: How Is This Guy Even More Arrogant Than Me?!

White Paper Immortal City.

A ghastly green flame blazed fiercely over the giant paper effigy near the south gate.

Someone cast a spell, summoning a surging wave of water in an attempt to douse the fire.

But as the wave crashed down, the green flames abruptly shifted, turning into a yellow blaze that continued to burn, and fueled by the wave’s force, the fire surged several times in intensity!

Ning Zhuo gazed into the distance, witnessing this scene, and thought to himself, "This fire is rather peculiar; it seems to borrow water’s power to fuel itself. If I could observe it up close, I might be able to figure out what technique this is."

Ning Zhuo’s mastery of the five elements was profound, and he himself knew many methods of using water to enhance fire.

Whether it matched the techniques he already knew or not, Ning Zhuo was confident that a close look would reveal the trick behind it, and he’d surely grasp it.

But soon, the water dissipated, having almost entirely fueled the fire instead.

The yellow-green flames enveloped the entire effigy, which then collapsed with a thunderous crash. The falling debris shook the ground and sent shockwaves and clouds of dust billowing out.

Ning Zhuo’s mood grew inexplicably heavy.

He said to Sun Lingtong, "Boss, White Paper Immortal City is far too chaotic. For a proper immortal city, clearly protected by formations, to still have people causing trouble like this..."

"They’re not just fighting; they’ve even burned down a landmark structure. What does that tell you?"

"White Paper Immortal City has been infiltrated, with many traitors inside. Otherwise, the city’s defensive formations alone should have kept these troublemakers firmly in check."

Even from a distance, without seeing the actual fight, just the scale of the destruction made it clear that the saboteurs faced little to no resistance from the city’s formations.

Otherwise, such massive damage wouldn’t be possible!

"White Paper Immortal City is beset by internal strife and external threats; chaos is inevitable," Sun Lingtong nodded, deeply agreeing.

The city’s defenses were supposed to be outstanding.

Far superior to those of the frontline camps in Liangzhu Kingdom.

The city’s grand formation was highly effective at suppressing cultivation and combat power, giving defenders a significant advantage.

If, during the second major battle at Thousand Peaks Forest in Liangzhu Kingdom, their army had occupied an immortal city instead, the entire situation would have been completely different.

In fact, the allied forces at Thousand Peaks Forest probably wouldn’t even have considered attacking an immortal city garrisoned by Liangzhu’s troops!

Ning Zhuo, who had considered observing the fight up close just moments before, now dismissed the idea.

"Although we didn’t have a chance to gather detailed local intel before entering the city, from what we’ve seen so far, White Paper Immortal City is plagued by internal and external crises, teetering on the edge."

"The external threat is the ghost tide. The White Paper City Lord, as the pillar here, seems to be in a difficult situation, casting a huge shadow over the city’s defense against the ghost tide."

"As for internal troubles, that should be the City Overthrow Alliance. From what I know so far, one of its members is the Skeleton Crocodile Demon. As for Xie Sichao, the strategist of the ghost soldiers, he likely comes from some force in the underworld. The City Overthrow Alliance, as the local rebel group, has already colluded with external powers, making them even more dangerous."

"Alas, White Paper Immortal City is already a place of trouble; we shouldn’t stay long. Boss, let’s find Mourning Music Ghost Lyrist quickly, have her perform a divination for us, and leave as soon as we get the results."

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong communicated secretly.

But Sun Lingtong had a different view.

He shook his head slightly and transmitted his thoughts, "Don’t be like that, Little Zhuo. We’ve never experienced a ghost tide before. It might be interesting to see what it’s like."

"Besides, the greater the danger, the greater the opportunity."

"Think about it: our assets have multiplied a thousandfold compared to before. Why?"

"Isn’t it because we risked our lives and joined the war in Liangzhu Kingdom?"

"Now, this ghost tide crisis in White Paper Immortal City could be another huge opportunity for us!"

Ning Zhuo fell silent.

Sun Lingtong urged further, "Little Zhuo, we actually have an advantage now. You’re posing as a male consort, which gives you access to the city’s highest levels!"

"If an opportunity arises, this identity could lead to even greater gains."

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, "That makes sense."

"But I can’t help feeling that you just want to see some excitement, Boss."

Sun Lingtong chuckled, "Just tell me, am I right or not? Are you tempted?"

Ning Zhuo fell silent again.

He was indeed tempted.

Back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City or during his time at the Ten Thousand Herb Sect, he would have definitely refused, wanting to leave White Paper Immortal City as soon and as far as possible.

But now...

He had indeed benefited greatly from taking risks.

His battlefield experiences had also given him a new perspective on life and existence.

"Then let’s follow this identity and get close to the city’s upper echelons, test the waters, and see if there’s any opportunity," Ning Zhuo said.

Sun Lingtong was so pleased he almost patted Ning Zhuo’s shoulder, "Little Zhuo, you’re growing on me more and more. I should’ve taken you out traveling years ago."

Ning Zhuo added, "But I think it might be a long shot. If I were the city lord, I’d definitely scrutinize any male consorts approaching her closely."

"We might not even pass the first round of checks."

Sun Lingtong: "Although my theft skills have improved a lot, I’m not confident about fooling the city’s screening process."

"Let’s take it one step at a time. Even if we’re discovered, we can just reveal our identities; Mourning Music Ghost Lyrist holds a fairly high position here."

"And if they try to punish us, we can always escape with the Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon technique."

Having agreed on a plan, they followed the others and continued on their way.

Soon, they arrived at a detached residence.

The plaque above the gate read: Hidden Sun Villa.

The gray paper lion statues at the entrance saw the group and spoke up, "New male consorts?"

The guide confirmed it.

"Go on in," the gray paper lions opened the gate.

The group filed inside.

As soon as they entered, paper maid servants bowed to them, "Please follow me."

They passed an entrance screen wall, walked through the main hall, crossed three blue-tiled corridors, and passed through five layers of Yin energy barriers before arriving at a small garden.

"Please wait here for a moment; the head steward will arrive shortly."

Half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, a human cultivator, middle-aged in appearance and wearing a silver robe, slowly strode over to face the group.

He scanned the crowd, tilting his head back slightly with an arrogant attitude, and declared, "Listen up, newcomers. I, the head steward, will now outline today’s three tasks: dining, learning the layout, and room assignments."

"Starting today, you’ll be staying here for a while. I expect you all to behave well from now on!"

After speaking, the steward clasped his hands behind his back and ambled away.

"Strange, no screening at all?" Sun and Ning exchanged a glance, finding it very odd.

When noon arrived, a paper maid came and led the group to the dining hall.

Upon entering, Sun and Ning found it crowded with at least a hundred people.

"Are all these people...?" someone wondered aloud.

The paper maid nodded, "That’s right, they’re all male consorts of this term."

The group exchanged silent looks.

Seats weren’t assigned; everyone sat freely.

Just as Sun Lingtong was about to sit next to Ning Zhuo, a paper guard shouted, "How dare you! A mere ghost servant, how could you sit alongside a male consort?"

Ning Zhuo, unwilling to be separated from Sun Lingtong, briefly explained: He’s my lifesaver.

But the paper guard then proceeded to scold Ning Zhuo as well, showing no respect for his consort status.

Ning Zhuo was slightly taken aback, but after glancing at the hall full of male consorts, he understood the true standing of this group.

Sun Lingtong gave Ning Zhuo a look, promptly separated, and joined the other servants squatting against the wall to eat.

Just as Ning Zhuo was about to taste his lunch, another paper guard called him, "Jiao Ma, the head steward summons you."

"What for?" Ning Zhuo asked, puzzled.

The paper guard sneered, "You’re a newcomer who broke the rules right after arriving, so of course you’re being reprimanded. Did you think it was for something good?"

Ning Zhuo was speechless.

In a private room, he saw the silver-robed steward again.

The steward was enjoying a table full of delicacies, picking his teeth, and said to Ning Zhuo, "Jiao Ma, you’ve just arrived and already violated the rules. You must be punished!"

Ning Zhuo immediately cupped his hands in salute, speaking with a smile, neither subservient nor arrogant.

Seeing his demeanor, the steward toned down his arrogance a bit, "You seem to come from a wealthy family. So you do know the rules; you’re just loaded. Tell me, how much money did you bring for me? I need to see your sincerity before I can assign you a good room."

Ning Zhuo couldn’t help but be surprised.

He hadn’t expected the steward to solicit bribes so openly.

He then recalled the steward’s earlier speech in the small garden, mentioning three things: dining, learning the layout, and room assignments.

"Seems the rooms vary in quality, and the steward controls the assignments, using his power for personal gain through bribery," Ning Zhuo realized.

Being new and in the dark, he wanted to gather more information, so he asked, "Steward, could you please explain the pricing for the rooms?"

But the steward snorted disdainfully, "Who do you think I am? To explain such things to you? You came here to be a male consort; didn’t you do your homework?"

"Give me the money, and I’ll arrange something suitable. Understood?"

Ning Zhuo’s wealth was immense; if he revealed it, the steward would hardly believe it. Even a tiny fraction would satisfy him greatly.

But after a moment’s thought, Ning Zhuo decided against it.

He shook his head directly and retorted with a cold laugh, "Heh! I can’t stand people like you. I was going to give you something to make you go away, but now? Hah."

With that, he turned and left.

Leaving the steward dumbfounded, staring as Ning Zhuo strode away.

"What the..."

"What the!"

"How is this guy even more arrogant than me?!"

(End of )