Firmament Sword

Others might think that intelligence is merely a tactic while strength is the true path to power, but Xu Luo, having gone through so much in the Lower Realm, deeply understood the importance of information.

Take, for instance, the two warnings he received from that mysterious person.

One had allowed him to avoid the Lu Family’s scheme. The other had let him learn about Yu Tianjie’s Celestial Curtain Undying Body in advance. In both cases, Xu Luo had been able to evade immense danger and seize the initiative from the very beginning.

That... was the power of intelligence!

The power of intelligence could not be underestimated!

The group of youths made a beeline for the Divine Maiden Tower. From a distance, they could see the ancient and imposing high-rise standing there. Atop the building, which was hundreds of feet tall, hung a massive vertical plaque bearing the three large words: Divine Maiden Tower.

When Xu Luo saw those three words, he paused for a moment. The calligraphy seemed... somewhat familiar.

The group around him was buzzing with excitement. This was the first time in their lives they had ever visited such a place, and every one of them was eager.

Even Ming Youyue wore an excited expression, though it was hard to say what exactly she was excited about.

Welcoming guests at the entrance was a beautiful, flirtatious woman in her thirties.

She was extremely perceptive, telling at a glance that this group of young masters was different from the common folk. Each one carried themselves with a dignified air and an aura of nobility.

’Eh... How come there seems to be a female among them?’

This beautiful woman welcoming guests at the entrance of the Divine Maiden Tower... was no ordinary person. Her power was at least at the Saint Realm. Although Ming Youyue used a spell to conceal her true appearance, it was difficult to instantly change her girlish habits, so her true identity was seen through at a glance.

But the woman showed no sign of surprise. She greeted them with immense enthusiasm, her first words alone enough to make a man go weak in the knees.

”Well, hello, young masters! I can tell just by looking at you that you’re men of great fortune. Is this your first time at the Divine Maiden Tower? Please, come inside!”

Tang Xiao looked displeased and grumbled, ”How could she tell I’m a first-timer?”

Xu Luo laughed. ”One look at you, and it’s like you wish you could write ’Rookie’ on your forehead. Who couldn’t tell?”

”...” Tang Xiao was speechless. He looked at Yu Tianjie and asked, ”Do I really look that youthfully invincible and devastatingly handsome?”

”You look green!” Yu Tianjie said, rolling his eyes. ”Who visits a brothel first thing in the morning?”

Ming Youyue secretly pursed her lips, thinking, ’These guys all acted so pure back at Celestial Brilliance, but the moment they’re out, they show their true colors.’

It was no wonder the woman could tell at a glance that this was their first time at a brothel. With the exception of Xu Luo, nearly everyone had an expression of irrepressible excitement on their faces.

They were a group of poor kids who had been suppressed for over twenty years. Finally tasting the beauty of freedom, none of them wanted to hide their true natures anymore, and it was all written on their faces.

The mature, beautiful woman led the group inside to a large private room, then left with a smile, closing the door behind her.

”Is that it? What about the legendary choosing of the girls?” Tang Xiao grumbled, his eyes wide.

”Yeah, I heard that in a brothel, you can pick the girl you like yourself!” Yu Tianjie chimed in.

Ming Youyue shot them a glare and said, ”Can you two watch your image a little? Even though no one knows who you are, at least try to have the composure of Noble Family Descendants, will you?”

Tang Xiao rolled his eyes and muttered, ”Isn’t coming to a brothel all about finding a girl? What’s the point of composure?”

Just then, the door opened, and a flock of beautiful, chattering young women filed in, led by the same beautiful woman from before.

The room, which had seemed quite spacious, suddenly felt a bit crowded.

Tang Xiao, who had just been clamoring to pick a girl, was now like a shy, innocent boy. He seemed to be trying to act mature, but his slightly flushed face and nervous expression betrayed him.

Yu Tianjie was the same, sitting there with a bashful look, not daring to say another word.

The girls of the Divine Maiden Tower, who had been somewhat apprehensive about encountering a group of spoiled dandies, all relaxed and even grew quite cheerful.

This group of Heavenly Brilliance Disciples, including Ming Youyue in her male disguise, were all handsome, noble-tempered young people. One couldn’t help but feel a good impression of them at first sight.

Their handsome looks were enough to make the girls fond of them, and on top of that, it was obvious this group rarely frequented such places... perhaps had never even been.

This made them even more delighted. If they were lucky, one might even buy their freedom. Even just being a Maid by their side would be better than selling their smiles, talents, and bodies in the Divine Maiden Tower.

Except for Xu Luo, all the men looked stiff and reserved. Ming Youyue, however, was grinning as her eyes swept across the girls’ faces. Then, she fixed her gaze on a very pretty and delicate-looking young woman and pointed. ”You. Come, over to me!”

Ming Youyue used her power to lower her voice, which made it sound a bit odd. But no one thought it strange, as she sounded like a teenage boy whose voice was breaking.

The pretty and delicate young woman gave a slightly shy smile and obediently came to Ming Youyue’s side. She sat down, poured a cup of tea, and offered it to Ming Youyue with both hands, saying softly, ”Young master... please have some tea!”

Although Ming Youyue appeared quite at ease, she was actually very nervous inside. Seeing how well-behaved the girl was, she gradually began to relax. ’No wonder those stinking men love places like this,’ she thought. ’This feeling of being ’the master’... it’s really something else!’

When Tang Xiao saw Ming Youyue choose the pretty, delicate young woman, he grew anxious. He had just been eyeing that same girl, but he didn’t have the guts to ask her to leave Ming Youyue’s side for his own.

If he did, Ming Youyue would probably flip out on him on the spot.

Just then, the ever-silent Lv Di suddenly made his move, pointing to a mature and beautiful woman. ”Her!”

Zhong Jiuyan also directly picked a buxom, fair-skinned woman.

Now, Tang Xiao, Yu Tianjie, and the others finally understood: if you’re quick you get your pick, if you’re slow you get nothing!

If they didn’t act now, all the good girls would be taken!

So, Tang Xiao, Yu Tianjie, and Yu Tianying each chose a girl they liked. In the end, the youngest, Shao Zheng, actually picked a mature woman who looked the oldest of the group...

”That kid must have a mother complex!”

”He was deprived of a mother’s love as a child!”

”What do you guys know? That kid’s the smartest one. Haven’t you heard that older women are more skilled?”

Having crossed a line, the group finally loosened up a bit. Ignoring Ming Youyue grinding her teeth on the side, they started laughing and teasing Shao Zheng.

But despite Shao Zheng’s youth and his shy, green appearance, he faced their teasing without a change in expression. He wrapped his arm around the beautiful woman’s waist and sneered, ”I like it, so what?”

Everyone was instantly rendered speechless.

Only then did they realize that this young but crafty rascal was apparently more uninhibited than any of them.

”Oh yeah, what about the boss? How come he hasn’t picked a girl?” Tang Xiao’s eyes had been fixed on Xu Luo. Seeing that he remained unmoved, he started to get anxious.

”Yeah, why isn’t the boss picking a girl?” The others all looked at Xu Luo.

Even Ming Youyue grew anxious for Xu Luo’s sake—though in reality, she was more anxious for herself. The reason was simple: if the Elders found out about their little escapade, they would surely get a lecture.

But if everyone else called for a girl while their leader didn’t... wouldn’t that make them look depraved and Luo Tian seem pure?

That would not do!

Ming Youyue looked at Xu Luo. ”Senior Brother... among all these girls, is there really no one you fancy?”

It had to be said, a girl’s mind is ultimately more delicate. Ming Youyue instantly thought of Luo Tian’s two rumored confidantes back in the sect.

Xie Yurou... the noble lady of the powerful Xie Family, a national beauty whose face made even her a little jealous.

Su Qianqian... the little junior sister from the Scripture Pavilion, a little Princess doted on by everyone. In terms of looks alone, she was by no means inferior to Xie Yurou, and perhaps even superior!

With two such beauties in his life, although the girls before him were all pretty and had decent temperaments, they were indeed several tiers below in comparison.

Xu Luo smiled. ”You all have your fun. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t tell the Elders about what happened today. So... just relax and enjoy yourselves!”

The beautiful woman was skilled at reading people. She could naturally see that Xu Luo was the leader of the group. He showed none of the shyness or panic of a first-timer in a brothel, and his gaze was as pure as water. It was obvious that none of these pretty girls could catch his eye.

’But this won’t do,’ she thought. ’If everyone else has a girl and this young master doesn’t, won’t he be displeased?’

’Men... they’re all creatures who say one thing and do another,’ she mused. ’I refuse to believe that you’ll be able to keep your composure if I bring out Yingying!’

This beautiful woman was, in fact, the Steward and master of the Divine Maiden Tower. One could also call her a madam, but she was simply too beautiful, a stark contrast to the typical image people had of one.

She hadn’t come out to greet guests so early in the morning, but rather to get some fresh air. It was by chance that she encountered this group of young masters, which was why she was personally attending to them.

On any other day, it would be extremely difficult for an ordinary person to even get a chance to meet her.

If it were evening, Yingying would have likely been booked long ago. As the top courtesan of the Divine Maiden Tower in Qingchuan Ancient City, Yingying’s popularity was beyond what an ordinary person could imagine.

But since it was early morning, almost no dignitaries or nobles would be here. Thus, the beautiful woman decided to probe Xu Luo’s background, whispering a few instructions in one of the girl’s ears.

The girl gave Xu Luo a somewhat surprised look, then took delicate steps and turned to leave the room.

”Please enjoy yourselves, young masters. My name is Fuqu, and it’s a pleasure to meet you all!”

As the beautiful woman spoke, she gave a look to the remaining girls. They curtsied to the group one by one, then turned and exited.

A moment later, there was a soft knock at the door. A peerless beauty, carrying a gust of fragrance, walked in.

Everyone in the room subconsciously looked up.

And once they looked up, none of them could tear their eyes away, staring blankly at the woman who had entered.

Tang Xiao stared at her, entranced, and murmured, ”There is a beauty in Qingchuan, peerless and unique. One look from her can overthrow a city; a second can overthrow a nation. Is... is this the legendary woman who can topple cities and nations?”