167: Chapter 167: The Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion

The gavel struck, and the old man fell silent.

"Dear audience, that concludes my opening remarks."

"Next, I shall tell you about..."

Applause erupted below the stage.

Someone muttered.

"This part again? My ears have grown calluses from hearing it."

Others were moved.

"Every time I hear it, I find it incredibly shocking."

Xiao Ran put down his teacup and looked out the window at that golden beam of light.

A Sword Intent that would never fade for ten thousand years...

A Mahayana Stage Sword Cultivator...

He suddenly recalled the days he spent adventuring in the ruins.

Those Demon Venerables and Dao Venerables all perished in that great war; it was truly tragic beyond measure.

"Elder?"

Song He's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Xiao Ran snapped back to reality.

"Hmm?"

Song He said,

"Shouldn't we head to the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce? The stronghold is short on supplies and needs a restock."

Xiao Ran nodded.

"Let's go."

The two of them walked out of the teahouse and headed toward the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce.

Just as they turned a street corner, they heard a flurry of discussion.

"Did you hear? Wan Hua Pavilion is hosting the Wanhua Assembly tonight!"

"The Wanhua Assembly? The annual one?"

"Exactly! I heard this year's assembly is exceptionally grand; all three top courtesans will be appearing!"

"For real? All three courtesans on the same stage? Then we have to go see!"

"Entry isn't cheap; anyone below the Nascent Soul Stage has to pay a hundred Spirit Stones."

"A hundred Spirit Stones? Is that highway robbery?"

"Don't go if you think it's expensive; plenty of others will."

"Do you know how many people were at the assembly last year? Thirty thousand! Wan Hua Pavilion was nearly bursting at the seams!"

Xiao Ran paused his steps.

"The Wanhua Assembly?"

Song He quickly explained,

"Wan Hua Pavilion is the largest brothel on the Sword Qi Great Wall, and it's also the most bustling gold-consuming den in the Far North Land."

"Every year, they host the Wanhua Assembly, inviting the three top courtesans to perform."

"At that time, all the prominent figures of the Sword Qi Great Wall will be present."

He paused and lowered his voice.

"Moreover, the Wanhua Assembly isn't just for watching performances; more importantly, it's a social venue."

"People from all various factions will go there to drink, chat, exchange intelligence, and even discuss business."

"Many matters that can't be settled normally can be resolved at the Wanhua Assembly."

Xiao Ran's interest was piqued.

"Oh? Then it's worth checking out."

Song He was also a bit tempted, but the priority was to exchange for supplies.

Thus, the two made up their minds: they would go to the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce first, and then spend the night at Wan Hua Pavilion.

...

Night fell.

In front of Wan Hua Pavilion, the lights were brilliant.

It was a nine-story pavilion, with carved beams and painted rafters, looking magnificent and grand.

Red lanterns hung in front of the building, casting a crimson glow over the entire street.

At the entrance, two rows of young attendants in green robes were welcoming guests.

"Welcome to Wan Hua Pavilion!"

"Please come inside, honored guests!"

The crowd was like a woven tapestry, an endless stream of people.

Xiao Ran and Song He arrived at the entrance.

An attendant approached them with a beaming smile.

"How many in your party, honored guests?"

Xiao Ran said,

"Two."

The attendant was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.

"Honored guests, the rule of Wan Hua Pavilion is that those at the Nascent Soul Stage and above enter for free, while those below the Nascent Soul Stage must pay one hundred Spirit Stones each."

Xiao Ran calmly revealed a hint of his aura.

The attendant's smile instantly bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

"Quickly, someone lead these distinguished guests upstairs!"

A maidservant walked over and led the two of them upstairs.

The interior of Wan Hua Pavilion was even more luxurious than the exterior.

In the center of the first-floor hall was a massive circular stage.

Tables and chairs surrounded the stage, and many people were already seated.

On the stage, several dancers were performing, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments filled the air.

The second and third floors consisted of private rooms that overlooked the stage.

The maidservant led Xiao Ran's group to a private room on the second floor.

This was the treatment accorded to Soul Transformation experts.

"Please take a seat, honored guests. Feel free to call upon us if you need anything."

Xiao Ran nodded, and the maidservant withdrew.

The two took their seats and looked down through the window.

The first-floor hall was already packed with people.

There were scions of noble families in ornate silk robes, Sword Cultivators with sharp auras, merchants reeking of money, and a few cold-faced Loose Cultivators.

Xiao Ran's gaze swept across the crowd.

"Deacon Song, what are the backgrounds of those people down there?"

Song He pointed below and said in a low voice,

"Over there, those in white robes are Outer Sect Disciples of the Sword Sect. Don't be fooled by their low cultivation; on the Sword Qi Great Wall, no one dares to provoke the Sword Sect."

Xiao Ran looked in the direction he pointed.

Several young men in white were sitting in a corner with arrogant expressions.

The surrounding Cultivators were deliberately keeping their distance from them.

"Those in black robes over there are from the Zhao family."

Song He pointed to another side.

Several people in black robes were gathered around a table. Leading them was a young man with a gloomy face and sharp eyes.

"The eighteenth son of the current Zhao family head, Zhao Lingyun."

"Nascent Soul Great Perfection. He has a domineering and arrogant personality; he's not one to be trifled with."

Xiao Ran gave the man another look.

Zhao Lingyun was currently hugging a dancer, laughing loudly as if no one else were there.

"And over there, those in gold robes are from the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce."

Song He pointed to another table.

Several middle-aged men who looked like merchants were talking in low voices, laughing from time to time.

Xiao Ran nodded and looked elsewhere.

There were many other Cultivators from various factions in the first-floor hall.

Some were in groups of three or five, while others sat alone, each with their own thoughts.

"People from second-rate factions basically sit on the first floor."

"The second and third floors are for first-rate factions and VIP seats."

Song He said.

"Then why are the people from the Sword Sect, the Zhao family, and the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce sitting on the first floor?"

Xiao Ran was somewhat puzzled.

Logically speaking, the factions behind these groups were the true heavyweights of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Song He: "Naturally, it's to... show off!"

Xiao Ran had an Epiphany. That made sense!

Who could see you if you were sitting in a VIP room?

But sitting below was different; you could be seen from any angle.

Downstairs.

The performance on the stage had come to a close.

A woman dressed in red stepped onto the stage, holding a folding fan, her face blooming with a smile.

"Distinguished guests, welcome to Wan Hua Pavilion!"

As soon as the woman in red finished speaking, a wave of warm applause erupted from below.

"I've been waiting all year for this day!"

"Three courtesans on the same stage; this is a rare and grand event!"

"I wonder who will be the courtesan's Chosen Guest this year..."

Xiao Ran leaned back in his chair, took a sip of tea, and watched the scene below with great interest.

Song He whispered from the side,

"Elder, the rule of this Wanhua Assembly is that the three courtesans will take turns setting a challenge."

"The challenges are related to their respective talents. Whoever comes out on top in a courtesan's challenge and satisfies her can become her Chosen Guest."

Xiao Ran's hand holding the teacup paused slightly.

Now this was a topic that would keep him wide awake.