Lord Wine Fox Lost His Pants

Go with the flow.

Adapt to circumstances.

Act as the mood strikes.

This was what Lu Ya called a plan.

He would not go out of his way to do anything for the development of Azure Phoenix City.

If he encountered a Void Kun, he would roast the Void Kun.

If he encountered Fan Ni, he would utilize Fan Ni.

If he encountered any other Tom, Dick, or Harry, he would utilize them just the same.

But he had underestimated the influence of the White Lotus Sect in East Floating City.

That very evening, over a thousand immortals arrived at the Bamboo Spring Sect.

Upon first arriving in Azure Phoenix City, these people were somewhat reserved, worried about Liu Xuanye, worried about this, worried about that.

But they were soon drawn in by the intoxicating aroma wafting from Yuelai Inn, obediently掏 out their Immortal Crystal, and with every bite, they couldn't help but exclaim how delicious it was.

Inside the inn, besides Lu Ya's roasted Kun meat, there were also poached Kun slices, clear-stewed Kun bones, shredded Kun meat...

Yuan Zhou's cooking, while slightly inferior to Lu Ya's, was still impressive.

With Lu Ya's seasonings and his own exceptional culinary skills, it was enough to pass for the real thing, making it difficult for people to tell the difference; only those above the level of Immortal Sect Master could distinguish the subtle nuances.

The prices for these Kun meat dishes were quite reasonable—neither sold cheaply in bulk to drive volume nor hoarded to inflate prices—which drew an endless stream of customers, even leading to queues at one point.

Until midnight, Yuelai Inn remained brightly lit.

In the entire Azure Phoenix City, this was the only shop still open for business, yet it was incredibly popular, appearing quite surreal.

But it was happening just as realistically!

The immortals who came that night were not all there to consume; most were there to observe and pay their respects to the Void Kun.

This was, after all, the wicked beast that had plagued the East Floating District for over a thousand years, committed countless atrocities, and was legendary for being extremely delicious.

If you couldn't afford to eat it, couldn't you at least afford to look at it?

The area around the Bamboo Platform behind the inn was once again crowded with people.

Even for immortals, the intense shock of standing before the Giant Kun was no different from that of an Immortal Commoner; they felt like mere ants.

After a long while, someone asked:

"That's not right. I don't see any smoke from grilling in the inn, so where is the meat we're eating being cooked?"

At this, a local Immortal Commoner replied proudly:

"It's inside the Kun's belly!"

"It's our sect's Elder Lu who is grilling inside the Kun's belly!"

"Elder Lu?"

"You don't even know Elder Lu?"

"The Sect Master's dao companion, the City Lord of Azure Phoenix City!"

"Cooking inside the belly?"

"A mortal?"

"How could Elder Lu possibly be a mortal?"

"Did your Elder Lu really consummate the marriage with Sect Master Liu?"

"Could that be fake?"

"At the wedding ceremony, the Elder even kissed the Sect Master. We all thought he was a dead man, but nothing happened, and in the blink of an eye, he carried her off to the bridal chamber."

"Our current hope is for the Sect Master to have a child!"

"Is it because of the Protective Bamboo Slip from Elder Fan?"

"Who is Elder Fan?"

"..."

Similar conversations were constantly occurring among the crowd.

Lu Ya did not intentionally control the discourse.

He did not publicize it, nor did he deliberately cover it up.

Everything was allowed to develop freely.

The guests soon learned the cause of death of the Kunpeng Brothers.

"Sect Master Liu solo-killed Golden Peng?"

"Elder Lu cooked the Giant Kun from inside its stomach?"

"It was Elder Lu who brought the Bamboo Spring Sect back from the brink of death?"

"It has nothing to do with the White Lotus Sect?"

I believe you, my foot!

There must be some shady deal going on with the White Lotus Sect!

The truth is often more exaggerated than a lie, to the point that people would rather believe the lie.

Most Immortal Commoners guessed that Lu Ya might be a secret agent cultivated by the White Lotus Sect, with the goal of marrying into the Bamboo Spring Sect to indirectly acquire this prime piece of land.

Elders from several nearby minor sects also visited Ning Zhongzi one after another, presenting congratulatory gifts and purchasing large quantities of Void Kun meat to pack away, asking when no one was paying attention:

"Junior Sister Ning, could you reveal the path to cooperating with the White Lotus Sect?"

"Don't misunderstand, we don't have plans to build a city; we just want to discuss sword-casting cooperation with the White Lotus Sect."

Ning Zhongzi had no choice but to be frank.

"We are not cooperating with the White Lotus Sect; developing Azure Phoenix City is the plan of our sect's Elder Lu."

"Which Elder Lu?"

"..."

For three consecutive days, the foot traffic in Azure Phoenix City showed no signs of waning, still climbing steadily.

In addition to Immortal Commoners, wealthy mortals coming to spend money and a large number of wandering refugees also poured in.

For a time, Azure Phoenix City became famous.

Some merchants interested in Azure Phoenix City, after several days of observation, confirmed that the Bamboo Spring Sect was not in danger, and since the White Lotus Sect had not stepped forward to clarify their relationship, the matter was self-evident.

Starting on the fourth day.

Merchants arrived one after another to discuss cooperation with Ning Zhongzi.

Because Yuelai Inn focused on food and drink, the first batch of merchants were involved in other trades.

There were those selling knock-off spiritual artifacts and immortal swords, those selling pesticides and Immortal Fertilizer, as well as small clinics and fortune tellers...

Since it was the initial stage, according to Lu Ya's wishes, as long as it did not violate the laws of the Immortal Court, all comers were welcome.

Among them, there were even gambling dens and brothels!

Ning Zhongzi specifically demanded—

Gambling dens must have betting limits.

Brothels could only offer performances and wine service, not prostitution.

And pharmacies were forbidden from selling addictive pills.

Azure Phoenix City would have zero tolerance for vice!

Because the initial rent was low, in just two days, all thirty storefronts outside of Yuelai Inn were rented out.

These merchants focused on low-priced immortal products, and with the attraction of the Void Kun, by the seventh day, Azure Phoenix City was receiving over ten thousand customers daily.

Half of them were Immortal Commoners!

In just ten days, the commercial atmosphere of Azure Phoenix City had taken off, bringing with it a rapid expansion of local agriculture and animal husbandry, making the entire Floating Mountain flourish.

Ten days later.

Lu Ya, who had been a Salted Fish on the mountain for ten days, felt a bit weary again.

Sleeping, fishing, hot springs, flirting, drinking—the life of a Salted Fish was just that dull and boring.

Especially the routine dual cultivation with Liu Xuanye; Liu Xuanye was happy, her Immortal Platform becoming warmer and more stable by the day, and she had breakthroughs in her sword path daily.

Lu Ya, however, suffered immensely, ending up with a sore back and cramping legs every single time. But that was just how a pretty boy's life went; there was no help for it, and nothing to complain about.

It was time to go down the mountain to check the results of the city building; perhaps he could find some unexpected amusement.

Stretching his body, Lu Ya took a step and descended the mountain.

Ten days later, the seedlings in the wheat fields and valleys below were already over a foot tall, and the pastures had expanded significantly.

When the Immortal Commoner folk saw Lu Ya, their attitude was even more enthusiastic than before.

"Elder Lu, you've worked hard."

"Elder Lu, my chives have grown so tall, would you like to cut some to take back?"

"Elder Lu, the oysters in the river are very plump; please take some back."

"Elder Lu, let me add some goji berries for you."

"We'll talk later."

Lu Ya thought to himself, I am indeed working hard, but not the kind of hard work you imagine.

Arriving at Azure Phoenix City.

Looking at the small city before him, packed shoulder to shoulder and bustling with noise, Lu Ya was completely dumbfounded.

Is this East Floating City?

Large and small spirit beast mounts and flying immortal artifacts trailed faint, glowing lights through the air, converging from all directions to land slowly on the plaza in front of Yuelai Inn.

The wide, one-way street was bustling with a constant stream of carriages and people.

Clerks from spirit artifact shops hawked their wares in the street, using dazzling light-based spells to showcase various promotional discounts and grand opening deals.

In the tavern on the inn's upper floor, immortal light flickered, and the sounds of laughter from immortal guests and courtesans drifted out, mingled with the intoxicating fragrance of spirit wine.

Outside the auction house, gasps and heated discussions erupted; every time a deal was struck, a bronze bell on the roof chimed, its melodious immortal tone ringing throughout the city.

Beyond that, there were various peddlers and laborers setting up stalls along the cliffside.

There were con artists selling Dog Skin Ascension Pill, craftsmen applying spirit films to immortal swords and spirit artifacts, fortune-telling immortals dressed as reclusive masters, and storytellers weaving tales of immortal anecdotes...

Walking through the lively street, Lu Ya felt a bit dazed.

It felt as if not ten days had passed, but ten years.

Is this truly the Azure Phoenix City I casually planned?

It feels somewhat dreamlike.

Thinking this, Lu Ya walked up to a bustling establishment, its massive plaque inscribed with—

Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion.

From upstairs, one could hear the clinking of glasses, the chatter of women, and the sounds of strings and flutes.

A pleasure house already?

Azure Phoenix City was worth building!

Although Ning Zhongzi had told him long ago that pleasure houses in Azure Phoenix City must be operated legally, selling only talent and not their bodies.

But going in for a drink, admiring beauties, and listening to music was still quite pleasant.

A married man needs to find some fun, after all.

Just as Lu Ya was about to step inside, a curvaceous, graceful figure blocked his path.

In those gentle, bright eyes, thin threads of darkness were faintly coalescing.

"What, has the Sect Master been neglecting you, Senior Brother?"

It was Ning Zhongzi.

Lu Ya suddenly felt the shame of being caught in bed, and he quickly stepped down from the threshold.

"You know how the Sect Master is; she has always been cold and aloof."

The black threads in her eyes dissipated instantly, and Ning Zhongzi actually felt a sudden pang of pity for Lu Ya.

"I will speak with her properly later. You shouldn't go to such places; they are all common, vulgar women, not suitable for an expert of your standing, Senior Brother."

"There is a bit of artistic merit even among the common and vulgar."

"Hmm?"

"..."

Lu Ya was silenced by Ning Zhongzi's "hmm" and dared not say another word, having no choice but to stroll through the streets with his Senior Sister.

Unable to discuss art with the fairies, Lu Ya felt the surrounding clamor suddenly become grating.

As Lu Xun once said, human joys and sorrows are not connected; Lu Ya only felt they were noisy.

In that case, wasn't this Azure Phoenix City built in vain?

Glancing at the curvaceous, pretty figure beside him, Lu Ya shook his head repeatedly.

This woman...

She cannot be kept!

After walking for a long time, Ning Zhongzi suddenly felt a bit sentimental.

"A month ago, Bamboo Spring Sect was lifeless and on the verge of being disbanded. Who would have thought it would develop into this in the blink of an eye? The one-year mission the Immortal Court used to make things difficult for us has been completed in just one month."

Lu Ya nodded blankly, his mind having flown off to who knows where.

"Keep up the good work."

Ning Zhongzi suddenly stopped, her bright eyes staring straight at Lu Ya.

"Triggering the beast tide, hunting the Void Kun, utilizing Fan Ni... was all of this in your plan, Senior Brother?"

Although Lu Ya had absolutely no plan for this, how could he deny it when she was praising him?

"Ahem, just a small contribution."

Just then—

The crowd on the street was startled and scrambled to get out of the way.

A tiny loli rode a ten-foot-tall, slant-eyed giant tiger, charging recklessly down the street.

She came to a screeching halt right in front of Ning Zhongzi.

"Nanny, it's bad! Lord Wine Fox has lost his pants in the gambling den!"