Six Guards Converge, Finalizing the Process

Qingzhou City's west district, Misty Rain Tower stronghold.

Since Jing Ke and Yao Li were stationed here, this pavilion that appeared out of nowhere had been like a silent giant beast, lurking deep within the alleys.

The ghost face carvings on the eaves gleamed coldly under the sunlight.

The aura of slaughter emanating from the three large characters "Misty Rain Tower" on the lintel seemed capable of cleansing all surrounding noise.

Inside the meeting hall on the first floor of the pavilion, Jing Ke and Yao Li sat facing each other.

Jing Ke, dressed in dark robes, had a stern face, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the dagger at his waist.

Yao Li was thin and gaunt, his eyes sharp as a hawk's. He was wiping a short blade, the glint of the blade reflecting intermittently on half his face.

Jing Ke spoke first, his voice low, "Calculating the time, the others have already returned to Eternal Night Space to report for quite some time. The Lord should have made arrangements by now."

"Although the stronghold is established, the pavilion is useless without purpose. We must take on missions for it to function."

Yao Li paused in his wiping, raised his eyes, and said, "No need to rush. The Lord's plans are far-reaching; he surely has arrangements."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was movement outside the courtyard. The two exchanged a glance and both stood up.

"They're here," Jing Ke said with a hint of understanding in his tone.

At this moment, figures appeared on the west path outside the courtyard, landing before Misty Rain Tower.

It was Nie Zheng, Zhuan Zhu, Yu Rang, and Cao Mo.

"Is this where we will be stationed from now on?" Cao Mo looked up at the pavilion, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"This place seems remote, but it actually gathers wind and energy, is easy to defend and difficult to attack. The location choice is truly exquisite."

"It also possesses an extraordinary aura, with a hidden posture of a coiled dragon and crouching tiger."

As they spoke, the pavilion door creaked open, and Jing Ke and Yao Li came out to greet them.

"Brother Nie Zheng, Brother Zhuan Zhu, you've finally arrived!" Jing Ke smiled and stepped forward to greet them.

"And who is this?" Jing Ke asked, looking at Cao Mo among the group.

Nie Zheng stepped forward and introduced him to Jing Ke, "This is Brother Cao Mo, a new companion summoned by the Lord. He is one of the Eight Guards, just like us."

"Oh! So you're Brother Cao Mo, I've heard great things about you." Jing Ke said politely to Cao Mo.

Cao Mo cupped his fist in return, "Brother Jing Ke, Brother Yao Li, we are now comrades. Please guide me well in the future."

Yao Li, though cold in personality, nodded, "Accommodations have been prepared inside. Follow me."

The six entered the pavilion. The first-floor lobby was spacious and bright, with simple yet imposing furnishings. A dark ink landscape painting hung in the center.

Upon closer inspection, the rocks and mountains in the painting concealed hidden dangers; it was actually a defensive diagram drawn with formations.

Seeing that Cao Mo had just arrived and was unfamiliar with Misty Rain Tower, Jing Ke explained:

"The stronghold is divided into three floors."

"The first floor is called 'Listening Rain Hall,' serving as the counter and reception area for greeting visitors or handling matters."

"The second floor is called 'Observing Rain Pavilion,' the place for Misty Rain Tower's discussions and intelligence analysis, equipped with a sand table."

"The third floor is called 'Gazing Rain Terrace,' a place for Misty Rain Tower's high-ranking members to rest and cultivate. Standing by the railing, one can overlook a radius of ten li."

"The east wing, 'Listening Rain Residence,' contains a hundred guest rooms, exclusively for Misty Rain Tower's low to mid-level cultivators."

"The west wing, 'Boiling Rain Pavilion,' is half tea room and half kitchen, where everyone can rest and dine."

The group walked along the corridor, their fingertips tracing the hidden patterns carved on the pillars.

They could feel a subtle spiritual energy flowing within, clearly indicating that the entire Misty Rain Tower was enveloped by a protective formation.

The six entered the main hall. Nie Zheng spoke first, relaying Ye Junlin's deployment within Eternal Night Space point by point.

From the marvelous use of the Bounty Sub-Stele to the arrangement for everyone to jointly guard the stronghold and accept missions, no detail was omitted.

Yao Li's eyes flashed with surprise after listening, then turned solemn, "The main and sub-steles possess such Spiritual Power?"

"Unable to be harmed by those below the Land Immortal realm and capable of linking alerts and strengthening formations... With this item, it saves a lot of trouble."

Jing Ke nodded in agreement, "The Lord's move is to have us accept missions in secret, to avoid exposure!"

"Now that our six Guards are gathered and the Misty Rain Tower stronghold is established, the top priority is to follow the Lord's instructions and find a suitable place to place the sub-stele."

"Then, we also need to discuss our subsequent actions."

Yu Rang's gaze swept across the hall, and he said gravely, "The immediate priorities are: First, to find a suitable location in the Black Market to place the Bounty Sub-Stele."

"Second, we need to let others know that Misty Rain Tower is open for business."

Upon hearing this, Jing Ke looked at everyone and said in a deep voice:

"The Black Market in Qingzhou City is the most well-informed place."

"As long as we spread the news, it will reach the West within three days."

"Brother Yao Li, you and I went to the Black Market last time, and you are quite familiar with it. I will go to the Black Market with you."

Yao Li merely gave a soft hum in response, "Alright."

Jing Ke continued, "Then the rest of our brothers will stay behind to guard the stronghold for now."

"Alright! Then we from the West will temporarily remain at the stronghold and await news from the two of you," Nie Zheng said.

The six men had clear roles, and the details were settled in a flash.

Jing Ke and Yao Li immediately rose. Their figures flickered, like two wisps of green smoke, and they swiftly darted out of Misty Rain Tower, speeding towards the Black Market.

Inside the Hall of Listening to Rain, Nie Zheng gazed at the empty doorway, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Yu Rang walked up beside him and said gravely, "Our Misty Rain Tower stronghold is established. It's time we rewrite the heavens of the Eastern Region's assassin world."