The news of the secret realm stirred a frenzy among the cultivators present, and even Ling Qingshu was no exception.
However, Ling Qingshu quickly returned to her usual calm state, which did not go unnoticed by Xu Yang, who observed her with satisfaction.
Being able to maintain composure despite the lure of a secret realm showed that Ling Qingshu had a promising path ahead in her Yuan Ying cultivation.
As for the secret realm mentioned by the Golden Core-stage cultivator, Xu Yang himself was not particularly interested.
After living for a hundred thousand years, wealth had long since lost its allure for Xu Yang. Even at the peak of the Tianlan Sect, the riches from countless secret realms would not have reached that level.
But considering the current state of the Tianlan Sect, Xu Yang thought it might be necessary to make a trip to this secret realm.
With his decision made, Xu Yang paid closer attention to what the Golden Core-stage cultivator was saying below.
"Two weeks from now, I ask everyone to wait at the pavilion ten miles north of Qi State City. At that time, I will lead you into the secret realm."
After saying this, the Golden Core-stage cultivator stepped out of the limelight.
Even the attendants who had been waiting at the door of each private box had withdrawn.
The entire floor had been cleared by the Lingbao Auction House, allowing the cultivators present to discuss the matter of the secret realm.
Casually picking up a cloud beast from the table, Xu Yang led Ling Qingshu out of the private box.
As they stepped out, they ran into the young master of the Fang family, who had just spent a considerable sum on a rather extraordinary magical blade.
Walking through the corridor, Fang Yan, the young master, was grinning from ear to ear, his spirit lifted as if he had taken a power-boosting pill.
As he moved down the corridor, he noticed a man and a woman coming his way, and the woman was quite attractive.
The man, coincidentally, was the very same person who had earlier claimed that a common spiritual herb was priceless.
Standing in front of Xu Yang, Fang Yan greeted him in a very familiar manner.
"Brother, we meet again. I'm in a great mood today. How about joining me at Drunken Dreams Tower for a drink?"
Hearing this, Ling Qingshu's brows furrowed.
Not only was Drunken Dreams Tower the largest entertainment venue in Qi State City, but with Xu Yang's status, how could he be addressed so casually by a spoiled young master?
Almost instinctively, Ling Qingshu released her Golden Core-stage aura, ready to draw her sword and teach this loose-tongued noble a lesson if he uttered one more careless word.
Unexpectedly, rather than being angered by Fang Yan's behavior, Xu Yang struck up a conversation with him.
"Well, since you're inviting me, I suppose I'll go along. But just so you know, I don't carry money on me."
"With me, Fang Yan, there's no need for you to pay."
For some reason, Fang Yan looked at Xu Yang with a feeling of instant kinship, finding him increasingly pleasant and likable.
One of Fang Yan's guards noticed the two chatting and approached Fang Yan quietly.
"Young master, we just purchased a magical weapon. Shouldn't we take it home first?" the guard whispered.
After a moment's thought, Fang Yan agreed. He handed a storage pouch to the guard.
"Take this weapon back to my father, then meet me at Drunken Dreams Tower."
With that, Fang Yan draped his arm around Xu Yang's shoulders, and the two walked down the stairs, leaving Ling Qingshu and the guard standing there in surprise.
The madam of Drunken Dreams Tower sensed something unusual today. Normally, it was a big deal for the eldest young master of the Fang family to bring friends to the establishment.
After all, Fang Yan was known as Qi State City's most notorious playboy, and whenever he visited, he spent lavishly, ensuring Drunken Dreams Tower profited handsomely.
But soon after Fang Yan arrived today, a woman also entered. This woman was even more beautiful than any of the girls at Drunken Dreams Tower.
The madam was certain that if she could train this girl, she could create a star courtesan whose fame might spread beyond Qi State, perhaps even throughout Tianwu County.
If that happened, clients from all over Tianwu would flock to Drunken Dreams Tower, and the madam would make a fortune. She sighed regretfully, thinking, "How could a woman this extraordinary not be one of my girls?"
But to her surprise, as soon as the woman entered, she approached the madam and firmly stated that only food and drinks could be sent to Fang Yan's room—nothing else.
Not only that, but if anything was delivered, it had to be by either a cook or a male servant, not a single girl. If a girl entered Fang Yan's room, this woman vowed to kill her on the spot.
The madam was taken aback, wondering if this woman had lost her mind. By denying Fang Yan his girls, the meager earnings from a meal were hardly worth it. This woman was disrupting her business, so the madam waved her hand, and two guards in the eighth level of Qi Refinement moved to escort the woman out.
However, the two skilled guards who usually handled any troublemakers didn't even get close before the woman effortlessly kicked them aside. It was like she'd come here to start a fight.
Alarmed, the madam signaled for a servant to fetch the Foundation Establishment elder who Drunken Dreams Tower had hired at great expense. The elder had been up late last night, entertaining two girls, and was likely still asleep.
When the elder finally arrived, the madam was certain that this woman would be dealt with properly.
Yet, she hesitated, realizing that a beautiful, powerful woman like this likely had a powerful background. Offending her could mean the end of Drunken Dreams Tower. The madam, who had spent her life in the establishment, knew just how vengeful women could be.
The Foundation Establishment elder stood across from the woman, his gaze locked onto her beautiful face.
If the servant hadn't warned him that she'd just taken down his two disciples with ease, he might have already made a move to impress her with his skills.
"Miss, why are you causing trouble at Drunken Dreams Tower?"
"Scram!" the woman snapped.
This woman was Ling Qingshu. She found the elder's lecherous gaze unbearable and dismissed him with a single word.
As soon as she spoke, a powerful aura erupted from Ling Qingshu, pressing down on the Foundation Establishment elder.
Under the weight of her aura, the elder collapsed onto the floor.
"Please, senior, spare me! You can do whatever you want here at Drunken Dreams Tower today!"
Golden Core-stage. She was Golden Core-stage. This young woman was actually Golden Core-stage!
Sweat the size of soybeans beaded on the elder's forehead as he sat on the ground, trembling.
Witnessing this, the madam's face turned pale.