The Bounty

Lin Sui followed beside Su Fuxi as three streaks of sword light flew toward the Ninth Ward in the heart of Immortal Market City.

Though they weren't flying fast, they were much faster than walking.

Looking down, they could see all of Immortal Market City. Within a radius of many hundreds of miles, buildings and pavilions stood densely packed among structures built into natural rock caves, creating a strange beauty that blended ruggedness with refinement.

When cultivators flew slowly, the figures and flying swords within their sword light could be glimpsed in midair as they streaked across the sky trailing magical lights of every color.

After the time it took an incense stick to burn, the three streaks of sword light landed right in front of the Treasure Seeking Pavilion.

Quite a few cultivators wore black robes like Su Fuxi and Lin Sui.

The Treasure Seeking Pavilion was a renowned, five-story establishment, grand and elegant in its decoration.

Without looking aside, Su Fuxi walked straight in. Lin Sui followed automatically, leaving the broker cultivator waiting outside.

"Welcome to our establishment." The shop steward greeted them warmly. He was actually a Golden Core Stage cultivator. Su Fuxi's brow twitched slightly, and she said directly:

"I'm here to post a bounty. Can you spread the word as quickly as possible, fellow Daoist? I need to find a master skilled in runic seals."

She took out a rubbing she had made the night before, specifically of the runes on one corner of the yellow paper seal. Even this incomplete fragment of the runes seemed wondrous. They were not of a kind commonly used on the continent today.

"You need only post the bounty, fellow Daoist. There's no need to worry about the rest." The Golden Core steward cupped his hands and took the jade slip, glancing at it. "That will do. In about three days, we'll notify you if there's any news."

"The posting fee is thirty thousand spirit stones per bounty. We won't disclose any of the employer's information without cause. As for the reward, the employer and the person who accepts the bounty must discuss it between themselves."

That expensive? Bounties really aren't something ordinary people can afford to play with. Fortunately, Su Fuxi had enough spirit stones now.

Sighing inwardly, she transferred the full amount of spirit stones onto the counter. After the steward collected them, he flipped his hand, producing a blank black-and-gold scroll.

He dipped a jade-handled brush in special ink and handed it to Su Fuxi. "Please write the details of the bounty yourself, fellow Daoist."

Su Fuxi took the brush and wrote a line: Seeking assistance from a fellow Daoist skilled in runic seals. Reward: one Lifespan Pill. Note: those who study ancient runic seals will be given preference.

A Lifespan Pill! Hiss! The Golden Core steward's eyes widened at the sight, and he secretly drew a sharp breath.

The way he looked at Su Fuxi changed too. He hadn't expected her to offer a Lifespan Pill as the reward!

More than enough!

Now, even without much promotion on their part, the bounty would attract the attention of many cultivators.

"Done." Su Fuxi put down the brush.

"Ah, let me." The steward's attitude toward Su Fuxi improved considerably. He felt certain she had connections to a fourth-tier alchemist and was not to be underestimated!

He hurriedly took the scroll and formed hand seals. The jade slip bearing the damaged runes floated up beside the scroll. Soon, white light flashed, and the contents of the jade slip were copied onto the scroll as reference runes.

Cultivators who weren't skilled in this kind of rune had no business joining the commotion!

"Fellow Daoist, this is a communication jade token. If someone accepts the bounty, it will automatically put them in contact with you. You won't need to trouble yourself with another trip to our humble establishment, so you can avoid showing your face as often."

"Mm." Su Fuxi was very satisfied with that. She put the jade token away and asked before leaving, "I've heard the Immortal Market trading fairs are beginning. Where and when exactly?"

The steward answered with an eager smile, "They're in the First Market Ward in the center of the city. The next fair is at the Spirit Radiance Pavilion, starting tomorrow evening. You've come at just the right time, fellow Daoist."

"Farewell." Su Fuxi cupped her hands. She turned to look at Lin Sui, who seemed lost in thought, told him they were leaving, and walked out of the Treasure Seeking Pavilion.

Lin Sui gathered his thoughts and followed her.

"Thank you, steward! Thank you, steward!" At the entrance, Su Fuxi saw the steward follow them out and tip the broker some spirit stones. The broker cultivator thanked him repeatedly.

"Master, you... offered a Lifespan Pill. Aren't you afraid of attracting covetous eyes?"

After they left the Ninth Market Ward, Lin Sui swept his spiritual sense over two furtive figures watching them from nearby.

"Why should I be afraid?" Su Fuxi looked at the light of fortune above Lin Sui's head. It seemed a little brighter and a size larger than when they had first met.

Heh, anyone who dares covet the child of fortune and his master must be tired of living.

Besides, she had a treasure box in her hands but couldn't open it. It made her restless, constantly wanting to open it and see what was inside, with the anticipation of opening a blind box.

Nothing was more attractive than a fourth-tier Lifespan Pill. If she could get the seal undone, it would be worth it.

If it drew out covetous people, they would be just right for Lin Sui to practice on.

His cultivation of Slaughter Qi was progressing far too slowly!

Lin Sui didn't know she was thinking of having him fight, so he could only nod. "All right."

As long as they stayed on the outskirts and didn't venture into the inner reaches of the Fallen Dragon Marsh, Su Fuxi wouldn't have to hold back!

Honestly, this might be the height of her strength since she began cultivating!

If she looked over her shoulder before doing anything, wouldn't all her cultivation to reach this level have been for nothing?

After dismissing the broker with some spirit stones, the two wandered into the Seventh Market Ward at dusk.

"Come in and have some fun, fellow Daoist~~"

"Come on~ have a good time~~"

"Oh~ fellow Daoist, don't miss us as you pass by! At the Lovesickness Pavilion, we won't part until we're drunk!"

A red building draped in colored silk stood in a small rocky ravine beneath the darkening sky. Completely out of place in the Immortal Market, it was like a splendid, opulent city that never slept.

A rocky ravine within a city, a tower among towers.

From far away, one could already sense the lively bustle within, along with the refined allure of rouge and powder.

After all these years, Su Fuxi had finally seen a cultivation-world pleasure house of legend.

Wonderful! I've worked hard for so long; it's time I enjoyed myself!

This was the Lovesickness Pavilion, a business belonging to the Lovesickness Sect, one of the three great sects.

As its name suggested, it was a genuine place of food, drink, entertainment, and dazzling luxury.

Lin Sui saw beautiful women of every kind leaning against the pavilion's railings and flaunting themselves, their scented silk handkerchiefs trailing as though they would devour people without spitting out the bones.

In his eyes, they were truly no different from venomous snakes.

"M-Master...?"

He took a step back and stopped, only to see Su Fuxi walk right past him and head for the doors of the brilliantly lit pavilion.

"Follow me."

The two words floated back to him.

She had already passed through the Lovesickness Pavilion's formation and was almost out of sight.

Lin Sui had no choice but to grit his teeth and follow.

"Senior, are you..." A Foundation Establishment Stage attendant came forward, but Su Fuxi cut off his ingratiating greeting and tossed him a mid-grade spirit stone. "I want a good private room where we can watch the dancing, but it mustn't be too noisy."

"Yes, yes, of course!" The attendant put away the spirit stone. One mid-grade spirit stone could be exchanged for a hundred low-grade ones, and the Foundation Establishment attendant cheerfully led her upstairs.

They passed the stage in the main hall and went up the stairs to the side. Every breath was filled with cloyingly sweet fragrances of every kind. Lin Sui frowned in discomfort as he listened to the excited cheers of the onlookers. It was very noisy.

The female cultivators performing on the stage, whether playing wind instruments, string instruments, singing, or dancing, all came from the Lovesickness Sect.

Every one of them had cloudlike tresses and a flowerlike face, with allure in every bone, like immortals and enchantresses at once.

Their clothes were pitifully thin. Lin Sui didn't dare look around; his eyes remained fixed on the black-robed Su Fuxi in front of him.

Creak!

At last they reached a spacious, luxurious private room in the middle of the fifth floor. The door opened and closed, shutting out the noise, and the restriction activated as the door closed.

Lin Sui, who had been holding his breath the whole time, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Before he had finished looking around the room, he heard Su Fuxi point at him and say:

"Attendant, it's his first time here. Choose a few suitable young women to attend to him."

Lin Sui hurriedly tried to stop her. "Wait! Master! I, I don't, don't need..." His face flushed scarlet in an instant, his expression terrified and embarrassed.

The attendant would hardly give him a chance to refuse. He chuckled. "So you two are master and disciple. Rest assured, senior, I guarantee you'll both be satisfied."

Su Fuxi stressed, "Go on. Find ones who are young and beautiful."

Lin Sui didn't dare say anything to Su Fuxi, so he glared fiercely at the attendant.

The attendant felt the Golden Core cultivator's eyes fixed on him, like thorns in his back. But he was naturally going to obey Su Fuxi, whose cultivation was higher. He smartly cupped his hands and withdrew.

"Rest assured, senior, the young women will be here right away!" By the time the words left his mouth, he had disappeared through the door.

The attendant vanished quickly. Lin Sui gritted his teeth and looked at Su Fuxi's face beneath her hood. "Master, I..."

Su Fuxi put a hand on his arm. "Don't worry. Come to think of it, I'm at fault. You've grown this old, and I've hardly taken you out to see the world."

She brushed past him as she continued, "Cultivators cultivate both body and heart. You can also use this chance to experience the methods of the Lovesickness Sect's cultivators,

"so that when you travel the world in the future, you won't... mm, be deceived by other beautiful women..."

"..."