CHAPTER 618: CHAPTER 617: CLOUD DUNGEON

Miss Hu Jiu stood in front of the dressing mirror, carefully examining the large, fluffy white ears and tail. She glanced sideways at her well-proportioned curves and was increasingly satisfied with herself.

As expected of a heavenly level cultivation technique, the "Illusionary Charm Technique" not only increases one’s strength through cultivation but also enhances physical development. Combined with a more enchanting temperament, it’s only a matter of time before she captures the young master’s heart!

She displayed a satisfied and charming smile, walked over to the desk, and began searching through a pile of name tags for the friend who called himself Cai, the guard of the Cloud Dungeon.

Actually, the first time he came to the Treasure Pavilion, she didn’t even notice him.

After all, cultivating charm techniques, like other professions such as sword cultivators, sword cultivators, alchemists, and artifact refiners, isn’t just about burying oneself in practice. Understanding how the cultivation technique operates and continuous practice are necessary.

Silently using charm alone can’t compare to the joy of practicing while chatting and gossiping with others.

So, every night after exchanging immortal jade, she would sneak into the Treasure Pavilion through a secret path, mix in with the stewards and attendants, and help out while discussing family matters. She continuously operated the charm technique, releasing her allure.

Surprisingly, not only did the attendants at the Treasure Pavilion become attentive to her, but the business in the pavilion inexplicably prospered. Many male loose cultivators were willing to enter and chat with her, even if it meant only buying the cheapest trinket.

There were too many people showing excessive attentiveness; had it not been for the interesting secrets Cai mentioned about Cloud City, she wouldn’t have paid attention to such an ordinary demon cultivator.

Pavilion Master Cang also grew fonder of the little fox. Though silly and adorable, she was indeed beautiful, with a natural charm in every smile and gesture, further boosting the shop’s popularity. Thus, with a grand gesture, he prepared a special living space for her on the third floor.

Living more spaciously and comfortably, Miss Hu Jiu didn’t feel too relaxed—she received many gifts every day, with name tags piling up into a huge stack.

"No, these were received just last night. I should be looking for tags from a few days ago..." She had no intention of deliberately inviting or seducing anyone, as her heart was set only on the young master. Other demon cultivators couldn’t catch her interest.

Unfortunately, with her looks having a racial advantage, combined with her diligent understanding of the heavenly level charm technique, those demon cultivators even boosted the business of artifact refiners at the Wo Hu Temple Market, who received many orders for crafting name tags recently.

The levels weren’t high; these were name tags with a single function of adding Communication Stone friends, but they were custom-made in a gaudy and varied manner, taking her quite some time to find the one she was looking for.

"Although I’m cultivating charm techniques, I’m not one to use my looks to manipulate people. I must choose my words carefully to avoid any misunderstanding," she muttered as she tapped the Communication Stone onto the name tag, which allowed her to send a message.

She thought carefully and cautiously sent a text—"Fellow Daoist Cai, I wish to obtain several types of high-quality rare spirit medicines. I heard that the place you guard has fields of spirit plants; is this true? If there are top-grade rare spirit medicines available, please inform me. Hu Jiu will be greatly appreciative."

"Buzz~"

After sending the message, she thought it would take a while to receive a reply, so she decided to seize every moment for cultivation!

I love cultivation! Cultivation makes me more beautiful and happier!

The happy little fox sat cross-legged, diligently cultivating, her fluffy large tail raised high and swaying slowly, adding an extra layer of charm to her demeanor.

Cloud Dungeon.

Whether day or night, no sunlight penetrated the underground caverns. But numerous luminous pearls hung here, ensuring the lighting remained constant, day or night, as if it would never change.

"Level twenty-six below, three thousand six hundred and ninety-five bags of fertilizer received!"

"Level ninety-five below, six-hundred-year Blood Ganoderma, ready for harvest!"

"Level two hundred ten below, sowing Forget-Me-Not, marked for harvest in a thousand years..."

......

Amidst the orderly yet slightly noisy calls, from an aerial view, in the center was an enormous circular magical treasure extending deep into the earth, its depth unknown.

Nearly a hundred colorful ribbons, sometimes coiled or unfurled, allowed demon beasts and demon cultivators traveling through them to quickly reach the underground caverns they needed to go to.

The circular magical treasure seemed to carve a passage through the earth, and behind it lay one flourishing or flower-filled cavern after another.

Apart from the city lord and steward who managed the underground caverns, no one knew precisely how many caverns there were, nor how many types, or years of spirit plants and herbs were cultivated here.

Those selected to work in the underground city, the demon beasts and demon cultivators, only knew that every day, herbs were transported out, and different herbs were planted, ensuring smooth operations for a thousand years to come.

The underground city was an extremely magnificent project.

Any demon cultivator, no matter how knowledgeable, would be deeply shocked when standing at the entrance to the underground caverns.

But guard Cai Wenyi had seen it for many years and had long become numb to it.

"Old He, you have to deliver the herbs personally today?" he asked distractedly while standing at the entrance, "Whenever you’re needed for delivery, it’s always a big deal!"

The other party glanced at him coldly and said in a deep voice, "Mind your words and actions."

"All right, all right, I got it, no talking!" Cai Wenyi sighed and pursed his lips, "The herbs from the dungeon are sold to different realms of the cultivation world, supposedly earning countless Spirit Stones. Why doesn’t the City Lord fix up the city above properly? Even the City Lord’s Mansion isn’t luxurious or glamorous enough; many visiting Demon Cultivators don’t even believe that’s the City Lord’s Mansion."

"Mind your words!" The other party’s tone grew more severe, and he glanced at him deeply, his gaze containing a hint of scrutiny.

Who recruited this kid into the guard team initially?

Relying on his long time in the dungeon and knowing many people, he speaks without restraint, letting everything slip. Such a guard is likely to bring hidden dangers to the dungeon; this person must not remain!

Cai Wenyi still wanted to gossip a bit, inquire about some interesting rumors down below, so that next time he visits Wo Hu Temple Market, he has enough tales to share with Miss Hu Jiu.

Thinking of her autumn-like eyes, peach-blossom-like beauty, her pleasing voice and perfect figure, he had no space to inquire more from Old He.

Anyway, the underground cavern has been as stable as an old dog for years; the upper layers strictly inspect and prevent strangers from mixing into the city, the exits are protected by arrays personally arranged by the City Lord, and private teleportation within the city is prohibited—various precautionary measures. As a gate guard himself, he’s basically optional, only standing around to put on a show during his shift.

No matter who enters or exits, he can just exchange a few idle words and do a symbolic identity check, having plenty of time to daydream.

For instance, now, Cai Wenyi got a glare from Old He and felt bored enough to shut up, rolling his eyes slightly, recalling Miss Hu Jiu’s enchanting demeanor involuntarily, a smile curling on his lips.

"Brother Cai, I heard a new courtesan at Golden Chicken River Market is a small demon girl from Hehuan Sect. Tonight... hehe..." Another guard rubbed his fingers and shot him a knowing smile, with an expression full of ’you know what I mean.’"

Cultivators aren’t saints; they too cannot sever the ties of human emotions and desires.

However, forming a dual cultivation partnership must be reported to the Celestial Court and the Underworld, one of the most important things in a cultivator’s long life. Unless they find a dual cultivation partner they love, generally, cultivators seek Hehuan Sect disciples for release.

Both sides hold the needed benefits without owing each other, offering the best experience without future troubles.

These dungeon guards receive high pay, with the advantage of proximity, and can always find channels to obtain some slightly flawed herbs.

Besides personal use, the surplus can be sold in markets for Spirit Stones, so none of them worry about their cultivation and are affluent, also familiar with entertainment spots in various markets.

"Not going." Cai Wenyi was lost in thoughts about Miss Hu Jiu’s every move, unable to extricate himself, scoffing at the suggestion: "Hehuan Sect’s little demon girls are just okay, they’re pretty but not pure enough, too seductive deliberately."

The other raised an eyebrow, hearing this, "Oh, Brother Cai, indeed a seasoned veteran in romance, even Hehuan Sect demon girls don’t catch your eye anymore. So what type of lady can attract Brother Cai now?"

"Wo..." Cai Wenyi was about to blurt out, but suddenly thought of how popular Miss Hu Jiu is, yet the mere Demon Cultivators at Wo Hu Temple Market can’t be compared to me. Being more diligent would increase the odds greatly. If this fellow knew, wouldn’t it make things more difficult for no reason?

So he changed the topic, saying, "I’m not interested in these things lately, look for someone else to join you."

Just as he finished speaking, the Communication Stone suddenly buzzed, and Cai Wenyi had a peculiar premonition—the message sender must be Miss Hu Jiu!

Ignoring his companion, he hurried to a corner to hide, took out the Communication Stone, and indeed, even Miss Hu Jiu’s wording was so cute and charming!

The fresh yet alluring visage appeared again in his mind, Cai Wenyi felt as if losing his soul, a subtle smile appearing on his face, his mind hotly promising in reply: Miss, feel free to ask for any precious herbs you need.

I have here not just tens of thousands of acres of fields, but even millions of acres; though precious herbs take hundreds of years to mature, the number harvested each time is limited. Yet, if Miss requires, I, Cai, would go through fire and water, willing to die a thousand times without hesitation!

"Bragging, huh?" The little fox quickly received the reply, and seeing it, instead didn’t believe what was said.

After all, it was too exaggerated; how big is the entire Cloud City?

Though she hadn’t been there personally, with Sister Yun Shu and Little Jun having stores over there, how could they not know?

Even if you dug out all of underground, there’s absolutely no way to have tens of thousands of acres. And yet here he is, daring to claim millions of acres, saying things like "going through fire and water willing to die a thousand times" - clearly all idle talk.

She pursed her lips feeling somewhat disappointed, finally able to help out a bit, but it ended before it began?

After thinking for a while, the unwilling Miss Hu Jiu shot back: Bragging! No one believes you, I initially wanted to trouble you to help connect and buy some herbs, but I never thought you’d be joking with me.

"Hey, what bragging am I doing?" Cai Wenyi received the message as text, yet in his increasingly uncontrollable mind already envisioned the lovable yet infuriating coquettish demeanor, anxiously scratching his head.

Looking down beneath, the captivating underground cavern was right in front of him, impulsively, as if possessed by spirits, he took out a Memory Stone, sneakily shot a video and sent it over, "Now, you should believe, right?"

When Jiang Yuan, working hard in the Mysterious Cave competing for points, saw the video Miss Hu Jiu forwarded, he was instantly shocked, eyes widening—good heavens! So many herbs!

If he could secure the supply channel... before his eyes flashed stacks of a million Spirit Stones gleaming, thinking he could put stacks of tens of millions at home as decorations!