Shen Mo forced himself to calm down.
“Thank you for getting me out of that, Sister Pei. I… my name is Shen Yuebai. I came from the Northern Lands, but I failed to find my relatives and ended up here…”
He repeated the story Qin Shuying had fabricated in a low voice.
Pei Yu listened carefully, then nodded.
“You’re pitiful too. Since we’ve met, it’s fate. This Jade Fragrance Garden may seem bustling, but there are plenty of shady things beneath. A young lady like you, new here and not fond of men, won’t find it convenient to walk alone.”
She glanced at the sky. “I was just about to go find a friend. She knows all the ins and outs of this Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion competition. Want to come along? Meeting more people opens more paths—who knows, it might even help you find your relatives.”
Shen Mo’s heart stirred.
‘There’s risk, but Pei Yu doesn’t seem malicious so far, and she naturally acknowledges my orientation. She’s most likely a lesbian. In this female-dominated world, relationships between women beyond ordinary friendship aren’t unheard of, but they’re mostly kept underground or exist in certain circles. The Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion is a mixed bag, and such people linger in the shadows. Pei Yu is one of them, with a high status and sharp eyes.’
‘My guess is pretty accurate. I’m a man in a woman’s body, so being around a lesbian should be the safest.’
He hesitated briefly, then nodded lightly. “Then… I’ll trouble you, Sister Pei.”
“Easy!” Pei Yu laughed heartily and turned to leave. “Follow me.”
Shen Mo quickly followed, still half a step behind.
He could sense a gaze from the shadows briefly land on him while he was talking to Pei Yu, then fade away.
‘Was it Han Yi?’
“The real charm of the Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion isn’t in these surface-level song and dance.” Pei Yu moved closer.
“Besides the public Flower Queen Competition for entertainment, the real focus is the networking behind the scenes.”
Her gaze swept over Shen Mo meaningfully. “The pavilion doesn’t discuss romance or performances—only real transactions, and rare wonders seldom seen in the world.”
‘Transactions? Rare wonders?’ Shen Mo’s heart pounded. ‘Soul-Purifying Dragon Saliva Liquid… would that count as a rare wonder?’
He suppressed his agitation and tried to sound merely curious. “Oh? Is that so?”
Pei Yu’s smile deepened, but she didn’t answer directly. “Talking is boring. You’ll see for yourself in a moment, Immortal Maiden Moonlight.”
She didn’t head for the brightly lit main pavilion. Instead, she turned and led Shen Mo through winding corridors toward a deeper, more heavily guarded, dimly lit area of the Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion.
Along the way, patrolling guards and stewards respectfully bowed to Pei Yu and only glanced briefly at Shen Mo without stopping him.
Clearly, Pei Yu had considerable authority here.
The further in they went, the more tranquil and elegant the surroundings became, a stark contrast to the noisy bustle outside.
Exotic flowers and rare plants dotted the area, rockeries and flowing water murmured, and spiritual qi was much denser.
Eventually, they stopped before a seemingly ordinary independent courtyard with cyan jade steps and a purple bamboo door.
The courtyard gate was tightly shut with no guards, but Shen Mo could sense an invisible, powerful prohibition covering the entire courtyard.
His divine sense touched it and sank like a stone into the sea, with a faint warning of backlash.
Pei Yu stopped at the door, raised her hand, and formed a unique hand seal that sank into the door and vanished.
A moment later, the purple bamboo door slid silently inward, revealing a deep passage carpeted with soft brocade.
The walls on both sides were inlaid with night pearls emitting soft white light, and the air was filled with elegant premium incense.
“Let’s go.” Pei Yu glanced back at Shen Mo and stepped inside first.
The interior was exquisitely luxurious and elegant.
Spacious, with over a dozen low tables arranged artfully, behind each sat a female cultivator of extraordinary bearing, many with Nascent Soul fluctuations.
They chatted quietly, sipped tea alone, or watched masked musicians perform on a central stage.
The atmosphere seemed leisurely but carried the pressure of powerful cultivators.
This was the true core social circle of the Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion—a gathering of influential female cultivation leaders or those with deep backgrounds from all over.
Ordinary contestants or spectators had no right to enter here.
Pei Yu was clearly very familiar with this place. She led Shen Mo directly to a seat by the window near the water.
Two or three female cultivators were already there, greeting Pei Yu with smiles.
“Sister Pei is here! Oh, who is this…” A female cultivator in pale yellow robes with a delicate face gazed at Shen Mo, her eyes flashing with admiration.
“Let me introduce everyone. This is Immortal Maiden Moonlight, a… little friend I just met.”
Pei Yu sat down with a smile, emphasizing the words “little friend” in a familiar tone.
“Immortal Maiden Moonlight prefers tranquility and has high standards. Ordinary places can’t catch her eye, so I brought her here to get to know you all.”
The eyes in the hall turned toward him. Someone brought in personally by Pei Yu must be no ordinary person.
But when they saw Shen Mo’s “timid,” “low cultivation,” and “beautiful but travel-worn” appearance, a look of understanding appeared in their eyes.
‘It seems Pei Yu’s “cherishing beauty” habit is acting up again.’
Shen Mo endured the suddenly interested gazes and bowed his head slightly. “Moonlight greets all seniors.” His voice was cool, his posture respectful but not obsequious.
“No need for formalities. Since Sister Pei brought you, you’re one of us.” Another female cultivator in a dark green robe spoke, her gaze pausing before nodding. “Truly good looks and bearing.”
A young woman in brocade clothes, waving a folding fan with an aristocratic air, laughed.
“Sister Pei’s eye is always unique. This little sister is clearly different from us mortals—cool and aloof, and I can’t help but pity her.”
The words were slightly flirtatious but without major malice, more teasing Pei Yu’s orientation.
Pei Yu laughed and scolded, “You talk too much,” then pulled Shen Mo to sit next to a nearby empty small table made of pearwood.
The spot was neither too central nor too hidden, allowing him to see everyone without being overly conspicuous.
Pei Yu seemed to enjoy showing him off, often personally pouring him wine and quietly introducing the female cultivators present—all elders of some sect, heads of some family, or figures controlling resources in their regions.
Shen Mo could only listen quietly, nodding occasionally, while a storm raged in his heart.
This water pavilion was practically a small power distribution map.
Just as Pei Yu and the dark green robe woman were discussing the likely ownership of several hot rare treasures in this Flower Queen Competition, the bead curtain at the water pavilion’s entrance was lifted again.
A dark figure walked in slowly.
Immediately, the conversation in the pavilion quieted slightly. Many gazes turned toward her with fear and caution.
Qin Shuying was still in dark robes, her sword qi restrained, but she exuded an aura of “keep away.”
A female cultivator skilled at networking or seeking favor proactively raised her cup to Qin Shuying, her voice respectful with practiced familiarity.
“Peak Master Qin, long time no see. I never thought I’d have the fortune to see your immortal countenance here today—truly a blessing.”
The speaker was a middle-aged beauty in crimson palace attire with a golden step-stirrup headpiece.
She was the deputy sect leader of Flowing Cloud Sect, at Mid-Nascent Soul, and always diplomatic.
Smiling appropriately, she continued, “I heard you severed the arm of Chaoyun Peak’s Peak Master some time ago, shaking the world with might. We truly admire you. Your cultivation must be within reach of Deity Transformation, right?”
As soon as she said this, nearby tables echoed.
“Exactly! Peak Master Qin is a rare genius, unmatched in the sword way—a once-in-a-millennium talent of Cloud Hidden Mountain. Deity Transformation is just around the corner!”
“Not just a genius—she’s likely a strong candidate for the next Sect Leader!”
“With Peak Master Qin guarding Heavenly Sword Peak, it’s truly Cloud Hidden’s fortune!”
The flattery was incessant. Though those present were all influential figures in their own right, facing someone like Qin Shuying—with such cultivation, status, and potential—they naturally didn’t hesitate to show goodwill or even deliberately ingratiate themselves.
A promising Deity Transformation meant she would likely become one of the topmost figures in Cloud Hidden Mountain and surrounding immortal cities. Now was the time to invest in a rising star.
Qin Shuying, however, acted as if she heard nothing. She didn’t even lift her eyelids.
Only occasionally she gave a slight nod or brief answers like “Overpraising” or “Flattery,” then said nothing more.
This reaction didn’t surprise anyone. The strong have their own aloof capital.
Besides, Qin Shuying’s cold pride was well known.
Even a nod from her was already a considerable face.
Yet, the colder she was, the more curious everyone became.
‘This ice block actually came to the Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion? In previous Flower Queen competitions, invitations sent to Heavenly Sword Peak always fell on deaf ears. For centuries, she’s never shown any interest in such romantic affairs. Even for sect ceremonies, she avoids them whenever possible. Now she attends a private party? Has the sun risen from the west?’
‘Could it be…’ an elderly female cultivator transmitted to her close friend, ‘she’s finally wised up and realized that male beauty nourishes one’s cultivation?’
At this, the plump female cultivator nearly choked on her cake.
She coughed repeatedly, her face turning red, and quickly gulped tea.
Staring at the old woman, she said, “Nonsense! What kind of person is Peak Master Qin? How could she… how could she…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
A woman in a vermillion robe, unable to contain her curiosity, walked over with a wine cup, smiling.
“Speaking of which, Peak Master Qin, how do you have time to come to the Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion today? You never came when invited before.”
Qin Shuying didn’t look at her and replied perfunctorily, “Just passing by.”
The woman’s smile froze for a moment.
‘Passing by? The Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion is east of Green Wood Mountain, Heavenly Sword Peak is north of Cloud Hidden Mountain. How does one “pass by” that route?’
She wondered inwardly but dared not show it, just smiled and nodded.
Another person came over. It was a beautiful female cultivator from a cultivation family in Central Province.
She smiled charmingly, her voice soft. “I’ve long heard that Peak Master Qin’s sword path is profound, your Heavenly Profound Sword Intent has reached perfection. You must be only one step away from the Deity Transformation path, right?”
The hall went quiet for a moment. Deity Transformation was a rare realm in the entire East Continent.
If she truly broke through, Cloud Hidden Mountain would have two Deity Transformation cultivators.
Qin Shuying lifted her eyes, her gaze cold. Seeing no response, the woman didn’t press further, just smiled, raised her cup in a toast.
“Then I’ll congratulate Peak Master Qin in advance.”