sinovels Chapter 204 - 162: Senior Sister, Save Me
Chapter 204 - 162: Senior Sister, Save Me
Red Lotus Square was an excellent place to visit, its women possessing a unique charm. With Situ Jingyu accompanying him, however, Fang Qingyuan was spared from women throwing themselves into his arms.
After booking a private courtyard suite, Fang Qingyuan and Situ Jingyu stepped inside. The suite was decorated quite elegantly. Although red was the dominant color, it did not look gaudy.
A moment later, Bao Yun arrived alone, not bringing a troupe of women for Fang Qingyuan to choose from.
’It seems Bao Yun knows I’m not here just to dally with women.’ Once in the suite, Bao Yun approached Fang Qingyuan’s side, standing as close as ever. This was her tactic. Seeing this, Situ Jingyu turned away, not wanting to make a sound and disrupt Fang Qingyuan’s business. Then, Bao Yun asked:
"Fellow Daoist, for what matter do you require the assistance of Red Lotus Square? This is no idle boast, but in the entire Land Realm surrounding Black Sand City, there is no connection we can’t make."
Bao Yun’s voice was soft, charming, and melodious, stirring an itch in a man’s heart. A lock of hair from her coiffure had come loose, trailing down onto her half-exposed, snow-white shoulder.
The stark contrast of black and white involuntarily drew the eye past the waterfall of dark silk to the full curve of her bosom.
’She’s a stunner, but also a viper.’ Fang Qingyuan even suspected this Steward of Red Lotus Square practiced a Demon Path Technique that could bewitch the heart and mind.
Bao Yun’s cultivation level was not low—she was in the Late-stage Qi Refining realm. Yet, Fang Qingyuan found he couldn’t see through her, couldn’t discern the true intentions hidden beneath her seductive facade.
He steadied his mind. The main reason he could remain so composed was Situ Jingyu’s presence right beside him. He gave Bao Yun a gentle push, moving her back from where she stood too close, and said softly,
"I would like to ask Miss Bao to arrange a meeting. Invite Chu River, the leader of the Gua Talisman Alliance, and act as a go-between for us. If this is accomplished, you will be handsomely rewarded."
Fang Qingyuan’s main reason for seeking out Chu River was the matter of the Tribulation Cultivator with the twelve beast masks. He’d heard that Chu River was skilled at divination and hoped he might provide some clues about the masked Tribulation Cultivator.
But Chu River was the leader of the Gua Talisman Alliance. If Fang Qingyuan were to show up at his door for no reason, without revealing his identity as a member of the Beast Taming Sect, Chu River would likely refuse to see him. Only by using the people of Red Lotus Square to mediate and pull the strings could this meeting happen. That way, even if the negotiations failed, there would still be a buffer and room to maneuver.
When Bao Yun heard Fang Qingyuan’s objective, she didn’t seem concerned with why he wanted to find the leader of the Gua Talisman Alliance. She simply studied him for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Seeing Bao Yun agree, Fang Qingyuan couldn’t help but smile. Regardless of the outcome, the first step had finally been taken. From Situ Jingyu’s arrival yesterday to arranging this meeting with Chu River today, Fang Qingyuan was determined not to waste a single moment.
With the business settled, Fang Qingyuan finally allowed his mind to appreciate Miss Bao’s voluptuous figure. But Bao Yun was clearly a veteran in these games and understood the hearts of men. The more professional Fang Qingyuan had been, the closer she had pressed. Now that he was turning his attention to her, she became coy and reserved.
’Playing hard to get.’ The phrase flashed through Fang Qingyuan’s mind, and his budding interest immediately cooled. Compared to the monumental task of his Foundation Establishment, carnal pleasures would only hinder the speed of his cultivation.
He wondered if Bao Yun was like this with every Cultivator, or if he was receiving special treatment.
Just as they settled the terms and Fang Qingyuan was about to discuss the time of the meeting, Situ Jingyu’s brow suddenly furrowed.
Catching her expression from the corner of his eye, Fang Qingyuan had a bad feeling. ’Looks like my acting skills are so terrible even Situ Jingyu can’t stand to watch anymore.’
Just as Fang Qingyuan was about to stand up and disentangle himself from Bao Yun, he saw Situ Jingyu beat him to it. She stood, pushed open the doors, and stepped out into the courtyard.
It was only then that the fluctuations from a battle between Cultivators passed through the Array’s barrier and reached Fang Qingyuan’s perception.
’There’s a fight in Red Lotus Square.’ Fang Qingyuan immediately extended his Divine Sense, focusing all his power to gather information from outside. Bao Yun, however, remained as charming as ever, utterly oblivious.
Of the three, Situ Jingyu had the highest cultivation level, so she sensed it first. Next was Fang Qingyuan, whose Divine Sense was as strong as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s. And although Bao Yun was also in the Late-stage Qi Cultivation realm, similar to Fang Qingyuan, she didn’t notice anything until a dozen breaths later, only when the fight escalated and True Fire was unleashed.
"Fellow Daoist Li, please excuse me," Bao Yun said apologetically. "There seems to be a disturbance in the square. As the Steward, I must go take a look."
Bao Yun apologized to Fang Qingyuan. "Fellow Daoist Li" was the alias he had adopted; when traveling, it was always best to hide one’s identity and origins to avoid attracting unnecessary karmic ties.
"Go on, then. It’s no trouble. Just don’t forget our agreement."
Bao Yun performed another curtsy for Fang Qingyuan before turning and leaving in a hurry, her hips swaying as she went. Fang Qingyuan and Jinbao remained in the room, quietly listening to the commotion outside.
As a rule, Fang Qingyuan would never meddle in such affairs as long as they didn’t involve him directly. Situ Jingyu, however, who was still out in the courtyard, did not share this sentiment.
A few breaths later, Situ Jingyu came back inside and said to Fang Qingyuan,
"It’s a fight between Foundation Establishment Cultivators. From the sounds of it, the commotion is only getting bigger. The people from Red Lotus Square clearly can’t handle them."
Fang Qingyuan looked at Situ Jingyu’s face, which was practically beaming with excitement, and knew she was itching for a fight. He tried to reason with her, saying,
"It’s fine. Red Lotus Square has never relied on its own might to stay afloat. This place has an intricate web of connections with every major power in Black Sand City. If Red Lotus Square can’t handle this on its own, other powers will surely step in."
Fang Qingyuan wasn’t wrong, but he had miscalculated the cultivation level and combat prowess of the troublemakers. The clash had already lasted for nearly a hundred breaths with no sign of stopping. On the contrary, the disturbance was growing, and it looked as if the battle was about to spill over in their direction.