Chapter 155 - 149: Grand Occasion

Chapter 155: Chapter 149: Grand Occasion

"Ugh, I wish I could go in and take a look! I wonder what it’s really like inside Snow Feather Tower during the Hundred Flowers Assembly! Those blasted invitations! Why is it so hard to qualify for one?!"

"Tell me about it! If you’re just a Soul Master, the minimum requirement for an invitation is to be a Soul Energy Grandmaster, and that doesn’t even include the other conditions!"

"Hey, friend, tell us, what’s it... really like inside the Hundred Flowers Assembly?"

Li Heng continued to watch the steady stream of guests when he suddenly heard someone next to him call out. He instinctively turned to look.

He saw two people who had been chatting, one of whom was now looking at him with an inquisitive expression, as if seeking an answer.

"I don’t know the specifics, to be honest. I’m actually quite curious myself," Li Heng replied casually.

Upon hearing that Li Heng was also in the dark and just as curious, the two men instantly lit up as if they had found a kindred spirit and eagerly launched into conversation.

Li Heng didn’t find it annoying. Watching the guests arrive and listening to the two men chat, he found the scenery pleasant and felt quite at ease.

He waited like this until nightfall. The last rays of the evening sun had vanished, but for Li Liang City, the night was just beginning to "awaken."

Compared to the day, it had a completely different atmosphere.

Bright moonlight spilled down from the sky. The light cast by the golden Floating Flowers was no longer a blood-red glow, but waves of pale gold.

While it was no longer as vibrant as the crimson light, its luxurious aura was in no way inferior to that of the day.

Night had fallen, and the flow of arriving guests had dwindled. Feeling the time was right, Li Heng started to walk forward.

"Hey, hey, hey! Friend, don’t! Don’t be reckless! If you go over there without an invitation, you might not even make it out alive! We know you really want to see inside, but your life is more important!"

"Friend! Be rational! Your life is on the line!"

Seeing Li Heng start to walk, the two men who had been chatting with him immediately grabbed his sleeve, urging him to control his desires and stay calm.

Li Heng cupped his fists toward them and said, "Thank you for your concern, my friends, but I have an invitation! I’ll be on my way now."

After bidding them farewell, Li Heng turned and walked toward the two elderly Soul Saints, smoothly retrieving the Hundred Flowers Assembly invitation from his medium-sized Space Stone.

When they heard Li Heng say he had an invitation, the two men stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at his retreating back. It took them a moment to recover, and then they exchanged a glance.

When they saw Li Heng actually walk onto the golden carpet without being sent flying, their expressions turned utterly bizarre. They looked as if they were questioning their very existence.

The moment Li Heng stepped onto the golden carpet, he felt a presence lock onto him, but the sensation vanished just as quickly.

Li Heng guessed that the sensation must have come from the two Soul Saints. It had come and gone in a flash.

A middle-aged man was in front of Li Heng. After the man presented his invitation and was allowed through, it was Li Heng’s turn. Composing himself slightly, Li Heng held his own invitation and walked forward confidently.

"Esteemed guest, please present your invitation."

"’Esteemed guest’ is too high a praise. I’m just here to broaden my horizons. Here is my invitation. Thank you for your trouble, Seniors." Li Heng cupped his fists and bowed slightly.

Honestly, hearing the respectful tone in the man’s voice, Li Heng was somewhat flattered. The two Soul Saints hadn’t treated him with disdain just because his cultivation realm was low.

’After all, I’m just a Soul Warrior, yet I’m being received by two Soul Saints, and they’re being so polite,’ Li Heng couldn’t help but think.

’I thought Qingfeng Tower was already impressive, but Snow Feather Tower is in no way inferior! The three great towers of Li Liang City... their foundations truly run deep!’

’This is an experience I could never have imagined. I bet if I told this as a story after leaving this Dungeon, no one would believe me.’

Hearing Li Heng’s response and seeing his bow, the elderly Soul Saint on the left remained expressionless and said directly, "Snow Feather Tower doesn’t concern itself with such matters. All who hold an invitation are our esteemed guests. You are a Class-C VIP. Please, go ahead."

The elderly Soul Saint on the right, however, said nothing at first. Just as Li Heng was about to pass him, the man’s lips moved slightly. "When autumn comes, on the snowy peak, stand your sword and know its intent."

Li Heng froze on the spot. A single thought instantly flashed through his mind: ’Sword Intent!’

Ever since he’d grasped a rudimentary Sword Intent, Li Heng had taken a rather laid-back approach to furthering his comprehension, but he had also been stuck at this "rudimentary" level for a long time.

So now, hearing the elderly Soul Saint’s advice, Li Heng was naturally grateful. He turned back to the man who had guided him and bowed deeply once more before slowly walking inside.

After Li Heng had gone, the Soul Saint on the left glanced at the one who had offered the guidance. The latter remained composed and said nothing more.

After a moment of silence, the Soul Saint on the left finally spoke. "Those few words are worth three years of his hard cultivation."

The other man said nothing, simply standing motionless as before.

「 」

"Esteemed guest, I am Hongyu, and this is Mo Ya. We are your personal Maids for tonight. During your time at Snow Feather Tower this evening, we will do our utmost to fulfill your every request."

Not long after Li Heng left the two elderly Soul Saints, two young women, one on his left and one on his right, walked up to him and curtsied.

’Personal Maids!’

’Fulfill your every request!’

He looked at the two young women. Though both wore traditional-style dresses, one was dressed quite daringly, her clothes made of very little fabric. Her eyes were intoxicatingly seductive.

The other had a proud figure and was dressed more modestly, her gaze distant and faintly cold. Yet, the crimson rouge she wore added a tantalizing hint of desire.

’So it’s true... only children make choices, huh?’

For various reasons, Li Heng had noticed the two rows of young women at the entrance accompanying guests into Snow Feather Tower, but he hadn’t known the specific procedure.

He had even assumed guests chose one of the two to act as a sort of server. He never imagined Snow Feather Tower was this skilled at business!

’Not just personal Maids, but you get both of them!’

Li Heng regulated his breathing, forcibly suppressing the various thoughts swirling in his mind. He kept his expression placid and said, "Please, lead me into Snow Feather Tower. I’ll be in your care tonight, ladies."

The daringly dressed Maid, whose name was Hongyu, gave a charming smile at Li Heng’s words. She then extended her right hand, holding it delicately in the air before him.

After Hongyu offered her hand, Mo Ya, the one wearing rouge, did the same.

"Please allow me or Mo Ya to guide you, esteemed guest. If you find this disagreeable, we ask for your forgiveness!"

Seeing the situation, Li Heng acted gracefully and without pretense, reaching out and placing his hand on the back of Mo Ya’s. The two young women smiled faintly and began to guide him slowly toward Snow Feather Tower.

Mo Ya’s hand was smooth and cool to the touch. If he hadn’t been looking, Li Heng might have mistaken it for a piece of jade.

Before they entered Snow Feather Tower, Hongyu began to tell Li Heng about the tower, explaining that as a Class-C VIP, he would be seated on the sixth floor tonight.

The sixth floor of Snow Feather Tower was normally reserved for Soul Energy Grandmasters, but today, regardless of a Soul Master’s realm, all attendees were considered esteemed guests!

Li Heng figured as much. Snow Feather Tower must have considered the seating arrangements when they issued the invitations. He didn’t say anything, just listened quietly.

The moment he stepped inside Snow Feather Tower, Li Heng was left breathless by the sight before him. ’Is this really the inside of a building and not some famous, scenic mountain range?!’

At that moment, he suddenly felt he understood a line from a Song dynasty poem he had once learned back on Earth. He couldn’t help but whisper it aloud: "Drunkenly I listen to flute and drum, reciting poems, admiring mist and haze."

(PS: The line is from the poem "Gazing at the Sea Tide: The Splendor of the Southeast" by Liu Yong.)

Just as Li Heng spoke, a gaze locked onto him. At the same time, he heard a hearty voice call out.

"My friend! Such refined taste! I wonder, might I have the honor of enjoying this Hundred Flowers Assembly with you tonight?"