The spiral staircase leading from Floor Seven to Floor Eight of the Heavenly Script Pavilion did not creak under the boots of the Gu family. Because fifteen-year-old Gu Nian, newly ascended to Half-Step Rank 10 (Supreme Benevolent Chaos Guardian Sovereign). Simply raised one hand and flattened the spatial barrier between the two floors into a wide, sunlit boulevard paved with warm Frost-Pine cobblestones.
“After you, Dad, Mom,” fifteen-year-old Gu Nian said with a bright, confident grin, holding the golden-violet archway open while the faint Gold Star Seal between his eyebrows pulsed with warm hearth-light.
Gu Changsheng strolled through the archway first, his hands tucked casually into the front pocket of his blue kitchen apron. With Empress Luo Qingxue walking gracefully at his right side and the five Half-Step Rank 10 children, Grandpa Fu, Grandpa Yao. Auntie Qin following in a neat family outing formation.
The moment their boots stepped onto the eighth tier of the Heavenly Script Pavilion, a wave of sour, metallic stench. Like ten thousand unwashed gym socks soaked in cheap cologne, burnt blood-pills, and counterfeit gold paint—rolled across the vast marble floor.
“Ugh! Phew!” fourteen-year-old Jiang Tuntun immediately pinched her nose with both chubby hands, ducking behind her giant brass soup ladle.
