The next day.

Reed Flower City.

Unlike an ordinary city, Reed Flower City was more like a bustling, sleepless market for immortals. Mortals were few and far between, while the streets teemed with cultivators.

Golden Core cultivators were a common sight here, and even Nascent Soul and Soul Formation experts were not unheard of.

With hundreds of thousands of cultivators gathered in one place, the daily volume of transactions reached astronomical figures. The tax revenue alone allowed the Exquisite Sanctuary to rake in profits that would make other sects drool.

Backed by a top-tier powerhouse like the Exquisite Sanctuary, Reed Flower City had long since developed into one of the most prosperous metropolises in this realm.

To maintain safety and order, a Void Refinement elder from the Exquisite Sanctuary was permanently stationed here. Few dared to cause trouble on these streets.

“Those over there are sword cultivators from the Abyssal Depths Sanctuary,” Lu Changfeng whispered, expertly leading the way through the crowded streets while pointing out various groups.

“And that group that just passed? Disciples of the Eternal Sanctuary. I didn’t expect them to arrive so early.”

“You see that alluringly coquettish beauty across the way? Definitely from the Joyous Union Sect.”

To stay close to his goddess, Lu Changfeng spent most of his time—when not cultivating—loitering in Reed Flower City. He knew its streets and alleys like the back of his hand, making him the perfect guide.

“The Joyous Union Sect?” Qi Yuan’s curiosity piqued. “Isn’t this Exquisite Sanctuary territory? How would those high-nosed, arrogant women allow a sect like the Joyous Union to operate openly here?”

Sensing an opportunity to flex his knowledge, Lu Changfeng perked up immediately.

“Holy Scion Junior Brother, you’ve been in closed-door cultivation for so long, you might not be up to date on the Joyous Union Sect’s… situation.”

“The original Joyous Union Sect advocated using desire to enter the Dao and complementing yin with yang. While not exactly a ‘proper’ orthodox sect, they weren’t considered demonic heretics either.”

“However, over a hundred years ago, a Great Ascension Ancestor from the Exquisite Sanctuary took issue with their promiscuous culture. She personally paid them a visit and… thoroughly ‘reformed’ them.”

“Back then, the highest-ranking Elder in the Joyous Union Sect was only at the Dao Integration stage. How could they possibly resist a Great Ascension powerhouse? They surrendered instantly and obediently accepted the restructuring.”

Lu Changfeng cleared his throat, sounding like a historian recounting a great war.

“The reformed Joyous Union Sect now stipulates that disciples can only have one Dao Companion at a time. Betraying one’s Dao Companion to dual cultivate with another is punishable by severe sect discipline.”

“Because of this, the Joyous Union Sect has become a subordinate force of the Exquisite Sanctuary. Naturally, they can operate openly within Reed Flower City.”

Lu Changfeng gave a mysterious, knowing smile. “Not only can they operate freely, but they’ve also established a branch here, specifically catering to visiting cultivators.”

Well, well. Has the Joyous Union Sect really gone legit?

Qi Yuan nodded with a strange expression.

Lu Changfeng’s explanation completely overturned his stereotypical impression of the sect. He never expected the notoriously libertine Joyous Union Sect to have been forced into… monogamy.

“You’re overthinking it, Junior Brother,” Lu Changfeng chuckled, shaking his head. “As the saying goes, a dog can’t stop eating sh—I mean, old habits die hard.”

“Those disciples certainly didn’t repent overnight and transform into chaste saints. Since the new rules state you can only have one Dao Companion at a time… they just break up immediately after dual cultivation!”

“They call it a ‘Temporary Dao Companion.’ Afterward, both parties voluntarily part ways peacefully and find new partners. The Exquisite Sanctuary can’t really control that…”

Temporary Dao Companion?

Damn, they truly live up to the Joyous Union name. The reform didn’t stop them; it just made them get creative with the loopholes.

Qi Yuan felt his horizons broadening.

It seems my thinking is still too narrow. I really need to get out and experience the world more.

He glanced at Lu Changfeng with suspicion.

“Senior Brother, aren’t you utterly devoted to the Exquisite Holy Maiden? Why are you so knowledgeable about the Joyous Union Sect’s inner workings? Don’t tell me you’ve been someone’s ‘Temporary Dao Companion’?”

“Ahem!”

Lu Changfeng’s face flushed beet red.

“Junior Brother Qi, you can’t just slander my innocence like that! Aside from Fairy Xiao and my own mother, I’ve never looked properly at any other woman!”

“The reason I know all this is because Piao Genshuo, the Holy Scion of the Celestial Zenith Sanctuary, told me! He’s a regular at the Joyous Union Tea House. If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself later…”

As they spoke, the two arrived in front of an extravagantly decorated multi-story building. The plaque above the entrance bore four large characters: [Joyous Union Tea House].

Though it was called a tea house, several alluringly dressed female cultivators stood at the entrance, soliciting business with sugary voices.

“Honored guests, please come in! The Joyous Union Tea House is celebrating its tenth anniversary! Our fairies are stunningly beautiful and possess first-rate ‘tea-brewing’ skills. We guarantee your satisfaction!”

The dresses these cultivators wore were actually quite conservative, covering everything that needed to be covered. Yet, the fabric hugged their curves so perfectly that it created an incredibly seductive allure, snagging the gaze of every passing male.

Under their soft coaxing, many male cultivators wandered inside in a daze. When they emerged later, their steps were unsteady and silly grins were plastered on their faces, as if they were still savoring a sweet dream.

Is this really a proper tea house?

Witnessing this spectacle, Qi Yuan’s eyelid twitched.

The meeting spot Piao Genshuo chose seems a bit… too on-brand for him.

But then again, this was Exquisite Sanctuary territory. Surely they wouldn’t dare to be too brazen, right?

With that thought, he pulled Lu Changfeng and walked straight inside.

The moment they entered, a wave of heavy perfume assaulted their noses, completely drowning out any faint aroma of tea.

Immediately, a middle-aged beauty dressed to the nines swayed her hips as she approached, her face beaming with enthusiastic hospitality.

“You two young masters look unfamiliar. If you don’t have any regular girls in mind, this humble one can make some recommendations…”

Seeing Qi Yuan’s luxurious attire and extraordinary bearing, she deduced he was a big spender and made a point of pressing close.

I freaking knew it!

Qi Yuan shook his head, a dark line forming on his forehead. He asked in a deep voice, “No need. Where is Piao Genshuo right now?”

“Young Master is looking for Master Piao?”

Hearing the name, the woman paused, then quickly recovered. “He’s currently in a private room on the third floor. I’m afraid it might be inconvenient for him to come down. Why don’t you two wait here? I’ll send someone to inform him.”

She shot Qi Yuan a highly charged glance and called out sweetly into the hall.

“Girls! Come quickly and attend to our two honored guests with some tea!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, a swarm of young ladies turned their heads, their eyes lighting up like wolves spotting fresh meat.

A handsome, dashing, and wealthy young master like Qi Yuan wasn’t easy to come by.

Seeing Lu Changfeng looking ready to bolt, Qi Yuan quickly waved his hand.

“No need for service. Just find us a quiet table and brew a pot of your most expensive spirit tea. Put it on Piao Genshuo’s tab!”

“Right away! This way, please.”

Under the disappointed gazes of the young ladies, Qi Yuan and Lu Changfeng were led to a window-side table on the first floor.

Not long after they sat down, a male cultivator dressed in a waiter’s uniform sidled up to them furtively. He pulled an object resembling a Recording Talisman from his robe and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Honored guests, this humble one has… exclusive private recordings of the Exquisite Holy Maiden. Very artistic. High production value. Would you be interested?”

Huh?

Qi Yuan was genuinely shocked.

This guy’s got some nerve! He dares to sell deepfakes openly in the Holy Maiden’s own territory?

Before he could respond, Lu Changfeng looked as if he had been struck by lightning. After the initial shock, he flew into a rage.

He grabbed the waiter by the collar, his eyes bulging.

“You’re talking nonsense! How could Fairy Xiao possibly film that sort of scene?!”

“Don’t you have any morals?! Don’t you have any respect for the law?! And… don’t you have any more stock?!”

“Just tell me straight—how many spirit stones? I’ll take them all!”

Qi Yuan: “…….”