“Young Master, please,” Madam Hong said respectfully.
Zhou Li looked at the purple gauze hanging before the door and could not help but smile.
Purple, huh? Quite tasteful…
“This Young Master understands. You may leave now,” Zhou Li said calmly.
Madam Hong nodded and withdrew.
Zhou Li directly parted the gauze before him and stepped into the room.
The room was spacious, yet dim, as if submerged in the depths of the sea.
A faint, lingering fragrance filled the air, while long strands of purple and blue gauze draped around like flowing water.
The moment he inhaled the scent, Zhou Li immediately understood that it was a hallucinogenic drug.
“Young Master has arrived,” a pleasant female voice sounded.
Zhou Li looked toward the large bed behind the gauze. Through the thin veil, he could vaguely make out a graceful, fair figure reclining on the bed.
Hai Wenxiang was also observing Zhou Li through the gauze.
Her slender fingers lightly traced along her jade-like leg, and a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
“Young Master, please sit.”
Zhou Li glanced around. There was no chair at all.
As if reading his thoughts, Hai Wenxiang chuckled softly. “Young Master may sit on the bed.”
“Then this Young Master will not stand on ceremony.” Zhou Li smiled faintly and, without hesitation, walked over and sat at the edge of the bed.
Now he could clearly see Hai Wenxiang’s appearance.
As expected of the Saintess of the Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect, in terms of figure and beauty alone, she was on par with Nangong Yan’er, yet carried an additional, unique allure.
Her body was full yet firm, her skin so delicate it seemed as though it would yield moisture with the slightest touch, like a beautiful yet deadly poison.
As Zhou Li sat down, the bed sank slightly, causing Hai Wenxiang’s body to sway gently.
She let out a soft, teasing sound.
That sound carried a strange charm, making Zhou Li’s heart tremble faintly.
She extended her hand and gently rested it on Zhou Li’s arm. “Young Master is so handsome. You must be a man of great ability.”
Zhou Li met her eyes, which resembled autumn water, and smiled. “And how would you know I have ability? Perhaps I only look the part.”
Hai Wenxiang covered her lips and laughed softly, her voice echoing through the dim room. “If Young Master had no ability, why would you come here to seek me out?”
As she spoke, she leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against Zhou Li’s cheek.
Seeing this, Zhou Li waved his hand. “It seems Miss Xiangxiang already knows my identity. In that case, you should also know that these methods of yours will not work on me.”
“Hahaha, Young Master truly speaks straightforwardly. This little woman was being presumptuous,” Hai Wenxiang said with a smile.
“You are hardly a ‘little woman,’ are you, Saintess Wenxiang?”
At these words, Hai Wenxiang’s expression changed slightly, but she quickly recovered. “Likewise, Young Master… or perhaps I should address you as Prince of Han.”
Zhou Li nodded faintly. “The Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect truly lives up to its reputation of operating in the Royal Capital for so many years. Your information network is indeed swift. I suppose the moment I stepped into Falling Blossom Pavilion, the Saintess had already learned everything about me.”
“Your Highness overestimates us,” Hai Wenxiang said, placing her hand on Zhou Li’s shoulder as she continued to tease him. “Last night, Your Highness was married, and your bride was the daughter of the Duke of the Southern State, whom you adored so deeply. Yet today, instead of accompanying your Princess Consort, you come to Falling Blossom Pavilion to see me.”
“This little woman dares to ask, what brings the Prince of Han here today?”
Hearing her words, Zhou Li spoke unhurriedly. “Since the Saintess is so direct, this Prince will not waste words.”
“This Prince wants to cooperate with you.”
“Cooperate?” Hai Wenxiang looked at Zhou Li with a complicated expression, then smiled. “Prince of Han, are you joking? Everyone knows that the Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect belongs to the demonic path. People fear us and avoid us. Surely Your Highness does not intend to wipe us out in one sweep?”
Zhou Li shook his head and met her gaze. “Saintess, if I intended to capture you, I would not have come alone. And even if I came alone, what makes you think I cannot kill you right now?”
Facing Zhou Li’s threat, Hai Wenxiang remained completely unconcerned.
“Throughout the Sacred Martial Immortal Empire, it is said that among the twelve sons of Martial Emperor Zhou Yuan, the Prince of Han is the most favored, yet the most incompetent.”
“I admit, your earlier performance was indeed unexpected, but when it comes to strength, Your Highness would do well not to rely on borrowed prestige.”
Zhou Li smiled confidently. “Saintess may try if she wishes.”
He knew Hai Wenxiang was at the 1st stage Primordial Essence Realm, while he himself was at the 3rd stage. What was there to fear?
Hai Wenxiang’s gaze sharpened. She had not expected Zhou Li to be so confident.
Just as she hesitated whether to test him, Zhou Li continued, “This Prince has come to cooperate because we share a common enemy.”
In the future, Chu Yun would become the leader of the righteous alliance. To display his supposed righteousness to the world, he would eradicate all demonic sects across the entire continent.
It sounded like a noble act, but when great powers clashed, it was always the common people who suffered. That war would leave the entire continent in ruin, countless lives lost, cultivation resources destroyed, and the fortune of the land severed.
Truly a beast among beasts.
Zhou Li continued, “Moreover, cooperating with this Prince will never put you at a disadvantage. If the Saintess insists on testing my strength…”
“Then come!”
With those words, Zhou Li fully released the pressure of his 3rd stage Primordial Essence Realm cultivation. Instantly, the entire building trembled.
Hai Wenxiang looked at the pressure emanating from him and said in shock, “This is… 3rd stage Primordial Essence Realm?”
At such a young age, already at the 3rd stage. It seemed all the rumors were false.
This Prince of Han was no useless playboy, but a genius who had concealed his true talent.
“Well?” Zhou Li extended his hand.
Hai Wenxiang looked at his outstretched hand, hesitated for a moment, then asked firmly, “Your Highness, how do you view those of the demonic path?”
Zhou Li had long expected this question and had already prepared his answer.
He spoke slowly, “Whether demonic or righteous, to this Prince, the world has never been simply black and white.”
“I do not condone the demonic path harming others, but I also do not support the righteous path judging them without reason.”
“Take you, Saintess. Everyone knows you are the Saintess of the Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect, but who knows that you are still a virgin?”
At these words, Hai Wenxiang’s face flushed red. She coughed lightly. “Your Highness is truly impressive to know even this.”
“It is true. The Saintess of our sect does not cultivate by draining others like ordinary disciples. We preserve our purity, nurturing ourselves with medicinal herbs until we inherit the position of sect master. Only then do we bear a daughter, who will become the next Saintess.”
Hearing her explanation, Zhou Li smiled.
Since she was telling him all this, it seemed she already regarded him as one of her own.
And indeed, Hai Wenxiang had been moved by his earlier words.
“So, does the Saintess agree to cooperate with this Prince?” Zhou Li asked.
“Prince of Han is so reasonable, possesses such talent, and comes from such a powerful background, yet does not look down on me. Naturally, I would not be ungrateful.”
“However…” Hai Wenxiang paused.
“However what?” Zhou Li asked, slightly puzzled.
Hai Wenxiang licked her red lips, then suddenly pushed Zhou Li onto the bed. Her eyes were filled with charm as she said, “However, this little woman would like a bit more bargaining power in this cooperation. Your Highness… please do not refuse me.”