Long Ao Potian and Chang Pingqian, lounging on a soft couch, breathed heavily, their eyes spitting fire. Their hands gripped the jade-like feet of alluring female cultivators, playing with them forcefully.
Several voluptuous, soft, and bare bodies intertwined with Long Ao Potian and Chang Pingqian…
For various reasons, over three hundred characters are omitted here.
Wu Tao, however, politely declined the kind offers of Long Ao Potian and Chang Pingqian and left to clear his head outside.
Disliking the environment, Wu Tao, after taking a long detour, finally arrived at a different, pristine area.
Here, it was not only exceptionally quiet but also imbued with an incredibly dense spiritual energy, far surpassing other places. Ancient trees, hundreds of meters tall, towered like small mountains, their branches stretching towards the sky.
Upon entering and beholding the scenery, Wu Tao couldn't help but pause, looking around and silently praising it in his heart.
Paths paved with colorful pebbles wound for miles, like wild trails, leading deep into the distance.
Between the paths, artificial rock formations and strange stones were arranged exquisitely, with mountain springs gushing forth. Ancient, gnarled pines stood tall, and to their sides, a wide variety of exotic flowers bloomed in abundance.
At the end of the path, a covered walkway connected the areas.
The walkway was constructed entirely of hundred-year-old sandalwood, carved with swirling clouds. It was incredibly intricate, with occasional moss growth from prolonged rain, lending it a natural, ancient patina, both rustic and elegant.
On his way, Wu Tao had encountered a few male cultivators who, like him, disliked the nearby extravagant atmosphere but were compelled to be there due to various social obligations.
…
Such a rustic and grand landscape showed that the owner here possessed great vision, unlike the outside world of "three thousand red dust" which, despite its apparent luxury, was profoundly…
While admiring it, Wu Tao also harbored doubts. The more he looked, the more he felt that these arrangements were not befitting of common people.
After walking for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the view suddenly opened up.
About a hundred to eighty meters away, a large lake was filled with blooming pink lotuses. A pavilion was built upon it, draped with white silk curtains to shield from the sun.
Lush greenery, peculiar rocks arranged neatly, and the melodious sound of flutes created a scene akin to a celestial realm.
A fiery red long boat, over thirty meters in length, cut through the lake water and reached the center. Wisps of cloud and mist swirled, and flecks of colorful radiance shimmered, ethereal and sacred.
The harmonious sounds of zithers, flutes, and ancient bells drifted down, intoxicating, and instantly calming the agitated heart.
From the fiery red long boat, a dazzling light emanated. A maiden stood upon it, clad in a deep blue dress that fluttered gently, accentuating her perfect form.
Around the lake were cultivators from the immortal cultivation world. Many of them were at the Foundation Establishment stage, possessing excellent eyesight, and could clearly see the maiden's face.
She was graceful and ethereal, divinely pure, and her beauty was almost perfect. At first glance, not a single flaw could be found, truly like a celestial maiden descended to earth.
Her eyes were like water, capable of melting all things in the world. Her gentle smile was like a hundred flowers blooming, breathtakingly beautiful! Even Wu Tao couldn't help but be stunned.
Almost all the cultivators by the lake were captivated at that moment.
Wu Tao also felt a stir in his heart. This woman was indeed exquisitely beautiful, surpassing even Zhang Wan'er and Lin Yue'er, whom he had seen before.
At that moment, Wu Tao even felt that this woman was the most beautiful woman in the world.
She appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a slender and graceful figure, a beautiful face, and a cold, alluring aura. Her skin was like snow, seemingly carrying frost.
"This must be Shang Yiyi. I've heard long ago that her beauty is peerless, comparable to a celestial maiden, a beauty beyond compare. It's a shame she was born into the Red Dust Blissful Sect, destined for her radiance to be tarnished."
Someone nearby sighed regretfully, shaking their head.
The Red Dust Blissful Sect had a truly terrible reputation; otherwise, they wouldn't operate a pleasure district here. Their cultivation was also related to this…
However, the exceptionally beautiful Shang Yiyi showed no sign of worldliness. She was radiant yet cold, with skin like ice and bones like jade. Her black hair flowed, as if she were untouched by the mortal world, like a solitary bright moon in the eternal sky.
Wu Tao’s expression was calm. He didn't quite believe this woman’s aura was naturally that way; it was likely due to some secret in her cultivation technique.
He felt that the Red Dust Blissful Sect understood human nature. Originally a minor sect with a bad reputation, they had created such a celestial maiden, a saintess, solely by exploiting men’s desires.
This was because their cultivation ultimately led to a celestial maiden descending to dust; they could not remain suspended in the heavens forever and would eventually fall into the dark world of pleasure.
This approach was merely more alluring, more captivating, creating a woman who was aloof and elegant, detached from the human world, only to stir deeper desire.
Next, Shang Yiyi took out a guqin and slowly sat opposite everyone. Her slender fingers gently plucked the strings, and clear notes began to ring out.
A melody like celestial music flowed from her fingertips. Wu Tao felt his spirit being drawn into it.
Any other thoughts he had in his heart also dissipated. It was a beautiful zither melody. Wu Tao closed his eyes slightly, listening with enjoyment.
Slowly, as the piece ended, Wu Tao opened his eyes.
Many cultivators around him, like Wu Tao, had a similar reaction.
With a flash of light, the fiery red long boat in the sky submerged into the depths of the lake, where jade towers and palaces, surrounded by swirling clouds, appeared like an immortal palace.
Wu Tao left the area and continued his walk. After traveling for several hours, he had only explored a small corner of the place.
After some time, Wu Tao decided to head back.
Long Ao Potian and Chang Pingqian, those two fellows, should have finished by now after such a long time. It was perfect to return and leave with them.
…
Returning to the bustling street, Wu Tao found Long Ao Potian and Chang Pingqian still engaged inside. He couldn't help but frown and decided to wait for them outside.
However, standing there was too conspicuous. Wu Tao decided to find another place to wait for them.
Dirty, winding corners, and crumbling bricks and tiles – the difference between the dazzling center of the street and the dark, damp alleyways was like the difference between heaven and hell.
Yet, standing there, Wu Tao was unfazed.
Observing passersby from the street corner, Wu Tao suspected many cultivators were disciples from major sects, given their luxurious attire and young age as they swaggered down the middle of the road.
Most pedestrians avoided Wu Tao. This fellow seemed completely out of place in his surroundings, his face perpetually stern. Most people who came here were looking for pleasure; who would bother provoking someone who clearly looked difficult to deal with and was unsociable?
However, some indeed came looking for trouble and took an interest in him.
A female cultivator in her thirties, wearing a pink floor-length dress that swayed as she walked, with a beautiful face and in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, passed by him. She suddenly turned back and whispered into his ear, "Your humble servant, Ji Xin Xue, greets you, young master."
Wu Tao was unaccustomed to strangers, especially women, being so close. His body instinctively recoiled, and his right hand went to his sword hilt…
Seeing this, Ji Xin Xue chuckled and said again, "Would you like some fun? I am experienced, and I guarantee I can make you comfortable."
Hearing this, Wu Tao inwardly exclaimed that he couldn't handle it.
Ji Xin Xue's face became even more alluring, and she felt quite pleased. Then, her soft, boneless body deliberately tilted towards Wu Tao, and she cried out in surprise, "Ah! Young master, be careful?"
As she spoke, she stumbled a few steps, her fair fingers just grazing Wu Tao's head. A wisp of pink energy suddenly appeared, containing a strange power.
At this critical moment, a broken sword suddenly appeared, blocking the path of the pink energy.
Ji Xin Xue's eyebrows rose. Then, pink light flowed, circumventing the broken sword and instantly entering Wu Tao's body.
At this moment, a sharp glint flashed in Wu Tao's eyes. His gaze was like cold lightning, piercing Ji Xin Xue's face like a sharp blade. A killing intent arose in his heart.
"Hmph! A mere trick, a demoness dares to show off, seeking death!"
A cold snort echoed in her ears, shaking Ji Xin Xue so much that she momentarily lost her footing. Her charming expression vanished, her face greatly changed, revealing shock…
A common broken sword, at ordinary times, no one would even pick it up if it were discarded.
But at this moment, in Ji Xin Xue's heart, it was as indestructible and inviolable as an immortal sword, making her dare not act rashly.
As for the pink energy, once it entered Wu Tao's body, it vanished like a kite with a broken string, responding to none of her attempts to control it.
She hadn't intended to go all out initially; she merely wanted to make this stern young man look a bit foolish.
Having observed Wu Tao for a long time, Ji Xin Xue had assumed he was a naive youth who hadn't traveled far and would be easy to bully.
"Sword cultivator!"
At this point, she finally understood that this unassuming youth before her was her bane.
If she had known this earlier, she would never have dared to approach him and provoke him so casually!
Ji Xin Xue was a steward of the Red Dust Blissful Sect.
Her main cultivation technique was the Blazing Fire Control Art, which allowed for rapid cultivation and considerable power in application, often allowing her to defeat enemies without bloodshed.
However, everything in the world has its pros and cons; nothing is universally effective.
The techniques cultivated by the Blazing Fire Control Art had their counters.
These were cultivators who practiced techniques that instilled a pure, detached, or even ruthless mindset during cultivation.
If she had known he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator specializing in swordsmanship, she would never have been so rash as to provoke him casually by getting close!
Now, like fish on a chopping block, Ji Xin Xue could only look at him tearfully, hoping he would show some pity and mercy.
Wu Tao dragged Ji Xin Xue deeper into a corner. It was dark ahead, a perfect place to kill someone.
The entire corner was silent, with no people and no footsteps.
During this process, Ji Xin Xue struggled, shaking her head and crying out.
However, neither seduction nor any other form of resistance could stop Wu Tao, who had already made up his mind and was filled with killing intent.
A chilling glint flashed.
A sword cut across. Ji Xin Xue clutched her throat and fell into a pool of blood…
Alcohol and lust can cloud the mind. Yet, a beautiful woman is like dry bones, and strong wine is like horse urine; they cannot truly disturb Wu Tao's Dao heart, cultivated over many years.
The three of them returned together to the Taiyi Immortal Sect's encampment.