Xingluo Yao Presents a Card, Seeking Friendship

"Gangzi, what force do you think stands behind Wenxian Tower?" Ye Junlin asked Yuan Tiangang.

"Reporting to my lord! Based on the scattered intelligence this subordinate has gathered about Wenxian Tower recently, I speculate that it may have been established by the force behind the Black Market."

"Furthermore, when we fought Qingyun Sect last time, Two People on Wenxian Tower's Top Floor had watched us."

"At the time, they probed the direction where this subordinate was located. This subordinate followed their Aura and looked over as well. Seeing that they bore no hostility, I did not pay them much further attention."

Yuan Tiangang rose to his feet and answered Ye Junlin.

"Oh, the force behind the Black Market? Do you know its name?"

"This subordinate does not! We have yet to uncover the name of the force behind the Black Market, but it is certainly no simple one!"

"Forget it. Investigate it properly in the future."

"Your command!"

As the two spoke, before long, their dishes had all been prepared and brought in.

After Yuan Tiangang checked them for poison, Ye Junlin began to feast heartily. It had been a long time since he had tasted such an abundant spread of delicacies.

Previously, in Eternal Night Space, he had cultivated for extended periods and paid little heed to food. Occasionally, Jing Ke and the others would bring back something to eat.

Meanwhile, in another elegant private room on Wenxian Tower's third top floor, sandalwood incense curled through the air.

By the window sat a Woman in a moon-white gown, her black hair cascading like a waterfall.

A layer of white gauze as thin as cicada wings covered her face, revealing only a pair of clear Eyes like a babbling stream.

She was Xingluo Yao, one of Wenxian Tower's managers and the Fifth Pavilion Master of Star Pavilion, the force behind the Black Market.

The middle-aged shopkeeper who had just led Ye Junlin upstairs stepped lightly inside and bowed. "Fifth Pavilion Master, the guests have entered a private room on the Top Floor. They even ordered Wenxian Tower's signature dishes."

Understanding flickered through Xingluo Yao's eyes, and she nodded. Her voice was crisp and pleasant, like jade striking jade. "Understood."

It turned out that the moment Xingluo Yao saw Yuan Tiangang arrive at Wenxian Tower, she had instructed her people to arrange Top Floor treatment for them. It was also a gesture of goodwill.

Since the shopkeeper did not recognize Yuan Tiangang, he continued.

"That young Young Master carries himself with extraordinary bearing. At a glance, one can tell he is not from any ordinary force."

"The person in the Bamboo Hat following beside him... his Aura is deep and still as an abyss. This subordinate cannot fathom his depth."

The maid standing by curiously asked, "Miss, where do these two come from? Why did they warrant your special order to reserve the Top Floor?"

Xingluo Yao set down her teacup and looked at the maid. "Do you remember the great battle between Qingyun Sect and Misty Rain Tower last month?"

"At that time, a Heavenly Human Realm master from Misty Rain Tower acted. By his own strength, he nearly killed Qingyun Sect's First Elder, Zhuge Xiu, forcing Qingyun Sect's Old Ancestor to use Time Stop."

The maid suddenly understood. "You mean... the one in the Bamboo Hat is that Heavenly Human Realm expert?"

"Correct." Xingluo Yao's tone was certain.

She paused, a thoughtful gleam flashing through her eyes.

"Moreover, for a Heavenly Human Realm Cultivator to follow that young Young Master so respectfully, his identity must be far from simple."

"He is most likely a descendant of Misty Rain Tower's true decision-maker."

"Thus, I am even more convinced that Misty Rain Tower is no simple force. Perhaps, like us, it is a hidden force."

The maid clicked her tongue. "A Heavenly Human Realm expert... actually willing to serve as a guardian."

The maid beside her asked softly, "Then, Miss, should we send someone to test them?"

"No need." Xingluo Yao waved a hand, a sharp glint passing through her eyes.

"The situation in the Eastern Region is turbulent now. One more friend is always better than one more enemy."

She looked toward the shopkeeper and instructed him.

"Send them a Black Gold Card. Tell them that I, Xingluo Yao, am willing to befriend Misty Rain Tower."

The shopkeeper bowed. "Yes, Fifth Pavilion Master."

"Miss, are we truly going to befriend Misty Rain Tower?"

The maid was somewhat puzzled. "After all, their foundations are still shallow. We cannot yet determine their true strength..."

"Shallow foundations do not mean weak potential."

Xingluo Yao shook her head. "My instincts have always been accurate. There must be reserves behind them that we do not know about."

Hearing this, the maid nodded as if she understood, though not entirely. After all, many past events had proven that her miss's instincts were indeed remarkably accurate.

At this moment, inside the private room on the Top Floor, Ye Junlin was eating with great relish.

A plate of "Crispy Glaze" melted the instant it entered his mouth, Spiritual Energy flowing between his lips and teeth; a bowl of "Marrow Soup" was rich and fragrant, its warmth reaching straight into his dantian.

He set down his jade chopsticks and looked at Yuan Tiangang. "Wenxian Tower's dishes truly have some skill behind them. They are quite delicious."

Yuan Tiangang smiled. "If my lord likes them, this subordinate will often have people purchase them and deliver them back to Eternal Night Space in the future."

"Honored guests, pardon the interruption." The respectful voice of the middle-aged shopkeeper sounded outside the door, accompanied by a light knock.

Ye Junlin raised his eyes in acknowledgment. With a wave of Yuan Tiangang's hand, the door opened.

The shopkeeper entered carrying an exquisite wooden box and bowed.

"Esteemed guests, this was specially ordered delivered by my young lady, Xingluo Yao."

He set the wooden box on the table and gently opened it. Inside lay a jet-black card, its surface engraved with intricate star patterns, its edges gleaming with a faint silver light.

"This is the Starfall Black Gold Card," the shopkeeper explained.

"With this card, you may enjoy a fifty-percent discount at any Wenxian Tower in the Eastern Region."

"Not only that—at the Listen to the Wind Gambling House, Hundred Flavors Tower, Hundred Herbs Hall, Treasure Gathering Pavilion, and Linglong Chamber of Commerce in the Black Market, as well as the Starry Night Auction held at the beginning of every month, all purchases made with this card receive a fifty-percent discount."