Chapter 476: The Canonized Immortal of the Ancient Celestial Court

Zhuge Qing smiled. “You of the Human Race have a saying: ‘A lord who is not discreet loses his ministers; a minister who is not discreet loses his life; and any matter handled without discretion will end in disaster.’ I have an important matter to discuss with you, fellow Daoist. Naturally, I cannot simply blurt it out. I must be careful and cautious, testing the waters repeatedly, and only after ensuring there will be no leaks can I explain everything in detail.”

Her voice was soft and melodic, with a cadence that could make a man’s bones melt.

Coupled with her peerless beauty, graceful figure, and captivating smile.

If one didn’t know her true nature—that of a beautiful but deadly snake—ninety-nine percent of men in the world would likely surrender their souls to her charms.

They would agree to whatever she asked.

Du Youqian, however, wasn’t falling for it. He replied with a smile, “If City Lord Zhuge feels it is inconvenient to speak directly, then at least tell me what kind of matter you wish to discuss. That way, I can decide whether I want to hear it or not.”

Zhuge Qing’s delicate lips parted slightly, her hazy Peach Blossom Eyes filled with astonishment.

Her eyes seemed to speak, asking him: ‘Are you truly so immune to charm?’

Du Youqian simply smiled without a word.

Zhuge Qing bit her red lip with her pearly teeth, her expression aggrieved. The sight made her maids behind her so indignant they looked ready to shout at Du Youqian.

Her charm was so potent that even other women would be moved by it. She captivated everyone, regardless of gender or age.

After a moment, Zhuge Qing spoke in a sweet, alluring voice, “Since we’re to discuss a secret matter, shouldn’t you first tell me your name, fellow Daoist?”

Du Youqian replied, “I am Qingxu Tongxuan Guanmiao True Monarch.”

At this time, Du Youqian was still using the face and aura of his previous incarnation, Baili Jianxin.

Therefore, it was not out of place for him to call himself Qingxu Tongxuan Guanmiao True Monarch. This was his greatest alias.

Zhuge Qing’s cherry-red lips parted in surprise. “Fellow Daoist, don’t you Human Race Cultivators put the most stock in using proper titles? Since you are not a True Monarch, why do you call yourself one? I’m afraid that’s against the rules, isn’t it?”

In truth, she simply believed Du Youqian was giving her a false name.

Du Youqian smiled. “City Lord Zhuge, how do you know that I am not a True Monarch?”

A complex look flashed through Zhuge Qing’s Peach Blossom Eyes.

Surprisingly, she didn’t dwell on the issue. Instead, she said:

“I am looking for a companion to explore a secret location, one that holds the possibility of advancing to Tier Five. If you agree to join me, I can swear an oath that we will help each other and face any external threats together. If we find anything of value, we shall each take what we need. I wonder, are you willing to hear more?”

Du Youqian nodded, readily agreeing. “In that case, there’s no harm in listening. Let’s discuss the details tomorrow at your City Lord’s Mansion, City Lord Zhuge!”

Zhuge Qing shot him a flirtatious glance, her natural charm on full display. “Let’s get the unpleasantries out of the way first. If you listen to my secret and ultimately decide not to join forces with me, you will have to compensate me for the value of the information.”

Du Youqian had no objection. “That’s only fair. Let’s do as you say, City Lord Zhuge. Please, name your price!”

Zhuge Qing said in a slightly pouty tone, “I still hope you’ll agree to join me. As for the value of this secret, it’s five hundred thousand Spiritual Jade. If you don’t want to team up with me but still wish to know the detailed information about the secret location, you’ll need to pay an additional one million five hundred thousand Spiritual Jade.”

‘So expensive!’

‘But then again,’ Du Youqian thought, ‘it’s not like I’m poor right now…’

So he readily agreed.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries and set a time for their meeting the next day. Then, Zhuge Qing rose gracefully and departed, her supple, boneless-seeming waist swaying with each step.

‘A snake’s waist, indeed…’

After Zhuge Qing’s figure disappeared from view, Du Youqian found himself in a daze.

He recalled that ever since he advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm, his desires seemed to have grown stronger.

‘This is wrong. Even back in the Foundation Establishment Realm, I could control my desires perfectly.’

‘After reaching Core Formation, I could even control my most basic physical urges with ease. How could I lose control of my desires so easily now?’

‘Undeniably, Zhuge Qing is incredibly charming and likely skilled in advanced Charm Arts.’

‘But it wasn’t just when facing Zhuge Qing. Even before, in Momenan, and later with Ling Hua, I’ve had moments of intense, uncontrollable desire.’

‘It makes no sense.’

‘Could there have been some hidden flaw in my advancement to the Nascent Soul Realm?’

‘Or did I fall into someone’s trap at some point without realizing it?’

Du Youqian carefully inspected his body, inside and out, but found nothing amiss.

‘Of course, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem, just that it’s likely hidden too deep for me to find.’

Du Youqian resolved to be more vigilant and pay close attention going forward. He had to find this hidden problem as soon as possible.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Du Youqian went to the City Lord’s Mansion as agreed and was warmly received by Zhuge Qing.

Spirit Fruits were piled high like mountains, and the aroma of fine wine seemed to drift to the Nine Heavens.

Alluring women with waists that swayed like water snakes danced before him. They wore tantalizing veils that revealed only their bright eyes and pretty chins, performing a dance that made the blood pound in one’s veins.

Zhuge Qing herself put on no airs, frequently raising her cup to him and teasing him with seemingly unintentional flirtations.

A Human Race Nascent Soul Kun Cultivator, especially one from the Profound Sects Orthodox Sect, would never do something so unbecoming of her station.

A Kun Cultivator from the Demon Sect, on the other hand, would be far more wanton and overtly seductive, never this subtle.

‘This Transformed Demon King of the Snake Race is truly a master of her craft!’

Du Youqian reclined, observing the desire that was about to erupt within him and trying to trace its source.

After a long investigation, he still couldn’t find the slightest thing wrong with his body.

It was only at the last moment that he discovered it: hidden within his Nascent Soul was a trace of an indulgent, debauched aura.

It was this very aura that caused him to relax his self-control, making his desires burn so intensely.

He tried to separate this aura from his Nascent Soul, only to find it was almost completely entangled with it and impossible to remove.

Du Youqian frowned. He searched his memories carefully but couldn’t recall for the life of him why such an aura would be in his Nascent Soul.

“Qingxu Taoist, is my hospitality lacking? Why do you look so displeased?” Zhuge Qing’s pretty face was flushed, and her Peach Blossom Eyes seemed to be veiled in mist, making them even hazier and more enticing.

Du Youqian laughed. “Not at all. It’s just that I believe in being prepared for danger even in times of peace. While I enjoy the beautiful women and fine wine, I can’t help but worry. If I were to join forces with City Lord Zhuge, what kind of powerful enemies might we encounter? Would there be a risk of death?”

Zhuge Qing’s eyes lit up. She leaned toward Du Youqian, the rich fragrance of her body becoming more pronounced. “So you agree, Qingxu Taoist?”

Du Youqian smiled and shook his head. “I am merely interested in the treasure you spoke of, City Lord Zhuge. I also know that I cannot obtain it on my own; I must find allies. So, what I want to know now is this: what makes you qualified to be my ally, City Lord Zhuge? And how sincere are you? What price are you willing to pay for this alliance with me?”

Zhuge Qing stared at Du Youqian for a long moment, then raised a jade-like hand and clapped.

The Golden Bell on her fair wrist chimed. In an instant, the eyes of the dancing girls and maids went dull. They abruptly froze, standing motionless in place like clockwork dolls that had wound down.

Du Youqian had long since identified the Golden Bell on her wrist as a Tier Four Treasure. He also knew that bell-type Treasures typically affected a person’s Spirit, creating illusions or controlling their actions.

Therefore, he wasn’t surprised and simply asked with a smile, “Can they no longer hear us speak?”

“Precisely,” Zhuge Qing said, her expression turning serious. “What kind of sincerity do you wish for me to show?”

Du Youqian remained reclined, lazily raising his cup for a sip. “City Lord Zhuge, I don’t have any specific requirements. I’ll just see what sincerity you’re willing to offer.”

Zhuge Qing’s Peach Blossom Eyes remained fixed on Du Youqian, their expression unreadable—at once affectionate and cold. After a moment, she let out a soft, captivating laugh. “Fellow Daoist, I’m not good at feigning, so I’ll be direct. I can give you a Quasi-Tier Five Treasure that can save your life once. It can even take a fatal blow from a Tier Five expert for you. However, it would be useless against an attack from a Tier Six, Divine Abilities related to karma or destiny, or an attack like the Blood Slaughter Sword Intent of old.”

‘She certainly is direct,’ Du Youqian thought. The price she was willing to pay was indeed tempting.

‘Even though she called it a mere Quasi-Tier Five Treasure, its value was by no means less than that of a true Tier Five Treasure.’

‘At the very least, I wouldn’t be able to buy something like this even if I had three to five million Spiritual Jade.’

“Your sincerity is more than enough, City Lord Zhuge. In that case, I won’t beat around the bush either. What, in your opinion, qualifies you to be my ally? You are a Tier Four Late Stage Transformed Demon King, approaching Tier Four Perfection, and your combat strength likely surpasses that of an ordinary Tier Four Perfection Human Race Cultivator. But frankly, I consider an ordinary Tier Four Perfection Human Race Cultivator to be as fragile as a clay doll, someone I could kill with a wave of my hand.”

Du Youqian’s words were arrogant, but Zhuge Qing was not the least bit offended.

On the contrary, she was delighted.

‘This is the kind of confidence a man needs to be worthy of joining forces with me!’

‘Only then is he worthy of my precious gift and courteous treatment!’

Nor did she doubt the truth of his words.

After all, the Divination Art she had learned from humans was exceptionally profound. If it had calculated that he was the most suitable partner for her, it meant he must have some extraordinary qualities.

Zhuge Qing said earnestly, “I am skilled in both combat and concealment. And most importantly, what I need is different from what you need. We can each take what we’re looking for.”

Du Youqian thought for a moment and had to admit she had a point.

‘Especially the part about ‘each taking what we need.’ That’s the most crucial aspect of any alliance.’

‘If our goals were in conflict, then no matter how powerful we were, we would only be wary of each other, unable to truly act as allies.’

“City Lord Zhuge, you can tell me about this secret location now.”

Zhuge Qing didn’t hide her delight in the slightest, her face breaking into a wide smile. “Does this mean you agree, fellow Daoist?”

“Yes,” Du Youqian said, then solemnly made an oath. “Please, City Lord, tell me.”

“The secret location is the cave residence of an Ancient Immortal. It is said she was an Immortal in the classic sense—one enfeoffed by the Ancient Celestial Court—so her abilities in Magical Combat weren’t particularly strong. But she was an expert at cultivating flora. Her cave residence has several areas with soil perfect for growing Spirit Medicine, soil that can even preserve them for tens of thousands of years.”