Chapter 292: Happy Now?

Tianxiang Pavilion.

Like all dens of pleasure in the world, this place is a sacred site yearned for in the hearts of countless men in Hu City.

For the men of Hu City, and even the entire Hu Kingdom, their dream from childhood to adulthood is to one day be invited to enter Tianxiang Pavilion to see what it is all about.

To spend a wonderful night with those legendary fairies of peerless skill.

Furthermore, because Tianxiang Pavilion is situated not far from the Hu King's palace, legend has it that even the Hu King's concubines sometimes appear in the pavilion.

This further stirs up some forbidden and dark emotions, making them wish they could become the legendary lucky ones.

However, the Hu Family's Tianxiang Pavilion has never been open to the public; it is a high-class brothel that only big shots with sufficient status and standing can visit.

Hmm, or perhaps it could be called a high-end private club? In any case, it is a place for entertaining the powerful and wealthy.

And in contrast to the quite high threshold for membership is its undisguised, luxurious display.

The exterior of Tianxiang Pavilion is fresh and elegant; golden tiles combined with brown wood exude an ancient and heavy aura.

Various Spirit Plants grow on the lush green meadow in front of the pavilion; those immortal stalks that are of great benefit to cultivation are just scattered there casually, and no one goes to pick them.

But even things that the people inside the pavilion look down upon are not things that outsiders can pick at will.

On the left and right sides outside the pavilion, there is a sturdy Brute Force Warrior holding a blade; both are bare-chested, revealing knotted muscles covered in scars, scrutinizing everyone who walks past the front of the pavilion.

Ordinary mortals, when passing by this place, will involuntarily feel a sense of wanting to retreat, not even daring to look more than a few times for fear of being driven away by the guards at the door.

Over so many years, it is not as if there haven't been tough men who tried to force their way in, but not a single one has succeeded.

This is Tianxiang Pavilion: seemingly low-key and luxurious, yet it does not hide its own strength in the slightest.

However, for outsiders who do not meet the membership threshold, it is not as if there is no way to enter.

On both sides of the main entrance, there are two slightly smaller side gates; this is another channel the Hu Family has specially prepared for those with ability—challenging the Tianxiang Bridge!

"Pass the Tianxiang Bridge, and you may enter Tianxiang Pavilion to enjoy the world's greatest beauties."

It is a bridge, but in reality, it is just a narrow path two feet wide, only enough for one person to stand on.

Challengers need to stand on the bridge and demonstrate their extraordinary qualities to Tianxiang Pavilion.

Zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, songs, and all kinds of martial arts... anything is acceptable!

If one can pass the test of the Tianxiang Bridge, one can enter Tianxiang Pavilion from the side gate and become an honored guest within the pavilion.

One step, and ascend to Heaven!

……

"There are so many people here!"

Ren Yidao looked at the few people standing outside the Tianxiang Bridge eager to try, and the onlookers behind them, and asked curiously:

"Is that challenge reliable?"

The three of them had come straight to Tianxiang Pavilion after leaving the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, but at Ren Yidao's request, they did not enter directly, instead concealing their identities and watching from the outside for a while.

Jiang Mingzhi and the other looked at each other after hearing the question, and then smiled self-evidently.

Hu Wanwan laughed: "That depends on whether the Daoist wants to hear the truth? Or the lie?"

"Oh? Let's hear the lie first."

This tiny place actually has two faces.

Hu Wanwan straightened his expression and said seriously:

"The matter of challenging the Tianxiang Bridge is of course true; this has been established since the founding of Tianxiang Pavilion, and for so many years, it has never been broken."

"As long as you have the strength, you can enter Tianxiang Pavilion!"

And just after Hu Wanwan finished speaking, the onlookers outside the Tianxiang Bridge let out an exclamation.

Glancing at the young man who had gathered the courage to walk onto the bridge, Hu Wanwan laughed and clapped his hands:

"Oh! Someone is challenging it, this is quite rare; most of the onlookers are just watching."

That young man was resolute at first, but after walking halfway and looking at his feet, he lost his nerve, and his shoulders slumped.

Shrinking back a bit timidly, he then shouted with his last bit of courage:

"I am Wang Baodong! I have come to challenge!"

And after he finished shouting, the river that had been calm beneath the Tianxiang Bridge suddenly began to tremble.

Hum—

A white jade platform rose from the river water, on which was placed a jade cup filled with a purple-tinted liquor.

A woman covered in white gauze, hiding half her face, flew out from Tianxiang Pavilion; she exuded an attraction that made it impossible to look away, and even though one could not see her face, one could tell her stunning beauty from the fair skin exposed.

She moved lightly, her bare feet touching the ground gently, and within a few breaths, she landed on the white jade platform like a white flower.

"Hehe~ Another young talent has come to challenge; this concubine is truly so happy~"

The woman's voice was extremely charming, and a light laugh made all the onlookers show expressions of infatuation.

"It's the owner of Tianxiang Pavilion, Hu Yaoyao! The owner actually appeared in person! It was worth coming!!!"

"Hu Yaoyao is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say!"

And Wang Baodong, who was closest to her, was affected even more; he almost revealed an unsightly expression, and his feet moved involuntarily.

!!!

Before he almost slipped and fell, he suddenly came to his senses and narrowly retracted his foot to stand firm, but he did not dare to look directly at the woman, slightly averting his gaze.

The woman saw the young man's hidden difficulty, her beautiful eyes full of smiles, and she asked with a light laugh:

"So you are the one who wants to challenge the Tianxiang Bridge?"

"……That is correct." Wang Baodong bowed slightly, his buttocks clenched tight, and only with great difficulty did he suppress his primal urges.

"Good, then do you know the rules of the Tianxiang Bridge?"

"I do."

Wang Baodong took a deep breath, turned his head with difficulty to look at Hu Yaoyao, and said in a deep voice, "The Tianxiang Bridge has three grades: the lowest grade fails and falls into the water, the middle grade enters as a guest, and the top grade drinks tea as an honored guest."

"Fine, then I won't say it again."

Hu Yaoyao nodded with satisfaction, then pointed to the cup on the table, "The last person of medium talent was three years ago, and since the Tianxiang Pavilion has existed, only one person has ever achieved the status of superior talent."

After finishing, Hu Yaoyao seemed to have a high regard for Wang Baodong, leaning down to whisper in the youth's ear:

"However, I hope even more that you can drink this cup of Purple Crystal Creation Tea and become my honored guest... Hehe."

!!!

A fragrant breeze brushed past his ear, and the youth's face turned crimson in an instant, his whole person as excited as if he had swallowed ten little blue pills.

"I, I! I... I will definitely work hard!!!"

"Hehe, please begin~"

Wang Baodong took a deep breath, his eyes brightened, and he drew the sword at his waist.

Clang—

"Purple Crystal Creation Liquid?"

Upon hearing the name "Purple Crystal Creation Tea," Ren Yidao raised an eyebrow, fixed his gaze on the cup, and then quickly shook his head.

"That's not right, this is much thinner than Purple Crystal Creation Liquid, diluted by more than twenty times."

If what Ren Yidao drank when tempering his body before was called raw Purple Crystal Creation Liquid, then what was in the cup could only be considered tea water using the name "Purple Crystal Creation Liquid."

"Eh? The Daoist has quite the discerning eye!"

Hu Wanwan was truly surprised this time; he had not expected Ren Yidao to be able to see the essence of the liquid in the cup from so far away.

Moreover, there was a barrier covering the white jade platform to prevent outsiders from peeking, yet he had distinguished the concentration with just a single glance.

Could it be that he had really seen the raw Purple Crystal Creation Liquid before?

Hadn't that thing long since gone extinct in the Four Great Divine Continents? It was only rumored that some still remained on Spirit Mountain in the Western Desert.

This item was especially precious to cultivators of the Earth Realm, capable of stimulating the power of the physical body to the greatest extent and inciting greater potential.

Although the Hu Family still possessed some Creation Liquid that had only been diluted five times, that was already considered a treasure of the clan, and only the current Patriarch had the qualifications to touch it; it would not be easily bestowed upon clan members.

And this cup of Purple Crystal Creation Tea, diluted another five times, was merely for show and would never truly be given to an outsider passing the trial.

Even that legendary one person was just someone from the Hu Family in disguise.

If Hu Wanwan knew what Ren Yidao had once used Purple Crystal Creation Liquid for, he would probably be envious to the point of collapse...

Diluted five times? Twenty-five times? What are those? Are they even drinkable?

What Huhu drank was all the rawest of the raw; what she drank was enough to bathe in~

But Ren Yidao would not use this to provoke Hu Wanwan.

It was not because Huhu had high moral character; he basically lacked such ethereal things.

It was that he truly had no concrete concept of the value of Purple Crystal Creation Liquid.

Rich without knowing it.

Seeing that Wang Baodong had begun his talent performance, Ren Yidao turned his head and asked Hu Wanwan:

"You've already told the lie, so what about the truth?"

The truth, what was that again?

Hu Wanwan shrugged, the corners of his mouth curling up as he stroked his thick beard, saying smugly:

"Those who can pass the test of the Tianxiang Bridge do indeed become honored guests of the Hu Family; there is no falsehood in that."

"But whether or not they can pass is not for the person taking the trial to say; it has always been up to us, the Hu Family."

"If the Hu Family says he can pass, then even if he is a useless person, after crossing this bridge, he truly becomes a world-shocking genius."

"If the Hu Family says he cannot pass, even if he truly has heaven-sent talent, thereafter he is nothing more than a charlatan and a useless liar."

Hu Wanwan said this as a matter of course, not feeling that there was anything wrong with the Hu Family at all.

Here, the Hu Family was the Heaven for everyone in the Hu Kingdom.

And Ren Yidao... also did not feel there was anything inappropriate about it.

Nothing else, he had seen too much of it and did not find it strange at all.

Aren't there too many people who act as both the house and the referee?

You might win a little, but the house never loses.

"Most of those who pass really do have some talent, but there are also some talentless people who are intentionally let in."

"Because only in this way will it incite their desire to keep trying."

Oh, empty promises.

I'm even more familiar with this!

When everyone is thinking, "Even he can do it? Then I definitely can!", no one will care about the truth of the matter.

They will only scramble to be that lucky kid.

While Ren Yidao was lost in thought, Wang Baodong on the bridge was already unable to hold on much longer.

Daring to come up and take the trial, he naturally had made preparations and possessed full confidence.

The talent he displayed was—sword dancing!

After drawing his sword, his whole demeanor changed, becoming incomparably confident.

Wang Baodong seemed to have forgotten the narrow bridge beneath his feet, leaping high into the air as soon as he came up, dancing with his Long Sword in mid-air.

Every move and every style displayed superb technique, causing the onlookers to let out exclamations from time to time.

But Wang Baodong had some skill, though truly not much.

Perhaps for mortals, such a sword dance was already very astonishing and possessed a unique aesthetic.

But for the Hu Family, who were accustomed to seeing the dances of immortals, such talent was really nothing to speak of.

Befriending such a person holds little benefit for the future of the Hu Family.

Hu Yaoyao watched with a fake smile for a moment, but already felt bored and wanted to yawn and turn away.

But Hu Yaoyao could not leave yet; she had to wait for someone to nod.

"Why is there no result yet? If I keep watching, I'm going to fall asleep..."

Since Hu Wanwan was slow to give her word, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and keep watching.

And Wang Baodong dared not stop, so he could only bite the bullet and keep dancing.

He danced through it a second time...

"Haven't we already seen this move? Why isn't it over yet?"

"Could it be that Hu Yaoyao has noticed something?"

"Could it be that the kid is actually going to succeed!!?"

The onlookers who didn't know the inside story hesitated at first, then quickly filled in the blanks themselves, each revealing an excited expression.

Could it be!!!

At the same time, Hu Wanwan asked casually:

"Daoist, do you think this kid can pass?"

Is the future of this young man in the palm of my hand?

Such a choice made Ren Yidao feel immense pressure fall upon his shoulders... not really.

Ren Yidao glanced at the unease in the young man's eyes, then said casually:

"The little guy dances the sword well; let him pass, let him be happy."

"Very well, I shall instruct them to act according to the Daoist's wishes."

"I succeeded..."

"I succeeded?"

The moment Hu Yaoyao smiled and said he had passed, Wang Baodong felt himself fall into a trance.

"I succeeded!!!"

Tears welled up in his eyes uncontrollably, but he did not wipe them away, letting them flow instead.

He knew.

This was what he deserved.

His dozen or so years of hard work had finally not gone to waste.

Even if his family abandoned him, even if his betrothed left him, he had relied on his own efforts to successfully reach this step!

He, Wang Baodong!

Is the pride of this era!

A new star rising far away in the Eastern Wasteland!!!

"I will make them all regret it! I will make them all kneel before me and beg for my forgiveness!"

"The Hu Kingdom is only my first step! In the future, I will reach an even bigger stage! The Chu Kingdom! The Eastern Wasteland!"

And just as Wang Baodong was weeping with joy, savoring the sweetness of victory, and imagining a beautiful future, a change occurred.

Creak—

The main gate of the Tianxiang Pavilion, which had been tightly shut, was suddenly pulled open slowly by the Brute Force Warriors on both sides.

Could it be!

"The Tianxiang Pavilion opened the main gate for me!!?"

"I..."

Wang Baodong was extremely excited and turned his head to talk to Hu Yaoyao, but suddenly discovered that the Tianxiang Pavilion mistress who had been encouraging him just a moment ago had already vanished.

That beautiful woman had already gracefully appeared before the main gate, respectfully bending her knees and lowering her head as she performed a salute:

"I, Hu Yaoyao, together with everyone at the Tianxiang Pavilion, respectfully welcome the two lords."

Behind her, dozens of beautiful women of varying appearances filed out, knelt on the ground, bowed, and said in sweet voices:

"Respectfully welcome the two lords!"

And standing in front of them was a delicate-looking young man about his own age.

Seeming to notice Wang Baodong's gaze, the young man even tilted his head and smiled at him.

Although the smile was kind, Wang Baodong felt a sense of indescribable distance and arrogance.

"This, this..."

In a daze, Wang Baodong's foot slipped, and he was about to fall off the bridge.

No—

But fortunately, at the critical moment, a gentle wave of Dharma Power pushed him back.

Ren Yidao waved away the Dharma Power in his hand, blinked at the shaken Wang Baodong, and chuckled with a nod.

Little brother, is it exciting?

Have you had enough fun?

Now, it's my turn to laugh.

Hey!

Don't cry~