Noire and company walked through the bustling roads of the city, all three of them were shooting curious gazes left and right, especially Noire who was new to human culture altogether.
Massive buildings, crowded streets, cheerful children, and roaring business.
"Ladies! You must be exhausted from your travels! Come experience a medical massage!"
"Our jewelry store will guarantee you any woman of any caliber!"
"Come check our new fashion shops!"
"We have new medicine pill recipes! These were hand scripted by a Grand Alchemy Master!"
Whilst the shopkeepers tried to allure passer-by flocks of people, Noire was dazzled by the creativity of the human race even in the lower planes.
Observing some people riding board-like objects that emitted subtle fluctuations in water and fire Qi to create hot steam which allowed them to hover overground.
These objects carried an automated loop process to circulate one's Qi into respective elements to carry the desired process.
"In the four seasons city, these gadgets are local specialties that rely on the distribution of elements," Ning'er explained, "The technology here surpassed almost everywhere in our Continent due to the support from ruling households. This is a rare occasion throughout the entire realm, I heard."
Ning'er explained with stars in her eyes, both she and Yue were glued to Noire as close as possible without showing extensive public display of affection. They would at least maintain public decency, so when Ning'er noticed a spot to shine, she attacked.
Yue, due to her backwater environment of growth, was as oblivious to these circumstances as Noire, which in a sense also made her feel closer to him.
"Make way! Make way!"
"Scram! Insolent fools!"
"Hm?" Noire was caught in a dialogue with Ning'er before he noticed the rucks down the street, turning his head out of curiosity, he saw a group of people with similar robes surrounding three individuals with an arrogant demeanor.
"Four Seasons Inner Court Disciples!"
"Idiot! Are you blind?! Those three at the center are core members! Especially Lady Feng!"
Although the robes of the walking disciples were matching in patterns, there are some subtle differences due to varying statuses.
The Lady Feng in question was one of the core members, according to leaked information, she's one of the adopted daughters in the Phoenix Household.
Some fortunate children with promising aptitude are adopted by the Phoenix Household regularly to enlist in the Four Seasons Sect, although rumors have it that even the Phoenix Household took part in growing the reputation of the Sect, the truth was that they didn't care.
For the matter of convenience, the Household adopts humans and sends them off under the name of their support simply for publicity.
Beasts and Monster races simply don't bother with human affairs, much less care about their propagandas.
Usually, the Phoenix Household wouldn't allow a human to carry the surname Feng. However, due to some filtered affinity between this human child and a baby Phoenix bird, the rules were slightly bent.
The reason everyone is eyeing her with awe is precisely due to the azure bird preaching on her left shoulder. One would rather offend an entire Household of Yu's caliber than the harm that small bird, that's the extent of the Phoenix Household's influence.
Noire couldn't help but muse at the situation before himself, seems that Dragons and Phoenixes are held in high regard even in a backwater place like this. He may have Dragon breath lingering around himself, but he wasn't worried about other monsters and beasts picking notice, much fewer humans.
However, a phoenix is a different matter, he could only hope that he doesn't meet any adult phoenix since the young one can't communicate, much less expose.
- - - -
To avoid exposure, Noire made excuses and suggest that they'd hurriedly look for an apartment, thus avoid the cramped streets and venture towards an opposite direction.
Sadly, the little bird had already spotted his peculiar aroma, and its eyes glued to Noire's frame as it faded into the distance.
The so-called Lady Feng noticed the phoenix's glance, but it couldn't have been fast enough to spot Noire and his two companions.
"Hm? Senior Sister Feng, something the matter?"
A handsome young male who had an identical robe to her asked with a warm smile. Just with a smile, the females of the crowd melted into an uproar, some even pulled their portable jade slips to take pictures.
Alas, that reaction was simply from those who didn't know his sinister personality.
Lady Feng simply ignored him, as if she had more important matters in her mind... Although he kept a smile, his heart was raging with insults.
'Worthless commoner, if it wasn't for that fucking bird, I'd have you beg for soup on daily basis.'
- - - -
Later the same day, Noire and company arrived at their newly rented apartment building. Due to Ning'er and her family's connections, finding a suitable apartment within a day's work wasn't impossible.
Noire still had his mind occupied by the fascinating ideas one can implement with elemental Qi, he knew his affinity to fire should be high, and because he can't use his real dragon body due to some complications, perhaps using human practice will allow him to compensate for the 'handicap'.
The apartment was luxurious with three separate bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen, and one large bathroom with a shower and bathtub.
The circuits were operating undercurrents of world energy.
Implications of elemental Qi were everywhere in the room, and the density of world energy was satisfactory. If used meticulously, Noire can reach the fifth or sixth stage in the Ether realm by the upcoming exam next month.
Noire finished a quick tour inside the room before returning to meet up with Yue and Ning'er, the former was already exhausted and went to take a shower, however, Ning'er had Noire dumbstruck by how bold and straightforward she was.
He expected her to make advancements, but not this fast!
"..."
Noire didn't know whether to feel lucky or cry, Ning'er stood about three steps away from him wearing alluring lingerie. Her ample peaks and curvaceous bare legs would seduce any sane man.
She had a faint blush on her round face, her knees visibly trembling, her breathing heavy and somewhat ragged as she avoided eye contact.
Noire composed himself, although they had little contact, they have gone through life and death experience, and he saved her life...
Not to mention he is interested in the feeling...
He simply isn't bold enough to straight-up as a woman to hand herself over...
Taking a deep breath, Noire gave her a firm look in the eyes as he genuinely asked.
"Are you willing to go through this?"