A Medley of Dragons and Fish

The hall was elegantly adorned, furnished with chairs, cushions, tea tables, fruits, and pastries, and already teeming with dozens of people. As Yang Fan cast a casual glance, he noticed that all two or three dozen individuals present were practitioners of cultivation, representing a diverse mix of ages, genders, and professions, from monks to Daoists, scattered throughout the hall like a chaotic blend of fish and dragons. To the untrained eye, one might easily mistake this gathering for a meeting of the martial world.

However, Yang Fan was certain that each individual here was a cultivator, all at the Qi Refinement stage, ranging from early to peak perfection. 

"Dear friend, please make yourself comfortable; we will escort you to the 'Xiu Yu Pavilion' this evening," said a middle-aged man with a clay-like face, a smile gracing his lips. 

Nodding in acknowledgment, Yang Fan entered the hall with an air of calm under the scrutiny of many curious eyes. After all, he was a once-prominent genius of cultivation and a formidable presence in the Spirit Gathering stage, unperturbed by this modest scene.

Scanning the room, Yang Fan noted the absence of any members from the Yang family of Nanling, which allowed a sigh of relief to escape him. He casually found a cushion and settled down. In the hall, he refrained from practicing the **Xian Hong Jue** technique, instead allowing his mind to drift into the **Xian Hong Space**.

Each time he entered the **Xian Hong Space**, Yang Fan found that he needed to immerse at least half of his consciousness into it.

---

**Xian Hong Space**

Yang Fan appeared in a warehouse where some items were stacked, most notably a green brick-like mid-grade spiritual artifact. Stepping out of the warehouse, he found himself on a patch of green land, a gentle stream flowing through it, imbuing him with a sense of life's tenacity. 

Gazing at the desolate, deathly black earth surrounding him, which emanated a terrifying aura, Yang Fan felt as if he were a resilient cactus thriving in a desert, indifferent to the tribulations around him. 

Unbeknownst to him, the life mist within him flowed from his feet into the verdant earth beneath him. In an instant, he felt himself transform into a towering tree, roots plunging deep into the soil, drawing nourishment from the land while enriching it further in return. 

After some time, Yang Fan withdrew from this state, sensing a profound connection with the green land beneath him. Exhaling softly, he suddenly noticed the green expanse had expanded. Previously, it had been roughly two square meters; now it stretched to about four. 

An odd feeling washed over him, as if the green land beneath his feet were his own territory. As it grew, so did his influence within the **Xian Hong Space**. 

A sudden question popped into Yang Fan's mind. He glanced at the small dog next to the warehouse and asked, "Whose is the **Xian Hong Space**?"

What kind of entity is the **Xian Hong Space**, and does it possess a master of its own? After successfully recognizing the **Xian Hong Ring** for the first time, Yang Fan had believed this space to be solely his, effectively making it his private domain. However, after witnessing the land's expansion, he began to sense something unusual about it.

"In response to the master, the **Xian Hong Space** is an extraordinarily unique existence. What you see is merely its facade. This space does not belong to anyone. Aside from you, there are other indigenous pioneers. However, this space is vast beyond measure, extending as far as the entire cosmic universe... thus, the master has yet to encounter other pioneers," the small dog explained.

"What about the **Xian Hong Ring** in my hand?" Yang Fan queried, perplexed.

"The **Xian Hong Ring** serves as a bridge connecting the material space and the **Xian Hong Space**, and it is the only one of its kind in the world. As for any other effects, I cannot say," the dog replied, answering all questions earnestly. 

Then, recalling something, it added, "Currently, master is at **Xian Hong Level 1**, and the green land experiences a fourfold acceleration of time. Through the **Xian Hong Ring**, you can bring one person from the material space here to assist you in managing your territory. However, that individual must harbor no thoughts of resistance to be brought here; this is the limit of what the **Xian Hong Ring** can achieve at this stage."

Yang Fan glanced at the small patch of green land beneath him and scoffed, "Never mind; such a tiny place doesn't need assistance."

"Hmm, with a fourfold time acceleration now... if it could become tenfold or even a hundredfold, wouldn't that allow for the mass cultivation of heavenly treasures?" Yang Fan pondered, recognizing the green land's extraordinary nature.

He had discerned a clear connection between the land's size and his growth in cultivation. After lingering in the **Xian Hong Space** for a moment longer and checking on the flourishing five-hundred-year-old white jade ginseng, Yang Fan smiled.

"Excuse me, young sir, are you also planning to go to the 'Xiu Yu Pavilion'?" A girl of about fifteen or sixteen approached him timidly. 

Yang Fan opened his eyes, pulling back half of his consciousness and awareness from the **Xian Hong Space**. He assessed the young girl, noticing her simple attire and delicate features; she was also a Qi Refinement practitioner.

"Indeed, I suspect everyone here intends to go to the 'Xiu Yu Pavilion,'" he replied with a smile.

Despite having subtly altered his facial muscles with the **Transformation Technique**, his strikingly handsome appearance still shone through. Coupled with an almost imperceptible warm aura, it was enough to elicit favorable feelings from others. In this respect, he bore a striking resemblance to the mysterious "Yun Xianzi," whose presence naturally exuded an inviting charm.

Yet, Yang Fan chose to remain low-key, deliberately suppressing this aura. Still, as long as he remained at the Qi Refinement stage, this approachable aura could not be entirely concealed.

"My name is Zhao Xue. May I ask for your surname, young sir? What do you intend to exchange at the 'Xiu Yu Pavilion'?" The girl inquired, a hint of shyness in her tone, as it was she who had initiated the conversation.

Seeing her direct inquiry into his personal affairs, Yang Fan frowned slightly but bore no malice, responding, "My surname is Yang. I plan to trade some medicinal herbs and alchemical materials at the 'Xiu Yu Pavilion.'"

"Is young Master Yang a pharmacist or alchemist?" Zhao Xue's eyes sparkled with curiosity and surprise.

Pharmacists and alchemists were rare in the cultivation world and held an esteemed status.

"Indeed, I am a novice pharmacist," Yang Fan replied with a faint smile, exuding a gentle aura that naturally endeared him to others.

Zhao Xue paused for a moment, her face flushing as her heart raced. She dared not meet Yang Fan's gaze and softly murmured, "I don't have any medicinal materials, so I cannot trade with you."

With that, she turned to leave.

"Wait! If you have items for trade, why not consider going to the 'Xiu Yu Pavilion'? There are many more cultivators there, offering a greater selection," Yang Fan queried, perplexed.

"Is this your first time here, young sir? Traveling by this channel to the 'Xiu Yu Pavilion' costs one low-grade spirit stone, and the return journey costs another. In total, that's two spirit stones. If one can trade in advance here, it's the best option," Zhao Xue explained, casting a furtive glance at him before departing.

"Ah, this girl is quite the shrewd one; it seems she's trying to save two spirit stones..." Yang Fan mused, a smile playing on his lips as he watched Zhao Xue leave.

Nevertheless, a peculiar feeling lingered in his heart. After cultivating the **Xian Hong Jue**, his personal charisma had significantly increased, becoming an irresistible allure to the opposite sex. 

Within this brief moment, Yang Fan caught sight of two female cultivators casting flirtatious glances his way, one of whom was an older woman with a half-playful smile that glimmered with an enticing charm. 

"Uh..." Yang Fan felt a wave of discomfort wash over him and quickly shifted his gaze elsewhere.

At that moment, more cultivators entered the hall, among them a stout monk with a round face and prominent ears, who exclaimed, "When are we leaving for the 'Xiu Yu Pavilion'? I can't wait any longer!" 

Suddenly, a strange silence enveloped the hall as all eyes turned towards the rotund monk.