188: Heavenly Sound Valley, Lingbo Yin

"A Nascent Soul Cultivator?!"

Sensing the majestic Dharmic power radiating from Su Yuehen's body, Su Ling's eyes flickered slightly, and a hint of surprise crossed his heart.

"Hehe, the Immortal Gathering Tower's reputation for beauty is unsurpassed in the Imperial City. Among those who can secure the position of top courtesan, which one isn't at least a Nascent Soul Cultivator?"

Lu Tao strolled to the railing with his jade cup, drained it in one gulp, and grinned. "Fairy Yuehen only debuted a few years ago, but with her superb zither skills alone, she has already won over countless powerful nobles and Cultivators."

"A courtesan?"

Qi Yunling stepped forward, looking at the cold and ethereal beauty on the stage, his face full of confusion. "Since she's in this business of public exposure, why does she maintain such a distant and aloof appearance?"

"Junior Brother Qi, there's something you don't know."

Song Moting and Luo Xuanxiao walked over side by side. Song Moting explained with a smile, "The Heavenly Sound Valley is the backer behind the Immortal Gathering Tower. The courtesans here are all top Disciples from the valley. They have always only sold their art, not their bodies, and they never easily get close to anyone."

"As the saying goes, a wife isn't as good as a concubine, a concubine isn't as good as a mistress, and a mistress isn't as good as someone you can't have!"

Lu Tao joked in a low voice, "This deliberate air of detachment is nothing more than playing hard to get and waiting for the highest bidder, just to hook people's souls and keep them dreaming."

"So that's how it is!"

Qi Yunling and Luo Xuanxiao looked at each other, suddenly enlightened.

One of them came from a small Sect, and the other from a cultivation Family; usually, their minds were entirely on their Cultivation.

Although they had heard of romantic affairs in the Mortal World, they had never looked into them deeply.

After being enlightened by Lu Tao and the other, they finally understood the tricks of the trade.

"However, there is another theory that is widely circulated..."

Song Moting changed the subject, shook his head, and said calmly, "Once the Disciples of the Heavenly Sound Valley reach the Nascent Soul stage, they will enter the world and go to Immortal Gathering Towers everywhere for 'Mortal World Heart Tempering,' to experience the seven emotions and six desires, polish their Dao Heart, and pave the way for knocking on the gates of immortality in the future."

"Tempering the Dao Heart... I wonder how many True Immortals have emerged from this Heavenly Sound Valley?"

Luo Xuanxiao murmured in a low voice, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"Don't underestimate this Heavenly Sound Valley."

Lu Tao restrained his smile and took on a serious expression. "It's said that there are already three True Immortals presiding over the valley, and one of them has even reached the Peak stage."

"Hiss..."

Qi Yunling gasped, his face full of shock. "Three True Immortals? That's even more powerful than my Gale Mountain!"

The Gale Mountain he came from focused on wind-based Cultivation Techniques and also practiced beast-taming arts.

Even their strongest Ancestral Master was only at the Middle Stage of the True Immortal realm.

"My Luo Family of Purple Cloud Island only has two True Immortals presiding over it."

Luo Xuanxiao sighed softly, his tone tinged with complex emotions.

In the past, they had always prided themselves on being descendants of prestigious lineages, but now it seemed they couldn't even compare to a Sect that dealt in unconventional businesses.

Su Ling didn't care much about this.

Since ancient times, those who could bring brothels and pleasure houses to their Peak were all Revered Masters of accumulating wealth.

Whether the Heavenly Sound Valley was doing it for Mortal World Heart Tempering or to accumulate cultivation resources, by daring to cast aside their pride and step into this path, they would inevitably reap a massive fortune.

On the path of cultivation, the four essentials—Technique, Companions, Wealth, and Land—were all indispensable.

Since the Heavenly Sound Valley could Cultivate three True Immortals, their Cultivation Technique must have its unique merits.

Just taking the 'Wealth' aspect into account, their ability to open an Immortal Gathering Tower of such scale in Cangming City and amass wealth was absolutely beyond doubt.

Just like his own Triple Spiritual Root talent; if he hadn't held sufficient resources in his hands, it would have been difficult to reach his current level of cultivation.

"Don't worry, there's more than one courtesan in the Immortal Gathering Tower. If you're interested, I can have a few Fairies come over..."

Song Moting winked and grinned mischievously, "However, whether you can win their favor depends on your own abilities!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Su Ling and the other two all wore strange expressions.

It was the first time they knew that Song Moting actually had such a side to him.

"Cough, don't look at me like that."

Song Moting coughed lightly. "The harmony of Yin and Yang is also in accordance with the Heavenly Dao! This is my Revered Master's teaching, and I should practice it!"

"Tsk!"

Su Ling and the other two could only raise their middle fingers in respect.

Lu Tao leaned over to Su Ling and whispered, "Guess who brought me here the first time I came?"

"Senior Wu?!"

Su Ling's eyes shifted, and he said in surprise.

Lu Tao was originally the offspring of a Spirit Transformation Cultivator from the Bitao Sect and had grown up in the Bitao Sect since childhood.

Since he asked this, the person who brought him must be someone Su Ling also knew.

Besides True Lord Lu Feng, it could only be Senior Wu Haiya.

"Correct!"

Lu Tao snapped his fingers and chuckled.

Su Ling was speechless and gave a mental thumbs-up to Senior Wu Haiya.

While the few were chatting, in an elegant room on the fifth floor opposite them, a richly dressed Young Master stood by the railing, cupped his hands, and smiled. "Fairy Yuehen's zither skills are unsurpassed in Cangming and famous far and wide. I wonder if I am fortunate enough today to hear the Fairy's new work?"

Su Yuehen stood on the high stage. Hearing this, she only raised her hand to adjust the light gauze on her sleeve. Her voice was as clear and cold as flowing water under the moon, touching the heart.

"Young Master overpraises me; Yuehen doesn't dare to accept such praise. However, I've had some inspiration recently and composed a new tune. Today, I'll show my lack of skill and ask all the distinguished guests to critique it."

Her eyes were still half-hidden behind the silk curtain, and her gaze fell on the carved wooden railing of the other's room, never making even a moment of eye contact with that Young Master.

That sense of detachment was just right, not appearing forced, but rather adding a touch of pure and exquisite charm.

The Young Master in luxurious clothes was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly cupped his hands. "Since I have received the Fairy's consent, I, Zheng, will wait for the good news and won't dare to disturb you!"

"A piece of 'Lingbo Prelude' for all the distinguished guests."

Su Yuehen bowed slightly, placed the ancient zither on the table, lightly smoothed her dress, and sat down gracefully.

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, her slender jade fingers slowly fell upon the zither strings.

When the music began, the entire audience fell silent.

Su Ling's hand holding the cup paused slightly, and the wine rippled in the jade cup. The heat brought by the wine earlier was actually washed clean by this clear and cold zither music.

He looked up at the stage, only feeling that the zither music seemed to have a spiritual charm, drifting into his heart through his ears, smoothing the restlessness accumulated on the path of cultivation, and even making his Divine Sense a bit clearer.

That Young Master Zheng, who had spoken earlier, had already put down the jade cup in his hand, his posture unconsciously straightening, his eyes burning as he looked at that figure.

The excitement and smile on his face faded, leaving only complete focus.

His fingertips unconsciously tapped the table along with the music, and he even kept his breathing very light, for fear of disturbing this water-like zither charm.

Some Cultivators simply closed their eyes, their brows relaxing, and the Spiritual Qi around them actually flowed slowly with the rhythm of the music, as if they were taking the opportunity to regulate their breathing and meditate.

The originally noisy Immortal Gathering Tower was now filled only with the flowing zither music, accompanied by the soft sound of the river wind passing through the windows. Even the cries of the night market outside the building seemed to be blocked out.

Halfway through the piece, the music suddenly turned sublime, like a lonely crane crying in the sky, clear and high-spirited, then suddenly fell back, like a flowing spring sobbing, low and lingering.

Some accompanying concubines and female Cultivators quietly reddened their eyes, their fingertips clutching their sleeves, as if the music had stirred up hidden emotions in their hearts.

And several old men with white hair and beards stroked their beards and nodded slightly, their eyes full of appreciation, obviously hearing the Dao charm and talent contained in the music.

The music ended, and the lingering sound curled around the rafters, not dissipating for a long time.

The audience was silent for a moment, then someone suddenly stood up, raised his glass, and said loudly, "This music should only exist in heaven; how many times can one hear it in the Mortal World! A toast to Fairy Yuehen!"

As the words fell, everyone chimed in, and the crisp sound of jade cups clinking rose and fell.

Yet no one shouted loudly, and even the praise carried a bit of caution, as if they were afraid of breaking the tranquil Concept left by the music.