Chapter 134 - 133: Jiangnan Beauty

Chapter 134: Chapter 133: Jiangnan Beauty

In Xia Wuyang’s understanding, a Cultivation Foundation was like the foundation of a building. The more solid the foundation, the higher one could build in the future.

His current Cultivation Foundation far surpassed that of Martial Artists of the same rank, so naturally, he would be able to climb even higher in the future.

Pushing through to the peak of every realm was, in fact, paving the way for future Cultivation.

Those seemingly slow advancements were actually an accumulation of even greater Power.

These insights solidified his belief in a slow and steady approach to Cultivation. Only by proceeding this way could he ascend to higher realms and lay a firm Foundation for the future.

’After the Body Refining Stage comes the Qi Refining Stage, and after the Qi Refining Stage is probably the Refining God Stage. But what comes after the Refining God Stage? Are there even higher realms?’

Xia Wuyang believed there had to be. The Martial Dao was boundless—a fact stated in many ancient texts. It was highly likely that other stages of Cultivation existed beyond the Refining God Stage.

As the sun began to rise, Xia Wuyang concluded another night of Cultivation. He returned to his Sleeping Palace and resumed his life of debauchery, appearing for all the world like that same decrepit, elderly Crown Prince on the verge of death.

But the power-hungry Prince and Princess had no idea that this "nearly dead" elder Crown Prince was, in fact, advancing by leaps and bounds at an astonishing rate.

The morning air in Wenhua Hall was thick with a sensuous atmosphere.

Xia Wuyang was reclining on a soft couch, a young, newly-arrived Palace Maid to his left and an exotic Qiuci Dancer to his right.

Whenever the mood struck, he would do as he pleased—an utterly debauched display that perfectly matched his current image and reputation.

Several Fox Girls sang and danced gracefully before him. These women of the Demon Race possessed enchanting figures, their every glance flowing with an innate seductiveness. Each one was a peerless beauty.

Xia Wuyang watched them with a look of obsession, indulging in the beauties on his left and right. He appeared completely enthralled, a truly unsightly spectacle.

Inside, however, his mind was as clear as a mirror. Far from being captivated by their beauty, he was secretly circulating his Cultivation Technique, continuously consolidating his Cultivation Foundation and enhancing his overall strength.

With his improved Dragon Storage Skill active, no one could detect anything amiss—especially now that his Spirit was Extraordinary, making his concealment even more potent.

It was likely that not even an ordinary True Monarch could sense anything unusual about Xia Wuyang.

Just as the Fox Girls’ dance reached its most passionate moment, the sounds of a loud discussion drifted in from outside.

"Have you heard? The Ministry of Internal Affairs has a new batch of Jiangnan Beauties. Every single one is a nation-toppling beauty, as fragrant and lovely as a Fairy from heaven."

"Of course I’ve heard. They say they were all handpicked and sent from Jiangnan. And their soft, melodic voices... it’s enough to make a man’s bones turn to jelly."

"It’s too much, it’s really too much. If I were the Crown Prince, I wouldn’t pass up on these Jiangnan beauties."

"You’re telling me. Should we let the Crown Prince know? Give him a chance to enjoy himself."

...

The voices were loud, obviously meant for Xia Wuyang to hear. As the "senile and lecherous" elder Crown Prince, how could he not be tempted?

’If I don’t show any interest, won’t that arouse suspicion?’

’They clearly think I’m not dying fast enough and want these Jiangnan beauties to give me another push.’

How could Xia Wuyang possibly disappoint their "kindness"? He immediately put on an interested expression and called out loudly, "Andrew! What’s all this talk about Jiangnan Beauties? Go find out the details for me. I want to know what’s going on."

"Yes, as Your Highness commands." Andrew moved at once and quickly returned with the news. "Your Highness, a new batch of Jiangnan Beauties has indeed arrived. If you’d like, this servant can arrange for a few to be sent over."

With a look of pure eagerness, Xia Wuyang waved his hand impatiently. "Quickly, go! I must also witness the grace of these Jiangnan Beauties. It’s been too long since I’ve tasted the delights of a Jiangnan stunner."

His performance was the very picture of a desperate lecher, earning looks of contempt from the Palace Attendants who were secretly observing him. One of them even slipped away from Wenhua Hall, presumably to report to some unknown master.

A few hours later, Andrew led six Jiangnan Beauties into Wenhua Hall.

They were all young, around eighteen, with soul-stirring beauty and the gentle grace characteristic of the Jiangnan Water Villages.

The leader of the group was about sixteen years old, dressed in a pale pink dress. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn pools.

It was no exaggeration to say her beauty could make fish sink and wild geese fall. Her name was Su Ling’Er, a truly nation-toppling beauty in both looks and presence.

"We greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince!"

Bowing in unison before the practically drooling Xia Wuyang, the six beauties spoke. Their voices were soft and melodious, carrying the distinctive, charming lilt of the Jiangnan region.

Xia Wuyang let out a loud laugh, strode impatiently toward the six beauties, and threw an arm around the leader, Su Ling’Er. "Excellent, excellent! You truly are all peerless beauties. From now on, you belong to me, and I will be sure to shower my affections upon you."

His gaze roved "greedily" over the women as he deliberately put on an air of impatience—the very picture of a senile old man captivated by beauty.

His undisguised stare caused a flicker of barely perceptible disgust in the eyes of the Jiangnan Beauties. It vanished in an instant, but it didn’t escape Xia Wuyang’s perception.

A pulse from his Soul Capturing Technique captured the women’s true thoughts.

’He really is a lecher. Sigh, what rotten luck to be chosen by him.’

’He already looks like he’s on death’s door. We’ve jumped straight into a fire pit. I thought traveling all this way to the Imperial Palace meant we’d have a good life. I never imagined we’d end up serving an old fossil like him.’

’It’s over, it’s all over. We were assigned to this old man. With our looks, we shouldn’t have been given to the elder Crown Prince. Especially Miss Ling’Er! Even among this group of Jiangnan Beauties, she’s one of the most outstanding, and her background is anything but ordinary. How could she be assigned to this elder Crown Prince?’

’Someone is clearly pulling strings here. Are they expecting us to use our beauty to finish off this elder Crown Prince and make him... depart sooner?’

...

If even these Jiangnan beauties could figure it out, how could Xia Wuyang not see the truth?

The only reason Andrew was able to get these six first-rate Jiangnan Beauties from the Ministry of Internal Affairs was because someone was pulling strings. Otherwise, given the way he was usually treated, how could he possibly have succeeded?

Still, these Jiangnan Beauties were quite unlucky, being assigned to serve an old man like him because of someone else’s machinations.

Xia Wuyang didn’t blame them for their chaotic thoughts.

After all, with his Cultivation and true strength Hidden, his current state was indeed pathetic. Decrepit and wrinkled, how could he possibly be attractive to anyone?

Even he himself loathed his current Disguise, so how could he expect it to be appealing to these Jiangnan Beauties, who were in the prime of their youth?

He could only imagine how they felt, knowing they would have to serve him for a long time. If he were in their shoes, he would find it unbearable as well. For now, he could only let them suffer this injustice.