The Ultimate Divine Class

Disk City is a typical old southern town, with traces of time's passage visible everywhere.

Every five years, during the Martial Arts League, the city is temporarily infused with fresh vitality, bringing a fleeting moment of prosperity.

It is said that the first grand martial arts event of the Southern Ancient Martial Arts World was held here.

And this tradition has continued to the present day.

Lu Yuan and Li Dong walked west along the street bordering the square.

One side of this street was the venue where the martial arts competitions of the City League would officially take place.

The square was filled with colorful awnings, each sheltering an Ancient Martial Arts Sect participating in the league.

In the middle of the square, fighting arenas of various sizes had already been erected, forming the shape of a lotus flower, with the largest arena at its center.

Next to the arenas stood an impressive chairman's platform and several guest sections. These were reserved for Sects with a certain level of power and renown in the Southern Martial Arts Circle, who didn't need to squeeze under the awnings like ordinary Sects.

However, these guest seats were currently empty, and entry was temporarily prohibited.

The other side of the street was lined with stalls selling snacks and local specialties.

A large number of tourists and martial artists in various uniforms mingled together, creating a chaotically lively atmosphere.

"The Southern City Martial Arts League, such a grand title, yet the venue is outdoors..." Lu Yuan remarked, casually observing his surroundings, unsure whether to be amused or disappointed.

Li Dong, keeping pace beside him, quickly replied in a low voice, "It's mainly due to a lack of funds. Hosting such a competition is an incredibly thankless task. The earnings are minimal, and the hassles are particularly numerous..."

Lu Yuan frowned. "Although Ancient Martial Arts has declined, it shouldn't be so bad that they can't even organize a competition properly. From what I've seen, all the well-known Sects are rolling in money..."

"Sir, you're not aware," Li Dong explained with a bitter smile. "It's not that they don't have money; it's that *we* don't have money."

"Oh?"

"The funds for the league come partly from advertising sponsors and partly from voluntary donations made by the various Sects. The total amount is actually considerable. However, most of this money is... is..." Li Dong glanced around, then leaned closer to Lu Yuan and whispered, "taken by the people from Penglai. We only get a mere pittance. With such limited funds, this is the best we can manage. We can't expect Mosa to pay for it out of their own pockets, can we..."

"Penglai?" A glint appeared in Lu Yuan's eyes. "Does Penglai always profit from this competition?"

"Always," Li Dong confirmed, glancing furtively towards the row of guest seats in the center of the square. He whispered, "A single seat in the guest area starts at ten million. This year's competition was postponed by three days, making the bidding several times fiercer than in previous years. Those Sect Masters, desperate to save face, are willing to bankrupt themselves for a chance to sit there, so the prices become outrageously inflated. All this money ultimately flows into the pockets of the Penglai Apostle..."

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered upon hearing this. No wonder Mosa so readily agreed to his request to postpone the competition. It turned out to be profitable for Penglai; they were practically begging for it. He figured that even if he asked for another delay... Penglai would likely approve.

"Penglai... Martial Saint Island... It seems they're rotten to the core," Lu Yuan mused. He recalled the genuine disdain with which Swimming Dragon and Master Liudao Yuan spoke of Penglai. He had once believed Penglai fell from its pedestal due to the impact of New Martial and the associated changes. But now... it seemed the true rot was deeply rooted.

"Won't it cause gossip if people see you following me like this?" Lu Yuan asked Li Dong casually.

Li Dong replied respectfully, "Don't worry, Sir. Officially, someone else is in charge. None of the participants, including that Penglai Apostle, know my identity. And, of course, they certainly won't know yours..."

"Hmm." Lu Yuan nodded. Sakfu handled this part well.

By this time, the two of them had left the street by the square and turned into a relatively quiet and pleasant path.

"The Crane Sect's residence is just ahead. I specifically arranged the best place for them," Li Dong said, guiding Lu Yuan forward. "If you're not satisfied when you see it, Sir, I'll have it changed." The surroundings here were tranquil, with meticulously trimmed greenery and several beautiful detached villas gradually coming into view.

"Any leads on the Crane Sect matter?" Lu Yuan asked Li Dong directly. Mosa, being the local power, would be more effective at investigating this on their own turf than Yellow Bear's people.

Li Dong shook his head and said in a low voice, "It's still under investigation. We're meticulously going through the twenty-one fights and conflicts that have occurred since the Crane Sect arrived in Disk City up to today..."

"Wait." Lu Yuan stopped abruptly, narrowing his eyes at Li Dong. "Twenty-one? Wasn't it twenty?"

"Just a few minutes before you arrived, Sir, the Heart Refinement Sect clashed with the Crane Sect again... The Crane Sect's current Sect Master, Master Liudao Yuan, was injured by the Heart Refinement Sect's Master and a disciple named Xue Guangyao, who attacked him together..."

"The Crane Sect's Sect Master is injured?" Lu Yuan halted, his voice instantly turning cold.

Li Dong quickly added, "Actually, the injuries aren't too severe; he just had two prosthetic limbs broken. Also, I've already sent the best doctor over!"

"That's good."