Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Chapter 186

[From the Yellow Sand River Dragon King till now, rewards have been fully settled.]

[You killed the Flood Dragon of Yellow Sand River—Huangsha Zhenjun (Golden Core Realm): Physique +100, Spiritual Power Quality +100, Martial Qi +100, Sword Qi +100, Dragon Slayer Technique +20.]

[You killed the lesser demons who were with the Yellow Sand River Dragon King: estimated Strength +50, Group Combat Ability +20.]

[You repelled the North Sea Dragon Palace envoys—Ruo Lan and Ruo Ye Sisters: Sword Intent +20, Sword Qi +50, Sea Race Bonus Damage +30.]

Just as Xu Ming arrived outside the city of Yan Zhi, the system’s voice echoed in his mind.

As the voice faded, a soothing, warm flow surged through Xu Ming’s body.

The comfort was so intense that Xu Ming almost let out a soft groan.

He could feel it clearly—he had grown stronger again.

Moreover, both his Martial Artist and Qi Cultivator realms were showing signs of breaking through.

However, Xu Ming quickly suppressed the urge.

Now was not the time to let it happen.

His current spiritual energy in the Cave Mansion Realm and true qi in the Heroic Soul Realm were already locked in a life-or-death struggle.

If he broke through further, and both his spiritual energy and true qi advanced to the next level, it would be disastrous.

Xu Ming realized that a choice was inevitable—between the path of the Martial Artist and the Qi Cultivator, only one could remain. If not, his spiritual veins and meridians would surely shatter.

The only disappointment Xu Ming felt was that the system had not granted him any special rewards this time, aside from the attribute points.

He guessed it was because the Yellow Sand River Dragon King was too weak.

Although it was at the early stage of the Golden Core Realm, its quality was among the lowest tier of that rank. The system’s rewards had been correspondingly less generous.

It could also be because he had faced many Golden Core cultivators already. Only the first encounter with one offered substantial rewards, and subsequent encounters yielded diminishing returns.

“Why are you standing here spacing out instead of entering the city, Young Master?”

Mo Zhuer approached with a gentle smile, breaking Xu Ming’s thoughts.

Xu Ming snapped back to reality and casually brushed her off, “Nothing much. Just thought this city felt a bit peculiar. Let’s go.”

With that, he strode forward.

Watching his retreating figure, Mo Zhuer furrowed her brows. A moment ago, she had a strange feeling.

She could have sworn that, for a fleeting moment, Xu Ming’s spiritual energy and martial true qi had grown even denser—as if he was about to break through.

That couldn’t be possible, right?

How old was Xu Ming? Regardless of whether it was his Martial Artist realm or Qi Cultivator realm breaking through, it would be shocking enough.

And yet, he could already stand against Golden Core Realm cultivators with his current level.

If he did break through… wouldn’t he become truly monstrous?!

“No, it must have been my imagination. Definitely a mistake!” Mo Zhuer shook her head, reassuring herself. “He hasn’t done anything noteworthy recently. There’s no way one could cultivate just by walking around, right?”

Still unsettled, she followed Xu Ming.

The group entered a city named Yan Zhi City.

Yan Zhi (Rouge) City was a neutral city, unaffiliated with any dynasty.

It was said to contain every type of rouge and powder in existence, hence its name.

Rumor had it that the city was also under the influence of the Hehuan Sect, with many of its enterprises based here.

As they stepped into Yan Zhi City, a faint, delicate fragrance of rouge wafted through the air.

Xu Ming felt as though he had stepped into a giant box of rouge.

Fortunately, the scent wasn’t overwhelming.

In ancient times, the fragrance of rouge was generally derived from natural flower powders rather than chemical compounds, unlike the perfumes of the Blue Star, which often smelled unbearably artificial and pungent.

“Handsome young master~ Come and play with us~”

“My lord, this servant has missed you terribly~”

“Ah, Master Chen, you’re here! Please, come in~”

“Oh my, young master, you’re so dashing! This humble one can play the flute. Shall I play a tune for you?”

On either side of the street, scantily clad women tugged at passersby to draw them in.

As expected of a city under the Hehuan Sect’s influence.

In a single street barely 300 meters long, there were already multiple brothels. It seemed competition in this line of work was particularly fierce in Yan Zhi City.

Beyond that, clothing stores were also abundant, and the women here dressed daringly.

Every so often, Xu Ming would spot women in half-crop tops or skirts with slits reaching up to their thighs, their every step oozing charm and allure.

Even in what seemed like ordinary inns, the ones serving dishes and pouring water weren’t typical waiters but provocatively dressed women.

Some diners, stirred by the atmosphere, couldn’t contain themselves. After eating for a bit, they’d rent a room and take a girl upstairs to “discuss life.”

Truly, this was a city steeped in indulgence and decadence.

Xu Ming couldn’t help but think that if it weren’t for his firm resolve, spending just three days here might leave him ten pounds lighter!

It was no surprise that most men in this city looked pale and drained.

Finding an inn, Xu Ming stepped inside to eat.

Because he was accompanied by a “female companion,” and Mo Zhuer was exceptionally beautiful, the women in the inn didn’t bother trying to serve him.

This left some of the women feeling regretful.

After all, it had been ages since they’d seen someone as handsome and full of vitality as Xu Ming.

“Should I excuse myself and let the girls here serve our dear imperial son-in-law?” Mo Zhuer asked with a sly smile, her gaze fixed on Xu Ming.

“No need,” Xu Ming replied flatly. “Just sit.”

“Fair enough~” Mo Zhuer propped her chin on her hand, looking quite pleased with herself. “These girls aren’t as pretty as me anyway. Why would our dear imperial son-in-law be interested in them?”

Xu Ming didn’t bother refuting her narcissism.

Mo Zhuer wasn’t wrong.

From the moment they entered Yan Zhi City, Xu Ming hadn’t seen anyone who could rival Mo Zhuer’s beauty.

Before long, a woman wearing nothing but a belly wrap and loose pants sashayed over with their dishes. “Please enjoy your meal, dear guests. If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to call me.”

As she spoke, she threw a flirtatious wink at Xu Ming before turning and walking away.

“Hmph, shameless hussy,” Mo Zhuer muttered irritably as she watched the woman’s exaggerated performance.

“You’re not much better,” Xu Ming said indifferently, handing a pair of chopsticks and a bowl of rice to Shen Shengsheng.

“Not at all~” Mo Zhuer retorted playfully. “Just look at how wide their hips are. Who knows how many men they’ve been with? Meanwhile, I’m still pure and untouched. If you don’t believe me, dear imperial son-in-law, you’re welcome to verify tonight~”

“Quit your nonsense and eat,” Xu Ming scolded.

“Hmph!”

Mo Zhuer picked up her chopsticks, pouting slightly. She didn’t bother with this unromantic man anymore and began nibbling at her food.

Truthfully, Mo Zhuer’s feelings had grown increasingly complicated over this period.

At first, her attempts to seduce Xu Ming were purely strategic—she wanted to poison him. If he wanted the antidote, he’d have to come to her. Otherwise, they’d both perish.

Back then, Xu Ming was balancing two paths—Martial Artist and Qi Cultivator—while her life was on the line. The imbalance seemed unfair.

But over time, as Xu Ming consistently avoided her traps and didn’t even spare her a second glance, often treating her as a mere servant without a shred of pity, Mo Zhuer began to doubt her own allure.

Thus, her attempts to seduce Xu Ming slowly morphed into a personal challenge—she wanted to prove she still had immense appeal to men! Even to a blockhead like him!

But as expected, this blockhead really was a blockhead.

The more Mo Zhuer thought about it, the angrier she became. The angrier she got, the more frustrated she felt. In a fit of irritation, she shoved a large spoonful of rice into her mouth, followed by a bite of greens.

“Hmm?”

As the food entered her mouth, Mo Zhuer sensed something was off and turned to look at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming, as calm as ever, took a bite of meat. “What are you looking at? Keep eating. Don’t think too much.”

While speaking, Xu Ming poured tea for Mo Zhuer and Shen Shengsheng. However, as he did so, two pills slipped from his sleeve into the cups, dissolving instantly upon contact with the tea.

Mo Zhuer drank the tea without a second thought and continued eating her meal.

After finishing their food and paying the bill, the three of them left the inn.

“Someone tried to poison us. Was it aimed at you?” Xu Ming asked in a low voice.

“Oh, don’t put it like that, dear imperial son-in-law,” Mo Zhuer replied with a faint smile. “Even if it was aimed at me, it’s still because of you. Think about it—we’re together now. You’re on the Black Lotus Sect’s kill list, and I’m one of their saintesses. Naturally, plenty of people would want to see us both dead. It’s just a matter of figuring out who’s behind it.”

Xu Ming fell silent. He entered another inn and placed a small silver ingot on the counter. “One upper room.”

“Right away.” The innkeeper respectfully handed Xu Ming a room key. “It’s on the third floor, left side, the last room at the end of the hallway.”

“Thank you.”

Xu Ming’s gaze swept subtly across the other patrons in the inn before taking the key and heading upstairs.

“Seems like quite a few people are following us,” Mo Zhuer remarked with a smile.

“Do you have any idea who they are?” Xu Ming asked.

“Not at all,” Mo Zhuer replied, shaking her head. “I don’t recognize any of them. But this is Yan Zhi City, and it’s the territory of the Hehuan Sect.”

“The Hehuan Sect?” Xu Ming’s expression subtly shifted upon hearing the name.

“What’s this? Could it be that dear imperial son-in-law knows something about the Hehuan Sect?” Mo Zhuer teased with a knowing smile.

“No, I’ve just heard the name,” Xu Ming said, shaking his head.

The name Hehuan Sect was all too familiar to him.

In nearly every xianxia novel he had read in his past life, there was mention of a Hehuan Sect.

Known as the “Number One Sect Across the Realms,” the Hehuan Sect certainly had its reputation, though most of the time, it ended up as cannon fodder.

“What kind of sect is the Hehuan Sect?” Xu Ming asked Mo Zhuer.

“It’s… a bit of an odd one,” Mo Zhuer said thoughtfully.

“The Hehuan Sect has existed in this world for tens of thousands of years, but it remains a relatively weak sect.

“To date, records show that the highest cultivation level achieved by a Hehuan Sect leader was only the Jade Purity Realm. Most of the sect leaders were at the Nascent Soul Realm.

“For example, the current sect leader, Cui Renwang.

“The sect’s guiding principle is ‘Unite the pleasures of the world, share the joys of life.’ They practice dual cultivation regardless of gender.

“Rumor has it that the Hehuan Sect possesses a secret technique—a supreme method that allows one to ascend to the Ascension Realm through dual cultivation.”

“If their techniques are that powerful, why is it that the highest recorded cultivation level among their leaders is only the Jade Purity Realm?” Xu Ming asked, intrigued.

A cultivator’s level was largely determined by talent and cultivation methods.

Logically speaking, after so many years, the Hehuan Sect should have produced at least one prodigious disciple. Even if it was down to luck, they couldn’t possibly have failed for tens of thousands of years.

That left the cultivation techniques as the potential issue.

But based on Mo Zhuer’s description, the Hehuan Sect’s techniques didn’t seem lacking.

“Dear imperial son-in-law~” Mo Zhuer said with a teasing tone. “What I told you were the recorded cultivation levels of past leaders. However, there are rumors that among the unrecorded leaders, at least one reached the Ascension Realm. But that was so long ago, no one knows exactly when it happened.”

Mo Zhuer chuckled and said, “Nowadays, the people of the Hehuan Sect have completely strayed from their original path.

“The current Hehuan Sect is filled with nothing but lust-driven creatures, thinking with their lower halves regardless of gender.

“I’d wager they’ve long forgotten what their ancestors envisioned for the original Way of Hehuan. Many of them have already fallen into demonic cultivation.

“Male disciples of the Hehuan Sect have turned into vile predators, forcing themselves on women and treating them as nothing more than furnaces for their cultivation.

“Likewise, many of the female disciples indulge in unrestrained harvesting, draining their victims dry until they’re little more than withered corpses.

“As a result, many cultivators have started classifying the Hehuan Sect as a demonic sect.”

She sighed, spreading her hands with a look of helplessness. “Still, you can’t deny one thing—while the Hehuan Sect lacks top-tier combat strength, their influence is vast. Their brothels are spread all over the world.”

Mo Zhuer stretched her arms wide, yawning lazily as she sat on the bed. “After all, compared to the dull monotony of traditional cultivation, what could be more enjoyable than indulging in pleasures of the flesh while improving your strength?

“As for this situation, I’d bet my competitors have teamed up with the Hehuan Sect to take the both of us out.

“Don’t forget, dear imperial son-in-law, you’re also on their hit list~”

Xu Ming rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “What kind of benefits could your competitors offer to convince an entire sect to act against us?”

Mo Zhuer’s lips curled into a playful smile, but she said nothing.

Xu Ming glanced at her, sensing she might be hiding something.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, my dear~” Mo Zhuer feigned embarrassment, waving her hand coyly.

“Right now, we’re surely surrounded by members of the Hehuan Sect. If you want to leave, there’s only one way.”

“What way?” Xu Ming asked.

Mo Zhuer stepped closer, her warm breath brushing against his face as she leaned in.

“By listening to me carefully and doing exactly as I say, of course~”