Vermilion Bird City was extrely far from the Sanqing Immortal Sect. Even for a Core Formation Stage Cultivator flying on a sword, the journey would require dozens of days of non-stop travel. However, the Formation Sect’s Yuhua Peak housed a Transport Array connected to the Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves, the Seventy-Two Blessed Lands, and the major cities of the Immortal Path. For a fee, a journey of several dozen days could be completed in just over half an hour, making it exceptionally convenient.
Of course, the price for using the Transport Array to reach Vermilion Bird City was steep enough to be a painful expense for most of the Sanqing Immortal Sect’s Core Formation Stage disciples. As for Wang Xiu, the paltry savings he had from his ti in the Foundation Establishnt Stage weren’t even enough to consider it. This was, therefore, his first ti visiting Vermilion Bird City, and he was quite curious.
Upon arriving at the Formation Sect’s Yuhua Peak, Wang Xiu wisely changed into a plain white shirt, choosing not to wear the formal attire of a True Disciple of the Divination Sect. Although his handso features still drew admiring glances from his senior and junior sisters, it at least prevented him from attracting too much unwanted envy or being extorted with inflated prices.
When it ca ti to buy tickets, Wang Xiu took out his Spirit Stones. "Senior Brother," he said, "let pay for my own ticket for the Transport Array!"
Li Zuoyue slapped Wang Xiu’s hand away. "What nonsense are you talking about, Junior Brother? I invited you for drinks, so naturally, I’m the host. How could I possibly let you pay?"
With that, he pulled out a large bag of Spirit Stones and handed them to the Formation Sect disciple. "Brother, please arrange five first-class seats for us."
Activating the Formation Sect’s Transport Array required a massive amount of Spirit Stones, so it was only operated once a sufficient number of people had gathered. The positions within the array also varied in quality. So were spacious while others were cramped; so had gentle energy fluctuations for a more comfortable ride, while others were subject to violent, jarring fluctuations that could even disrupt a cultivator’s Mana, causing significant discomfort. Based on these differences, the seats were divided into third-class, second-class, and first-class, with prices to match.
For instance, the first-class seats Li Zuoyue booked were three tis the price of second-class seats and a staggering nine tis the price of third-class. Aside from one of the Ten Great True Disciples like him, known for their imnse wealth, no ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivator would ever be so lavish.
"Senior Brother," Wang Xiu said helplessly, "There’s really no need. Please, let pay for myself."
Li Zuoyue sneered. "What was that, Junior Brother? Are you looking down on ? Is that it?"
"I’m not bragging!" Li Zuoyue declared. "I ride my sword between heaven and earth, slaying demons and devils. I slaughter Nascent Soul Stage monsters like they’re dogs! My personal treasury is overflowing. I’m so rich I buy two cups of wine—one to drink, and one to spill! It’s all about being extravagant!
"Five first-class seats... To , that’s nothing. Not even worth ntioning, not at all~"
[Ding!]
[Detected soone bragging. Congratulations, Host, for gaining Mana 99.]
Watching Li Zuoyue stuff the Spirit Stones into the Formation Sect disciple’s hands, Wang Xiu felt his lips twitch as he let out a sigh.
Extravagant! So damn extravagant! Both first and second-class go to the sa place, so why waste the money? If he has that much to burn on showing off, he could have just given it to . I could buy pig’s blood to feed my sword—sothing that’s actually practical and useful.
Just as Wang Xiu was wincing at Li Zuoyue’s extravagance, a voice called out from nearby.
"Senior Brother Zuoyue, how have you been?"
The speaker was a rather handso man in a bright yellow daoist robe who looked to be in his early thirties. The only thing marring his appearance was the pair of dark circles under his eyes, so pronounced they could rival an Iron-Eating Beast’s. A single glance told you he wasn’t taking care of his kidneys. On his back, he carried a giant gourd, its left half red and its right half black. It radiated Yin-Yang Energy, looking profoundly mystical and clearly not an ordinary item.
Wang Xiu recognized him. This was Huang Yunchong, one of the most famous—or perhaps more accurately, *notorious*—True Disciples in the entire Sanqing Immortal Sect. He was the Head True Disciple of the Chamber Sect, a man who held a very special status within the Immortal Sect.
Normally, the Head True Disciple of any lineage was among the cream of the crop in the Sanqing Immortal Sect. They held the authority to command their junior brothers and sisters and the prestige to oversee their entire lineage. Disciples from other lineages would show them respect, courteously addressing them as Senior Brother.
But Huang Yunchong was the exception. Countless disciples in the sect despised him, calling him the "Chamber Sect’s Disgrace," the "Sanqing Ladybug," and the "Lewd Thief." His foul reputation was almost as bad as Wang Xiu’s. This was because most disciples in the Sanqing Immortal Sect were upright and innocent. Even within the Chamber Sect, the majority were warriors of pure love. Even with the odds stacked against them—far more n than won—and even if they had to wait anxiously for good news until their eyes ached with longing, most male disciples still pursued romantic relationships with the opposite sex. So would even give their all for love, debasing themselves completely.
But Huang Yunchong was a stark exception. He never pursued his senior or junior sisters, nor would he spend half a Spirit Stone on a woman. If he was broke, he pleasured himself. If he had money, he went to the brothels. This philosophy was completely at odds with the Chamber Sect’s mainstream "pure love" culture, and many Elders and peers considered him to have gone astray, believing his future was bleak.
But paradoxically, instead of succumbing to his inner demons, he thrived. Amidst the enjoynt of his "Enlightennt," his Cultivation Level soared, forcefully propelling him into the ranks of the Ten Great True Disciples. This feat alone made the jaws of countless Chamber Sect Elders drop.
If it were just his personal conduct, it might not have made him so notorious in a world where strength commands respect. The problem was that after consorting with countless won in pleasure districts, he returned to the Chamber Sect to subvert their minds, relentlessly promoting his "Happy Cultivation thod" and the idea that "No Love is Divine."
He preached, "Why use your heart when you can solve it with money!"
He preached, "Reject the rat race, reject the mating ga, seize the day, and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh!"
What a character. He fully embraced the role of the contrarian, nearly overturning the Chamber Sect’s traditional views on cultivation. If anyone else had promoted such ideas, they would have been ignored. But since he had actually reached the ranks of the Ten Great True Disciples through his debauchery, his influence was imnse.
Now, more and more male disciples in the Chamber Sect were being swayed by his ideas. They began to question if humbling themselves to pursue their senior and junior sisters was really worth it. Wouldn’t they be happier spending their Spirit Stones on themselves? Setting aside cultivation needs, was finding a dao companion truly necessary?
Huang Yunchong even started teaching classes in the Chamber Sect, instructing his "simple and honest" junior brothers on how to experience the best services in the mortal realm at the most affordable prices. Why waste Spirit Stones on gifts for the sisters when the brothers could pool their funds, descend the mountain together, and enjoy the music at a brothel? Wouldn’t that be far more thrilling and satisfying?
Over ti, his reputation within the Chamber Sect underwent a bizarre transformation. Publicly, Elders and disciples, both male and female, condemned him. No one would dare be seen getting close to him in public, avoiding him like the plague.
But behind the scenes, things were different. While the female Elders and disciples gnashed their teeth in hatred, the attitudes of the male Elders and disciples were far more ambiguous. They frequently found excuses to interact with Huang Yunchong in private. Whatever they discussed, they would continue to condemn him in public while carrying on their secret conversations.
The female Elders of the Chamber Sect had proposed on nurous occasions that Huang Yunchong’s ideas were too heretical and that he should be stripped of his position as Head True Disciple by a vote. Publicly, whenever they made the proposal, not a single man objected; all the male Elders would join in, feigning righteous indignation. Yet, when it ca to the anonymous ballot, a massive number of opposing votes would always appear, staunchly supporting Huang Yunchong’s continued tenure as Head True Disciple.
And so, according to the rule that a Head True Disciple could not be removed without a majority vote, Huang Yunchong’s position in the male-dominated Chamber Sect remained inexplicably stable.
「」
Seeing Huang Yunchong sidle up to him, Li Zuoyue couldn’t hide his helplessness. As fellow mbers of the Ten Great True Disciples, he couldn’t simply ignore the man’s greeting. "Senior Brother Yunchong, long ti no see."
Huang Yunchong chuckled and familiarly slung an arm around Li Zuoyue’s shoulder. "Senior Brother Zuoyue, you’re also heading to Vermilion Bird City? How about we travel together?"
Li Zuoyue’s mouth twitched. "Senior Brother Yunchong, you’re going to the All Fragrances Garden, while we are headed to the Phoenix Perch Building. As the saying goes, those who walk different paths can’t make plans together. I’m afraid we’re not heading the sa way."
"Ah," Huang Yunchong said, shaking his head. "Senior Brother, you’re mistaken. I am also headed to the Phoenix Perch Building. I’ve long grown tired of the All Fragrances Garden."
Li Zuoyue was dumbfounded.
Seeing his disbelief, Huang Yunchong smiled. "The Chamber Sect cultivates the Great Path of Yin and Yang, which values one’s state of mind far more than the accumulation of Mana. It is divided into four Realms."
"The first Realm: no woman in hand, but a woman in heart."
"The second Realm: a woman in hand, and a woman in heart."
"The third Realm: a woman in hand, but no woman in heart."
"The fourth Realm: no woman in hand, and no woman in heart."
"Most disciples in my sect are still stuck in the first Realm, using their palms as a substitute for a partner. As for , I have already stepped into the fourth Realm. I have long since seen through the yin and yang between man and woman. I no longer have any interest in fleshly desires and now seek only spiritual resonance."
[Ding!]
[Detected soone bragging. Congratulations, Host, for gaining Mana 99.]
「」
Li Zuoyue rolled his eyes. "Speak like a normal person."
Huang Yunchong sighed helplessly. "I’ve already spent this month’s stipend and can’t afford the brothels. Senior Brother Zuoyue, since you’re going for drinks and music, can you take along?"
"I won’t freeload. I can trade you so juicy information I’ve been saving up. How about it?"
Li Zuoyue, Wang Xiu, and the three Li family brothers could only stare in utter confusion.
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