As night deepened, Blackrock Stronghold's imposing daytime silhouette of steel and steam gradually dissolved under the glow of countless amber steam lamps and hazy neon lights. The entire city exuded a cyberpunk-esque air of decadence and mystique.
"Tender Village" was nestled at the heart of the city's most bustling entertainment district. It wasn't a single building, but an entire complex of ornately carved structures ablaze with light. In this cold, steel jungle, it had forcibly carved out a realm of gentle indulgence through sheer wealth and magic.
The gilded letters of "Tender Village" weren't displayed on a gaudy signboard, but were instead magically etched into the air with shimmering light, blending opulence with arcane mystique.
Even before approaching, a warm breeze carrying the mingled scents of cosmetics, fine wine, and soothing melodies wafted towards them.
The four stood before Tender Village's majestic gates, momentarily spellbound.
Contrary to expectations, there were no hulking bouncers or overly seductive women soliciting customers. Instead, two graceful Cat-girls in elegant long gowns bowed courteously to each guest entering and exiting.
Her smile was poised, her demeanor elegant.
"This... this place... is nothing like I imagined," Xia Lian murmured, her tense nerves relaxing slightly.
Lin Xiyue was equally surprised. "I thought it would be chaotic. It actually looks quite... upscale?"
Su Wan frowned, remaining silent, though the disgust in her eyes had noticeably softened.
Lin Qingyue, however, wore an expression that said, "This is getting more interesting by the minute." With a long stride, she was the first to step inside.
The scene within left them even more astonished.
Melodious music flowed through the grand hall.
The air carried a blend of high-end incense and a subtle aroma of wine.
This wasn't a mere pleasure quarter; it resembled a top-tier club where elegance and wildness coexisted.
On a circular stage at the hall's center, a girl with transparent wings sprouting from her back was playing the harp, her ethereal music pouring out like moonlight cascading to earth.
Guests sat in small groups in plush sofa booths, conversing in hushed tones.
Moreover, the clientele was mixed, both men and women.
In one booth, a man in lavish attire was burying his face in the snowy-white, fluffy tail of a fox-woman, inhaling deeply with a contented sigh.
The fox-woman merely chuckled softly, leisurely feeding him pieces of fruit.
In another booth, a powerfully built female warrior held a rabbit-eared youth in her arms, her large hand kneading his long, fluffy ears. The youth purred contentedly, his eyes half-closed in bliss.
A man, looking somewhat impatient, embraced a Cat-girl in a passionate kiss as they hurried toward a private room ahead. The Cat-girl giggled softly, returning his affection with gentle warmth.
But most patrons simply sat together, drinking, chatting, and listening to music.
The atmosphere here was less about lasciviousness and more about languor and utter relaxation.
Even the attire was far more demure than what one might see at the Bloody Arena.
When the four vibrant young women entered, they immediately drew many eyes.
A seemingly drunken Bear-man Miner, clutching his wine glass, started to approach them.
Before he could take more than two steps, a cheerful Rabbit-eared Waitress materialized before him as if by teleportation, subtly blocking his path with her body.
Simultaneously, she pressed a fresh drink into his hand, her voice sweet as honey: "Sir, your 'Heart of Lava' has arrived. Your friends are waiting for you back at your booth."
The Bear-man Miner snapped halfway out of his stupor, glanced at the Rabbit-eared Waitress's unwavering smile, then at Lin Qingyue's group. Muttering under his breath, he grudgingly turned and lumbered back to his seat.
The entire exchange flowed seamlessly, without a hint of argument or discourtesy, yet it nipped the potential harassment in the bud.
Xia Lian stared in stunned silence.
Lin Xiyue whistled, "Wow, professional!"
The Rabbit-eared Waitress smiled. "Our establishment strictly prohibits guests from harassing other guests. Please relax and enjoy your evening."
Xia Lian's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, though her cheeks still burned at the sight of overly intimate scenes. She managed to maintain a semblance of composure, glancing around with feigned nonchalance.
Su Wan, meanwhile, had fully entered her data analysis mode.
She began dissecting the staff's composition, analyzing the interaction patterns between guests and "service personnel," the data streams in her eyes flowing silently.
Interesting, this place operates much like the elite brothels of ancient Huaxia, Lin Qingyue mused inwardly.
They sell both artistry and companionship, but the core service is providing emotional validation and companionship.
"Good evening, esteemed guests."
A cat-girl waitress glided over with graceful, feline steps, her face adorned with a perfectly sweet smile.
"You all exude the sharp aura of adventurers. Did you just return from a perilous journey and come here to unwind?"
"My name is Mia, and it's my pleasure to serve you. Judging by your expressions, this is your first time here? Would you like me to give you a tour?"
"It is our first time," Lin Qingyue admitted candidly, her eyes wide with childlike curiosity.
"We just got back from an adventure. We heard this is the best place in Blackrock Stronghold, so we came to see for ourselves. Any recommendations?"
"For first-time guests, we usually suggest starting in the main hall to soak in the atmosphere," Mia replied, handing them a menu bound in exquisite leather.
"You can order some drinks and snacks while enjoying the music. If you have any special requests, you can choose from the service options listed on the menu. Feel free to call me at any time."
Lin Xiyue leaned in to glance at the menu, then gasped sharply.
"Sis! This place is outrageously expensive! Even the simplest fruit wine costs a gold coin!"
A gold coin could buy them a lavish roast meat feast at a tavern.
"You get what you pay for," Mia said.
Lin Qingyue smiled nonchalantly, her mind as clear as a polished mirror.
The intelligence she had gathered so far had pieced together most of the truth about this world.
But the final, most crucial piece of the puzzle remained missing.
Why could Lina and Sherry seamlessly switch places without resistance, while Buck and Gru foolishly fought to the death for them?
Why could a Fox-woman traveling merchant like Adela, despite being affected by the Echo of the Heart's Abyss, continue to "hunt," while the men she hunted willingly became her "loyal dogs"?
The answer to this question couldn't be found on the streets, in the taverns, at the Adventurers' Guild, or even in the Bloody Arena.
By process of elimination, perhaps... it lay hidden within this Tender Village.
Lin Qingyue casually ordered four mid-priced "Starlight Specials" and handed the menu back.
"Let's take a seat first."
Mia led them to a relatively secluded circular booth.
The plush sofa, exquisite low table, and perfectly calibrated lighting created a small buffer between them and the surrounding clamor, allowing them to observe the hall while maintaining sufficient privacy.
Soon, four shimmering "Starlight Specials" were brought to their table, each glass glowing with iridescent light.
The liquid in the glasses was a dreamy, deep blue, with shimmering silver flecks swirling slowly within.
Just looking at it was a feast for the eyes.
"Wow, it's so pretty!" Lin Xiyue exclaimed, picking up her glass first. She sniffed it curiously, the sweet fragrance of fruit mingling with a faint alcoholic aroma, and couldn't resist taking a small sip.
The icy liquid slid down her throat, carrying a mildly numbing sensation that instantly transformed into a warm current, banishing her fatigue from days of travel.
"Delicious!" Her eyes lit up.
Xia Lian also took a cautious sip. The warmth spread through her esophagus, soothing every limb and bone, and completely dissolving the faint tension she had carried in her shoulders.
The atmosphere here was far safer and more comfortable than she had imagined.
Su Wan gracefully raised her glass, her movements so precise they could grace the cover of a textbook on aristocratic etiquette.
She didn't drink, but instead scrutinized the swirling starlight within, assessing whether its rotation was uniform and its density of luminous particles met her standard for "pleasing to the eye."
Lin Qingyue, meanwhile, had completely relaxed. Leaning back on the plush sofa, she leisurely sipped her drink, observing the myriad facets of human nature unfolding across the hall.
Then she noticed an utterly anomalous phenomenon.
Logically, this place should have been a crucible of desire, a nexus of hormonal frenzy.
Under the influence of the Echo of the Heart's Abyss rule, it should have been even more chaotic and frenzied than the outside world.
Yet the reality was precisely the opposite.
Though the guests in the hall were indulging in excess, their desires were restrained by an invisible rein—a peculiar "safe zone."
Lin Qingyue's gaze fell upon a man who had nearly buried his face in the fox-woman's tail.
His expression was rapturous, his breath scorching with lust, as if he were about to melt into that expanse of snowy-white fluff.
But at that moment, a companion at the next table called out to him, discussing betting on the upcoming Arena matches.
"Coming, coming!"
The man, who had been utterly entranced just a second earlier, suddenly snapped his head up.
In an instant, the infatuation and desire vanished from his eyes, replaced by the sharp clarity of a shrewd businessman.
He rubbed his cheek against the fox-woman's tail one last time, then deftly fished out a few silver coins from his pouch, placed them on the table, and ruffled her hair.
"Nice tail. I'll request you again next time."
With that, he rose, slung an arm around his companion's shoulder, and strode away without a trace of lingering attachment—as if his earlier infatuation had never existed.
The fox-woman gracefully pocketed her tip, flashing a professional, sweet smile at his retreating figure before turning her attention to the next potential customer.
This scene made Lin Qingyue's smile bloom fully.
It wasn't that desire was absent.
Rather, here, desire was openly priced.
They indulged in it.
But they didn't lose themselves.