System Mission: Recruit Talented Individuals

He took a deep breath and added:

"But I have one condition—the core members of Langya Pavilion must be personally appeased and handed over by me. Their lives are not to be harmed."

"Agreed."

Yuan Tiangang nodded. "What we want are the channels, not their lives."

"So long as they behave themselves, Misty Rain Tower will not make things difficult for them."

Having reached a consensus, the atmosphere in the private room eased somewhat.

Shangguan Hong took out a Communication Talisman, infused it with Spiritual Energy, and handed it to Yuan Tiangang.

"This is the token of Langya Pavilion's Pavilion Master. With it, you can mobilize the branch helms in every region."

"In Three Days, I will deliver the deposit to your faction."

Yuan Tiangang accepted the talisman and put it into his Storage Ring.

"In Three Days, we will send someone to liaise with you and formulate a detailed plan."

"Before then, you must list out the distribution of forces within the Shangguan Family, the Trump Cards of each faction, and the forces backing each of your brothers, one by one, and hand it over to us."

"This junior understands!" Shangguan Hong replied with a bow, the weight hanging over his heart finally lifting.

Though he had lost Langya Pavilion, with Misty Rain Tower's support, his confidence in seizing the Patriarch Position had risen to at least seventy percent.

Ye Junlin set down his teacup and rose to his feet. "The matter has been discussed. You may leave."

Shangguan Hong did not dare linger. After bowing once more, he turned and left the private room.

Once he had departed, Yuan Tiangang looked toward Ye Junlin.

"Lord, once we take over Langya Pavilion, our intelligence network will be able to cover the entire Eastern Region much faster."

"By then, whether it is Blood Kill Pavilion or other forces, none will escape our watchful eyes and listening ears."

Ye Junlin nodded. "Shangguan Hong has ambition to spare but lacks courage. He is just right for my use."

"Once Langya Pavilion is in our hands, take it over swiftly and integrate its intelligence resources as soon as possible."

He looked out the window. Qingzhou City's silhouette stood clearly beneath the sunlight. "It is time to give the waters of the Eastern Region a proper stir."

Outside the private room, Shangguan Hong hurried downstairs. Though he still felt reluctant, his heart held even greater anticipation for the future.

What he did not know was that this transaction would not only change his fate.

Many years later, Shangguan Hong would still be thankful for the decision he had made. Of course, that was a story for another time.

It also marked a crucial step in Misty Rain Tower's deployment across the Eastern Region.

[ Ding! ]

[Congratulations, Host. The intelligence organization has taken shape, but the assassin organization has yet to be formed.]

[There are still no personnel to fill the Earth, Profound, and Yellow-grade assassin ranks.]

[Issuing ordinary mission: Recruit Talented Individuals]

[Mission requirement: Within two months, recruit at least three Cultivators at the Grandmaster realm or above into Misty Rain Tower, a subordinate force of Eternal Night Heaven!]

[Mission reward: Special item *1]

At that moment, the system's voice abruptly rang out!

Misty Rain Tower truly needs to recruit some people. Jing Ke and the others are all at the Void Glimpse Realm; they are generally unwilling to accept bounties beneath the Void Glimpse Realm. Ye Junlin muttered inwardly.

He then looked at Yuan Tiangang.

"Come. We are going to Misty Rain Tower's stronghold. I have an announcement to make."

"Yes."

The two then left Wenxian Tower and, under Yuan Tiangang's cover, made their way to Misty Rain Tower's stronghold.

Within Rainwatch Pavilion at Misty Rain Tower's stronghold, spiritual aura and candlelight intertwined, casting solemn light over everyone's faces.

The moment Ye Junlin and Yuan Tiangang appeared outside the pavilion, those standing guard beside the main stele turned in unison.

"Your Subordinates greet the Lord!"

Di Yun and Linghu Chong stood side by side. The former was covered in dust from the road, clearly having just returned from outside.

Jing Ke, Yao Li, Nie Zheng, and the other seven guards had grave, condensed auras. Though Chu Yu had only just arrived, he too stood closely behind them.

The nine bowed in unison, their voices making the candle flames within the pavilion tremble slightly.

Ye Junlin raised a hand. "Rise."

Once everyone had risen, his gaze swept across the gathering before finally falling upon the words etched on the main stele: "Zhao Kui's mission completed."

He slowly said, "Misty Rain Tower has only just been established. You did well on the first assignment, but this is only the beginning."

His tone changed, gradually turning grave. "Next, you must recruit at least three Cultivators at the Grandmaster realm or above into the tower within two months."

"This concerns the foundation of the assassin organization and must be carried out without delay."

Di Yun stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Lord, Linghu Chong and I have recently noticed several Rogue Cultivators with considerable strength while searching for Blood Kill Pavilion's branch helms. They may be worth recruiting."

Linghu Chong also said, "There's a man among them nicknamed Iron-Armed Ape. He's at the late Grandmaster Realm. He offended someone and is being hunted down. If we lend him a hand, I imagine he'd be willing to submit."

Ye Junlin nodded, then looked at everyone. "As for recruiting personnel, I'll lay down a framework for you."

His voice suddenly sharpened, carrying an authority that brooked no doubt:

"Those in the Grandmaster Realm shall be named Huang character killers;

"Those in the Grandmaster Realm shall be named Xuan character killers;

"Those in the Void Glimpse Realm shall be named Di Character Killers."

Everyone held their breath, listening as he continued his proclamation:

"The positions of Heavenly Killers shall for now be held by the Seven People: Jing Ke, Yao Li, Nie Zheng, Zhuan Zhu, Yu Rang, Cao Mo, and Chu Yu."

Ye Junlin's gaze, sharp as a blade, swept across the seven guards. "None but the core members of Eternal Night Heaven may lay a finger on them!"

The seven answered in unison, "This Subordinate obeys!"

After a pause, Ye Junlin emphasized, "One more thing—the outer sect members we recruit."

"No matter how high or low their cultivation, they must not be brought into Eternal Night Space. They may only remain at the Misty Rain Tower stronghold to carry out their duties."

Yuan Tiangang added, "Lord is absolutely right.

"A Training Ground and quarters have already been set up in the rear courtyard of the stronghold. The training of outer sect killers and the handover of missions shall all be conducted within the stronghold."