Little Pink Starfish

Everyone knows that in the world of cultivation, seclusion for several years at a time is completely normal. To blend in, Ziche Shubai couldn’t make his cultivation progress seem too exaggerated.
—Previously, he could explain it as a long-standing inner demon finally being resolved, leading to a breakthrough. But if he kept advancing every day afterward, wouldn’t that be the same as announcing to the world that something was off with him?

Thus, Ziche Shubai calmly stayed in his room for three years before coming out.
Of course, during these three years, besides modifying his cultivation technique to better suit this world and continuously breaking through, his main focus was trying to contact that damn pervert.

Thinking about it, it was quite miserable—after so many years, Ziche Shubai had long been used to being pestered by that pervert. Now, after shattering the void, he had somehow lost him. Once he had stabilized, he started feeling a deep sense of discomfort.
It was like… planning a honeymoon trip with his partner, only to arrive at the destination and—holy crap! Where the hell is my partner?!
It was downright tragic.

But there was nothing he could do for now. He had yet to establish his own power, had no widespread influence, and though his status seemed lofty, he was actually constrained in many ways. Sending out a full search party? Absolutely impossible.
→There were still a bunch of stubborn old geezers above him. Until he was sure he could beat them all into submission, he had to endure.

So, after three years, Ziche “Superficially Fragmented Cave Realm Early Stage but Actually Tribulation Breaking Realm Mid-Stage” Shubai swung the doors open with a single slap and emerged from seclusion.
The commotion was so loud that the hundred-strong elite guards standing watch in his courtyard turned their heads in unison, then knelt in perfect synchronization. Led by Qing Tong, they greeted him in perfect harmony:
“Your subordinates welcome the Seventh Young Master’s return from seclusion!”

Ziche Shubai remained expressionless. “Rise.”
The entire courtyard rose in unison.

These elite guards weren’t ordinary. Though called guards, they were actually the legitimate, illegitimate, or branch family sons of clans subordinate to the Shangguan family. Each of them was at least at the Core Formation Realm, with some young prodigies already at the Nascent Soul Realm—essentially, Ziche Shubai’s personal enforcers.
Internally, they had to be absolutely loyal to him. Externally, they held considerable status as well. Not only were they highly skilled, but they were also well-rounded talents.

Take now, for example—these guards had sharp perception. Even if they couldn’t gauge Ziche Shubai’s exact strength, they could sense that their Seventh Young Master’s cultivation was unfathomable and seemed to have advanced again.
Their hearts were practically bursting with excitement! They had already heard that Seventh Young Master was strong, but to find out he was this strong was a delightful shock. It made them want to submit even more!

So many fervent gazes were shooting toward Ziche Shubai like laser beams, but he remained calm.
This was nothing. Back in the day, that damn pervert had once gathered millions of top cultivators into the capital just to celebrate his birthday, almost turning them into a blood sacrifice fireworks display in the name of “romance.” He had been so stunned that he broke out in a cold sweat stopping it.
After that, nothing could shake him.

Ziche Shubai, face devoid of expression: “Where is my younger brother?”
With a synchronized whoosh, the guards scattered, leaving only Qing Tong trembling like a leaf in the “cold wind.”

Ziche Shubai: “…”
What kind of nonsense is that foolish brother up to now?

Qing Tong braced herself, put on a tragic expression, and mustered the courage to report:
“Seventh Young Master! Young Master Jue is… %￥#￥@… on the platform…”

Ziche Shubai: “What?”
He swore that even with his exceptional hearing, he couldn’t make out what Qing Tong had just said!

Qing Tong raised her voice slightly: “Young Master Jue is on the combat arena…”

Ziche Shubai frowned slightly.
Why would she hesitate to say that? Fighting on a combat arena was practically a cliché—if a fantasy novel didn’t have a fight stage, the author would be too embarrassed to call it a cultivation story. It was completely normal for the Shangguan family to have one for young cultivators to vent their energy.

Unless—
Ziche Shubai’s eyes widened by exactly 0.1 millimeters.
Damn! Did that foolish brother provoke the protagonist?!
Come to think of it, the protagonist did arrive at the Shangguan family around the same time as that fool—one as a recognized family member, the other as a mere servant!

And…
Considering how in the original novel the foolish brother persistently harassed the protagonist and got himself killed, Ziche Shubai figured he should check whether the idiot still had a chance of survival—

Ziche Shubai: “Lead the way.”
Seeing that she wasn’t reprimanded, Qing Tong carefully studied her master’s expression. Her 5.0-level vision detected the faintest crease in his brow. …This lowly maid has failed! To cause Master even a moment of distress is an unforgivable crime!

Thus, she immediately led the way.

Young Master Jue was far too reckless! How could he make Master worry?
Clearly, she needed to find a way to prevent this in the future…

Soon, Ziche Shubai, with Qing Tong leading the way and a procession of elite guards trailing behind, made his way toward the combat arena. His imposing presence completely overshadowed all the other young masters.
Along the way, people inevitably cast glances of caution, reverence, jealousy, and admiration—only to be utterly crushed under Ziche Shubai’s cold, untouchable aura, retreating without exception.

Handsome, powerful, and high-status.
A true winner in life—who wouldn’t want to look?

Thus, Ziche Shubai smoothly arrived at the massive combat arena.
On the platform, two figures were locked in confrontation.

Their conversation went something like this:

“Hmph! Take this—my secret treasure! Go!”
“Hmph. Is that all you’ve got?”
“Here’s another secret treasure—go!”
“Heh. Is that really all you’ve got?”
“Fine! My ultimate secret treasure—crush him!”
“Too much! Now I’ll crush you!”

The audience silently facepalmed.
Ziche Shubai watched for three seconds… and felt the urge to facepalm too.
Damn it, this scene was too stupid to watch.

At that moment, the richly dressed young master on stage was getting beaten black and blue by a strong young man in plain blue robes, cursing furiously all the while.
The strong young man’s eyes burned with suppressed fury, his punches landing harder and harder.
Blood splattered…

The fop screamed, “Help! Gu Xing, spare me! I give up!”
The strong youth, Gu Xing, kept punching: “You say that every time!”
The fop wailed, “I surrender, I surrender, I surrender—”

Just as Shangguan Jue spat out a tooth, Ziche Shubai’s cold voice rang out:
“Little brother.”

Shangguan Jue, already miserable, turned his head—then immediately started trembling.
“B-Big brother…?”

Ziche Shubai wordlessly reached out—grabbed both Shangguan Jue and Gu Xing—
And walked off with them.

Gu Xing: “…”
Shangguan Jue: “…”

The onlookers: “…”

What the hell?!

This made no sense!

If anything, the logical reactions should have been:

1. Slapping Gu Xing to death.
2. Disciplining his younger brother.
3. Protecting his younger brother and taking revenge on Gu Xing.

Any of these would have made sense! But what was the meaning of just picking up both of them and walking away?!

Qing Tong swept a glance over the crowd.
The elite guards also swept a glance over the crowd.
Then, without hesitation, they turned and followed their young master.

What the Seventh Young Master wanted to do was beyond the comprehension of mere mortals!
Hmph~