The vast expanse of Canglan Lake stretched as far as the eye could see.
An island stood in the lake, home to one of the Tang Kingdom's first-rate orthodox sects-the Canglan Sect!
The Canglan Sect's sect master was an expert at the one-leaf Dharmakaya Realm. In his youth, he had swept across the world, with no one able to stand in his way.
Now, however, he was past seventy.
Even so, with him guarding the Canglan Sect, few dared to provoke it.
But today, a pleasure barge had stopped outside the Canglan Sect.
The barge was exquisite.
Both its carved calligraphy and paintings and its decorations were enough to prove its owner's exceptional taste.
At the very front of the barge hung two red lanterns.
Each lantern bore a single character written in graceful script.
Spring and Passion!
It was none other than the Spring Passion House, renowned throughout the Tang Kingdom.
It had been founded by Lian Yue, the fourth disciple of the Blood Rain Cult's leader, the Blood Rain Demon Venerable.
Ordinarily, this barge only moored in pleasure districts.
When night fell, all its lamps would blaze to life.
Those who could board were either rich or powerful,
whether important court officials, gifted scholars renowned throughout the land, or powerful cultivators.
But today, the barge was very quiet.
Even the notes of its pipas and zithers
carried currents of murderous chill. This chill was not the burning, blazing ferocity of an army!
Instead, it was hazy and damp, like the misty rains south of the river.
Before anyone realized it, it seeped into their marrow,
making their scalps prickle and sending chills down their spines.
At that moment, in a room at the very top of the barge, a forbidden place no one could enter,
a woman was