Nightfall · Descent.
Dark clouds veiled the bright moon, draping the sky in a hazy gauze.
East Heavenly King City beneath the dim moonlight was unusually quiet tonight.
The financial magnates from every region and disciples of the highest powers seemed to have lost their nightlife all at once.
The heirs of these truly great powers had gathered in one place.
The southern district.
Outside a quiet Wine Pavilion whose signboard had been removed.
Two black-clad guards wearing beast-faced masks stood watch at the front. One only needed to sense their auras to discover that both were bona fide Thrones.
And the only place that could use Thrones as door guards tonight was the venue of the Spirit Palace Trading Fair.
The streets coming and going were desolate.
Only a scattered few passersby hurried past the Wine Pavilion entrance as though they had not seen the two beast-masked guards at all.
Whenever these weaker cultivators passed this place, an inexplicable palpitation rose in their hearts.
It was as if instinct were driving them: Leave quickly, or you will meet a deadly calamity.
"Buzz—"
The barrier shrouding the street trembled lightly, as though someone outside had touched it.
"Invitation."
The beast-masked guard remained impassive, coolly uttering only one word.
After the invited guest outside the barrier presented an invitation to the Spirit Palace Trading Fair, he was enveloped by the barrier's power and brought to the Wine Pavilion entrance.
"Five people?" The number of arrivals seemed somewhat excessive, and even the Throne guard's tone carried suspicion.
Most of those received earlier had come alone or in groups of two or three.
Everyone had come here to trade first and foremost, avoiding excessive numbers and overly many distinguishing traits lest their identities be exposed.
Were these people before him bringing their whole