Tan Xiao simply didn’t believe, "You’re talking nonsense! Precisely because Luo Yewang isn’t listed in the Sword Sect, you wouldn’t forget a friend! You’ve definitely co up with an idea, let’s hear it. If you don’t tell , I’ll head to the Ten Thousand Mountains myself and make sure everyone knows about this."
Back then, when they were fighting over the Earth Spirit Pearl in the Ten Thousand Mountains, he saw very clearly that the relationship between this false friend and Luo Yewang was quite deep; it wasn’t just a simple acquaintance. Given Hou Gouzi’s personality, with his friend taken and their fate unknown, he definitely wouldn’t let it go, the only difference being what thod he would use.
Now that Hou Gouzi has erged from the Altar Cave Heaven, he’s likely going to address this matter head-on.
Hou Niao felt incredibly troubled; he honestly didn’t want to bring people along. Being alone was much better, free to co and go without having to look after others; Nineteenth Aunt had her own ways and didn’t need his concern.
But he also knew he couldn’t easily fool the guy in front of him, so he could only play along, "I’m still looking for an opportunity. Once I have a plan, I’ll inform you, I promise..."
Tan Xiao snorted, "Whoever believes the promise of the great Hierarch Hou is a fool!"
He brushed his sleeve, "If you’re here to mooch, don’t expect any hospitality. Farewell."
Hou Niao just chuckled, not annoyed at all. He really couldn’t bring others into this; the enemies would be many fierce outer-space demons, very powerful, not sothing ordinary people could handle.
With a bow of his hand, he floated away. Having just flown out of the Chu Sect’s Mountain Gate, he encountered soone ahead, clasped his hands together,
"eting is fate. They say the snowy scenery of Dushan is uniquely beautiful, yet I haven’t experienced it before. Better now than never, would you mind if I accompanied Brother Hou back?"
Hou Niao looked at him, knowing this person could not be easily shaken off. So matters require moderation; since Tan Xiao has made it clear he’s determined to go, Hou couldn’t just run off relying on speed—that’s not the way cultivators interact.
Besides, Tan Xiao did have reasons to join, not entirely just to make a scene.
"Alright, but there’s no rush; we still have more than a year. Since you want to accompany , you should first serve as my guide."
The two flew leisurely across the southeastern realm since there was nothing urgent.
Upon hearing Hou Niao’s plan, Tan Xiao scoffed outwardly but felt inwardly excited. Doing things with Hou Gouzi always offered no shortage of thrills. Just thinking about the Demon Gathering made him eager to set off imdiately.
"Do you think that thod is reliable? Having a Great Demon lead us there—isn’t it a bit wishful? What if it sells us out there, or inadvertently exposes us? These demons aren’t good at precise tasks; why not just sneak in directly?"
Hou Niao glanced at him, "Have you lived comfortably for so long you’ve beco foolish? The Kneecap Desert is boundless; devoid of concealnt, the undead’s perception of human aura is extrely sharp, like a bright lamp to them in the human world. Over ten thousand miles—can you sneak in? If you have that thought, you might as well fight your way in, but I won’t accompany you."
Tan Xiao, confident, "Old Hou, don’t overestimate yourself. You don’t understand the Daoist Sect’s abilities; for you Sword Cultivators, you can only fight through, but we Magic Cultivators are different. Forget it; let’s do it your way, no matter."
The two bickered along the way, wandering across the Southeast Continent. Tan Xiao knew what he wanted to understand, so he led him through the small states, among the streets and alleys.
Of course, listening to stories too; this did not surprise Tan Xiao at all, as he also found so aning behind this mythological story. In today’s Jinxiu Cultivation Realm, it’s nothing new. So treat it like a story, others take it as truth.
One day, the two accidentally passed a small city in Sangmo Country. In an outdoor tavern under the setting sun, they drank with a dish of broad beans. Occasional relaxation was a rare adjustnt for a cultivator, particularly for a Golden Core Cultivator, they couldn’t fully cut ties with the mundane.
"Did you know? Among the Southeast States, Sangmo’s Harmony Dao is the Continent’s most renowned Dual Cultivation Path, yet Sangmo’s royal family is the only one on the Jinxiu Continent that insists on monogamy." Tan Xiao marveled.
It was the first ti Hou Niao had heard such a claim, "Wherever insects and snakes appear, within seven steps there is surely relieving grass. It’s the principle of the reversal of the extre."
The two drank facing each other, watching the sunset, imrsed in the remains of nature’s glow. However, a discordant sound ca from afar; it sounded like...
"In this bright world of Qian Kun, is soone still committing illegal deeds? I seem to hear a woman’s cry. What’s this about?"
The waiter laughed, "You may not know, this crying cos from the Qing Pavilion of the flower house, done by this city’s Daoist Official, for a different reason, not about bullying citizens."
Hou Niao beca intrigued, "Oh? The Daoist Official still has dealings with these places, truly eye-opening. How about explaining?"
The waiter smiled, "You two Daoists might be new here, unfamiliar with our situation. Every few years, a batch of the old, fading, abandoned ones in the flower house are eliminated. Harmony Dao cultivators gather them, arrange sothing else, but I don’t know the specifics. I’ve heard it’s not bad?"
Next to them, a knowledgeable guest supplented, "They’re taken to the Daoist School for training. Although such won are a bit older, they precisely et the essence of the Harmony Dao. The success rate is much higher than average, thus becoming a crucial training ground for Harmony Dao throughout Sangmo Country. After doing this for long, every western-style flower house must go through this test eventually, and recently, it’s not just Sangmo Country; even flower house won from other southeastern Daoist Countries are trending toward gathering in Sangmo. It’s actually a boon for these won."
The two exchanged glances, seeing astonishnt in each other’s eyes. Tan Xiao then asked, "Are these won willing?"
The guest chuckled, "There’s hardly an issue of willingness. Over thirty, they attract few clients, making no money, becoming a burden to flower houses. They’re unskilled, unable to handle housework, neither can they fight against odds.
Having such a profession, no decent family would readily marry them, many even lose the ability to bear children—how would they survive later life?
The Harmony Dao’s Daoist School targets them, promoting health, teaching reading and writing, weaving and embroidery, won’s crafts, and incidentally teaches them thods of breathing exercises..."
Tan Xiao applauded heartily, "Though we share the Southeast, I had no idea Sangmo and its Harmony Dao had such vision. Cheers to that."
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