Several days of being treated like honored guests passed quickly. It truly was fun for both Yan Zaizen and Wu Yuanxu. They pretty much blazed every top-tier location in the city. They dined like kings, drank like immortals, saw grand sights that resembled paradise on earth, and even enjoyed the company of attractive women.
Of course, Yan Zaizen didn't indulge in any intimate relations, but he enjoyed their company as he drank, ate, and told stories of his adventures with some embellishments. They also laughed at his jokes which made him feel proud. He even tried feeling the bodies of one or two of them after recalling how Bai Lufeng and Tao would often grope about. Surprisingly, these women accepted such invasion with coquettish smiles and laughs.
It truly invigorated one's manhood. While Yan Zaizen could resist, the newly reborn Wu Yuanxu could not. In truth, each of the women offered were trained in sexual arts and proficient at dual cultivation with their qi cultivation bases being, at the minimum, in the Origin Core Realm.
This shocked him even further. If you went to Sky Night Royal City or Sky Heart City, the women there who did such services would all be at the Essence Formation Realm. This was quite a sight to see. After quite a bit of fun and relaxation, Wu Jin arrived in Yan Zaizen's spaciously elegant and extravagant room.
He brought news and Yan Zaizen's expression was solemn after hearing it. He informed Yan Zaizen of their earlier adventures with the Heretical Lightning Skyship such as Bai Lufeng's splurge of wealth and Tao's challenges, their arrival in Clear Divine City, and the news afterwards.
"Tao and Bai Lufeng were both hunted by a mid-True Essence expert but escaped while killing even an initial-True Essence expert. They then offended another power. Bounties were placed on their heads, and they went into hiding for a year. Subsequently, they arrived at Clear Divine City. Bai Lufeng was sighted here and there, but seemed to have suddenly vanished...while Tao was currently at Broad Creed Palace after losing a contest of wit and intellect." He repeated to himself in a silent mumble.
He could scarcely believe it. It was pretty much impossible for Tao to lose a match of intellect! As for everything else, he expected at least this much. The death of the True Essence expert likely had to do with his spiritual sense activation.
He furrowed his brows in contemplation. Bai Lufeng suddenly vanishing could be due to the mid-True Essence expert capturing him, but if that happened, Bai Lufeng would just bargain for his life after sending Yan Zaizen a transmission. However, he received nothing.
He was also suspicious of Tao's circumstance as well. If he lost, no matter what, he should've sent him a message. I mean, he was waiting, not dead. A simple message was just a crush away. Not to mention, despite him sending both of them messages, there was no response.
The circumstances of their disappearance must be special. He genuinely suffered a headache as he softly chuckled. They were always like this, getting into trouble and offending people. For example, Tao in Sky Heart City or Bai Lufeng as they traveled to Sky Night Royal City. They both enjoyed his backing and the safety it represented so they would be arrogant to the heavens.
In truth, one originally had a peak powerhouse for a master, and the other had an Imperial Commander backing him. Despite Bai Lufeng's moral compass being relatively decent, he was still incomparably mischievous and liked to see the world in chaos. Tao argued against an entire country's policies and was sent to his death. How could he expect anything else?
"Any clues on Bai Lufeng's whereabouts?" Yan Zaizen asked Wu Jin. Shockingly, Wu Jin was a little perturbed by the question, his eyes showing faint traces of hesitation but then helplessness.
"Yes, Lord Zai. Individuals saw him flying towards an area. I did a little more digging and gained some news. It seems...it's highly possible that Bai Lufeng was captured by the White Crane Sect." He explained.
"White Crane Sect?" He recalled Guàn Cui and the others he met in the Asura Phantom Realm. "Why would the White Crane Sect capture him?" However, after asking that question, he felt like he had an idea. What if Bai Lufeng had a forbidden affair with a member and was thus captured? Maybe...he was to be married! Thinking about it, he chuckled inwardly remembering his own circumstance in the Ying Clan.
"It's...possible that he was obtained to be a part of a harem. A Yang Harem." Wu Jin's expression was solemn. As for Yan Zaizen, his eyes flickered. A harem?
Seeing Yan Zaizen not comprehending the gravity of the situation, he explained further, "A Yang Harem is not what you think. It is comprised of a group of unfortunate men who have their primal yang forcefully extracted for the purpose of strengthening another's body and soul...typically a female...till death."
"..." Yan Zaizen was silent. With a swipe of his hand, Bai Lufeng's life talisman appeared in his hand. As a soul cultivator who was a part of the Anima Syndicate, how could he not know the severity of having your primal yang extracted and the benefits it has for men and women. Especially to women.
"White Crane Sect?" He inquired.
"...Yes." Wu Jin responded.
"Heavenly-tier force?"
"Yes."
"How sure are you?"
"...95%. Our information network is one of the most accurate in the entire realm. After all, Wu Clan is a heavenly-tier force." Wu Jin explained, feeling somewhat conflicted. His orders were to please Yan Zaizen, not inform him of his friend's hopeless fate.
Yan Zaizen's eyes flickered, "Who?"
"With the Xiantu Trial nearby, likely one of the young geniuses in the White Crane Sect. As for someone capable of accumulating the reports I've seen...likely Guàn Yao, one of the three most talented women the entire Clear Divine City and disciple of the Sect Master. Despite her secrecy, it's impossible to leave no trail."
"..." Yan Zaizen was oddly silent. After an extremely long pause, "How long do you think he has?"
"...After being taken for nearly 3 months, unlikely he'll last another week if they're extracting properly." One could tell that Wu Jin was knowledgeable about this practice. In truth, many were. Even the Water Veil Sect employs this method. Many enemy forces would be subjected to this cruel fate. It was a common practice, especially amongst female-focused forces.
"Understood. Thanks for your hospitality." With that, he rose from his seat and walked towards the door.
"Wait! Lord Zai, what are you planning on doing?" He anxiously inquired, unwilling to see Yan Zaizen do anything rash. However, he felt his heart tremble as he gazed at Yan Zaizen's powerful back.
With a voice filled with imperialistic dominance, he spoke with extraordinary presence, "Take care of Wu Yuanxu. I'll be leaving for a bit."
With that, he left.