The Talisman Master Examination Assembly was, as expected, being held in the largest square of Tianqiong City.
"Have you heard? The Abbot of Jinguang Temple outside the city has advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage!"
"What? Seriously? Heaven is truly blessing Tianqiong City. We've gained another Nascent Soul powerhouse. No wonder the City Lord dared to hold the Examination Assembly at a time like this."
"Exactly. A few Demonic Cultivators are nothing to fear!"
Just then, a domineering voice cut in.
"What do you lot know? That bald old monk only broke through to Nascent Soul after seeing through the truth that beauty is nothing but a skeleton beneath the skin. He just got lucky."
"Who are you to smear someone like that?"
"Right! He's a Nascent Soul expert. Since when is it your place to judge him?"
"I drink flower wine in the city. Nine times out of ten, I see him there!"
"I-If that's the case, then Master must have been cultivating in the mortal world. That's why he broke through at this time!"
"Exactly! He was cultivating. You've probably gone more times than he has!"
"That one time he was in the top courtesan's room. When I tried to rush in, I heard from outside…"
The arrogant voice suddenly lowered, tinged with an odd trace of sorrow.
"Ah… my condolences."
"May I ask who you are, brother?"
"A distant nephew of the City Lord!"
"I see! No wonder you speak with such refinement and carry yourself so well."
"Indeed, brother. You shine like a beam of light among the crowd. It's impossible not to notice you!"
"You're too kind, too kind. I'm merely…"
Ye Ling stopped listening after that. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that this matter had something to do with the Succubi.
After all, a Golden Core old monk who frequently drank flower wine—of all times to break through, it happened right when a Succubus appeared nearby. It was hard not to connect the two.
That said, it wasn't his concern.
If the breakthrough truly had something to do with the Succubi, his impression of the Succubus race would improve a fair bit. If it was just a coincidence, then he'd simply be glad Tianqiong City had gained another Nascent Soul powerhouse.
He did want to spar with Demonic Cultivators to hone himself.
But what he wanted even more was to quietly make his fortune. Fighting in some small, unnoticed corner was ideal. Being targeted by the Demonic Sect would be a headache.
At Heavenly Gate Sect, it didn't matter much.
But he would leave the mountain one day. If he had to stay on guard at all times, that would be exhausting.
So yes to secretly beating up Demonic Cultivators. No to showing off.
"The backstage area of the examination grounds is just ahead. All the examiners are inside. Go and greet them first."
Outside, Leng Qingqiu was no longer as gentle as she was in private. The cold mask had returned. Still, she added a reminder:
"Don't interact too much. If someone accuses you of colluding with other examiners, it'll be troublesome. In previous years, candidates who failed even imagined examiners chatting happily and reported them to the Righteous Path Alliance for cheating. You have to guard against that."
Though her expression was icy, she was meticulous when it came to such details.
To prevent examiners from secretly communicating, they were not allowed to meet before the Examination Assembly officially began. In a sense, even the reception staff were there to monitor them.
Only after the venue was fully arranged would the examiners briefly greet one another before the test started. During the examination, it was best to avoid any communication.
Once the Examination Assembly ended, they could chat however they liked. No one would interfere then. But before that, everything had to appear absolutely fair, at least on the surface.
"Got it."
Ye Ling handed the sleeping Eve to Leng Qingqiu.
"I'll leave her with you for now. No problem?"
To be honest, he was a little troubled. Eve seemed to have truly exhausted herself. He had called her all morning before heading out, but she didn't wake up.
The girl had been sleeping the whole time, letting out soft "Sii-yaa… sii-yaa…" sounds, completely undisturbed even as the surroundings grew noisier.
This time, she really was worn out. Even when Ye Ling transferred her into Leng Qingqiu's arms, she didn't stir, still sleeping sweetly.
"Of course. You can't exactly bring a child up there."
Leng Qingqiu took Eve without any change in expression. But with Eve's adorable sleeping face in her arms, she seemed far less unapproachable.
Like any normal person, the moment she had seen Eve's Succubus form the night before, she had been captivated by how cute she looked. Ye Ling might have been used to countless "paper wives," so while he liked her, he didn't lose himself over it.
But falling for a demon was something she would never admit.
So she chose to treat Eve as if she were human.
In fact, even if Ye Ling hadn't asked, she would have wanted to hold Eve herself.
It was simply a human instinct in the face of something irresistibly cute.
"I think you look pretty happy."
Partly to collect Emotion Points, and partly because he genuinely wanted to see Leng Qingqiu flustered, Ye Ling said it outright, without the slightest concern for her feelings.
"Wh-What are you talking about…"
As expected, Leng Qingqiu bit her lip and shot him a glare.
Seeing her act tough while clearly embarrassed inside, Ye Ling felt thoroughly satisfied. With a light chuckle, he turned and headed toward the backstage area of the Examination Assembly.
That infuriating man!
Watching his retreating figure, Leng Qingqiu struggled to steady her expression, then unconsciously tightened her hold on Eve.
As much as she hated to admit it, Ye Ling had played her completely. Worse, she had willingly boarded his ship.
She had intended to win him over. Instead, she had been the one drawn in. The thought made her feel deeply frustrated.
But if you learn the enemy's strengths, you can one day use them against him. As long as she persisted, there would come a day when she turned the tables.
Come on, Leng Qingqiu. You can do this.
After silently encouraging herself, she headed toward the staff area. Though she no longer had official duties, she could still use her staff identity to secure a comfortable spot to watch the assembly instead of standing in the square like an ordinary spectator.
...
Stepping into the backstage area, Ye Ling saw four white-haired elders with youthful complexions seated in their respective places. Some sipped fragrant tea; others rested with eyes closed. None spoke to each other.
He could tell at a glance that three of them were at the late Foundation Establishment stage. The one seated in the main position was a Golden Core expert.
All four carried themselves with an imposing air. At first glance, they looked every bit the part of grandmasters.
The Righteous Path Alliance loved inviting this type of "master" to serve as examiners. They were impressive enough to intimidate people.
In theory, every profession upheld the idea that the capable should be honored as teachers. In practice, though, age often carried more weight.
From Ye Ling's observation, the blood qi of the three Foundation Establishment elders was already stagnant. Their lifespans were clearly nearing their end. The Golden Core expert's blood qi was fuller by comparison, but even he gave off a faintly declining aura.
"Junior Ye Ling greets the seniors."
Ye Ling bowed politely. Courtesy cost him nothing.
Their cultivation might not be extraordinary, but being invited by the Righteous Path Alliance meant that, at the very least in the eyes of the public, they were leading figures in the Talisman Dao.
"This young friend is unfamiliar."
The Golden Core expert in the main seat opened his eyes and examined Ye Ling with interest.
Anyone who had lived to that age, even without exceptional cultivation, was no fool. He would not judge based on appearance alone.
"This is my token. Please take a look, seniors."
Ye Ling had no intention of showing off in front of just four people. The return wasn't worth the effort.
However, before the Golden Core expert could respond, the Foundation Establishment cultivator seated first on his right suddenly stood up in shock.
"A Heavenly Gate Token!?"
It was somewhat improper of him to speak out of turn with a Golden Core expert present, but recognizing the Heavenly Gate Token had made him lose his composure.
"Ahem."
The Golden Core expert cleared his throat lightly. It wasn't that he was displeased, but authority had to be maintained. If you never reinforced it, people would eventually stop respecting it.
Realizing his lapse, the Foundation Establishment cultivator hurriedly apologized.
"Brother Wang, my apologies. I was out of line."
"It's fine."
The Golden Core expert waved it off, then looked at Ye Ling.
"The seal of the Righteous Path Alliance is indeed present. Young friend, take a seat over there for now. The examination has not yet begun, so it would be inappropriate for us to converse. Once the assembly concludes, we can get better acquainted."
To be fair, this Golden Core expert handled matters skillfully.
Foundation Establishment and Golden Core were separated by only one major realm, yet that single step could trap someone for decades. The difference in status alone was obvious, not to mention strength. And the higher one climbed, the more pronounced those gaps became.
For a Golden Core cultivator to extend goodwill to a young junior was already considered fortunate. That he did so with such warmth and courtesy made it even more so.
"Of course. When the time comes, I hope the seniors won't hesitate to offer guidance."
Ye Ling responded smoothly. He did not look down on them simply because he had the Heavenly Gate behind him. Building connections now would only make it easier to promote the Succubus brothel in the future.
He hadn't planned on making a show of anything.
But since someone had recognized the Heavenly Gate Token, he had no choice but to lean into it a little.
More importantly, the elders had begun providing Emotion Points. Though the total wasn't impressive—just over five hundred combined, not even as satisfying as teasing Leng Qingqiu once—it had the advantage of being steady.
[??? is showing goodwill toward the host +4]
[??? is showing goodwill toward the host +7]
[??? is showing goodwill toward the host +5]
[??? is showing goodwill toward the host +13]
The one who recognized the Heavenly Gate Token contributed especially generously.
Very good. I'll remember you.
When the brothel opens, you get a twenty percent discount.