11: A celestial palace villa, where a subtle fragrance wafts through the air.

Stepping through the massive bronze gate, the scene before them suddenly opened up.

It was not the magnificent hall or terrifying killing formation they had expected, but rather a serene and elegant garden. White jade corridors twisted and turned, connecting several exquisite pavilions and towers. Outside the corridors were precious grasses and beautiful flowers, and immortal springs gurgled. The dense Immortal Spiritual Qi here became gentle and pleasant, as if it were merely a retreat for people to rest.

"Is this the inside of the Immortal Palace? Why does it feel... like a backyard garden?" Gongsun Yu looked around curiously, the thunder light silver ring in her hand dimming its light.

Lin Xuan swept his Divine Sense across the area, detecting no obvious danger, but his vigilance remained high. The System map was still in Chaos, unable to display the specific layout of the place.

"The Immortal Spiritual Qi here is pure; it's perfect for recovering," Su Wanqing whispered. The previous series of battles and the Three Questions to the Heart had greatly exhausted her.

The three cautiously proceeded along the corridor and arrived at a waterside pavilion named "Listening to Rain Pavilion." The pavilion was built by the water, and its internal furnishings were simple—only a jade couch, several meditation mats, and a jade zither—yet it was spotless, exuding an ancient charm.

"Let's rest here briefly and take turns keeping watch," Lin Xuan suggested. Su Wanqing and Gongsun Yu both agreed.

Su Wanqing was the first to sit cross-legged on the jade couch, took a Medicinal Pill, closed her eyes, and began cultivating. A moonlight-white radiance flowed around her, subtly harmonizing with the aura of this Immortal Palace Retreat, significantly speeding up her recovery.

Gongsun Yu sat on a meditation mat, seemingly playing with her silver ring, but in reality, the corner of her eye occasionally glanced at Lin Xuan, filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

Lin Xuan stood by the waterside pavilion, looking at the pool water below, which was filled with Spiritual Qi, but his mind was communicating with the System, trying to analyze the rules of this place. At the same time, he paid attention to the surrounding movements. He had previously sensed Qu Feiyan's aura and knew that the Demonic Woman must have also followed them in, though he didn't know where she was hiding.

After about an hour, Su Wanqing's aura stabilized, and she slowly opened her eyes. The Divine Light in her pupils was bright, clearly indicating a good recovery. She looked at Lin Xuan, who was guarding her side, and a hint of warmth flashed in her eyes.

"I'm fine now, Junior Brother Lin. You should also take some time to recover."

Lin Xuan nodded, just about to sit down, when his expression suddenly shifted, and he looked towards the corridor outside the waterside pavilion.

He saw a red silhouette gracefully approaching. Who else could it be but Qu Feiyan?

"Oh, Junior Martial Brother, Junior Sister Su, and this little sister from the Gongsun Family, you certainly found a nice spot to rest." Qu Feiyan entered the waterside pavilion smiling, her gaze sweeping the interior before finally settling on Lin Xuan, her charming eyes like silk threads. "You don't mind if I, your Older Sister, disturb you for a while, do you?"

Su Wanqing frowned slightly and remained silent, but the aura around her clearly chilled a few degrees.

Gongsun Yu, however, widened her eyes, looking at Qu Feiyan, then at Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing, her face showing an excited expression that screamed, "There's a story here!"

"Senior Sister Qu, please make yourself comfortable," Lin Xuan said calmly, his expression unchanged. This Demonic Woman showing up voluntarily must have an agenda.

Qu Feiyan didn't stand on ceremony. She walked straight to the meditation mat next to Lin Xuan and sat down, close enough that he could almost smell the unique, sickly sweet, and seductive Charm Fragrance emanating from her. She rested her chin on one hand, tilted her head, and spoke with breath like orchids, "Junior Martial Brother, your statement about 'ascending to the Other Shore with beauties' on that platform just now truly made my heart pound... I wonder, can your 'Other Shore' accommodate me, your Older Sister?"

Her words were direct, carrying undisguised provocation. Her gaze was fiery hot as she stared at Lin Xuan, as if she wanted to devour him alive. An invisible Field of Charm quietly spread out. Even Gongsun Yu, who was nearby, felt her cheeks flush and her heart rate accelerate.

Su Wanqing let out a cold snort, slightly bending her jade fingers. A trace of icy Moonlight Power dispersed, neutralizing most of the charm and protecting herself and Gongsun Yu beside her. Her cold, clear eyes stared directly at Qu Feiyan, carrying a warning.

Lin Xuan felt the completely different auras on both sides—one side being pure and flawless Moonlight, and the other being scorching, seductive Charm Fire. Caught between them, the vigorous vital energy and blood from his Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art inside him faintly stirred restlessly. He looked at Qu Feiyan with a calm expression, "The Great Dao is long and arduous; those with destiny can naturally travel together. However, Senior Sister Qu's 'traveling together' probably comes at a steep price, doesn't it?"

Qu Feiyan giggled, extending a slender jade finger and seemingly unintentionally tracing the back of Lin Xuan's hand resting on his knee. The fingertip was cool and soft, carrying a subtle electric current. "The price... naturally must be paid. It just depends on whether you, Junior Martial Brother, are willing to pay it." Her voice dropped even lower, carrying a hypnotic, decadent magic that burrowed straight into people's hearts.

Lin Xuan could clearly feel the touch of her fingertip and the pervasive charm. His lower abdomen felt a slight warmth. This Demonic Woman's Red Dust Charming Bone Technique was indeed formidable. If he hadn't just achieved a Breakthrough, significantly strengthening both his Divine Soul and Physical Body, he might have found it difficult to maintain control.

He subtly circulated his Spiritual Power, suppressing the restlessness, and gently grasped Qu Feiyan's mischievous wrist with a backhand. Her skin felt smooth and slippery where he touched it, and her wrist bone was delicate.

"The price, I, Lin, can naturally afford it." Lin Xuan looked at her with deep eyes, a half-smile playing on his lips. "I'm just afraid that you, Senior Sister, won't dare to accept it."

Their eyes met, and invisible sparks seemed to fly in the air. One attempted to seduce and control, while the other turned the tables and took the initiative.

Su Wanqing looked at their clasped hands, frowning tightly. A surge of inexplicable sourness and displeasure rose in her heart, and she couldn't help but speak, "Qu Feiyan, put away your Charm Arts! This place is strange; we should be thinking about how to deal with the upcoming dangers!"

Gongsun Yu watched from the side, her eyes shining, inwardly screaming: Here it comes! The drama of rivals fighting for affection! This Fellow Daoist Lin is certainly not simple!

Qu Feiyan felt a ripple in her heart as she felt the heat and strength coming from Lin Xuan's palm gripping her wrist. But upon hearing Su Wanqing's words, she rolled her charming eyes and chuckled sweetly, "Is Junior Sister Su jealous? Don't worry, I, your Older Sister, am sincere towards Junior Martial Brother, unlike some people who act aloof on the surface, but secretly..."

"You!" Su Wanqing was choked with anger, and the Moonlight Power surged again.

Seeing the tension between the two women intensify, Lin Xuan suddenly released Qu Feiyan's wrist, stood up, and said, "It's not suitable to stay here for long; we should continue exploring."

He interrupted their quarrel, and at the same time, skillfully defused the ambiguous and dangerous atmosphere between himself and Qu Feiyan. He knew well that whether it was Su Wanqing's cold reliance or Qu Feiyan's seductive allure, both were part of his "Harem" blueprint, but the prerequisite was that the rhythm must be controlled by him.

A hint of surprise flashed in Qu Feiyan's eyes, which then turned into even greater interest. She stood up, straightened her dress, and smiled, "Junior Martial Brother is right, the main task is important. However..." She leaned close to Lin Xuan's ear and whispered in a voice only they could hear, "I, your Older Sister, have noted down that 'price' from earlier~"

The warm breath brushed against his ear, carrying a provocative itch.

Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he led the way out of the waterside pavilion. Su Wanqing gave Qu Feiyan a cold glance and followed closely. Gongsun Yu bounced along behind them, looking at one, then the other, finding this Immortal Palace trip much more interesting than she had imagined.

The four, each with their own thoughts, left the Listening to Rain Pavilion and walked along the corridor toward the depths of the Immortal Palace. Behind them, a highly obscure dark shadow silently glided through the seemingly calm pool water.