Chapter 272: Xuan Jade Cauldron Pavilion

Around midnight, while Gu Fan was cultivating, a spatial fluctuation in the room startled him.

When he opened his eyes, he saw a figure appear on a nearby seat.

“Not bad, your vigilance is sharp. Even someone like me couldn’t avoid detection. Seems like your Divine Soul strength isn’t low.”

Gu Fan rose and respectfully greeted the visitor:

“Greetings, Grand Elder.”

The Grand Elder nodded and poured himself a cup of spirit tea.

“This top-tier sect truly lives up to its name. Even the spirit tea served to guests is extraordinary. Makes one envious.”

Gu Fan said nothing, quietly waiting for the Grand Elder to continue.

“Quite calm, aren’t you? Aren’t you curious why I came to find you?”

Gu Fan paused, then guessed:

“Because of the matter with Severing Immortal Palace?”

“Heh, wasn’t that matter already addressed during the day? Why bring it up again? Severing Immortal Palace is nothing. This time, we just taught them a lesson.”

After thinking for a while, Gu Fan spoke again:

“Then it must be about the grand competition? However, this disciple does not understand what special instructions might be needed.”

The Grand Elder shook his head speechlessly, then sighed:

“Foolish. I came to speak with you about the Divine Soul Sect.”

Gu Fan was stunned. It wasn’t that he was foolish, but he hadn’t expected the Grand Elder to concern himself with such a matter.

“The Divine Soul Sect has only sent two people this time — one master and one disciple.”

“I’ve already attempted contact with the master.”

Anticipation appeared in Gu Fan’s eyes.

But the very next second, the Grand Elder crushed it without mercy.

“No good! That old man has a truly eccentric temper. I had barely explained my purpose when I was thrown out. Moreover, the Divine Soul Sect’s combat style is too peculiar, so I didn’t insist. If a fight broke out, I might not even gain the upper hand.”

The Grand Elder took another sip of tea and continued advising Gu Fan:

“Since the elder won’t work, then we must start with the young one. I’ve tried the elder; now it’s your turn to try the younger one.”

Gu Fan immediately responded:

“Please guide me, Grand Elder.”

“Not too dull after all. That little rascal from the Divine Soul Sect frequently appears in a cauldron pavilion for cultivators within the city — especially in the latter half of the night. He’s almost always there. If you go now, you should just catch him.”

Gu Fan was slightly surprised. In the mortal world, a ‘cauldron pavilion’ was akin to a brothel.

However, cultivators naturally had no interest in mortal women, but those female cultivators with elegant demeanor and outstanding beauty were different.

Some of these women had been taken in as children while wandering and had later cultivated to become part of the pavilion.

Others had fallen from once-prosperous families and had no choice but to end up in such a place.

It was said that the most formidable cauldron pavilions even had powerful female cultivators at the Celestial Heart Realm.

And under the influence of soul-control restrictions, even weak cultivators, so long as they had the money, could realize their dream of reversing status — where a male cultivator of the Celestial Profound Realm could have a Celestial Heart Realm female cultivator serve him willingly.

Naturally, such places were wildly popular among cultivators. Many would squander all their resources there.

Gu Fan had only heard about such places thanks to Xia Yanhuan’s explanation; otherwise, he truly wouldn’t have known that the world of cultivators had brothels too.

“Which cauldron pavilion is it?”

The Grand Elder pointed to the brightest and tallest building in the distance outside the window:

“That’s the one — the largest cauldron pavilion in the Xuan Feather Immortal Sect’s city: Xuan Jade Cauldron Pavilion.”

“Remember, that brat prefers Room No. 3 under the Earth category. If you wish to establish a relationship with him, you’d better plan your approach carefully. People from the Divine Soul Sect all have eccentric personalities — not easy to deal with.”

After speaking, the Grand Elder’s figure gradually vanished. Gu Fan turned and looked toward the tall building in the distance, and in a flash, disappeared from the room.

Inside the Xuan Jade Cauldron Pavilion, this place could be considered the most prosperous and never-closing part of the city. The later it got, the livelier it became.

As soon as Gu Fan stepped through the door, he was immediately surrounded by a group of female cultivators, each one possessing stunning beauty and unique charm.

Some exuded an aloof elegance, others possessed seductive allure, some were sweet and innocent, while others carried a cunning charm.

Gu Fan glanced around. After brushing off the greetings of several female cultivator cauldrons with vague responses, he finally managed to make his way safely into the interior.

Seeing so many female cultivators gathered in one place, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of emotion. The last time he saw so many women together was probably back in university, when a senior took him to a bar.

Though the settings were different, the atmosphere felt strangely similar.

Before entering, he had also inquired a bit. As the highest-class cauldron pavilion in the city, this place was not one where one could simply spend money to sleep with someone.

Every female cultivator here was of the highest quality. It was said that if one wished to win their favor, they had to earn their recognition. Even wealthy individuals couldn’t simply buy their way in.

Put simply, it was like those high-end clubs in the mortal world — performances for sale, not bodies. One could pay for drinks, games, and companionship, but to take someone out depended on whether the two could reach a private agreement.

If one had true charm, the woman might even be willing to offer herself.

At this moment, Gu Fan proactively approached a steward of the cauldron pavilion.

“Is this Young Master’s first time here? Do you have a familiar female cultivator?”

Gu Fan waved his hand and said:

“That’s not urgent. I’ll take a look around first. Please help me reserve a room.”

The steward’s eyes lit up. A room reservation meant guaranteed spending. This young man was quite good-looking; surely some female cultivator would be willing to serve him.

“Which room would Young Master prefer? I’ll take you there right away.”

Gu Fan pretended to ponder for a moment and said:

“Room No. 6 under the Earth category.”

The steward checked the token and replied awkwardly:

“Apologies, that room is already taken.”

Gu Fan nodded casually as if he didn’t mind.

“No problem, then Room No. 8 under the Earth category.”

“Uh… No. 8 is also taken… Truly sorry.”

“Room No. 3. Don’t tell me every room I pick is taken?”

The steward glanced at the token and immediately smiled:

“No, no, Room No. 3 is available!”

“Good. Then lead the way.”

As Gu Fan started walking forward, another steward suddenly stopped the one guiding him and said:

“Apologies, Young Master. Room No. 3 is not available either. Would Room No. 1 work instead? Room No. 7 or No. 9 are also open!”

Gu Fan’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

“What’s the meaning of this? Are you deliberately making things difficult for me?”

“Apologies, Young Master. Room No. 3 is regularly reserved by someone who’s already paid. Even if they don’t show up, we must keep it reserved…”

After speaking, he shot a glare at the previous steward, who clearly remembered this as well. He looked regretful and said:

“That’s true. I apologize, Young Master. We—”

Slap!

Before he could finish, Gu Fan struck with a palm.

The steward was instantly flung through the air, then crashed to the ground and spat out a mouthful of shattered teeth.

The other steward was completely stunned. He hadn’t expected the guest to act so abruptly and violently!

And with such force.

Gu Fan’s face was dark, shrouded in gloom, as he said coldly:

“What? Others are considered guests, but I’m not worthy?”

“Xuan Jade Cauldron Pavilion— I thought your service was top-notch. Turns out it’s just a place that treats guests like fools!”

With that, Gu Fan didn’t pause and continued walking toward Room No. 3 under the Earth category on the second floor.

At that moment, two male cultivators with powerful auras at the Celestial Heart Realm level suddenly arrived on the scene.

Seeing the situation, they immediately questioned coldly:

“What’s going on here?”

“Who dares cause trouble in my Xuan Jade Cauldron Pavilion! Tired of living, are you?”

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