Chapter 2496: Lou Zhu, Lian

Lu Ye stepped forward, with Fu Gui close behind him. As soon as they walked out of the courtyard, they nearly collided head-on with someone.

He quickly dodged.

He looked up to a field of white, and his eyebrows immediately rose. As his gaze moved higher, his eyes met a captivating, alluring face.

This Golden Stamen Pavilion... it really lives up to its name!

That Huan Qing hadn't seemed special to Lu Ye, but the woman before him undoubtedly had a captivating, enchanting aura. Especially her eyes, which seemed to speak; even Lu Ye, upon meeting her gaze so suddenly, felt somewhat overwhelmed.

"Why such a hurry...?" the woman purred with a sweet, soft voice.

Lu Ye frowned slightly, sensing something was off. No matter how hurried he was, he wouldn't nearly collide with someone. Yet, he hadn't noticed anyone approaching before their encounter.

This woman... her cultivation was very high!

He immediately made a judgment in his mind and bowed his head, saying, "My apologies."

"Greetings, Pavilion Master," San Niang's voice suddenly came from behind him. Lu Ye turned and saw both San Niang and Huan Qing bowing simultaneously to the alluring woman.

Pavilion Master!

This was the Golden Stamen Pavilion, and San Niang seemed to hold a significant position. For her to call someone "Pavilion Master," that person must undoubtedly be the owner of the Golden Stamen Pavilion!

Lu Ye wasn't sure how the Golden Stamen Pavilion's status compared to the Martial Arena in the Myriad Realms, but anyone who could own an establishment there was definitely not a simple person.

"What happened?" the Golden Stamen Pavilion Master asked with a hint of curiosity. In that instant, all her seductive charm and soul-stirring allure vanished, making her appear like an innocent, curious young girl.

Fu Gui was staring wide-eyed, completely mesmerized, until Lu Ye subtly stomped on his foot to bring him back to his senses.

San Niang quickly recounted the previous events.

The Golden Stamen Pavilion Master nodded. "I see! True affection is rare in this world; it's truly touching." She then turned to San Niang. "How about we grant their wish?"

San Niang was puzzled. "Pavilion Master, you mean...?"

The Golden Stamen Pavilion Master smiled sweetly and looked at Lu Ye. "How many Dao Fish can you offer?"

Lu Ye squinted, calculated the Dao Fish he had, and named a number.

The Golden Stamen Pavilion Master nodded. "Very well then. With these Dao Fish, you can purchase Huan Qing's freedom. From now on, she will be yours."

At her words, several pairs of eyes turned towards her.

The main reason was that the amount of Dao Fish Lu Ye offered wasn't even enough for Fu Gui's entertainment expenses for a few days, let alone compared to San Niang's previous asking price, which was a world of difference.

For a brief moment of confusion, Fu Gui was overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands, about to say something, but Lu Ye clamped a hand over his mouth, silencing him.

"What are your requirements, Pavilion Master?" Lu Ye squinted, looking at the woman before him.

There had to be something unusual about this! A place like the Golden Stamen Pavilion might not care about the life or death of a Harmony Dao cultivator, but it would never allow a guest to redeem a girl at such a low price. If the price wasn't met, those girls would rather die than leave the Golden Stamen Pavilion.

Lu Ye couldn't believe that the Golden Stamen Pavilion Master was truly benevolent. If she were, there wouldn't be a Golden Stamen Pavilion in the first place.

"Of course, there are requirements," the Golden Stamen Pavilion Master smiled faintly.

Lu Ye raised a hand, gesturing for her to continue.

The Golden Stamen Pavilion Master's delicate finger traced her red lips, a thoughtful and yet playfully adorable expression on her face. After a while, she clapped her hands. "Well then, how about this: whenever you come to the Myriad Realms in the future, just say hello to me. And if you'd like, feel free to visit anytime?"

"That's your only requirement, Pavilion Master?" Lu Ye truly couldn't fathom the Golden Stamen Pavilion Master's intentions. This request sounded like child's play.

"Don't call me Pavilion Master; it's a bit formal. My name is Lian, like the lotus flower. What should I call you, little brother?"

Lu Ye's entire being bristled with vigilance at her calling him "little brother." He felt certain this woman had an agenda, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out what it was.

"Lu Ye!"

"So, little brother, is that a 'yes'?" Lian asked, smiling as she looked at him.

Lu Ye shook his head. "Forgive me, Pavilion Master, but we are no longer needed. We shall take our leave now!"

If he couldn't see clearly or guess her intentions, he would simply ignore it.

However, as he took a single step, Lu Ye's body stiffened. A tangible aura of authority suddenly descended, and Lian's voice slowly rang out: "Oh, that won't do. What this Pavilion Master doesn't want to give, no one can demand. And what this Pavilion Master gives away, no one can refuse!"

Lu Ye subtly tilted his head to look at her, finally confirming one thing.

This Golden Stamen Pavilion Master, Lian, had specifically come for him. Their seemingly accidental encounter just now had been intentional on her part.

Why? What was it about him that caught her eye, or what advantage could she gain? As his thoughts raced, their eyes met. Lian's gaze was as deep and profound as an abyss. Lu Ye knew that with her words, he probably had no room left to refuse.

If he truly refused, neither he nor Fu Gui would be able to leave this place.

The key was that Qin Feng wasn't in the Myriad Realms at the moment. Otherwise, he could have feigned compliance and then contacted Qin Feng to handle the matter. The master of the Martial Arena and the Pavilion Master of the Golden Stamen Pavilion should be of equal status and thus qualified for an equal dialogue.

"Then I thank the Pavilion Master for your kindness," Lu Ye said slowly.

When under someone else's roof, one truly has no choice but to humble oneself.

The oppressive aura vanished instantly. Lian raised her slender, fair hand and gently patted Lu Ye's shoulder. "Remember what you said. Next time you come, contact me immediately."

"No problem."

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Ye, his face dark, led Fu Gui and Huan Qing out of the Golden Stamen Pavilion and strode towards the huge hall.

Although he had only spent a small amount of Dao Fish to redeem Huan Qing, a Harmony Dao cultivator, Lu Ye couldn't feel happy at all.

Next time he saw Qin Feng, he would have to tell him about this, lest any trouble arise later.

In the Golden Stamen Pavilion's courtyard, where Lu Ye had just been seated, Lian and San Niang sat opposite each other, each holding a cup of fragrant tea and sipping gently.

"Are you very confused?" Lian suddenly spoke.

San Niang replied, "The Pavilion Master acts for her own reasons. However, if you are willing to enlighten me, I would like to ask a few questions."

The small amount of Dao Fish Lu Ye paid was negligible; it was almost as if the Golden Stamen Pavilion had gifted Lu Ye a Harmony Dao cultivator for free.

The key was that San Niang couldn't see anything special about Lu Ye that would warrant the Pavilion Master going to such lengths to win him over.

"It's very simple!" Lian smiled faintly. "He has Bobo's aura on him!"

"Bobo..." San Niang pondered for a moment, then immediately understood. "You mean Bobo from the Martial Arena?"

Lian nodded and continued, "He must have been injured before, and quite seriously, otherwise he wouldn't have needed Bobo to treat him. But Bobo is the Qin family's spirit beast; how could an ordinary person qualify for its personal intervention?"

San Niang understood. "So this Lu Ye has a very good relationship with him? But..."

But if that were the case, she was even more confused, because her Pavilion Master's relationship with that person wasn't exactly good. Not enemies, of course, but as co-rulers of the Myriad Realms, there were always some grudges.

"Do you know the Nameless Guest?" Lian suddenly asked.

"Of course," San Niang nodded. With the Martial Arena's two previous promotions, who in the Myriad Realms didn't know about the Nameless Guest? It was just that San Niang was usually busy with various matters, so she hadn't had the chance to personally watch those two death matches. However, the Nameless Guest's fame was such that her ears were practically calloused from hearing about it, especially after the death match a few days ago, when many guests at the Golden Stamen Pavilion were speculating about the Nameless Guest's identity.

One could even say that because of that death match, the Golden Stamen Pavilion's business improved by thirty percent. Those who won Dao Fish came to celebrate lavishly, while those who lost came to vent their frustrations. Those gamblers truly embodied the joys and sorrows of human nature to the fullest.

"I suspect that young man is the Nameless Guest!" Lian stated.

She had attended and watched the death match a few days ago, knowing that the Nameless Guest was injured. After the death match, the Nameless Guest's injuries must have been even more severe. Therefore, upon sensing Bobo's aura on Lu Ye in the Golden Stamen Pavilion, she personally came out to meet him.

Otherwise, a mere Spirit Fusing cultivator would not be worthy of her appearance.

There was no concrete evidence, but various clues were enough for Lian to make some reasonable deductions.

The Nameless Guest's Dao weapon was a long saber, and so was Lu Ye's.

The Pavilion Master asked him to greet you next time he came to the Myriad Realms, so she really wanted to...

Lian leaned forward slightly, her fair skin pressing against the table, and said with a captivating smile, "The Nameless Guest's strength is very peculiar. Qin has been helping him conceal his identity and appearance. I was ignorant before, but now that I know, of course, I must make a hefty profit! Qin values him highly; he will definitely win the next death match. So all I need to do is place a heavy bet on him... At that time, let alone the money for Huan Qing's redemption, I could earn back enough for ten or even twenty!"

San Niang chuckled, "The Pavilion Master truly has foresight!"

"You know, I'm not doing it for the money," Lian sighed softly. Owning the Golden Stamen Pavilion, she had more Dao Fish than she could ever spend, so she didn't care about earning more. She simply wanted to see Qin Feng's pained expression; just thinking about it was amusing.

San Niang didn't know how to respond. In fact, even though she had followed Lian for many years and was considered a very close confidante, she still hadn't fully understood the nature of the relationship between her Pavilion Master and Qin Feng.

Of course, this wasn't something she could inquire about too much.

In the massive hall, Lu Ye activated his power, enveloping Fu Gui and Huan Qing. With a thought, the three figures slowly vanished.

He felt somewhat speechless. This trip out had brought back two new members: one Spirit Fusing cultivator and one Harmony Dao cultivator. In terms of gains, it was immense.

Fu Gui was now well. Coming from a lower lineage, Lu Ye was still counting on him to help with matters concerning the talent tree.

But Huan Qing was different. She hadn't intended to be redeemed, and now she was essentially being given away. If she couldn't be won over to the Heart Divide City in the future, it would ultimately be troublesome.

Moreover, Lu Ye knew that Lian definitely had an agenda.

Fortunately, Lian had acted appropriately by giving Lu Ye a jade tablet. With that tablet, he could control Huan Qing's life and death, so he didn't need to worry about Huan Qing doing anything detrimental to Heart Divide City or himself.