Chapter 54: Du Xian Sect 12 Part 2

Master Liu stroked his beard with a long sigh. “One person can’t, but a hundred? A thousand? Ten thousand?”

“Immortals cultivate in diverse paths: Sword Cultivators, Talisman Cultivators, Pill Cultivators, Array Cultivators, Artifact Cultivators, Ghost Cultivators… The sects brought out their ultimate treasures, using heaven and earth as the board, rivers as the trigger, and ten thousand cultivators to anchor the formation. At Trapped Dragon Hill, they laid the Dragon-Slaying Grand Array. The Cultivation World united as never before, vowing to slay the true dragon, seize its spiritual power, and fight for a chance at survival for future generations—no matter the cost.”

“Did they succeed?” a tea guest couldn’t help asking.

“They succeeded.”

Those words didn’t come from Master Liu. Lu Yun Ting turned to Xun Ji, who spoke them, only to find Xun Ji looking back at him.

“Yun Ting, do you think the Cultivation World’s actions were right or wrong?”

Lu Yun Ting hadn’t expected his interest in Cultivation World matters. After pondering, he replied, “No right or wrong to judge. If I were in the Cultivation World then, at that desperate end, for the sake of the immortal path’s survival, forget slaying a dragon—I’d shatter the heavens if needed.”

“What if you were that dragon?”

Lu Yun Ting paused, blurting out, “An unprovoked calamity, a blood feud to the death.”

“They succeeded!” Master Liu’s voice boomed. “Even a true dragon from the upper realms faltered against the desperate struggle of tens of thousands of cultivators. It lost!”

“The dragon’s massive body plummeted from the sky, its Treasure Pearl lost where it fell—that place became Treasure Pearl County.

“With the true dragon’s fall, its blood and flesh dissolved, returning boundless spiritual aura to the world and reviving the Cultivation World. Its corpse still held heaven-piercing power, spanning an immortal mountain, guarded by a sect.”

“That sect is called Du Xian Sect. And the dragon’s corpse bones form—”

Master Liu smacked the Storyteller’s Gavel, startling the entranced tea guests.

“The Passing Immortal Bridge!”

*

This new version of Treasure Pearl County’s origin swept through like a fad, but the townsfolk’s enthusiasm came and went quickly.

After Xun Ji held another storytelling session, regaling them with spicy tales like the domineering banker’s absconding little wife, the aloof capital temple monk and the runaway female pilgrim with child, and the four young royals of the imperial school with the laundress who stumbled in, the dragon-slaying legend was soon forgotten.

Xun Ji wasn’t worried about the Cultivation World catching wind. Folk tales of the strange and supernatural abounded like carp crossing the river—some close to truth, others wildly off. The plot would unfold, and the truth would come out eventually.

What concerned him now was something else—the seven-day period was approaching again.

This unlucky Lu Yun Ting hadn’t progressed his romance line with little Junior Sister Su Yanran, and the next romantic interest wouldn’t appear until the Immortal Alliance Conference. Little Handsome at least had Pretty Widow Xiao Cui for relief, but Lu Yun Ting was surrounded by Xun Ji’s own disguises.

Watching Lu Yun Ting in coarse short clothes at the stove, flipping bamboo shoot and cured meat in the iron wok, Xun Ji wore a troubled expression. “You still have the mind to cook?”

Lu Yun Ting glanced at him oddly. “Didn’t you say you wanted cured meat and wheedle it from Aunt Zhao?”

Xun Ji choked. “Did I?”

It wasn’t exactly wheedling, Lu Yun Ting thought. Liu Xun’s picky nitpicking toward him sometimes seemed more like coquetry. Good-looking people with sweet mouths always had the advantage.

So he went along. “No, Aunt Zhao gave it willingly.”

“Sigh, whatever.” Xun Ji waved it off, leaving the smoky area, but not forgetting to add, “Don’t forget the spice—medium hot.”

This heartless Lu Yun Ting had no idea what he faced tonight, so Xun Ji, as his Shizun, had to shoulder it all and prepare in advance.

“Liu Xun, why did you bring me here? What are you planning?” Lu Yun Ting’s voice was uncharacteristically grim.

After dinner, Liu Xun shed his usual post-meal laziness and urgently dragged him to Treasure Pearl County’s liveliest night street. By the time Lu Yun Ting realized, they stood before an ornate pavilion wafting with feminine scents.

Peach Spring Tower. The name alone screamed impropriety.

“Don’t worry, this is a high-end club, registered with the county office. The male models inside are all healthy and skilled.” Xun Ji patted his chest. “I’ve checked it all out—it’ll fully satisfy your needs!”

“Why would you investigate this? I don’t need it!” Lu Yun Ting was almost laughed into anger. Not only did he drag him to a brothel, but he bought a male prostitute!

“Don’t be stubborn. You don’t need it now, but you might later.” Xun Ji persuaded earnestly. “This is the most practical solution. If your romantic confidantes ask later, I’ll explain—you were forced by circumstance, making the mistake every man would…”

“Enough!” Lu Yun Ting ground his teeth. “Nonsense! I’m leaving!”

Face ashen, he turned and stormed off.

After a distance, the footsteps behind didn’t follow. Lu Yun Ting endured but couldn’t help glancing back.

Liu Xun, smiling broadly, entered Peach Spring Tower.

Lu Yun Ting clenched his fists and walked away resolutely. He hadn’t expected Liu Xun to be this kind of person—perhaps corrupted by his business travels, only revealing his true colors now. To think he’d been touched earlier, truly considering him a friend. Clearly, the man was of low character, unworthy of association!

…But Liu Xun was a lazy gluttonous good-for-nothing, soft-hearted and sweet-mouthed, easily duped.

Lu Yun Ting slowed his steps.

With that handsome face, going into a place like this, he was bound to be the one taken advantage of. That foolish grin earlier—he’d probably sell himself and pay extra!

Lu Yun Ting stopped, turned toward Peach Spring Tower, clenched and unclenched his fists, then sighed helplessly.

Fine. He’d help him one last time.