Miao Yu’s gaze, which had momentarily converged, quickly unfurled once more, akin to ripples on a placid lake.

No longer did she exhibit embarrassment, nor hesitation, nor timid acquiescence. Gone was the air of a small mouse toying with a cat.

A laugh escaped her lips – natural, enchanting, utterly captivating. “Your Highness may be overthinking. That name was merely bestowed by the Building Master; perhaps it holds no special meaning.”

This reply, while avoiding revealing her true identity, also eschewed stiffness. Furthermore, it deftly invoked the Three Points Fragrance Building’s master, making verification impossible – a truly cunning move.

For the first time since their meeting, Huang Jin Mo chuckled. She leaned back, still in her elevated position, yet the imposing aura had lessened. “The Three Points Fragrance Building boasts seven ‘Heaven Fragrances’ and eleven ‘Heart Fragrances.’ Which fragrance are you, and what is your rank?”

Having already revealed a certain attitude, Miao Yu no longer presented herself as a delicate maiden. She even found a seat opposite Huang Jin Mo and, with a charming smile, said, “Dark Moon has not been with the Three Points Fragrance Building for long and does not yet qualify to enter the ranks of Heaven or Heart Fragrance. However, Dark Moon’s visit this time is not for the redemption of the city, but for a matter of great importance. If Your Highness can assist, perhaps Dark Moon might just manage to squeeze into the Heaven Fragrance ranks; it is not impossible.”

“Since the Three Points Fragrance Building values you so little, why not simply remain in the Undying City? This seat shall grant you the position of Commander, on par with Kui Mountain. How about that?”

Kui Mountain was the current Commander of the Sin Guard, a mighty warrior who cultivated the martial dao, and his strength was terrifying. Within the entire Undying City, his status was second only to the Sin Monarch.

Miao Yu’s gaze was captivating. “Dark Moon is deeply grateful for Your Highness’s kindness. Unfortunately, Dark Moon has already pledged allegiance to the Three Points Fragrance Building; otherwise, it would be impossible to refuse.”

She said “impossible to refuse,” yet she refused quite directly.

Huang Jin Mo said lightly, “The Three Points Fragrance Building appears to be a grand enterprise with branches spread across the Five Domains. However, it rose in the Chu Realm, and its headquarters are now in the Southern Domain, entangled far too deeply with the Chu Court. Sooner or later, it shall be devoured whole!”

Miao Yu smiled charmingly. “Previously, I heard that the conference of the Yong, Zhuang, and Luo countries caused quite a stir but ultimately failed to reach a resolution. Miao Yu merely feels that the world is vast, and regardless of East or South, the struggle is hard to halt. The Northern Domain is chaotic, and the Western Realm is also not peaceful. It is still necessary to build more small temples to avoid the breaking of incense and fire.”

Her implied meaning was that the Three Points Fragrance Building’s approach was one that could endure for a long time. Simultaneously, she pointed out that in the so-called four-sided conference, the Undying City was merely a spectator. The true leaders were still the three countries: Yong, Zhuang, and Luo. When the three countries held a conference in the Undying City, you could not even refuse. The Undying City’s ability to maintain its current stability was simply because the three countries were all hesitant, and no one could truly let go and act freely.

Given the disparity in strength and status between them, these words could be considered stepping over the line, yet Huang Jin Mo was not angered. Instead, she looked at Miao Yu with interest. “Apart from the methods of the Three Points Fragrance Building, how else would you teach me, Dark Moon?”

She still referred to her as “Dark Moon,” not Miao Yu, clearly acknowledging Miao Yu’s new identity. And she was inquiring about the Undying City’s strategy for survival.

A character like Huang Jin Mo naturally had her own plans long in advance. It was more accurate to say this was a test rather than a genuine inquiry.

Miao Yu showed no sign of flinching. She was not inherently a gentle, weak woman, but a ruthless and cunning demoness from the evil cult. Her earlier restraint was merely a deliberate act of humility and servility to flatter Huang Jin Mo. Since Huang Jin Mo did not fall for that, what she needed to do now was display her own ability and value.

She smiled calmly and spoke freely. “Under Heaven, there are no methods other than strengthening oneself internally and forming strong alliances externally.”

“Strengthening oneself internally goes without saying; Your Highness has your own views. Focusing solely on external alliances, however, one must also avoid falling into the tiger’s maw and must choose carefully. If one were to align with the powerful Qin, it would be better to simply submit directly. Your Highness also said that my Three Points Fragrance Building is a grand enterprise, but its foundation is not very stable. Precisely what is needed is a strong entity like Your Highness to serve as a hidden aid. If both sides cooperate, how can it not be a perfect win-win situation?”

Huang Jin Mo lightly raised an eyebrow. “How do you believe we should cooperate?”

Miao Yu stood up and bowed at the waist. “Dark Moon’s visit this time is precisely for the matter of establishing a branch building in the Undying City.”

Huang Jin Mo asked knowingly, “The Undying City welcomes anyone. Doing business does not require going through this seat.”

Miao Yu smiled brightly. “Not an ordinary Three Points Fragrance Building, but a fragrance building truly inhabited by powerful cultivators. I wish to establish a core here that controls each branch building in the Western Realm.”

The reason the Three Points Fragrance Building could establish branches everywhere in the world was not because it possessed overwhelming strength, but because almost all of its branch buildings were purely brothels. They only conducted business and did not involve the supernatural. At most, some branch buildings had one or two supernatural cultivators overseeing them, unable to form a true supernatural force that could influence the local power structure.

The vast majority of countries had no reason to refuse the Three Points Fragrance Building’s entry. After all, each Three Points Fragrance Building would bring a considerable and continuous amount of tax revenue to the locality. Furthermore, a Three Points Fragrance Building lacking the ability to protect itself could be treated as fattened meat and swallowed by the local ruler at any time.

Miao Yu’s move, however, was a single stroke that connected each branch building of the Three Points Fragrance Building in the Western Realm, increasing its potential influence. Moreover, it was not difficult to see that after this step was taken, Miao Yu’s ultimate goal would inevitably be to unify them into a true force that held sway locally. Imagine, the Three Points Fragrance Building with branches spread across the world, once truly integrated, what a colossal force would that be?

This kind of ambition, spirit, and scope was astonishing.

From this perspective, throughout the entire Western Realm, there was indeed no more suitable place than the Undying City.

The Three Points Fragrance Building, in its attempt to unify its branch buildings everywhere and transform from pure business establishments towards a force operation, would first face resistance from local regimes. Would the powerful Qin allow such a Three Points Fragrance Building to enter? Naturally, it would. However many supernatural cultivators the Three Points Fragrance Building brought in, the Qin country could absorb that many. It would be akin to sheep entering a tiger’s maw.

Only the Undying City, being powerless to expand itself, had no need to worry about being swallowed. It was also located on neutral ground, with no excessive political risks. Furthermore, the Undying City could also, through the Three Points Fragrance Building’s channels, open up the blockade of the three countries in one move… this was true mutual benefit.

No wonder Miao Yu dared to come directly to the door and seek an audience, no wonder she was so confident!

She not only had far-reaching ideas for the Three Points Fragrance Building, but also saw very clearly the dilemma facing the Undying City.

Huang Jin Mo offered no comment, only asking, “Is this idea set by your Building Master, or is it your own thought?”

“To rise to the ranks of Heaven Fragrance and Heart Fragrance sooner, Dark Moon has been a little bold,” Miao Yu laughed. “Fortunately, the Building Master trusts me greatly and allows me to try freely.”

Huang Jin Mo pondered slightly, then offered a new condition. “Regardless of Heaven Fragrance or Heart Fragrance, ultimately, you depend on others. If you surrender to me, this seat will entrust the future of the Undying City to you. Your Confusing Heart supernatural power is easy to release but difficult to retract, and the Great Dao is hard to achieve. This seat might be able to help you.”

Miao Yu laughed. “For the Undying City, cooperation with the Three Points Fragrance Building is far more important than the person of Dark Moon.”

This was a refusal. But what she said also made sense. No matter how excellent Miao Yu was, without the Three Points Fragrance Building as her backing, she could not help the Undying City open up the situation. Therefore, Huang Jin Mo’s correct choice, of course, was to take the Three Points Fragrance Building and abandon Miao Yu.

And for Miao Yu herself. The fact that branch buildings did not involve the supernatural was the fundamental reason the Three Points Fragrance Building could expand so rapidly without resistance. But up to now, it had also seriously hindered the Three Points Fragrance Building from becoming stronger, expanding further, and lacking the ability to protect itself. Even Huang Jin Mo, sitting in the prison building, could smell the danger hidden within the scent of rouge from the Three Points Fragrance Building.

The Three Points Fragrance Building needed change. And Miao Yu had arrived at just the right time. She might fail, and if she failed, her body would be crushed and her bones broken. But if she succeeded, her influence within the Three Points Fragrance Building would leap above a multitude of Heaven Fragrances and Heart Fragrances, second only to the mysterious Building Master of the Three Points Fragrance Building.

Choosing to surrender to Huang Jin Mo, from the current perspective, was naturally safer and more stable. But only the Three Points Fragrance Building could fulfill Miao Yu’s arrangements for the future. Or, to put it another way, only by holding the Three Points Fragrance Building in her hands could she have the confidence to contend against Zhang Lin Chuan and the Unborn Cult in the future. While Sin Monarch Huang Jin Mo was strong, from the current perspective, the Undying City’s potential was far less than that of the Unborn Cult.

And because of the dao fruit connection, Zhang Lin Chuan would never let her go. From the very beginning, she was very clear that she could hide for a while, but not for a lifetime. So she would face it.

Just like in the beginning, that little girl among the fierce beasts. She chose to wipe away her tears and pick up the dagger.