Yao closed his fingers around the mid-grade spiritual stone as soon as Kyrian placed it on the table. The smile on his face spread from ear to ear, sincere, almost childlike.
"Ah... now this is a serious conversation."
He slipped the stone into the inner pocket of his robe with a fluid motion, like someone accustomed to making quick exchanges, and then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"Right. I’ll explain from the beginning, without embellishments. The Cloud Coliseum is not just a place to fight. It is one of the institutions of the Empire."
Kyrian remained silent, attentive.
"Under normal circumstances, the Coliseum operates as a closed circuit. Only those who are already part of it can fight inside." Yao continued.
"There is an initial registration. Cultivators who enter through the common path go through tests, evaluations, and a series of preliminary fights. After that, they receive an identification plaque from the Coliseum."
"That plaque is everything. It records victories, defeats, ranking, bets involved, and even the survival rate."
Yao smiled faintly.
"The official ranking goes from the thousandth to the first place. But in practice, only the top one hundred really matter." He explained.
"The Top Hundred of the Cloud Coliseum is closed."
"Normally, no outsider can challenge them directly. Only internal challenges, among the ranked themselves." He said in a calm voice.
"These challenges follow strict rules. Position limits, administrator approval, and contracts signed in advance."
"Everything organized."
Yao paused, watching Kyrian, who maintained the same expression.
"But that changes in seven days."
The smile returned to his face, slower now.
"In seven days, the reopening for free challenges takes place."
Kyrian slightly raised his gaze.
"This event doesn’t happen often. In fact, it’s rare. It usually coincides with major events in the capital." Yao continued.
"Like the Centennial Auction."
He lightly tapped his fingers on the table.
"During this period, the Coliseum allows outside cultivators to directly challenge members of the Top Hundred."
Kyrian did not interrupt.
"But it’s not free. Nothing is there." Yao added.
"The outside challenger must put up an amount of spiritual stones as the prize of the challenge."
"That amount is not fixed. The higher the value, the greater the Coliseum’s interest... and the greater the chance of the challenge being approved."
"Who receives the stones?" Kyrian asked.
"That depends on the result," Yao replied promptly.
"If the challenger wins, he gets the prize back, multiplied by a percentage defined by the Coliseum. If he loses... everything goes to the challenged and to the Coliseum."
He shrugged.
"It’s an official wager."
"And the rules?" Kyrian asked.
Yao raised a finger.
"The only absolute rule is this. The external challenger cannot have a cultivation higher than the challenged."
"If the cultivation is equal or lower, the challenge is valid. If it’s higher, it’s immediately rejected."
Kyrian understood the reason. The Coliseum was confident in those ranked in the top hundred.
"And what about the format of the fight?" Kyrian asked.
"Usually one-on-one. No severe restrictions. Weapons allowed. Lethal techniques allowed." Yao replied.
He smiled.
"Death is accepted by default in these challenges."
Kyrian nodded slowly.
"If a challenger defeats a member of the top hundred, what happens?" Kyrian asked.
"Good question, it will depend on the contract." Yao replied.
"In most cases, the challenger does not automatically enter the Top Hundred. He gains a larger reward and the right to register directly as a ranked participant."
"But..." His smile became sharper,
"If the challenge involves a large enough amount, the Coliseum may allow a direct exchange of positions."
Kyrian absorbed that.
"So it’s possible to buy an entry straight into the top hundred, I believe that has many advantages," Kyrian said.
"Buy the chance. Winning is still up to you." Yao corrected.
The food then arrived at the table, interrupting the conversation for a moment. Kyrian nodded to the waiter and began to eat quickly.
Then he asked.
"Why does the Coliseum allow this?"
Yao laughed.
"Because it brings in money. A lot of money."
"Each free challenge attracts bettors, spectators, and representatives of greater forces."
"Influential families use this to test talents."
Kyrian understood immediately.
"And are the members of the top hundred forced to accept?" Kyrian asked.
"Yes, during the reopening, they cannot refuse valid challenges." Yao replied.
"They can still choose when to fight, within a deadline. But they can’t hide, and they won’t."
"Refusing without justification results in severe penalties. Loss of position, suspension... or something worse."
Yao observed Kyrian attentively.
"That’s why this week is dangerous. For those at the top."
Kyrian leaned back in his chair after eating several pieces of roasted meat.
"And for those who enter as well." He said.
Yao nodded.
"Very much so. Some outside challengers try their luck with everything they have. Mainly to raise more money for the auction. The result is death for many."
"Others are sent by greater forces. And some know exactly what they’re doing. Confident in their own strength."
Kyrian remained impassive.
"How many challenges can an outsider make?" he asked.
"As many as he can pay for. The Coliseum records everything." Yao replied.
Kyrian finally brought the cup to his mouth and took a slow sip.
"And you? Where do you fit into this?" Kyrian asked, curious.
Yao spread his arms.
"I know who is injured. Who has unstable cultivation. Who just advanced and hasn’t stabilized yet."
"I know which positions in the top hundred are fragile."
"And I know how much money is needed for a specific challenge to be approved."
He leaned forward again.
"If you intend to enter this game... you need to choose well."
Kyrian remained silent for a few seconds.
"In seven days, meet me in front of the coliseum." Kyrian said at last. He could see that Yao in front of him was not lying.
"Seven days." Yao confirmed.
Kyrian stood up, having finished eating.
He placed another spiritual stone on the table, larger than the previous one.
"Keep observing me if you really want some money. When the reopening begins, I will make a challenge."
Yao took the stone, his eyes shining.
"You can be sure that I will. I think you’re going to move a lot of things in this city..." Yao said, focusing on Kyrian’s crimson eyes.
Kyrian turned and left the restaurant and Yao behind, returning to the Crimson Lotus Residence.