Three days later, Xue Han kept his promise and set off with Tao Mian for the Demonic Realm.
After three days of travel, Tao Mian was in a sorry state, feeling dizzy during the day and vomiting at night. Fortunately, his physical condition was decent; otherwise, he would have had to lie in the Xue residence for seven days before being able to travel.
Seeing Tao Mian, who was now pale and much thinner, unable to fill out his clothes, Xue Han, heartless as ever, was quite satisfied, tapping his palm with a folded fan.
"Not bad, this is exactly the kind of weary state I wanted."
Tao Mian rolled his eyes weakly at him.
The Soul Return incense was truly effective; apart from his simple outer robe, there was hardly anything left about Tao Mian that resembled an Immortal.
Xue Han instructed him to change clothes, shedding the dispirited attire.
"This is... ethereal elegance..."
Tao Mian weakly defended himself, allowing the maids of the residence to dress him in a purple brocade robe.
Xue Han scrutinized his face.
"Though you're not well-known in the Demonic Realm, just in case, should we change your appearance?"
"I don't know how to disguise myself."
Tao Mian replied with confidence.
"You don't know that either? What have you been learning these thousand years?" Xue Han's tone turned sarcastic as they left the room. He clapped his hands, and someone brought over a small carved box.
"What is this?"
"Snow paste for altering appearances."
"...It itches when applied."
"..."
Nothing seems to work.
Xue Han was exasperated.
"Then wear a mask. It's inconvenient, but better than nothing."
So Tao Mian donned a plain, moon-white mask.
The two boarded a spacious carriage, the driver wearing a black bamboo hat, obscuring his face.
Tao Mian and Xue Han entered one after the other.
The interior was roomy; Shopkeeper Xue was a man of taste. The carriage not only transported people but also allowed for tea drinking, reading, and playing games inside.
Tao Mian took the opportunity to eat and replenish his strength while traveling. Xue Han leisurely sipped tea across from him.
Once Little Tao Immortal had regained half of his energy, he began to inquire about their plans for the trip.
Whenever it came to serious matters, Xue Han could temporarily act like a normal person.
He explained that they were heading to a place in the Demonic Realm reserved for the trading of the wealthy and powerful, called the "Thousand Lantern Tower."
The Thousand Lantern Tower had nine floors, each dealing in goods of different grades and qualities. Guests would go to the corresponding floor to participate in the "Lantern Auction."
The Lantern Auction involved attendants standing on a central platform on each floor, displaying items to guests and announcing starting prices. Lanterns of uniform size and shape hung before each booth, and those interested in bidding would light a lantern. The number of lanterns lit correlated with the price, and the highest bidder would win the item.
Tao Mian nodded after hearing Xue Han's explanation. The auction rules of the Thousand Lantern Tower were not difficult to understand.
"The Henggong Fish fat you need is among the items in the next auction round. Although rare, it only cures one disease, so the guests aren't very interested. I've heard it's been listed in the Thousand Lantern Tower for over two months without a buyer. When I discreetly inquired with the manager, he assured me that if you're interested, it's as easy as reaching into a bag."
Xue Han narrated unhurriedly, while Tao Mian remained silent.
Until he heard the phrase "as easy as reaching into a bag," his motion of chewing snacks slowed.
"What's wrong, do you have a premonition?"
Xue Han keenly noticed his subtle change.
Tao Mian wanted to say he had a vague feeling that Xue Han's words just now had set several flags against them.
But he wasn't so blunt.
"Better to be cautious."
The Thousand Lantern Tower was located in the southwest of the Demonic Realm, in a small city called Moon Hill. Though not large, Moon Hill was quite prosperous, a place for the Demonic Realm's inhabitants to enjoy themselves, with no daylight, only endless decadent nights.
The carriage crossed the boundary between the human world and the Demonic Realm, and the two originally sleek and strong horses suddenly shed their flesh, leaving only skeletal frames, raising their heads to neigh loudly. The driver cracked the whip, and the rushing wind lifted the black veil of his hat, revealing a charred black profile, with a hollow socket where an eye should have been.
Inside the carriage, Tao Mian frowned. The Soul Return could only conceal his aura, but his sensitivity to evil energy was undiminished, making him clearly uncomfortable.
Xue Han handed him a sachet, instructing him to tuck it inside his clothes, evidently prepared.
Their destination was clear, so they reached the Thousand Lantern Tower at Moon Hill in the shortest time possible.
Xue Han told Tao Mian to secure his mask and reminded him to speak as little as possible and stay close behind him.
Tao Mian's assumed identity this time was as Shopkeeper Xue's attendant.
The two disembarked from the carriage, and through the mask, Tao Mian beheld the opulence and grandeur of the Thousand Lantern Tower.
Lanterns illuminated the azure clouds, and guests filled the high tower.
The sound of silk and bamboo music filled the air, mingling with subtle fragrances and a throng of people.
If not for the bizarre appearances of the surrounding "people," with their unusually large and muscular or small and thin forms, and various ears and tails, Tao Mian might have thought he had wandered into a bustling capital city of the human world.
The auction had not yet begun, and a short "child" was welcoming guests at the entrance.
The "child" was peculiar, with wrinkled skin suggesting advanced age, yet wearing a "big-headed doll" headpiece similar to those worn by street performers during the New Year, shiny and with a stiff, fixed smile.
Tao Mian squinted to examine it closely, realizing it was more than just a headpiece, as its eyebrows and eyelids moved slightly.
Perhaps it was a type of demon from the Demonic Realm.
The big-headed doll greeted each guest with a bow and a smile, warmly inviting them to enter. Its oversized head seemed to obstruct its view, requiring it to turn its body to see people and things in certain directions.
As it turned, it spotted Xue Han and Tao Mian by the carriage.
"Oh—Shopkeeper Xue, what an honor to have you here!"
The big-headed doll shook its head, eagerly approaching, rubbing its hands and smiling at Xue Han.
Up close, Tao Mian found the big head quite striking, too human-like yet clearly not human.
Xue Han responded familiarly.
"Manager Meng, how's business lately?"
Manager Meng bowed repeatedly, exchanging pleasantries.
"Not too bad, thanks to esteemed guests like Shopkeeper Xue..."
His head turned left, looking at the silent Tao Mian.
"And this is..."
Xue Han instinctively stepped forward, partially blocking him.
"Just an attendant, no need to mind."
"Ah—alright."
Manager Meng hesitated, as if sensing something amiss, but held back from speaking.
If he didn't say it, someone else would.
"Shopkeeper Xue usually brings elegant ladies to the auction. Why the change today?"
A young male voice sounded from behind them, carrying an inexplicable hint of provocation and malice.
Tao Mian frowned and turned, seeing a tall, elegantly dressed young man standing not far away, hands behind his back, smiling at him.
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"Oh, wearing a mask, all mysterious. Without revealing your identity, you can't enter the tower, right, Manager Meng? I haven't forgotten the rules of the Thousand Lantern Tower, have I?"
"This..."
Manager Meng rubbed his hands repeatedly, and if his big head could sweat, it would likely be drenched by now.
The young man's smile deepened.
"Rules can't be broken. Shopkeeper Xue, have your companion remove the mask."