"By the heavens…" The King murmured as he stopped dead in the center of the lobby. He looked up at the high, vaulted ceiling, at the floating lanterns, and then down at the warm, polished sandstone.
"This atmosphere… it is not opulent in gold, yet it feels richer than this King's palace."
"It is the design, Your Majesty," Left Minister Shen whispered, equally awestruck. "It is designed to soothe the spirit, not to intimidate. It is… masterful."
"Please, esteemed guests," Li Li stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly but clear. "If you would proceed to the counter to receive your wristbands. The men's bath is to the left, the women's to the right. Private suites had to be recorded here. Once done, they can go ahead and pick their rooms."
The process was surprisingly smooth. The novelty of the wristbands, like magic keys that acted as wallets, fascinated the cultivators just like when they first held the Viewing Jades or the Celestial Duel Gears.
