This down-to-earth appearance would have gone unnoticed by any high-caliber human female or male present in other settings. Yet as soon as the two entered, the guests in the inner hall couldn’t help but fix their gaze on them—eyes locked onto them, following their every move, as if they were about to step onto the stage as a reigning superstar. "Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun?" Mei Teng'er’s face betrayed clear astonishment. She never expected her cousin to invite Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun. After all, her cousin—a man known for his charm and romantic inclinations—typically craves being the sole star in such gatherings. How could he bring someone who would threaten his own status and vie for his spotlight? Though the young nobleman was renowned for his grace and warmth toward women, Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun, as this year’s official standout, had achieved remarkable feats, reaching the peak of his fame after successfully completing a series of combat trials. As a practicing spiritual realm traveler with six months of experience, his reputation and acclaim had even surpassed that of the established official "F4" veterans. Miao Teng'er glanced around and saw her sisters, each with glowing eyes, excited and animated, their long necks slightly arched, gazing eagerly at the two young men approaching. Yan'er, dressed beautifully, radiated such intense warmth that it seemed tangible—she even straightened up, as if preparing to formally welcome Yuan Shi Tian Zun. As the host of the banquet, Miao Teng'er rose gracefully to greet the two. "Welcome!" she smiled gently, her eyes sparkling as she fixed them on Yuan Shi Tian Zun, adding with a light touch of humor, "As soon as you entered, the atmosphere instantly warmed up." Zhang Yuanqing took in Miao Teng'er, whom he had met before—her rich brown hair, bright and dewy eyes like those of a deer in the forest, and her delicate, pointed oval face combined youthful purity with the graceful maturity of a mature woman. When they first met, she had been cool and reserved, showing a clear sense of distance, even toward him. Today, probably due to the host's relationship, they have shown the expected warmth. It is evident that women from noble families, regardless of their true personalities, always remain graceful and composed in formal settings, differing fundamentally from the more emotionally volatile, homegrown women. Zhang Yuanqing smiled gently, "Just seeing Miss Teng, my cold heart has warmed up." Miao Teng'er was momentarily taken aback. Ling Jun suddenly turned to Zhang Yuanqing with a sharp gaze, as if piercing him with a sword, as though to say: "You too want to court my sister?" Zhang Yuanqing returned the gaze with a counter-stroke: "You yourself said at the banquet that women could be freely chosen." Miao Teng'er glanced between the two, managed a polite smile, and said, "Please, follow me—inside." Zhang Yuanqing took a champagne cup offered by a waiter at random, and as Ling Jun and Miao Teng'er entered the dining room, the latter guided him to a corner sofa where a group of women of varying charm were gathered. There are young, vibrant girls, radiant and poised young matriarchs, and plump, alluring mature women. Ling Jun whispered, “Remember what I’ve taught you: courtship and networking are different. The principle of networking is to make every person feel valued and well-treated—this is precisely the very thing that undermines courtship. The goal of courtship is to identify your ideal target, and then make her feel especially cherished and well-treated, so that she believes she stands out in beauty and grace among the rest.” “Got it, Master. Can I court you, then?” Zhang Yuanqing asked. “I think you’re going to want to die,” Ling Jun grumbled. After a moment’s thought, Zhang Yuanqing realized that despite his array of powerful artifacts, he still stood little chance against a Level 6 flower prince. “Ladies, allow me to introduce to you our official’s most outstanding young talents—Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn!” Miao Teng’er smiled brightly, her manner and grace fully embodying the dignity and elegance of a true hostess. She then introduced Zhang Yuanqing one by one to the distinguished women seated on the sofa. It struck him suddenly—how popular I've actually become? Zhang Yuanqing smiled, clinking glasses with his sisters, and though not a scout himself, he could see the passionate, eager glances the women were casting his way. Over the past four months as a traveler of the Spiritual Realm, he had never attended a social dinner like this, and until now, he had no clear sense of just how well he was received. After getting to know each other, Miao Teng'er led him and Ling Jun toward the other guests. The distinguished ladies watched their retreating backs, chatting warmly: "Master Yuan Shi seems so young—there's an endless energy about him, and he carries a calm, steady presence. Indeed, earlier on the forum, someone had called him the 'Rough-Edged Celestial Lord,' but that reputation seems entirely unfounded." "He holds his own quite well beside the Flower Gentleman—indeed, the aura of the Star Official is simply outstanding." "The Flower Gentleman is perfect for romantic pursuits, while Master Yuan Shi seems made for a boyfriend." He gave Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun a slight nod. "I've long admired your reputation!" For rising to the peak of the Transcendent realm in just six months, there's no doubt—he is a true prodigy, an elite among elites. His self-respect and pride prevented him from being overly enthusiastic or overly accommodating before Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun. If it weren't for the Hangcheng Branch's restriction preventing his participation in the mid-year combat dungeons, he would already be a Saint—indeed, a Saint for six months now. At this point, he should be on equal footing with Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun. In the eyes of Jian Qiao Canxiang, he is no less than Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun. Zhang Yuanqing gave a simple explanation. Yet in her heart, Duan Qiao Canxue felt a sudden sense of letdown. The senior official was someone she had long admired but could never quite reach—when Yuan Shǐ Tianzūn spoke of her, his tone was simply matter-of-fact. How exactly were they on good terms? She pondered this silently. Then, Miao Teng'er introduced him to several key figures: Gongshan Liushui, the steward of Songhai Puning District; Liu Zhiyi, the third-generation spiritual adept from Hangzhou Branch; Hua Yangzi, who had an especially close relationship with the Fire Prince; and the handsome master of painting and calligraphy. Among them, Gongshan Liushui was the most enthusiastic and humble, which made the guests around realize that within the Songhai Branch, Yuan Shǐ Tianzūn’s status might actually rank only just below that of the senior monks. Hua Yangzi, on the other hand, remained the most reserved—since the Fire Prince and Qian Gong had once been rivals, and now Qian Gong had ascended to the rank of Sovereign, while the Fire Prince’s promotion had failed, leaving him temporarily behind Fu Qing Liu Zhiyi, the third-generation spiritual heir, didn't care much about such matters. As a third-generation spiritual heir from a distinguished family, he had always been the center of attention since childhood, receiving praise and admiration from others, and never felt the need to go out of his way to please them. Even when it came to flattery, he found it unnecessary. What his maternal grandfather could provide, he would naturally receive; what the maternal grandfather couldn't offer, the Prime Immortal, no matter how renowned, simply couldn't. The Prime Immortal's fame meant little to him, as it didn't affect his daily life. She now seems entirely uninterested in doing any business with me... Zhang Yuanqing glanced at Yin Ji, seated by the window, enjoying the night view, and, mindful of the moment, did not interrupt. As he settled back on the sofa, he noticed the young woman, dressed exquisitely, with a soft makeup and refined features, rising and saying, "Master Yuan Shi, may I sit beside you?" Her gaze was intense and assertive. Without waiting for a response from Master Yuan Shi, she moved close and sat down beside him. Zhang Yuanqing knew her name was Yan'er, whose father was a senior official at the Crab Market branch. Indeed, Ling Jun had quietly informed him earlier that this young woman was born out of wedlock, not the eldest daughter of the family—thus, her status was slightly lower than that of the primary line. As a gentleman, Zhang Yuanqing naturally did not wish to make her uncomfortable, and smiled, "I particularly appreciate warm and enthusiastic young ladies." At that moment, a beautiful sister remarked, "Does my sister resemble her in such enthusiasm?" "Seeing all the sisters looking at her expectantly, Xie Lingyun smiled and explained: 'Our family's only daughter, my cousin, is currently working under Yuan Shi Tian Zun.' Everyone suddenly understood. The only daughter of Xie family's head had already been invested in Yuan Shi Tian Zun? Their appreciation for Yuan Shi Tian Zun grew even stronger. Xie Lingyun continued: 'The move made by our family head is truly well-thought-out. Yuan Shi Tian Zun brought back several lost rule-related items from Yashan Sea, which were originally purchased by our family head.' She didn't elaborate further, but everyone clearly understood. 'It's just a business transaction, nothing more,' Zhang Yuanqing chuckled. At that moment, the young lady sitting beside him, Yan'er, spoke softly, 'I've heard from my father that you've collected quite a few of these lost items—around fifteen or so?' This news brightened the eyes of the noble women seated on both sides of the sofa. 'I've already given them all to my staff,' Zhang Yuanqing said without realizing it, and immediately noticed the admiring glances from the women." Under the impetus of alcohol and the lively atmosphere, and as the women asked questions with growing curiosity, Zhang Yuanqing began to recount his journey of gathering props, his experiences clearing S-tier dungeons, and his efforts in tackling the corrupt market. He spoke with confidence and ease, naturally becoming the most dazzling figure at the banquet. With several glasses of wine in hand, he found himself gradually embraced on both sides, completely lost in the moment, no longer thinking of returning to the elegant hall. To his left sat the graceful young girl Yan'er, and to his right, Xie Lingxi's cousin, Xie Lingyun. The youthful freshness of the girl and the poised elegance of the mature woman occasionally brushed against him, gently stirring his desires. A bit overwhelmed now—he quietly resolved that he'd probably never attend such banquets again, fearing he might lose his composure at any moment. He sensed that both Yan'er and Xie Lingyun were subtly and intentionally drawing him in, more so than the other women. At that moment, he noticed the third-generation talents from Hangzhou Branch, animated by the wine and encouraged by their companions, making their way toward Yin Ji, who sat alone by the window. Zhang leaned down and said something to her, to which Li Zhiyi seemed somewhat displeased, casually pulling out a high-backed chair and sitting down beside Yin Ji. As soon as he settled in, a gust of阴wind blew up, lifting him along with the chair and carrying him off toward the distance. Li Zhiyi crashed to the ground with a loud *plump*, spilling the deep red liquid from his cup all over his chest. The companions nearby burst into laughter. Two Night-Wanderers from the Taiyuan Sect chuckled. Li Zhiyi, feeling his dignity compromised, blushed furiously, yet too embarrassed to speak or act, muttered his complaints and walked off in a huff. To the guests, the women could hardly contain their amusement, while the men mostly wore expressions of quiet scorn and laughter—self-embarrassed. Several male guests, who had quietly been observing Yin Ji, had already tried to toast her at the beginning of the banquet, but all had been met with coldness. "She's like this—she prefers to drink alone," Ling Jun remarked with a smile. Miao Teng'er encouraged, "Why don't you go and try?" Ling Jun shook his head firmly. "I'm a fellow disciple of Yin Ji. Our relationship is only that Moreover, I certainly don’t want to make a fool of myself." Hearing this, Zhang Yuanqing thought it was excellent. The remark not only distanced himself from Yin Ji and clearly conveyed his lack of interest in her, but also demonstrated the refined, sophisticated charm of a poet—indeed, a true mentor. Indeed, upon hearing the young man’s words, the women seated nearby all smiled warmly. Zhang Yuanqing quietly rose and said, "I’ll go sit with someone over there." The others were momentarily stunned, staring in surprise at the rising Yuan Shi Tianzun. Ling Jun’s face changed instantly; he kept sending him signals, thinking, This simply won’t do! Once he goes, he won’t only look foolish—he’ll make the ladies unhappy. They’ll think: If Yin Ji doesn’t want a man, then neither do I. Then, how will he ever succeed in wooing any of them? Yet Zhang Yuanqing was completely unaware, simply walking steadily across the dining hall toward Yin Ji by the window. At first, the guests who had been chatting and laughing noticed the change in Yuan Shi Tianzun’s demeanor, and all fell silent, watching him with a mixture of astonishment, anticipation, and a touch of envy. One was the delicate blossom from Taimei Sect, the other a rising star from the Five Elements Alliance—no one could predict the fascinating spark that might ignite between them. Even those most eager to flatter Yuanshǐ Tianzun couldn’t help but anticipate his downfall, his embarrassment. Li Zhiyi snorted, murmuring softly, “What’s the big deal? You’ll be the one looking foolish by the time it’s over.” Duan Qiao Canxue gave a subtle lift to her lips, quietly holding out her anticipation. Zhang Yuanqing walked through the restaurant, under the hostile glares of the two night-wanderers, pulled out a chair, and sat beside Yin Ji, raising her cup. Yin Ji glanced at him, picked up the cup before her, and gently clinked it against his. “Clink!” The sound was soft, yet it became the only sound in the restaurant. The entire dining room fell into an unexpected stillness. Whether male or female guests, all were filled with astonishment and bewilderment. Li Zhiyi’s expression darkened, his eyes filled with envy and disdain. Duan Qiao Canxue shifted her gaze, looking "Is that really true?" Ling Jun's expression was stiff as he stared blankly at Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun sitting beside Yin Ji. Who was the teacher, and who was the student? "One of the fire demon-class blades offers penetration and scorching effects, allowing three strikes to breach the armor of a standard saint-tier earth monster." The star map isn't particularly valuable—I already have the Great Luo Star Disk—and the fire demon blade is no exception. It significantly enhances close-range combat capabilities, and the item that enables beast form transformation is also excellent, though the cost isn't high. Zhang Yuanqing didn't hesitate, simply saying, "I'd like the bracelet." Yin Ji nodded gently. "I'll give it to you after the banquet. I'd like to spend some time alone with the wine, and by the way, your condition doesn't seem right—remember to keep your emotions in check." Are you reminding me not to lose my temper after drinking, or are you simply so kind? Zhang Yuanqing smiled. "Excellent!" He finished off the wine in his cup and said, "I'll head to the restroom. We can talk after the banquet." With that, he walked away from the dining hall, under everyone's gaze, toward the restroom. At that moment, the door to the restroom opened, and Yan'er stepped in, dressed in a magnificent silk gown, adorned with fine jewelry, looking like a princess herself, with a warm, smiling expression. "Yan'er, this is the men's restroom..." Zhang Yuanqing almost wanted to rush out and check the sign to make sure he hadn't made a mistake. "I know," Yan'er said, gracefully settling her long gown beside the sink. Though young, her smile was enchanting. "In our circle, there's a rule: when someone is taken notice of at a banquet, they're expected to follow that person to the restroom when he's using it. Once others see them doing so, they naturally step aside and seek new targets." She had drunk quite a bit of wine—her cheeks flushed, her eyes slightly misty and sparkling with a touch of intoxication and charm. Our circle truly is chaotic," Zhang Yuanqing shook his head and politely declined. "I don't particularly like this kind of thing." Just as he finished speaking, Yan'er approached him with a sweet, gentle smile, her soft body leaning against his, her voice honeyed and alluring. "You can do anything with me," she said "If you're satisfied with me afterward, we can maintain our relationship. If not, I won't bother you." Such an open, seductive statement from a young woman of respectable standing and graceful appearance is hard for a man with normal desires to refuse. The private daughter of the Senior Vice-Minister of the Crab Market, though not particularly prominent, dresses with an unusually elaborate flair—always showing off what she lacks. She's clearly treating me as a quarry. After all, securing the favor of the Prime Origin Celestial Sovereign would be a career-defining leap, and even her father, the senior minister, would surely regard her with new eyes. Ah, so it is true—among adults, everything revolves around interests. I thought she was just my little fan. Well, being a fan doesn't conflict with that. As Zhang Yuanqing's thoughts turned, he noticed the graceful young woman lifting her delicate hand, gently caressing his abdomen and lower dantian, teasing the most sensitive areas. Her fragrance drifted in waves, exquisite and deeply arousing. Her touch seemed to carry a magical power, instantly igniting a surge of passion in Zhang Yuanqing's abdomen, sending a warm, steady heat rushing through him, making his body firm and strong as A cascade of vivid, sensuous scenes flashed through his mind—youthful girls sitting cross-legged at the sink, others pressing their butts against the toilet, legs drawn together as they leaned on the countertop, and one pressed against the wall, biting her lips, trembling with restrained excitement. Zhang Yuanqing felt his mouth dry, instinctively following the images in his mind, lifting Yan'er onto the sink and breathlessly lifting her silk skirt. Yan'er's flushed cheeks were captivating, her lips gently curved, her long, slender legs cradling Yuan Shi Tian Zun's waist. As she subtly lifted her hips, signaling to the man with a passionate gaze to remove her lace, a cool, firm object suddenly pressed against her lower abdomen. She stared in surprise at Yuan Shi Tian Zun—just moments ago, he had been consumed by passion, his senses blurred—now his eyes were clear, a cold smile playing on his lips. "You've been subtly guiding me throughout our conversation, even while I was drinking," he said, with a cold tone. "How did you learn such an unusual method?" The firm object at the hem of her dress was precisely the Ghost Mirror. "You're truly clever," said Yan'er, her lips curling slightly. "Master Yuanshishen, you are my prey. You won't escape me." Under the light, her expression was strange and otherworldly, as though she had transformed entirely. That gaze—S Zhang Yuanqing recognized it instantly. Before Yuanqing could react, she suddenly tore open her neckline, snapped her necklace and the hem of her dress, then gave a piercing, heart-wrenching scream: "Help! Save me!" After the cry, she leaned sideways and collapsed softly onto the sink, her heartbeat and breath fading, her life draining away. Dead? Yuanqing stood there, utterly bewildered, unsure of what had just happened. At that moment, footsteps hurried toward the bathroom from outside. Someone had been drawn by the sharp cries for help.