Chapter 136: Golden Lotus Pavilion
Solomon tapped the hilt of his executioner’s sword and changed the subject. "What exactly happens when a disciple fully masters the Azure Crane Blade technique?"
"The pavilion master personally summons you to the highest peak." Marco led the way through a crowded alleyway. "He assigns you a specific trial to complete. You earn a single academy star once you return victorious."
[1Fizzy: the star system sounds like a massive grind.]
[Chi_Master: getting a meeting with a grandmaster is a huge deal.]
[Harty: Solo Man is going to speedrun the stars too.]
[User12: Fr. he already mastered the Azure Crane Blade, on the first day, so now it’s just the mission and he got the first star.]
"Madam Alfoy told my class we only needed ten stars to avoid expulsion." Solomon kicked a loose cobblestone across the dirt path. "What happens after a student collects all ten? Do we just take different classes back at the main academy?"
"You actually need one hundred stars in total to officially graduate." Marco stopped walking to let a group of armed mercenaries pass by. "You have to travel to different dimensions and complete curriculums across various martial institutes and magic spires to gather them. Anyone who has all the hundred stars has basically become the world ranker."
"The academy conducts a brutal evaluation every single time a student secures ten stars." Marco resumed his pace down the lantern-lit street. "They throw you directly into a mandatory life-or-death mission. Those specific missions test everything you learned from your recent classes."
"Surviving those evaluations eventually leads to graduation." Marco gestured toward the glowing architecture ahead. "Furthermore, you need to collect a minimum of thirty stars before the academy even allows you the choice to leave."
[Last_Fables: 100 stars and deadly exams every 10 levels. that is insane.]
[Fatal_Beauty: the survival rate must be terribly low.]
[James_Hayes: no wonder everyone is terrified of failing.]
[IceWaterKat: thirty stars just to have the right to quit.]
[User12: It was written in the rulebook they were given to read. Solo Man didn’t bother reading it lmao.]
Solomon digested the revelation.
The true scale of the Live Streaming Academy finally clicked into place. The administrators utilized the different dimensions as personal training grounds for their students. The curriculum forced the disciples to constantly risk their lives simply to maintain their enrollment.
"I guess I will have to start hunting for those stars immediately." Solomon told the floating owl. "Staying in the F-rank bracket sounds like a terrible career choice."
"You are at least D rank according to me," Marco remarked.
They turned a sharp corner and stepped out of the crowded market district. The dirt road transitioned into polished dark stones leading toward a massive, brightly lit establishment. Golden dragons coiled around the towering wooden pillars flanking the entrance. Boisterous cheers and the clashing of cups echoed from the open balconies above.
"We are here." Marco pointed a finger at the vibrant building.
"What exactly is this place?" Solomon asked, inspecting the towering wooden pillars.
Marco gestured toward the glowing architecture ahead. "This is the Golden Lotus Pavilion. It provides entertainment for the inner city cultivators and martial artists. You can find everything here. They operate massive gambling halls, lively dance stages, and sprawling taverns."
Marco wiggled his eyebrows and nudged Solomon’s shoulder. "They also employ countless beautiful women willing to do anything for the right price. A few of the top-tier maidens are completely priceless. You cannot buy their time with silver, and they only talk to you if they find you genuinely interesting."
Solomon curled his upper lip and wrinkled his nose. He took a physical step backward to put some distance between them. "Is this really what you call fun?"
Marco threw his hands up in mock defense. "Obviously. Who exactly dislikes spending a night drinking and being surrounded by gorgeous women?"
Solomon rested his executioner’s sword against his collarbone. "That sounds boring. True fun means swinging a sword. It involves training your body until your muscles fail, and fighting opponents who can actually kill you."
[Fatal_Beauty: bro is officially allergic to women.]
[1Fizzy: Solo Man might actually be gay.] [James_Hayes: choosing training over girls? he is definitely gay.]
[Chi_Master: the greatsword is his only girlfriend.]
[Harty: Marco’s stream chat is saying the exact same thing right now lmao.]
[IceWaterKat: literal battle maniac.]
[Last_Fables: bro needs a romance arc to fix his brain.]
Marco looked at his own floating interface and laughed out loud. "My viewers are making jokes about you. For the record, I actually avoid those specific activities with the ladies. I already have someone I love."
Marco pointed a finger at Solomon’s face. "I guess you also share a similar devotion since you looked completely repulsed by the entire idea."
Solomon kept his expression completely blank and tapped his boots against the polished stone. He refused to entertain the assumption or provide any details about his personal preferences.
Marco dropped his arm and pointed toward the lower foundation of the establishment. "They also host a fully legal, high-stakes fighting ring down in the basement."
Solomon’s eyes widened instantly. A massive grin stretched across his face. He grabbed the older boy by the collar of his azure uniform and marched straight toward the golden doors.
"What are we waiting for? Let’s go inside right now!"
Solomon pushed the wooden doors of the Golden Lotus Pavilion wide open. A wave of bustling noise instantly washed over them. Carved crystal chandeliers cast a brilliant golden glow across the sprawling hall. Wealthy merchants and high-ranking cultivators crowded around polished mahogany tables, tossing silver coins onto velvet betting mats while roaring with laughter over their drinks.
Intricate silk paintings depicting ancient dragons lined the sweeping staircases. The pleasant scent of roasted lotus root and spiced honey wafted from the bustling kitchens, completely masking the grime of the city streets. Servers carrying trays of steaming delicacies navigated flawlessly through the chaotic crowds.
Meanwhile, a group of musicians played stringed instruments on an elevated stage to add a lively melody to the constant clinking of wine cups.
[Fatal_Beauty: this place looks insanely expensive.]
[James_Hayes: bro is dressed in a cheap gray uniform inside a VIP club.]
[IceWaterKat: time to make some money!]
[Chi_Master: look at all those cultivators gambling.]
Marco walked closely beside Solomon and adjusted the collar of his azure uniform. He pointed toward a wide stone ramp leading beneath the main floor. "The gambling tables and the dance halls stay up here on the main level. The fighting rings operate directly underneath us. You have all options. Where do you want to go first?"
