Chapter 357 - 307: Shocking Turn of Events at Xianya Garden

First, one needed to have Foundation Establishment Cultivation.

Second, one needed to possess sufficient power or enough Spirit Stones.

She wasn't clear on what "sufficient" meant, though. Jiang Xu would have to find that out for himself.

And these were just the requirements to enter the Inner Garden.

To get into the depths of Xianya Garden was a feat beyond the reach of ordinary people.

The person he'd spoken to knew nothing more and had only warned Jiang Xu not to ask around carelessly.

...

After spending a small sum of Spirit Stones to awkwardly get rid of the informant, Jiang Xu found a random corner and sat down.

The location of his target that he had sensed earlier couldn't possibly be just in the Inner Garden.

The place where the target was located was simply too deep inside.

'Don't tell me it's actually a Courtesan?'

The thought jolted him, and his gaze grew profound.

Jiang Xu closed his eyes, attempting to use the Seeking Technique once more to sense the Foundation Establishment Cultivator's aura.

Amidst the clamor of Xianya Garden, he tried to clear his mind of distracting thoughts, immersing his consciousness in the sensation.

As his Magical Power circulated, Jiang Xu's senses, guided by the target's aura, penetrated Xianya Garden's many barriers, probing deep into its various corners.

He discovered that the source of the aura was indeed located in the depths of Xianya Garden.

Jiang Xu grew more certain of his suspicion. The person he was looking for was very likely one of Xianya Garden's Courtesans.

The conclusion was shocking, yet it also felt somewhat expected.

After all, a unique place like Xiao Jin Island, where countless Cultivators gathered, was a web of intricate factions. As the most prosperous entertainment venue on the island, Xianya Garden was naturally a focal point for power struggles.

If that Foundation Establishment Cultivator was truly connected to Xianya Garden, they were probably a member of the establishment itself.

As Jiang Xu pondered, his thoughts converged on Xianya Garden and the clues behind it.

He became increasingly convinced that the person he sought had an inextricable connection to the renowned Xianya Garden of Xiao Jin Island.

The land occupied by Xianya Garden was priceless on Xiao Jin Island.

Every inch of land here was worth its weight in gold. To establish such a massive entertainment venue in this bustling area required financial resources, connections, and power far beyond the reach of any ordinary person.

Jiang Xu privately estimated that the resources needed just to maintain Xianya Garden's daily operations would amount to a mountain of Spirit Stones.

Furthermore, to stand firm on the fiercely competitive Xiao Jin Island, it would need powerful backing and unparalleled influence.

Jiang Xu had already learned that Xianya Garden was not the only business its mysterious owner had on Xiao Jin Island.

There were three or four other similarly large and famous gambling dens, restaurants, and other entertainment facilities directly associated with it.

Like key pieces on a chessboard, these establishments were scattered across the island's critical locations, forming a commercial network that covered the entire island and captivated the attention and wealth of countless Cultivators.

The person behind Xianya Garden was no ordinary figure but a deeply hidden and powerful magnate on Xiao Jin Island.

For his target to be in the depths of a high-end place like Xianya Garden spoke volumes about their status.

If they weren't a Courtesan, then the target's status was likely beyond his imagination.

Jiang Xu's head was starting to ache.

'Is being a delivery guy ever easy?!'

'They won't even let me into the damn gated community?'

'What?'

'Do I have to become a homeowner just to make a delivery?'

'Goddammit!'

If he really couldn't deliver it to this person, he could just go find Xiong Liangsheng's other relative!

That Qi Cultivation First Layer Junior Cultivator couldn't be some big shot, right?

If that person was in a similar situation as this...

...then Jiang Xu would just give up. He wouldn't make the delivery!

When he swore the Heart Demon Oath, there were plenty of preconditions!

Under these circumstances, he was allowed to not complete the delivery!

Just as Jiang Xu rose to his feet in anger, ready to leave...

...a sudden clamor of disorderly footsteps and shouts erupted from outside Xianya Garden's main entrance, shattering the amorous atmosphere.

Jiang Xu's sharp senses detected the disturbance. He subconsciously took half a step back and activated the Concealing Breath Spell as a precaution, his eyes fixed on the commotion ahead.

A group of Cultivators in uniform Dark Patterned Magic Robes suddenly appeared at the entrance. Their attire identified them as members of the Guard Team under the Island Master's command.

Moving as fast as the wind, the group of Cultivators surrounded Xianya Garden in an instant, sealing it off completely.

Their leader, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, had an ashen face and an air of unquestionable authority. He raised his hand, pointed inside Xianya Garden, and barked an order.

"Don't let a single person go. Search them all!"

The order stunned everyone present.

You have to understand, Xianya Garden was a renowned establishment on the island.

It was respected by all factions; when had it ever been treated like this?

Jiang Xu was even more shaken, finding it hard to believe what was happening before his eyes.

Normally, Xianya Garden's Garden Master was always cautious and maintained good relations with all parties.

It was impossible that they would provoke such a public raid over some trivial matter.

The surrounding Xianya Garden Cultivators and Courtesans looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion.

Some began to whisper, speculating whether some major incident or misunderstanding had occurred.

Others, bewildered, believed there had to be something strange afoot. After all, given Xianya Garden's status and its relationship with the Island Master, it would never be subjected to such treatment unless something extremely serious was involved.

The crowd of onlooking Cultivators murmured among themselves, guessing at the possible reasons behind the raid.

Some recalled the recent strange disappearances rumored around the island, wondering if this was connected.

Others analyzed that perhaps Xianya Garden was hiding some forbidden items or was involved in a secret transaction with a high-level figure, which had angered the Island Master's faction.

Jiang Xu stared at the aggressive search party, his mind racing to sort through the possibilities.

As the crown jewel of Xiao Jin Island, Xianya Garden's network of interests was complex and interconnected. An attack on it affected the whole system. They would never have provoked such a public confrontation unless a bottom line had been crossed.

Jiang Xu guessed that perhaps a greater conspiracy lay behind this incident, one that might even be indirectly related to the target he was searching for.

Meanwhile, the Madams and pimps of Xianya Garden were thrown into a frenzy.

Some tried their best to cooperate with the search, while others rushed to report to the Inner Garden, hoping for instructions from their superiors.

The order within Xianya Garden instantly descended into chaos.

Suddenly, Jiang Xu realized this was a rare opportunity.

He could use the situation to learn more about Xianya Garden's inner workings and perhaps use the chaos as cover to get closer to his target.

Jiang Xu decided to remain on the scene discreetly, waiting for the right moment to slip into the depths of Xianya Garden amidst the confusion.

The search party ignored the protests of Xianya Garden's Madams and filed into the garden one by one.

Whether it was guests enjoying themselves, courtesans leaning in doorways to solicit business, or even the Madams who ran the place, the search team spared no one. Every single person was required to submit to a search.

However, although it was called a search, they weren't actually forcing the Cultivators to take out their Storage Bags for inspection.

One had to know that a Cultivator's Storage Bag was their reverse scale—a sensitive spot that should never be touched.

Countless life-saving trump cards and precious Treasures were hidden inside, things they would never show to anyone else.

If the search party insisted on a forcible inspection,

...a fight would undoubtedly break out on the spot.

The search party members were using a different method.

They held a Magical Artifact that resembled a Luminous Pearl. The artifact floated gently in mid-air, emitting a faint blue light.

Whenever the Magical Artifact approached a person, its soft light would envelop them, scanning all the items on their person and within their Storage Bag.

As the artifact's light swept over each Cultivator, it would react if it detected any forbidden items or abnormal energy fluctuations.

As long as the artifact showed no reaction after its scan, it meant the person had passed the search and could leave safely.

Anyone who passed was considered clear and could depart.

Although Jiang Xu was confident he had done nothing wrong and would have no issues,

...he still had no intention of stepping forward to be searched.

Jiang Xu noticed that even some Cultivators with higher Cultivation levels didn't dare to be complacent when facing this Magical Artifact, clearly fearing its detection capabilities.

Even though they knew their Storage Bags wouldn't be forcibly inspected, they still worried about having inadvertently come into contact with any forbidden items or special auras.