396: Fairy Nianyao!

"Fine, her it is," Lu Ming said decisively.

The smile on the maid's face grew even wider, but she immediately showed a hint of caution, speaking in a timid, low voice.

"Young Master, to have Fairy Nian Yao accompany you, you need to pay one hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones as a tea fee. Please be aware of this."

"One hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones?"

Lu Ming's eyebrows twitched slightly, his tone filled with surprise.

This price, when converted, was equivalent to ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Was this woman inlaid with gold or encrusted with diamonds?

Although he was wealthy now and Spirit Stones were the thing he lacked least, he certainly didn't want to be slaughtered like a sucker.

"Young Master, please do not be angry!"

The maid observed his expression, and seeing Lu Ming's displeasure, she quickly began to explain.

"We at Lanyue Pavilion value our reputation above all else in business; we would never dare to cheat a customer with exorbitant prices.

Fairy Nian Yao is expensive for a reason. Firstly, her beauty and talent are truly the pinnacle of this pavilion, unmatched by anyone.

Secondly, and most importantly, Fairy Nian Yao is deeply versed in the Dao of Music and has mastered its true essence."

Seeing Lu Ming's expression soften slightly, she continued to explain.

"The music of the zither and flute played by Fairy Nian Yao is not mere mundane, decadent music, but 'Spiritual Sound' that truly incorporates her own spiritual power and dao rhyme.

Listening to her tunes is not only pleasing to the eye and ear, but can also calm the mind, soothe the soul, and nourish the Divine Sense. It is quite beneficial for cultivation, especially for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to stabilize their mind and refine their magic power.

Many guests invite Fairy Nian Yao for her company not so much out of lust for beauty, but rather out of admiration for her musical Dao.

These hundred Spirit Stones actually include the fee for the effect of a session of 'Spiritual Sound Heart-Washing'."

After hearing the maid's explanation, the displeasure on Lu Ming's face finally dissipated completely.

So it was a special service; that was understandable!

However, Lu Ming also knew full well that the 'Spiritual Sound' of a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator would have almost negligible effects on his Golden Core-level Divine Sense.

But his intention was to relax anyway. If she was beautiful and talented, then being a bit expensive was fine for the sake of a pleasant mood.

"Since that's the case, please invite this Fairy Nian Yao here for a chat."

Lu Ming said no more and directly agreed.

The maid was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Most of the guests she received would hesitate or even haggle after hearing this price.

After all, one hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones were a significant expense for the vast majority of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, requiring a long time to save up.

It was truly rare to see someone as straightforward as the Young Master before her.

And this Young Master not only had an extraordinary appearance and bearing, but was also generous with his spending; her commission this time would surely be considerable!

"Young Master is so decisive! Please follow this servant to the 'Moon-Embracing Gallery' on the fifth floor. It is an elegant room specially reserved for distinguished guests, the most quiet and refined, perfect for listening to music and tasting tea.

This servant will go and ask Fairy Nian Yao to prepare."

The maid's voice became a few degrees lighter as she led Lu Ming up the spiral staircase covered in soft carpet, her steps appearing exceptionally diligent.

Following the maid's lead, Lu Ming soon arrived at the 'Moon-Embracing Gallery' on the top floor of the Lanyue Pavilion.

The elegant room was extremely spacious, with furnishings that were refined yet noble.

The red sandalwood tables and chairs, and the curling blue smoke rising from the incense burner in the corner, all emitted an aura that could calm the mind.

Inside, two other beautiful maids were already waiting. Seeing a distinguished guest arrive, they immediately bowed and then nimbly served spiritual tea.

At the same time, several plates of exquisite fruit and pastries containing Spiritual Qi were quickly placed on the table, clearly not mundane items.

Just as Lu Ming sat down and took a small sip of the spiritual tea, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in."

Lu Ming set down his teacup and said calmly.

*Creak—*

With a soft sound, the door was pushed open.

The first thing to flood into the room was a faint, elegant, and far-reaching fragrance.

This fragrance was not like the cloying sweetness of ordinary cosmetics, but more like the scent of an orchid in a secluded valley, carrying an indescribable sense of coldness.

Looking toward the door, he saw a woman dressed in a moon-white wide-sleeved dress with flowing cloud patterns, gracefully stepping into the room.

Her skin was whiter than snow, her figure tall, and her skirts fluttered slightly as she walked, making her look like a Fairy under the moon.

And her eyes were cold and detached, like eternal ice hanging high in the Nine Heavens. Yet, as her gaze shifted, she naturally revealed a kind of innate, charming elegance.

Coldness and charm, holiness and temptation, perfectly blended within her, forming a unique temperament.

Since Lu Ming began cultivating, he had seen no small number of stunning female Cultivators, and the appearance of Fairy Nian Yao before him was definitely a top-tier choice, among the very best.

However, what made Lu Ming's eyebrows rise and a meaningful smile appear at the corners of his mouth was not her appearance.

"This is interesting..." he whispered to himself.

Where was this woman a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator? She was clearly an Early Golden Core Stage Immortal Master!

Although she wore a high-grade aura-concealing treasure that perfectly masked her Golden Core aura and spiritual power fluctuations, making it difficult for ordinary Foundation Establishment or even False Core Cultivators to notice anything.

Under Lu Ming's Divine Sense, which far surpassed those of his own rank, that layer of disguise was like it didn't exist.

The solid, rounded, and slowly rotating Golden Core within her body, as well as the dao rhyme deeply merged with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi around her, had nowhere to hide.

Why would a Golden Core female Cultivator be willing to hide her identity and appear in such a place of entertainment as a 'courtesan', pleasing others with her beauty?

In an instant, many common tropes from storybooks flashed through Lu Ming's mind.

A Family in distress, a Fairy falling into the mortal world, hiding her name and enduring humiliation, only waiting for the day to take revenge and for the Phoenix to soar through the Nine Heavens.

Or perhaps a miserable background, forced into the life of a courtesan against her will... But no matter what he thought, Lu Ming did not intend to expose her immediately.

Since the other party liked acting so much, he didn't mind going along with it.

He wanted to see what this Golden Core True Person actually intended to do.

At this moment, Fairy Nian Yao stepped into the room, her lotus steps light, and came to a stop about ten feet in front of Lu Ming.

She keenly sensed Lu Ming's strange gaze, which was like he was appraising goods, and seemed to be mixed with a hint of playfulness and investigation.

This gaze made her feel a bit uneasy, as if her secrets had been seen through by the other party at a glance, giving her a sense of exposure as if she were naked.

"It should just be an illusion..."

She immediately dismissed this absurd thought in her mind.

The other party was just a Foundation Establishment Cultivator; how could he possibly see through her disguise?

She must have been high-strung lately and was becoming a bit paranoid.

Thus, she composed herself, the coldness on her face deepening a bit, as if she were a goddess from the Nine Heavens looking down on the mortal world, and she gave a very reserved, slight bow toward Lu Ming.

Then her vermilion lips parted slightly, and her voice, like jade beads falling onto a plate, carried a clear sense of detachment.

"Nian Yao greets the Young Master."