Guang Ming kept his sword raised.
“We did not cross three continents to buy admission.”
Xiaoyao placed a price sheet on the counter. “Then the public viewing area is free. The dungeon costs five hundred stones per person.”
“We came to destroy this place.”
“Then admission is denied.” Xiaoyao reached for the shutter.
Ling Yue stepped between them. “My pavilion will pay for its own people. We want to study the cooling system.”
Wu Nian set his staff across the doorway before Guang Ming could object. “And my monks will not fight inside a crowd. We can pay, observe, and decide later.”
Guang Ming glared at both of them. At last he lowered his sword. “We enter. That does not mean we approve.”
Xiaoyao slid over a stack of forms. “Everyone signs the safety waiver. Tie back loose clothing. Stay on marked paths. Do not touch machinery. No ticket allows entry to Floor Nine.”
Guang Ming searched the parchment for curses. He found warnings about hot metal, moving belts, and bare 500-MCM grounding loops.
“This is a contract of total surrender,” he said.
“It is fourteen pages,” Xiaoyao replied. “Mostly about beards.”
Wu Nian read the rule on loose facial hair and tucked his beard into his armor. “An ancient vow of humbleness. No disciple loses honor by keeping his beard out of a roller.”
Ling Yue signed after reading every clause. “The waiver is plain. The machinery is real. I see no reason to invent a curse.”
Guang Ming signed last and pressed too hard. The grease pencil snapped.
Xiaoyao gave him another. “The next thousand people need those too.”
The crusaders joined the lines. Some grumbled. Some treated each clause as a spiritual riddle. Ling Yue’s disciples asked about ticket times. Wu Nian’s monks checked that everyone had water and a partner.
Austin watched from the lodge with Tie Kuang.
“He really denied a holy patriarch,” Tie Kuang said.
“Yes. That is why he has the window.”
Guang Ming returned with his signed packet. “Your clerk bars heaven itself behind paperwork.”
Austin set down his tea. “My clerk bars unsafe entry. He has my full support.”
For the first time, Guang Ming looked directly at him. His anger did not fade, but he put away his sword.
Xiaoyao stamped the first ticket.