Chapter 752: Red Dust, Wind, Moon, and the Immortal Drunk

At this moment, inside the Immortal Pool Cave on the upper floor of the Pavilion of Mortal Dust, the sounds of laughter and music, accompanied by the shifting emotions between men and women, gradually grew more fervent.

Xu Qing keenly noticed fluctuations from a circulating formation within the cave, which intensified as the emotions of the people inside rose. This formation seemed designed for collection, similar to a spirit-gathering array, but perhaps its purpose was to gather emotions and desires.

Xu Qing thoughtfully glanced at the wine glass in front of him. The amber-colored liquid inside emitted a unique aroma. He had taken a sip earlier and already recognized the wine's extraordinary quality.

"Ordinary people are not allowed to drink the wine from the Pavilion of Mortal Dust; one sip is enough to cause death by intoxication!" the woman beside him noticed Xu Qing's gaze and said with a smile. "This wine is called 'Immortal's Intoxication.' While there's some exaggeration in its name, cultivators below the Return to Void realm would struggle to neutralize it with their cultivation. In a way, it is indeed a type of poison.

"However, it's harmless to the body. This is precisely why the wine is so precious: for us, the flow of cultivation is often instinctive, and with our extraordinary physical bodies, it's difficult to experience true intoxication. Only with this 'Immortal's Intoxication' can we feel that blissful tipsiness after drinking and amplify certain emotions.

"As for the formation here, that's why the Pavilion of Mortal Dust cultivates in this manner." Hearing this, Xu Qing's gaze swept over the crowd. He found it difficult to understand why people would consume something designed for killing, pursuing its so-called intoxicating effects. Such a thing would never happen in either Southern Phoenix Continent or Feng Hai Prefecture. Perhaps, he mused, it was because this was the capital city.

Xu Qing disagreed, but he said nothing. In the Pavilion of Mortal Dust, he not only sensed the formation but also perceived that all the women of the Pavilion were absorbing the surrounding emotional energy into their bodies. This situation made Xu Qing uncomfortable and even brought on a sense of aversion.

He noticed Meng Yunbai happily clinking glasses with others, while Huang was equally animated, whispering to the woman beside him. All of this made it difficult for Xu Qing to blend in, and he was contemplating leaving.

Just then, a Buddhist light appeared within the cave. A shimmering, lightning-infused teleportation array flashed on the Immortal Pool, and two figures emerged from it. Both newcomers were women. Xu Qing recognized the one in front as the middle-aged matron who had guided them earlier. As for the woman behind her, her arrival seemed to dim the entire Immortal Pool Cave, overshadowing its brilliance. Everyone present turned to look. The Emperor's Son from the Star Extremity Sect, in particular, had a fervent gaze; his sole purpose for coming here was this woman.

The woman wore a light green veil over her face, revealing only her clear eyes, which seemed to hold the essence of spring water. She was dressed in a phoenix-embroidered emerald silk robe, with a flowing pink smoke skirt that draped to the floor, folded at her waist, and her slender wrists were subtly visible through a light gauze as she moved with delicate steps. Her graceful silhouette was subtly revealed, exuding endless charm. In her arms, she held an antique pipa. Her hair was styled in an elegant chignon, adorned with a peony, giving her the aura of delicate brows resembling distant mountains and dark hair thick with the essence of spring mist.

She was truly a peerless beauty, capable of dimming the hundred flowers and captivating all living beings. She emerged from the Immortal Pool with light, swaying steps, bowed gracefully before the assembled crowd, and then sat on a jade stool. With a delicate flick of her slender hand, music instantly arose.

The first notes were delicate and wistful, seemingly holding an untold story, lingering endlessly. Then the music escalated, with the sound of drums, reverberating melodiously. It was like butterflies dancing in the air, or trickling spring water flowing through mountains, or bright stars shimmering in the night sky. It was as if the woman recalled beautiful memories with her lover, captivating the hearts of all listeners. Beautiful and moving!

But soon, the music gained a touch of separation and reluctance, as if the lover was heading to war, forcing them apart, leaving only longing. Subsequently, the melodious notes took on a mournful theme, as if the music was conveying to her lover: "...this is where you stayed, and the music is imbued with your presence. When you arrived, the music played, and after you left, this music forever became you!"

Some were moved! Gradually, the pipa's tune shifted again. This time, it acquired a heroic and sharp edge, scattering in all directions, causing snowflakes to drift within the cave. The ceiling of the cave grew dark, and countless stars appeared, separating and rapidly swirling, forming gravestones. This scene tugged at people's emotions, conveying the woman's profound sorrow upon learning of her lover's death in battle, and her helpless, despairing hatred towards the world, the heavens, and all creation.

It was as if to say:For thousands of miles, no one gathers the bones; beneath the city walls, a soul-summoning burial.Her husband died on the battlefield, her child still in her womb; though her body lives, it is like a candle in daylight.

The Immortal Pool Cave fell silent. Some thought of the Black Sky Race, some of humanity, and others of their ancestors. Finally, the music lingered endlessly, gradually returning to its initial notes, as if traversing time back to the past, or as if life itself was merely a fleeting vision.

"Excellent!" the Emperor's Son stood up, his eyes gleaming as he spoke in a deep voice. At his words, everyone around rose, offering heartfelt praise. Even Xu Qing felt a ripple in his heart. He had heard music before, but never like this, as if he had heard a complete story, his mind and thoughts carried away by the pipa's melody.

The woman lowered her head slightly, picked up the wine glass in front of her, raised it remotely towards everyone, then took a delicate sip. A corner of her veil had lifted, revealing her beautiful face, truly fragrant and tender, exquisitely captivating, more alluring than any flower. Her hand holding the wine glass was as fair and alluring as peeled scallions, her small mouth like crimson cinnabar. As she put down the glass, the corners of her lips curled upwards, and a slight smile captivated the soul. It stirred ripples in people's hearts, igniting a desire to possess her.

Seeing the mood was set, the matron who arrived with the woman rose and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, this immortal lady is Ling Yao, the esteemed performer of our Pavilion of Mortal Dust. Ling Yao rarely makes an appearance on ordinary days; it is only because we heard of distinguished guests today that this old one invited her. As for Ling Yao's rules, I believe you gentlemen are aware," the matron finished with a smile.

The Emperor's Son nodded and spoke in a deep voice, "Of course, we know. The esteemed Ling Yao may sit beside whoever she fancies; this cannot be forced." As he spoke, he gazed at Ling Yao. His current visit was solely for her, and he had expressed his intentions multiple times. According to his sensory feedback, she seemed to reciprocate his interest. Most importantly, the female cultivators of the Pavilion of Mortal Dust practiced the Dao of Forgetting Emotions, but to forget emotions, one must first be devoted. Devotion was not about taking, but giving, so the first dual cultivation with them brought immense benefits to the male partner. The higher the cultivation, the more astonishing the benefits.

"With Ling Yao's help, my certainty of reaching the Return to Void realm from Great Perfection of the Spirit Treasury will increase by several points!" As the Emperor's Son mused inwardly, Ling Yao, holding her pipa, cast her beautiful, bright eyes around. Her flirtatious glances were captivating and soul-stirring. After scanning everyone one by one, her gaze finally landed on Xu Qing. With a soft smile, she walked with delicate steps and, under the eyes of all, sat down beside Xu Qing.

Xu Qing's body instinctively stiffened. This reaction immediately raised his guard. He didn't know this woman, and for her to sit beside him on their first meeting meant the situation couldn't be viewed simply. Xu Qing slightly furrowed his brow, looking at the woman beside him. Ling Yao's beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at Xu Qing and softly asked, "Young master, why are you looking at me like that?" Her voice was soft and inherently alluring, causing Meng Yunbai, who was beside Xu Qing, to feel a stir in his heart. Meanwhile, the Emperor's Son, surnamed Peng, withdrew his gaze expressionlessly and said nothing more. He simply picked up his wine glass, took a sip, then gently put it down and closed his eyes.

As for the others, their expressions varied. They looked at Xu Qing, then at the Emperor's Son, and exchanged glances amongst themselves. Everything was understood without words. A young man sitting beside the Emperor's Son laughed heartily towards Xu Qing, "Brother Xu is indeed an an extraordinary talent! On your first visit, you've captivated the esteemed Ling Yao. This calls for celebration! Brother Xu, I toast you. Shall we keep in touch frequently from now on?" As he spoke, the young man picked up a glass of wine, politely raised it, and drank first. Given the other's courteous words and demeanor, Xu Qing found it hard to refuse, so he picked up his glass, nodded, and drank as well.

No sooner had he finished that glass than another young man raised his own, saying, "Brother Xu is truly a remarkable talent, and a pillar of our human race! I've heard much about you over the years, and seeing you now fills me with admiration. I'll drink three cups!" With that, he drank three cups consecutively. Xu Qing calmly glanced at the young man, understanding the underlying reason in his heart. Soon, others followed suit, each offering a toast. Their words were polite, and their expressions carried goodwill. This approach made it difficult to object, even though their intentions were clear.

During this, Meng Yunbai stood up, intending to help, but Xu Qing stopped him. While these wines might intoxicate others, Xu Qing feared nothing that wasn't poison. So, he accepted every toast, glass after glass. By the time everyone had taken their turns, most were swaying slightly, but Xu Qing remained completely unaffected. Consequently, everyone present looked at him with a strange gaze.

Xu Qing, after silently noting down the names and appearances of everyone present, smiled faintly at them. "It's a pleasure to meet all you distinguished gentlemen today. You are all pillars and heroes of our human race. The glory of humanity requires our generation to carry it forward. How about we each have a jar?" Xu Qing said, looking towards the matron.

The matron was momentarily stunned, but quickly summoned serving girls to bring over more than ten jars of wine. Seeing this turn of events, everyone hesitated. They dared not drink too much of the wine here, as wine, at times, could also be a weapon. Xu Qing remained calm inwardly, displaying the subtle smile his senior brother had taught him. "Please!"

The atmosphere grew somewhat tense. The Emperor's Son opened his eyes, looked at Xu Qing without betraying any emotion, stood up, and began to walk away. "I'm tired today. Let's gather another time!" Others also rose in succession. Meng Yunbai watched the scene, offered an apologetic look to Xu Qing, then frowned as he looked at the others, about to speak.

Just then, a light shimmered on the Immortal Pool, and a white-haired old woman emerged from within. The old woman had a serious expression and an inherent air of authority. Upon her appearance, the entire cave trembled. With her arrival, all the female cultivators of the Pavilion of Mortal Dust in the cave rose and paid their respects. "Grand Elder!" Even the Emperor's Son and his companions adopted solemn expressions upon seeing the old woman and paid their respects. Her status was evident from this.

This person was the Grand Elder of the Pavilion of Mortal Dust and Forgetting Emotions, overseeing all matters of the sect in the capital city. After she appeared, she merely nodded in response to the bows of the Emperor's Son and others, as they were merely juniors to her, and she didn't care much. At this moment, after her gaze swept and landed on Xu Qing, the solemnity on her face softened into warmth, and she spoke with a smile, "Might this be Young Master Xu?"