Read Novel Full Extra 7 - Dual Cultivation (1)
There was a famous lake island in Douzhou recently called Luoxia Wenying
1.
This island was not far from Li’er Country. Ever since the spiritual energy in Douzhou had gradually been recovering, previously barren secret realms had started to become rich again. Compared to before, the secret realm of Li’er Country was no longer as popular. Astute merchants had shifted their focus elsewhere, and some time ago, the immortal and demon realms joined forces to transform a lake island, naming it Luoxia Wenying.
Apparently, the scenery on this island was incredibly beautiful. The setting sun on the island was particularly captivating, and the dense woods were filled with vast expanses of blooming pink butterfly flowers. By dusk, the ground was gently covered in soft, pink snow, with a warm breeze stirring the air and spring stretching endlessly before oneself.
That very month, the island topped the list as the most popular spot for Daoist couples to visit in Douzhou.
When Zanxing learned of this place, she was eager to give it a try. Coincidentally, not much had been happening in Heishi City lately, so she discussed with Gu Baiying the idea of visiting the island for a few days.
Gu Baiying wasn’t one for romantic scenery, but after much coaxing and pleading from Zanxing, he finally agreed. The next day, after instructing Xiao Shuang on matters to take care of in their absence, Zanxing and Gu Baiying set off for Luoxia Wenying Island.
While the scenery was truly stunning, the prices were indeed steep.
This was likely because the island was jointly transformed by both the demon and human realms. Naturally, the aesthetics of the two races clashed, resulting in some awkward combinations. For example, there were breezy, white gauze curtains hanging in the pavilions where visitors could rest, which originally had an ethereal feel. However, adding two green lanterns shaped like human faces made the scene look rather eerie at night.
The flowers and plants all around the island were in elegant and subtle colors, but trimming them into the shapes of fierce beasts could be a bit unsettling.
Additionally, there were crystal pillars sculpted everywhere. The demons loved these shiny objects, while the immortal realm prefers flowing fabrics.
Hard vs soft, vibrant vs dull, ethereal vs bold—none of it really matched, yet it all came together.
However, there were indeed many pink butterfly flowers. By dusk, the sunset spread across the sky, with the clouds tinged a gentle pink. Numerous Daoist couples visited this place, one group after another, crowding the entrance until it was completely packed.
Zanxing picked up the stick that had been knocked from someone’s hand and whispered to Gu Baiying, “There are just too many people here. Let’s find an inn to stay at first.”
Gu Baiying didn’t like crowded places either, so he naturally agreed.
Since Luoxia Wenying had become the most popular spot in Douzhou for Daoist couples, the island naturally offered a full range of services, from entertainment to food, baths, and lodging. The variety of inns on the island was so vast that it was almost overwhelming. As night fell, lanterns were lit everywhere, with gauze curtains fluttering in the breeze. Zanxing found the most grand and imposing-looking inn and entered with Gu Baiying.
As soon as they stepped through the door, a woman with a bright smile came forward to greet them, saying, “Are the two of you here for a room?”
A few days earlier, a minor sect leader had come to this place with his mistress, only to have his wife track them down to Luoxia Wenying and catch them in bed. This scandal had spread across Douzhou’s immortal cultivation world, and now it was widely known. Since then, many Daoist couples visiting the island would first cast a Concealing Appearance Spell to obscure their features from outsiders.
Zanxing and Gu Baiying also used the Concealing Appearance Spell, not because they feared being caught in any sort of scandal, but because Zanxing, now the Demon King, was quite a well-known figure in Douzhou. If word of their visit spread, it could lead to unnecessary trouble. Though reputation didn’t matter much in the demon world, she preferred to avoid complications.
The innkeeper was a friendly and plump woman, her face warm and kind. She wore a dark red long robe, with a faint demonic aura hidden within the pearl at the end of her hair—a clear sign that she was of demon descent.
Zanxing asked, “Do you have any vacant rooms?”
The innkeeper nodded toward the wall behind her while attending to other customers, saying to Zanxing, “All the room plaques are hanging on the wall. Feel free to choose.”
Zanxing looked over and saw that the wall opposite the front desk was indeed covered with wooden plaques, neatly arranged. There must have been at least a hundred of them. Under the soft pink glow of the torches on the wall, the scene took on a somewhat romantic and ambiguous air.
When she read the names on the wooden plaques, they were even more colorful.
Some were straightforward, like Dark Blue Ecstasy, Blood Red Clouds and Rain
2, Autumn Encounter, Scarlet Maple Forest, and Lavender Hot Springs. These bold and creative names were likely the work of demons.
Others were more subtle and suggestive, such as Yushui Study
3, Dreamlike Temple, Scarlet Wild Hunting Ground, and Ice and Fire Imperial Tomb. These names, focused on locations with a hint of sensuality, were probably crafted by sect cultivators.
As Gu Baiying read the names, he became visibly uncomfortable, and if Zanxing hadn’t been holding onto him, he might have turned around and left immediately.
Zanxing, however, was much more composed than he was. Still, with over a hundred room plaques, it was difficult to make a choice. So, she simply asked the innkeeper, “Which is the most expensive room in your inn?”
Upon hearing this, the innkeeper’s face lit up with a broad smile. “Ah, you have great taste! The most expensive and finest room in our inn is, of course, the Guihai Blessed Land.”
Guihai Blessed Land? The name sounded quite proper, without any suggestive overtones—more like the name of a cultivation secret realm.
“It sounds quite ordinary,” Zanxing mused.
The innkeeper immediately protested, “Oh, it’s anything but ordinary! You don’t know, in the other rooms, there’s only one type of scenery per room, but Guihai Blessed Land is different. It offers multiple scenic options, and the guests can choose whichever they like. Ah, it’s hard to explain properly,” she gave Zanxing a little nudge and lowered her voice, “you’ll understand once you’re inside.”
She spoke in such an enticing way that it was hard not to feel intrigued.
“Shall we take this one, then?” Zanxing asked Gu Baiying, more as a formality.
“One room?” Gu Baiying was taken aback.
“Why not?” she said. “It costs several thousand spirit stones a night. If we each take a room, it would be way too extravagant.” Renting two rooms in an inn for Daoist couples would make them look foolish in the eyes of others.
She had no desire to be seen as a fool.
“I’m not short on money,” he muttered.
“But I am,” Zanxing replied, pulling Gu Baiying’s arm as she smiled at the innkeeper, “We’ll take this room.”
“Very well, very well.” The innkeeper was smiling so broadly that her eyes turned into slits. “I’ll take you up right away.” She turned and then whispered to Zanxing, “It’s rare these days to see such a generous young master. You wouldn’t believe it, but a few days ago, a guest claimed to be a sect leader, but he was so stingy he wouldn’t even get a large room for his lover. When his wife came to catch him in the act and smashed a whole stack of our cups, he didn’t even pay for them! So stinky.”
“I can’t make out your face clearly, but I can sense the demonic aura on you. I assume you’re like me, a fellow demon. Since we’re of the same race, I’ll make sure to take extra care of you,” the innkeeper continued in a hushed tone. “I guarantee you’ll be very satisfied tonight.”
Zanxing replied, “Thank you.”
Footnotes
Falling Sunset, Hearing Orioles
云雨 (cloud and rain) is a euphemism for intimacy in classical Chinese literature.
Yushui 鱼水 (fish and water) is a metaphor for a harmonious relationship, often used to describe a perfect match.