rpbooks Chapter 648: The Price of Elegance
Chapter 648: The Price of Elegance
"Let us drop the administrative business for tonight," said Ethan, his deep voice slicing through the heavy, stunned silence of the room. He stood up, his massive frame instantly dominating the small space of the mud hut. "It would be good for us to eat something proper. Let us head out and find a suitable establishment. To be perfectly honest, I have been so thoroughly consumed by my training and meetings that I have not yet properly explored the commercial sectors of this sect."
Mary and Louisa exchanged a wide-eyed, frantic glance. Stepping out into the dangerous, chaotic world of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion was already a terrifying prospect for two common plebeian women, but Ethan’s next words left them completely breathless.
"And do not wear those plain, dusty rags tonight," Ethan commanded smoothly, his purple eyes locking onto them with absolute authority. "Don the fine silk dresses I gifted you after the admission trials. I want you both looking absolutely beautiful for our first formal dinner."
When they had originally traveled up the mountain to his first-place residential hut, they had deliberately dressed as discretely and plainly as possible to avoid drawing the predatory gazes of the inner slums. But tonight, Ethan had explicitly, unyieldingly insisted that they reveal their true, breathtaking beauty.
A few moments later, the wooden door of the hut opened, and the two women stepped out into the twilight air. The transformation was absolute. Mary, despite being a mother to both Roy and Louisa, possessed a remarkably mature, voluptuous figure that was perfectly accentuated by the deep crimson silk of her gown. Louisa, Ethan’s newly wedded wife, looked like a pristine, ethereal goddess in a flowing emerald dress that clung flawlessly to her delicate curves. Walking on either side of Ethan’s towering, muscular frame, they looked less like refugees and more like the treasured harem of a rising young master.
The three of them walked down the winding stone paths, leaving the desolate lower slums behind as they crossed into the bustling, brightly lit commercial district of the outer peak. Dozens of open-air stalls, weapon smithies, and crowded taverns lined the stone avenues, but one massive structure completely eclipsed everything else in the sector.
Rising majestically against the mountain backdrop was an impressive, five-story pagoda built from polished black jade and golden cedarwood. Heavy spiritual lanterns hung from its eaves, illuminating a massive, glowing placard at the entrance.
Ethan stepped closer, his sharp eyes reading the bold, powerful calligraphy carved into the wood: The Sovereign Dragon’s Feast.
"Let us see what they have to offer," said Ethan, gesturing for them to follow.
Mary and Louisa tightly clutched the fabric of his long white robes, their hearts pounding against their ribs as they stepped through the heavy golden doors. The interior was a breathtaking display of pure wealth—gilded pillars, flowing indoor fountains saturated with spiritual energy, and the rich, intoxicating aroma of high-tier beast meat and premium elixirs.
The moment their boots crossed the threshold, a remarkably handsome young receptionist wearing sharp, embroidered silk robes smoothly stepped forward, bowing politely but keeping a highly discerning eye on their attire.
"Welcome to the Sovereign Dragon’s Feast," said the young receptionist, his voice smooth and practiced. "In which of our grand halls would you and your lovely companions care to dine this evening, young master?"
"What are the baseline requirements for your seating arrangement?" asked Ethan, his face an unreadable mask.
The receptionist smiled politely, his eyes tracking the plain indigo trim of Ethan’s outer disciple uniform. "Given that your current robes indicate you are a newly admitted member of the outer peaks, you are fully permitted to dine within our magnificent First Floor hall. However, the upper tiers carry strict martial restrictions. Only those who have successfully broken through to the Spiritual Core Realm are permitted to ascend to the Second Floor. The Third Floor is exclusively reserved for official, recognized Inner Court members, while the final two floors are entirely restricted to the high elders and elite leadership. Would you care for a premier table on our first level?"
"No," said Ethan, his voice dropping into a deep, flat register that broofed no argument. "We will be dining on the second floor."
The receptionist’s polite smile subtly faltered, his brow furrowing as he prepared to politely reiterate the rules. "Young master, as I just stated, the upper stairs are strictly warded against—"
Before the man could finish his sentence, the air inside the grand lobby violently froze.
Ethan didn’t say a single word. He simply unlocked the heavy, suppressed seal around his Dantian just enough to let a targeted, razor-sharp wave of his outward aura flood the room. The dense, pristine, and undeniably powerful pressure of a flawless Spiritual Core Realm master crashed directly against the receptionist’s chest like a physical hammer.
The handsome young man’s face instantly drained of all color, his knees trembling as he rapidly stumbled back a half-step. His eyes widened into dinner plates as he realized the sheer density of the power vibrating before him—this wasn’t just a common outer rookie; this was a terrifying prodigy who had already formed a perfect core!
"A-A profound apology, Senior Brother!" the receptionist stammered, frantically bowing so low his forehead nearly clipped the counter. "This blind servant completely failed to recognize your magnificent cultivation level at a single glance! Please forgive my severe disrespect! Allow me to immediately summon our elite concierge to guide your party!"
The receptionist snapped his fingers with frantic urgency. A split second later, a stunningly beautiful young woman wearing a form-fitting, light-blue silk dress glided forward, bowing gracefully before Ethan with a mesmerizing smile.
"It is an absolute honor to host a rising dragon tonight," the young woman purred, her eyes subtly lingering on Ethan’s massive chest before gesturing toward the grand golden staircase. "Please, allow me to escort you and your beautiful ladies to our exclusive second-tier pavilion."
Ethan nodded calmly, stepping forward with a perfectly serene, unbothered stride. But as they began their ascent up the carpeted stairs, Mary and Louisa were practically hyperventilating into his shoulders. Their eyes darted frantically across the priceless jade decorations, the golden utensils, and the wealthy, high-tier cultivators dining around them.
To two women who had spent their entire lives struggling to survive on copper coins, every single inch of this magnificent pagoda screamed a single, terrifying word: Expensive.
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From this moment forward, to avoid confusion regarding cultivation ranks, I will include this footer with the current established levels.
Note: These are only the ranks mentioned so far to avoid spoilers.
Body Refinement Realm
Skin Refinement / Bone Refinement / Organ Refinement
Spiritual Gathering Realm
Spiritual Perception / Spiritual Mist / Spiritual Condensation
Spiritual Core Realm
Core Solidification / Core Awakening / Spiritual Collapse (Half-step Spiritual Core)
Spiritual Soul Realm
Spiritual Soul Awakening / Soul Nourishing / Soul-Core Fusion
Golden Core Realm
Prime Fusion / Core Perfection / Core Destruction
Spiritual Sea Realm
Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??
Dao Manifestation Realm
Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??
Spiritual Transcendence
Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??
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Sword mastery levels
Sword Intent.
Sword Aura.