I woke early the next morning, my mind fixed on the ring that had Mallory Poe so desperate. Before heading to the Celestial Craft Pavilion, I needed to understand what made this artifact so valuable.


    Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I held the ring between my thumb and forefinger. It appeared ordinary—a simple band of dark metal with faint runes etched along its circumference. Nothing to suggest it was worth a fortune in Divine Rank artifacts.


    I closed my eyes and directed my divine sense into the ring. Most spatial rings contained a simple pocket dimension, but as my consciousness prated this one, I encountered something unexpected. Instead of the usual empty space, I found myself in a vast, disorientingndscape of swirling energy patterns.


    The space seemed to fold in on itself, creating impossible geometric patterns that made my head spin. I quickly withdrew my divine sense, feeling momentarily nauseous.


    "What the hell was that?" I muttered, examining the ring with renewed interest.


    Whatever secrets this ring contained, they were beyond my current ability to decipher. But one thing was certain—Mallory Poe''s desperation to retrieve it now made much more sense.


    ---


    The Celestial Craft Pavilion looked different in daylight. Its towering white spires gleamed in the morning sun, projecting an aura of elegance and power. Guards nked the massive gates, their armor polished to mirror-like perfection.


    "Elder Knight," the lead guard greeted with a respectful bow as I approached. "Pavilion Master Poe is expecting you."


    Instead of leading me to the main hall as before, the guard escorted me along a winding path through immactelyndscaped gardens to a secluded vi nestled against the back wall of thepound.


    "The Pavilion Master''s private residence," the guard exined. "He wishes to receive you with proper honors."


    I raised an eyebrow at that. Receiving a guest in one''s personal residence rather than official halls was either a sign of great respect or calcted intimacy. Given what I''d overheard yesterday, I suspected thetter.


    The vi was a masterpiece of design—three stories of gleaming white stone with jade-tiled roofs and windows that seemed to capture and amplify the sunlight. A formation array hummed beneath my feet as we crossed the threshold, subtly scanning my cultivation level.


    Mallory Poe himself stood waiting in the entrance hall, dressed in formal robes even more borate than yesterday''s.


    "Elder Knight!" he called out, his voice warm with feigned enthusiasm. "Wee to my humble home. I''m honored you epted my invitation."


    "The honor is mine," I replied, matching his false cordiality. "Your pavilion''s reputation for hospitality precedes it."


    His smile widened. "Have you had the opportunity to consider our proposal?"


    Direct, at least. I patted my pocket. "I brought the ring with me."


    Relief shed across his face before he could mask it. "Excellent! Before we discuss terms, please allow me to show you some items that might interest you. A man of your discernment surely appreciates fine craftsmanship."


    He led me through a series of elegantly appointed rooms until we reached what appeared to be a private disy chamber. ss cases lined the walls, each containing artifacts that made my cultivation instincts tingle with recognition.


    "These are from my personal collection," Mallory exined, gesturing grandly. "Not pavilion property, but my own acquisitions over the decades."


    My attention was immediately drawn to a de mounted on the far wall—a sleek sword with a de that seemed to shift between solid matter and energy, emitting a subtle draconic aura.


    "Ah, I see the Divine Dragon de has caught your eye," Mallory noted with satisfaction. "One of only three known to exist. It can cut through virtually any defensive formation."


    "Impressive," I admitted, genuinely intrigued.


    "Please, examine it if you wish," he offered, removing the de from its mount and presenting it to me.


    I took the sword, feeling its perfect bnce. The hilt warmed to my touch, and the de responded to my spiritual energy, glowing faintly.


    "It seems to recognize you," Mallory observed. "Interesting. The Divine Dragon de chooses its wielder, you know. It''s quite selective."


    I returned the de to him. "Thank you for showing me."


    "No need for thanks," he said, not recing it on the wall. Instead, he set it aside on a nearby table. "What else captures your interest?"


    Over the next hour, he guided me through his collection, pointing out rare artifacts and exining their powers: a pendant that could absorb and redirect energy attacks, gloves that enhanced formation crafting, boots that allowed silent movement regardless of terrain.


    Each item I expressed interest in joined the Divine Dragon de on the table, creating a growing pile of treasures.


    "These are all truly remarkable pieces," I finally said, watching him carefully. "You must have spent decades acquiring them."


    "A lifetime''s work," he agreed, his smile never wavering. "But what is a collection if not to be appreciated? I sense that you, unlike many, truly understand their value."


    "I do," I confirmed. "Which makes me wonder why you''re showing them to me with such... generosity."


    Mallory chuckled, a practiced sound. "I believe in building rtionships, Elder Knight. The items you''ve admired today—they''re yours."


    "Mine?" I repeated, not bothering to hide my disbelief.


    "Consider them a gesture of goodwill. The foundation of a mutually beneficial alliance between us."


    I nced at the pile, mentally calcting its worth. At least eight Divine Rank artifacts, each one practically priceless. All for a single ring?


    "That''s an extraordinarily generous offer," I said carefully. "But such generosity usuallyes with expectations."


    "Just one," Mallory replied, his facade of joviality slipping slightly. "The ring. Nothing more."


    I reached into my pocket and produced the ring, turning it slowly between my fingers. "This simple ring is worth all of that to you?"


    His eyes fixed on the ring with an intensity that confirmed my suspicions. Whatever this ring contained, it was far more valuable than even this impressive collection.


    "It has... sentimental value," he imed unconvincingly.


    "I see." I closed my hand around the ring. "And if I were to decline your offer?"


    A sh of panic crossed his features before he controlled it. "I would be disappointed, of course, but that is your right. However, I hope you''ll consider how beneficial this exchange could be for you."


    "Let me think on it," I said, pocketing the ring again.


    Mallory''s smile became strained. "Of course. Perhaps over refreshments? I''ve prepared a small gathering upstairs."


    He gestured toward the pile of artifacts. "These are yours regardless of your decision. Please, have my servants transfer them to your storage rings."


    I nodded, allowing two waiting attendants to carefully ce each item into my storage rings. The weight of what I now possessed wasn''t lost on me—with these artifacts alone, I could outfit a small army of elite cultivators.


    "You''re very generous, Pavilion Master Poe," I remarked as thest item disappeared into storage.


    "Think nothing of it," he replied, though his eyes never left the pocket containing the ring. "Shall we proceed upstairs?"


    The third floor of the vi opened into avish banquet hall with panoramic windows overlooking the pavilion grounds. A long table was set with exotic foods and wines, and standing around it were Hanley Poe and, more surprisingly, a dozen women in form-fitting cheongsams of various colors.


    "Elder Knight," Hanley greeted stiffly, clearly under orders to be polite.


    "Elder Liam," Mallory announced, "these lovelydies are members of our pavilion''s hospitality division. They''ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival."


    The women smiled in practiced unison, their cheongsams cut to emphasize every curve. Their cultivation levels were impressive—all at the Spirit Realm at minimum—and their beauty was clearly enhanced by rare elixirs and cultivation techniques.


    "What an... unexpected addition to our meeting," Imented dryly.


    "Only the best for our honored guest," Mallory insisted, pping his hands. "Ladies, please make Elder Knight feel wee while I attend to some urgent business. I''ll return shortly."


    Before I could object, Mallory and Hanley were heading toward the door, leaving me alone with the women who immediately began approaching me from all sides. <dfn ss="in-imprint-b">Your support on * keeps this series going.</dfn>


    "Elder Knight," purred a woman in a crimson cheongsam, pressing herself against my right arm. "I''ve heard so much about your legendary skills."


    Another in sapphire blue slid against my left side, her hand trailing across my chest. "They say your cultivation technique is... unique. Perhaps you could demonstrate for us?"


    "I''m particrly interested in your... energy control," whispered a third, her breath warm against my neck as her fingers traced the line of my jaw.


    Their perfumes mingled into a heady, almost intoxicating scent, and I realized with a start that these weren''t mere courtesans—they were trained cultivators using subtle techniques designed to cloud judgment and inme desire.


    So this was Mallory''s y—ply me with priceless artifacts, then distract me with beautiful women while he somehow retrieved the ring. An ancient tactic, but effective against many men.


    The woman in crimson boldly ran her hand down my chest toward my waist. "Why don''t we move somewhere more... private? There are manyfortable chambers in this vi."


    "I bet a man of your power has amazing... stamina," murmured another, pressing her body fully against mine.


    I stood unmoved as they surrounded me, their hands bing more adventurous. One woman slipped behind me, her arms encircling my waist while another boldly attempted to guide my hand to her breast.


    I could feel Mallory''s spiritual energy hovering just outside the door, waiting for his scheme to take effect. Did he really think I was so easily manipted? That I would be so distracted by flesh that I wouldn''t notice his spiritual energy attempting to locate and extract the ring?


    "Ladies," I said finally, my voice cutting through their seductive whispers, "I appreciate your... enthusiastic wee."


    I gently but firmly disengaged from their embrace, stepping back to create space between us. Their faces registered surprise—clearly, they weren''t ustomed to rejection.


    The door opened, and Mallory reentered, his expression carefully neutral though I could sense his frustration. His n wasn''t working as expected.


    "I hope my hospitality is to your liking," he said smoothly.


    I smiled, reaching into my pocket to grasp the ring. "It''s certainly revealing, Pavilion Master Poe. In fact, I think I''m ready to make my decision about your offer."


    His eyes fixed on my hand as I slowly withdrew the ring, holding it up so it caught the light. The women had retreated to the edges of the room, their seduction routine temporarily abandoned as they watched the true drama unfold.


    "And what have you decided?" Mallory asked, tension evident in every line of his body.


    I closed my fist around the ring, feeling its energy pulse against my palm. "That depends entirely on what happens next."