"No way. It's Mr. Tang San!"
The crowd began to murmur, even the passersby on the street were curious by Tang San's sudden appearance in Neo Hong Kong. They peered through the windows and doors.
Curious, Ye Shen turned to the big guy. "Who is this?"
"Brother, you must be joking! He's Tang San! The biggest promotor from Sky City! Tang San is renowned for his keen eye in finding talented fighters!"
"Promotor? Ah, a broker who organizes a fight for fighters?"
"Erm, yeah. You can put it that way." The big guy smiled wryly. He was afraid that he might misspoken and get wrecked instead by Tang San's body guard.
"On top of that, he is an honorary citizen of Sky City. His relationship with the top brass in the Universal Martial Tournament granted him many channels to bring someone from rag to riches in just one night! Every fighter in Neo Hong Kong would kneel and bark to be promoted by him."
Subsequently, everybody who aspired to be a fighter in the octagon lowered their head as Tang San strode toward Ye Shen while accompanied by his body guards."
Ye Shen, however, was completely unfazed. Even if Tang San was a king, he wouldn't lower his back even the slightest. Nevertheless, Ye Shen cupped his fist, and nodded cordially.
"I appreciate your compliment, sir."
Tang San lit up his big cigar. After a puff, he opened his mouth. "I saw your clip on the internet, Ye Shen. It was quite the spectacle! Say, are you wishing to enter the Universal Martial Tournament? With your talent, I believe we could get so much money! I will make you rich!"
Ye Shen saw the subtle greediness in Tang San's smile. Back in the Nine Heavens Continent, Ye Shen was highly regarded as a competitive fighter, he would not back down. If there's an opportunity, he would jump right into it.
However, hundreds of years of life experience taught him to always be cautious. After learning how everything works on this blue planet, he knew Tang San was harboring a wicked ulterior motive. One misstep, he would turn into a fighter slave instead.
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I have to say no. At least, not in the time being. I'm not yet worthy to be your fighter, Tang San."
Everybody gasped in disbelief. It was the first time Tang San's invitation was rejected. However, Tang San didn't look offended by it.
Tang San puffed another mouthful of smoke to the air, smirking while handing out a card. "You are a man of principle I see. As of now, just hold on to my name card. Call me whenever if you change your mind."
Ye Shen took the name card memorize Tang San's contact in a single glance.
"I will be in touch." Ye Shen said firmly.
Tang San was smiling from ear to ear, and he said, "see you at the top!"
As Tang San strode out of the pub, Ye Shen realized that Meilan was gazing at him with a concerned look. He opted to sit beside her, and was served a bottle of rice wine as well as a small cup to drink from.
"I don't order this." He said.
Xiao Rong reciprocated with a smile. "It's on the house, please enjoy."
"Well, I'll take it for granted then." Ye Shen said. Pouring the wine into the cup. After a sip, he glanced at Meilan. "Why with the long face?"
Meilan stirred her drink before muttering her thoughts. "For a second thought, are you certain with your choice to be a fighter? It's a harsh world, you know. I have seen so many fighters lost their self, or even their life in the process."
"Fret not. I will not lose. Not again." Determination burned in his gaze. Ye Shen remembered the time when he had to flee from his enemies and he had to end up on this remote planet.
Meilan sighed a long breath. She couldn't help but to support his choice. After which, she tugged Ye Shen's hand once again.
"Come with me, there's something I want to show you."
"Wait, I haven't finish my drink."
"It's alright, we are just going upstairs. You may bring your drink if you want to." Meilan threw a meaningful glance at Xiao Rong, asking a permission to use the rooftop in silent.
Xiao Rong nodded. She pressed a button under the table which opened the secret door behind the counter.
"Take your time…" She smiled impishly.
Afterward, both of them slipped away and entered the lift. Shortly after, the lift's door slid open, showing the magnificent light show of the city skylines.
"Woah, look at the view! I have never seen this colorful night sky! And look at that flying mountain! It's so huge! And it has big tower too!" Ye Shen pointed at the horizon.
Meilan, however, had the opposite reaction. She looked very sad, as if longing something that only existed in the past.
"Sorry to dissapoint you. But It's not a mountain."
"Eh?" Ye Shen tilted his head.
"It's the Sky City. Built atop a decommissioned Gaia Class Mothership. A relic from the Third World War. The billionaires unanimously decided to use it as their dwellings whilst watching the commoners suffer from their hideous rules as to keep us in check and would never incite rebellion."
"And, what about that tower?"
"It's called the Tower of Babylon. The very venue for the Universal Martial Tournament. There are 1,000 floors, and each floor is reigned by a Floor Master. Even by entering a floor and fight your opponents, you'd receive considerable amount of wealth. Granted, as a Floor Master, you can even organize your own match without a permission from the President of UMT."
"Ahh, the leader of this company, right?"
"Yes, he is the current strongest fighter on Earth. If you really aiming for the highest throne, you'd need to defeat him."
Ye Shen was so excited inside. 'Just what I need! I never thought that this small blue planet has powerful fighters! I can't wait to join the UMT!'