Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 36 - 34: Tao Qian’s Concubine, Miss Xiao Qing

"One thought to Infant, and I can escape for hundreds of miles."

In the quiet room, Tao Qian felt the Exotic Skill he had newly acquired.

Although it was called a minor skill in the Record, that was clearly in comparison to the Great Book, "Infant Scripture."

To Tao Qian, who was still at the bottom of the Cultivation World, and had in his possession low-grade Evil Techniques like the "Earth Element Manual" and the "Meat Demon Possession Technique," this "Small Innate Nascent Soul Escape Technique," which was considered a heresy, was of decent grade and efficacy, perfect for someone like him who needed an Escape Skill.

"Now that I possess the Power of the Bo Dragon Bloodline, the Secret Demon Sacrifice Body Sword Technique, and this Small Innate Nascent Soul Escape Technique."

"The first two will allow me to maintain my combat power, while the latter will keep my life safe."

"The only problem is that, to use the Nascent Soul Escaping Skill continuously without hindrance, Nascent Soul Source Energy is needed, which is something only cultivators who have practiced the 'Infant Scripture' Great Book possess."

"Although the Bo Dragon Source Qi within me can also drive the Nascent Soul Escaping Skill, the effect will be greatly reduced. And that's because I've already exempted the associated price."

"If it were someone else, forcibly driving Divine Skills with Alien Species Source Qi would certainly lead to backlash, loss of control, or mutation, which is highly likely to happen."

"On the other hand, that Secret Demon Sacrifice Body technique, since it draws from consumptive Sword Techniques, does not have such great restrictions."

"Compared in this way, the Nascent Soul Escaping Skill seems less valuable than the Earth Element Manual."

"In fact it's not, using the Earth Element Manual also requires Source Qi, but the difference is the Source Qi needed for the manual comes through the 'Swallowing Earth Beetles' method. Once practiced, one must eat daily, monthly, yearly; no matter how well one practices, they can only escape through the earth for some tens of miles at most."

"But the Nascent Soul Escaping Skill is different, even if I use the Bo Dragon Source Qi to drive it, I can still escape through the earth for tens of miles; it just won't be as smoothly and satisfactorily."

"Moreover, the blood of a Nascent Soul cultivator contains three strands of Nascent Soul Source Energy, and if I were to release that in one breath, I could instantly escape for three hundred miles, truly as carefree as an Immortal among men."

Tao Qian's mind was swirling with these numerous thoughts.

However, soon he remembered there was still important business to attend to.

The true purpose of Tao Qian's journey, apart from treasure seeking, was to attempt to gain access to some Great Lifebound Scriptures.

He had long understood a great rule of the Cultivation World: without the Great Book for a single day, one is always an ant.

Before, he was somewhat ignorant, but now with more magic skills and Secret Techniques, Tao Qian became more and more clear on the importance of a Lifebound Scripture.

Where in Tengshe Square could there be a Great Book?

Naturally, it would be those shops with a Great Cultivator standing behind them.

Even though those shops couldn't possibly have something on the level of "Infant Scripture" or the "Great Reincarnation Scripture."

But some widely spread, thick manuals that could allow cultivators to break through to the Qi Refining Realm or Foundation Establishment Realm, those shops did have them.

Of course, the selling price was terrifyingly high.

Before extorting the Old Fox, Tao Qian had not stepped into them, not because he didn't want to, but truthfully because he was financially embarrassed.

Now having obtained thousands of Joyful Money, along with some Deceitful Objects and Exotic Treasures he carried, Tao Qian barely had some confidence.

"It's time to increase my knowledge."

Tao Qian, a Cultivator at the bottom of the Cultivation world, stood up, patted the Joyful Gold Banknotes in his bosom, and said so.

Before long, his figure appeared in front of a pavilion built from strange jade, Deceit Wood, Exotic Stones, and many other extraordinary materials.

The entire building emitted an abnormal aura, seeming to lower guards, cease hostilities, and awaken a strong desire for knowledge in anyone, making them want to go inside and explore.

Above the entrance hung a sign with four large characters:

Joyful Treasure Pavilion!

Seeing this sign, Tao Qian's face showed clear recognition.

In his mind, he recalled the Banquet Buildings he passed when moving up the mountain, filled with prostitution, gambling, drugs, along with eating, drinking, and merry-making, and couldn't help but inwardly criticize:

"Who would have thought that one of the top manipulative powers within the Southern Yue Province, adept in the business of entertainment venues, would be a Great Sect."

"Since they monopolize all sorts of underhanded businesses, then opening a Joyful Treasure Pavilion specifically to sell Exotic Treasures, Deceitful Objects, Cultivation Manuals, and attract high-end clients from the market is also a very logical move."

"Trying to scoop up all benefits, and succeeding at that too, no wonder they have grown to such extent."

Tao Qian muttered to himself, yet his body very honestly stepped into the pavilion.

As soon as he entered, Tao Qian hadn't yet made out the interior layout.

But his gaze was immediately drawn to a large number of graceful figures.

Behind a purple-red counter not far away stood more than a dozen transcendent male and female cultivators, as well as Alien Species Demons.

Each of their bodies could only be described as stunning.

Tao Qian had encountered a "Desire Slave" at the Desire Pavilion who made people's desires rise, but that Desire Slave was a soul transformed from the dead; it was refined from the "Original Desire Five Immoral Banner."

After all, that was merely an illusion and couldn't be taken as real.

But those in front of him, they were as real as they come.

There was a female sword cultivator in a bright red robe, resembling a rebellious heroine from worldly society, a boisterous Alcohol Sword Immortal loudly reciting poems while drinking, a fluffy young Half-demon with a jade-like face, and a voluptuous female ghost in bridal attire... In short, they were incredibly real and each had characteristics beyond ordinary people.

Tao Qian even thought, if they were to appear in a TV drama from his previous life.

Then each one of them would undoubtedly be the protagonist.

Mere mortals, faced with them, would have to feel endless admiration.

And for a cultivator like Tao Qian, seeing them, he too couldn't help but feel a bit of affection.

He even wished to walk arm in arm with them, discussing life and the universe.

Tao Qian hesitated for half a second, but soon grasped the norms of this place.

Without a doubt, these enchanting beings were... receptionists?

Tao Qian's thought was quickly confirmed.

Upon seeing Tao Qian enter the pavilion, the dozen or so attendants' eyes lit up, but no quarreling ensued.

Instead, the one at the forefront, a woman clad in green attire reminiscent of a classical lady, approached him.

Slim and frail, her skin pale as though devoid of any blood, a single dab of red adorned her forehead. She seemed as delicate as a willow in the breeze, her slender eyebrows slightly furrowed, involuntarily evoking feelings of tenderness.

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As she drew closer, she spoke in a soft, Wu dialect-like voice,

"Welcome, honored guest, to our Joyful Treasure Pavilion. I shall be at your service during your visit."

"You may call me Xiao Qing. Whatever your needs may be, I shall endeavor to fulfill them."

"Please, follow me!"

As she spoke, this Miss Xiao Qing drew nearer, but not overly so, unlike the Desire Slaves outside the Desire Pavilion.

She was like a frail, charming maiden from an official's household, standing prettily next to Tao Qian, accompanied by a soft voice and an intoxicatingly fresh fragrance.

Tao Qian let out a soft sigh, then followed Miss Xiao Qing.

Although Tao Qian saw through the Joyful Treasure Pavilion's scheme, he indeed found the company of this young lady quite pleasant.

Tao Qian guessed that if he wished, he could request a different attendant.

For instance, the gentle woman with ample bosom and long legs, black hair cascading over her shoulders, and a robust figure standing eight feet tall.

Yet, oddly enough, Tao Qian had no desire to do so.

"This is an art, a profound knowledge indeed, the inhabitants of Joyful Tower are simply geniuses."

"One suspects that if some deviant, mutated Great Cultivators were to arrive, this tower would also have receptionists capable of making them take a liking to them without realizing it."

"Joyous indeed, the name truly fits the style of this organization."

While Tao Qian mused, he followed Xiao Qing into a small yet classically decorated and fresh-looking private room.

Throughout the process, Tao Qian noted many such rooms within the tower.

Quite a few already had guests.

Once inside, the seemingly fragile Miss Xiao Qing adeptly prepared tea, a variety of snacks, and rare fruits for Tao Qian.

Afterward, she inquired with a voice that could soften bones, "Honored guest, what are you looking to purchase? Be it Cultivation Manuals, Exotic Treasures, or other rare and odd items, please do tell, and our Joyful Treasure Pavilion will do our utmost to satisfy your needs."

Here was the highlight.

Tao Qian had initially thought that Joyful Treasure Pavilion facilitated a free-form shopping experience, only to discover it was more of a club-style one.

To avoid showing weakness, Tao Qian did not even offer a smile to Miss Xiao Qing.

Rather, maintaining his aloof demeanor, he considered his fabricated story, ensuring there were no logical flaws.

Only after making sure did Tao Qian speak in a stiff tone,

"This young master has recently taken a human female as a concubine. Before she met me, she practiced only two or three inconsequential skills and couldn't even break through the Energy-Introducing Realm."

"Now, I need a comprehensive manual for her. She cannot practice my family's Dragon Technique, and the several human Magic Skills in our collection are too profound for her."

"Just as this young master is venturing out for the first time to train, I have conveniently come to your human town's territory to procure one or two volumes."

"Such great volumes, your Joyful Treasure Pavilion wouldn't lack them, right?"

As Tao Qian finished speaking, Miss Xiao Qing nodded immediately.

Without even pausing to think, she naturally replied,

"Rest assured, honored guest, your request is not difficult."

"You seek a Lifebound Scripture for your concubine, correct? Ordinarily, a cultivator would practice only one Lifebound Scripture in a lifetime; such a decision requires great care."

"If your concubine does not wish to abandon the Exotic Skills she has learned, nor the Source Qi she has already accumulated..."

"Then you must inform me of all this information, Xiao Qing, to aid in selecting the optimal great volume for your concubine's cultivation."

"As I am sure you know, all acts of cultivation come with a price."

"Even when one is a blank slate, one must carefully choose their Lifebound Scripture. Forcing one's way through with a mismatched match will carry horrific consequences akin to seeking death."

"We will select the most suitable great volume for her based on the related Exotic Skills she has practiced, the existing Source Qi within her, among other details."

"And rest assured, this all remains within the Joyful Tower's strictest confidence without worry of leaks."

"Of course, if you had brought along your concubine's blood or the lady herself, it would have been even more convenient."

After pouring out such professional words like a frail young lady from an official's family, Xiao Qing then extended a slender finger, offering a Dark Green Jade Token for Tao Qian to imprint the information.

It must be said!

This exchange vividly communicated the professionalism of Joyful Treasure Pavilion.

And it indeed stirred in Tao Qian the impulse to bring his "concubine" along, until he realized, be it in his past life or current, he had always been single from birth, without even a consort, so where would a concubine come from?

ps: Fat Fish's chapters are always ample, over three thousand words; how come they say I'm brief and falsely accuse me? I cry injustice, compensate with a monthly ticket.