9 Chapter 9
The audience was still immersed in the various funny performances before and hadn't come back to their senses. Seeing the clear close-up of Liu Pianpian on the big screen, some people laughed and muttered, "Strange, why didn't this woman cover her face?"
If Ning Shu could hear it, she would definitely answer as if it was a matter of course: "Because the previous ones were all passers-by who would never debut, of course they are different from the seeded players I have my eyes on!"
At this time, Liu Pianpian was standing at the entrance of the stage, listening to the host reading out her name loudly not far away. Even though she was as confident as she was, she couldn't help feeling a little nervous.
In fact, as the most popular courtesan in the city that never sleeps, she has performed this kind of dance performance in front of a large audience countless times. Even many of those masters who practice Taoism are her regular customers. However, when she thinks that this performance will determine her own fate, she still can't remain calm.
In fact, the madam of Yuanyang Pavilion was not willing to give up her cash cow. Compared with the courtesan who could bring her huge profits, the greedy woman would rather try her luck with those unknown little girls.
"Pianpian, it's not that your mother doesn't love you. If you were a few years younger, you would have been allowed to go if you wanted to." In the boudoir, the flamboyant madam showed a fake smile and said something that seemed to be thinking about her:
"Look at those adults who cultivate immortality. Which one of them didn't join a sect in their teens? You're already twenty-five now. Even if you sign up, how can you compete with those young girls?"
Yes, I'm already 25 years old, long past the age of daydreaming, I know all this. Liu Pianpian lowered her head, clenched her hands under her sleeves, pursed her lips and said nothing.
Seeing that Liu Pianpian remained silent, the madam thought she had convinced her, so she seized the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot: "Why not let those little girls go? If they don't make it, then forget it. But if one of them is lucky enough to be selected, Mom will give you the anti-aging pill!"
At this point, the madam's eyes lit up with excitement, and her plump hands gently stroked Liu Pianpian's fair and beautiful face: "Pianpian, by then, you will have the secret to maintaining your youthful appearance. You will always be the most glorious courtesan in our Yuanyang Pavilion, and no one will be able to surpass you!"
Oh, you say it as if you're thinking of me, but in reality, aren't you just hoping that I can earn money for you for a few more decades? Liu Pianpian didn't show her inner sneer on her face, lowered her head, and subtly avoided the madam's hand:
"Mother Wang, I've seen the Hehuan Sect's notice. Their age limit is thirty. I can still sign up."
"You kid! Why are you so stubborn!" The madam saw that Liu Pianpian was not getting along, and her eyes turned into a ferocious expression on her loving face:
"I'm telling you, I bought you! As long as your indenture is in my hands, you'll be a member of Yuanyang Pavilion in life and a dead member of our Yuanyang Pavilion in death! Do you think you can kick me away and go cultivate? You're dreaming!"
"Indenture..." Even facing the stern words of the madam, Liu Pianpian, she showed no special emotion. She lowered her head and remained silent for a while. Finally, she took a deep breath and raised her head: "What if I can redeem myself?"
"Redeem yourself?" The madam sneered, as if she was certain that Liu Pianpian couldn't do it. "That's not cheap. Where did you catch that rich husband?"
You have to know that Yuanyang Pavilion is not a place that ordinary mortals can afford to visit. People coming and going are all cultivators from all walks of life. Those immortals who claim to be noble have always looked down on mortals like them. How could they spend a huge price to redeem someone?
Liu Pianpian's hands were clenched under her sleeves until the veins popped out. She clenched her teeth tightly as if she had made a great determination. After a long while, she finally uttered a few words from between her teeth: "I myself.
I redeem myself.
Yesterday I contacted the household registration officials in the City That Never Sleeps, and I've already paid the full amount. They'll be here soon."
There are no laws in a city like the City That Never Sleeps. All rules are subject to the will of the immortal cultivators above. If the Hehuan Sect says that the brothel girls can redeem themselves, then no brothel dares to say no.
But it is easier said than done, and there are very few women who can save enough money on their own.
The atmosphere in the room stagnated for a moment. The madam, having regained her composure, sneered, "Are you spending all the little money you've saved over the years? Haven't you considered your future after being eliminated? I think you've really lost your mind!"
Yes, she had lost her mind. She didn't want to stay in this hellish place any longer. She wanted to stand out, to become one of those high-ranking immortal cultivators. Even if her hope was slim and she had to cut off her own path, she still wanted to give it a try.
She was actually very vague about what happened afterwards. She didn't remember how she signed the document with the official, nor did she remember how she walked out of Yuanyang Pavilion alone amid the cold eyes of others and the ridicule of the madam. When she came to her senses, she was already standing at the registration entrance of the Hehuan Sect.
The place was packed with people. Everywhere you looked, you could see young and lively girls with innocent longings on their young faces, which was completely different from the vicissitudes of life she had experienced.
Her head, which had been heated ever since she heard about the opportunity to cultivate immortality, finally calmed down and realized what she had done. Her heavily made-up face showed an unconcealable paleness.
"Are you here to sign up too?" A young woman sitting at the table spoke with a cold demeanor, revealing a sense of inner confidence and arrogance. "Go to the back and line up."
...There's... no way back.
She took a deep breath and walked to the end of the line under everyone's curious gazes.
Liu Pianpian came back to her senses from her memories, bit her lips, suppressed the trembling of her body, and slowly walked from the backstage to the center of the stage.
When she passed by the Immortal Stairs, she tilted her head slightly. More than a hundred contestants had entered before her, but none of them were favored by the immortals and successfully sat on it.
The path to immortality is indeed much more difficult than I imagined. I've already offended the biggest brothel madam in Never-Sleeping City just to get here. If I'm not chosen later...
The confidence and courage that she had been holding on to for a long time were shattered in a few steps. When she stood on the stage with flashing lights, Liu Pianpian began to regret it. When the immortals sitting on the judges' bench saw her, there was a look of surprise on their faces. Liu Pianpian felt that they must think that she was ungrateful for daring to sign up at such an old age.
The fists clenched at her sides trembled slightly, and her mind went blank.
"Eh? Isn't this person..." Zixiao lost in memory as she looked at the person standing in the center of the stage. After a few seconds, she whispered in surprise, "Isn't this the courtesan? She's really here?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Xuan looked up at the contestant and said, "Oiran?" Then, somewhat surprised, she added, "She looks to be in her twenties, right? She seems like a very courageous girl."
Ning Shu felt something was wrong when he saw Liu Pianpian standing in the center of the stage. This person was too nervous now. If he performed directly, he would most likely be eliminated.
Not only the judges, but also some of the audience outside the screen gradually recognized the person in the center of the stage.
"This person looks a little familiar..."
"Isn't this the so-and-so? The one dancing on the flower boat in Yuanyang Pavilion!"
"I think her name is Liu Pianpian? Why is she here?"
"She's a woman too, and the Oiran and Huan Zong are such a good match. Why can't she come?"
"Oh, I mean, she's already in her twenties, this..."
The best time to cultivate immortality is when children begin to learn. Children have pure minds, and with proper techniques and guidance, they can make rapid progress. This is why there are so many talented people in immortal cultivation families and sects.
However, most people do not have this condition, so it is okay to go to a sect to become a disciple when you are fourteen or fifteen years old. As long as your talent and understanding are good enough, and you have the guidance of a master, you may not be inferior to those "second-generation immortals".
But in their twenties, the bones have been formed, and the minds of adults are also complicated. Unless they are really gifted, most people find it difficult to even perform the basic task of drawing Qi into the body.
"What's going on? Why did the Hehuan Sect let her in?"
"Don't they set some criteria for enrollment?"
In the audience, people were talking about it.
Ning Shu, who went against the crowd and raised the age when setting the standard: Haha, of course the entertainment industry needs a hundred flowers to bloom. It would be too monotonous if it were all teenagers!
She looked at Liu Pianpian, who seemed to be almost forgetting to breathe on the stage, and asked a few routine questions with a smile.
"Could you please briefly introduce yourself?"
“…”
"Are there any dances you're good at?"
“…”
Seeing that this rising star was about to fail due to stage fright, Ning Shu could only take a deep breath, mobilize the little spiritual power in his body and shout in a deep voice: "Liu Pianpian, why did you come here?"
This question suddenly brought Liu Pianpian's already chaotic mind back to consciousness. Looking at the brightly lit studio in front of her, she subconsciously asked herself: "Why did I come here?"
Because all my life I have been nothing but a plaything that is not worthy of being on the stage.
Because I dance until my toes bleed every day but I don’t get any appreciation from the guests.
Because I also want to live a respected life like those immortal cultivators.
"Because... because I'm unwilling to accept it."
We are all the same people. I am unwilling to live like an ant, unwilling to be trampled into the dirt, unwilling to live my life in such a depressed way, and unwilling to accept my fate.
So here I am, giving it my all.
"Yes, you have the eyes of an immortal cultivator." Ning Shu smiled encouragingly at the aspiring Liu Pianpian. "Then put all your life's learning into practice. The hardships you once endured are now the steps leading to your immortal path."
She extended her right hand and made an inviting gesture to the person in the center of the stage: "Please start your performance."
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