The grand wooden double doors of the Golden Pavilion Inn swung open, welcoming them into a lobby lined with polished mahogany and illuminated by floating, warmth-infused spiritual arrays. The air inside smelled faintly of rare incense and sandalwood, completely removed from the copper-heavy stench of the outer slums.

Ethan stepped confidently toward the marble reception counter, still effortlessly carrying Mary in his arms. Behind him, Roy shuffled inside, his arms trembling slightly as he held his sleeping sister.

The female receptionist behind the desk—a sharply dressed cultivator wearing the uniform of the hospitality guild—instantly raised her eyes. The moment her gaze drifted over Roy’s patched trousers and the simple, worn cotton garments of the two unconscious women, her professional smile faltered into a deep, heavy skepticism. To her, they looked exactly like the desperate refugees who frequented the outer borders.

However, as her eyes shifted upward to lock onto Ethan, her critical analysis completely shattered. The youth’s midnight-black Star Iron combat suit radiated a pristine, metallic density, its starlight-silver plates capturing the ambient spiritual light perfectly. His vibrant amethyst eyes and suffocatingly calm aura demanded immediate respect.

"Welcome to the Golden Pavilion Inn, young master," the receptionist said, her tone instantly pivoting back into a polite, refined cadence. "How can we accommodate your party this evening?"

"Two adjoining rooms," Ethan replied smoothly, his voice a calm, commanding baritone. "For the next few nights."

The receptionist glanced at the family once more before checking her wooden ledger. "We have two executive suites available on the third floor, young master. The rate is exactly two medium-grade spirit stones per night for both rooms."

"Very well," Ethan said simply.

He didn’t hesitate for a single second. With a casual flick of his wrist, he retrieved two flawless, shimmering medium spirit stones from his spatial storage and placed them gently onto the velvet presentation tray.

Seeing the youth part with medium-grade currency as if it were common dirt, the receptionist’s smile turned thoroughly radiant and professional. She quickly swept the stones into her secure drawer. "Excellent. Checkout is precisely at twelve noon, young master. Should you require an extension, you may visit the front desk at your convenience, or simply remain in the suites—your credit can be accumulated on our tab without any issue. When you are ready to depart, merely inform us at reception to avoid any unnecessary automated surcharges. Have an incredibly peaceful night."

Ethan collected the two carved wooden room keys and offered a slight nod. He turned toward the grand staircase, leading the way up to the third floor with Roy following closely in his shadow.

When they reached the designated doors at the end of the long, carpeted hallway, Ethan swiped the first key, unlocking the suite. He stepped inside, gently placing the exhausted, deeply sleeping Mary onto the massive, silk-sheeted bed.

"We will leave your mother and sister in this suite so they can rest without any disturbances," Ethan instructed quietly, turning to face the boy as he stepped back into the hallway. "You and I will share the adjoining room. We will decide our next move tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Brother Ethan," Roy whispered, nodding frantically.

The arrangement was entirely logical, and Roy was in absolutely no position to complain or demand an individual room. As he followed Ethan into the second suite, his mind was trapped in a dizzying wave of sheer disbelief.

Two medium stones for a single night... Roy thought, his hands clenching into fists as he stared at the lavish furniture and the glowing spiritual hot-bath inside their room.

It was a complete psychological shock. Just a few hours ago an a vicious loan syndicate had descended upon his family’s home, ready to rape, enslave, and murder them all over a debt that had been artificially inflated to the value of a medium fortune. His entire world had been pushed to the absolute brink of annihilation over those exact stones. And here they were, in the center of the town, casually spending that exact level of wealth just to purchase a single night of comfort.

Roy let out a long, slow breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts as the overwhelming reality of the day finally began to settle into his bones. "I think... I’ll take a quick bath before trying to get some sleep, Brother Ethan," he muttered, his voice thick with exhaustion.

Ethan was already unlinking the sleek, starlight-silver alloy plates of his new combat suit, letting the heavy Star Iron armor slide effortlessly onto a nearby wooden stand. "Go ahead," Ethan replied smoothly without looking back. "I will rest here for a bit."

Just as Roy turned toward the washroom, the heavy connecting door to their suite suddenly burst open with a frantic rattle.

Mary and Louisa stumbled into the room, their faces pale and their wide eyes darting around the luxurious space in absolute panic. They had woken up in the strange, high-end bed, and the unfamiliar, wealthy surroundings had instantly triggered a fresh wave of terror in their fragile minds.

"Ethan! Roy!" Louisa cried out, her hands trembling as she clutched the fabric of her clean tunic. "Where are we? What is this place?!"

Ethan turned his head, his vibrant amethyst eyes remaining completely calm as he glanced at the boy. "Go take your bath, Roy," he commanded softly. "I will explain everything to them."

Roy nodded, feeling a wave of immense relief wash over him. "I’ll be right back, Mother, Louisa," he said quickly, ducking into the washroom and closing the door to give them space.

Ethan walked over to the two trembling women, his towering, powerful frame radiating a sense of absolute security that instantly anchored them. He calmly explained the situation, detailing how they had left the ruined cottage behind and moved into the high-end safety of the Golden Pavilion Inn to ensure the local scum wouldn’t bother them again.

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From this moment forward, to avoid confusion regarding cultivation ranks, I will include this footer with the current established levels.

Note: These are only the ranks mentioned so far to avoid spoilers.

Body Refinement Realm

Skin Refinement / Bone Refinement / Organ Refinement

Spiritual Gathering Realm

Spiritual Perception / Spiritual Mist / Spiritual Condensation

Spiritual Core Realm 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Core Solidification / Core Awakening / Spiritual Collapse (Half-step Spiritual Core)

Spiritual Soul Realm

Spiritual Soul Awakening / Soul Nourishing / Soul-Core Fusion

Golden Core Realm

Prime Fusion / Core Perfection / Core Destruction

Spiritual Sea Realm

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

Dao Manifestation Realm

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

Spiritual Transcendence

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??