Ye Ziling ambled through the market for a long time before finally entering a tall building.
The structure pierced the clouds, its peak invisible. The building’s sign bore three bold characters: Xiaoxiang Lou.
Each floor was different. Some were dedicated to immortals watching plays and films, others specialized in celestial cuisine, and some were simply taverns.
Two demonic beasts, with human bodies and beast heads, stood guard at the entrance, checking immortal tokens. Ordinary mortals were forbidden entry, save for immortals and those working as vendors or servants. The establishment was exclusively for the entertainment of immortals and nobles.
"Halt." Two divine beasts, with human bodies and feline faces, raised their arms, blocking Ye Ziling and Mu Heng's path. They puffed out their chests and declared, "Please present your immortal tokens, honored guests."
Mu Heng pulled a token from his waist and presented it to the divine beasts, his expression insolent, as if he were about to fling it at their cat faces.
Upon seeing the token from Jiuling Palace, the cat-faced beasts immediately stepped aside, too timid to utter a word. "Lord... Lord Commander, please."
"Ignorant slave cats," Mu Heng muttered disdainfully. He watched Ye Ziling enter before reluctantly following.
Although he was also a beast, he was different from these low-ranking gatekeepers. At least he had the opportunity to cultivate into an immortal; these cat beasts were destined to be servants their entire lives.
The two ascended to the fifth floor via a cloud elevator and entered a wine house.
Upon stepping through the door, the air was filled with the clinking of cups and the melodious strains of music. White mist swirled around, creating a scene as beautiful as a fairyland.
"What are your orders, sirs?" A rabbit beast approached, holding a table, and bowed respectfully.
Ye Ziling took a magnolia hairpin from her怀 and handed it to the beast, instructing, "Please deliver this hairpin to your courtesan."
"Yes."
As the rabbit beast turned to leave, Mu Heng glanced at Ye Ziling and teased, "Palace Master has such a peculiar hobby."
He had heard that the courtesan of Xiaoxiang Lou was once one of the most beautiful women in the heavenly court. It was said that not only men, but also women, found her irresistible, making anyone lose their senses.
While the divine beast went to relay the message, the two wandered into the beastly section of the building.
As soon as they entered, small beasts eagerly poked their heads out, their eyes glinting with excitement.
"Customers have excellent taste. These are purebreds sourced from the heavenly realm, with exceptionally potent spiritual energy. Why not purchase one?" the shopkeeper said with a smile.
All immortal cultivation students required the assistance of divine beasts for their practice. Many aspiring immortals would select demonic beasts to aid them after entering their sects.
Ye Ziling examined various beasts, but none caught her eye. These demonic beasts were all artificially bred, not true divine beasts native to the heavenly realm. Having spent so many years in the celestial world, she possessed a discerning eye.
Since she couldn't find a suitable divine beast, there was only one option left.
Seeing Ye Ziling's gaze shift towards him, Mu Heng's smile instantly froze. He guessed her intention and quickly refused, "Don't look at me. Our statuses are different. In the human world, you may be my superior..." Seeing Ye Ziling's smile widen, Mu Heng quickly stopped speaking.
Although Ye Ziling was merely an ordinary mortal, her cultivation techniques were more than double his. If he refused, he would only face a beating.
He now only regretted his inferior skills, otherwise, he wouldn't be coerced by this mad girl and trapped in Jiuling Palace as cheap labor for decades.
But for a beast who had cultivated for thousands of years to become a divine beast to a mortal, what would that make of his dignity?
"Have you considered it?" Ye Ziling looked at him, her smile laced with a hidden threat.
Mu Heng shook his head. Before he could find a reason to refuse, his wrist was suddenly grabbed, and he was forcibly bound by a contract.
A thousand marsh grass mud horses galloped through his mind. He could only force a smile and say, "...I am deeply honored to cultivate with the Palace Master."
"Just don't drag me down," she said without changing her expression.
Mu Heng: "..."
Never mind. He wasn't meeting this girl for the first time. He would just consider it as being bitten by a dog and endure it.
In a private room on the fifth floor, a woman in a flowing dancer's dress entered, her body weary, and removed her heavy headdress in front of a bronze mirror.
Her posture was graceful, her eyes slightly upturned, and her phoenix eyes were captivating, exuding a myriad of charms that contrasted with the sorrow in her brows.
"Someone, prepare tea," she called out softly. Receiving no response, she raised her head suspiciously. Through the gauze curtain, she could vaguely see a man in dark robes leaning against a table, casually looking at her.
Even without seeing his face clearly, based on his physique alone, she knew he must be a handsome gentleman of extraordinary appearance.
"The song and dance performance has concluded for today. If you wish to enjoy the performance, please return tomorrow," she said, her voice pleasant, languid with a hint of seduction.
Many nobles and royalty usually patronized her, but a sudden intrusion into her private chamber was unprecedented.
"I have no interest in your singing and dancing, madam," the man outside the curtain spoke. His voice was deep and alluring, with a touch of detachment.
"Oh? Sir, you are indeed witty. I only possess dancing skills," she covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes twinkling. "If that is the case, may I ask why you are looking for me?"
The woman's shoulders were half-exposed, her hair low and adorned with a jade phoenix hairpin. Her entire posture was slender and seductive, soul-stirring.
Ling Xi's lips curved, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes. He got straight to the point, "I merely find this hairpin somewhat familiar and have come to inquire about it."
The gauze curtain stirred, and a magnolia hairpin flew through the air, caught effortlessly by the woman.
"Ruyi... How do you have this item?" Bi Luo's voice suddenly rose, her eyes fixed on the magnolia hairpin in her hand, a sharp glint flashing in her gaze.
"I find it strange as well. This hairpin is clearly an item from the heavenly realm, yet it is in your possession," Ling Xi's voice carried a hint of mockery. He continued, "Keyly, it looks quite familiar to me."
"Who exactly are you?" Bi Luo became agitated, her ears perked up, and the nine tails behind her began to stir. Like slowly unfurling oil-paper umbrellas, they violently broke through the curtain and lunged at Ling Xi!
He flipped to evade her attack, took out the Hundred Beasts Pouch, and released a Qilin, leisurely leaning against the table to watch the fight.
Bi Luo knew she couldn't defeat the divine beast and was forced to reveal her true form to fight the Qilin. However, in a short while, she was pinned beneath its claw, her internal organs in severe pain, her limbs unable to move.
"Who exactly are you?" she struggled with all her might, her eyes filled with unwillingness.
"There is a treasure in the heavenly realm called the Ruyi Magnolia. Over a decade ago, a fox demon rebelled and stole the hairpin from the divine realm. It appears you are one of the wanted criminals of the heavenly realm, the Nine-Tailed Fox Immortal," Ling Xi lifted the curtain and walked slowly towards her, picking up the magnolia hairpin that had fallen to the ground.
"If you want to claim credit and seek a reward, why all this nonsense!"
Bi Luo said angrily, struggling fiercely.
"I am not interested in your affairs."
The man's handsomeness exceeded her expectations. He wore dark robes, his ink-black hair casually draped over his shoulders. His face was as if meticulously carved by divine craftsmanship, excessively handsome.
At this moment, his face held a dissolute, careless smile as he glanced at her mockingly.
Upon seeing the man's face clearly, Bi Luo was stunned into paleness: "Jun Lan?"
This peerlessly beautiful face, could it be anyone other than the former God of War, Jun Lan, of the heavenly realm?
Bi Luo sneered, "Everyone believed that God of War Jun Lan was sealed by defying heaven, his primordial spirit cast out of the Three Realms. Who knew he was merely sent to the mortal realm for tribulation."
Ling Xi put the Qilin back into the Hundred Beasts Bag and smiled faintly, "You have mistaken me, madam. My surname is Ling, my given name is Xi. How honored I am to be compared to General God of War?"
There was once a God of War in the heavenly realm whose fame shook the Three Realms. The Heavenly Emperor personally bestowed upon him the immortal name Jun Lan.
God of War Jun Lan was formerly the Heavenly Realm's number one military officer, on par with the position of the Goddess Tu Yao. The difference was that God of War Jun Lan was personally recommended by the Heavenly Emperor, while Goddess Tu Yao was cultivated by Emperor Qingbai.
Seeing the woman's panicked expression, Ling Xi continued, "I am not interested in this hairpin or your demon core." He crouched down, pushed the hairpin into her hair, and raised an eyebrow, "I only wish to know the identity of the person who gave you this hairpin."
The only antidote for injuries inflicted by mountain demons was the Immortal Ganoderma from Yingzhou. Only one Immortal Ganoderma appeared every ten years. The Immortal Ganoderma he consumed was planted by Emperor Qingbai ten years ago. Obtaining this Immortal Ganoderma was harder than ascending to heaven. Even with the greatest skill, it was impossible to obtain it so easily.
He had heard that when the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox rebelled, she had a powerful immortal accomplice. He only hoped his prey was not involved in this crime.
Bi Luo guessed his intention and let out a cold laugh, the ruthlessness in her eyes completely disappearing.
She thought it was someone else, but it turned out to be a peach blossom of her sister.
"I'm afraid I must disappoint you," Bi Luo smiled charmingly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "She is my sister."