Outside the grand mahogany entrance, the atmosphere in the commercial plaza had stretched into an agonizing, razor-sharp wire of anticipation. Thousands of spectators remained tightly packed across the avenues, their eyes scanning the terrace like starving predators marking their prey. Specifically, the massive faction of male inner disciples and local refiners kept casting hostile, degrading glances toward Ethan's female reception staff standing guard near the doors.
However, Ethan had thoroughly calculated the psychological pacing of this grand opening well in advance. Louisa, Mary, and the vanguard of assistants remained unbothered by the suffocating weight of the crowd's malice. Safely positioned behind the active perimeter defenses of the pavilion, they were calmly sipping hot spiritual tea from delicate jade cups, maintaining a thoroughly relaxed, disciplined composure.
