Chapter 11 Charm Harvesting Truly Fragrant

"Manager Su, this was what I acquired from Fortune Pavilion the day before yesterday," Yu Qingtan said with a smile.

"You're indeed blessed with good fortune. You did very well today, keep up the good work. The two of you should learn from Qing Tan, strive hard, and go on!"

A first-tier magic artifact was nothing extraordinary in Tianxiang Pavilion, but it still needed to be scrutinized when found on a newcomer, to ensure it wasn't obtained through any unsavory means.

After saying goodbye to Manager Su, Yu Qingtan returned to her "office."

Meanwhile, on the stage outside.

"Next is Miss Qing Tan's debut zither performance. Which esteemed guest would like to enjoy it privately?" Mother Ni asked loudly.

"Me, I bid 20 Spirit Stones."

"I bid 25 Spirit Stones."

"Tch, a poor ghost, I bid 50 Spirit Stones."

"My love for Miss Qing Tan is true, I bid 80 Spirit Stones."

"200 Spirit Stones, I fell for Miss Qing Tan at first sight. Who dares to vie for her with me?"

The crowd suddenly fell silent.

"Young Master Qi is generous indeed. Does anyone wish to bid higher?" Mother Ni's smile blossomed like a chrysanthemum, for 200 Spirit Stones was already a substantial amount.

"201 Spirit Stones!" A bid came from a short youth in a corner.

"Who, who dares to disrespect me, Qi Hong like this!"

"Hmph, others may fear you, 'Qi the Madman', but I, Song Zhenfeng, am not afraid. What, resorting to threats when you're out of money? That's all you're good for. I simply can't be bothered to compete with you." However, the one who spoke was not the bidder but another elegant young master.

Qi Hong glared at Song Zhenfeng but didn't dare to make a scene. The Song family was much stronger than the Qis.

"Hmph, who says I have no money, 300 Spirit Stones!"

"301 Spirit Stones!" The same voice, but this time it came from the opposite side.

"400 Spirit Stones!" Qi Hong took a deep breath and quoted a high price.

This time, there was silence.

A few breaths later, no one else spoke up.

"Very well, Young Master Qi truly lives up to the reputation of a noble family's son. Miss Qing Tan's debut zither performance is yours!"

"Next, who wishes to have a private game of chess with Miss Rou'er?"

…

"Find that bastard for me!"

Before being led to see Yu Qingtan by a servant, Qi Hong instructed his own servant.

…

It wasn't long after Yu Qingtan took her seat that a servant disciple escorted Qi Hong in.

"Miss Qing Tan, I am Young Master Qi Hong. Your dance was exceptional, and I took a great liking to it. I've come especially to listen to your zither performance. Come, draw back the beaded curtain!"

Qi Hong took out 10 Spirit Stones from his storage bag and handed them to a servant nearby.

Indeed, the beaded curtain is generally kept down; to draw it back requires extra payment.

"Many thanks to Young Master Qi!"

The servant pulled back the curtain, and Yu Qingtan gave Qi Hong a sweet smile, then said.

Then she began to play "Yearning."

Although Yu Qingtan's zither skills were not yet fully accomplished, they were pleasant for laymen to hear.

After the piece ended.

"Hmm, not bad, not bad, I didn't expect Miss Qing Tan to dance as well as play the zither so beautifully!"

"You flatter me, Young Master Qi. I still need to work much harder," Qing Tan replied.

"Young Master Qi is quite the dashing figure. Might I know which noble family's son you are?"

Yu Qingtan's next task was to make conversation, so she needed to find a topic.

"Haha, I am indeed a scion of the Qi family, one of the three major clans. You should visit our house sometime, Miss Qing Tan!"

"Wow, to be a young master of the Qi family, your cultivation level must be very high, right?"

Yu Qingtan covered her slightly agape mouth, showing her amazement.

Life is like a play, all dependent on acting.

"Just so-so, I've only just advanced to the late stage of Qi cultivation."

"Young Master Qi, to be so young and already in the late stage of Qi cultivation, you'll become a Foundation Establishment elder in a few years. Please don't forget about Qing Tan then!"

"Haha, certainly not. Miss Qing Tan, why don't you come a little closer to chat?"

"Of course, I felt as if we've known each other for a long time. It would be impolite to sit too far away."

Thus, she gracefully moved to sit down on another round stool next to the round table.

This wasn't a mandatory service or a chargeable one, but as the first private guest, this was the least she could offer.

"Young Master Qi, I've heard that the young masters of the big families in the city often go to Yunhua Mountain Range for experience. Tell Qing Tan about it; I haven't left Suichuan Immortal City yet."

"Hey, Miss Qing Tan, you've come to the right person, just like last year..."

Half an hour later.

"Miss Qing Tan, I've enjoyed our conversation today, I'll come to see you often in the future."

"Thank you for your support, Young Master Qi."

After seeing off Qi Hong, Yu Qing Tan had a cup of tea and began to rest.

Some time later, it was Yu Qing Tan and her partners' turn to perform their dance.

Now there were more people, and the atmosphere was even livelier.

After the dance ended, another guest was brought to Yu Qing Tan.

This person was actually someone Yu Qing Tan had seen before— the Cultivator with the surname Peng from the Drunken Fairy Building. They had crossed paths when leaving the Drunken Fairy Building, but Yu Qing Tan was wearing a veil at the time.

"Miss Qing Tan, I'm Peng Cheng, your dance was wonderful. I'm so happy to have the honor of hearing you play the zither."

Normally, it cost 20 Spirit Stones to meet with Yu Qing Tan, and if there were many people, they would use a drawing lots method to select.

Given Yu Qing Tan's popularity today, Peng Cheng was truly fortunate, especially considering that the previous Qi Hong had spent 400 Spirit Stones.

"I've seen you before, Brother Peng. I'm afraid I embarrassed myself with my performance!"

Peng Cheng had the appearance of a middle-aged uncle, with a scar at the corner of his eye.

After the piece ended, Peng Cheng clapped enthusiastically.

"Well done, truly a pleasure to listen to!"

He didn't know if it was played well or not, but it was indeed pleasant to the ear.

"Brother Peng, where do you reside?"

"Heh heh, I'm a Loose Cultivator; I just make a living around the Yunhua Mountain Range!"

Yu Qing Tan kept calling him "big brother", which made him very happy inside.

"Wow, Qing Tan loves to hear stories of adventures in the Yunhua Mountain Range. You must have had many experiences, Brother Peng?"

"Of course, I'm not bragging, but..."

After seeing off Brother Peng, Yu Qing Tan could clock out early for the day.

All in all, Yu Qing Tan was quite satisfied with her debut.

When she returned to her room, Young Master Fu was still meditating on the cushion.

Seeing her come back, Young Master Fu opened his eyes.

"You danced well!"

"Thank you for your praise. I hope for Young Master Fu's continued guidance in the future."

Yu Qing Tan replied with a smile, but her heart skipped a beat.

"He really is skillful!"

You should know that areas of the Tianxiang Pavilion not open to the public were protected by formations. Although the formation in the courtyard of her room wasn't very strong, it wasn't a place just any Foundation Establishment Cultivator could enter at will. Such formations had a recognition function, and she needed to carry her Identity Jade to come and go freely.

She had been surprised when Young Master Fu suddenly appeared in her room, but since she heard about the Escape Talisman from Qi Wei, it wasn't incomprehensible.

An Escape Talisman was a rare talisman capable of teleporting over a certain distance at random; only some truly powerful forces possessed the method to draw them, and they were rarely seen outside, she wondered how he managed to get one.

"But try to limit your interactions with that Qi fellow in the future!"

"Ah, oh, sure."

Humph, as if I have a choice.

Seeing Young Master Fu close his eyes again, Yu Qing Tan also went back to her bed.

Then, she opened the system panel.

[Name: Yu Qing Tan]

[Gender: Female]

[Age: 14/87]

[Spirit Roots: Water 67/100; Wood 52/100; Earth 51/100; Metal 25/100; Fire 3/100]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Cultivation Level Two 3/200]

[Cultivation Technique: Clear Water Technique]

[Spell: Cleansing Spell Beginner 64/100]

[Skills: Exquisite Dance Proficient 93/200, Butterfly Dance Beginner 4/100, Zither Art Beginner 68/100, Chess Skill Beginner 2/100, Calligraphy Beginner 1/100, Painting Skill Beginner 1/100]

[Charm Points: 409]

[Affection Value: 0]

[System Space: Lower Grade Spirit Stones 67, Spirit Dew 1 drop, Meat Pies 13, various miscellaneous items]

[System Shop: Primary Spiritual Root Upgrade Card 0/1 (100 Affection Value), Level One Cultivation Upgrade Card 0/3 (10 Affection Value), Level One Spell Upgrade Card 0/10 (1 Affection Value), Level One Skill Upgrade Card 1/10 (1 Affection Value)]

[Lucky Draw: 10 Charm Points per draw]