Wasteland Town

The three walked down the main street of Wasteland Town, dazzled by the wide variety of shops on either side. Besides everyday goods, they sold many specialty products related to demon slaves, such as clothes and accessories designed specifically for them, and even offered services to groom their ears and tails.

Ever since transmigrating, Lin Qingyang had spent every day on the mountain, bored out of his mind by that bland existence. Now that he had finally entered a town, he immediately perked up and browsed with enthusiasm, insisting on stepping into every shop. Qi Mo followed behind, carrying an assortment of things Lin Qingyang had bought. Even the Windflower Sword floating beside them had a carp lantern Lin Qingyang had just purchased hanging from it.

"Too sweet!" Lin Qingyang took a bite of a freshly bought pastry, frowned, and shoved the rest into Qi Mo's arms.

Holding the packet of pastries, Qi Mo sniffed it curiously and took a bite as well. His eyes lit up at the sweet, fragrant taste, and he stuffed the whole thing into his mouth.

Mo Yan followed with a dark expression, watching Lin Qingyang shop his way down the street, impatience written all over his face.

The Windflower Sword floated over to Mo Yan and chatted idly. "Why's your temper so bad? Have you been single too long?"

Mo Yan said nothing, but his expression seemed to darken further.

"Oh my, Daoist, your demon slave is truly beautiful," a vendor at a shop entrance called out warmly as Lin Qingyang passed.

"Why not get your demon slave a new Demon-Locking Ring? We have every style here." As he spoke, the vendor ushered Lin Qingyang into the shop. "If none of them suit your tastes, we also take custom orders."

Lin Qingyang glanced around the shop. Demon-Locking Rings of various styles hung on the walls, many brightly colored and uniquely shaped. He casually picked up a black leather Demon-Locking Ring from the table, its center adorned with a beautiful ruby.

"Daoist, that one's defective. The array engraved on it is wrong, so it doesn't work properly," the vendor hurriedly explained, pointing at the Demon-Locking Rings hanging on the wall. "Have a look at these."

Outside, Mo Yan waited impatiently while the Windflower Sword remained beside him, talking away. "You really should work on your temper, or you won't have any friends. Having no partner is miserable enough. If you don't have friends either..."

Mo Yan finally lost his patience and called through gritted teeth to Lin Qingyang inside the shop, "Lin Qingyang, how much longer are you going to shop?"

Lin Qingyang ambled out of the shop and said helplessly, "Look at you, so hot-tempered all day long."

"We're here on business! Not to have fun!" Mo Yan roared irritably.

Hearing Mo Yan's hostile tone, Qi Mo immediately shot him a sharp glare, which only made Mo Yan angrier.

"What's that look for? Was I wrong about him? Has he done a single useful thing since we got here? Just look at everything he's bought!" Mo Yan pointed at the pile of things in Qi Mo's hands.

"How is shopping not useful?" Lin Qingyang said with complete confidence. "This is research and learning! Think about it. We're both among the six great Immortal Sects, so why is the Xuanhuang Sect so good at making money while our Nine Skies Sect has to survive on loans? Back then, the Xuanhuang Sect was far inferior to the Nine Skies Sect. As elders of the Nine Skies Sect, shouldn't you and I look into the reasons? Since we're here, we should make full use of this opportunity to thoroughly understand and learn from their advanced experience, then bring that experience back to the Nine Skies Sect so we can reach new heights in our future development, grow bigger and stronger, and achieve glory once more!"

That spiel left even Mo Yan stunned. He looked at him dubiously. "That's what you were thinking?"

Lin Qingyang said with a serious expression, "Of course. My senior brother entrusted me with the duties of sect leader. Naturally, I can't let him down."

Hearing this, Mo Yan's expression softened considerably, and he actually nodded in agreement. "There's some truth to what you're saying."

Beside them, Qi Mo gave Mo Yan a complicated look.

Just then, two sword-bearing cultivators in matching clothes walked along the opposite side of the street. Behind them was a boy of fifteen or sixteen, lavishly dressed in a yellow brocade robe, with ornaments made of bone hanging from his waist and shoulders. Following the boy was a young fox demon with red ears. Fair-skinned and slender, the fox demon was exceptionally beautiful, with a flame-shaped red mark between his brows that made him look both alluring and amorous. His fluffy red fox tail shone so brightly that it was obvious he was no ordinary breed of demon. The group made its way along with utter arrogance, the two cultivators roughly shoving aside any pedestrians in their path.

"Who's that? So overbearing," Lin Qingyang asked.

The vendor beside him said, "That's the young master of the Xuanhuang Sect."

Mo Yan thought for a moment. "He should be Cen Ru'an's only son, Cen Yue. I've heard he's a good-for-nothing."

Cen Yue entered a shop across the street called the Pleasure Pavilion. Purple gauze curtains and crystals decorated its storefront, lending it an air of mystery.

"All right, let's take care of our business first," Mo Yan said, having little interest in such spoiled young wastrels.

"No hurry. That shop looks good. Let's go learn something." With that, Lin Qingyang followed them inside, and Qi Mo hurried after him.

Mo Yan looked at the two helplessly and could only follow.

They entered the shop, only to freeze on the spot. After a long moment, Lin Yao let out a "Wow."

The lighting inside was rather dim, with red and purple crystals set around the shop giving off light and creating an intensely suggestive atmosphere. Whips, hemp ropes, shackles, and implements whose uses were hard to identify hung on the walls. This was actually a shop selling sex toys!

Mo Yan looked at Lin Qingyang with a dark expression. Lin Qingyang said awkwardly, "How does this not count as learning?" The Windflower Sword had already floated excitedly into the shop, exclaiming as it looked around.

"The sword really does take after its owner!" Mo Yan said, speechless.

The beautiful shopkeeper approached with a smile. "What would you like to see?" Her gaze swept over Qi Mo behind Lin Qingyang, and her eyes immediately lit up.

"What a beautiful wolf demon."

As she spoke, the shopkeeper reached rather brazenly for Qi Mo's face. Qi Mo frowned and dodged her hand, glaring at her warily and fiercely.

"He's a little fierce," Lin Qingyang said helplessly.

The shopkeeper smiled and turned to Lin Qingyang. "I have everything here. Feel free to browse, Daoist. You can even try out anything you like. I recommend a whip. It's perfect for a temperamental one like yours."

With that, she walked away and left them to browse on their own. Qi Mo frowned at her unhappily, only to hear Lin Qingyang ask beside him, "Well? Is there anything you like?"

Qi Mo's expression stiffened. He looked awkwardly at Lin Qingyang, struggled with himself for a long while, then turned his head away and said uncomfortably, "As long as you like it."

Lin Qingyang nodded. "Then let's get one of everything."

Qi Mo looked at him in shock, his eyes widening in a rare display. At his expression, Lin Qingyang finally could not help laughing. Only then did Qi Mo realize that this man was teasing him again. He looked at him helplessly. How could this man be nothing like an elder?

"Let's hurry up and leave. What kind of impression are we making, staying somewhere like this?" Mo Yan urged quietly.

The moment he finished speaking, a scream suddenly came from the other side of the shop.