Chapter 61 Feigning Indifference

After organizing the proceeds from this auction, Li Ji'an finally took out the medicinal herbs for Liu Jingchun's longevity-extending pill.

Having prepared the herbs in exact proportions, he closed his eyes and calmly sorted through the information regarding the blood slaves of the Immortal-Bestowed Dynasty.

Seventy-six years had passed since he first stepped into the realm of immortality.

Seventy-six years ago, in the storm-swept desert, the guiding immortal had been piloting a flying boat when he was ambushed by four members of his own clan.

Li Ji'an had remembered every single word those four clansmen had spoken back then, etching it into his mind without missing a beat.

It was obvious that even then, he knew there were deeply divided opinions within this clan that kept blood slaves. Their factions were like fire and water, already at war to the death, yet none dared to openly defy the practice, as it was ultimately maintained for the eternal continuation of the clan.

Moreover, that guiding immortal had repeatedly referred to an "Ancestor" back then, and during the ambush on his kinsmen, he had several times cried out in awe at the treasures bestowed upon him by the Ancestor.

From this, it could be seen that the true mastermind behind the rearing of blood slaves was that very Ancestor.

Later on, Zhao Shuyao obtained information that narrowed the scope down to the five major families.

Following that, twenty years ago, Granny You accidentally revealed details about the internal strife within the Liu family over fifty years prior, which happened to coincide with the timing of the ambush in the storm-swept desert.

She had also inadvertently disclosed that a guest alchemist of the Liu family was skilled in refining Marrow-Washing Pills, which possessed the effect of cleansing marrow and altering bones specifically for body cultivators hailing from desolate places like the Immortal-Bestowed Dynasty.

This had basically pointed the finger directly at the array-master Liu family.

And this time, he had unexpectedly learned about Liu Jingchun's past.

Two hundred years ago, Liu had been the most promising Foundation Establishment cultivator in Cangyun Prefecture, possessing top-tier talent and disposition, backed by the heritage of his clan. Under normal circumstances, even if he failed to achieve the True Dan realm, he should have at least secured a Pseudo-Dan realm as a fallback.

Yet his current situation was clearly far from satisfactory.

Coupled with the fact that the Immortal-Bestowed Dynasty's first immortal envoy descended two hundred years ago, it precisely matched the time Liu suddenly vanished from the public eye.

At that time, the Liu family's Pseudo-Dan ancestor had almost reached the absolute limit of the Pseudo-Dan stage, with no possibility of advancing further on the Dao path, and his remaining two hundred odd years of lifespan could be counted at a glance.

Having lived through six lifetimes, especially with his first life spent on Earth, Li Ji'an had read plenty of film, television, and literary works. Combined with his personal experiences across his subsequent five lifetimes in this world, he knew there was nothing truly new under the sun. As long as people were bound by the seven emotions and six desires, many things shared common underlying principles. Therefore, after synthesizing all the fragmented pieces of information, a vague causal connection had formed in his mind.

However, given his current strength and his ultimate goal of achieving eternal longevity in the immortal path, he had never actively investigated the matter. He merely passively gathered information as time passed, leaving the details too fragmented to determine exact cause and effect.

Even so, this did not prevent him, acting as an outsider, from gratifying Liu Jingchun—a fellow insider who, in all likelihood, also held a grudge against the true culprit.

Still, that was all it was. He still had no intention of jumping into the fray when his strength was insufficient.

This was merely a casual chess move, pushed along with the current.

After re-sorting his thoughts, Li Ji'an pacified his mind, banishing the slight negative emotions stirred up by the blood slave affair from the depths of his heart.

As night fell, Duanmu Qin's voice came from outside the door, calling for him.

Li Ji'an was not the least bit surprised.

Ever since the two of them had bared their hearts to each other last month, Duanmu Qin had frequently come over to visit.

Aside from occasional massages and manipulations, she would also pour out her heart, chat idly, and exchange experiences on cultivation.

Li Ji'an understood that her purpose was still to deepen their mutual understanding, foster greater trust between them, and pave the way for the opportunity she had mentioned.

"I wonder how many female cultivators were infatuated today by Daoist Li's grand display of splashing wealth like dirt," Duanmu Qin teased the moment she stepped through the door.

"Is Fairy Qin here to poke fun at me too? I am entirely on my own, with no clan or faction to support. Keeping spiritual stones yields no benefit to my cultivation, so it is better to convert them into practical resources," Li Ji'an replied with a well-prepared excuse.

Duanmu Qin nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Daoist Li is truly free and easy—self-sufficient, content, and backed by an exquisite craft. Besides, in this Cangyun Prefecture, what good are more spiritual stones? They cannot buy the resources needed to form a Dan."

"She who knows me is Fairy Qin," Li Ji'an laughed heartily, inviting Duanmu Qin into his bedroom.

"Daoist Li, taste this today." As soon as they entered the bedroom, Duanmu Qin waved her slender, delicate hand, causing a jade table to materialize, laden with various spiritual delicacies.

"When I returned from the Spring Full Tower, I specifically had a spiritual chef prepare a tableful. I wonder if it suits Daoist Li's palate."

"This pot of 'Chasing Spring Drunkenness' is a treasured collection of mine over many years. I must ask Daoist Li to savor it today."

Seeing that both wine and dishes were fully prepared, Li Ji'an smiled wryly. "Fairy Qin came fully prepared, it seems?"

Duanmu Qin covered her mouth with a light chuckle, grasped the wine pot, and filled a cup for Li Ji'an.

Then, holding the small wine cup in one hand, she swayed her waist and walked up to Li Ji'an. Lightly lifting a slender, jade-white leg, she gracefully turned and seated herself right on Li Ji'an's lap, while looping one arm around the back of his neck.

"Daoist Li, please drain this cup."

As she brought the wine cup to his lips, Duanmu Qin's red lips also approached.

Nothing separated the two of them except the tiny wine cup.

Li Ji'an's divine sense had already swept over all the ingredients and the spiritual wine that Duanmu Qin had laid out, finding no anomalies whatsoever.

A rich, sweet fragrance of spiritual wine mixed with the subtle, lingering scent of orchids exhaled by Duanmu Qin possessed a quite distinctive and captivating charm.

Li Ji-an smiled faintly, opened his mouth to touch the rim of the cup, and took a small sip of the spiritual wine within.

At the same time, Duanmu Qin parted her full, ripe lips slightly, gently sipping the spiritual wine as well.

A smile flickered in Li Ji'an's eyes, though he had grown somewhat accustomed to this.

Ever since their frank exchange a month ago, this woman had engaged in numerous seductive maneuvers during this period.

Even during several normal therapeutic massages, she had incorporated some special techniques.

Li Ji'an mused that even with the temperament forged across his six lifetimes, he felt somewhat unable to withstand it.

That illusory touch, the push-and-pull of seeming reluctance yet welcoming embrace, appearing utterly solemn yet possessing the ultimate allure—it truly set one's blood boiling.

However, he understood that Duanmu Qin wanted him to speak first, using that as an opening to negotiate the terms of their cooperation.

Whether it was a breakthrough in their relationship or their yearning for the fortuitous opportunity, whoever showed eagerness first would be considered the loser.

Lips met, and the wine in the cup was drained.

Without a shred of lingering attachment, Li Ji'an slightly raised his head and pulled away from the wine cup.

Duanmu Qin's pair of peach-blossom eyes rippled with autumn waves, yet she returned empty-handed and disappointed.

"Daoist Li truly has remarkable self-control! Qin'er concedes defeat." Duanmu Qin mused for a moment, then gave a free and easy smile.

"Oh? What does Fairy Qin mean by that?" Li Ji'an feigned ignorance.

Duanmu Qin shot him another resentful glare. "Hmph, Daoist Li knew full well of Qin'er's ill intentions, yet you still put on such a facade of prudish restraint."

"Hahahaha! Can Fairy Qin allow me to behold your true appearance today?" Seeing her lay her cards on the table, Li Ji'an stopped toying with her and reached out to wrap his arms around her waist.

After years of getting along, backed by the safety of the immortal city, bound by her ties to the Spring Wind Tower, and especially after two years of contact, Li Ji'an held a rather favorable view of Duanmu Qin.

For a rogue cultivator to successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, settle down and thrive in the immortal city, she clearly possessed independent capability.

Secondly, the fact that she could take in orphans and provide them with a livelihood was all the more commendable in such an immortal cultivation world.

In the mortal realm, some brothels might take in orphans to train them as courtesans, but in the realm of cultivation, that was utterly impossible.

For one, brothels in the cultivation world were not merely for physical pleasure; they relied on dual-cultivation secret arts, and those orphans held no advantage in that regard.

Furthermore, female cultivators in the brothels of the cultivation world were never forced; they were entirely voluntary and sought to enhance their cultivation through that path.

Most importantly, Duanmu Qin's desire to seek the Dao was similar to Li Ji'an's. Although she was a rogue cultivator in Cangyun Prefecture, she had never abandoned the hope of advancing further on her Dao path.

Of course, her enchanting figure and discerning, intelligent mind truly matched Li Ji'an's aesthetic preferences.

"Daoist Li, Qin'er believes you are a man who values emotional bonds. However, Qin'er stated clearly before: unless my path on the Dao is completely cut off, I will never bear descendants. Yet, if I cannot merge as one with you, I lack the confidence to fully share the fortuitous opportunity. I wonder if Daoist Li can accommodate Qin'er's wishes?" Duanmu Qin hooked her arms around Li Ji'an's neck, her breath like orchid perfume, speaking with a candor that deeply moved Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an gently stroked her water-like waist and nodded resolutely. "Rest assured, Fairy Qin, I intend to do the same."

"However, since Fairy Qin is being so open, I must also make it clear: if the danger level of that opportunity exceeds my expectations, I will have no choice but to regretfully abandon it. When that time comes, I ask that Fairy Qin not make things difficult for me."

"Hehe~ If my Lord can speak such words, Qin'er feels all the more at ease." Duanmu Qin smiled gently, twisted her waist slightly, and easily slipped out of Li Ji'an's embrace.

Then, spinning around, she arrived about ten feet in front of Li Ji'an. Her thin gauze robes fluttered, and accompanied by a serene and lingering melody, she began to dance gracefully.

Amidst this enchanting dance, the veil covering her face slowly slid down.

Finally, after nine years of acquaintance, Li Ji'an beheld Duanmu Qin's true appearance for the very first time.

It was also the first time in the fifty years since Duanmu Qin came to this immortal city that she had ever revealed her true face to anyone else.