"My apologies for the rudeness," said a melodic voice that echoed throughout the hall.

"I am Soho, the overseer of Pavilion One, responsible for up to the eighth floor," the speaker introduced herself.

A pale-skinned beauty dressed in fine silk robes and a thin fur scarf approached with a gentle smile.

Her voice, like a spring breeze, softened the tension in the air. But only briefly.

Her gaze, as cold as ice, fixed on someone—the young man who had been insolently questioning Kalstein.

"No matter how renowned your family may be across the continent, that reputation does not extend to you. If you’re not here to insult Maeyoung Pavilion, I suggest you stop now."

"..."

"This incident will not be brushed aside lightly. Be aware of that and apologize to the guest immediately."

"I cannot comply! This man’s identity is unclear—"

"Silence! Before I end you where you stand!"

The spring breeze vanished, replaced by a torrent of killing intent that bore down on the young man.

Trembling violently, his eyes glazed over, and his trousers darkened as a dark stain spread across them.

"Th-this... the Jin family... will remember this...!"

"If your purpose here is to spy on Maeyoung Pavilion, stick to your goal and avoid unnecessary disruptions."

"!!"

"Do you think Maeyoung Pavilion could have grown to this scale if we allowed ourselves to be pushed around by one sect family?"

Soho’s crimson-tinted eyes glowed ominously, and the young man’s face twisted with abject terror.

"You are utterly irredeemable. If you do not apologize right now, I will expel you from Maeyoung Pavilion immediately and permanently."

At that moment, a voice interjected.

"There’s no need to spare him."

"What do you mean, Sa-hyung?"

Jang Ilhong’s expression was filled with confusion as she looked at Kalstein. Why would he suggest not sparing the young man when Soho seemed ready to handle the situation?

Kalstein’s response was a faint, enigmatic smile.

"..."

Although Kalstein didn’t appear to be bothered by the young man’s earlier rudeness, it didn’t mean he forgave it.

The insolence would be repaid in full. He had simply chosen to prioritize other matters for now.

The young man’s fate was already sealed. Soho, sensing the faint killing intent emanating from Kalstein, had stepped in to intervene.

Did Soho understand Kalstein’s intentions?

With a flick of her hand, she sent the young man flying up the staircase to the seventh floor.

"…The Jin family isn’t easily dismissed. Are you sure about this? My intent wasn’t solely to protect him," she said, her tone now softer, her gaze filled with concern for Kalstein.

Kalstein’s response was as steady as ever.

"Of course."

Soho studied his eyes for any sign of hesitation but found none. Her earlier words had been a challenge to the Jin family, and now she wanted to ensure Kalstein understood the implications.

"I can’t stop that man’s mouth. There are too many witnesses here," she remarked, briefly glancing at Bang Ryunil. If Bang Ryunil spread word of Kalstein’s actions against the Jin family, there would be repercussions.

Kalstein’s reply was calm and absolute.

"I don’t care."

Soho’s brow twitched at his unshakeable confidence.

Who was this man? Did he have backing strong enough to counter even the Jin family? If so, how had she not heard of him?

From what she could tell, Kalstein was immensely talented but still only at the 13th star of the Energy Condensation stage.

The Jin family was a force known to all cultivators—a single talent could not topple it.

Her curiosity piqued, but now was not the time to indulge it.

"Understood. If that is your decision," she said, relenting.

Soho turned her attention to Bang Ryunil and the new guide she had summoned. In a low, firm voice, she warned, "There will be no further disturbances."

"..."

It seemed she was fully aware that Bang Ryunil had been complicit in inciting the Jin family scion. Bang Ryunil’s face stiffened, but he made no attempt to defend himself.

He was skilled at knowing when to retreat.

Soho returned her gaze to Kalstein, offering a polite smile.

"However, we cannot overlook the matter entirely. May I examine the artifact you mentioned, said to rival the Thunderstrike Jade of the Ancient Era?"

Kalstein gave a slight nod and pulled a small, dark metallic object from his robe. With a flick of his wrist, he casually tossed it to her.

Soho instinctively caught it, but her expression changed to one of alarm.

If the object truly had the power of Thunderstrike Jade, it could have caused catastrophic damage, even to her.

However, no energy surged from it, nor did it detonate. She quickly composed herself.

"You enjoy startling people, don’t you?" she said, her tone dry but laced with a hint of amusement.

"Haha."

Soho tilted her head as she examined the object in her hand.

Bang Ryunil, who had been standing off to the side, suddenly raised his voice.

"You bastard! That thing…!"

Soho turned toward him, puzzled, as Bang Ryunil stormed over, pointing at the metallic object with a snarl.

"You dare present that in front of me? You must have a death wish."

"Do you recognize this object? I sense no energy from it," Soho asked, her tone calm but curious.

"Hah…"

Bang Ryunil took a deep breath to calm his excitement, then curled his lips into a sneering smile.

"Hmph! This is nothing more than a low-tier artifact this guy prepared to humiliate me before."

Kalstein raised an eyebrow, bemused.

What nonsense is this lunatic spewing now?

"You really have lost your mind. Head Manager, this man is a fraud! Trying to pass off this flimsy contraption as a Thunderstrike Jade is outright deception!"

"A low-tier artifact?"

The Thunderstrike Jade was a single-use, high-grade artifact from the Ancient Era, its power on par with the most devastating artifacts of its time.

It was inconceivable that such an artifact could be stopped by a simple energy condensation barrier. For someone like Bang Ryunil, who had seen the genuine article in action, the claim was beyond absurd.

"Trying to pull off a scam here at Maeyoung Pavilion?"

Well, well. Caught you red-handed.

"Haha! Do you think Maeyoung Pavilion is some roadside stall? The fact that no energy leaks from it is impressive, I admit, but claiming it rivals the Thunderstrike Jade? Your lies are truly laughable!"

"...We should at least hear what this gentleman has to say," Soho interjected, casting her gaze toward Kalstein.

No matter how influential or well-connected someone might be, attempting to deceive Maeyoung Pavilion was a grave matter that could not be ignored.

Her subtle yet imposing aura pressed faintly against Kalstein, testing him.

But Kalstein’s reaction was far from what she had expected.

"Pfft! Hahaha!"

"And what’s so funny? Did you lose your mind after being caught trying to insult both me and Maeyoung Pavilion?!"

Seizing the moment, Bang Ryunil accused Kalstein of attempting to disgrace Maeyoung Pavilion, while Kalstein continued to laugh unabated.

"Ahaha."

The condescending look in Kalstein's eyes nearly drove Bang Ryunil mad.

"Head Manager! Surely you won't let this matter slide? This man must be punished immediately!"

Kalstein smirked.

"Buzz off. Unless you plan to test it yourself, stop wasting everyone’s time."

Comparing the high-density plasma compression bomb he’d crafted—while evading dimensional transport restrictions—to a standard hand grenade? The sheer ridiculousness of it all was enough to amuse Kalstein.

"Fine! I’ll test it myself! Head Manager, when this fraud is exposed, grant me the honor of carrying out his punishment!"

Soho sighed internally at Bang Ryunil’s dramatic outburst.

"Very well. Verification is unavoidable. Are you fine with this, sir? If your artifact does possess power comparable to the Thunderstrike Jade, we will reward you handsomely—including access to the eighth-floor inventory."

"Head Manager! There’s no way that’s possible! Let’s test it now!"

Kalstein nodded casually. "Do as you please. If it’s verified, I’ll take my reward from the eighth-floor selection."

Even in the midst of the escalating tension, Soho found herself oddly impressed by Kalstein’s composure.

Could it really be true?

Regardless of her doubts, both parties had agreed. She had no reason to object.

If anything goes wrong, I’ll handle it.

Confident in her own abilities, she dismissed Yuyu and led the group to an underground testing chamber.

Bang Ryunil wore a triumphant grin, while Jang Ilhong looked increasingly anxious. Kalstein, meanwhile, maintained his faint smirk.

"Head Manager, we didn’t need to come all the way down here. I’ve already confirmed it’s a fake. Let me deal with this fraud immediately—"

"Whoa there. If you’re so eager to commit suicide, don’t drag me into it," Kalstein quipped.

"What nonsense are you spouting, you lunatic?!"

Bang Ryunil’s confidence faltered slightly as Kalstein’s unshakable grin stayed firmly in place. Was the metallic object somehow different from what he remembered?

Still, he reassured himself by recalling the defensive artifact he had recently acquired.

This time, I’ll finish him for good. No matter what connections he has, causing trouble here at Maeyoung Pavilion won’t save him.

With a mix of tension and excitement, Bang Ryunil pulled the pin from the metallic object.

"Oh, don’t forget to press the central button—or the switch. Good luck!" Kalstein called out cheerfully before swiftly pulling Jang Ilhong behind the Head Manager for cover.

This damned lunatic...

Bang Ryunil clenched his teeth in frustration.

Fine. Let’s see what happens.

Following Kalstein’s instructions, he pressed the small button on the object.

At first, nothing happened.

See? I knew it was a—

A blinding flash erupted without warning, as if a miniature sun had descended upon the underground chamber.

BOOOOOM!!!

The high-grade spirit stones embedded in the chamber’s defensive formation shattered into dull fragments. Protective artifacts crumbled to dust, and Bang Ryunil’s blood-curdling screams echoed amidst the chaos.

The chamber was engulfed in pure, unbridled destruction—a scene of utter carnage.

    ​