Ultra-malls. The grounds were generally decked with thick wood and covered with exquisite carvings depicting ancient mythical beasts, such as the dragon or the phoenix. Most of the other furnishings might also be constructed out of solid wood and etched with the designs of important figures, such as the Harken and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Shelves displaying the latest cosmetic products and the latest fashion trends were dime a dozen.

But the Heaven’s End Pavilion wasn’t like this at all.

After all, Heaven’s End Pavilion was easily half the size of Ashmound City, and many storeys high. Therefore, at the heart of the ground floor of Heaven’s End Pavilion lay… a sprawling water body.

The pavilion was circular, just like any other pavilion of ancient Cathay. That said, the only difference was that a large idyllic lake sat right in the middle of the entire pavilion, spanning tens of thousands of meters from end to end. The surface of the lake was covered with crimson lotus flowers with stamens lit with gentle netherflames. Numerous islets sat atop the lake, surrounded by boats that appeared to be ancient, yet perfectly preserved. Muslin sails draped elegantly over their masts, while a closer inspection would reveal fine patterns carved onto the wooden surfaces of the ships.

In fact, there was even a path that appeared to be composed entirely out of lotus leaves that would sink ever so slightly under the weight of Yin spirits, causing fish that appeared no different from koi to dart away and hide elsewhere. Meanwhile, the...