"Little Palace Mistress, don't rush. You choose first. I won't snatch anything from you."
A shimmering barrier appeared, blocking any wine Miao Yunrong had just sprayed. Madam Feng remained unmoved by the display, smiling across at them.
"These ten are the most outstanding members of Xuan Pavilion. Each has excellent cultivation, refined manners, and a special talent. If you find someone you like, you may even take them as a spirit vessel."
That was the moment the Little Palace Mistress understood. This place catered to high-level female cultivators seeking male companions, similar to ancient pleasure houses but exclusively for cultivators—and that explained why there were cultivation requirements.
Jian Dan had already guessed when Miao Yunrong suggested a visit. She kept quiet to let things play out to her advantage. Now Miao Yunrong's face turned bright red. She had barged in so boldly, and if her senior brother Mo Su misunderstood her intentions, she'd be in real trouble. She started to rise to leave.
"It's too late for that now. Since you're here, treat it as broadening your horizons. You haven't spent any spirit stones yet. And be careful—if the boss lady isn't satisfied, she might not let you leave through that door."
Jian Dan's words carried underlying meaning. Madam Feng stiffened and responded with a nervous smile, waving a few top prospects forward to stand before them. Jian Dan remained unmoved by the handsome or refined men; her interest was caught only by one late Golden Core cultivator.
He was tall, statuesque, and his body radiated a fierce sword aura barely contained within his flesh—a perfect match to his cultivation. He was also one of the few wearing the special bracelet.
Madam Feng, eager to impress Jian Dan, stepped forward and introduced him.
"This is a new arrival. He hasn't been trained yet, but his presence stands out and his cultivation suits Jūnshàng—I thought he'd be perfect today."
"That one," Jian Dan said simply.
The man's face flashed black. Trapped by the bracelet and on task, he could only swallow his resentment.
"Remove his bracelet," Jian Dan ordered.
"That..." Madam Feng hesitated.
"Afraid I can't control him?"
"Jūnshàng, your power is formidable," Madam Feng stammered.
"Then it's only because I didn't pay spirit stones," Jian Dan replied.
Madam Feng winced. She dared not mention any payment issues to a Divine Transformation cultivator like her.
"It's your turn, Yunrong," Jian Dan turned to Miao Yunrong.
Miao Yunrong sat stiffly, no longer excited. She had suggested coming here, and Jian Dan had 'cordially invited' her. With that, she reluctantly handed a storage bag to Madam Feng.
Madam Feng scanned its contents telepathically. A pleased expression crossed her face. She used a hand sign to remove the bracelet from the cultivator. As soon as it came off, a light scent of fresh grass drifted from him—crisp and refreshing.
Miao Yunrong scrunched her nose, then suddenly dizziness overcame her. She collapsed onto the table as her face flushed. Her attendants behind her toppled one by one.
Chaos erupted. Jian Dan flicked her sleeve, sending the Golden Core cultivator flying through the second-floor window. Instantly, the jade pavilion was encased in a golden prison barrier, trapping everyone inside: Jian Dan's party, Madam Feng, and the remaining male cultivators.
Staggering to her feet, Jian Dan looked dazed before sitting again and massaging her forehead. She glared at Madam Feng and her cohort.
"You are bold indeed to scheme against a Divine Transformation cultivator."
Madam Feng laughed weakly.
"Jūnshàng is not so easily outplayed. You walked in unscathed, yet you fell for temptation yourself."
"Ha. Don't forget we're all trapped together now. We may not be able to leave—but killing you should be no problem."
Madam Feng's face lit with a cunning smile.
"Jūnshàng is far too generous to kill. After all, they are your antidote!"
Jian Dan narrowed her eyes, waiting.
"The ones by the window were steeped in 'Dreaming Life, Losing Self' elixir, and combined with this man's own 'Dragon Saliva,' they form the strongest aphrodisiac. Only these men can cure you. And I happen to have the only antidote."
"So what do you want?"
"Jūnshàng, feel free to choose any of my male cultivators. All I ask for is that girl," Madam Feng said, nodding toward Miao Yunrong.
"Possession?" Jian Dan's tone cut sharp.
"Jūnshàng is wise," Madam Feng said with a sly grin.
"In that case, you definitely won't let me leave this place alive."
This time Madam Feng didn't deny it. She flicked her gaze at a red-clad cultivator, who apparently went to retrieve Jian Dan's storage ring. But when he arrived, he froze—and within moments collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Madam Feng realized something was wrong. She lunged toward a nearby red pillar, activating a miniature teleportation array. Grabbing Miao Yunrong, she tried to flee—but it was too late.
Rotating Mó Yuè Zhǎn blades carved through those still confined by bracelets, shattering their cores. One blade severed Madam Feng's arm entirely.
Ignoring everything, Madam Feng dove into the pillar's teleport circle. In the next moment, Jian Dan flickered next to it. With a single punch she destroyed the array, and with one swift gesture she pulled Madam Feng back into the room. She slapped her palm against Madam Feng's forehead and began a soul search.
No words were needed. Such a ruthless method told its own story.
A quarter of an hour later, Jian Dan opened her eyes, a flicker of disgust crossing her expression. She had uncovered some of the hidden dark secrets woven into the cultivation world—plenty more pests to eliminate later.
She pulled Madam Feng's storage bracelet from her person. A single wave of flame, a bloom of Manjushahua fire, struck the woman—and Madam Feng turned to ash.
Three Nascent Soul cultivators remained standing, silent, helpless as witnesses.
Jian Dan had found the antidote but didn't administer it immediately. Instead, she crushed it under her palm and sniffed. Satisfied, she approached Miao Yunrong's unconscious attendants.
"Fellow Daoist Mo Su," she said, "this antidote was prepared for me, so it hit me hard. You two passed out quickly. Rise now and administer it to your Little Palace Mistress."
At that moment Mo Su, pretending unconscious, opened his eyes to face Jian Dan. Blue light glinted in her gaze as she held his divine sense—strong enough to pin him for three breaths.
The three Nascent Souls behind him saw nothing, clueless about what happened in those breaths.
During that time Jian Dan erased from Mo Su's memory all the hidden events from the trial space.