Da Li Dynasty, Lin'an County, Chuzhou.
The county's population is in the hundreds of thousands, prosperous and wealthy.
At dusk, on the main road of the city, there is a constant stream of people and vehicles.
Among the bustling crowd, there is a teenager leading a white horse.
The teenager is about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in white, clean from head to toe, with an extraordinary grace.
Many passersby cast glances his way.
"So handsome." A woman sitting on a carriage gazes at the young man in white.
The man walks forward at his own pace, not too fast. He stops in front of a building, looks up at the sign which reads "Drunken Dream Tower" in three large characters.
"Bah, turns out he's just a philanderer." The woman spits before turning away, not looking again.
"Young master, come in for some fun?" Laughter is heard from inside the Drunken Dream Tower, with many beautiful women gazing at the young man in white.
Their enthusiasm makes the teenager a bit bashful, his cheeks slightly red as he walks inside.
Once inside, he is captivated by the 'scenery' before him.
At the center of the spacious hall, a group of women in sheer clothes are dancing gracefully, their figures are extremely seductive, with revealing skirts that are particularly alluring.
All around are many 'men of letters and elegance,' drinking while admiring the 'sights,' accompanied by women.
There are also several floors above with numerous private rooms.
Many women gather around, looking at the teenager, laughter echoing continuously.
"What is your family name, young master?"
"Li." Surrounded by a group of women, the teenager is even more shy, causing laughter to ripple around.
"Is it your first time here, young master?"
"Yes." Li Fan nods somewhat bashfully, making the women's eyes brighten, with even one woman coming directly forward to hold his arm, pressing close to him.
"May I accompany you for a chat, young master? No charge at all."
Feeling the soft touch on his arm, Li Fan's face turns even redder. The sisters here are really enthusiastic.
Another woman steps forward, pulling Li Fan, saying, "I excel at playing the flute, would you like to hear a tune, young master? No charge at all."
"A bunch of floozies, can't move when seeing a handsome guy, all of you clear out." A scolding voice is heard, and a plump woman shoos everyone away, saying to Li Fan, "I'm the 'Madame' here, you can call me Wang Mama. What does Mr. Li wish to enjoy?"
She looks Li Fan up and down; this appearance and temperament clearly show he is some young master from a noble family, perhaps strictly managed at home and wants to find some amusement?
Li Fan's gaze sweeps through the brothel, many girls glance his way, winking at him.
Soon, Li Fan's gaze lands on a woman upstairs. He extends his finger, pointing to her and asks softly, "Is that young lady free tonight?"
The surrounding women look up, seeing the woman Li Fan is pointing at.
"Oh... no wonder you're not interested in us, you're here for Miss Shiyu. Madame, let's go elsewhere." The women nearby pout and then scatter away.
"Mr. Li has a good eye, Miss Shiyu is the most beautiful girl in our Drunken Dream Tower, it's usually hard for customers to even meet her. Miss Shiyu's skills in zither..." Wang Mama babbles on.
But then Li Fan reaches into his coat and pulls out a piece of jade, translucent and shining even more under the lamp light, causing Wang Mama's voice to grow lower and finally fall silent, staring fixedly at the jade, reaching out her plump hand to grab it.
Li Fan moves his hand away, Wang Mama lurching forward from using too much force. Li Fan slightly bows his head, softly saying, "Wang Mama, is Miss Shiyu available today?"
"Yes, yes..." Wang Mama's eyes remain fixed on the jade, then she calls upstairs, "Shiyu, mama is bringing Mr. Li up."
The woman upstairs glances down at Li Fan, slightly bows, nods towards him, and then turns into the room.
Li Fan enters the room; Wang Mama closes the door with a smile, saying, "Shiyu, take good care of Mr. Li."
With the door closed, Li Fan looks around the room, which is very elegantly arranged. In front of him is a curtain, through which he can see the faint figure of a woman gently playing the zither, the music melodic and pleasant.
"Miss Shiyu, may I come in?" Li Fan says softly.
The music stops abruptly, and a woman's voice comes from within, coquettishly saying, "Please come in, Mr. Li."
Li Fan pushes aside the curtain, seeing a woman in a blue sheer long dress playing the zither, the attire outlining her graceful curves, shyly saying: "Would you like me to assist you in a bath, Mr. Li?"
The woman looks up at Li Fan, seeing his handsome appearance, her eyes sparkle slightly.
"No need." Li Fan shakes his head, softly saying, "I want it done quickly."
"In quite a hurry, are you, young master?" Shiyu's voice is soft and coquettish, as she rises to approach Li Fan, saying, "Shall I help you undress, young master?"
"Perhaps you should start first." Li Fan says.
"Ah?" Shiyu is startled, then turns her back to Li Fan, saying, "Young master, you..."
"Does Miss Shiyu need help?" Li Fan asks in a low voice.
The woman seems to have never encountered such a guest, stepping lightly to sit on the bed, back facing Li Fan, gently saying, "At your discretion, young master."
"Alright." Li Fan nods gently, deciding to proceed unreservedly.
Li Fan steps forward, extending his hand to rest on Shiyu's shoulder; Shiyu's fragile body seems to tremble slightly as Li Fan's hand slides down, from her neck to her chest, the touch smooth as silk.
The woman slightly tilts her head back, her gaze a bit misty, softly seductive: "Mr. Li..."
Li Fan's left hand presses on her lips, while his right hand gently undoes the garments, exploring inside, Shiyu's lips parting slightly, exhaling a breath that wafts into Li Fan's nose.
"Do you know, young master, beautiful women are always dangerous," Shiyu softly says.
"Hmm." Li Fan nods slightly, his right hand suddenly exerting strength, causing Shiyu's body to tremble violently; Li Fan's left hand covers her mouth.
Upon releasing his hand, Shiyu gasps sharply, eyes wide staring at Li Fan, who smiles gently and says, "Handsome men can be dangerous too."
Saying so, Li Fan's arm jerks forcefully, yanking a black centipede demon out from Shiyu's body, his hand now gripping a semi-transparent black bead, which is the Demon Core.
The centipede demon's body struggles fiercely, causing the bed to creak.
Li Fan holds firm to the Demon Core, tearing it from the demon's body, which then convulses several times before becoming still.
The Demon Core is small, with black gas swirling around it; Li Fan's hand emits a faint golden glow, dispelling the black energy, then he stores it away.
The Demon Core can be used for cultivation.
Looking at the fainted woman beside him, Li Fan softly says, "Don't blame me, miss, I can only help you shed this skin."
With that, he turns and leaves the room, casually closing the door behind him.
"Mr. Li, finished so quickly?" Wang Mama sees how quickly Li Fan came out, smiling as she observes him. There was quite a commotion, but seemed like all show and no substance.
Li Fan, a bit embarrassed, lowers his head, whispering, "Indeed, it was a bit quick."
"No worries, just come by often to practice." Wang Mama grins, escorting Li Fan out.
As she sends off Li Fan, Wang Mama returns smiling, taking out the jade, only to see its luster dwindling, changing her expression.
"Curse that filthy mongrel, go chase him back at once." Wang Mama angrily shouts, then rushes upstairs, yelling, "Shiyu, we've been deceived..."
She pushes open the door, stunned, seeing a body on the floor. She screams, dropping the jade, which shatters into pieces.
Leaving the Drunken Dream Tower, Li Fan walks along with the white horse, looking up, his pupils turning golden.
Above the sky of Lin'an County, black mist swirls like forming claws, demon energy surging, attempting to shroud the entire city.
With a kick, Li Fan leaps onto the horse's back, the sound of hooves clatters, speeding away.
Passersby turn to watch the young man on the horse, as the setting sun casts its rays, falling on his white attire like a mantle of rosy light, reminiscent of a stallion illuminated by a silver saddle, galloping like a shooting star.