8: Chapter 8 Drag him away

Just as he walked out of the Jingxin Pavilion, he saw a group of female disciples surrounding a man and pointing at him. The man was dressed in rags and looked emaciated, like a walking corpse.

"Who is that?" Chu Yang asked, stopping a passing female disciple.

The female disciple glanced over and said disdainfully, "That's one of our sect's Cauldrons. He's almost been drained dry; he probably won't live much longer."

Chu Yang felt a chill in his heart. Was this how the Hehuan Sect treated men?

At that moment, the dying man suddenly saw Chu Yang. A flash of terror crossed his eyes, and he shouted in a raspy voice, "Run! This is a demon's den! They will suck you dry!"

Before he could finish, several female disciples stepped forward, covered his mouth, and dragged him away.

Chu Yang stood where he was, lost in thought.

"Young Master Chu."

Zi Ling's voice came from behind him.

Chu Yang turned around: "Elder Zi."

Zi Ling smiled and said, "Sect Leader Bi asked me to give you a tour of our Hehuan Sect. I wonder if Young Master Chu is interested?"

Chu Yang nodded: "I would be delighted."

And so, led by Zi Ling, Chu Yang began his exploration of the Hehuan Sect.

#Chapter 4

Zi Ling took Chu Yang on a tour of the Hehuan Sect, passing by exquisite pavilions and through gardens filled with blooming flowers.

"Our Hehuan Sect is divided into Five Peaks: Qin Peak, Wu Peak, Xiang Peak, Mei Peak, and Dan Peak," Zi Ling introduced as they walked. "Each peak has its own specialty."

Chu Yang listened while observing his surroundings, secretly looking for an escape route.

"Over there is Dan Peak, specializing in refining various pills, especially those used for Dual Cultivation." Zi Ling pointed to a lush green mountain in the distance.

Chu Yang feigned curiosity: "I wonder what is special about your sect's Dual Cultivation techniques?"

Zi Ling smiled sweetly: "Our Hehuan Sect's Dual Cultivation techniques emphasize the harmony of Yin and Yang between men and women. During cultivation, both parties can complement each other's needs. However, to be honest, it's more beneficial for female cultivators."

"How so?"

"Female cultivators can use it to absorb a man's essence to enhance their cultivation. Of course, the man can also benefit, but..." Zi Ling hesitated.

"But what?"

"It's just that most men cannot withstand too many sessions of Dual Cultivation and will gradually grow weak," Zi Ling said frankly. "However, Young Master Chu has a special constitution; you certainly won't have such a problem."

Chu Yang sneered inwardly but remained calm on the surface: "Then how do the male disciples in the Hehuan Sect cultivate?"

Zi Ling was slightly taken aback: "Our sect has no male disciples, only some attendants and servants."

"Then who was that man who was just dragged away?"

Zi Ling's expression changed slightly: "That was just a Cauldron. Young Master Chu needn't worry about it."

"A Cauldron?"

"It's a tool used for female disciples to perform Dual Cultivation and enhance their power," Zi Ling explained nonchalantly. "Those are mortals captured from outside; once they're used up, we just get new ones."

A flash of disgust crossed Chu Yang's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "I see."

Zi Ling glanced at him and suddenly changed the subject: "Young Master Chu, do you really intend to wait three days to choose a faction to join?"

"What else would I do?"

"I don't think you need to wait three days," Zi Ling lowered her voice. "You can make your decision now. Choosing our Hehuan Sect would definitely not be a mistake."

Chu Yang feigned hesitation: "But I promised them I would give an answer in three days..."

"How would they know?" Zi Ling tempted him. "If you make your decision early, we can immediately prepare the Dual Cultivation Ceremony for you and help you increase your cultivation."

"Dual Cultivation Ceremony?"

"That's right." A strange light flickered in Zi Ling's eyes. "The Sect Leader will personally preside over the ceremony for you. At that time, hundreds of female disciples from the entire Hehuan Sect will perform Dual Cultivation with you to help you break through your bottleneck."

Chu Yang raised an eyebrow: "Hundreds?"

"This is just the beginning," Zi Ling said proudly. "As long as you join our Hehuan Sect and become the Sect Leader's Dao companion, all the female disciples in the entire sect will be yours to choose from in the future."

Chu Yang pretended to be tempted: "Those conditions are indeed enticing. However, I need to think about it. After all, the other factions have also offered many benefits."

Zi Ling smiled slightly: "Take your time to consider, Young Master Chu, but I suggest you make a decision as soon as possible. Some opportunities don't come twice once missed."

The two continued walking and arrived at a peach forest. In the center of the forest was a lake with water so clear the bottom was visible, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds.

"This is our Hehuan Sect's Spirit Pool. The water is rich in spiritual energy and is very beneficial for healing," Zi Ling introduced. "Would Young Master Chu like to go in for a soak?"

Chu Yang was about to refuse when he suddenly heard moans coming from the lake.

Zi Ling's expression changed slightly: "Young Master Chu, it's getting late. We should head back."

Chu Yang turned a deaf ear and walked straight to the lakeside. He saw several naked women performing Dual Cultivation in the middle of the lake; the scene was incredibly erotic.

Zi Ling explained awkwardly: "This is just our disciples' daily cultivation. Please excuse them, Young Master Chu."

Chu Yang turned around expressionlessly: "Let's continue the tour."

Zi Ling breathed a sigh of relief and quickly led Chu Yang away from the Spirit Pool.

The two continued forward and unknowingly arrived at the back mountain of the Hehuan Sect. The back mountain was densely forested and sparsely populated.

"What is this place?" Chu Yang asked.

"The Back Mountain Forbidden Area. Ordinary disciples are not allowed to enter," Zi Ling looked around warily. "We should head back."

Chu Yang pretended not to hear and continued walking. Soon, he saw a field of graves. A stone tablet stood before the graves with three large characters: 'Cauldron Mound'.

Zi Ling's face paled: "Young Master Chu, this is no place to linger. Let's leave quickly!"

Chu Yang stood before the graves and asked coldly, "Who is buried here?"

Zi Ling forced a smile: "Just some used-up Cauldrons, not worth mentioning."

"Used-up Cauldrons?" Chu Yang's gaze swept over the graves; there were hundreds of them. "It seems the Hehuan Sect's consumption of Cauldrons is quite high."

Zi Ling bit the bullet and explained: "The method of Dual Cultivation does cause some wear and tear on men, but as long as one's aptitude is good, it's not a big deal. Young Master Chu, your aptitude is extraordinary; you'll definitely be fine."

Chu Yang sneered: "Is that so?"

Just then, a raspy voice suddenly came from not far away: "Kid, run quickly, or you'll become one of those in the mound too!"

Zi Ling's expression changed drastically, and she shouted sternly, "Who's speaking? Come out!"

An emaciated old man walked out from the bushes; it was the same dying man Chu Yang had seen earlier in the sect.

The old man looked at Chu Yang and said mournfully, "Young man, I was once like you, tricked by them into coming here for some 'Dual Cultivation to enhance power.' And the result? I've become a walking corpse, my essence sucked dry by them, and even my life is almost gone!"

"Shut up!" Zi Ling shouted, her palm forming a claw as she lunged at the old man.

Zi Ling's claw struck the old man's chest, causing blood to spray everywhere, but he still shouted desperately, "Young man, run! The Hehuan Sect is a demon's den that eats people alive!"