The hall was quite spacious, over a hundred feet wide. Half of it was carved deep into a cliffside cavern, while the other half was a pavilion built from sturdy timber, suspended in mid-air.

The hall’s decor was exceedingly luxurious. Soft carpets covered the floor, and large, comfortable couches were placed all around.

These couches were made of either valuable beast hides or magnificent brocade.

The couches were all surrounded by thin, transparent curtains. As Chen Cheng and Shen Qingyao entered the hall, they saw several Qing Guanren and handsome young men on a stage further inside. Barefoot, they swayed their hips and danced slowly to the music of a guqin, their figures graceful, enchanting, and alluring.

The guqin music was ethereal and faint, as if barely there, yet it possessed a soul-snatching, demonic charm that made one’s mind wander, unable to resist the urge for wanton indulgence and pleasure.

Chen Cheng glanced behind the stage at the woman in red playing the guqin and suddenly frowned.

The woman’s face was veiled with a light gauze as she sat upright before a Guqin. Her waist was soft and slender, but her curves were shockingly voluptuous.

Though her slender hands plucked the strings lightly, they exuded an ultimate sense of seduction.

Of course, Chen Cheng wasn’t focused on her seductive allure, but on her hands as she played. They appeared casual and natural, but were in fact maintaining a specific rhythm—subtle, meticulous, and exceedingly profound.

Chen Cheng had previously chanced upon a miscellaneous book in his master Mr. Zheng’s study, which introduced the Realm related to music.

"Decadent music bewitches the mind. The more powerful practitioners can use rhythm to enter the mind’s will; this is known as the Heart Realm. Its killing power harms people invisibly, with a might no less than that of sharpened steel..."

The Heart Realm described in the book had many branch Cultivation Techniques, the most common of which was the Sound Law Technique, which used rhythm to enter the mind.

The Sound Law Technique, like other Skills, was divided into Beginner Level, Small Success, Great Success, and Perfection. It also had its own Rhythm Momentum and Realm.

Below Great Success, the effects of the Sound Law Technique were not very strong. After reaching Perfection, however, it could affect the minds of Perfect Martial Artists of the Skin Grinding Realm.

One who had cultivated Rhythm Momentum could even harm the minds of Perfect Martial Artists of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

If one cultivated the Rhythm Realm, they could even silently injure a Perfect Martial Artist of the Bone Forger Realm.

One had to be extremely vigilant when encountering a Martial Artist who cultivated such an unorthodox Cultivation Technique.

Chen Cheng subconsciously activated his Qi Blood Power, enveloping his entire body. Of course, to avoid being too conspicuous, he only unleashed ten percent of his strength.

After all, the Sound Law Technique the woman was using was only at the Perfect Level. There was no need to make a fuss.

Noticing the change in Chen Cheng’s Qi Blood Power, Shen Qingyao turned her head. A strange look appeared in her eyes; she was clearly surprised by his vigilance.

As a Bone Forger Realm Martial Artist and a member of the Inner City’s Four Great Clans, she naturally understood the principles at play.

But understanding the principles was one thing. This was the first time she had ever witnessed such a sensual place, and soon a blush crept onto her fair forehead.

The reason, however, wasn’t the effect of the Sound Law Technique, but the scene unfolding in the hall.

The curtains of many couches were drawn open, revealing numerous guests frolicking with the Qing Guanren or the handsome young men inside.

After all, although she was over twenty and in the prime of her youth, she was still an unmarried maiden. How could she possibly withstand the sight of men and women cavorting so openly?

At that moment, Shen Qingyao suddenly regretted coming to Le Wuji.

She subconsciously took half a step back to hide behind Chen Cheng’s tall frame. When faced with a thorny problem, Chen Cheng had undoubtedly become her safe harbor.

Seeing her naive, girlish bashfulness, Chen Cheng was inwardly amused. In the end, however, he refrained from making a sarcastic remark like, "Curiosity killed the cat!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Two Qing Guanren clearly noticed Shen Qingyao’s predicament and were inwardly amused, but they didn’t let it show.

One of them asked in a low voice, "Distinguished guests, will you be choosing a large couch or a small one?"

All the couches were quite large. The large ones could comfortably seat five or six people with room to spare, while the small ones could fit three or four. The difference was obvious at a glance.

Chen Cheng said coolly, "A large one."

"This way, esteemed guests." The Qing Guanren led the two of them to a large couch near the pavilion’s terrace.

"Do you distinguished guests require us to dance before your couch, or on the stage?" the Qing Guanren asked. "Or would you prefer not to watch a dance and have us accompany you in drinking?"

"You may go." Chen Cheng waved his hand. The two Qing Guanren gave a graceful curtsy and went directly to the stage to dance with the others.

After sitting down on the couch, Shen Qingyao sat primly, staring straight ahead, and finally managed to compose herself.

Seeing Chen Cheng’s expression remain perfectly composed, she couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Brother Chen, have you frequented brothels often?"

Chen Cheng didn’t hide it from her, answering truthfully, "I’m a respectable person. Besides, I don’t have the spare money to squander, so how could I come here often? I’ve only accompanied colleagues for drinks a few times, that’s all."

"Oh," Shen Qingyao murmured. Then she stared at Chen Cheng and asked curiously, "Then why aren’t you blushing, coming to Le Wuji?"

Both of them still had their faces covered with black cloth, though their foreheads and eyes were exposed. They weren’t the only ones; most of the other guests in the hall were dressed the same way.

Shen Qingyao’s reasoning was quite simple. In such a fiery, passionate place, even she had lost her composure and blushed from embarrassment, yet Chen Cheng showed no reaction at all. She wondered if there was something wrong with him.

Chen Cheng didn’t have the time to guess what she was thinking. He said leisurely, "We Martial Artists have powerful Qi Blood Power. What’s there to blush about?"

Only then did it dawn on Shen Qingyao. She quickly tapped her forehead and secretly circulated her Qi Blood Power. Her faintly flushed forehead finally returned to its fair color.