novelraw Chapter 150 - 149 - Lind's Heart
Chapter 150 - 149 - Lind's Heart
Whatever Lind had imagined coming to Valery Hall, it was far worse. He had been to several strip clubs in his old life on Earth and porn was a staple of single life, but none of it prepared him for the ground floor of Valery Hall.
The one saving grace was not only women being used as tools for pleasure, but men as well. Everything else was like his worst nightmare made real. The equality made it a little more bearable. Mythra no doubt was enjoying his firm grip on her arm.
Strangely, no incidents occurred of lustful fools trying to take her. There seemed to be rules regarding that, but Lind fervently prayed he never needed to know them. The women wore what was tantamount to 2 strips of cloth barely on, or not on at all!
Aether children, humans, and demons were everywhere. All were in the Soul Realm but the men were at the peak of Soul Realm while the women varied. Lind also noted that no one seemed miserable but he could not be certain.
What stood out was the heavily robed woman before him. Her pale robes and a dark blue emblem on her right breast that was the moon at its zenith in a circle. It was the mark of Midnight's Guild.
"Master Frey, welcome to Valery Hall. I have been sent to guide you to Master Midnight." Lind's face twitch as even being covered, the robes seemed to emphasize her assets but Mythra squeezed his arm to keep him steady.
"This is my date, Mythra. It is not a problem, correct?" There had been no plus one on the invitation but he had been assured it was not unusual to bring a date. It stated he was taken but Lind was glad none of the 3 Maidens were here. Shoti might be having but Qing would burn holes in the carousing idiots having their way with the women here. Annabelle might have imploded in embarrassment.
A slight frown crossed the young woman's pale face but a glance at the emblem on Mythra's dress cleared it away.
"No, not a problem. Please, follow me." Lind swallowed his saliva and hyperfocused on the Qi in the room. There were intricate designs everywhere which stunningly included the near non-existent clothes for the men and women serving the customers.
Lind then noticed the highest quality item was the hair piece in the raven black hair of their guide. Lind guess it was peak tier 1 of Sky Realm. It made him curious but he made sure to focus more on the walls and even the far ceiling seemed to be flowing with power but Lind did not know its purpose.
He guessed part of it was keeping the building afloat but the sheer magnitude was enough to float 7 of the same size building. What was all the power used for? Lind filed it away as they ascended several flights of stairs at the back.
Lind noted that there was always a view to each room and while there was an increase in cultivation, there was something that made him cold.
The first floor was distracting but fairly tame. The 2nd floor was much the same with a view to the lower floor and full of World Realms. The 3rd floor was where it took a turn.
There were tables, blunted instruments of torture, and other dark items. Lind had only ever heard of such things but seeing it made rage rise but then he noticed. It was not the employees being subjected, but the clients! Lind recognized a few but immediately turned away.
The 4th floor, however, nearly made him seethe. There were powerful World Realms drinking and eating while watching all the floors below! He understood. The power for the formations acted like a realistic illusion one floor to another.
His Eyes were not only more powerful but Annabelle's training had allowed him to pierce most intricate formations that could never come close to her ability. Mythra did not seem to like what she saw but he only saw her eyes go cold while a warm smile stayed on her face. She ran her hands over his arm as a form of comfort while looking like she was teasing.
The fortitude she showed made Lind assured he had been correct to bring her with him. If he had been alone, his emotional state would have been chaotic at best. The guide never paused nor turned around but she seemed to not exactly be rushing either.
Lind wondered what fresh hell would be waiting above but a feeling of Qi washing over them covered him then the sounds from below vanished and thankfully no downward view any longer as a large plush office was revealed.
Lind saw there were doors leading back towards the front side of the building but the opposite wall had the first windows he had seen leading out onto a small balcony. The night sky sparkled as Lind saw other floating structures lit up from below by Cimmera and formations alike.
It was actually quite beautiful and Lind understood it was a sharp contrast to what he had seen below. The room had shelves full of jade slips, scrolls, and several artifacts neatly arranged. The dim lighting made the soft curved furniture seem relaxing but Lind felt his guard rise.
There was a familiar silhouette of Midnight lounging on the balcony with a drink that gave off a lot of Qi. Lind knew even a sip of that would shatter his dantian. There were several bottles on a dark wooden table in a sunken area that a large desk looked over.
Lind saw lamps glowing with several colors of light but the dark cloth couches were not empty. There were several men and women at the peak of the Iron Tier. Lind frowned as he noticed there was one of each human, demon, and aether child for both sexes.
Lind saw their guide bow before turning and waving them on, but Lind pulled Mythra towards the shelves. His displeasure was clear to any that saw his face and it was not a lie. Lind was angered at the psychological attempt against him.
A young, naive cultivator would be tempted or at least thrown off by the lower floors until coming up to the much more serene room they were now in. The lovely view and fully clothed people were meant to make him relax.
Others might not see it, but LInd could see that the men were employees but all 3 women were slaves.
"Interesting. I think this is a copy of Shattering Peak Fists." Mythra drew his eyes and he neatly broke in laughter as she happily looked at everything and made a mess of it! He looked over the scroll and agreed it was what she thought but he noticed it was a higher realm than the one he knew.
The fist technique added elements in higher tiers but this one was clearly for Diamond Tier or Sky Realm. Lind did not delve too deep before neatly rolling it up and putting it back. He patted her arm and she stopped making a mess.
"I have never seen such profound versions of these but they are not ours to look over." The 6 young people were shifting slightly as the couple ignored them and messed up their master's office. Midnight made no move to turn but also there was no sign of a response at all.
Their guide also stood silently without even a flicker of annoyance.
"Senior Midnight, I apologize for not knowing who you were before. I have come as I was invited back at the arena. This is my companion, Mythra." Lind bowed politely to Midnight's back but the man did not respond. Lind paid it no mind as he turned to the 6 sitting down.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all as well, I am Lind Frey, peak grade 3 elixir master." Eyes bulged and Midnight finally reacted. Openly admitting it was a statement. It also made it clear that Lind was not accepting the 'gifts' currently presented.
"You seem to have a discerning taste, Master Frey. Welcome to Valery Hall." Midnight finally turned but he did not bow. As he was a Diamond Tier, it was already polite to amend 'Master' to Lind's name. If he knew Lind had created a grade 4 elixir, Midnight may have been more conciliatory.
The arrogance and the debauchery would have distrubed Lind before but his heart was clear with Mythra by his side. Midnight frowned hard but he only glanced at their guide and moved inside.
"May I interest you in Elden wine or Rakathi Spirits?" Lind was not familiar with either but Rakathi was a wasteland so it was unlikely that anything coming from there was weak. Lind conjured water and a cup before filling it himself. He did the same for Mythra as she smiled at him. She was having fun.
"I am not familiar with alcohol on any grade, but thank you for the kind offer. I have to ask, is it always like this here?" Lind knew they were dancing at the moment. Midnight had underestimated his will, but clearly the man wanted Lind to owe him badly. He wanted Lind to be gifting him or contributing.
Midnight's forehead twitched but no other outward sign showed his irritation. Lind had observed people extensively since he left the Southern District. Cultivators had strong control of their emotions if they were any good, and Midnight seemed very good.
"As you wish. My companions would welcome you, but you do not seem interested with such fine companionship already at your side. I do not know this woman, but the 3 I expected could not come?" Mythra tightened her grip in warning but Lind was steady. Having a trusted friend calmed him. Still, his dark green eyes sparked for any that knew him and only Mythra got any notice of it.
"They have their duties to the Sect but I discussed my need to come here by your invitation. I would not want to be rude afterall. I have seen enough of that recently." Lind smiled while his eyes were cold. He felt invincible as he spoke. It was a new feeling but he humbled himself as he was facing World Realms.
This was not a life and death battle, but simply an annoyance. Once it was over, he would never return.
Midnight seemed to resist frowning barely, but he made a motion and all 6 men and women bowed and left without looking at anyone. The guide never moved but she did turn to confirm before Midnight shook his head. Lind filed that away as it may be important later.
"I would like to discuss business then, so please send your 'companion' away as well. It is not a place for minor characters." Lind openly smiled but it did not reach his eyes. The guide looked pale and Midnight was confused. Mythra stepped forward and became all business like compared to her teasing ways before.
"Senior Midnight. I have been sent by my mother as Lind Frey's sole auctioneer. I am Mythra Caltare. If you wish to discuss business, then I must take over." The fluted glass shattered in Midnight's hands. The no doubt expensive liquor sprayed his robes and the carpet.
"Did you say Caltare?" Lind now enjoyed the show as Mythra produced a family crest. It was never to be placed on her clothing unless at an official function like the upcoming auction. Mythra would debut at the upcoming auction.
Midnight closed his eyes and took a breath but then he looked with respect at Lind for the first time.
"It would seem I underestimated you. I assume this Young Mistress of Starfire House knows of your ability to make demonic elixirs?" It was Midnight's big card but Lind had to admit, it was stunning the news had spread that far already.
"I know far more than anyone about Lind Frey, save his future wives. I am aware you enjoy a privileged position in Cimmeria but we do not appreciate you trying to circumvent us." Lady Estelle was frightening. She had only adopted Mythra a short time ago but LInd could hear her voice in Mythra's.
Midnight seemed to agree as he bowed in respect to Mythra. He then made a motion and their guide raised the lighting in the room. Mythra and Midnight took a seat across from each other in the recessed seating area.
Lind moved next to Mythra but did not sit with her. He stood behind her. Midnight did not seem to like it but he could not go against a direct daughter of Starfire House. The man sighed and waited for new drinks to be poured.
"Let us begin again, I want grade 3 elixirs for my exclusive use without questions asked. How much will that cost? Midnight was blunt and to the point but Mythra smiled wider as he spoke before she took a sip of water.
"Not a chance in hell." Mythra spoke sweetly then began to examine her nails. The glass in Midnight's hand creaked but Lind knew it was not over. Starfire House may rank higher than Midnight, but Lind did not. He would die by a thousand cuts yet he had faith in Mythra to understand his heart in the matter.
Negotiations had truly begun.