Translator: CinderTL
Lin Fan lowered his gaze, caught in a dilemma.
On one hand, he faced the senior's demand; on the other, his friend's safety. He didn't know which to choose.
Huan Xi'er grinned, clapping him hard on the shoulder. "What's wrong? Let's go!"
The old man's voice echoed in Lin Fan's ear again, this time carrying an inexplicable undertone.
"Rest assured, I won't harm your friend. In fact, I'll even grant him an opportunity."
Lin Fan pressed his lips together and nodded with difficulty. "Alright, let's go together then."
Huan Xi'er seemed overjoyed, striding ahead. "Off we go..."
Lin Fan clenched his fists and hurried after him.
South of the city,
Mo Xianxian stared at the brothel madam before her, her expression filled with disbelief.
"Are you suggesting I become a prostitute?"
The madam forced a stiff smile. "With your figure and a little dressing up, earning a pound of soul spirit a day would be no problem. You can make money just by lying down—what could be better?"
"Besides, you'd be serving noble ladies, the yamen's constables, government officials, and even some wealthy young masters. They're generous with their money, and if you serve them well, you might even get extra rewards."
Mo Xianxian didn't bother replying. She turned and walked away.
The madam watched her retreating figure, her lips twisting into a sneer. "Big temper for someone with such meager skills. You'll come crawling back to me someday..."
In her eyes, Mo Xianxian's cultivation level was nothing special—some of the girls in the brothel were even more skilled.
Mo Xianxian's expression darkened. Me, the Holy Daughter of Shangyin Mountain, a leader among the younger generation, being asked to become a prostitute?
And even as ghosts, they still come to places like this for pleasure?
Men... hah!
Mo Xianxian sighed deeply as she strolled leisurely down the long street, searching for opportunities to earn soul spirits. Before she knew it, she found herself standing outside a grand mansion.
The mansion was enormous, occupying such a vast plot of land within the city walls. It must belong to a powerful and influential figure.
"Yuan Manor..." Mo Xianxian murmured softly, gazing up at the plaque above the entrance.
Through her recent observations, she had discovered that this city was remarkably similar to ordinary towns in the outside world. It had a prefectural office, a clear social hierarchy between commoners and nobles, and each ghost possessed a distinct personality, just like living people.
The common folk still toiled tirelessly for a few soul spirits, while the nobles... well, she hadn't met any yet.
Creak—
The vermilion gates slowly swung open. Mo Xianxian turned to see a middle-aged man emerge, followed by four guards.
The man's physical form was as solid as that of a living person, and his expression was far more nuanced than the stiff, frozen faces of ordinary ghosts. He seemed remarkably gentle.
He noticed Mo Xianxian standing outside the gates, his icy gaze sweeping casually over her. He paused, startled.
His gaze locked onto her face, as if piercing through the thin veil to see her peerless beauty beneath.
"So beautiful..."
A greedy look spread across the middle-aged man's face as he strode forward, as if to lift the veil and get a better look.
Mo Xianxian cautiously retreated. As the man approached, a bone-chilling coldness surged through her, sending a shiver down her spine.
"What's your name?"
Mo Xianxian didn't answer. She turned and fled, sensing imminent danger.
"Bring her back," the man ordered. Four ghostly figures behind him transformed into black smoke and swooped after her.
Mo Xianxian's chest tightened with panic. What is happening?
First, she'd been targeted by an old madam trying to force her into prostitution. Now, this man wanted to take her into his mansion against her will.
How could a Holy Daughter of Shangyin Mountain be subjected to such humiliation?
Her master's words echoed in her mind: "If you lack the strength to protect yourself, your beauty will become a curse."
Mo Xianxian frantically ran toward the crowded streets, hoping the presence of witnesses would deter the man from acting so brazenly.
East City:
The massive pavilion loomed over the road, casting its shadow over the houses on either side.
Xu Sanyan stood outside the pavilion, gazing at the entrance. The entrance was pitch-black, making it impossible to see inside from the outside.
They weren't alone. A large group of ghosts also watched from a distance, but none dared to enter first, fearing the unknown dangers within.
Xu Sanyan moved through the crowd of ghosts, slowly approaching Fang Qingge's group. Once he was close enough, he condensed Demonic Seeds and imprinted them on three Foundation Establishment disciples.
Demonic Seeds had a limited range; they would dissipate if cast too far.
The three disciples stiffened as the Demonic Seeds entered their bodies, then quickly returned to normal. But upon closer inspection, their movements seemed stiff and mechanical, lacking their previous agility.
Having completed his task, Xu Sanyan returned to Zuoqiu Shu's side, gesturing toward the distant pavilion with a smile. "Aren't you going in?"
Zuoqiu Shu hesitated, glancing silently at Fang Qingge. Her mind wavered, torn between wanting someone to scout ahead and her own reluctance to risk her group. Fang Qingge clearly shared her dilemma.
"Eldest sister, I'll go in and scout ahead!"
Zuoqiu Chen couldn't wait any longer. She strode forward and, before Zuoqiu Shu could react, darted into the pavilion.
"Second Sister!"
Zuoqiu Shu's hand grasped at empty air, and a surge of anxiety gripped her heart. Her younger sister was perfect in every way, except for her impetuous nature. The fourth sister hasn't even arrived yet!
"Let's go in too," Zuoqiu Shu urged, her concern for her sister's safety overriding her hesitation. She retrieved the mother-child stone, left a message for her fourth sister, and turned to bid farewell to Xu Sanyan.
"Holy Son, please take care. This humble girl must take her leave."
With that, she led her group into the pavilion.
Zuoqiu Zhen glanced back at Xu Sanyan, her gaze lingering with reluctance. She bit her lip softly before turning and following the others inside.
Watching Zuoqiu Shu's group enter, Fang Qingge spoke up. "Brother Luo, let's go in too."
"Agreed."
The two men led their groups inside in succession. In the end, seven people remained outside, turning to stand behind Xu Sanyan.
Elder Ren's face twitched as he observed the seven individuals naturally aligning themselves with him. His eyes widened with confusion.
"What is this...?"
Xu Sanyan glanced back, and Elder Ren immediately fell silent, wisely refraining from further questions.
"You may go now," Xu Sanyan said. "There's no need for you to stay here."
The Dao Seeking Realm elders staying here would be of little help and would only risk their lives. It's better for them to go there, preserving the Crimson Heart Faction's strength.
"Aren't you coming back?" Elder Ren asked. He had long wanted to leave this place, which was far too dangerous. Not only was his divine soul constantly being devoured, but they also had to hide from fierce ghosts every night.
"Don't worry about me. You go ahead."
"Yes."
Elder Ren led his group away, leaving only the seven remaining.
"Let's go," Xu Sanyan said, leading the group toward Old Ghost's Tooth Shop.
As they crossed the shop's threshold, Old Ghost remained staring blankly out the door, seemingly lost in thought.
Only when he saw Xu Sanyan did a smile finally appear on his stiff face—business had arrived.
"From now on, I want an eighty-twenty split," Xu Sanyan declared bluntly, his tone firm.
Old Ghost's smile froze, and he waved his hands frantically. "Impossible! If I only get twenty percent, I won't make any profit!"
"No profit? Twenty percent isn't enough for you? Do you know how much effort it took me to acquire these people? If you don't agree, I'll take my business elsewhere."
Xu Sanyan made as if to leave. He had noticed several other tooth shops along the way—Old Ghost wasn't the only one in this trade.
(End of the Chapter)
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