Chapter 24: The Predetermined One.
A young woman stepped gracefully from the second floor. Her beauty was striking, with sculpted features that seemed carved, and her unbound hair, though messy, exuded an effortless charm. A light makeup highlighted her red lips, and her eyes sparkled like stars, drawing one in with the allure of an autumn water beauty.
Lin Mo had seen many beautiful women before; in the information-rich era of his past life, they were a dime a dozen. While most were enhanced by technology, they were still a pleasant sight. However, this mistress of Jiangyue Building was beautiful not just on the surface, but deep within one’s soul.
The moment she appeared, the bustling Jiangyue Building fell silent. All eyes turned towards her. She swept her gaze over the crowd with a detached air, exuding an almost unattainable aura despite being the madam of an entertainment establishment. As if accustomed to such reactions, her face showed no pride or arrogance, only a profound coldness.
Her appearance and power were truly remarkable. Lin Mo, unlike the others, was not shallow. His Sword Heart Clarity granted him sharp perception, and the aura of the Jiangyue Building mistress remained unfathomably deep, even more intense than his Master Yuehua’s. Yuehua, after all, had reached the Nascent Soul stage. Lin Mo conservatively estimated the mistress to be at least at the peak of Nascent Soul, or perhaps in the Separation and Union stage. No, he had a feeling this woman was even more formidable than that.
In this world, cultivators’ realms were classified as: Qi Refining, Foundation, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Separation and Union, Transformation, Body Integration, Void Return, Mahayana, and Tribulation. Elders of Rank 2 Sects were typically around the Nascent Soul level. Elders of Rank 1 Sects were at least in Separation and Union or Transformation, with some being powerful Body Integration stage cultivators.
For the mistress of an entertainment house in Daliang City, a place largely populated by mortals, to possess cultivation comparable to an elder of a Rank 1 Sect seemed highly improbable to Lin Mo. While there were Golden Core cultivators present, it was questionable if someone of the Jiangyue Building mistress’s beauty and power would genuinely humble herself before them, let alone the ordinary scholars. Lin Mo, for one, did not believe it. His primary objective here was not to sleep with her, but to win the competition and lure out the ghost that preyed on young talents.
Though, he admitted, upon seeing her, he did have the thought. Still, he was self-aware; a Foundation stage cultivator like himself could hardly hope to “sleep with” such a powerful figure.
“I am Yan Ruyu, the mistress of Jiangyue Building. This Talents Assembly is merely a personal whim of mine,” she announced. Her voice was clear and melodious, like flowing water. “Since this is a Talents Assembly, it will naturally be a test of the young masters’ talents.”
“I am particularly fond of musical instruments and poetry, so the theme of this competition will revolve around these two. Whoever can pass my test will have the honor of ascending to the third floor and spending a delightful night with me.”
Her words ignited the room like sparks, shattering the earlier silence. The guests’ eyes blazed with undisguised desire, each eager to prove themselves.
Qu Ruyan, her mouth full of pastries, mumbled, “The mistress is truly beautiful!”
Xia He, also someone who placed importance on appearance, having often received compliments on her own considerable beauty, let out a soft hum. Despite her pride in her looks, she had to admit that Yan Ruyu was indeed stunning.
Xie Zhiqiu also stared, entranced, at Yan Ruyu. Her sister, Xie Zhi’an, lightly tapped her head. “My dear sister, do you find her beautiful?”
Xie Zhiqiu instinctively nodded, then, realizing the implication, shook her head. Xie Zhi’an chuckled, “Don’t forget, you are also a ‘beauty,’ you know!” Shimmying her hands, Xie Zhiqiu stood behind her sister, not daring to look up.
Unbeknownst to them, Yan Ruyu’s gaze had settled upon them from above.
“Master, we had some contact with that group of young masters the other day. They were all women disguised as men,” two maid-like girls approached Yan Ruyu, reminding her. These were the same maids who had clashed with Xie Zhiqiu, Xia He, and Xie Zhi’an earlier.
“I know!” Yan Ruyu retracted her gaze. “But one among them is not a woman, nor is he a normal man.” The two maids looked confused. But Yan Ruyu said no more.
Sensing something, Yan Ruyu’s gaze shifted instantly. She paused slightly. This was a pair of eyes unlike any of the other guests. Within them was admiration, not greed, and a sharpness like a keen sword. A slight smile touched Yan Ruyu’s lips; there was indeed a young master among the guests who caught her attention.
The two maids exchanged astonished glances. Their mistress had actually smiled? Following her gaze, they recognized a familiar figure. Wasn’t that the senior brother of that group of disguised young masters? They remembered Lin Mo vividly, particularly his remark, “Don’t look at me like that, I don’t interfere in women’s affairs.” They had found it unbelievable; why would a senior brother not intervene when his junior sisters were being attacked? It was this apprehension towards Lin Mo that had made them flee. Now, seeing their mistress’s reaction, they wondered if she had taken a liking to him. The two girls shared a common thought: it seemed tonight’s winner was already predetermined.
As their eyes met, Lin Mo’s heart skipped a beat. He had only glanced at Yan Ruyu a few extra times after seeing two familiar faces. Amidst thousands of people and countless gazes, why had hers landed on him specifically? He quickly averted his eyes, not wanting to become the center of attention.
Yan Ruyu’s smile indeed ignited a debate among the assembled young masters.
“Look, Yan Ruyu smiled at me!”
“What are you talking about? She clearly smiled at me.”
“Do you really think you’re someone important? Look at your ugly faces; she must have smiled at this True Lord!”
The man who called himself a True Lord appeared significantly older than the other young masters. In fact, he could hardly be called a “young master”; his appearance suggested he could be their father. Yet, no one dared to contradict him, and many felt a sense of fear towards him. Only cultivators who had reached the Golden Core stage or above could become True Lords.
“Let me make this clear, I detest crowds. If anyone disturbs my pleasure…” he warned, his gaze turning fierce as he unleashed his Golden Core pressure, unreservedly. Most of the guests in Jiangyue Building were mortals and could not withstand such pressure. They felt splitting headaches and difficulty breathing, causing them to flee outwards. In no time, more than half the people in Jiangyue Building had left. A small minority of resolute mortal young masters persevered. The once crowded space suddenly felt much more open.
“Ah, that’s much better!” the Golden Core True Lord declared, satisfied.
On the second floor, Yan Ruyu’s maids frowned slightly. “Master, this…”
Yan Ruyu’s exquisite face remained impassive as she observed the situation below. “This appetizer is a suitable way to qualify for the competition. After all, those who are timid and lack resolve are not worthy of participating in this Talents Assembly.”
…
