180: Flowers blooming in the south city, treasures left in the drum tower

“I heard that the Huai Lake Seven Heroes are all exceptionally handsome. Is that true?” Xu Sanyan was very interested in this.

Zuoqiu Shen's vigilance did not decrease, and he slowly retreated, “That’s right. My seven older sisters’ cultivation is also impressive. All seven of them have come this time. If there’s an opportunity, Junior can introduce them to you.”

Zuoqiu Shen’s words were very clear, warning Xu Sanyan not to act rashly, as he had people backing him.

“Haha, alright.”

Xu Sanyan naturally understood, but he didn't care at all. These so-called Huai Lake Seven Heroes might be somewhat intimidating to ordinary Cultivators, but in his eyes, they were nothing special, at most on the same level as Jiang Qinqin.

Immediately, with a thought, a rune slowly condensed in the Void Realm, containing the idea of “obedience,” and suddenly imprinted itself into Zuoqiu Shen’s mind.

Zuoqiu Shen’s expression froze, and he unconsciously felt a sense of fear and a hint of closeness towards Xu Sanyan, his vigilance also relaxing.

The cultivation gap between the two was too vast. Zuoqiu Shen was merely at the Foundation Establishment middle stage; they were separated by an entire major Realm, making it difficult for him to resist the power of the demonic seed.

“I ask, you answer.” Xu Sanyan slowly approached, and this time Zuoqiu Shen did not retreat.

“This… Senior, please ask.”

“How many people from the Zuoqiu clan came?”

“Sixty-seven people.”

“What are their cultivations?”

“Four Soul Refining, sixteen Mystic Path Realm, forty-seven Foundation Establishment.” Zuoqiu Shen felt a slight awkwardness in his heart, but he answered without hesitation.

“What are the cultivations of the Huai Lake Seven Heroes?” Xu Sanyan was a bit curious about this.

“Five Mystic Path Realm early stage, two Foundation Establishment Completion.”

“How do you communicate?”

“Parent-child stones.”

Xu Sanyan nodded slightly. Parent-child stones were the most common means of communication in the cultivation world.

“Have you received any news?”

“Yes.”

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow, “Tell me in detail.”

“Someone saw a stone tablet with the words: Flowers bloom in the South City, treasures of the Drum Tower.”

Flowers bloom in the South City, treasures of the Drum Tower…

Xu Sanyan pondered, then asked, “Where is the Drum Tower?”

“I don’t know.” Zuoqiu Shen shook his head.

According to the literal meaning, when the flowers in the South City bloom, the treasures of the Drum Tower will appear. These Drum Tower treasures should be the key to this Secret Realm.

It’s just… when will the flowers in the South City bloom?

Xu Sanyan took out the parent stone and sent a message to everyone, “Is anyone in the South City?”

Judging by the sun in the sky, Xu Sanyan’s current location should be the West City. He didn't know how far it was to the South City. The main thing was that this city was too big, so big that he couldn't see its boundaries.

After a short while, someone replied, “Senior Brother, I am Xiang Tan, and I am in the South City.”

“Are there any flowers there?”

After a while, the message came, “I haven’t seen any flowers, but there’s a towering ancient tree. It looks like a begonia tree, but it’s too big.”

Xu Sanyan held the parent stone and pondered for a moment, “Everyone gather in the South City, near that begonia tree.”

“Yes, Saint.”

“Received…”

“You come with me too.” Xu Sanyan patted Zuoqiu Shen’s shoulder.

“Yes.”

…

At the same time, in the Northwest of the city, beneath a pavilion.

Fang Qingge pointed at the huge plaque and said with a stiff smile, “Fairy Wei, would you like to explore inside with me?”

Behind him, a slender woman touched a vivid green snake coiled around her fingertip. Hearing his words, she smiled, looking very sweet, “Senior Brother Fang, just call me Xunzhu. Fairy Wei sounds too formal.”

“Then I shall respectfully comply, Xunzhu.”

Fang Qingge readily agreed, a carefree smile on his face, but inwardly he sighed. He hadn't expected that the first person he would encounter in the Secret Realm would be Wei Xunzhu, the cherished daughter of the Wei Family from Sanshan City.

This woman was truly eccentric. It was rumored that on the day Wei Xunzhu was born, a hundred insects gathered, and various poisonous insects, snakes, and ants from a hundred-mile radius came bearing grass as gifts, creating a grand spectacle.

Wei Xunzhu also lived up to expectations, already displaying extraordinary cultivation talent at only seven or eight years old, especially in the Dao of beast taming, where her talent was unparalleled.

But the strange thing was that she was only interested in bizarre poisonous insects. No matter if it was a centipede, a poisonous snake, or a toad, as long as it fell into her hands, they would all become incredibly obedient.

This also led to no one daring to play with her since childhood, because if she got angry, she would really release poisonous insects to bite you.

Fang Qingge watched Wei Xunzhu approach and silently moved his feet away. This woman was the first woman who failed to arouse any “sexual” interest in him.

Although she was dressed lightly, with only a short skirt covering her chest, revealing smooth, slender lotus-like arms, a tiny waist that could be grasped with one hand, and a pair of long, fair legs that gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight, looking very sexy and enchanting,

He didn't dare to get close.

Yet, Wei Xunzhu seemed very interested in him, constantly trying to get closer.

Fang Qingge really wanted to tell her, “Fairy, please respect yourself!”

“Does Senior Brother Fang dislike me?”

Wei Xunzhu noticed his wariness, her eyes looking pitiful, with layers of mist in her large eyes, tears about to well up.

“I wouldn’t dare,” Fang Qingge blurted out, then quickly corrected himself, “No, I don’t dislike you.”

“Hehe, I knew Senior Brother Fang was the best.” Wei Xunzhu instantly changed her expression, wrapping her arms around Fang Qingge’s arm and affectionately rubbing her cheek against his shoulder.

Fang Qingge’s body visibly stiffened, and he said with a slight tremor in his voice, “Xunzhu, can you… control your pet?”

He saw that the small snake, which had originally been coiled around Wei Xunzhu’s arm, had somehow darted onto Fang Qingge’s shoulder, stretching its body to look around, its tongue constantly flicking in and out.

“Oh, Senior Brother doesn’t like Xiao Qing?”

Wei Xunzhu didn’t seem to move much, but the vivid green snake seemed to understand human speech, sliding down her neck and disappearing into her short skirt.

Fang Qingge’s eyes darted sideways, just catching a glimpse of the deep cleavage, then quickly averted his gaze.

Heaven knew how many poisonous insects she hid in her body. That small snake alone was the third one he had seen; before that, there was a centipede and a round, nameless little insect.

“Let’s go, let’s go up and take a look.”

Wei Xunzhu pointed at the pavilion in front of them, while her other hand held Fang Qingge’s arm as she walked forward.

…

In the vast city, nearly ten thousand figures were scattered within it, like drops of water entering the sea, causing not a single ripple.

Xu Sanyan shielded Zuoqiu Shen in front of him, letting him lead the way. The two walked one after another through the long street, then suddenly stopped.

Two figures in front of them were walking away with their backs to them. They seemed to have noticed them as well, stopping and turning to look.

Both sides instantly became vigilant. Before Xu Sanyan could examine them closely, he heard Zuoqiu Shen exclaim in surprise, “Third Sister, Fourth Sister?”

“Brother Shen?”

Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes. What a coincidence?

They had just finished talking about the Huai Lake Seven Heroes, and now they encountered the third and fourth among them?

“This is…?” One of the women, dressed in red brocade, looked at Xu Sanyan.

“I am Xu San, from the Qidao Sect of Yong Mountain. Greetings to the two Fairies.” Xu Sanyan casually made up a name.

“So it’s a distinguished disciple of the Qi Dao Sect. My name is Zuoqiu Hui, and this is my younger sister, Zuoqiu Xin. Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for looking after Brother Shen.”

“You’re welcome. Where are you two going?”

“We received…” The fourth sister, Zuoqiu Xin, was about to speak when Zuoqiu Hui quickly interrupted, “We are going to gather in the South City. Would Fellow Daoist like to come along?”