Chapter Sixty-Five: Drink Today’s Wine, Revel in Today’s Joy

“Fellow cultivator, it’s all a misunderstanding! I was only joking with you. Please, go on your way!” Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the old man immediately surrendered.

But Zhou Qi had no intention of letting him off so easily. If Zhou Qi truly possessed only Qi Refinement cultivation, he might have been successfully robbed. Judging by the old man's demeanor, he was clearly a habitual offender.

“If it’s really a misunderstanding, shouldn’t you offer compensation? Let me check your storage ring to see if there’s anything suitable for reparations.” Zhou Qi stepped closer to the old man.

“Fellow cultivator, mercy is a virtue! You’re going too far. You may have the aura of a first-layer Foundation Establishment, but so what? The difference between our realms is vast. If I weren’t trying to avoid unnecessary conflict, I wouldn’t let you act so brazenly.” The old man spoke angrily.

“Is that so? Then I’ll have to try and see just how vast the gap is.” Zhou Qi, who regretted not having an opponent to test himself against, couldn’t simply let the old man walk away. The Immortal-Slaying Sword was already in his hand.

A mid-grade spiritual weapon? The old man’s expression changed dramatically. Although he was a layer higher in cultivation, Zhou Qi’s aura was far stronger. The old man was merely an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator with poor talent, having made no progress over years of cultivation. If Zhou Qi didn’t have a mid-grade spiritual weapon, the old man might have dared to gamble on a fight. But seeing that sword, he knew there was no need—he’d definitely lose.

“Hmph, since you’re so ignorant of your own limits, don’t blame me!” With those words, the old man flew up on his sword, disappearing a hundred meters away in an instant.

Wasn’t he supposed to fight? Why was he fleeing? Zhou Qi was momentarily stunned, but with a flash using his Swift Steps technique, he instantly appeared ahead of the old man. The old man quickly changed direction, fleeing elsewhere.

“Go!” The Immortal-Slaying Sword shot out as a blue streak toward the old man.

Unable to shake him off, the old man had no choice but to stop, raising his sword to block. The two swords clashed, and the old man’s blade snapped in two. He was heartbroken, but now was not the time to grieve; if he didn’t fight with all his strength, he might not even escape alive.

Seeing his opponent’s sword was broken, Zhou Qi didn’t press the attack. What he wanted was a fierce, satisfying battle, not to finish his enemy with a single strike—such a win would do nothing to improve his combat experience.

“You’ve forced my hand.” The old man spat a mouthful of essence blood, drawing in the air. A blood-red tiger appeared before him, majestic and fearsome. As soon as it formed, it lunged at Zhou Qi with its jaws wide open.

Zhou Qi dared not be careless. He dodged swiftly, and with a slash of the Immortal-Slaying Sword at the tiger’s head, the headless beast froze and melted into a pool of blood on the ground.

When Zhou Qi searched for the old man again, he found he had vanished. Zhou Qi had to stop reluctantly. Unexpectedly, the old man still managed to escape; his power was mediocre, but his escape skills were top-notch, clearly some kind of secret technique.

That painting technique was impressive enough—if one could casually sketch an army of a million, the sheer momentum would terrify the enemy. Unfortunately, the old man was too incompetent: the tiger was mere form without real power.

Leaffall City was a major city of the human race under the control of the Huangfu clan. Its city walls appeared ancient, with a dark red hue, built from massive stones, exuding solidity.

As soon as Zhou Qi entered the city, someone came seeking him, saying that Huangfu Xiu had been waiting for a long time at Qingxing Pavilion. Zhou Qi followed the man and soon learned what kind of place it was.

Upon entering the room, he saw Huangfu Xiu with a woman in each arm; one was feeding him wine, while the other massaged his legs.

Zhou Qi was about to step in, but instantly withdrew. The lifestyles of these wealthy scions were far too extravagant—he mustn’t let himself be corrupted by their bad habits.

“Qiqi, even if you don’t come in, you’re still picking up the tab,” Huangfu Xiu said lazily.

“What?” Hearing this, Zhou Qi rushed into the room, grabbed the wine jug, and drank fiercely. After finishing, he asked, “Why am I paying?”

Huangfu Xiu tossed him a storage ring. “Because I made you a huge deal.”

Zhou Qi took the ring and sent his spiritual sense inside; the glittering spirit stones dazzled his eyes, more than he expected. His mood soared—not just because of the substantial income, but because Huangfu Xiu hadn’t used his higher cultivation to embezzle or seize anything. Such honesty was extremely rare on the Profound Heaven Continent.

“Xiu’er, don’t worry—treating you is a small matter, indulge as you please! If I so much as flinch, I’m no true man,” Zhou Qi declared heartily.

“Qiqi, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease.” Huangfu Xiu turned to the woman feeding him wine. “Go on, call twenty of your sisters. I refuse to believe there’s no cure for my gloom.”

Zhou Qi’s face darkened instantly, his eyelid twitching. He’d just boasted and couldn’t take it back. Alas, those low-level cultivators were willing to kill or risk their lives for a single spirit stone, yet here he was squandering wealth. How sinful—decadence in mansions while bones freeze in the streets.

But thinking of Huangfu Xiu’s shadow, Zhou Qi felt a bit guilty. He hadn’t warned him in advance, leading to Huangfu Xiu’s reckless behavior—quite a sin. This was something to bury in the heart; well, he’d consider it compensation.

Since the money was spent, Zhou Qi stopped worrying and joined Huangfu Xiu in feasting. “Xiu’er, when will you take me to the auction?” he asked after eating and drinking, eager to refine the Immortal Bewilderment Array and enter closed cultivation.

“No rush. I’ve heard the West Wind Pavilion will hold an auction in three days, with many novel items up for sale. Maybe they’ll have the demon core of the Heart-Seeking Phantom Wolf you need.” As he spoke, Huangfu Xiu fondled one of the serving girls.

“Alright,” Zhou Qi knew he couldn’t hurry things and had to be patient.

“These three days, I’ll show you Leaffall City’s sights. Cultivation is dull; if you only close yourself off and fight, you’ll easily fall into obsession. Qiqi, that’s not right,” Huangfu Xiu said with concern.

He was right. Since crossing souls into this world, Zhou Qi had been rushing about without ever enjoying life. In his past life, he had always struggled for survival; in this one, he should live for the moment. If he fell to an enemy one day, wouldn’t that be a waste? “Xiu’er, you’re right. I’ve been too anxious lately and should unwind.”

Seeing Zhou Qi convinced, Huangfu Xiu was very pleased.

Over the next three days, Huangfu Xiu took Zhou Qi through every brothel and pleasure house in Leaffall City—the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion, Hidden Flower Pavilion, Hundred Flowers Tower, and countless others—all under the pretext of helping Zhou Qi relax, but in reality, to heal his own psychological scars.

After three days, Zhou Qi didn’t know how much of Huangfu Xiu’s shadow remained, but he felt he’d developed a shadow himself—he doubted he’d ever be moved by another woman, except for Jiang Yiyi.