Chapter Sixty-Eight: Twin Maidens, Blossoming Beauty

(Brothers, in the previous chapter, I made a mistake with the city name. The destination isn’t Tongquancheng, but rather Huanglong City, which is one of Tongyou Temple’s territories.)

Night was as dark as ink, stars arrayed across the sky.

Within the tranquil Daoist temple, lamps blazed brightly.

In a secluded chamber, under the shadowy flicker of candlelight, a gathering of beautiful women, all bare of attire, filled the room.

Slender or voluptuous, each was alluring in her own right. Their snow-white skin was beaded with fragrant sweat, and their low, sultry cries awakened the depths of desire.

Amidst them, seated in the center, was an old man with snow-white hair.

This elder exuded an air of ethereal wisdom and immortal bearing. With crane-white locks and the rosy complexion of youth, he swallowed a vermilion pill and began dual cultivation with the women.

After a long while, the sound of gasping breaths faded.

The old Daoist lounged lazily against the headboard, draped in a sheer veil. A maid wiped his body with a hot towel, while his hand, still restless, caressed a soft, pale form.

“Life is rather pleasant,” he murmured.

A shadow fell over him. Looking up, he saw that, at some unknown moment, a Daoist in black robes had appeared outside the window.

The newcomer’s gaze was clear, his lips curled in a faint, ambiguous smile as he looked upon the scene.

The old Daoist was instantly seized by terror. He kicked the maid aside and fell to his knees upon the bed.

“I did not know an esteemed master had arrived—please forgive me!”

For someone to enter so silently, their cultivation must be profound. Killing him would be as effortless as crushing an ant.

“Get up. I’ll wait for you in the great hall,” the black-robed Daoist said, glancing at the women before floating away.

Master Xuanxiao dared not delay. He hurried to don his Daoist robes.

Upon entering the hall, he saw the black-robed Daoist already seated.

Xuanxiao picked up the teapot, poured hot tea for his guest, and ventured, “May I ask what instructions you have for me, honored one? I will serve you with all my heart, sparing no effort or sacrifice.”

If his guess was correct, this man was likely a Qi Refinement stage Daoist.

He himself was but a minor Fetal Breath practitioner. If he failed to serve this visitor well, he might not even know how he died.

“It’s nothing so grave. I just wish to ask a few questions,” Lu Qian said, sipping the hot tea.

The name Xuanxiao sounded imposing; Lu Qian had imagined a formidable cultivator, but he turned out to be only a Fetal Breath acolyte specializing in dual cultivation.

Too long spent in the temple had instilled in Lu Qian a measure of the “might makes right” mentality.

A mere Fetal Breath stage—should he offend, Lu Qian could dispatch him with a flick of the hand.

“Please, master, ask your questions.”

“Is there a ghost market nearby?” Lu Qian inquired.

Huanglong City was under the dominion of Tongyou Temple.

Ordinarily, such places where cultivators gathered would have locations for resource exchange.

“Oh, yes. Let me tell you, the most important place in Huanglong City is the ghost market. For hundreds of miles around, all those who cultivate ghosts or refine corpses will come here,” Xuanxiao said mysteriously.

“Cultivate ghosts and refine corpses?” Lu Qian pondered.

The cities under Tongyou Temple endlessly supplied resources to the upper echelons.

Each city had its own special commodities.

One never realized, until venturing out, that thousands of cities within ten thousand miles formed a network, all channeling resources to this temple.

The function of this city, it seemed, was to provide materials for ghost cultivation and corpse refinement.

“Your Daoist title is Xuanxiao. Are you perhaps of the Xuan generation within the temple?” Lu Qian asked.

The Tongming Canon was profound and mysterious; the Jade Disciples, born from heaven and earth, held high status.

By seniority, Xuanxiao was three generations above him.

“No, no, please don’t misunderstand, master. It’s merely a coincidence. If you dislike it, I can change my Daoist name at once.”

Cold sweat broke out on Xuanxiao’s brow. Could this man be from Tongyou Temple, and think he was impersonating a senior?

He had no wish to be killed over such a trivial matter—there was still much pleasure left in life.

“It’s nothing. Carry on.” Lu Qian rose to his feet.

“I shall prepare a carriage for you, master, and escort you personally,” Xuanxiao offered, though inwardly he wished this cold-faced visitor would leave at once.

“No need.”

Still, Lu Qian waited a short while.

Outside, a pitch-black carriage awaited.

Accompanied by Xuanxiao, Lu Qian stepped out.

Standing before the carriage, Lu Qian sensed something, his brows knitting slightly as he turned to the old Daoist.

“Heh, just a token of respect, nothing more,” the old man said, rubbing his hands together with a sly smile.

Lu Qian shook his head and boarded the carriage.

With a flicker of his divine sense, the black horse responded, immediately setting off at a gallop.

Inside the carriage, besides Lu Qian, knelt two young women.

They were no more than sixteen or seventeen, with delicate brows and pearl-white teeth, their skin as white as snow. They seemed to have just bathed, a faint floral fragrance clinging to them. Their long legs were pressed tightly together, two unopened flowers awaiting to be plucked.

A closer look revealed that they were identical in appearance, though the girl on the left bore a single tear-shaped mole at the corner of her eye.

“Who told you to come aboard?” Lu Qian glanced at them coolly.

The girls mistook his words for a command to leave.

The girl on the left blanched immediately; she did not wish to return to the old Daoist.

“My sister and I have no one to rely on. We beg you, master, to take us in.”

The one with the tear-shaped mole was quicker to react, immediately prostrating herself.

Perhaps intentionally, as she bowed, her red dress loosened slightly, revealing a hint of her ample figure and a flash of pale skin.

Seeing this, Lu Qian stepped forward and lifted her chin.

Her skin was smooth and supple, as if water would spring forth at a touch.

“You’re the elder sister? What is your name?”

She seemed pained by his grip, her delicate brows drawing together, her bright eyes turning red.

“Master, this maid is called Inviting Moon, and my sister is called Gracing Moon.”

Lu Qian turned his gaze to the younger sister, who shyly lowered her head.

The elder, Inviting Moon, was clever; thinking Lu Qian might not notice, she nudged her sister, prompting her to lift her head and reveal a charming face.

Though Inviting Moon was anxious, she forced herself to meet Lu Qian’s gaze.

“Interesting,” Lu Qian chuckled. “You may stay.”

Both were virgins—and each a peerless beauty. Clearly, Xuanxiao had spared no expense.

No wonder someone of mere Fetal Breath cultivation could live so ostentatiously for so many years.

He clearly knew how to curry favor.

The twins each had their own charm; the younger was shy, the elder astute and opportunistic.

Since she was so eager, he might as well give her a chance.

Just then, Lu Qian gazed out the window—the carriage had come to a halt.

“Friend, since you’re here, why not show yourself?”

A thick mist rose outside.

From within the gloom stepped a child in red, three feet tall, unnaturally pale, wearing a melon cap and a single braid trailing down his back.

“Oh, it’s you, Ghost Child,” Lu Qian exclaimed in surprise. It was Li Yutong, the very one who had led them into the temple that day.

“You know me?” The red-clad child’s large eyes flashed with doubt.

“Surely you forget many faces, friend. That day, you were the one who led me to the door.”

“So it was you!”

Recognition dawned on Li Yutong. Inwardly, he marveled that the once-ordinary Class-C acolyte had now reached the Qi Refinement stage, just like himself.

Either this man had exceptional talent, or he was blessed with great fortune.

Li Yutong immediately resolved to befriend him.

“Are you out on a task, friend?” Lu Qian asked.

“Not exactly. My family resides here,” Li Yutong replied with a smile. “Since you’re here, why not come to my home and sit for a while?”

…