The group stepped onto the main avenue. Ignoring the crowd around them, Miao Yunrong opened a silver box and retrieved a palm-sized golden carriage. As soon as she infused it with demon qi, the carriage expanded rapidly, revealing a dazzling golden vehicle right in the middle of the street.
Calling it luxurious would be an understatement. The entire carriage was forged from deep-sea meteorite iron, with yellow jade mixed into its core. At five meters long, three meters wide, and three meters tall, the frame shimmered with a golden glow.
Its canopy and surrounding drapes were made from shark-silk gauze, a rare material woven from the molted scales of deep-sea merfolk, typically reserved for top-tier defensive robes. Here, it had been extravagantly used as decoration.
Suspended from the canopy were four intricately carved spirit beast figures—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—each the size of a clenched fist and crafted from high-grade spirit stone, weighing down the fluttering gauze in the breeze.
Jian Dan silently clicked her tongue in amusement. "Truly a second-generation rich cultivator, flaunting wealth so openly. Well, things were already high-profile enough. A little more wouldn't matter."
Feigning a casual gesture, Jian Dan reached into her beast pouch and released two snow-white, third-rank flying unicorn steeds. In truth, they had been temporarily summoned from her space. A brief exchange through divine sense was all it took for the unicorns to trot gracefully to the front of the carriage, prepared to pull it.
Now, the entire group became the center of attention. Divine senses swept toward them from every direction, trying to get a closer look. Jian Dan flicked them all away with her own divine sense, repelling the curiosity without a second thought.
Miao Yunrong's eyes sparkled at the sight of the unicorns, while her attendant behind her had turned pale, almost fainting on the spot.
"Let's go," Jian Dan said as she stepped into the carriage first. Miao Yunrong quickly followed, along with her six attendants.
Inside, the carriage's interior was far more spacious than expected, large enough to host a banquet. Jian Dan snapped her fingers, and the flying steeds lifted the golden carriage into the air, soaring above Huancheng City.
"Someone go tell the horses where to head," she instructed casually.
The last of the attendants exited the carriage. Jian Dan gave a faint, unreadable smile before turning to Miao Yunrong.
"Little Palace Mistress, we are certainly making a scene today. When we return, I suspect you won't be leaving Heavenly Demon Palace again for a while. Time to focus on your cultivation."
Miao Yunrong had been happily arranging spirit wine and snacks, but her mood soured at Jian Dan's words.
"Why is that?" she asked.
"Huancheng City sits at the junction of three regions. It's crawling with cultivators of all kinds. You just showed off quite a bit of wealth. Now tell me, with your current cultivation, how many people do you think are eyeing your storage ring right now?"
Miao Yunrong's face wrinkled with worry, but she stubbornly argued, "You're the one who brought out the unicorns."
"I am a Divine Transformation cultivator."
That one sentence crushed any further complaints.
"Enough. I brought you out today, so I'll make sure you return safely. Enjoy the experience. We'll think about everything else afterward."
"Alright, I'll listen to you," Miao Yunrong muttered, conceding.
The Xuan Pavilion, her intended destination, wasn't far from the inn—just across a commercial street. Moments later, their magnificent carriage pulled up at its entrance, drawing another wave of curious stares.
As Miao Yunrong prepared to step down, Jian Dan held her back again.
"Show some restraint. Let them invite us in first. Rushing out like that—don't you think it's a bit undignified? I don't mind, but don't embarrass me as a Divine Transformation cultivator."
"Fine, I'll listen," she replied obediently.
A mature woman with Nascent Soul stage cultivation came out to greet them. Though at the early stage of her realm, a heavy deathly aura hung about her, clearly indicating her nearing the end of her lifespan. Whatever technique she had used to preserve her graceful looks had worked surprisingly well.
"Madam Feng greets our esteemed guests. Please, bring your carriage through the front gate."
With a wave of her hand, the Xuan Pavilion's teal-colored doors swung open. A row of attendants stood at either side to welcome them. Inside the carriage, Miao Yunrong was wide-eyed with wonder. She had never seen such a grand and ostentatious reception.
As the carriage entered, the main doors slowly closed behind them, and a barrier was quietly raised.
Jian Dan opened her eyes. No wonder things had been so quiet the last few days. They'd clearly been waiting here. At the back of the carriage, one of the attendants rubbed his thumb and index finger together before dropping his hand naturally to his side.
The carriage finally stopped in front of a two-story jade building. The attendants exited in an orderly fashion, then assisted Jian Dan and Miao Yunrong down.
Madam Feng looked them over. Jian Dan's black robes and captivating beauty stood out, while the sweet-faced Jīndān cultivator beside her was also a rare beauty. A flash of interest passed through Madam Feng's eyes before she smiled brightly and stepped forward.
"To be graced by such noble guests today has brightened the very halls of Xuan Pavilion. Please, come inside."
"To the second floor. I like the view. I heard your pavilion has the best scenery," Jian Dan said calmly, exuding quiet authority.
Madam Feng didn't dare object. After a brief pause, she led the two of them upstairs.
The second floor was lavishly decorated. Carved beams and painted pillars framed the square hall. On either side, display shelves held rare treasures from the cultivation world. Against one wall stood a white jade screen painted with lifelike figures. In front of it was a soft couch, facing the large open windows. Several pots of lush plants sat by the sill.
From this vantage, the city lights of Huancheng shimmered beneath a sky full of stars.
With a flick of her sleeve, Jian Dan moved the pavilion's couch aside and placed her own, more familiar one. She frowned slightly at the jade screen.
"I don't like that screen. Remove it," she ordered.
Madam Feng nodded and gestured. Two men appeared and promptly took the screen away. Only then did Jian Dan recline on her couch, speaking casually to Madam Feng.
"I brought this junior out today to broaden her horizons. Bring out your best offerings. Don't try to fool me."
"Of course, of course. I'll see to everything at once."
She bowed and left. Miao Yunrong, having looked around thoroughly and found nothing too unusual, seemed slightly disappointed. She waved her hand, and her five attendants pulled spirit dishes and spirit wine from their storage pouches, setting everything on the side tables.
Moments later, Madam Feng returned, smiling brightly, and beckoned ten male cultivators into the room. Their cultivations ranged from Golden Core to Nascent Soul, and each was an exceptionally handsome man with a distinct style. They had clearly been well-groomed and prepared to be pleasing to the eye.
With one sweep of her divine sense, Jian Dan immediately noticed that the three strongest of them wore special bracelets, restricting their cultivation and mobility.
Miao Yunrong, meanwhile, was utterly stunned.
"This... this is..." she stammered, turning to look at Jian Dan.
Jian Dan, leisurely sipping spirit wine from a jade cup, smiled enchantingly.
"Little Palace Mistress, don't tell me... you didn't know what this place is?"
"I... I…"
"Oh dear! No need to worry," Madam Feng chimed in cheerfully. "All of our male cultivators are the best of the best. You'll be well taken care of. If any catch your eye and you're willing to spend the spirit stones, you're free to take them with you. For someone of Jūnshàng's status, having a few male companions is perfectly normal."
Pfft.
Jian Dan nearly spat her wine in Madam Feng's face.