Chapter 185: Chapter 12: The Wine Does Not Intoxicate; One Intoxicates Oneself

Fang Cheng sat in the guest seat closest to Cen San Niang. The low table before him was laden with Spirit Pills and Spirit Fruits, and a young maid stood behind him, pouring his wine.

From the Cloud Ascending Platform, one could truly take in the full, breathtaking view of the Immortal City. Drinking wine on this high platform was a soul-refreshing experience.

All the other Guests and friends now frequently raised their cups to congratulate Fang Cheng, curiously asking about his origins.

Of course, Fang Cheng stuck to his usual story and easily fobbed them off.

At that moment, a Steward flew up to the Cloud Ascending Platform from below and reported to Cen San Niang, "My Lord, two other Cultivators with invitations have just given up on ascending the platform."

Cen San Niang let out a soft laugh. "No matter. Today I have the Fierce Tiger Taoist, who is worth a dozen of them."

Upon hearing this, the crowd laughed and congratulated the Third Young Master once more.

The Beautiful Shopkeeper from Qibao Studio was an expert at hiding her feelings. Though her heart overflowed with tenderness, she maintained a calm and carefree facade, chatting politely with Fang Cheng.

After enjoying the Spirit Pills and Spirit Fruits and sharing a few more rounds of drinks with the crowd, Fang Cheng secretly activated the Love Gu on Cen San Niang.

After some wine, Cen San Niang’s fair face was slightly flushed. It added a different kind of charm to her heroic air.

She wielded a feather fan, her attire and mannerisms entirely masculine. Yet, her almond-shaped eyes would inadvertently reveal a trace of bewitching charm that was nothing short of stunning.

At today’s banquet, the Fierce Tiger Taoist had become the undisputed star.

Cen San Niang toasted Fang Cheng repeatedly, and everyone else was reduced to being part of the backdrop.

By the time three rounds of drinks had been served, the sun was setting and dusk was near.

The Guests and friends all rose to take their leave. Only Fang Cheng and Cen San Niang remained seated on the high platform.

Cen San Niang looked at Fang Cheng, pointed at the Immortal City, and asked, "Fierce Tiger Taoist, my master is in seclusion year-round, leaving this vast Immortal City in the hands of us four disciples. If you assist me, wealth, companions, techniques, and land will be yours for the taking."

Fang Cheng smiled. "And what kind of terms does the Third Young Master intend to offer me?"

Holding her wine cup, Cen San Niang walked to the edge of the high platform and looked down upon the Immortal City. For a moment, the vast expanse of sunset clouds became her backdrop.

She said, "If you are loyal to me, the Cen Mansion is willing to offer a stipend of fifty thousand Spirit Stones per year, plus a residence within the Immortal City for you to cultivate in peace."

This was wealth and land.

On the path of cultivation, one needs not only a Spirit Vein, but also a safe and quiet place to reside. Divine Pillar Immortal City had stood for many years. Not only was its Spiritual Qi dense, but the city was also home to numerous Life Talisman Cultivators, its power in Yun Country second only to the Three Great Sects.

The rumor was that Guests of the Cen Mansion received a stipend of ten thousand Spirit Stones per year. Cen San Niang’s offer to Fang Cheng was five times that amount, a clear sign of how highly she valued his combat prowess.

She paused before continuing. "As for companions, I have many Guests here with whom you can exchange cultivation insights at any time. Furthermore, my senior brother has a profound Cultivation and can guide you through any difficulties you encounter. And if you desire a Daoist companion or concubines, that’s even simpler. The Immortal City is filled with beautiful women; you may take your pick."

"And finally, techniques!"

"My Cen Mansion’s Library Pavilion is famous throughout the Immortal City. It contains numerous Cultivation Techniques and secret manuals, all collected by my master in his early years, in no way inferior to the other top-tier families on Divine Pillar Mountain. Moreover, some of the ancient texts it holds may not even be found in the Three Great Sects."

Cen San Niang’s words held more than a hint of pride.

Hearing this, Fang Cheng had to agree. After receiving the Dragon Elephant Wanderer’s inheritance, he had secretly browsed related texts in the Ye Family, the Outer Sect, and the Inner Sect. Unfortunately, he had found very little, and certainly no records pertaining to the "Demon Buddha."

And the Scripture Pavilions in the Yinluo Sect’s Three Great Forbidden Areas were normally inaccessible. Even if they contained the relevant texts, he couldn’t just casually go in to look.

In contrast, Divine Pillar Immortal City, a hub for Loose Cultivators and numerous great families, likely had a much richer collection of texts and information than the Yinluo Sect.

Cen San Niang had identified Lady Qinxue as a Demon Buddha Inheritor based solely on her Ice Thunder Escape Technique, which clearly showed she was extremely familiar with the Nine Heavens Cold Ice Technique!

Extrapolating from this, she must have a considerable amount of information on the Demon Buddha.

’If I weren’t already a True Disciple of the Yinluo Sect, I really might have been won over by her offer of wealth, companions, land, and techniques.’

As his thoughts churned, Fang Cheng said in a deep voice, "I am grateful for your high regard, My Lord. I am willing to serve you."

Cen San Niang turned, her gaze falling upon Fang Cheng. She said with a laugh, "Good! That’s what I was waiting to hear!"

Fang Cheng stood up, walked before Cen San Niang, and looked at her with a burning gaze. "If you were to wear women’s clothes, Fellow Taoist, you would surely be extremely beautiful."

The maid standing nearby heard this, and her face paled.

The Fierce Tiger Taoist’s gaze was not only bold and disrespectful, but his words also carried the intent of flirting with the Third Young Master. If anyone else had heard, it would likely cause a huge incident.

Cen San Niang’s expression stiffened. She clearly hadn’t expected Fang Cheng to be so brazen. The smile slowly vanished from her face, and she said icily, "Do not repeat such jests, or this young master will not let you off lightly!"

Fang Cheng feigned a look of disappointment, took a step back, and bowed with clasped hands to Cen San Niang. "It was I who was presumptuous."

Cen San Niang’s expression softened slightly. "No matter. Seeing as this is your first offense, this young master will not hold it against you. It’s getting late. Fellow Taoist, you should go and rest."

Fang Cheng knew when to quit while he was ahead. Led by a maid, he descended the Cloud Ascending Platform and arrived at a private courtyard within the Cen Mansion.

It was a quaint, antique courtyard house. The main building in the front had two stories, magnificent and grand, while the East and West Wing Rooms each had one. The courtyard was paved with bluestone and planted with an ancient pine. Beneath the pine sat a large vat in which Spirit Fish swam about.

After settling in, Fang Cheng silently cursed the Love Gu for being useless. He then resolved to visit the Cen Mansion’s Library Pavilion the next day, using the excuse of perusing ancient texts to search for clues about the Demon Buddha.