Chapter 144.1: Qi Yuan's Great Plan, Fully Justified

The man with upturned slit eyes frowned, his voice deep. “Junior Brother, you aren't a child anymore. You should put the sect’s interests first, especially when it's currently not doing well. We need to expand our connections. Bright Palace is the overlord of Cuiyun Continent, extremely powerful. We should befriend geniuses like Huang Tu. Who knows? Maybe one day, he’ll become a great help to our sect."

Rogue Immortal felt helpless and could only say, “Yes, Senior Brother.”

***

Cloud City was located in the southwest area of the Cuiyun Continent. In the past, it was remote and did not belong to any major power. The city's most renowned sights were “One Court, One Pavilion,” which referred to Cloud Court and Ling Tian Pavilion. One ran a high-class brothel business, while the other specialized in gathering information from across the world.

Now, Cloud City is far more crowded than ever. After all, it had been chosen as the location for the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle. Nearly all the geniuses of the Eastern Lands had gathered here, with many more still on the way. The small city instantly became the most prosperous in the continent.

Qi Yuan followed behind Jiang Ya, looking around casually. Then, he caught sight of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

In the Hundred Nations Region, Nascent Souls were extremely rare, to the point Foundation Establishment cultivators could rule like kings in some small cities. However, in Cloud City, even some Core Formation experts were probably serving as greeters in pill pavilions.

Kang Fulu rambled incessantly in Qi Yuan’s ear, his voice filled with longing, “Do you know what Cloud Court is most famous for? It's the Fish-Dragon Golden Core Dance. Three hundred charming Core Formation cultivators with sheer lace veils, dancing gracefully amid misty rain terraces. On dark nights, they had no need for sky lanterns. Three hundred Golden Cores were summoned instead. That scene...

haa

. What a pity that I haven’t had the blessing to watch it.”

Qi Yuan felt nothing special.

After his last sermon in the City of No Return, Supreme Yang Hun specially prepared a grand dance feast. There were 1,600 beautiful, curvy female Supremes in total, wearing red skirts. They danced together, showing off their grace and sensuality. The spectacle was magnificent, though slightly inferior to the three-thousand-suona ensemble.

Afterward, another 300 seductive female Supremes danced again. Privately this time, with only Qi Yuan and Little Bride watching. Supreme Yang Hun didn't even know what it entailed as the female Supremes choreographed it themselves. Naturally, the movements were more bewitching and bold. Little Bride was thoroughly entertained.

After watching, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but sigh. No wonder ancient Blue Planet emperors enjoyed promoting bootlickers to high-ranking officials. Which leader could resist

this

kind of temptation? Compared to Golden Core dancers, Qi Yuan felt that Supreme dancers were far more interesting.

Just then, a clear, dragon-like cry resounded. Many people in Cloud City raised their heads toward the sky.

An Immortal carriage appeared, flying over the city. It was pulled by eighteen Cloud Rabbits beading ancient dragon bloodlines. Like a rainbow spreading across the heavens, they surged with the force of the sea. At a glance, one could see 54 heads, 144 feet. Wherever it passed, immortal radiance filled the sky, and divine sounds fell. The sight was majestic.

“That’s Huang Tu’s mount!”

“It’s really Huang Tu! He’s ranked 27th on the Eastern Lands Prodigy List!”

“The strongest genius of the Cuiyun Continent’s younger generation! This time, he might enter the top twenty!”

“The leading rabbits are Nascent Soul giant beasts. How terrifying!”

Many cultivators exclaimed in admiration.

***

Inside the rabbit carriage, Xu Tongchen’s gaze shrank as he seemed to sense something.

Huang Tu opened his eyes and looked at him. “Tongchen, what is it?”

Though he softened his gaze, his inherent arrogance could not be hidden.

Xu Tongchen replied hastily, “N-Nothing...”

Huang Tu glanced at him. “You have to train hard. I still need you to assist me for the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle.”

Huang Tu was more direct than his master, Qian Yuan. Sure, Qian Yuan had pressured Xu Yeli while maintaining grace, but Huang Tu couldn't be bothered. After all, he was born noble and overwhelmingly talented. To him, it was only a given that the peers of Cuiyun Continent served him. To even invite Xu Tongchen to ride the same carriage as him could already be considered a great favor.

Xu Tongchen’s heart sank, albeit his expression didn’t change. “Alright.”

He already held deep resentment toward Huang Tu. Still, for his master and for the Seven Words Sect, he could only endure.

Then, he recalled the strange feeling from earlier. As the carriage passed overhead, the True Sun Fire within him stirred violently. He felt as though he had seen the true sun.

Was it a hallucination?

Thinking of that man's face, Xu Tongchen was filled with suspicion and unease. He couldn't understand why he had the feeling.

***

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan watched the rabbit carriage leave and sighed. “Worthy of city people, such high-class transportation.

Haa

... I can only surpass him in the game. In reality, I’m totally outclassed.”

Jiang Ya remained calm like still water. The rabbit carriage meant nothing to her.

Kang Fulu patted Qi Yuan on the shoulder, his eyes sparkling. “Junior Brother, what’s so great about rabbit carriages? Can they compare to the Fish-Dragon Golden Core Dance?”

Qi Yuan originally wanted to manifest the dance of three thousand female Supremes so Kang Fulu could see what true taste and refinement were. However, he reconsidered.

Mountain pigs can’t taste fine bran.

Thus, he gave up.

Just then, a thin-mustached man leaned in. “Are you guys first-timers in Cloud City?”

Kang Fulu stared at him warily. “

Mmhm

.”

“I overheard you talking about the Fish-Dragon Golden Core Dance,

hehe...

” The man grinned lewdly. “Want to add my communication jade slip? I’ve got more than just Golden Core dances, private fairy collections, passionate secret recordings, saintess, forbidden arts, beast-girls, fox-girls, ‘Master Above,’ even some young male talents. Fair prices, honest trade, bulk discount.”

Kang Fulu froze, eyes glowing. Glancing at Qi Yuan and Jiang Ya, he immediately extinguished his desire. “No need.”

Qi Yuan looked thoughtful.

So he’s a black-market video seller?

Qi Yuan asked, “Is it real?”

“It's real!” The mustached man became enthusiastic. “If you want to buy, let’s talk in an alley. This place...

ahem...

”

“Fine.” Qi Yuan nodded. He said to his companions, “I’ll go discuss some business. I’ll be right back.”

After he left, Kang Fulu forced a smile. “We of the Divine Radiance Sect still have righteous gentlemen.”

Jiang Ya looked at Qi Yuan’s departing back, calm as if nothing had happened.

Qi Yuan followed the mustached man into an alley. The man lifted his clothes, revealing densely packed jade slips. Words floated above them, along with faint cloud-hidden images. The scene instantly turned extremely obscene.

No wonder it had to be done in an alley. If they had been on the street, some chivalrous cultivator would slay him for the sake of justice.

The man asked proudly, “Brother, which ones do you want?”

Qi Yuan asked, “Well... Do you guys also help sell things for others?”

He wasn’t interested in the merchandise, he had other plans.

“Sell on behalf of others?” The man’s enthusiasm cooled. “You didn’t secretly record something spicy and want me to sell it, right? We don’t take mediocre goods.”

“It’s definitely spicy.” Qi Yuan took out his recording stone. “I’ve already titled it: ‘Shocking! Seventeen Nascent Souls of Bright Palace Engage in mass Debauchery, Struck by Heavenly Wrath! Private Footage Leaked!’”

“Bright Palace?” The man’s heart trembled. He took the projection stone and viewed it seriously. When finished, he swallowed hard. “Damn, divine lightning is actually striking Bright Palace’s Nascent Souls!”

Qi Yuan said solemnly, “naturally, since Bright Palace has committed countless atrocities. This is iron-clad evidence of their corruption!”

He had already edited the video. Anyone watching would think Bright Palace’s cultivators were guilty beyond measure, punished by heaven. Meanwhile he, the true mastermind, would remain hidden. Once this video was released, public opinion would tilt in favor of the Blood-Clothed Sword God. As they say, one had to have a righteous banner.

“You scared?” Qi Yuan asked casually when the man stayed silent.

“

Hmph

, when has Ling Tian Pavilion feared anyone? I’ll take the job. But the profit split—”

“I don’t need any splits. All the revenue goes to you.”

The man lit up. “How can I accept that?”

The business was risky but hugely profitable. Bright Palace Nascent Souls and divine lightning, this would sell out! Even disappointed buyers would blame the title, not him.

“I’m a good person who likes helping others. If you feel bad, look at the little sun in the sky.”

“Little sun?” He looked up. When he lowered his head, his eyes were blank. The alley was empty and he was alone. “

Huh

? Who was I talking to? Oh right, selling Bright Palace!”

His face was full of excitement.