The biggest difference between the Fragrance Pavilion now and a few months ago was that the beauties inside had been replaced with a new batch.

Several of the top courtesans were missing, either redeemed by some cultivator or having met an untimely end. The musicians and dancers remained largely the same, with little change. Only the young, inexperienced courtesans were all unfamiliar faces.

“Perfected Master, which floor would you like?” The Manager was still Hongzhu, her eyes brimming with springtime charm and a warm smile.

Jiang Chen tossed two Low-grade Spirit Stones into her bosom and said calmly, “The second floor.”

Nowadays, he was just one among the many Loose Cultivators in Green City.

Going to the third floor would easily draw attention. After all, that floor was preferred by sect disciples.

But the first floor was simply too crowded. People were packed shoulder to shoulder.

Therefore, the relatively less crowded second floor was undoubtedly the best choice for enjoying drinks and company without sticking out. The beauties on this floor were merely inferior in looks compared to those on the third floor, but there were no issues in other aspects.

“Right away, Perfected Master, please proceed to the second floor!” Hongzhu pocketed the Spirit Stones and then winked at several beauties nearby.

Only for guests going to the third floor would she, as the Manager, personally lead the way. The second and first floors did not require this courtesy.

Of course, if you could produce a Mid-grade Spirit Stone, that would be a different matter entirely.

“Perfected Master, let’s go up!” Soon, several chattering beauties surrounded Jiang Chen. The group ascended to the second floor step by step and found a seat near the railing.

Even a few quite handsome male courtesans appeared, all strong and muscular with eight-pack abs.

Jiang Chen’s gaze swept over them, and he then chose a girl called “Little Taohong.” She was young and petite. Her face was flushed red, carrying a hint of intoxication.

Of course, Jiang Chen knew well in his heart that these people weren’t really drunk.

At first glance, they seemed sweet, soft, and full of affection. But in reality, this was all a trained performance. If they didn’t act this way, how could they make you willingly spend money on them?

Did you really think that coming to the Fragrance Pavilion only required three Low-grade Spirit Stones for a night of enjoyment?

As Green City’s famous money-sinking den, this was merely the fee to get upstairs!

“Perfected Master, please have a drink!” Before long, Little Taohong, now changed into a pink sheer dress, placed wine on the table. With her delicate white hands, she personally poured a cup and then held it, slowly bringing it to the guest’s lips.

Jiang Chen took a small sip and found that the Fragrance Pavilion’s wine was indeed better, at least a tier above those found in the Loose Cultivator marketplaces.

But it wasn’t sweet; instead, it was extremely pungent.

One sip set a burning trail from the mouth and throat all the way to the abdomen. With this potency, most people wouldn’t exceed five liang before getting drunk.

What happened afterward… those who understood, knew.

One could say the Fragrance Pavilion might as well have put the words “Pay up fast” right out in the open.

Jiang Chen looked over and saw several individuals dressed somewhat decently but behaving extremely crudely.

“Sister Hong, I’ve brought my brothers here again today to have some fun.” The leader was a man with a pockmarked face, quite ugly in appearance, yet his spending was exceptionally generous as he directly pulled out a large Mid-grade Spirit Stone.

Hongzhu’s eyes lit up, and she immediately went forward to greet him with several beauties in tow.

“That bastard is really lucky; he actually discovered a cultivator’s cave dwelling in the Dark Forest!” “Wasn’t it in the area where that Earth Dragon appeared?”

Han Mazi’s appearance drew many envious glances. With just a few words, Jiang Chen understood what was going on.

It turned out Han Mazi was a member of some monster-hunting team in Green City. When everyone’s attention was focused on that Earth Dragon, Han Mazi had incredibly good luck and accidentally entered some cultivator’s cave dwelling.

Thus, this guy suddenly struck it rich. Now he spent every day enjoying himself and reveling every night, no longer needing to join monster-hunting teams and risk his life.

Consequently, he attracted much jealousy and envy from many peers.

Jiang Chen didn’t pay this any mind and soon withdrew his gaze.

Just then, a conversation between a man and a woman drifted down from the third floor above him.

The man said, “The owner of that cave dwelling has been confirmed to be Huang Yuanhua of three hundred years ago, possessing a Human-Grade Golden Core. Half of it remains unexplored now. Especially that Earth-Rank Escape Art—the [Earth Escape Technique]—hasn’t been found yet.”

The woman replied, “Although I don’t have an Earth Spirit Root, if we find it, we can sell it for at least 5,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones!”

The conversation between this man and woman seemed quiet on the surface. In reality, those nearby heard it clearly.

Everyone who could afford to spend at the Fragrance Pavilion was a cultivator without exception; each had sharp senses. Therefore, many people’s expressions changed after hearing this.

Why could this Loose Cultivator named Han Mazi get rich while they couldn’t?

What if they found that so-called [Earth Escape Technique] mentioned by these two? They could stay at the Fragrance Pavilion every day!

“Something’s off.” Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

Han Mazi had just appeared and was spending lavishly, drawing attention. Immediately afterward, this man and woman on the third floor began “inadvertently” leaking such significant news.

Although not many heard it directly… anyone who could get to the second or third floor wasn’t simple.

Moreover… those who heard weren’t just cultivators.

Jiang Chen glanced at Little Taohong beside him, who seemed slumped in her seat. At this moment, her attention was no longer on her guest; her eyes kept stealing glances toward the third floor.

Clearly… this news would soon leak out.

But Jiang Chen felt it was all too coincidental. Probably… that shameless pair upstairs, along with Han Mazi who was throwing money around downstairs earlier… these three were putting on an act.

Their goal was likely to lure a group of people into exploring that so-called [Cave Dwelling of Huang Yuanhua].

Either it was a trap, or they wanted these fools to act as cannon fodder.

Therefore, far from being tempted, Jiang Chen stopped paying attention to this matter entirely.

No matter what, he would never venture deep into the Dark Forest. What were cave dwellings, secret realms, or treasures compared to his own life?

Sure enough, over the following period, many people left the Fragrance Pavilion one after another. As for where they went… only they themselves knew.

Time flew by, arriving at the morning of the next day.

Jiang Chen removed his disguise, changing back into his white sect disciple robes.

After leaving the inn, he walked step by step toward the flying ferry dock. Upon arrival, he saw several people disembarking above him.

“I wonder if Third Brother is telling the truth?” “If it really is a Golden Core Perfected Master’s cave dwelling… we’ll definitely strike it rich!” “We must hurry; we’re not the only ones going there!”

These individuals were clearly cultivators at a glance.

One among them wore white robes exclusive to the formal disciples of the Cloud Sea Sect. Moreover, embroidered on his chest was an inverted golden sword—clearly a Metal Spirit Root disciple.

When passing Jiang Chen shoulder-to-shoulder, the other party specifically nodded slightly—though they weren’t acquainted—still offering a greeting gesture.

After all, outside the sect, people from the same clan counted as “one of us.”

Jiang Chen watched their hurried departing backs with a rather shocked expression. “Even sect disciples are stirred up? What exactly are that shameless pair trying to do?”