Lu Changsheng soon arrived in Cangyun City.
The streets were bustling with life. Crowds of people streamed through the roads. Street vendors shouted to sell their wares. Children laughed and chased each other. Young women browsed cosmetics and trinkets while gossiping matrons huddled in corners. Old men bragged loudly about half-true legends.
The warmth of mortal life was everywhere.
Lu Changsheng took his time, strolling casually, enjoying the scenery along the way.
A month ago, the Ning family had already sent word that Ning Yuxin would be coming to Qingyun Peak to cultivate for a while.
But Zhou Qingyu was fully focused on the Dao, completely disinterested in such matters. He had left the arrangements entirely to Lu Changsheng.
Lu had long seen through the intention behind this "cultivation trip."
"In times like these, even the daughter of the richest man in Cangzhou is having trouble getting married…"
"They claim it's for cultivation, but isn't it just matchmaking?"
He added teasingly:
"But come to think of it… Could it be that our senior brother doesn't like women?"
Murmuring to himself, he arrived outside a tall, elegant building—Drunken Immortal Pavilion, one of the most renowned restaurants within a thousand miles.
Today, the Ning family had booked the whole place.
"Immortal Lu, welcome!"
The manager came out to greet him warmly. Guards from the Ning family stood all around the building.
Lu Changsheng followed the manager upstairs and entered a private room.
The moment he pushed the door open, he saw several handmaidens standing silently in the back, and a young man—around sixteen or seventeen—sitting at the table.
Upon seeing Lu Changsheng, the youth immediately stood up.
"You must be Senior Brother Lu Changsheng!"
"And you are?"
"I'm Ning Yuchen, younger brother of Ning Yuxin. I came along to accompany my sister. I'm also the one who corresponded with you."
"Ah, so it was you!"
Lu Changsheng wasn't formal about it and entered with ease. The two took their seats.
They had exchanged letters a few times before, so there was a sense of familiarity. Ning Yuchen's demeanor was refined and gentle—not the least bit like a spoiled young master.
After they were seated, Lu Changsheng said:
"No need to be so formal, Junior Brother Ning. You could've gone straight to Qingyun Peak. Why arrange a meeting like this?"
Ning Yuchen smiled and sized him up.
Looking at this calm and graceful young man, he couldn't help but think:
If I hadn't already heard of him, I'd think he was the famed Little Sword Immortal Zhou Qingyu instead.
"Since we're troubling your sect, we ought to treat you to a meal as a gesture of goodwill."
As dishes began to arrive, Lu Changsheng waved a hand and said directly:
"Junior Brother, if you have something to say, just say it. We're practically family—no need for roundabouts."
Hearing this, Ning Yuchen leaned in slightly.
"Senior Brother Lu, I heard you're the one who understands Zhou Qingyu best. I'd like to ask a few questions about him."
Lu Changsheng glanced at him and instantly guessed his intent.
There was already an engagement between the two families, and the Ning family clearly wanted to push it forward.
After all, Zhou Qingyu was a once-in-a-generation talent. He was already close to the Core Formation realm at a young age. And among all the geniuses of the surrounding sects, only he had achieved six layers of Sword Intent.
Truth be told, Lu Changsheng believed that—other than himself—Zhou Qingyu was the most outstanding person he knew.
After a moment of thought, he said:
"Junior Brother, go ahead and ask. I know him well."
Ning Yuchen's eyes lit up.
"Do you know what Senior Brother Zhou likes?"
"Spirit stones!" Lu Changsheng answered with confidence.
"Spirit stones?"
Ning Yuchen was taken aback.
"Yes—big piles of spirit stones!"
Seeing his confusion, Lu Changsheng added:
"That kind of secret isn't widely known. But if it's something like rare swords or sword manuals, those are fine too."
"I see!"
Ning Yuchen thought about it seriously. It made sense—cultivators required vast amounts of spiritual energy, and spirit stones were the most convenient source.
He bowed slightly.
"Thank you for the insight, Senior Brother!"
"No need to be so formal." Lu Changsheng looked at the sky.
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll head back. I usually stay on the mountain—just come find me directly if needed."
"It's still early—where are you headed?"
"To Drunken Moon Pavilion."
"The... brothel?"
"Yup."
Lu Changsheng didn't hide it. He had already made an appointment with the courtesan there and saw no reason to be secretive.
His reputation was already bad. A little worse wouldn't hurt.
Ning Yuchen had wanted to say something more, but before he could, Lu Changsheng had already vanished.
Looking at the empty seat, he felt a little regretful.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the restaurant, a young woman frowned as she watched Lu Changsheng leave.
She looked seventeen or eighteen, with delicate features and an elegant air. This was Ning Yuxin.
She had heard the entire conversation and finally spoke:
"Qingyun Peak is such a prestigious place. How could someone like Lu Changsheng be part of it?"
After arriving in Cangyun City, she had already heard rumors about him. And even those rumors were enough to make her shake her head.
What if she got to know him better? Disaster.
An old servant beside her said:
"Miss, you came here for Zhou Qingyu. Lu Changsheng is irrelevant."
Ning Yuxin nodded. That made sense. She said no more and began preparing to visit Qingyun Peak the next day.
At that moment, Lu Changsheng had arrived at one of the busiest areas of town.
Birdsong and music filled the air. People came and went in colorful robes.
This was the famed Drunken Moon Pavilion.
Before he even reached the entrance, someone had already come to welcome him.
"Immortal Lu, Miss Muyue has been waiting for you!"
"Great!"
Lu Changsheng followed the guide inside.
They passed through elegant courtyards and pavilions before arriving at a serene upper-level room.
From afar, he saw a graceful woman leaning against the balcony. When she spotted him, her lips curved into a soft smile.
Like ripples on water.
"Young Master Lu, it's been a while. Have you forgotten me?"
This woman was Su Muyue, the Pavilion's famous courtesan. She greeted him with a teasing tone.
Lu Changsheng approached and sat down, replying:
"I've been busy cultivating lately. You know how it is—seeking enlightenment and ascension."
Su Muyue chuckled:
"Don't joke with me. Someone as carefree as you? Obsessed with cultivation?"
"Heh, you really do know me. Truth is, I just didn't have the money to come!"
"Hah!"
She laughed softly and sat across from him.
"So... you're here for your Senior Brother again, aren't you? Looking for more secret realms?"
"You got me. He's obsessed with training and needs all the experience he can get."
Lu Changsheng sighed. A few years back, he had been dragged into this place by accident and ended up befriending Su Muyue.
He later realized she had a mysterious background. Though he still didn't know her true intentions, their connection was genuine.
He often asked her to help locate secret realms to obtain spiritual energy—far more than he could gather from the environment or from ordinary spirit stones.
Their conversation flowed easily.
But before long, a ruckus broke out outside.
Several figures barged in despite attempts to stop them—shattering the calm atmosphere completely.