Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

The atmosphere in the private room marked 'A' on the fourth floor was so tense it could have solidified into something tangible.

A group of elites from the Noble Clans of Lotus City, nearly ten Purple Mansion cultivators, were silent as the grave, not daring to breathe too loudly for fear of trouble.

Their nature was not usually like this, for they were all people who were accustomed to being arrogant, with the exception of being wary of the higher-ups, First Master of Wang Family and Fifth Master of Wang Family; they disregarded everyone else.

The best among these people was Lu Pengze!

He was exceptionally talented, and had once been an Outer Sect Disciple of the West Sea Sect; he accomplished his Breakthrough Mansion a decade ago and was considered the prime heir of the Lu Family, with limitless prospects.

Yet at this moment, this lofty and proud son of the heavens was bending his back, apologizing with an unwieldy smile.

This demeaning posture left those who were present wishing they could use their toes to dig out a three-bedroom apartment.

There were also the naive who felt disgust or disdain in their hearts.

Lu Pengze, a figure with so much bravado, apparently was all talk; the moment his true colors were exposed he crumbled.

These people really did not understand the inner panic and horror of Lu Pengze at this moment.

Because he had mixed in the West Sea Sect, he knew all too well what an Inner Sect Disciple meant!

What left Lu Pengze wanting to cry without tears was that he had just insulted Wang Chen.

Just for that, if Wang Chen had decided to kill him in retaliation, he could not have fought back, only fled in panic.

Moreover, if he fled, he would have to live in exile; if he returned home, he would be taken by his elders to Wang Chen to apologize.

To be punished or slaughtered at will!

If not, the entire Lu Family would suffer the consequences.

"Misunderstanding?"

Wang Chen chuckled, "A wandering toad once said, 'Between men, there are only fortunate encounters, no misunderstandings!'"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Lu Pengze did not know who the "wandering toad" was, but that did not prevent him from understanding the meaning of these words. His eyes twitched as he said in a humble and submissive tone, "Senior brother, I was wrong, please forgive me."

"Tomorrow at noon, I will arrange a banquet at the Lotus Stage to apologize, and I hope senior brother will honor me with your presence."

The Lotus Stage is Lotus City's highest-class restaurant, whose immortal dishes once received endless praise from a True Immortal.

But the Lotus Stage has a very high threshold, ordinary people cannot step in, and its private rooms are booked years in advance.

For Lu Pengze to be able to hold a banquet at the Lotus Stage tomorrow to apologize to Wang Chen, was undoubtedly going to cost a significant price.

By comparison, the price of the immortal dishes in Lotus Stage seemed trivial.

Wang Chen remained unmoved, "You do not need to apologize to me."

"Yes!"

Lu Pengze had an epiphany, and in an instant, he leaped out of the private room, landing steadily on the stage.

He respectfully saluted the dumbfounded Lian, "Miss Lian, I spoke rudely just now, please forgive me!"

After finishing his words, he raised his palm and gave himself a hefty slap, "For this foul mouth!"

The guests upstairs and downstairs were almost all struck dumb with disbelief.

This was Lu Pengze of the Lu Family, a reputable Purple Mansion Superior, actually slapping himself in the face to apologize to a lowly courtesan.

Lu Pengze was harsh to others, but equally unforgiving to himself!

Lian was flustered, waving her hands continuously, "No, it's not necessary..."

Lu Pengze seemed to have thought of something, "Right!"

With a wave of his hand, he tossed out a Storage Bag, "I'll buy ten Purple Hairpin Flowers as a gift for Miss Lian!"

One Purple Hairpin Flower for ten thousand Spirit Stones, ten added up to a hundred thousand Spirit Stones!

A manager from Lichun Courtyard caught on, snatching the Storage Bag, not even bothering to check its contents, and immediately called out loudly, "Master Lu offers Miss Lian ten Purple Hairpin Flowers!"

The impact of ten Purple Hairpin Flowers sent the Yingluan Bird representing Lian soaring high.

It surpasses Qiao and Su Qing, ranking her above all other singers who had appeared!

"Then I shall gift Miss Lian a golden flower!"

"Count me in!"

"Two supports!"

In the fourth floor private room, Lu Pengze's companions seemed to wake from a dream, each throwing down Spirit Stones to purchase one Purple Hairpin Flower after another.

All for Lian.

It was to avoid further embarrassment for Lu Pengze, and on the other hand, to curry favor with Wang Chen.

This Inner Sect Disciple from the West Sea Sect!

With them taking the lead, the others present followed suit.

Copper flowers, silver flowers, gold flowers...

Though all added together were still far from matching the ten Purple Hairpin Flowers that Lu Pengze had thrown, the advantage was in the great number and momentum, creating a scene where flowers fell like rain, drawing the Yingluan Bird to shuttle back and forth incessantly with its calls.

The atmosphere inside Lichun Courtyard became lively and bustling once again.

Even the First Master of Wan Family and Fifth Master of Wang Family from the fifth floor threw down a few gold flowers as a gesture.

Lian's Yingluan Bird soared higher and higher, almost reaching the ceiling of the building!

All the courtesans who had performed and those who had not were filled with envy and hatred.

Anyone could see that tonight's Oiran would be none other than Lian.

She could earn at least over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones!

But she was a woman with a ghostly scar on her face — an ominous being!

Seeing that the atmosphere was about right, Wang Chen reached out and took back his Jade Token, saying indifferently, "Thank you all."

Lian bowed deeply in the direction where he was, her face streaming with tears.

This woman, with her pitiable past, could not express enough gratitude in her heart.

Knowing why Wang Chen had come, she suppressed the excitement in her heart and sang a song with all her might.

To express her gratitude.

As Lian's emotionally charged song filled the air, Lu Pengze quietly left the hall.

The performances of the few courtesans that followed could only be described as lackluster, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Continue your adventure with empire

This night's Red Sleeve Fang Courtesan Competition was destined to end in an anticlimactic fashion.

But the events that had occurred during the competition would surely become a topic of discussion, spreading in different circles throughout Lotus City.

In the private room, Xiao Guizi knelt down with a "thump" and kowtowed three times to Wang Chen.

He said nothing, choosing instead to let his actions speak for him.

After accepting Xiao Guizi's profound bow, Wang Chen said, "Bring the person in charge of Lichun Courtyard and Miss Lian over."

Since he had chosen to intervene, he would ensure everything was taken care of thoroughly.

No loose ends.

Lian and the headmistress of Lichun Courtyard soon arrived in the private room.

As Lian began to kneel in salutation to Wang Chen, he stopped her with a hand.

To the headmistress of Lichun Courtyard, he said, "I would like to buy Lian's freedom, name your price."

The headmistress of Lichun Courtyard, a charming middle-aged woman, without hesitation took out a Legal Pact, "For the Superior to take notice of Lian is her good fortune, and I am happy for her. Consider this Life Debt Contract as her dowry for leaving the house."

Wang Chen took the Legal Pact, shook it, and burned it to ashes, "Good."

The headmistress of Lichun Courtyard then presented a Storage Bag, "Inside is the Oiran reward that Miss Lian deserves."

Although the competition was not yet over, the people from Lichun Courtyard were already very sensible.

Wang Chen took it and put it into his bosom, "Hmm, you may go."

Not daring to say anything further, the headmistress of Lichun Courtyard curtseyed and then left the room.

At that moment, Wang Chen took out the Storage Bag again and handed it to Lian, "Take this and leave Lotus City with Xiao Guizi."

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