Sixth-rank families and above the Cave Void—these secrets were shrouded in mist, still too obscure.
Mo Hua's heart was heavy with doubts, but seeing that they had reached Drunken Flower Street, he could no longer press the matter.
Many things in the world are like the tip of an iceberg. What people see is merely an insignificant corner; the real secrets are generally hidden in the unseen depths of the sea.
Like the Guixu hidden in the endless abyss, enshrouded by his senior uncle's myriad schemes.
Without going in for a look, who knows what is happening inside? But if one truly goes in for a look, they might die without knowing how...
Mo Hua sighed softly, then set aside his distractions and stopped overthinking.
These matters were still too far off, and there were problems right in front of him that remained unsolved.
This Flower Queen Banquet was probably not a good banquet either; he must not be careless.
Mo Hua collected his thoughts, alighted from the carriage, and led by Bai Xiaosheng, they passed the alley entrance and walked several more li before entering Drunken Flower Street.
This was Mo Hua's second time visiting the flower street.
As usual, the entire Drunken Flower Street was like a fairyland with jade towers, brilliant lights; beauties like celestial maidens, lightly clad and dancing gracefully amidst a profusion of flowers, singing and dancing without cease—a scene of prosperity.
But after Mo Hua had taken a simple walk around the Great Spiritual Field Realm, the contrast with what he saw now was even more jarring.
Some were cold and hungry, displaced and homeless.
Others, sated and warm, indulged in carnal desires, building high pleasure platforms.
At this very moment, in the Great Spiritual Field Realm, there were likely spiritual farmers suffering from hunger and cold, refugees being killed, demonic cultivators flaying them, extracting their bones, and refining their souls.
Yet in Drunken Flower Street, it was an unawakened land of gentle dreams, a money-burning pit using women as bait and gold and silver as blood.
Mo Hua frowned slightly, but this was not the first time he had seen such things, and it had been within his expectations.
Moreover, he was now in Kun Prefecture, without power or influence, with no troops under his command, and unable to do anything.
Bai Xiaosheng, a cultivator of the Dao of All Beings who understood the joys and sufferings of the mortal world, noticed Mo Hua's contemplative expression and grew inexplicably nervous, thinking:
"Is this kid... thinking about something very dangerous again?"
Bai Xiaosheng frowned, but did not dare to ask.
...
After that, the two walked in silence through the flower street until they arrived directly in front of the Jade Fragrance Pavilion.
This time, because he was attending the "Flower Queen Banquet," Mo Hua did not wear a mask.
And wearing one would have been useless.
Ever since entering Drunken Flower Street, Mo Hua had sensed more than a dozen strands of divine sense converging on his body.
None of these divine senses were ordinary.
The vast majority were from late-stage Core Formation or even peak Core Formation cultivators.
A few were cold and carried a bloody, evil aura; they should belong to Feather Transformation demonic cultivators, only Mo Hua couldn't identify who they were.
The only Feather Transformation he could recognize was Rong Zhenren.
Rong Zhenren had a sharp tongue but a soft heart; on the surface she was very cold, but behind the scenes she still cared about his safety.
The divine senses of these powerhouses acted independently on the surface but secretly checked each other.
Mo Hua pretended not to notice anything, and like an ordinary "customer," naturally walked into the Jade Fragrance Pavilion.
But as soon as he stepped inside, a woman in a brocade long skirt immediately greeted him, her smile like a flower and her manner gentle, saying:
"Greetings, Young Master Mo. This humble one has been waiting for you for some time."
This woman ignored everyone else and only spoke to Mo Hua with a smile, as if she had been specially waiting here for him.
Mo Hua glanced at her. The woman had changed her makeup and style, but the outline of her eyes and brows was still vaguely familiar. He was somewhat surprised and said:
"Miao Niangzi?"
Miao Niangzi seemed pleasantly surprised and smiled: "I didn't expect Young Master Mo to still remember me. I am truly honored."
Bai Xiaosheng glanced at Mo Hua, secretly shocked:
Mo Hua had only visited a brothel once, and he already had a lover?
And this Miao Niangzi seemed to be a popular courtesan of the Jade Fragrance Pavilion.
Was Mo Hua's luck with women really this strong?
Bai Xiaosheng looked at Mo Hua's face again and sneered inwardly. Sure enough, pretty boys attracted women; how detestable.
Mo Hua's expression, however, was very calm. He looked at Miao Niangzi and said in a flat tone: "You still dare to show your face?"
Under Mo Hua's indifferent gaze, Miao Niangzi's heart suddenly tightened.
This was a person even the Hall Master was extremely wary of. Rumor had it that this Young Master Mo could kill with a look—who knew if it was true or not?
But after all, she was a woman of the brothel, used to playing along on the surface. Her face showed no fear; instead, she put on a pitiful expression and sighed:
"As the saying goes: 'Men fear entering the wrong profession.' Actually, women are the same."
"I entered this line of work and have been mixed up in the pleasure quarters; I have no control over my fate. I just do whatever the superiors say... Besides that, what else can I do?"
Miao Niangzi frowned, looking pitiable.
Her words were half true and half false. Mo Hua did not argue with her and only said: "Lead the way."
Miao Niangzi secretly sighed in relief, smiled respectfully, and said: "Young Master Mo, please."
Miao Niangzi's figure was graceful as she walked ahead to guide Mo Hua.
Entering the main hall, passing through the grand lobby, crossing the red curtains, walking under the colorful ceiling, passing the moon gate, and then into the inner courtyard, they saw the four buildings named Spring, Flower, Snow, and Moon.
Mo Hua had taken this route before and was not unfamiliar with it.
Bai Xiaosheng was even more of a regular visitor; as they walked along, he was completely at ease.
But from then on, it was different.
Miao Niangzi led Mo Hua to the "Spring" building—the largest, most ornate, and with the highest entry threshold among the four buildings.
This building, even Bai Xiaosheng, with his wide connections and good network, had only entered once before.
At the entrance of the Spring building, Miao Niangzi was stopped by two Core Formation mid-stage guards.
At the Spring building, Core Formation mid-stage was only good enough for security, protecting this business that used women as bait.
Miao Niangzi turned to look at Mo Hua and said: "Young Master, please present your invitation."
"This is the custom. Please forgive me." Miao Niangzi looked apologetic.
Mo Hua nodded and took out the jade-colored invitation with large golden peonies.
The guard examined the invitation, gave Mo Hua a deep look, and then let him pass.
Bai Xiaosheng followed Mo Hua and slipped in.
The invitation stated that one or two attendants were allowed, so the guards defaulted to considering Bai Xiaosheng as Mo Hua's "attendant."
After entering the Spring building, they climbed layer after layer along the large red lacquer stairs inlaid with gold until they reached a high place, where they saw a magnificent hall amidst a sea of flowers, a bright moon hanging high, and snow color set off.
This seemed to be the main venue of the Flower Queen Banquet.
Mo Hua shook his head slightly, muttering "too decadent" in his heart, and then strode into the hall.
At this moment, the hall was already filled with many sons of wealthy families, all exuding an air of luxury.
Mo Hua was not the only one who had received the invitation. Naturally, the Flower Queen Banquet was not held exclusively for him.
And those who could attend this Flower Queen Banquet were certainly not ordinary young masters.
Mo Hua looked around and felt a slight chill in his heart.
At this moment, all the young masters seated were in Core Formation, and their cultivation bases were extremely solid—clearly the top prodigies carefully nurtured by various major families with immense resources.
They also exuded an air of extreme confidence and composure.
When Mo Hua entered the hall, all the young masters looked at him simultaneously, their eyes showing a hint of surprise and a trace of solemnity.
Because Mo Hua was a "new face."
Not just at the Flower Queen Banquet, but in the entire circle of the children of noble families in Houtu City, Mo Hua's face was very unfamiliar—he was an outsider.
But the handsome face of Mo Hua was known to all the young masters present.
Whether because of the unattainable eldest daughter of the sixth-rank Bai Family, or because of Rong Zhenren's exceptional protection, or due to recent disturbances, they had all heard of the name of Taixu Sect's prodigy Mo Hua to some extent and roughly knew what he looked like.
Therefore, when this familiar yet strange, famous yet unknown Young Master Mo stepped into the hall and entered their "hunting ground," he naturally drew the attention of all the young masters.
But on this special occasion, no one really paid attention to Mo Hua, and no one spoke to him.
Because Mo Hua was not part of their "circle."
Mo Hua did not mind. Led by Miao Niangzi, he calmly walked to his seat and sat down generously.
The gazes of others meant nothing to him.
After Mo Hua sat down, these young masters also withdrew their gazes and stopped peeping at Mo Hua.
Not long after, some more young masters in brocade robes entered the venue, causing others to stand up and greet them.
Mo Hua, as an outsider, was even less noticed.
Miao Niangzi apologized for her rudeness and left, apparently having other things to attend to. She also dared not stay long with Mo Hua.
Mo Hua's vicinity became even more deserted, but he enjoyed the leisure, pouring tea and drinking it himself.
Bai Xiaosheng, who was also used to big scenes, took the wine pot and poured himself wine.
After drinking for a while, Mo Hua turned to look at Bai Xiaosheng and suddenly asked: "Do you know all these young masters?"
A soundproofing formation was set near the seating at the banquet. Mo Hua swept it with his divine sense and found that the soundproofing effect was passable, so he spoke with Bai Xiaosheng.
"What's there to know or not know..."
Bai Xiaosheng tore a strip of meat from a large elbow on the table, put it in his mouth, chewed slowly, and said to Mo Hua in a relaxed manner:
"They're all the top young masters of Kun Prefecture's noble families."
Bai Xiaosheng pointed at people while secretly saying to Mo Hua:
"That one... in the vermilion Qilin robe, is the second son of the Zhu family's head. He has a high chance of becoming the Zhu family's head in the future."
"The one in the gold noble robe is the third son of the Lu family, also the most talented disciple of his generation in the Lu family. Now in his forties, he's already at Core Formation mid-stage, a top-grade core..."
"The one in the multicolored robe is the Wu family's acknowledged successor..."
"And that one in the white crane cloud brocade robe is also the most prestigious young master of the next generation of the Jin family..."
This was almost equivalent to the default helmsmen of the next generation of Kun Prefecture's great families.
Mo Hua sighed inwardly.
He had not attended the Lantern Festival held by the Earth Sect earlier, but he had not expected to meet the figures he missed there at a brothel now.
Indeed, those you are not meant to see, you won't see no matter how hard you try.
Those you are meant to see, you'll encounter anywhere.
Mo Hua couldn't help frowning: "These top prodigies of Kun Prefecture's major families... have nothing better to do than visit brothels?"
Bai Xiaosheng glanced at Mo Hua: "What are you saying? Aren't you visiting a brothel right now?"
Mo Hua was startled, thought about it, and nodded: "That's true..."
Since he himself was visiting a brothel, he couldn't criticize others—even though he had other motives for coming here.
Mo Hua looked around, silently committing these "successors" of Kun Prefecture's major families to memory.
But...
Mo Hua looked for a while, frowning slightly. Where was the Earth Sect's representative?
Since it was a "successors" gathering, the Earth Sect, the most powerful force in all of Kun Prefecture, had no reason not to send someone...
While Mo Hua was thinking, his expression suddenly changed slightly, and he turned his head to look at another side—the stairway entrance hidden amidst the flowers, snow, and moonlight.
Almost at the same time, a tall, imposing young master, surrounded by a crowd, walked in slowly.
This young master wore an ochre-yellow flood dragon robe. The moment he appeared, his presence suppressed the entire venue, plunging it into dead silence.
Everyone rose to their feet, even the successors of the four major families—Wu, Lu, Jin, and Zhu—stood up slowly, cupping their fists in salute to the young master in the ochre-yellow flood dragon robe:
"Greetings, Great Young Master."
"Great Young Master, my respects..."
Great Young Master... the Earth Sect's Great Young Master?
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
At that moment, all the young masters in the venue had stood up, leaving only Mo Hua and his "follower" Bai Xiaosheng still seated.
The Great Young Master's gaze naturally fell on the two of them.
Seeing someone in the Jade Fragrance Pavilion so disrespectful, the Great Young Master's face first darkened, and a flood dragon's anger seemed to surge within him.
But when he clearly saw Mo Hua's face, his pupils slightly contracted. After a brief thought, he indifferently looked away and paid him no further heed.
He had recognized Mo Hua as well, but Mo Hua was not part of their circle anyway.
With his status, he did not need to condescend to greet Mo Hua.
The Great Young Master was escorted like a star surrounded by the moon to the central seat in the hall.
The seats in the venue appeared the same, but the central seat was subtly "superior," clearly specially reserved for this Earth Sect's Great Young Master as a mark of respect.
After the Great Young Master sat down, the other young masters sat down again one after another.
The atmosphere in the hall returned to normal, with everyone toasting and chatting.
But now, the socializing clearly revolved around the Great Young Master.
All the young masters from various families, in order of status, went to toast the Great Young Master and exchange a few words.
The successors of the Lu, Wu, Zhu, and Jin families also offered toasts, but their tones were calm and neither humble nor arrogant, not losing the dignity of their families.
But other prodigies, who were not at the top or from weaker families, were more or less humble in their attitudes.
Some even carried a hint of flattery.
Mo Hua and Bai Xiaosheng, however, just drank tea and wine on their own, staying aloof.
They seemed to be in the same hall and attending the same banquet as these young masters, but it was as if they existed in two different worlds, belonging to entirely different circles.
No one even gave them a second glance.
For a moment, Mo Hua's surroundings were quite deserted.
After a while, he turned to look at Bai Xiaosheng and asked:
"When you attended banquets before, was it the same—no one paying attention to you?"
Bai Xiaosheng laughed scornfully: "How could that be? What kind of person am I?"
"If it weren't for you, with my social skills, I would have already toasted with these young masters. Who would refuse if I offered a toast? Who would dare?"
Bai Xiaosheng patted Mo Hua's shoulder and sighed:
"But there's no helping it. You're Mo Hua. People hate you; you're not well-liked. If I don't keep you company and chat with you, you'd be sitting here alone, lonely and cold—how pitiful..."
Mo Hua was speechless. He said flatly: "Thank you so much."
Bai Xiaosheng sighed: "What are friends for..."
Mo Hua thought for a moment and then asked in a low voice: "Then... this Great Young Master, do you know him?"
Bai Xiaosheng said: "I've seen him, had drinks with him, but not too familiar."
"Is he from the Earth Sect?"
"Yeah."
Mo Hua frowned. "Why is he called 'Great Young Master'? What is his background? What position does he hold in the Earth Sect?"
"Well..." Bai Xiaosheng said vaguely, "It involves Earth Sect secrets, so it's hard for me to say. You just need to know that this Great Young Master has a very high status and bloodline in the Earth Sect. Don't provoke him."
Mo Hua's expression darkened, and he made no comment.
Bai Xiaosheng went back to picking up the wine pot and pouring wine into his mouth.
But Mo Hua looked at the Great Young Master's figure from behind, especially the large ochre-yellow flood dragon on his back, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a thought struck Mo Hua. A flash of black and white passed through his pupils as he subtly activated a thread of Heavenly Calculation and Heavenly Devious Calculation.
In that instant of interwoven black and white, the Heavenly Mechanism trembled, and the scene before him abruptly changed.
On the back of this Earth Sect's Great Young Master, the large ochre-yellow flood dragon was seeping with thick, viscous, black-purple blood, twisted together like rotting flesh.
This filthy blood contained cause and effect, hid desires, and silently bloomed like poppy flowers.
This kind of cause-and-effect omen, though somewhat distant, Mo Hua could never forget.
"Qianxue Realm, Rouge Boat, Young Master Pavilion..."
Mo Hua's pupils suddenly contracted. "This Earth Sect's Great Young Master... is a member of the Young Master Pavilion!"