Fellow Daoist Little Luo, Are You Here Gathering Material?

Yuyi Tower and Tianlai Tower were the two premier hallmarks of Tianxiang Pavilion. The young women here sold only their art, not their bodies. Naturally, if a high-ranking cultivator took a liking to someone, or if a patron threw down enough spirit stones, that was an entirely different story. After all, no one could begrudge a girl striving for a brighter future! There was good reason Tianxiang Pavilion had managed to carve out such immense renown amidst such a worldly place. A moment's thought made it obvious: any female cultivator who had achieved success in Qi Refinement would never look bad as long as she took care of herself. When blessed with consummate dancing skills or vocal mastery—amplified through incantations, spell arts, and spiritual energy—the resulting spectacle was bound to be breathtaking. Sure enough, Luo Chen stood outside the pavilion, taking in a dance performance unlike anything he had seen in this life or his last. Five female cultivators, clad in exquisite gowns, fluttered across an elevated stage inside the building in graceful, harmonious formation. At times, they drifted into the air like celestial maidens; at others, they floated serenely back to earth. Amid the swirling of wide sleeves, mists drifted and steamed, making the scene feel like an ethereal paradise. And these women were the fairies within it. When the dance concluded, Luo Chen couldn't help but curse under his breath. "No wonder those cultivators run straight to Tianxiang Pavilion the moment they make a few spirit stones! Why didn't anyone tell me sooner that the dancing was this incredible?!" When Gu Caiyi stepped outside, she found Luo Chen squatting on the ground, drawing circles in the dirt. "What are you doing?" Luo Chen looked up, gazing at the beauty with a pitiful expression. "Sister Caiyi, I'm practically your younger brother, right?" "Uh..." "As your little brother, I really want to support your career. How about I walk you to work every day from now on? That way, I can also observe your dance rehearsals." Gu Caiyi blinked in bewilderment. What kind of stunt was he pulling? After a moment's thought, she covered her mouth and giggled softly. "You aren't trying to freeload Tianxiang Pavilion's spiritual energy, are you?" "Of course not!" Luo Chen said with righteous indignation. "I'm not that kind of person. I'm just worried your rabid fans might harass you on your way to and from work." "Don't worry. I'm an eighth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator, after all; ordinary rascals wouldn't dare cross me." Gu Caiyi shook her head, then added, "Besides, it's not like you're forbidden to enter. As long as you pay the five-spirit-stone admission fee each evening, you can watch the dancing to your heart's content." *Five spirit stones!* Luo Chen shot to his feet. "Fellow Daoist Caiyi, time is spirit stones! Take me to see Miss Xiangxiang at once! I have a major business proposition to discuss with her." "Hehe, follow me!" *** Inside a waterside pavilion. A single stick of Spirit Calming Incense curled lazily inside an elegantly crafted censer. Gu Caiyi took a seat beside the gazebo, casually tossing feed to the goldfish. Luo Chen sat opposite a young woman who was noticeably more beautiful than Gu Caiyi. Of course, he would never make the mistake of treating her like a sixteen-year-old girl. From what he knew, Miss Xiangxiang had cultivated for well over twenty years, meaning her actual age had to be in her thirties or forties. She simply possessed a remarkably youthful appearance. A preference for youthful looks was overrated; Luo Chen still favored women of Sister Caiyi's mature charm. Moreover, this woman was a ninth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator, so he had to tread carefully. "So you're Caiyi's neighbor?" "Little Luo next door, that's me." "I hear you make a living as an alchemist?" "A meager trade, just barely enough to put food on the table." "Yet relying on Fasting Pills alone would make it difficult to survive in the inner city for long, wouldn't it?" Luo Chen fell silent, realizing something was off about this Miss Xiangxiang. Wasn't today supposed to be about buying a second-hand cauldron previously used by a fellow lady? Why was she prying into all these details? Yuxiang offered a faint smile. "I'm rather curious: what kind of pill are you concocting with that inferior spirit-iron pot that allows you to earn so many spirit stones?" "Well..." Luo Chen hesitated. The Myriad Wonders Pills were selling like hotcakes, and while the Tianxiang Pavilion courtesans bore the brunt of their customers' newfound endurance, they also benefited from it. Still, admitting face-to-face that he was the manufacturer felt awkward. "I won't ask for free. Sell me one, if only to satisfy my curiosity. I'll pay fifty spirit stones—consider it the price of making your acquaintance." With a flick of Yuxiang's wrist, a purple cauldron standing half a person tall thumped onto the pavilion floor. *Thud!* Luo Chen's gaze was instantly captured. A Purple Cloud Bronze Furnace—a low-grade Tier 1 artifact! Manufactured in Tianfan City and retailed by Wanbao Pavilion, it was certainly no counterfeit knockoff. "Let's be friends. If this humble woman encounters any doubts regarding alchemy in the future, I'll have another fellow Daoist with whom to exchange insights." Staring intently at the cauldron, Luo Chen remarked offhandedly, "My pill only sells for five spirit stones. Paying fifty means you're taking a loss, you know." "I never count gains and losses when making friends," Yuxiang smiled. "Besides, your alchemy accomplishments warrant a handy cauldron." With things stated so plainly, what more was there to say? Luo Chen certainly wasn't the one losing out. As far as he was concerned, he was definitely becoming her fellow Daoist! He briskly produced two hundred and fifty spirit stones, along with a bottle of Myriad Wonders Pills. "This pill is called the Myriad Wonders Pill. Its properties are mild, boosting male vigor and beguiling the senses. It also contains abundant spiritual energy that, at the peak of intimacy, can substitute for a cultivator's vital essence. Take no more than three in a single day; exceeding that may disrupt the golden lock of the lower gate. Additionally, it has a slight aphrodisiac effect on female cultivators, so its use is not recommended for women." For once, Luo Chen delivered an honest, thorough breakdown of the Myriad Wonders Pill, omitting the grand nonsense about consolidating fundamentals and nurturing primal energy—those were merely sales pitches to hoodwink gullible buyers. Having said his piece in one breath, Luo Chen stored the Purple Cloud Bronze Furnace into his storage bag, cupped his hands, and made a suave exit. Watching his breezy departure, then glancing at the medicine bottle on the table, Yuxiang sat stunned for a moment. *Did I just spend fifty spirit stones on an aphrodisiac meant for men?!* She turned to Gu Caiyi, whose hand remained suspended over the railing, all the fish food long having slipped through her fingers. Her face wore a look of utter disbelief. With a strange expression, Yuxiang murmured, "Caiyi, your neighbor's pills... are a bit improper, aren't they?" The corner of Gu Caiyi's mouth twitched stiffly. "Perhaps... he was forced by circumstance?" ...Perhaps! *** *I explained the pill with complete sincerity, and my expression was quite solemn. Surely they won't think of me as an improper cultivator!* Reflecting on the exchange, Luo Chen felt confident he had left a solid impression on Miss Xiangxiang. In the future, he might even be able to use alchemy discussions as an excuse to visit Tianxiang Pavilion, enjoy its rich spiritual energy, and catch Caiyi's dance rehearsals. By the time he stepped out of Tianxiang Pavilion, night had fallen. The establishment was festooned with lanterns and banners, with elegant, perfumed women flitting back and forth. Some of the male cultivators arriving from outside had completely shed their usual transcendent, ethereal demeanor. Luo Chen sneered in disdain. *A bunch of weak-willed degenerates lost in sensual indulgence! I am definitely not cut from the same cloth as them!* "Is that Fellow Daoist Little Luo?" A tentative greeting sounded from nearby. Luo Chen glanced over instinctively, only to see his regular customer, Zeng Wen, with an arm wrapped around two women, looking at him uncertainly. Luo Chen swallowed hard. "Fellow Daoist Zeng, you have the wrong man." He had removed his black-veiled hat while conversing with Miss Xiangxiang and had forgotten to put it back on upon leaving. What a blunder! Releasing the women beside him, Zeng Wen grabbed Luo Chen's hands with immense warmth. "Aha! I knew my eyes weren't playing tricks on me! What a coincidence, Fellow Daoist Little Luo—are you here gathering material?" "Uh..." "Could it be you came in person to test the effects of the Myriad Wonders Pill?" Zeng Wen's eyes lit up, and he patted Luo Chen's shoulder in deep appreciation. "I never imagined you would be so dedicated! Last time, you mentioned the pill still had room for improvement; you must be here to iron out the flaws!" Faced with his customer's heartfelt admiration, even Luo Chen's pride-and-joy thick skin began to crack. When Zeng Wen warmly insisted on treating him to fine wine and beautiful women, Luo Chen could no longer hold his ground. "I've already identified the issues! A superior version of the Myriad Wonders Pill will be available in the future. Fellow Daoist Zeng, I must take my leave!" With that, Luo Chen fled in disarray. Watching him hurry away, Zeng Wen sighed with profound admiration. "I know a fair few rogue alchemists, but not a single one is as conscientious as Fellow Daoist Little Luo. Choosing him really was the best decision I ever made."