44: Ruan Yujun, your eyes... does your senior brother practice dual cultivation?

Jiang Yan didn't take Zhao Qing's words about repaying him in the next life to heart at all, but he still wanted to look into the matters of this life.

Although Zhao Qing and Ma Yu weren't exactly his closest friends, they were people who had shown him kindness in the past, so he would try to help as much as he could.

If the matter exceeded his capabilities, he would simply be unable to help.

As he walked out of the vicinity of the Joyful Tower with Ma Yu, Jiang Yan asked him about the madam's words.

Upon learning that Jiang Yan was asking about Zhao Qing's situation, Ma Yu could only tell him the whole story.

Zhao Qing had actually been introduced to the Immortal gate by someone, and his luck was much better than Jiang Yan's.

In the early stages, Zhao Qing had been nurtured for a while, but his Aptitude was limited, and he was unable to enter the Qi Refining Realm, so Steward Qian assigned him to work under his own command.

And Zhao Qing's so-called lowly servant wife, Ruan Yujun, was actually a childhood sweetheart who had grown up with him.

Because Zhao Qing's hometown was struck by Yao Beasts, many villagers were forced to leave the Southern Border, and among them was Ruan Yujun's family.

To avoid starving to death, Ruan Yujun could only sell herself to the Zhang Family as a lowly servant.

At first, Ruan Yujun's looks were not outstanding, but as she grew older, she became extremely alluring.

Later, the Zhang Family gave Ruan Yujun to an Immortal as a concubine, but the good times didn't last. Before a year had passed, that Immortal was killed by a Yao Beast, so Ruan Yujun was taken back by the Zhang Family.

Seeing that Ruan Yujun's appearance had become even more stunning after being nurtured by an Immortal, the Zhang Family gave her to their own Consecrated Expert as a concubine, but that old fogey was killed before he could enjoy her for even a few months.

The Zhang Family felt that Ruan Yujun was somewhat ominous, so they sold her to the Joyful Tower.

At that time, Zhao Qing happened to be working for the Zhang Family. To redeem Ruan Yujun, he could only sell himself to the Zhang Family.

Jiang Yan fell silent after hearing this melodramatic story, not knowing whether he should help or not.

"How many Spirit Stones for her redemption?" Jiang Yan asked.

Ma Yu spread his hands helplessly: "The asking price is eight hundred Spirit Stones."

"How much? Eight hundred? Is he marrying a fairy?"

Jiang Yan was truly shocked; he began to wonder what on earth Zhao Qing was marrying.

Ma Yu smiled and patted Jiang Yan: "I know you want to help Zhao Qing too, but this is his own doing. I couldn't even stop him back then."

Jiang Yan nodded slightly; it was indeed as Ma Yu said.

"Alright, you've helped him enough already. I have to hurry and deliver these goods. If you have some free time, let's have a drink together another day."

Jiang Yan watched Ma Yu smile as he left. He understood that everyone has their own fate, and forced interference might lead a person onto a path that doesn't belong to them at all.

Arriving at the Zhang Family Auction House, Jiang Yan followed Li Yi's instructions and sold the Talismans directly to the auction house.

Jiang Yan was still very surprised when he learned the prices of these Talismans.

He never expected that these Talismans would actually sell for five thousand seven hundred Spirit Stones... Keep in mind, these were only low-grade and middle-grade Talismans.

With a curious heart, Jiang Yan asked the steward on the side: "How many Spirit Stones can a high-grade Talisman sell for?"

"It depends on the type. If it's a Frostfire Talisman, it only sells for two hundred Spirit Stones, but if it's a Space Teleportation Talisman, it can sell for around a thousand Spirit Stones." the auction house steward explained.

Hearing this, Jiang Yan was deeply shaken. He never expected that these Talismans would be so valuable, even more expensive than Magical Artifacts or Storage Pouches.

"If the Immortal Revered Master has any high-grade Talismans, feel free to come here. We can discuss the price in detail," the auction house steward hurriedly added.

Jiang Yan shook his head: "I don't have those. My Revered Master sent me here to sell these things."

Hearing this, the steward didn't press further. In their view, those who could produce such items were basically people like the Peak Masters of the Qingyun Sect.

However, the steward also began to regard Jiang Yan with much higher respect.

"Oh, right, how much are the corresponding Materials?" Jiang Yan asked as he opened his Storage Pouch.

"Those are cheap, only eight hundred Spirit Stones is enough, and we can also give you a Spirit-Infusing Brush for free," the steward said with a smile.

"Then thank you." Jiang Yan expressed his gratitude and walked out of the auction house with the Materials and Spirit Stones.

In the Market Square at the foot of the Qingyun Sect's mountain, almost no one would be suicidal enough to cause trouble for Qingyun Sect Disciples. After all, everyone relied on the Qingyun Sect for their livelihood, so groups of Qingyun Sect Disciples could often be seen together in the Market Square.

Jiang Yan's task today was simple: to wander around and get a thorough feel for the Market Square.

Of course, buying some things was also essential, but the things Jiang Yan bought seemed very bizarre to others.

By nightfall, Jiang Yan returned to the Sect carrying large and small bags.

However, the strange looks he received along the way made him very uncomfortable.

'Is it really that exaggerated? I just want to enjoy myself properly.'

As soon as he returned to the Outer Sect courtyard, he threw a huge bathtub into the washroom.

Cai Qiang, who was currently bathing, was instantly stunned when he saw such a large bathtub.

"Senior Brother Jiang, are you planning to Dual Cultivate with some Senior Sister?" Cai Qiang asked.

"Dual Cultivation?" Jiang Yan was very confused, "No, I just got this for bathing."

Cai Qiang gave a thumbs up, picked up his own small basin, and decisively left.

Jiang Yan didn't mind Cai Qiang's expression; in his eyes, enjoying himself was a very pleasant thing.

Just as he was pouring water into the large tub, Geng Ye and Zhu Qi walked in chatting.

But after seeing such a large tub, the two of them hurriedly backed out. After checking to make sure it was indeed the washroom, they walked back in.

"Senior Brother Jiang, are you about to start Dual Cultivation?" Zhu Qi asked.

Geng Ye said in confusion: "That's not right, isn't Dual Cultivation always done at the Hall of Shared Desires?"

Jiang Yan was very frustrated. He felt he really needed to explain himself. Why did everyone insist he was going to Dual Cultivate just because he bought a large tub?

"No, what do you guys mean? Can't I buy a tub this big to enjoy myself?" Jiang Yan's expression was serious. "Also, make yourselves clear—why is the first thing you associate this with Dual Cultivation!"

Hearing Jiang Yan's question, Zhu Qi scratched his head awkwardly and said with a smile: "Senior Brother Jiang, we can't explain this. Why don't you go take a look at the Hall of Shared Desires? You'll understand everything then."

"Right, right," Geng Ye hurriedly agreed. "This thing is quite awkward and hard to explain. Besides, it's not good for three men to be discussing this together."

Jiang Yan was speechless. He put down the wooden bucket and walked out.

He really wanted to see why he was being watched by so many pairs of eyes just for buying a large tub.

The Hall of Shared Desires was not unfamiliar to Jiang Yan. On his first day entering the Sect, he had seen Liu Ruyan and her two Senior Brothers walking inside.

At the time, he thought it was their residence, so whenever he passed by, he would speed up and leave.

But now being told that the Hall of Shared Desires was a place for Dual Cultivation made him more or less embarrassed.

Just as he arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Shared Desires, Jiang Yan was stopped outside by a female Disciple.

"This Senior Brother, where is your Dao Companion?" the female Disciple asked.

"I'm just here to take a look," Jiang Yan said.

"That won't do. You must have a Dao Companion to enter," the female Disciple refused.

"No, I can't even just visit?"

Jiang Yan began to feel a bit puzzled. He felt that as an Outer Sect Disciple, visiting the Hall of Shared Desires shouldn't count as violating the Sect's rules.

"This Senior Brother, the Hall of Shared Desires is a place for Dual Cultivation. If you enter rashly and disturb the Disciples Dual Cultivating inside, this Junior Sister will be punished," the female Disciple explained.

"Fine, I won't go in." Jiang Yan nodded and said with a serious expression, "But I have a question. I wonder if Junior Sister can clear it up for me?"

"Please speak, Senior Brother." The female Disciple gave a respectful bow.

"I bought a large tub today. Why does everyone look at me strangely and even ask if I'm going to Dual Cultivate? May I ask why that is?" Jiang Yan asked.

Hearing Jiang Yan's inquiry, the female Disciple had a somewhat surprised expression, and a trace of bashfulness even appeared on her face.

This left Jiang Yan dumbfounded. What was going on?

The female Disciple blushed and looked at Jiang Yan: "Senior Brother, you're so naughty, but I really don't have the time."

Seeing the female Disciple's expression, how could Jiang Yan not know what was happening? Without a second thought, he turned and ran. He swore he only said he bought a large tub and definitely said nothing else.

The female Disciple looked at Jiang Yan's retreating figure and hurriedly shouted: "Hey, Senior Brother, my name is Lan Xiaodie! If you want to Dual Cultivate, you can come find me!"

He had just run to the entrance of his own courtyard when he heard the "haha" laughter of Zhu Qi and the others.

Hearing the group laughing, Jiang Yan's temper flared instantly. He drew his long sword and walked into the courtyard.