Two days passed in a flash.
At dusk, Fang Cheng left his small courtyard and headed for the Qianzuan Pavilion.
This restaurant was located on the west bank of the marketplace, built overlooking a lake. Although it couldn't compare to the Feng Family's Jade Banquet Tower, the price of its Spiritual Cuisine was still steep.
A single meal averaged several dozen Lower-Grade Spirit Stones per person.
In the past, Fang Cheng would never have considered dining here.
He was extremely familiar with the streets of the marketplace, and it didn't take him long to arrive at the Qianzuan Pavilion.
"Honored guest, please come in. Do you have a reservation?"
At the entrance, two young women in form-fitting long dresses came forward and asked enthusiastically.
Fang Cheng smiled slightly. "I have a reservation for the Drinking Moon Chamber."
"Honored guest, please follow me." The young woman from the restaurant gave a charming smile and turned to lead the way.
After climbing to the third floor and entering the Drinking Moon Chamber, he saw a snow-skinned beauty standing by the window, leaning on the railing and gazing at the scenery outside.
The sun was setting, sinking into the lake. The vibrant evening clouds blazed like fire, dyeing the western sky and the lake's surface a brilliant gold.
A gentle evening breeze blew as water birds circled low in the sky, their calls melodious and clear.
The lake's surface shimmered with golden light, caressed by the soft wind.
"Fellow Daoist Fang, you're here!"
Wen Qianqian looked back with a smile brimming with charm.
This woman was beautiful to the bone. She wore a cloud-like Immortal Robe, white as snow and made of a material that was neither silk nor brocade. She was like a rare flower in first bloom, naturally graceful, a beautiful jade or a bright pearl, dazzling to the eye.
Her features were lovely and her bearing dignified. Dressed in a moon-white gown, she looked like a Fairy from a painting. Set against the backdrop of the vast, shimmering sunset, her jade-like skin seemed to reflect the rosy clouds, her fair form glowing with a captivating and radiant charm.
"Wen Dao You, have you been well?" Fang Cheng greeted her with a smile.
Wen Qianqian's beautiful eyes sized him up and down before she replied, "Same as always. You, on the other hand, Fellow Daoist Fang... I haven't seen you in just over a month, but your temperament has changed quite a bit."
"Oh? What kind of change?" Fang Cheng walked to the railing, asking as he gazed at the beautiful sunset over the Abyssal Marsh.
Wen Qianqian's gaze was like water. She observed Fang Cheng for a long while, feeling that he was much taller and more imposing than the last time she'd seen him. He was handsome, with an exceptionally refined air, and the smile on his face made him very likable.
She said, "The last time I saw you, your Sword Intent was so sharp and aggressive that one could hardly look at you directly. This time, it's much more restrained, but your presence feels even more profound…"
'This charming young woman really has a sharp eye,' Fang Cheng thought to himself.
The change in his temperament was mainly due to practicing the Celestial Fire Body Forging Technique. After his Body Refining, his control over his body's vital essence had improved tenfold!
Not everyone had arrived yet, so Fang Cheng didn't bring up the matter of the Profound Yin Ice Fiend, chatting idly with Wen Qianqian instead.
It turned out her father was also a Loose Cultivator in the Yinluo Sect Marketplace. He was skilled in the Array Dao and Talismans, and he ran a small, rather famous shop in the marketplace.
Thanks to this craft, Wen Qianqian's family was quite well-off.
She herself was a typical "second-generation cultivator," born to Cultivator parents and had started cultivating from a young age.
Unfortunately, her talent was mediocre. She figured that even if she joined the Yinluo Sect, she would at best end up with the title of 'Outer Disciple.' She felt it was better to be a carefree Loose Cultivator.
In the vast Cultivation Realm, how many could truly attain eternal life?
Most Cultivators merely had longer lifespans than mortals. They toiled their whole lives, but in the end, how were they any different from ordinary people?
Even with Divine Techniques, it was just a different way of living.
Their troubles... were no fewer than those of mortals!
Who could escape the rolling dust of the mortal world?
Wen Qianqian seemed to be a woman with a story, but Fang Cheng wasn't one for gossip.
Before long, Chen Yu Yan and Yang Heng arrived as well.
The two seemed almost inseparable, yet their relationship was clearly not that of a romantic couple. It was more like... master and servant!
The hierarchy between them was obvious at a glance.
Fang Cheng had a vivid imagination and vaguely pictured Chen Yu Yan as the fallen lady of some great family, with Yang Heng as the loyal retainer or bodyguard protecting his young mistress.
Wen Qianqian was the host today. Seeing Chen Yu Yan arrive, she went forward to greet her.
Yang Heng nodded a greeting to Fang Cheng, then sat down by himself in silence, like a statue.
Fang Cheng continued to admire the lake view.
Suddenly, Wen Qianqian's laughter came from behind him. "I think Fellow Daoist Fang is quite suitable. Why don't you, little sister, cultivate that Joyful Zen Skill with him? Your cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds."
Fang Cheng turned to see a blush appear on Chen Yu Yan's cold, beautiful, snow-white face. She said with feigned annoyance, "Fellow Daoist Fang, don't listen to Sister Wen's teasing."
Just then, a gentle voice came from the doorway. "My apologies, everyone. I am late."
A slender man in fine clothes with a dignified bearing walked through the door.
It was Wang Xingzhi.
Wen Qianqian teased, "Since Mr. Wang is the last to arrive, you'll have to drink three cups as a penalty later."
"Of course!" Wang Xingzhi laughed heartily and greeted Fang Cheng and the others.
Everyone took their seats.
Soon after, Maids from the Qianzuan Pavilion brought out a variety of delicacies and Spirit Wine. The five of them raised their cups to toast each other, inevitably sighing with emotion over their shared experiences.
Once the door to the private chamber was closed and the restrictive wards were activated, the five finally began to discuss serious business.
Wen Qianqian spoke first. "Everyone, over the past month or so, I imagine you've all begun to study those three Cultivation Techniques. The Li Hen Demon Light is fraught with danger to cultivate; the slightest mistake could lead to qi deviation... The Joyful Zen Skill requires a Tripod Furnace for support, but while finding a Tripod Furnace is easy, a true Dao companion is hard to find. Has anyone made any progress?"
A few of them shook their heads. Wang Xingzhi said, "Cultivating the Joyful Zen Skill is not without its own dangers. That technique uses a Buddha Heart to cultivate the Demon Dao. I'm afraid it's even easier to suffer qi deviation than with the Li Hen Demon Light."
From his words, it seemed he had already put considerable effort into studying the Joyful Zen Skill.
Chen Yu Yan added, "That's why the best choice is still the Nine Heavens Cold Ice Technique."
The woman had already returned to her usual cold and elegant demeanor. She was serious and unsmiling, exuding an air of dignified grace.
Fang Cheng chuckled. "Wen Dao You, why don't you just get to the point about the Profound Yin Ice Fiend? That's what we're all here for."
Wen Qianqian shot him a look and said, "After I returned, I started searching for anything related to the Ice Fiend. Not long ago, I finally heard that someone has a jar of Profound Yin Ice Fiend, but unfortunately, the person is demanding ten thousand Spirit Stones for it."
Upon hearing this, even Wang Xingzhi, who came from a prominent family, couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
How many Sensing Stage Cultivators could possibly produce ten thousand Spirit Stones?!
Wen Qianqian's beautiful eyes swept over the group as she said, "That's why I've gathered everyone here. If each of us pools two thousand Spirit Stones, we can buy it. Then we can each take a vial's worth, which should be enough for us to cultivate the Nine Heavens Cold Ice Technique."
Wang Xingzhi frowned. "Wen Dao You, your idea is good, but are you sure the information is reliable?"
Wen Qianqian nodded and said seriously, "I have seen the jar of Profound Yin Ice Fiend myself."
Chen Yu Yan pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Fellow Daoist Yang and I can put together four thousand Spirit Stones."
Wang Xingzhi leaned back in his chair. "Ten thousand Spirit Stones would be difficult, but two thousand is manageable."
Fang Cheng added, "I have no problem either."
Wen Qianqian said joyfully, "Excellent. In that case, I will contact him and prepare for the transaction."