ones who won’t be able to fight for the mansion based on the best result. Then alert them to a banquet to be held at midnight. Oh, you have the standard result per housing, right?”

They nodded and I headed out to enjoy the liveness with Yun.

***

“Why do you keep these people here in a cage like animals to be watched?” Long Yun said as we took a seat at the table, watching women talk with neighbors or chase after children.

I worked at gathering a kind of rice dish that I had no name of. I knew an egg went into it as I saw the cook crack a brown egg but the other stuff, no idea. I just knew it smelled really good, looked good, and should taste good.

“Are we watching them like animals?” I stuff some of the food into my mouth, while paying a bit of attention to Long Yun who played with her food.

“Is that not what we are doing?”

“Of course not. They are just as much like you. Well not as spoiled, not as blessed, or well now I think about it. You have a lot more freedom than they do. They will probably forever be bound to this world. Grow up, give birth, handle the chores, grow old, ashes spread to four corners. Pretty sad right?”

I took another bite while she turned from watching them to watching me.

“Their life can’t be any worse before than what you are going to subject them to.”

“That is projecting. You believe your life is bad but you are sitting here with your husband. Enjoying food produced from a street stall. Watching the smiles on people's faces, the joy in people's voices, and the fear that they held so near removed. Maybe, you aren’t listening or seeing enough. Probably why your cultivation is so average.”

“I also saw them smiling before we picked them up.”

“No, you saw men smiling as they dragged a woman into their homes. To be honest, I am questioning yet again why you are my wife? I bring you out to experience things at different levels because you are my wife but each time. You have to talk about stuff that’s dull and mood killer. Each time, you never open your eyes and look around you.”

I gestured with my elbow at the women that dressed better, buying things with their own money, walking to their own homes.

“I’m not a good guy but even I know that if you give something to people for free. They become ungrateful, much like yourself. They question why you don’t continue to treat them well or give them more stuff that they don’t earn. But if you make them work for it, if it seems hard. Even though they might complain, they will feel good with themselves for achieving something. For surviving another day. Those who don’t feel that they are any less than their owners will strive to improve. This means that they will begin to defy their fates.”

I took another bite and moan while shoving two more bites into my mouth. Long Yun stared at me with a common face I am quite used to.

“Let me explain it in a way you can understand. You are a Princess but your value to your father is in how many kids you can provide him with great talent. Once you lose this value then what are you worth to him? Ignoring that, are you expecting him not to have any more kids. When they grow up, your future brother and sisters, won’t they see what you have and desire it?

“Husband who covers your faults, a husband who takes you around to experience the world. A husband who buys you things and showers you with affection. An unrivaled husband who is undefeated. A husband that has no peers. A husband who still remembers to come home to tell you about what he likes and dislikes and then figure out how your day was. This is your husband but as a wife, are you showing me the same level of attention. You know, I don’t love you. Yet I still go this far for you…”

I polish off my plate and reach for hers but she smack my hand.

“Come on, share with your hubby.” I pouted, sticking out my bottom lip.

She rolled her eyes and dug into her meal with the grace of a Princess. I jogged over to the stall and bought a few more plates before walking back.

“You’re right. I apologize for my behavior. I had only been thinking about how marriage is in fairy tales and not real life.” Long Yun stared into my eyes as if this was an apology.

I mumbled something while I polish off the extras. I soon finished before her and set my plates aside. I watched her pick across her plate, gathering what she did like and pushing aside what she didn’t.

There was a bit of bashfulness in her gesture that she tried to hide by focusing on her food. But when she takes a bite, she would glance up and then shoot back down. Pushing a strand of hair that continuously dodges her ear and sweeps into her face. She actually looks very cute when she acts like a girl.

“Are you going to watch me eat?”

“Yes.”

Long Yun took two more bits before placing down her chopsticks. She gave me a bitter smile as she leaned back into her chair.

“What do you plan to do for the rest of the day?”

I scrunched up my nose and looked into the sky.

“Up to you? Do you want to do a little shopping or go fight a few bandits?”

Long Yun looked at me with that commonly confused expression. Her lips puckered in a little, brows furrowed towards the center, and her eyelids half closed.

“Let’s go fight a few bandits.”

I nodded and we went to go do just that.

***

“Jian Lan of the Heavenly Sword Sect and his fellow disciples.” A voice called out, resounding in the great hall.

…

“Wen Jiang of the Celestial Spirit Sect and her fellow disciples.” the same voice announced.

…

This continued for a good thirty minutes until all those who thought their sects deserved a little fanfare and had to be announced to the world. However, the only people that actually paid attention to their sect names were themselves and their weak like minded comrades.

My Star Palace men sat in their elevated spots, looking grand in their mighty star robes, overlooking the vast majority of prodigies. People often quote that youth are the people of tomorrow right before said youths die tragic deaths. I wondered how demoralizing I can be?

The servants guided them to their seats according to how far and long they lasted in the tower.

“What do you think? This is kind of grand, huh? Over six hundred prodigies. People with talents above average of peers within the same generation. All beneath your feet at this very moment. Invigorating, right?” I rubbed Long Yun's hand as I spoke.

Yun looked out but there was a sheen of sweat on her brow. I could understand her worry, her personal power didn’t translate to the power of the average in star palace. She could be said to be on the same level as crafters.

There was some unusual talk going around. Buzzing in our ears but I ignored them, these weak people that cannot best even my clone.

When everybody was seated, I rose up and looked down at them. A prideful feeling warming my chest, I would be sleeping pretty good tonight.

“I won’t do too much talking as we have lots to accomplish tonight. The first order of business is to confirm the residents of the powerhouses.” I waved my hand and a large three dimensional model of the city appeared, displaying all of the city in marvelous detail.

“We shall begin with the internal city. Those capable of owning a mansion are those who made it to the top floor, floor one hundred.” My eyes landed on a specific seating arrangement. Balcony seats that sat a little lower than my elevated platform but much higher than the general populaces.

“There are only four internal Mansions and twelve external mansions. I think it is fair for me to make a decision to give them to the best of those capable of making it to the top floor even though there are quite a few of you. Do any of you object?”

Large tags appeared over the Mansions. Starting from the North, Chang Kun of Chang Sacred Dynasty. South mansion, Gao Bai of the Gao Clan. East Mansion, Su Cheng of the Vermillion Bird Dynasty. West mansion, Wang Tu of the Holy Light Sect.

Everybody looked at these four who lit up the balcony as their name was inscribed upon the tag.

“I’m Huo Ying of the Dragon-Elephant Sect. I wish to ask what criterias we were judged upon.” a guy near the third row of balconies asked.

I smirked and the screen came down. On it began the display of the top four. They didn’t just walk into the room and put on the passive instantly. They dismantle my first strike and follow up to battle my clone on equal footing. Incurring wounds as they gave them out.

“Do you have any further objections or do you wish to watch yours?” I asked while the screen changed to show not only his but few others who had been mumbling their dissatisfaction.

Some guests broke out in laughter upon seeing the instant kills or the embarrassing beat down. There is a quote that the tallest trees face the strongest winds. Or something like that.

Mr. Huo sat down with nothing further to say.

“The next eight outer ring Mansions are also distributed by strength and their ability to persist or even wound the top floor boss.” I snickered as the tags began to light up.

Outer Ring North Mansion, Zou Min of the Golden Divine Lion Clan. Outer Ring South Mansion, Nie Haisang of the Qinghai Sect. Outer Ring East Mansion, Xia Cha of the Sovereign Xia Dynasty. Outer Ring West Mansion, Demon Prince Lu of the Soul Devouring Sect.

“The first four can almost be considered in the same conditions as the internal four. Just the placement is outside of the inner ring. Now for the last four.” I wave my hand.

Outer Ring NE Mansion, Xun Xia of the Cloud Sea Asgard Sect. Outer Ring NW Mansion, Tang Shi of the Infinite Sword Sect. Outer Ring SE Mansion, Yun Che of the Evil God Palace. Outer Ring SW Mansion, Feng Qingxin of the Phoenix God Clan.

“If you also have questions about our choice, please state them now.” I waited to see who would stand out but nobody did. I guess the first humiliation was enough.

“Now that the hard part is over with, the residences in the inner area can be rented by anyone with the ability to make it past the seventy-fifth floor. Shops can also be rented. As for the outer ring, each district is governed by the Manor Lord that overlooks said district. Shops allocations depend on them. Further details will be passed out after the banquet.”

I glance around for a second while loving the attention. It felt a bit exhilarating but I didn’t over do it. Mm, too much attention boosted one ego and led to quicker fall.

“The most important thing is challenges. We have fighting arenas set up in every district. To move into the mansion, you issue a challenge and appear in the arena the following day. No challenges can be denied or rejected. You have only a single day to postpone the duel. If you happen to be out, you have fourteen days to return and accept the duel. This also applies to me and each duel will be under the watchful eye of the city spirit. Any questions so far?”

While I waited for a question I played my own video of me going through the tower. Which stopped any potential questions as I effortlessly walked through as the fire clone was limited to one element of attack.

“Each Manor Lord needs to establish a guard company. Patrolling the city streets, ensuring people aren’t committing acts that are against the favor of the heavens. I’ll pass down a list of acts or things I find unsavory. Anyone caught doing these things will be eliminated. Any Manor Lord allowing such unsavory acts to go on in their districts will be eliminated. I am looking forward to examples being made and thus this ends my rather long speech.”

I waved a hand and gentle music began playing. Strings stroke and drums paddled, dishes began to flood out of the side passages in the hands of beautiful women who dance across the ground like fairies.

Magical. Almost perfect.

It would have been perfect but Elder Chang stood up with her flat chest.

“I apologize for interrupting the mood. The City Lord forgot to remind you of one more important thing. We have established a martial arts college. You are free to come and seek knowledge. Well, I should rephrase that, walking into the college is free but you have to pay for the lessons.” Elder Chang stepped back and sat down, shooting me an apologetic face.

Murmurs floated in and out of the music haze. It seems nobody was in the mood to challenge each other, but it was clear people were walking over to the Manor Lords to network.

A few had sticky fingers but this is good. We could mark out those ones who would think they had rights to abuse women in lower status than them. Good thing these women all came from villages and weren’t necessary helplessly.

I turned to Su, “Make note of those that don’t seem to want to take no for an answer. Also send one of the stronger people to help them learn. They can be the first live entertainment.”

Su nodded and disappeared. Long yun set the glass cup down and turned to me with a smile.

“Why do you care if they harass women?”

“Because it sets a bad precedent. If they are allowed to bully women because they deemed them innately weak then other weak people will also be condemned and mistreated. This will have opposite effects of raising the overall strength of the city. Women also wouldn’t want to chance it to come here. That would be a tragedy.”

I turned to her as I raised a glass to my lips. She didn’t say anything more on this subject as she talked about her cultivation and problems she felt she had. It felt kind of good to be slightly dependable enough for her to rely on me.