The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Tangxi Xue looked up—

"Seven generations have inherited the balance of the heavens, and the pavilion is adorned with the treasures of the sun and moon."

Against the backdrop of the snowy night and the lights of countless homes, the buildings before me displayed an astonishingly magnificent spectacle.

The seven-story pavilion rises from the ground, its eaves and brackets resembling a giant roc spreading its wings, and its gilded roof tiles exude a calm and luxurious luster.

The vermilion gate was wide open, and the plaque hanging high above it bore three gilded characters: "Seven Generations Pavilion." The strokes were powerful and vigorous, like dragons coiling and tigers crouching, exuding an imposing aura.

Even in the bustling capital of Yujing, the magnificence and grandeur of this pavilion are rare.

"Once inside," Tang Xixue straightened her sleeves, her voice calm, "call me Young Master."

"Yes, young master."

Even though it was already night, the area in front of the pavilion was still bustling with people.

Those dressed in fine clothes entered with their heads held high, while those covered in dust hurried in, and some, concealing their faces and keeping a low profile, slipped in like shadows.

People of all kinds briefly met in front of this door.

"Young master, the entrance to the movie theater is here."

Instead of heading towards the grand main gate, Mu Liang led Tang Xixue and Fuyi around the imposing base of the main building and into a deeper alleyway on the side.

The alley was narrow, with high walls blocking out the sky on both sides, leaving only a sliver of gray night sky overhead.

The snow piled up in the corner of the wall, making a soft crunching sound when stepped on.

"Ah Liang," Tang Xixue's voice echoed through the alley, "what exactly is this underground capital like?"

Mu Liang's steps did not falter; his deep voice, carried on the wind and snow, drifted over:

"The first underground level, the movie market. A lawless zone, where shady deals take place."

At the end of the alley was an inconspicuous ebony door, with two men in black, their auras as heavy as stone, standing silently on either side.

Mu Liang handed over three unusually shaped black iron coins. The other party examined them briefly and silently pushed open the wooden door.

A scent mingled with old dust, dampness, and exotic spices wafted towards me.

"The second underground level, the Asura Platform."

The cool, twilight-like sound continued to echo as they stepped through the door and descended the stone steps, reverberating in the confined space.

"A deathmatch arena, a gladiatorial arena where lives are at stake. Those who come here are mostly desperate criminals, or those who have nowhere else to turn—"

The stone steps were long and winding, and the dim yellow oil lamps on the walls swayed, casting long, shadowy figures.

"After all, that's where you can make money the fastest." He paused, "by risking your life."

"The third underground level, a mirage."

Footsteps echoed rhythmically on the stone steps.

"The underground auction house is where the real rare treasures and forbidden artifacts change hands."

They finally climbed the last step, and a bright and open view appeared before them.

The cinema was dimly lit, like a ghost town.

Countless stalls were scattered about, and people came and went, all wearing masks, talking in hushed tones like the rustling of insects.

The air was filled with the smell of rust, herbs, and some indescribable scent.

"Young Master, we've arrived at the Film Market." Mu Liang stepped aside. "Would you like to visit the Mirage Auction House first, or simply look around here?"

Tang Xixue's gaze swept over the eyes hidden behind the masks—greedy, anxious, numb.

A very faint smile played at the corners of her lips.

"I'm going to the Asura Platform."

This was her purpose from the very beginning.

Now that the Hall of Longevity has been emptied, she needs to find a new way to make money.

The Asura Platform is indeed a place where one can seize the greatest benefits in the shortest amount of time.

Mu Liang's eyes flickered slightly.

He guessed His Highness's intention almost instantly.

His Highness is short of money.

Coming here to risk one's life is indeed a shortcut.

"Young master," he stepped forward, his voice deep and firm, "I will go up on stage."

Years ago, it was from the blood and filth of this Shura Arena that Her Highness rescued him and his brother.

Now, for the sake of the princess, he is willing to enter this stage again and risk his life for her.

Tang Xixue gently shook her head.

She raised her hand, and the cold jade folding fan slid out from her sleeve and landed in her palm.

The fan ribs are warm and smooth, with a subtle metallic sheen flowing under the dim light.

"This time, I'll do it."

She unfolded her folding fan, revealing ink plum blossoms against the cold white surface, and her voice was clear and cold as frost.

"That was too dangerous..."

Mu Liang was taken aback and subconsciously wanted to dissuade him.

But his eyes met hers, which were like a starry sea.

There was no mockery, no impulsiveness in his eyes, only a calm and clear gaze, like that of an ancient well.

It was as if she wasn't talking about personally entering the battlefield to fight to the death, but simply about picking a plum blossom from outside the window.

The wind in the underground underworld silently passes through the cracks in the rocks.

The lights were dim, and the shouts of the gamblers below the stage were almost frenzied.

An elderly man dressed in a black robe slowly ascended the high chair at the edge of the arena.

He had no swords or knives in his hand, only a dark, black iron ruler about three feet long.

"Thump."

In an instant, the entire arena fell silent.

The arbitrator, dressed in an indigo long gown, stepped forward three steps and shouted in a drawn-out voice:

"Both parties have signed the agreement, their fates are in the hands of destiny—we now invite the judge to establish the rules!"

The old man in the black robe slightly raised his eyelids, his voice dry and hoarse:

"There are only three rules: First, the boundary is the ground where the ruler lands; whoever crosses the boundary loses. Second, weapons and concealed weapons are not restricted. Third, before my iron ruler hits the ground, life or death is irrelevant."

Having said that, he raised the iron ruler high.

The entire stadium held its breath, waiting for the decisive signal that would decide life or death.

"Let's go." Tang Xixue gently placed the Flying Gold Token on the gambling table, a section of her frosty wrist slipping out from the sleeve of her black robe. "Bet all on me to win."

Ten thousand taels of gold coins represent her entire fortune.

Mu Liang's gaze fell on the token with its flowing dark gold color, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly: "Young master, if there is anything amiss... please signal me."

His voice was extremely low, yet every word was as heavy as iron.

"I will go on stage immediately."

The rules of the Asura Platform state that no external forces may interfere.

But if she is in danger, he doesn't care about the rules or the consequences.

"You don't think much of me?"

Tangxi Xue has already drawn her lot – number nine.

She placed her bet on the bamboo plaque with the number "nine" written on it, and as she turned around, she suddenly leaned close to Mu Liang's ear, her warm breath brushing against his earlobe, which was covered by a black cloth.

Mu Liang froze.

"No, no, I don't think it's promising."

He stammered, a rare occurrence for him, and his face, hidden beneath the veil, flushed slightly.

"I'm just... worried you'll get hurt."

At this moment, he suddenly felt immense empathy for the young General Feng who became incoherent in front of Tang Xixue.

"Then I'll try my best not to get hurt."

Tang Xixue chuckled and gently patted his tense shoulder.

Be extremely careful.

Fu Yi gripped the short blade hidden in his sleeve, his gaze fixed on the dark figure.

She couldn't remember how long it had been since she had seen His Highness fight, and at this moment she felt even more nervous than when she first wielded a sword.

"Next—" the arbitrator's voice boomed through the arena, "Number nine, step forward to challenge the reigning champion, Lord Nevernight!"

Cheers and whistles erupted like a tidal wave.

The reigning champion, Lord Nevernight, stood in the center of the arena, dressed in a dark, tight-fitting outfit, like an iron tower.

He had just won eight consecutive matches, his fists were stained with blood, and his eyes scanned the newly entered opponents like a hungry wolf.

Then, everyone saw a figure.

Dressed in black as night, her figure was as slender as the melting snow on a branch.

A silver-threaded half-mask covered her eyebrows and eyes, revealing only her delicately shaped jawline and pale lips.

Even though his face was obscured, one could still sense that this young man was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Ha! This kid's here to get himself killed, isn't he?"

"Not even as tall as the Marquis of Nightless City's shoulder!"

"This little guy, even a breath from the Marquis of Nightless City could blow him off the stage!"

"Kill him! Tear him to pieces!"

The audience erupted in cheers, a bloodthirsty excitement filling the murky air.

The more beautiful and fragile something is, the more you want to crush it with your own hands and see its crystal-clear pieces scattered on the ground.

The Marquis of Nevernight was also stunned for a moment, then grinned with a bloodthirsty smile: "Kid, you're unlucky to have met me."

Before he finished speaking, he pounced like a tiger!