The Emerald Terraces were a phenomenal sight from above, like a domestic jungle, filled with evening mist, right below the ship's bow. Standing among the gardens and lush vegetation were these spires and pagodas of bronze and crystal glass, all displaying their names in glowing formation writing floating along their facades.
They were grand names like Five Heaven Cove Hotel, or Vermilion Sun Spire. However, their route took them past all of them, to the second highest. The 8th terrace, where they found the Jade Pavilion Hotel.
The building on the higher terraces differed vastly from those on the lower steps. Here, every building had its very own character, and the Jade Pavilion Hotel proved worthy of the name. Its facade was covered in green crystal, as if covered in jade.
The adjacent jungle contained a vast vacation resort made up of pavilions and small pagodas covered in actual jade, which mixed in with the surrounding plants to create a balanced and calming view. Seth seriously considered poaching the landscaper, as they had to be extremely skilled.
With an elegant swoop, the altitude of the ferry lowered, and it came to a halt on the plaza in front of the hotel entrance. A wooden staircase unfolded, perfectly reaching the ground, allowing even mortal passengers to disembark elegantly and comfortably.
Our Trio and the golem entered the Jade Pavilion Hotel through a wide doorway, lined with columns of jade. The exquisitely carved doors of the hotel, fashioned from a dark wood with a warm, reddish hue, stood wide open, welcoming the guests.
They didn't go to the counter; someone was already waiting for them. The manager of the Jade Pavilion Hotel, a Core Formation cultivator who actually looked like the prideful kind, was waiting for them. Although he took one look at the guests and it was clear he dismissed them, none of them minded.
In his eyes, Seth and the girls were probably categorized as wealthy, defenseless mortal aristocrats or low-level cultivators. This was exactly what they wanted and also why the girls had chosen this place. To a cultivator of his standing, mortals were usually invisible, but cultivation didn't matter in the Jade Pavilion Hotel.
What mattered was money. Mortals with enough money to book the 8th terrace were a rare and highly profitable exception to that ignorance. He didn't bow low, but he offered a smooth, practiced smile, stepping out from behind the front desk to meet them with the polite courtesy reserved for high-paying customers.
As long as you had money, the service was impeccable, according to their info. And it seemed right.
It was clear that this man was an expert with years, maybe even decades, of experience in placating customers, no matter their standing.
"Welcome to the Jade Pavilion, honored travelers," the manager said, his voice carrying the effortless charm of a man used to dealing with pampered nobility.
"I am Manager Qi. You must have had a long, exhausting journey up the terraces. Please, step inside out of the evening mist. I must apologize for the... unusual atmosphere in Doushi these days," Manager Qi continued, leading them toward a grand lounge lined with green crystal walls.
"As you may have noticed from the airship, the city is a bit chaotic right now. Since the Southern Blade Sect was completely wiped out, rogue cultivators and loud-mouthed mercenaries have flooded the lower streets, making a mess of the markets and shouting at the guards."
He gave a reassuring, slightly condescending chuckle, looking at the group as if they were fragile porcelain."But you have nothing to fear. Those rowdy cultivators only fight among themselves for magic treasures and usually leave mortals alone. Down there, it is a mess, but up here on the 8th terrace, our grand defensive arrays are fully active. You are perfectly safe from the scary world of cultivators here."
Seth gave a mild, amused smile, looking around the lobby rather than at the manager. Their cover was actually that they were mid-range cultivators from a martial family in the north. he had no idea how Manager Qi came to view them as normal people, but he actually didn't mind. It was fun to be cared for and placated like this.
"The gardens outside are truly remarkable, Manager Qi. The way the plants blend with the jade structures is masterful," the blacksmith commented. Manager Qi blinked, surprised that a mortal was paying attention to the intricate spiritual layout. He smiled proudly.
"Ah, you have a good eye for luxury! Our landscaper is actually a cultivator of the Wood Dao. He uses magic to shape the trees. I suppose to regular travelers, it looks like magic indeed! For tonight, we have prepared our finest delicacies—roasted venison freshly caught and sweet plum wine from our local masters."
"What is the Crimson Demon Palace even seeking in Doushi!?" they heard a might bellow. Just as the manager finished speaking, a loud explosion rattled the lower terraces. Just two terraces down, on the 6th terrace, a vibrant blast of blue sword light ripped through the canopy of the domestic jungle.
"Haha, probably the same Sword Crane Temple looking for?" another voice answered, just as loud, with a blast of crimson energy. Where the two energies collided, no trees remained standing.
A violent clash had broken out between disciples of two rival sects, both staying in the neighboring hotel. As the perpetrators of Doushi's current instability, it was quite clear what either of the two sides was looking for: to fill this vacuum of power Minas Mar had created.
The shockwave rattled the crystal windows of the Jade Pavilion, and a stray, jagged arc of lightning-infused energy came hurtling directly toward their courtyard. Manager Qi's face paled. He immediately began channeling his spiritual energy to trigger the pavilion's localized shield, cursing under his breath.
"Insolent brats! Right in the resort district—!"
Seth and the girls exchanged some glances, watching the show with mild interest. One thing was for sure: this world had no boring moments. They were watching the display with the detached curiosity of a tourist observing a play. Meanwhile, the fight outside grew wilder, with stray attacks even finding their way to the higher terraces.
Before any stray energy blasts could even touch the courtyard, the Jade Pavilion's defensive arrays flared to life. A translucent barrier of emerald light shimmered into existence, intercepting the attacks with loud cracks. The barrier rippled violently, absorbing the impact and dispersing the sparks harmlessly into the surrounding jungle trees.
Down on the 6th terrace, the chaotic shouting suddenly shifted. A booming, authoritative voice echoed through the valley, amplified by spiritual energy.
"By order of the Doushi City Guard, cease all unauthorized combat immediately or face execution!"A heavy, oppressive pressure descended over the neighboring hotel as the city's elite enforcers finally cracked down on the brawlers.
Their driver was a little stiff, but Seth and the girls shrugged off the pressure. Still, the newcomer drew their attention, and Seth went ahead and scanned him. The leader of the group of guards was actually a lvl.110 cultivator. That meant he was slapdash in the middle of the Nascent Soul Realm.
A guy with his level was a powerhouse no matter where in the XiGuang province he went. To think such a person would work as a guard, well, it made sense considering what ruffians this place had to deal with. It just meant Doushi was actually wealthier than they expected.
Within seconds, the blinding sword light vanished, the explosions stopped, and the entire terrace district fell back into a tense, heavy silence. Manager Qi let out a long breath, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead as he deactivated his manual casting.
He quickly smoothed down his robes, deeply embarrassed that his promises of absolute peace had been shattered so instantly. "My profound apologies, guests," Manager Qi said, offering a strained, apologetic smile.
"It seems some of these visiting sects have completely forgotten their manners in the wake of recent events. Rest assured, the City Guard takes hotel security very seriously. The troublemakers are already being dragged to the dungeons."
Although they probably wouldn't be staying there for long. Both the Crimson Demon Palace and the Sword Crane Temple were sect they trio knew. They were comparable to the Southern Blade Sect, or even the Silk River Sect, but from further away.
Seth offered a mild, relaxed smile, completely unfazed by the commotion.
"No harm done, Manager Qi. The northern regions have their fair share of rowdy martial artists too. We are quite used to a little excitement." The blacksmith lied through his teeth. He had no idea what the northern regions were like.
Manager Qi let out a sigh of pure relief, laughing off his anxiety. "Ah, of course, a martial family would have strong nerves! Come, let me show you to your private pavilion. We have an excellent dinner prepared, and I assure you, the city guards will keep the rest of your night entirely peaceful."
With a nod, the group followed the manager. The day was coming to an end, and they wanted to finish it with a good meal and a luxurious room.