Immortality begins with meditation puppets

Chapter 330 Red Sleeve Pavilion, the Pinnacle of Art in the Western Sea!

"The First City of the Western Sea? It doesn't even deserve that title."
Penglai Baiyujing, Fangzhang Wanxiancheng, and Yingzhou Yaoguangcheng—these three cities in the Western Sea are truly blessed lands of immortals and abodes of gods. No other city can compare to them!

Only you bumpkins from the inland, ignorant of the prosperity of the West Sea and unaware of the wonders of heaven and earth, would call this money-grubbing bullshit Wanghai City the number one city in the West Sea.

The entrance fee to the city is one spirit stone; why don't they just rob us!

Su Qing, who had just arrived in Wanghai City, was mercilessly mocked by a passing cultivator.

Seeing his stingy manner, as if he were reluctant to take out even a single spirit stone and was constantly clicking his teeth, Su Qing didn't bother to argue with him.

Together with Rao Tingshan and others, they entered the city without spending a single coin, using the banner of the Yuanlailou merchant caravan.

Upon entering the city, the overwhelming atmosphere of prosperity made Su Qing and the others shudder.

One could see that the avenues paved with jade stretched from north to south and east to west, with all kinds of shops lining both sides, brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Besides well-known shops like Baibaoge and Yuanlailou, there were also many upscale shops with golden signs welcoming and seeing off customers, creating a lively atmosphere.

The cultivators on the road were all full of energy, wearing robes and belts, and many of them were spirited young men with hawks and dogs. They looked like they were very wealthy and easy to fool.

Su Qing and Liang Haishun exchanged glances, all of them planning to stay in this city for thirty to fifty years.

Their reason for coming to the Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom was its location in the Western Sea, its abundance of precious materials, its prosperity, and the ease with which they could earn spirit crystals and spirit stones to exchange for what they needed for cultivation.

Although this Wanghai City is jointly controlled by the Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom and the Earth Demon Evil Kingdom, it is still considered to be within the territory of the Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom. Its prosperity is second only to a few other immortal cities such as Baiyujing and Wanxian City. There are countless generous fellow cultivators who are eager to be supported and need their blessings, so it is not to be missed.

"Fellow Daoist Su, we still need to hand over the goods, so we will part ways with you for now. If you are in a hurry to go to sea, you can also come to my Yuanlai Tower. My tower has hundreds of second and third-class treasure ships. Whether you buy or rent them, they are very affordable. I will definitely not cheat you!"

Furthermore, Fellow Daoist Bai asked me to convey a message to Fellow Daoist Liang: unless absolutely necessary, there's no need to rush to Fangzhang Immortal Island to find her within the next hundred years!

Rao Tingshan bowed to Su Qing and the others, intending to part ways with the cultivators.

The mess in the Fire Phoenix Kingdom was not only due to the damage to goods, but more importantly, the Phantom Leader was killed and the Illusionary Robe was lost.

As one of the witnesses imprisoned in the Ling Cage, no matter how wronged Rao Tingshan felt, he and Li Kuishan and the others were bound to be questioned and interrogated by the main building. He was already annoyed and had no time to take Su Qing and the others for a stroll.

“Fellow Daoist Rao is busy with his affairs, so please go ahead and attend to your business. We have no plans to go to sea for the time being. We wish to find a place to stay in this city and do some odd jobs. Once Fellow Daoist Rao has finished his business, you may come to find us. We will then be able to express our gratitude for your kindness in seeing us off along the way!”

Rao Tingshan was worldly-wise and tactful, and Su Qing had a very good impression of him along the way. Moreover, he was a local cultivator from the Western Sea. Since Su Qing would be spending time in Wanghai City and the various immortal islands overseas in the future, it would be more beneficial than harmful to associate with him.

"We are fortunate to have Fellow Daoist Su's help along the way. Otherwise, we would not have been able to get out of the Fire Phoenix Immortal Kingdom. If we are to express our gratitude, we should thank Fellow Daoist Su first."

However, since Fellow Daoist Su intends to do business in this city, the intricacies are vastly different from those in the inland immortal kingdoms. I might indeed have a chance to help you, Fellow Daoist Su. Once I've finished dealing with this caravan matter, I will naturally come to find you!

Su Qing was interested in making friends, and the worldly-wise Rao Tingshan, naturally, didn't stand on ceremony, cupping his hands and smiling as he spoke.

After he left, Su Qing released Xiong Er, Huo Dan, and Shao Delong, who were already itching to run around, and asked Li Hailang and Qing He to keep an eye on the group of bears and dogs to prevent them from getting into trouble.

"We need to be careful. We're new to this place, and we don't know anything about the local customs and people. We can't be like we were in Demon Smoke City, where we could rely on Fellow Daoist Liu's protection and treat everyone else as if they didn't exist!"

Old Liang stroked his beard and spoke with maturity and composure. After learning that Bai Yunxian did not need him for the time being, he visibly relaxed.

Su Qing smiled and nodded, looking at this prosperous and peaceful place, and said with satisfaction:

"We came to this city with no intention of causing trouble for anyone. Fellow Daoist Liang, relax, the better days are yet to come!"

"Why wait until later to relax? The Red Sleeve Pavilion is just ahead, Asu, what are you waiting for?"

"Let's go together!"

"Yes, yes!"

Wanghai City may not be the number one city in the West Sea.

But Hongxiu Tower must be the number one tower in the West Sea.

This building is the headquarters of the Red Sleeve Pavilion of the Western Sea Immortal Kingdoms. It is said to gather the most blissful things in the world and is a place that no cultivator who comes to Wanghai City should miss.

Su Qing and Liang Haishun chose this place as their first stop before even arranging accommodations.

But it is not as superficial as simply seeking pleasure.

"I came to this building to see the various cultivation techniques contained within. It is said that each floor of this building contains a unique cultivation technique."

As professionals, since we'll be making a living in this city, let's take this opportunity to see the skills of the other professionals here—it's like hiring prostitutes on official business!

Standing in front of the Red Sleeve Pavilion, Su Qing spoke with righteous indignation.

Liang Haishun nodded in deep agreement and added:

"I dare not call them prostitutes. The female cultivators in this building are mostly skilled in various arts, and their profession is called artist. They are far from being the same as those vulgar women and prostitutes!"

As a seasoned master of romance, Su Qing was just a primary school student in front of Liang Haishun. There was much for him to learn and understand. Today, the master guided him through a practical experience, giving him detailed instructions and teaching him by example, which greatly benefited him.

For example, in such places of entertainment, one must never hide one's strength; even if one has only three points of strength, one must pretend to have ten.

Although they pay the same price, the services that Qi Refining cultivators and Golden Core cultivators receive are completely different.

"Isn't this discriminatory treatment? With this level of service, how dare this restaurant call itself the best in the world?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qing felt a bit uncomfortable. When doing business with him, he never considered the other party's status or cultivation level. Those who were willing to give him spirit stones were all his family and friends, so there was no reason to treat them differently.

"Hmph, you're not strong enough. There are some tricks the Red Sleeve Pavilion has up their sleeves that you might not be able to handle. Qi Refining cultivators can just have some fun below the tenth floor. Only Foundation Establishment cultivators like us can enjoy the fun above the tenth floor."

Otherwise, the divine music of the girl playing the zither on the tenth floor alone would be enough to cause the soul of a Qi Refining cultivator to shatter. Enjoying the pleasure is one thing, but losing one's life on this floor would be a great injustice!

The one who spoke was not Liang Haishun. Su Qing turned her head and saw that it was the Western Sea cultivator who had mocked them as country bumpkins in front of the city gate tower.

This guy is quite something. He grumbled as he paid the one spirit stone entrance fee, but he paid the ten spirit stones to enter the Red Sleeve Pavilion with gusto.

Such behavior suggests that Princess Leopard, like Brother Debao, is a potential client of the beautiful snake.

Su Qing ignored the sarcasm in his words and greeted him with a cupped-hand salute.

"I am Su Qing, born in the Desire Demon Immortal Kingdom. I have long discussed the Dao with high-ranking cultivators of the Demon Sect. My spirit house is always adorned with images of the Three Pure Ones. I have also been able to worship an ancient true Buddha. I cultivate the wondrous method of spiritual consciousness and occasionally temper my physical body. Currently, I make a living by refining puppets. It seems that I have a connection with you, fellow Daoist?"

My name is Su Qing, a rogue cultivator from the Desire Demon Immortal Kingdom. I have no sect, no faction, and no faith. I cultivate both my physical body and magic, and I also make puppets. I want to be friends with you!

Being in a brothel, where everyone is of the same ilk, the nameless cultivator was not without discernment. Su Qing's third-tier qi, which could not be concealed, had taken the initiative to befriend him, so the cultivator naturally had to accept it properly and dared not utter any more falsehoods.

"I am a treacherous person. I was born into a humble family and did not worship the Three Pure Ones or Buddhas. I did not join any demonic sects. I do not rob, cheat, or steal. I often dine in the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom and enjoy searching for treasures underground. I mistakenly thought you were on the same side as the Yuanlai Tower. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me!"

Feng Bo'e, a cultivator who has established his foundation through magic, is unaffiliated with any sect or faction, and makes a living by tomb raiding—a true tomb raiding hero.

Upon hearing about his profession, Su Qing, who had been thinking about digging up the ancestral graves of the Changqing family, immediately brightened up and, along with Liang Haishun, warmly exchanged a few more pleasantries with him.

"These past few years have been tough. The two factions in the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom are locked in a fierce battle. Not only are we tomb raiders struggling to survive in the cracks, but a few days ago, the Joyful Sect suddenly went crazy and expelled all of us tomb raiders who were unwilling to believe in the Joyful Buddha statues from the country, denying us the opportunity to raid tombs in the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom."

Damn it, they must have discovered some huge tomb and don't want us to get a share.

"Hey! You think you can monopolize all the benefits? No way! We tomb raiders are now scattered everywhere, spreading the word far and wide. We'll make sure all the immortal kingdoms of the Western Sea know that a treasure has appeared in the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom. Then, other immortal kingdoms will invite us to dig up their tombs!"

Feng Bo'e was not a person of good character. A person of good character cannot be a tomb raider. He was driven out of the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom and could only find employment in other places. He cursed Huanxi Sect to the point of being brutally murderous.

Su Qing and Liang Haishun exchanged a glance, both realizing that the tomb raiders' guesses were largely correct.

Indeed, a great tomb has emerged in the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom, which can give rise to a small realm of Nascent Soul Beasts!

However, they don't need to spread this news; at least Rao Tingshan and others will definitely pass it on to Yuanlailou.

Even with the combined strength of Yuanlailou, it might not be possible to get involved in the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom. However, by spreading the news widely and uniting with forces such as the Desire Demon Immortal Kingdom, the Fire Phoenix Immortal Kingdom, and the Demon Tree Evil Kingdom to exert pressure, Feng Bo'e and his tomb raiding heroes might actually have a chance to go to the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom to show their talents again!

"I've disliked those thieving nuns in the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom for a long time. If I encounter them in the future, I will definitely teach them a lesson to vent my anger for you."

"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Feng, I am quite interested in the products of the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave in the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom. Since you are a third-level tomb raider, you must have unearthed many fine items. I wonder if you have anything that can broaden my horizons?"

Su Qing spoke warmly to Feng Bo'e, saying that right now, the singing and dancing at the Red Sleeve Pavilion was not as attractive to him as Feng Bo'e.

The underground world of Ksitigarbha Buddha is full of treasures. Whether it is the Vajra lineage, the merit wooden fish, the vajra, or other Buddhist treasures, most of them come from this place.

Even if he couldn't salvage these things from the storm, the remains of that third-tier Buddhist master would still be incredibly useful to him. If he obtained one, he could easily disassemble it and use it to refine third-tier puppets in the future.

Having weathered many storms over the years, he indeed had quite a few treasures in his storage bag. This time, he came to Wanghai City with the intention of setting up a stall here to sell his goods, converting them into hard currency such as spirit crystals and spirit stones, and then raising money to go out to sea and try his luck at getting rich.

Unexpectedly, before the stalls were even set up, business had already begun in front of the Red Sleeve Pavilion.

"I do have some treasures here, but they are numerous and varied. If you wish to make a transaction, we would need to find a secluded place, which is not very convenient here!"

Putting aside the inconvenience, we've already spent these ten spirit stones, so how can we waste time on buying and selling!
Feng Bo'e, who was eager to broaden his horizons at the Red Sleeve Pavilion, was not a pure merchant. He merely dangled the storage bag at his waist to show that he had goods, but had no intention of making a deal on the spot.

Su Qing, on the other hand, was extremely annoyed by his unprofessional behavior.

Because the moment the storm shook the storage bag, all thirty-six high-ranking Buddhist cultivators in his own storage bag simultaneously lit up with Buddhist light, showing a reaction.

This kid really has something in his storage bag!

It is a Buddhist treasure no different from the merit wooden fish and the vajra!

Others may not know how useful the merit-making wooden fish and the vajra are, but Su Qing knows it perfectly well.

Putting aside everything else, if he had a few hundred or a thousand merit wooden fish, he would dare to go to the Ksitigarbha Buddha Kingdom and solo the Earth Demon Heaven.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, we hit it off immediately, and I can't wait to share a drink with you right now. Here are ten spirit stones for you. After we've had our festivities, we can come back to this restaurant to enjoy ourselves!"

"How could that be? Before I came, I had already taken some potent tonics and had plenty of ammunition. I came on a whim, and I can't just leave without firing a shot. Fellow Daoist Su, please wait a moment. I'll be quick. Wait a while, and then we can have a drink and chat!"

Feng Bo'e is a man of principle; he is determined to win back his ten spirit stones.

Private fights are strictly prohibited in Wanglai City. Although Su Qing was anxious, she couldn't forcibly take him away. She could only shake her head helplessly and follow him, waiting in line to enter the arena.

There is a queue.

Although this building is ninety-nine stories high and can accommodate hundreds of cultivators, the cost of its contents is extremely high.

But that didn't stop the cultivators who came every day, drawn by its reputation.

Watching the female cultivators who were welcoming guests put the spirit stones into their pockets, Su Qing roughly estimated that in just half a day, the Red Sleeve Pavilion had already collected several thousand spirit stones in terms of material expenses, not even counting the expenses of the cultivators inside the pavilion.

"Sure enough, if you do every job to the best of your ability, you can make a fortune every day, making others envious!"

Su Qing sighed silently. He had thought that selling puppets was already profitable, but today he realized that there was always something better out there. As long as he grasped the pain points and pleasure points of cultivators, he could earn more spirit stones than he could ever want!
"However, the cultivators of Wanghai City have such strong spending power, and they are even willing to spend money in this Red Sleeve Pavilion. I think my Passionate Series puppets will have great potential in this city!"

"Of course! Everyone who's used Asu's cooking says it's excellent!"

"How so, is there anything unique about Fellow Daoist Su's puppets?"

"Well, the reason why Hongxiu Tower dares to set such a high price now is because Asu's puppets haven't started selling in this city yet. In a few years, the price of this tower will definitely be driven down by Asu's puppets!"

"Is it really that amazing? After I've tasted the flavors of Red Sleeve Pavilion, Fellow Daoist Su, you must let me witness the wonders of your puppets!"

(End of this chapter)