Chapter 157: Spring Moon Tower

Gazing at the lavish spread before him, far more sumptuous than the meal he had just finished, Yang Fan felt a pang of helplessness. He had intended to explore the surroundings, yet here he was, detained by this Ba Shandao fellow.

Ba Shandao showed no signs of self-restraint; after taking a couple of bites, he turned to Yang Fan and asked, “Brother Yang, you come from the outside world. How vast is it?”

Yang Fan, pondering his escape, replied casually, “It’s not really that big. Most of it is ocean; the land is actually quite limited. The country I come from covers about nine million six hundred thousand square kilometers… It’s considered a fairly large territory. Of course, there are a few countries larger than mine, but not many.”

Ba Shandao looked somewhat puzzled. Kilometers? What kind of unit was that? Yet he understood the figure—nine million six hundred thousand—no matter the unit, that was immense.

Without dwelling on the matter, Ba Shandao continued, “I wonder, Brother Yang, under whose tutelage do you study in the outside world? Your master’s cultivation must be formidable!”

Yang Fan glanced up at Ba Shandao, thinking, “Here we go, straight to the point.” Sometimes he found these people from the Kunlun Secret Realm rather odd—why so concerned about his master’s rank? Even if he answered truthfully, he dared not reveal the truth.

He firmly believed that if he admitted his master was Li Tian, an Eleventh Rank Martial Saint and a formidable one at that, who had slain peers of equal rank, only two outcomes awaited him in the Kunlun Secret Realm. One: he would be placed under house arrest, his safety guaranteed but freedom lost, awaiting the opening of the passage to be taken back to Earth as a bargaining chip or a gesture of goodwill. The other: he would simply be killed outright. No one in the Secret Realm could match Li Tian’s power. If Yang Fan left alive and disclosed the realm’s secrets to Li Tian, and if Li Tian came to the realm’s gate, anyone venturing out would be doomed. Moreover, Li Tian could also enter the realm.

So, Yang Fan carefully pronounced each word: “Haha, my master is certainly no weakling. He is an Eighth Rank Revered One, and at the peak of that rank—he could break through to the Ninth at any moment.” This was a rehearsed answer; after all, many had already asked him similar questions in the Kunlun Secret Realm.

Such questions had long since been prepared for. He could not be honest, fearing to frighten others or bring trouble upon himself, yet he could not understate his master’s strength, lest others look down on him. An Eighth Rank peak cultivator was just right in the Kunlun Secret Realm.

A master on the verge of entering the Ninth Rank would be a formidable protector. Although this protector could not enter the realm, his presence was enough to command respect.

Ba Shandao’s eyes brightened upon hearing this, confirming his suspicions. From the outside world’s perspective, their domain was merely a secret realm. Those sent to explore were either the best disciples or cannon fodder from various sects. The cannon fodder was there to probe the realm, while the elite sought to reap its rewards.

And behind these elites, there must be powerful guardians!

Ba Shandao noted Yang Fan’s youth, yet his cultivation had already reached the Fourth Rank. More impressively, Ba Shandao sensed not only a strong aura but also a robust vitality that should have been discarded after the Third Rank. Earlier, on the upper floor, Ba Shandao observed Yang Fan’s aura enveloped in a crimson glow—clear evidence of potent blood energy.

If such a person were mere cannon fodder, then the outside world’s strength was truly remarkable. The new generation was indeed the foundation of any force. The continuous rise of such young talents sustained great powers.

The two then drifted into casual conversation. Ba Shandao asked, and Yang Fan answered, regardless of the accuracy of his replies.

Time passed, and Ba Shandao led Yang Fan out of the tavern, proclaiming he would show him the city’s most entertaining spots and give him a proper welcome.

Yang Fan, unfamiliar with the area and faced with Ba Shandao’s enthusiasm, found it hard to refuse. So, he followed him.

...

When Ba Shandao brought Yang Fan before a towering building, Yang Fan’s face flushed crimson.

It wasn’t for any other reason, but the rows of young women standing at the entrance left him quite flustered.

As soon as Ba Shandao appeared, the women called out, “Young Master Dao, you’ve returned! It’s been too long!”

Ba Shandao laughed heartily and strode inside with Yang Fan.

Along the way, Yang Fan’s cheeks burned bright red. Though a modern young man with liberal views, in a society governed by law and order like Huaxia, such scenes were unheard of. Moreover, Yang Fan was still a virgin. Surrounded by these fluttering maidens, his mouth felt dry.

His heart raced, yet he maintained his composure. He was determined not to lose his innocence in such a frivolous place.

Upon entering the grand gates of the establishment called Spring Moon Tower, Ba Shandao, with an arm around Yang Fan’s shoulder, said, “Brother Yang, today I’m your host. Feel free to choose any of the girls here. I feel we’re kindred spirits. This Spring Moon Tower belongs to the Spring Moon Tribe, and most of the girls inside are from that tribe. Even I rarely come here. Today, I’m making an exception for you!”

Yang Fan glanced around, speechless. The scene overwhelmed this innocent young man’s heart, torn between restraint and desire. His body trembled with alternating waves of heat and chill.

...

Noticing Yang Fan’s silence, his nervous glances and shivers, Ba Shandao grew puzzled. “What’s the matter? These girls don’t please your taste? This place is the pride of the Spring Moon Tribe, and all these girls are theirs!”

The Spring Moon Tribe was synonymous with courtesans in the Kunlun Secret Realm, yet no one looked down upon them. Their cultivation method, Spring Moon Dual Cultivation Technique, had been honed for over ten thousand years, focusing on harmony and the pleasures of mortal life.

Moreover, the Spring Moon Tribe was no minor clan; it was one of the eighty-nine great families, ranked mid-tier and wielding considerable influence in the realm.

Members of the tribe traveled extensively throughout the realm, and most clans had their own Spring Moon Towers, predominantly staffed by Spring Moon Tribe women.

The tribe had far more women than men, a phenomenon linked to their cultivation method.

Typically, Spring Moon Tribe women sought husbands rather than marrying into other families. Their reputation was legendary—each was said to possess jade-like arms that embraced a thousand pillows and lips tasted by multitudes. Such women were viewed with a mixture of admiration and reservation. Hence, the tribe only accepted suitors under strict conditions.