Fragrance Tower is one of the Capital City’s Twelve Floors.

The New Year was approaching, and the new pre-selected top courtesan had already been chosen. To be precise, she was elected. This election wasn’t just by a few people, but by a large group over multiple rounds. She was chosen by masters of zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, song, and dance, endorsed by various scholars and poets, and only finalized after wealthy merchants had showered her with gold and silver.

You could say that a top courtesan had to prove herself far superior to the others in every aspect, so her inherent value was naturally extremely high.

Of course, since it was a pre-selection, things could still change. On the day of her debut, if someone else surpassed the pre-selected candidate, that person would become the new top courtesan.

This rarely happened, but it wasn’t unheard of. After all, White Jade City was full of powerful and influential people, some of whom had the connections to change the final outcome.

As for last year’s top courtesan, she had already become a common girl at the Fragrance Tower’s brothel. Her fame was no longer prominent, much like a washed-up celebrity from Yang Chan’s past life in the Flower Country—only slightly better off than an ordinary person.

The fame of the Jade Capital Twelve Beauties was said to last a year, but some would fall behind midway through and be slowly forgotten. This was the case for Fragrance Tower’s top courtesan from last year; very few people recognized her now.

Naturally, Fragrance Tower had to prepare a new top courtesan to make its name prominent once more. To that end, the tower had made extensive preparations.

Bai Xian’Er was Fragrance Tower’s candidate for this year. Her various talents were the most outstanding, and she was just waiting for her debut to make a name for herself in White Jade City.

The Capital City’s Twelve Floors didn’t mean there were only twelve brothels in White Jade City. Rather, it referred to the twelve most famous ones. If one of last year’s Twelve Floors failed to produce a new top courtesan selected for the Capital City’s Twelve Beauties this year, it would lose its spot.

The reputation of being one of the Twelve Floors represented immense profit, and everyone wanted a piece of it.

Yang Chan followed Cai Kun and the others to the entrance of Fragrance Tower. According to Cai Kun, Elder Yan, Elder Ji Feng, and the others were already inside, drinking and chatting with old friends.

As for why they weren’t at a tavern in the Cyan Yuan Pavilion, it was because they wanted to listen to music.

Of course, whether it was *just* to listen to music wasn’t important.

Following Cai Kun’s group, Yang Chan noted that the scale of the tower before him was five or six times that of the Cyan Yuan Pavilion. And that was just what he could see from the front; the parts hidden in the back were likely even larger.

Moreover, in White Jade City where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, an establishment of this size must have cost a fortune. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Standing at the entrance, he could hear all sorts of music wafting from within Fragrance Tower, intermingled with decadent sounds. The air was thick with the heavy scent of rouge, accompanied by an extremely unique, subtle fragrance.

Yang Chan frowned slightly upon smelling these scents. However, seeing that no one inside Fragrance Tower seemed to be affected, he figured it was fine. ’There must not be any poison, or these people would have dropped dead long ago.’

With so many people indulging in pleasure inside, the scents at most just stirred one’s primal desires.

The moment Cai Kun, Yang Chan, and their group appeared at the entrance of Fragrance Tower, several scantily clad women approached them. Some even tried to get handsy, showing just how forward they were.

Of course, it was also possible they saw that Yang Chan’s group had a distinguished air and wanted to test the waters.

Among their group, there were a few regulars who skillfully handled the situation before leading Yang Chan and the others to where Elder Yan and his party were.

Elder Yan’s group was on the third floor of Fragrance Tower. Beside them were many unfamiliar faces, but according to Cai Kun, they were likely all Advanced Pharmacists, and some might even be from the Pharmacist Alliance.

Yang Chan and his group weren’t seated near Elder Yan’s party, but at a spot not far away. Yang Chan saw that Xu Gaocen was already there, interacting with someone he clearly knew.

The participants of the Pharmacist Exchange Conference were mostly Intermediate Pharmacists. Of course, there were also a few exceptionally talented Basic Level Pharmacists, but they were rare.

After going over to greet Xu Gaocen, Yang Chan was introduced to several Intermediate Pharmacists from various Sects. He exchanged a few pleasantries and then faded into the background.

He didn’t say much, but he was a good listener.

Since he had to come to Fragrance Tower, Yang Chan had planned to speak as little as possible. He would respond occasionally but mostly act as an attentive listener.

As for acting cold and aloof and not interacting with anyone, he felt that was unnecessary.

’The best way to be invisible is to blend in, then hardly draw any attention to myself. I’ll be a dispensable presence. Ideally, by the end of this, they’ll barely remember me. That’s the plan.’

If they started discussing Pharmacist-related topics, he could listen carefully and secretly pocket the benefits.

Meanwhile, Cai Kun and the others went to a different area where there were many disciples from other Sects. Their distinctive regional attire made it obvious they were all escorts for their respective Sects’ disciples.

Yang Chan glanced over a few times and, seeing no signs of tense, drawn-sword animosity, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

’It seems these Sect disciples have all been given instructions. Otherwise, you might see some head-to-head confrontation. The fact that there isn’t any is better for me.’

’Since I had to come to Fragrance Tower, it’s best if nothing happens. Come happily, go back happily. If you’re happy, I’m happy, and everyone’s happy—that’s what’s truly good.’

Yang Chan stayed near Xu Gaocen’s group, chiming in with a word or two occasionally so as not to seem too withdrawn. However, their conversation mostly revolved around the various women in the Capital City.

They didn’t touch upon any information related to Pharmacists at all. Fortunately, Zhao Yi had previously told him a lot about the Jade Capital Twelve Beauties, so he could contribute a little, making him seem like one of them and helping him blend in well with the group.

Even Xu Gaocen gave him a couple of extra glances, clearly surprised that Yang Chan knew so much about the topic.

The group chatted happily.

"Miss Xian’Er is actually going to perform a dance today! The last time I saw her was... well, the last time I saw her, and I still can’t forget it!"

A cry of surprise rang out, and the noise level immediately grew, showing just how famous this pre-selected top courtesan, Bai Xian’Er, was.

"Enough with the nonsense! Tell me, is Miss Xian’Er out yet?"

an impatient man shouted. He wasn’t tall and his view was blocked by the people in front of him. He was jumping up and down in agitation but still couldn’t see the stage.

"Don’t be hasty. They said she’s still getting ready. She’ll be out soon."

"Miss Xian’Er’s singing last time left my Divine Soul captivated. This time, I must see if her dancing is just as devastatingly beautiful."

At this moment, Fragrance Tower was buzzing with excitement over Bai Xian’Er’s appearance. Many people deliberately pushed their way to the foot of the stage, hoping to get a clearer view of the tower’s pre-selected top courtesan.

Meanwhile, Xu Gaocen and the other Intermediate Pharmacists also stopped their conversation. One advantage of being on the third floor was that they could see the stage clearly without having to squeeze through the crowd.