When the next morning arrived, Xie Lan practically vibrated with a newfound energy. He'd spent the better part of the night practicing the Divine Cultivation Method, and he could feel the difference. His senses were sharper, his limbs felt lighter, and the world seemed a little more vivid.
"I need to see more of this city," Xie Lan thought out loud while stretching. "Hiding in my room won't let me understand anything."
He slipped on a simple set of dark clothes and headed for the main gate.
The moment he stepped into the bustling city streets, a stark reality hit him. The air was thick with aggression. It wasn't just the crowds; it was the energy of the place.
Ahead of him, a cultivator with lightning arcing around his fists shoved a smaller man to the ground. "Watch where you're going, trash!"
The man on the ground didn't take things lying down. In the blink of an eye he jumped up as dust and rocks shot up from the ground behind him as he sped towards the man with the fist of lightning.
This fight wasn't special though. It was just like any other. All over the city he saw similar conflicts breaking out for every petty reason possible.
"Here," Xie Lan realized with a chill, "the strong eat the weak for breakfast. And I'm still on the menu."
He needed power. More than what 100 Pervert Points could buy him. Just getting this far had shown him that.
Just then, a sweet voice cut through the noise. It sounded just like a bell.
"Senior Brother Xie Lan!"
He turned. And there she was. His childhood friend.
Cao Ning.
She was smiling, a real, radiant smile that made her entire face light up. It was almost criminal. Her silver hair shimmered in the sun.
Then his eyes, of their own accord, drifted lower.
As she greeted him with a slight, polite bow, her deep blue robe—already scandalously low-cut—shifted. More. Always more. The soft, full curves of her breasts swelled against the sheer fabric, looking like they were a breath away from spilling out for the whole world to see.
From behind, Xie Lan could see every man on the street freeze. Their heads turned as one, their gazes glued to her back. And why wouldn't they?
The robe was so tight it was practically a second skin, riding up to reveal the perfect twin globes of her ass and even the enticing crack between them as she leaned forward.
Her legs were exposed up to her hips thanks to those high slits, and they made her creamy, smooth thighs look like something out of a dream.
Xie Lan found himself staring at that dangerous neckline. Her clothes were in a constant battle with gravity, one that would be lost with a single wrong move. All he could think was how he'd like to reach out and help them lose.
He'd quickly figured out the dress code here in the demonic lands. The women didn't just dress this way for attention. They wore these clothes like armor—worn with pride to showcase every flawless curve they owned.
As he looked around, he saw more revealing outfits. More stunning figures walking without a hint of shame. It was all so brazen, and it was everything Ye Fan had ever dreamed of.
"What brings you here today, Senior Brother?" Cao Ning asked again, her voice as sweet as before. She seemed happy to see him but not at all surprised by her effect on him—or everyone else.
"Just… getting some air. Exploring," Xie Lan managed, forcing his gaze back up to her face. "You?"
"The same! Let's walk together?" She fell into step beside him without waiting for a reply.
As they moved through the market, Xie Lan couldn't ignore the effect they had on people. Jealous glares burned into his back. It was a silent chorus of, "Why is he with her?" He felt a surge of pride. They could look all they wanted, but they could never touch.
After a few hours, they found themselves in front of the practice hall where all cultivators trained their martial arts. The air around it crackled with energy, and the sound of fists and feet striking pads echoed from within.
On a sudden impulse, Xie Lan changed direction and strode toward the entrance. "Let's go inside, Cao Ning."
"Senior Brother Xie Lan? Here?" Cao Ning's voice was laced with concern, but she followed him. "The people in there… they're not nice."
"I know," Xie Lan said, a knot tightening in his stomach. "But maybe I can get some actual practice in."
The moment he stepped through the heavy wooden doors, a hush fell over a group of disciples near the entrance. The silence was immediately broken by a scornful laugh.
They were from his own Xie clan.
"Well, well, well," one of them sneered, stepping forward. "Look what the wind dragged in. What are you doing here, Xie Lan? Did you get lost on your way to the nursery?"
The others snickered, their eyes flicking between Cao Ning's barely contained assets and Xie Lan's face with undisguised contempt.
The leader took a closer look at Cao Ning, his expression turning predatory. "And you. A goddess like you, wasting your time with this piece of trash? Why don't you come with a real man? I'll show you what strength is."
He puffed out his chest, deliberately trying to stand between Xie Lan and Cao Ning. "Get lost, cousin. This place isn't for the weak."
The burning hot anger Xie Lan had felt since his encounter with Xie Jing threatened to boil over. 'I can't do anything yet,' he repeated in his head. His hands tightened into fists until his knuckles turned white. He ground his teeth and turned away without a word, grabbing Cao Ning's wrist.
"Come on. We're leaving."