Bai Qiuran led Tang Ruowei along the road, entering a great city of the Gu Province. "Sect Master, the person has been brought here."
"Because you are a disciple of the Qinming Sword Sect and also my disciple Bai Qiuran. Listen well, as one of the five sects of the Righteous Dao Alliance, it should be the Hehuan Sect that fears us," she reassured. Tang Ruowei was filled with excitement, but Bai Qiuran’s simple words calmed her down. Meanwhile, the three remaining sects took advantage of the situation to absorb the legacy of the Blood God Sect, growing even stronger.
Tang Ruowei asked Tu Shu about the city's geography, and it seemed he already had an intimate understanding. He led the girl through winding alleyways until they reached a lively district filled with brothels. "What the…" exclaimed Tang Ruowei. Bai Qiuran threw a casual remark before following a female cultivator inside.
A wise saying goes: "There are no fields ruined by tillage, only oxen worn out." Like the lands cultivated by the Hehuan Sect, they were the hardest to husband; it would tire even the strongest ox to death.
"Without evil thoughts, what is there to be embarrassed about?" The female cultivator opened the door and respectfully made way for Bai Qiuran.
"Hmph, nonsense," Tang Ruowei muttered, her face heating as she glanced at the women beside the road, dressed provocatively and acting coyly. Yet Bai Qiuran continued to drag her along until they arrived at a grand tavern named "Joyful Realm."
"Remember, you are a disciple of the Qinming Sword Sect and my disciple Bai Qiuran. Listen well, as a part of the Righteous Dao Alliance's five sects, it’s the Hehuan Sect that should be afraid of us," he stated confidently. He walked with an air of superiority, hands behind his back, and approached the tavern.
However, two guards from the Hehuan Sect noticed the energy Bai Qiuran deliberately released and positioned themselves as a barrier at the entrance. But after three thousand years of unwavering resolve, Bai Qiuran remained unfazed.
"You call this a joke?" He inquired with an enticing voice, while the woman before him tilted her head flirtatiously. Upon seeing Bai Qiuran expressionless at the entrance, she understood the gravity of the situation.
"Come on in," Bai Qiuran said. The Hehuan Sect considered indulgence paramount in their practices, and their combat capabilities were formidable. In the past, Hehuan Sect's temptresses brought chaos wherever they went, leaving a trail of lifeless bodies behind them.
"Why should I feel embarrassed?" Bai Qiuran replied coolly. "The token is in my possession."
As they engaged in the conversation, Tang Ruowei added quietly, "Please, this is a brothel! You, a three thousand-year-old virgin who blushes at even the most discreet of books, why are you so calm coming here?! And I’m still a girl. Is it really appropriate to bring me here?"
"Calm down, without evil intentions, what is there to be shy about?" Bai Qiuran soothed her reactions.
The door to the tavern swung open, and the female cultivators inside quickly resumed their enchanting roles, suppressing the charm radiating off them the moment they recognized Bai Qiuran. One of the female disciples, with a respectful bow, said, "Turns out a senior from the magic path graces us with their presence. What brings you here? Seeking relief or perhaps companionship? If you don’t usually come here, you may try the low-ranked disciples first."
"Are you not embarrassed?" Tang Ruowei murmured, her heart pounding in her chest. Likewise, the thought of entering the Hehuan Sect's territory filled her with anxiety.
But as strong as Bai Qiuran seemed, three millennia hadn't dulled his perception of danger. In his eyes, every sound and every movement held potential.
"Let’s find someone familiar for some information," he said, pressing on. With a nod from Tang Ruowei, they entered further into this realm of temptation, palpable in the air.
“Here we are!” Bai Qiuran said, a hint of determination in his voice, as they made their way toward a brothel of alluring reputations.
The tumultuous politics among the four sects had evolved, the remnants of the Blood God Sect now quickly devoured by the other three, who sought power in the ever-shifting balance. And as they knew, those caught in the Hehuan Sect’s web often left without the intention of ever returning.
“Come on in,” Bai Qiuran commanded.
"Ugh..." Tang Ruowei hesitated, but Bai Qiuran was resolute, ushering them deeper into the inviting shadows of "Joyful Realm."
She pondered the implications of everything she'd learned about the Hehuan Sect, from their influence to the dire fates of those who crossed paths with their exquisite charm.
"Calm your heart," Bai Qiuran reassured her. "Whatever awaits, we're not alone in this. Let’s seek the facts."
As the two ventured further, the air thrummed with a mixture of allure and danger—a double-edged sword that weaves through the very fabric of the Hehuan Sect’s existence.