Blessed with Heirs: My Harem Made Me Invincible

Chapter 2 How Dare You Force Innocents Into This Life?

In his old world, the practice of using chastity seals had long been lost in Aelondor.

Yet here, in this strange new realm, the tradition lived on.

Ethan Lockwood was dying to ask the madam about these mysterious seals, but remembering his purpose, he bit back the question.

This was undoubtedly a cultivation world - thick with spiritual energy that made even the air hum with power.

The women lined before him were breathtaking - each with striking features and alluring figures, solid eights or nines by any measure.

For a moment, Ethan felt completely overwhelmed, like a traveler stumbling upon a garden where every blossom competed for attention.

Without thinking, he blurted out, "What's the price to free them all?"

The madam nearly jumped, her eyes involuntarily darting downward.

*This Mr. Lockwood comes from Stellar Ascent Vineyard - a disciple of the sect,* she thought. *But this desperate hunger... Is he that desperate for female companionship?*

Though inwardly scoffing, she maintained a honeyed smile. "Master Lockwood! You must be joking.

If Silk Whisper sold all our prime courtesans to you, we'd have no flowers left to bloom.

Even for a distinguished patron like yourself, we can only allow you to purchase the freedom of two at most.

Why, even the city lord is only permitted to take one at a time!"

Ethan knew he'd spoken too rashly. Two would suffice.

With two women, if one was indisposed during her monthly cycles, the other could take her place.

And so, from the two dozen girls on display, he selected the two who most appealed to him.

One of them, named Elara, stood tall with voluptuous curves that commanded attention—particularly the eye-catching swell of her bosom that strained against her gown.

With her soft, rounded face and dark, shining eyes, Elara wore her hair in an elaborate courtly chignon adorned with a jade-inlaid golden hairpin. Her entire presence exuded classical beauty—graceful, refined, and beautiful without being provocative.

The other, Seraphina, was petite yet shapely, her slender frame lacking Elara's striking allure but radiating a sweet, approachable charm. She wore an embroidered pale pink jacket with delicate floral patterns in ten different designs, paired with a matching skirt adorned with swallows and lilies in silk brocade.

Her almond-shaped eyes kept stealing shy, liquid glances toward Mr. Lockwood, darting with a grace that sparkled with both curiosity and hope. That fleeting gaze was enough—he found himself instantly smitten by this petite beauty.

Once he'd made his choice, Mr. Lockwood got straight to business: "Enough chatter. How much to buy their freedom?"

The madam simpered, "Ah, Mr. Lockwood! Your taste is impeccable. Elara and Seraphina are among the Silk Whisper's most prized—"

He waved her off impatiently. "Spare me the sales pitch. Just name your price. I'm not short on coin, but don't think you can fleece me."

"Given the long-standing ties between Stellar Ascent Vineyard and our establishment," the madam replied smoothly, "ten thousand taels of silver should cover it."

Back at Stellar Ascent Sect, they typically traded in spirit stones—those rare, qi-infused crystals that dwarfed mere silver in value. Even a low-grade spirit stone could fetch fifty thousand taels or more.

Even the lowest-grade spirit stones could fetch fifty to sixty thousand taels of silver if exchanged.

Now exiled by his sect to serve as a local patron, Mr. Lockwood knew he'd need mundane currency like gold and silver. Upon arriving in Astramere, Stellar Ascent Vineyard had provided him with worldly wealth according to sect regulations—he certainly wasn't short on coin.

"Fine. Ten thousand taels it is. Here's the banknote from Astramere's Old Chinese Bank."

"Heh! Such generosity, Mr. Lockwood! Why bother checking? As if a cultivator from the Stellar Ascent Sect would forge silver notes!" The madam swiped the payment without even glancing at it.

Just as Mr. Lockwood turned to leave with Elara and Clara, a commotion broke out.

The shortest, most plainly dressed girl—one who'd barely been noticed—sudlunged forward and clung desperately to his leg.

"Honored Immortal! Please take me with you! I'll work hard—I can endure any hardship! I won't live as some common prostitute, ridden by countless men! Have mercy! Buy me too!"

"Lilac! You ungrateful wretch—not this again!" The madam's face twisted in rage as she swung at the girl.

Mr. Lockwood grabbed her wrist firmly. "Enough!"

"My apologies, Mr. Lockwood!" The madam backpedaled. "Let me handle this stubborn mule—"

His brows darkened. "Are you forcing virtuous women into prostitution here?"

"The Stellar Ascent Sect has strict decrees—no brothel in our territory may force innocent women into prostitution!"

The madam turned pale, scrambling to explain, "Mr. Lockwood! We wouldn't dare defy the Sect's laws even if we had nine lives! Lilac here was sold to us by her own parents—we paid good silver for her, and the sale contract is right here!"

"Before buying her, we even had your Stellar Ascent Vineyard's cultivators check. She's got no Spirit Root—not a shred of spiritual potential! Don't you go accusing us falsely!"

True enough—the Sect enforced this rule to protect girls who might have cultivation talent. But their concern stopped there. If a brothel's purchase involved someone without a Spirit Root, the Sect looked the other way.

This world ran on its own ruthless logic. Ethan knew a nobody like him couldn't fight the system. Yet standing by while injustice happened right before him? That wasn't his way.

After a pause, he bargained bluntly: "Then sell Lilac to me along with the others. You called her a stubborn mule—more trouble than she's worth, right? Charge me extra. I'll pay to save you the hassle."

The madam hesitated. "This—"

"Call it a favor to the Vineyard's reputation," Ethan pressed.

"Three thousand taels of silver," the madam caved. "She's yours."

Lilac gasped. "Three hundred?! My parents sold me for scraps!"