I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

"Senior, have you heard of my Wonderful Sound Sect?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Fan Jingmei's eyes, and her voice became even softer.

With just the right amount of expectation.

"I've heard of it."

Zhou Yuan nodded, his tone calm, but it secretly pleased Fan Jingmei.

He had indeed heard about it.

Among the many forces in the Chaotic Star Sea, the Miaoyin Sect holds a rather special position—it is nominally a sect, but in reality, it operates on the principles of commerce, with its main business being various businesses, including intelligence gathering, escorting, and trade.

The most eye-catching feature of the sect is its hundreds of meticulously trained female disciples.

To put it bluntly, one of the core strategies of the Miaoyin Sect is to use the beauty and talent of these female disciples to win over powerful figures from all walks of life and weave a vast and complex network of connections.

This model may not be considered glorious in the chaotic star sea, but no one dares to underestimate its power.

"Senior Zhou, would you do me the honor of having a chat with me at the teahouse?" Fan Jingmei raised her beautiful eyes, her exquisite face filled with earnestness and expectation.

Her voice naturally had a soft, sweet quality, and now that she deliberately softened it, it became even more alluring and irresistible.

It must be said that this woman is indeed very attractive.

Her features were exquisite, her skin as white as snow, and her figure graceful and well-proportioned. In particular, her bright eyes, clear yet exuding a natural charm, were captivating. Any male cultivator with slightly weaker willpower would probably have been tempted by her at this moment.

However, Zhou Yuan was no ordinary cultivator.

With unwavering resolve and nearly a century of tempering, coupled with the constant presence of his two stunning concubines, Yuan Yao and Yan Li, his resistance to beauty far surpasses that of ordinary people.

Although Fan Jingmei was beautiful, she was not enough to make him lose his composure immediately.

But after a moment's thought, he nodded: "Yes."

This agreement was not out of lust, but rather for some other purpose.

He clearly remembered that in the original story, at some point in the future, the Miaoyin Sect unexpectedly obtained a supreme treasure of the cultivation world—the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo!

If we can establish contact with the Miaoyin Sect in advance, we will have the advantage of proximity and may be able to find an opportunity to acquire this treasure.

Even just having prior knowledge of the information is enough to gain an advantage.

A moment later, Zhou Yuan followed Fan Jingmei to a rather elegant teahouse deep in the market.

This place is called "Qingxin Pavilion". It has an unassuming exterior, but its interior is a hidden gem.

Fan Jingmei was clearly a regular customer; she led Zhou Yuan directly upstairs to a spacious and luxurious private room.

The private rooms are exquisitely furnished, while the main hall features warm jade flooring, sandalwood tables, and several landscape paintings with a profound artistic conception hanging on the walls.

What's even more surprising is that there are two side rooms on each side of the main hall, with beaded curtains half-rolled up, revealing soft couches and fragrant quilts inside, arranged in a very ambiguous manner.

"Yu'er, make some tea for the senior first. I'll go change my clothes." Fan Jingmei gently instructed the girl, then walked gracefully into a side room. The beaded curtain was drawn, obscuring her figure.

The girl named Yu'er obediently responded, skillfully took out the tea set, boiled the spiritual spring water, and elegantly brewed a pot of spiritual tea, which she respectfully offered to Zhou Yuan.

This time, she dared not use any seductive arts, but simply stood obediently to the side.

A short while later, the beaded curtain of the side room rustled softly.

When Fan Jingmei reappeared, she had changed her clothes.

The original pale purple dress was gone, replaced by an elegant white tulle gown, light and airy, like smoke and mist.

The neckline was just right, revealing glimpses of her delicate collarbones. Beneath the sheer fabric, her fair, jade-like skin shone with a hazy glow, making her appear even more radiant and graceful.

She walked gracefully, her figure elegant, each step carrying a natural rhythm, as if stepping on the tip of one's heart.

"Yu'er, you can go out now and wait outside. I'll personally entertain Senior Zhou."

Fan Jingmei said softly, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

Yu'er acknowledged and left, gently closing the door behind her.

Inside the private room, only Zhou Yuan and Fan Jingmei remained.

She sat down opposite Zhou Yuan, personally took the teapot, and poured tea for him.

His movements were gentle, and his eyes conveyed an indescribable tenderness and reverence.

"Senior Zhou, your lavish spending of over ten thousand spirit stones to acquire that high-grade spirit stone at the auction just now truly amazed me," Fan Jingmei said softly, her tone sincere, even carrying a hint of deliberate coquettishness. "I dare to follow you all this way, hoping to find an opportunity to get to know you."

She was honest and frankly explained how she met Zhou Yuan, without hiding her stalking.

Zhou Yuan picked up his teacup, took a sip without comment, and waited for what was to come.

Fan Jingmei's move was naturally based on her own calculations.

In the Miaoyin Sect, besides the sect leader Wang Shuyi, the most powerful figures are the left and right envoys.

The two envoys, one on the left and one on the right, each commanded a faction of men and managed different businesses; they were the true high-ranking members of the sect.

However, not long ago, the former Left Envoy of the sect was robbed while escorting goods and was kidnapped by thieves. His whereabouts are still unknown and his chances of survival are slim.

The position of Left Envoy is therefore temporarily vacant.

As an elite disciple of the sect, Fan Jingmei possesses excellent talent and outstanding appearance. Having followed the sect leader for many years, she has long harbored ambitions for this position.

As an elite disciple of the sect, Fan Jingmei possesses excellent talent and outstanding appearance. Having followed the sect leader for many years, she has long harbored ambitions for this position.

But she knew that seniority and merit alone were not enough to secure her a stable position.

She needs a more substantial trump card—the support of a Core Formation cultivator.

If she could align herself with a guest elder at the Core Formation stage, her influence within the sect would be incomparable, and her chances of becoming the Left Envoy would be virtually guaranteed.

However, how easy is it to win over a Core Formation cultivator?

Fan Jingmei had previously looked for several Core Formation elders who frequently interacted with the Miaoyin Sect, but they were either old and frail with an unpleasant appearance, or they had gloomy eyes and were not easy to get along with.

Although she was already prepared to dedicate herself to him, it would be best if she could find someone she could find pleasing to the eye.

Zhou Yuan—young, handsome, composed, generous, and, more importantly, possessing clear eyes; though he had the authority of a superior, he was not frivolous or lewd. He was simply Fan Jingmei's ideal candidate.

"Senior," Fan Jingmei put down the teapot, raised her clear, watery eyes, and spoke softly yet clearly, "I wonder if you could... become a guest elder of my Miaoyin Sect?"

She paused, as if gathering her courage, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, her voice lowering even further: "If Senior is willing... our Miaoyin Sect can provide you with an excellent furnace vessel every now and then, whose aptitude and appearance will certainly not disappoint you."

She rose to refill Zhou Yuan's tea, leaning slightly forward, revealing her alluring curves beneath the thin veil. Her voice grew softer, trembling slightly: "Even I... I will do my utmost to serve you, senior."

As soon as she finished speaking, she lowered her head and lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her hand holding the teacup as steady as a rock, clearly having made up her mind.

Zhou Yuan looked at her, his mind racing.

Guest Elder?

It's just a title, used occasionally to intimidate those small fry who have ill intentions towards the Miaoyin Sect.

Given the way Miaoyin Sect operates, they wouldn't really expect guest elders to fight for them or go through fire and water.

Even if we encounter some trouble that is difficult to resolve in the future, we can simply stand by and not get involved.

For him, this cost almost nothing.

The benefits, however, are tangible—not only can it forge a deeper connection with the Myriad Sounds Sect, laying the groundwork for future acquisition of the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, but this beauty before them… is indeed… .

He was not a saint, nor did he ever claim to be celibate.

Since a beautiful woman is willing to throw herself into his arms, and it's a mutually beneficial arrangement, why pretend to refuse?

"Okay." Zhou Yuan put down his teacup, his words concise and to the point.

Fan Jingmei was taken aback at first, then her beautiful eyes burst with uncontrollable joy.

Before she could even thank him, she felt a warm force embrace her waist, and Zhou Yuan pulled her into his arms.

The teacup fell and rolled silently on the carpet.

"Senior..." she called softly, her voice gentle but without any resistance.

Zhou Yuan looked down at her beautiful face, flushed with nervousness and anticipation, and at her soft, warm skin, almost within reach through the thin veil. He could no longer suppress the burning desire in his heart.

"Please have mercy, senior..."

She spoke softly, then closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

Zhou Yuan bent down.

The beaded curtain swayed, obscuring the enchanting spring scenery inside the side room.

(Ten thousand words omitted here.)

After an unknown amount of time, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped.

Fan Jingmei knelt on the soft carpet, leaned slightly forward, and carefully straightened Zhou Yuan's robes.

This pose perfectly showcased the beautiful curves of her waist and hips, like undulating sand dunes under the moonlight, gentle and alluring.

She looked up, her face still flushed, but her eyes held an unprecedented sense of peace and dependence.

"Senior...may I accompany you to meet the sect leader?" she said softly. "Since you are to serve as a guest elder, the sect leader must personally confirm your appointment. It would also be good to have your portrait kept in the sect as a warning to external enemies."

"Mm." Zhou Yuan nodded.

Before long, the two left the teahouse, crossed the market, and arrived at a quiet courtyard on the edge of the market.

This is the temporary residence of the Miaoyin Sect in Tianxing City.

This time, Sect Leader Wang Shuyi personally led a team of elite disciples to Tianxing City on business and stayed here.

At the entrance of the courtyard, two female disciples of the Miaoyin Sect, dressed in plain dresses, stood with swords in hand. They were pretty and both had cultivation levels at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

Upon seeing Fan Jingmei leading an unfamiliar male cultivator, the two exchanged a glance but did not stop her. They simply bowed respectfully and said, "Senior Sister Fan."

Fan Jingmei nodded slightly and led Zhou Yuanjing inside.

After passing through two corridors, you arrive at a spacious and elegant hall.

In the main seat of the hall sat a woman who looked like a woman.

The woman appeared to be around thirty years old, dressed in an elegant palace gown, with her hair piled high, her features exquisite, and her demeanor dignified and gentle yet carrying a hint of authority.

Her appearance was similar to Fan Jingmei's, each with its own merits. While not as strikingly beautiful as the latter, she possessed a composure and tranquility born of years of experience. Even more striking was the spiritual pressure emanating from her—clearly at the early stage of Core Formation!

Zhou Yuan silently evaluated her appearance, then his thoughts shifted, "I wonder just how beautiful her daughter, Fairy Zi Ling, who is hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Chaotic Star Sea, must be?"

this This was naturally Wang Shuyi, the sect leader of the Miaoyin Sect.

(This is the author's expansion based on the original work, not the anime content. In the original work, Fairy Ziling is an orphan whose father died early.)

"Sect Master, this is Senior Zhou."

Fan Jingmei stepped forward and gave a graceful bow, "Senior Zhou has agreed to serve as a guest elder of my Miaoyin Sect."

Wang Shuyi's gaze fell on Zhou Yuan, and after carefully examining him for a moment, she smiled and stood up to greet him: "Fellow Daoist Zhou is truly honored to be willing to accept the position of guest elder of my Miaoyin Sect! Please take a seat."

Zhou Yuan didn't stand on ceremony. After he sat down, Wang Shuyi personally poured him tea. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she tentatively inquired about Zhou Yuan's background.