Chapter 824: Lotus Flower House

The Immortal Fairy once again summoned the Invincible Nascent Soul to the mental space.

After its defeat by the Immortal Fairy, the Invincible Nascent Soul no longer attacked whenever it saw Lu Yang, behaving much more docilely.

"Little Nascent Soul, for now, obey Little Yang. Do whatever he tells you to do."

"Little Yang, you should practice more with the Invincible Nascent Soul. After all, this concerns your advancement to the Soul Transformation stage."

"It’s best not to order the Invincible Nascent Soul to lose to you. When it comes to cultivation, it’s always better to be down-to-earth and avoid shortcuts, lest any hidden dangers emerge when you reach higher levels."

The venerable founding emperor’s concern for his subject’s cultivation progress clearly demonstrated the subject’s importance in the emperor’s heart.

Lu Yang nodded, indicating his understanding.

Seeing Lu Yang’s obedience, the Immortal Fairy felt the satisfaction of a mentor.

After settling matters with Lu Yang, the Immortal Fairy prepared to experience life in the Imperial City.

Meng Jingzhou was the first to arrive at Lu Yang’s location. He looked at Lu Yang with a strange, hesitant expression and tentatively called out, "Immortal Senior?"

The Immortal Fairy was startled. "How did you figure that out?"

Her disguise was flawless; how had this Meng family brat seen through it?

She then whispered, cautioning him, "Don’t spread the word. I am currently the acting sect master, and I temporarily took over Lu Yang's body using the authority of the acting sect master, wanting to come out and have some fun."

Meng Jingzhou felt a surge of satisfaction. "Lu Yang, you brat, you were so domineering when you were the acting sect master back then. Did you ever imagine this day would come?"

"This junior understands, I won't spread it," he replied.

"Brother Lu Yang, are you alright?" Meng Jingyu rushed over, tugging at Lu Yang's sleeve, clearly very concerned.

"Brother Lu Yang, you looked so cool fighting on all sides just now!"

"I didn’t expect you, little girl, to have such good taste," the Immortal Fairy said, delighted to hear Meng Jingyu praise her handsomeness.

"If you ever run into any trouble in the future, I… I’ll protect you!" The Immortal Fairy had originally intended to refer to herself as "this immortal," but then she remembered she was currently using Lu Yang's identity to the outside world and needed to be cautious not to reveal herself.

If that Yun girl found out she had revealed her identity, there would be no end to her nagging.

After several rounds of combat, the ancient trees in Luotian Forest were toppled haphazardly, and the ground was a chaotic mess, as if an earth dragon had turned over. Upon returning to the Meng Residence, Meng Jingzhou requested the clan elders to restore Luotian Forest to its original state.

"Father, I really couldn't defeat that Lu Yang," a young noble reported to his father upon returning home.

"It wasn’t just me fighting alone; dozens of people surrounded and attacked him, but still couldn't defeat him. His Nascent Soul is incredibly powerful; even exceptionally talented Soul Transformation cultivators can't unleash that kind of sword qi!"

"I don't know if Lu Yang can multitask or if his Nascent Soul has some other special characteristics. It’s like a second Lu Yang, and its fighting style is particularly unscrupulous, often resorting to sneak attacks."

"There's actually such a Nascent Soul?"

"Yes, I've never even heard of Lu Yang's Nascent Soul. It's probably a self-created one."

The young noble’s father heard this, stroked his beard, and pondered, "That old man Buyu's young disciple truly has some skills; even his Nascent Soul is self-created."

Although he hadn't defeated Lu Yang, he had fought Meng Jingzhou, and the young noble felt that this battle in Luotian Forest was still very rewarding.

However, this satisfying sense of accomplishment was something his father couldn't experience, so there was no need to mention it.

"What in the world? Lu Yang beat all of you?" The Minister of Works was greatly surprised upon hearing this. His own son was known for his martial prowess; even if not invincible among his peers, he should be close. How could there be such a huge gap?

The Minister of Works poked Sun Chuanxian's forehead, expressing his disappointment. "Look at you," he chastised, "you always brag about how strong you are, yet you’re so unreliable at crucial moments."

Sun Chuanxian made a bitter face. "Father, you don't know how strong Lu Yang is. His sword techniques are exceptional, his fist techniques are even stronger, he’s proficient in all sorts of spells, and his Nascent Soul is also exceptionally powerful. I can’t compare to him in any aspect."

"Father, why don't you lower your cultivation level and fight him?"

The Minister of Works rolled his eyes. He wasn't stupid. Given Lu Yang's track record, it was clear he was unbeatable; even without suppressing his cultivation, he wouldn't stand a chance.

After the battle in Luotian Forest, people once again felt Lu Yang's power. This was the potential for becoming an immortal, and he was sure to secure a place in the great struggles of the future.

Of course, Lu Yang himself had no perception of this, as he was currently being beaten by the Invincible Nascent Soul and had no time to care about how the outside world evaluated him.

"Hmph, hmph—" Lu Yang panted heavily, watching the Invincible Nascent Soul warily.

He now had indirect control over the Invincible Nascent Soul; otherwise, he would be beaten even more severely.

"As expected of my theoretically strongest state," he thought, "it’s truly not easy to catch up."

The Invincible Nascent Soul represented Lu Yang’s strongest state during his own Nascent Soul stage. If Lu Yang wanted to defeat it, he could only temper his own skills to their peak.

Sparring with the Invincible Nascent Soul brought significant improvement to Lu Yang.

In reality, the Immortal Fairy, who had temporarily taken over Lu Yang’s body, wasn't just playing all the time. In her spare time, she would also help Lu Yang cultivate.

In the blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival arrived.

Meng Jingyu excitedly clamored to go out and play, insisting on dragging Meng Jingzhou and the Immortal Fairy along.

"Brother Lu Yang, let’s go out and play!"

"Alright!" As soon as the Immortal Fairy heard they could go out to play, she immediately jumped out of bed, halting her cultivation.

The Lantern Festival in the Imperial City was exceptionally lively. Every household was adorned with lanterns and festive decorations, and the pedestrians on the streets were all in high spirits, a sight that brought comfort to everyone.

"What is that place?" the Immortal Fairy suddenly asked, pointing to a building lit with red lanterns, sensing a strong worldly aura emanating from it.

Meng Jingyu shook her head, not knowing what kind of place it was, as she had never been to such a place.

Meng Jingzhou explained with a strange expression, "That’s Lotus Pavilion, an outpost established by the Charm Sect in the Imperial City."

The Immortal Fairy had some impression of the Charm Sect. She had even met Venerable Qianjiao, the Charm Sect's Grand Elder, and wondered if she had returned to the sect or was still playing the role of a harmless pig to eat a tiger.

"What exactly is Lotus Pavilion for?" the Immortal Fairy pressed.

"Lotus Pavilion is different from ordinary brothels," a voice interjected. "All the women at Lotus Pavilion are Charm Sect disciples. They sell their artistic talents, not their bodies. Charm Sect disciples are proficient in all arts: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song. Brother Lu, are you interested in going inside to take a look?"

The person who explained was not Meng Jingzhou, but someone else entirely.

Meng Jingzhou turned his head and saw Zhong Yi standing nearby, gently fanning himself with a paper fan, elegant and refined.

Meng Jingzhou's expression turned unfriendly. "If I’m not mistaken," he said, "aren’t all the people who go to Lotus Pavilion Confucian cultivators?"

Without some literary talent, one could easily make a fool of oneself at Lotus Pavilion.

Zhong Yi chuckled softly, looking at Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang with a slightly provocative gaze.

"What, Taoist Buyu is proficient in poetry and prose," he taunted, "as his disciples, have you learned nothing at all?"

"That sounds quite fun," the Immortal Fairy said, her interest piqued, as this was a type of place that didn't exist in ancient times. "Little Sister Yu, shall we go in and take a look?"

Meng Jingyu, who rarely had the chance to visit such a place, was also very interested.

"Yes, let's!"

"Then let's go!" The Immortal Fairy excitedly took Meng Jingyu's small hand, which made Meng Jingyu's face blush.

The Immortal Fairy didn't find anything inappropriate, as she used to often hold Ao Ling’s and Jiang Lianyi’s hands like this.

Zhong Yi’s smile froze on his face. How had he been completely ignored?

"They completely ignored my provocation. What cunning!"