187: Moon Fairy

Lu Tao chuckled and unceremoniously let a female Cultivator take his arm. He didn't forget to call out to the others, "Let's go! Why are you standing there? The private rooms upstairs are the real deal!"

Song Moting also followed a female Cultivator upstairs with a composed pace, clearly not being a first-timer here.

Seeing this, Su Ling quickly adjusted his mindset.

Having seen many social occasions in his past life, this Immortal Gathering Tower seemed very much like an ancient-style "themed clubhouse," just with a cultivation setting.

He exchanged a look with Luo Xuanxiao and Qi Yunling, then stepped forward to follow.

The two shook their heads helplessly and could only brace themselves to follow.

They passed through the corridor on the first floor and went around a small courtyard filled with blooming flowers, and the view suddenly opened up.

A large circular hall came into view, surrounded by seven floors of galleries. Each floor was hung with pale purple pearl curtains, cleverly separating the noise from the elegance.

The melodious sound of instruments pierced through the boisterous voices and reached their ears. The tune was ethereal, instantly relaxing their tense minds.

The moment they stepped into the hall, a warm fragrance and the mellow aroma of wine wrapped in the bustling atmosphere rushed toward them.

In the open hall on the first floor, hundreds of ebony tables and stools were already fully occupied.

Female servers in thin turquoise gauze moved between them carrying jade wine jugs. The crisp sound of jugs clinking, the shouts of Cultivators playing drinking games, and the sizzling sound of "Roasted Spirit Lamb" on the tables blended together. Surprisingly, it didn't feel noisy, but rather radiated a vibrant atmosphere of mundane life.

On the high platform in the center of the hall, several female Cultivators in colorful dresses and pink skirts were playing instruments. The Spirit-Silk Zither, jade flute, and golden guzheng played a pleasant melody together.

Several other female Cultivators danced to the tune. As their skirts fluttered, they actually stirred the surrounding Spiritual Qi, forming a faint halo.

At times it transformed into butterflies, and at others it condensed into flower petals, drawing bursts of cheers from the guests below.

Many people also casually threw out Spirit Stones as tips. The Spirit Stones landed in the jade plates on the stage, making a tinkling sound.

Lu Tao was clearly uninterested in the commotion on the first floor and urged the female Cultivator beside him, "Don't dally here, go straight to the private room on the fifth floor!"

The female Cultivator smiled and agreed, leading the group toward the stairs.

As they climbed to the second floor, the noise gradually faded, replaced by a more refined atmosphere.

Dozens of elegant pavilions were lined up along the corridor, each with an embroidered plaque hanging over the lintel.

Names like "Heart Condensation," "Dream Remembrance," and "Cloud Soaring" actually corresponded to the names of spirit wines in the cultivation world, clearly prepared for Cultivators with different needs.

More thoughtfully, once the carved wooden doors were closed, not a single sound could be heard.

Clearly, there were Formations specifically for soundproofing and blocking divine sense, which both ensured privacy within the rooms and prevented the Cultivators' conversations from being overheard.

The group continued upward, finally stopping before the "Heart Scorcher" room on the fifth floor. The female Cultivator gently pushed open the wooden door, and a rich aroma of wine drifted out first, making their eyes light up instantly.

"Bring ten jars of your crimson flame brew, and the Crimson Flame Kirin Meat, Cold River Braised Spirit Shrimp, Green Rain Stewed Colorful Deer... bring them all up."

After taking their seats, Lu Tao waved his hand and ordered more than ten dishes in one go.

"Of course, honored guest."

The female Cultivator beside him bowed slightly and then withdrew with a swaying grace.

The other female Cultivators either pulled the curtains or poured tea.

After a period of busy activity, they bowed and withdrew, leaving the pavilion to the group for the time being.

Su Ling had never even heard of these names.

However, looking at Luo Xuanxiao and Qi Yunling, they seemed to know a thing or two.

"Senior Brother Lu, I'm afraid this meal won't even be covered by five hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"

Seeing Su Ling's confused expression, Qi Yunling couldn't help but say with a bitter smile.

"At least a million."

Song Moting made a gesture and said calmly, "Just that crimson flame brew costs thirty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones per jar."

"Don't worry, I can still afford this meal!"

Lu Tao laughed heartily and said with a face full of indignation, "You guys don't know what kind of life I've been living for the past thirty-odd years! Today I must treat myself well."

Everyone smiled at his words.

They had all heard of Lu Tao's experiences.

With his personality, he had indeed been quite stifled.

Moreover, a million Low-Grade Spirit Stones was really nothing to them now.

They also put their worries aside and looked out the window.

From one side, they could directly see the stage performances in the center of the hall.

The dancers were all female Cultivators, their figures soaring up and down, reaching as high as the seventh-floor ceiling.

From the balcony on the other side, they could directly view the bustling night scenery outside the Immortal Gathering Tower.

Leaning against the railing, the distant night market had already spread across the long streets.

While the soundproofing Formation was not yet activated, various street cries drifted in with the evening breeze, harmonizing with the music from the musicians inside the building.

The lights of the night market outside and the glows inside the building overlapped on the water's surface, making it hard to distinguish between the mundane world's warmth and the Immortal Sea's drifting.

A moment later, a group of female servers arrived gracefully, carrying jars of crimson flame brew and steaming delicacies.

The dishes on the table were all prepared with Fourth-Tier Demonic Beast materials paired with rare spiritual plants. The aroma was rich, and Spiritual Qi lingered around their noses.

"Drink! Tonight we won't return until we're drunk!"

Lu Tao boldly picked up a jar of wine and unsealed it. The liquid was slightly red and the aroma was mellow. He immediately filled the jade cups for everyone.

The group looked at each other and smiled, their jade cups clinking with a crisp and pleasant sound.

Although Cultivators had diminished their desire for food and drink, enjoying such rare delicacies and fine wine once in a while was also a rare pleasure.

After three rounds of drinks, Su Ling and the others were full and satisfied, feeling quite refreshed.

The noise in the hall gradually faded, and the surroundings became mysteriously quiet.

Suddenly, a thread of zither music pierced the silence, clear and cold like shattered jade hitting ice. It carried the moist vapor from the river into the hall, instantly soothing the heat from the wine.

The light gauze curtains at the top of the building slowly opened, and bright moonlight spilled into the hall.

A figure holding an ancient zither drifted down.

The woman was dressed in a moon-white silk dress, the hem embroidered with silver thread patterns. As she moved, it was like moonlight flowing—simple and unadorned, yet unable to hide her natural nobility.

Her dark hair was loosely gathered into a cloud bun, held by only a single suet jade hairpin. A few stray strands of hair hung by her neck, softened by the lamp shadows.

The warmth of the zither strings seemed to still linger on her fingertips. Her eyes were half-hidden behind a silk veil as thin as a cicada's wing, her silhouette hazy and hard to discern.

Only her eyes were as bright as the solitary moon in a cold night. The corners of her eyes were slightly upturned but without any hint of coquettishness. Instead, they highlighted her snow-white skin and carried a natural aloofness that kept people at a distance.

The moment the zither music stopped, she had already landed steadily on the stage. She looked up and glanced around indifferently, her gaze not lingering on anyone.

That pure and ethereal appearance was just like the trace of moonlight passing through the world—visible but untouchable, leaving only a heart full of melancholy wonder.

"It's Fairy Yuehen!"

"I didn't expect to see Fairy Yuehen take the stage today!"

"We're in for a real treat now!"

"Quiet! Fairy Yuehen's music must be listened to with a calm heart!"

"Everyone, let's have a big drink first to toast Fairy Yuehen from afar!"

Upon seeing who it was, the hall immediately erupted into a commotion, with exclamations of praise following one after another.

But it quickly returned to silence, as no one wanted to disturb this tranquility.

"I am Yuehen. Welcome, honored guests."

Su Yuehen bowed slightly, her voice crisp like a cool spring washing over stones, refreshing the soul.

It actually seemed to carry some kind of soothing magic, causing the burning heat of the strong wine remaining in everyone's throats to quietly fade away.