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After learning a few combat techniques from Yao Lao, Lu Xian didn't try to absorb too much at once. These techniques were only useful for the early stages, giving him a few more ways to fight, but they were nothing compared to the divine arts and mystical techniques of Beidou.
Since there was still some time before nightfall, the three of them weren't in a hurry to set off. Instead, led by Xiao Yan, they headed to the Xiao Clan's market in Wutan City, casually strolling through the stalls on both sides of the street to broaden their horizons.
The sheer variety of medicinal herbs and magic cores on display was dazzling.
Wutan City, being close to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, was a frequent stop for mercenaries. Thanks to the power of the three major clans maintaining order, many transactions took place in the market, exchanging the spoils of hunting in the mountains. As a result, the markets were always bustling with people coming and going.
On both sides of the street, many aged medicinal herbs were being sold. These herbs contained potent life energy, which was beneficial for cultivating secret techniques and opening the Bitter Sea.
"This Dou Qi Continent is truly thriving. I'm honestly a little envious. Getting your hands on cultivation resources here is way too easy."
Ye Fan scanned the herbs one by one, sighing softly. In Beidou's mortal territories like Yandu, resources were nowhere near as abundant as here, let alone openly displayed like street goods for sale.
In Beidou, cultivation resources were almost entirely monopolized by the immortal sects.
Mortals were mortals, immortals were immortals. The two might interact, but the boundaries were clear-cut.
Unlike the Dou Qi Continent, where everyone cultivated Dou Qi, making lower-quality cultivation resources relatively easy to obtain. In just this one Xiao Clan market, they had already spotted numerous hundred- and even thousand-year-old herbs.
"For an ordinary cultivator just starting out, the Dou Qi Continent is indeed a better place to grow," Lu Xian nodded in agreement. "But when you reach the Northern Region, you'll realize that's where the real treasures are."
"Oh? How so?" Ye Fan was intrigued.
"The Northern Region is filled with endless Source—" Lu Xian chuckled but stopped himself from saying more. There were too many people around for such discussions.
Endless Source?
Just that one phrase was enough to set Ye Fan's heart ablaze with excitement.
"If we keep going forward, we'll be outside the Xiao Clan market. Want to check out the Mittel Auction House? I've got a connection there. The things you sent me in red envelopes twice, she helped me sell. She's an old acquaintance of mine."
Xiao Yan turned to ask the two.
"Honestly, I'm less interested in the auction house and more interested in asking you guys something." Lu Xian stared in a particular direction and suddenly asked, "Have you two ever, you know… visited a brothel?"
The two were stunned, unsure if they had misheard him, their faces filled with confusion.
"Huh?"
"What did you just say?"
Thinking they hadn't heard him clearly, Lu Xian elaborated, "Ever gotten a foot massage? Ever met the Emperor of Baths? What about soft jade hands? Phoenix rising? Ice and fire poison dragon?"
"Cough. I'm quite interested, do tell." Xiao Yan didn't answer directly but took a step closer, adopting an earnest listening posture.
"To be honest, I'm more interested in that place than the auction house…"
At that moment, Lu Xian pointed ahead, about a hundred meters away, at an ancient three-story building draped in red silk ribbons.
Xiao Yan and Ye Fan followed his gaze and saw young women dressed in revealing outfits, standing flirtatiously at the entrance, their faces brimming with charm. Even from a distance, they could hear their soft voices calling out, "Come in, dear guest, have some fun~"
As dusk approached, the courtesans were out soliciting customers!
Xiao Yan: …
So that's why Lu Xian suddenly asked that question.
He, Xiao Yan, was somewhat of a well-known figure in Wutan City. If he went to a brothel, by tomorrow, every street and alley would be buzzing with tales of his heroic deeds.
How would he face his father? How would he face Xun'er?!
Although he was curious, if he had to go, it certainly wouldn't be a brothel in Wutan City!
Xiao Yan wanted to refuse. "Lu Xian, I suddenly lost interest…"
Lu Xian shot him a sideways glance. "You look like a pretty bold and heroic guy. Don't tell me, after two lifetimes, you're still a virgin? Never been to the kind of place only real men can enter?"
"Of course not! In my past life—" Xiao Yan tried to argue.
Lu Xian didn't give him a chance. He turned to Ye Fan. "What about you, Ye Hei? You're over twenty-five now, almost thirty, right? Don't tell me you're also…"
"Definitely not!"
Ye Fan's expression grew serious, as if he were a seasoned veteran. "Back on Earth, I was a regular at foot massage parlors. In Beidou, I've visited plenty of brothels. Now that I have the chance here on the Dou Qi Continent, how could I miss out?"
"I think Lu Xian's suggestion is great. We should check it out, strictly for inspection purposes, and harshly criticize their morally corrupt ways!"
"Xiao Yan, what about you? Are you really still a virgin after two lifetimes? Tsk tsk…" Ye Fan's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"How could that be?!"
Xiao Yan finally found his chance to prove himself. His face flushed red as he shouted, "I may be a virgin in this life, but in my past life, I slept with at least seventy or eighty schoolgirls! My ride was a Cadillac, okay? There's no way I'm still a virgin after two lives!"
His pride on the line, Xiao Yan fiercely defended himself. He had to protect his reputation today. What he didn't realize was that a delicate, blue-clad figure had silently appeared behind him.
"I'm telling you, if my old man hadn't kept such a close eye on me, I would've practically lived in places like that!"
Lu Xian and Ye Fan exchanged glances.
"Should we stop him?" "Nah, let him go on." "Great minds think alike, brother."
Both of them put on expressions of awe, looking at Xiao Yan as if he were a god.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan's confidence soared. He upped his game.
"You know my old friends, right? Just mentioning my name got them discounts at massage parlors! You wouldn't believe how close I was with the top madams back in the day!"
"If I so much as snapped my fingers, the top girls would line up to serve me first!"
"Incredible!" "Respect!"
Seeing two thumbs raised in admiration, Xiao Yan felt as if he were standing atop a mountain, overlooking the world. Inspired, he recalled an ancient quote and blurted it out:
'Among three million patrons of the world's brothels, all must lower their heads before me! If the heavens hadn't born me, Xiao Huohuo, the art of whoring would have remained in darkness forever!'
My god, he was exuding such dominance!
Lu Xian and Ye Fan's expressions turned solemn, filled with genuine respect, not an ounce of pretense.
Xiao Yan smiled triumphantly. His final words had sealed the deal. Not only had he defended his reputation, but he had also thoroughly humbled these two jokers, making them realize their insignificance.
This was Xiao Yan!
"…Sigh." In the ring, Yao Lao covered his face. "Ah, youth… but maybe think before you speak?"
"Kid, you might want to turn around before you celebrate…"
Hearing Yao Lao's voice, Xiao Yan's grin froze. His face twitched as he stiffly turned his head.
Behind him, a young girl in an elegant blue dress stood silently, her face exquisite and fair, her aura as graceful as a freshly bloomed lotus.
She was a natural beauty, untouched by any artificial adornments.
Seeing she had been noticed, the girl smiled sweetly.
"Xiao Yan-gege, why do you look so pale?"
"....."