Coming Out of Seclusion, Courtesan Selection

Si Nanyue found it amusing that Xia Qi'an sat so rigidly, his expression so serious. She couldn't help but ask, "What are your thoughts on expanding the soap and refined salt businesses?"

Xia Qi'an responded with a solemn expression, "Regarding business operations, Lord Sinan can make the decisions. This subordinate will ensure sufficient supply to meet the demand for refined salt and soap sold outside of Jinling!"

Si Nanyue nodded upon hearing this. "Mm... I've already discussed it with Shopkeeper Hong. The Treasure Pavilion will sell the soap and refined salt across Great Xia and Qiluo. If you encounter any issues with production in the future, you can directly consult Shopkeeper Hong!"

"Yes..." Xia Qi'an replied.

After a moment of hesitation, he added, "This subordinate has one more matter to report to Lord Sinan... it's about the Xiaoxiang Wei Dao Si..."

"I already know about your conflict with the Xiaoxiang Wei Dao Si... you did the right thing..." Si Nanyue interrupted before Xia Qi'an could finish.

"However... you disfigured Wen Xi, and the Xiaoxiang Wei Dao Si has already escalated the matter to their You Province headquarters..."

Xia Qi'an explained, "Wen Xi is incredibly insidious. He tried to sever my tendons right from the start. This subordinate intended to teach him a lesson and punched him. I didn't expect the consequences to be so severe..."

Seeing Xia Qi'an's self-righteous and somewhat pitiful demeanor, Si Nanyue decided to give him a stern warning. "You're only in the Early Blood Refining Realm. You should be more low-key... focus on your cultivation from now on... and avoid conflicts with others."

Si Nanzhai Xing, seeing his daughter's concern for some young man, felt a pang of jealousy.

Hong Xian also chimed in, teasing him with a flirtatious twinkle in her captivating eyes. "Lord Xia is truly formidable... defeating a Bone Forging Realm martial artist in one move with your Blood Refining Realm cultivation. Your martial talent is truly extraordinary..."

"Shopkeeper Hong flatters me..." Xia Qi'an replied casually.

"Alright... let's put this matter to rest! Fists and feet have no eyes, and accidental injuries are common during sparring. The Xiaoxiang Wei Dao Si won't dare to do anything to you..." At this moment, Si Nanzhai Xing, who had been as steady as a mountain, suddenly spoke.

Si Nanzhai Xing's words effectively settled the conflict.

Sparring, accidental injury.

These four words were enough to explain everything.

Since Xia Qi'an had nothing more to do, he addressed Si Nanyue. "Lord Sinan, this subordinate has gained considerable spoils from killing the Tiger Demon and wishes to enter seclusion for a period of cultivation."

"You're already on the verge of entering the Bone Forging Realm in just a few months?" Si Nanyue, who could discern that Xia Qi'an's Blood Essence had reached its limit, exclaimed in surprise.

Hong Xian's jaw nearly dropped upon hearing this.

Her gaze then became complex, tinged with a hint of envy.

Si Nanzhai Xing also nodded slightly. "Indeed! The Wei Dao Si needs fresh blood like you!"

At this moment, Si Nanzhai Xing was no longer the high-ranking Tiger Guard from the Wei Dao Si, but simply a father supporting his daughter.

It was important to note that Xia Qi'an had only been cultivating for just over four months before reaching the Bone Forging Realm.

Such talent and speed of cultivation could indeed be called a martial prodigy.

After leaving Si Nan Manor, Xia Qi'an immediately rushed back to his residence to enter seclusion.

This time, he aimed not only to complete his ninth blood exchange but also to break through to the Bone Forging Realm in one go.

Furthermore, he intended to cultivate several of his current techniques to the minor accomplishment stage before choosing to emerge.

Time passed like a fleeting white steed, and three months vanished in the blink of an eye.

During these three months, Xia Qi'an completed his ninth blood exchange.

He had officially begun his path to ascendancy.

The moment he stepped out of the training room, his Blood Essence surged like a thunderous dragon, and with every movement, his internal Blood Essence roared.

Given his solid foundation in Iron Body techniques, he managed to cultivate the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill to the third level upon first contact, possessing the strength of three dragons and three elephants.

It was known that with each level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill mastered, not only did one's strength increase exponentially, but Blood Essence also surged geometrically.

However, he had the Crimson Pupils as his golden finger to guide him.

His cultivation of various techniques proceeded smoothly.

The greatest challenge martial artists faced during Qi cultivation was the inefficient circulation of Blood Essence, preventing them from correctly opening acupoints and meridians, leading to poor results during cultivation or even damage to the meridians.

With the Crimson Pupils, Xia Qi'an could see all of his acupoints and meridians with perfect clarity.

He could control his Blood Essence to perfectly open all the acupoints within his body without damaging his meridians or leaving hidden injuries.

It could be said that.

With the Crimson Pupils, every time Xia Qi'an mobilized his Blood Essence for cultivation, it was flawless.

This was also the fundamental reason why he could defeat a Bone Forging Realm martial artist by surpassing his own realm.

After emerging from seclusion this time, Xia Qi'an felt as if he had undergone a complete transformation, appearing entirely renewed.

His physique hadn't changed much, but his skin and muscles now had a jade-like texture, radiating a powerful and awe-inspiring aura.

Every muscle in his body was sculpted as if by a master craftsman, exuding a streamlined beauty.

With just a casual step, a burst of tiger-leopard thunderous sounds erupted from within him. This was a sign of his physical body's sublimation and the successful cultivation of numerous techniques.

During Xia Qi'an's seclusion, a shocking event occurred within Jinling County.

Rumor had it that a tall, eerie woman emerged from the Burial Ridge Mountains. Wherever she went, Turbid Qi overflowed, and all life perished.

The woman seemed to emanate a deathly aura capable of destroying all life, and her presence brought an end to all vitality wherever she passed.

She swept past from above like a grim reaper, instantly turning a county town into a lifeless wasteland.

The townspeople's flesh and blood rotted and blackened, and in the blink of an eye, they turned into withered bones.

Just hearing about such a scene made one's blood run cold.

This incident happened a month before Xia Qi'an emerged from seclusion, and he was initially unaware of it.

By today, the matter had gradually subsided.

The mysterious woman had also vanished without a trace.

The Wei Dao Si, therefore, secretly mobilized a large number of Snake Guards to investigate the mysterious woman's whereabouts and origins.

As soon as Xia Qi'an emerged from seclusion, Su Changqing rushed over.

He said there was a grand Courtesan selection event tonight and invited Xia Qi'an to attend.

Xia Qi'an readily agreed.

However, he frankly told Su Changqing that he was just going to take a look.

After all, if he lost control and ruined his martial foundation, wouldn't that be a case of losing the greater for the lesser?

Su Changqing then said to Xia Qi'an mysteriously, "I understand that... Actually, I'm still a virgin too..."

Afterward, the two looked at each other and smiled, slinging arms as they walked towards the brothel.

Upon entering Misty Rain Alley, they indeed found it bustling with activity, truly a scene of constant traffic and a throng of people.

The entire street was crowded with people, and beautiful women on both sides of the buildings continuously threw money and embroidered balls, like celestial maidens scattering flowers.

Anyone who managed to catch an embroidered ball could stay overnight for free and enjoy their company.

This attracted many men to compete, even leading to fights, making the scene quite chaotic. The sounds that reached their ears were a cacophony, even more boisterous than a marketplace.

The Courtesan selection in Misty Rain Alley was indeed a grand event in Jinling.

Su Changqing pulled Xia Qi'an, squeezing through the crowd like an eel, and reached their reserved seats.

A pimp, who looked like a butler and had a mole on his face, greeted them with a fawning smile, "Oh... Young Master Su, your presence truly makes our humble establishment shine!"

Su Changqing didn't even glance at the pimp and waved his hand impatiently, saying, "Hurry up and bring the wine and food... Have you no eyes?"

"Yes, yes... I'll get right on it." The pimp, seeing Su Changqing's reprimand, was as terrified as a mouse seeing a cat and quickly retreated.