The Pavilion Master of the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion

"Come on, Third Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister. Let's find a private room in the Xuanhuang Inner Pavilion. That Pavilion Master seems to be arriving soon."

The moment Thunder Roar Ravine heard that the Pavilion Master was coming, he perked up at once and nodded repeatedly. "Good, good, good! I've long heard of the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion's Pavilion Master. I want to see just what sort of godly figure he is!"

Yun Mengyao nodded, showing no objection.

The three walked shoulder to shoulder toward the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion's inner pavilion.

Unlike the noisy bustle of gambling on stones in the outer pavilion, the inner pavilion was tranquil and elegant, its decorations even more lavish. The corridors were long, with calligraphy and paintings by famous masters hanging on both sides, rare potted plants placed in the corners, and a faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air, pleasantly fragrant.

From time to time, finely dressed cultivators entered and exited the various private rooms, conversing in low voices. Their every gesture carried a touch of restraint and elegance, entirely different from those outer-pavilion cultivators shouting themselves hoarse over Spirit Stones.

"This inner pavilion really is different. It suddenly feels a whole lot more high-class." Thunder Roar Ravine clicked his tongue in amazement, looking around.

"After all, this is the core area of the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion. Naturally, it has to pay attention to style," Yun Mengyao explained.

"The private rooms in the inner pavilion come in three types: Heavenly Grade, Earthly Grade, and Human Grade. All private rooms care only about Spirit Stones, not status. Even an ordinary person can enjoy Heavenly Grade service if they pay the same amount of Spirit Stones."

As they spoke, a beautiful maid dressed in a cheongsam approached them, her smile sweet. "Three honored guests, how may I assist you?"

Xuanyuan Che stepped forward immediately. "Get us a Heavenly Gra—mmph—"

"Junior Brother is still young and doesn't understand. Please see whether there are any Earthly Grade private rooms left." Yun Mengyao covered Xuanyuan Che's mouth with her jade-like hand and smiled elegantly.

Watching this scene, a flash of astonishment passed through the maid's eyes. She said gently, "Certainly. Please wait a moment while I check for you."

The maid turned and walked to a crystal spirit screen nearby. Her fingers tapped lightly as she operated it swiftly. A moment later, she turned back and said apologetically, "My apologies, three honored guests. All Earthly Grade private rooms have already been reserved. Only Human Grade rooms and one Heavenly Grade private room remain. May I ask the three of you...?"

"We'll take that Heavenly Grade room!" Xuanyuan Che broke free, shot Yun Mengyao a resentful glance, and made the decision on the spot, waving his hand as he produced a large pile of Spirit Stones.

"Damn, Little Junior Brother, you, you, you—" Thunder Roar Ravine was dumbfounded.

So this Little Junior Brother of mine wasn't just monstrously talented—he was also a hidden tycoon!

"I'll settle this with you later." Yun Mengyao transmitted her voice to Xuanyuan Che.

"Three honored guests, please follow me." The maid's smile brightened as she led the three deeper into the inner pavilion.

After passing through several winding corridors, the maid brought them before a private room adorned in extreme luxury. A purplish-gold plaque hung above the door, bearing the words Purple Palace, exuding a noble air.

"Three honored guests, this is the Heavenly Grade Purple Palace private room. Please enter." The maid respectfully opened the doors and bowed to invite them inside.

The private room was spacious within, decorated with the utmost extravagance. The floor was covered in soft snow-velvet carpet, the walls inlaid with gems of every color, and a massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.

A huge round table of purple sandalwood stood at the center of the room, covered with all manner of rare fruits and exquisite pastries.

By the window stood a row of comfortable cushioned couches, where one could gaze into the distance and admire the bustling scenery of Xuanhuang Ancient City.

Below the floor-to-ceiling window directly ahead lay the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion's central marketplace.

"No wonder the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion has become one of the foremost stone-gambling establishments in the Central Continent. Its reputation is well deserved."

The maid smiled. "It is enough that the three honored guests are satisfied. The Purple Palace private room is the highest-grade private room in our Mysterious Yellow Pavilion. Not only is its environment luxurious, its service is also first-rate. A dedicated attendant will come shortly to serve you, ensuring that the three honored guests feel completely at home."

"Thank you for your trouble."

The maid bowed and withdrew, closing the private room's doors behind her.

Only Xuanyuan Che and the other two remained in the room.

After sitting cross-legged, Xuanyuan Che released his spiritual sense, and the vast Mysterious Yellow Pavilion immediately took shape within his spiritual sea.

"Quite a few experts here."

"Little Junior Brother, come eat some fruit!" Thunder Roar Ravine interrupted Xuanyuan Che and hauled him up in one grab.

It was rather relaxed and pleasant.

Before long, a disturbance suddenly arose outside the private room. Faint cries of surprise and clamor could be heard from the crowd.

Before the floor-to-ceiling window, the curtains opened automatically. Around the central gambling grounds below, the Human Grade "private rooms" began to grow lively. It seemed the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion was about to begin today's main event.

A figure appeared at the pavilion entrance.

That figure was shrouded in a hazy halo, making his features impossible to discern. Only a tall, slender outline could vaguely be seen. He wore a plain white robe, its sleeves fluttering like an immortal banished to the mortal world. An otherworldly aura radiated from him, making others dare not look directly at him.

He slowly entered the venue, his steps light. Every step seemed to land upon the laws of heaven and earth, stirring the surrounding Spiritual Energy into resonance.

With his arrival, the once-noisy inner pavilion hall instantly fell silent as a grave. Everyone held their breath, their gazes filled with reverence.

Xuanyuan Che narrowed his eyes as well, sizing up that mysterious figure.

So this was the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion's Pavilion Master? So secretive and mysterious.

To put it simply, he was damn good at putting on airs.

"So strong!" Thunder Roar Ravine could not help crying out, his voice carrying a trace of shock. "He feels almost on par with the Academy Lord."

Yun Mengyao nodded and said softly, "This Mysterious Yellow Pavilion Master's strength is indeed unfathomable. He is likely no ordinary Supreme."

At that moment, the mysterious figure suddenly stopped walking. As though sensing something, he slowly turned around and looked toward the private room where Xuanyuan Che and the others were.

In an instant, an invisible pressure carrying a probing intent descended upon them.

"Hmph." Xuanyuan Che casually waved a hand and dispersed it, somewhat displeased.

Those who dared to give him a show of force from the outset generally did not meet good ends.

Not in this life.

"Hmm?"

The mysterious figure smiled faintly and restrained his aura. The halo surrounding him dissipated as well, revealing his true appearance.

He was a young-looking man, appearing around twenty-seven or twenty-eight. With sword-like brows, starry eyes, a high nose bridge, and sharply defined features, he was so handsome that he resembled a god descending to earth. His plain white robe further accentuated his refined, transcendent bearing, making people instinctively feel goodwill toward him at first sight.

The man's eyes were clear as water, and the corners of his lips curved slightly upward in a gentle smile, making others feel as though bathed in a spring breeze.

An uproar broke out below the stage.

Those cultivators who had never seen the Pavilion Master had originally assumed that the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion's Pavilion Master would be a white-haired, decrepit old man. They had never expected him to be such a young and handsome man!

Moreover, although this young Pavilion Master's aura was powerful, it was nowhere near as terrifying as what they had sensed before. Instead, he gave off a gentle, restrained feeling, like the young master next door, without the slightest arrogance of an expert.

"I am Lu Guan, Pavilion Master of the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion."

"To all honored guests who have come from afar, your presence brings glory to my humble Mysterious Yellow Pavilion. Lu offers you his greetings." Lu Guan smiled faintly, his voice warm as jade and faintly magnetic, refreshing the heart and soothing the mind.

He cupped his hands lightly toward the crowd, his posture humble and his bearing elegant, without a trace of an expert's arrogance or airs.

Hearing the Pavilion Master speak, the surrounding cultivators seemed to wake from a dream and hurriedly returned the greeting.

"There are many distinguished guests today, so Lu will not say much more."

"Fellow Daoists, please look."

At the center of the stage, a wooden table slowly rose.