Northward · Sylvester City

This answer did not surprise Lan Aotian.

Instead, he asked whether there were any other channels, such as the black market or private auctions.

The old man gave him a meaningful look and lowered his voice. "If you truly need it urgently, esteemed guest, you might try your luck in the 'Dark Alley' in the west of the city. It's a mixed bag, and occasionally good things of unknown origin appear there. However, the risks are also great, so you'll have to judge for yourself."

After thanking him and leaving the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Lan Aotian did not immediately head for the Dark Alley.

He needed more information about the current situation to assess the risks.

He arrived at the Soul Master Guild in Sylvester City.

Unlike the solemnity of the Spirit Hall Branch Hall, the Soul Master Guild was much noisier and more relaxed.

A huge mission board was packed with people. All kinds of commissions scrolled across it: hunting specific soul beasts, escorting merchant caravans, finding lost items, and even various investigation missions.

Lan Aotian's gaze was drawn to several newly posted missions offering extremely high rewards.

[Investigation Mission: Gather all detailed information regarding the "Blue Silver Grass Disappearance Incident," including specific locations, times, scope, eyewitness accounts, and more. Reward: negotiable. Issuer: Anonymous (guild-certified, extremely reputable)]

[Missing Person Mission: Find any valid leads regarding "Tang Hao" or traces of his recent activities. Reward: starting at one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, with no upper limit depending on the value of the information. Issuer: Anonymous (suspected to be connected to the Spirit Hall)]

[Guard Mission: Recruit powerful soul masters to temporarily escort a Supply Caravan heading to Spirit City. Requirement: Soul King or above, with a team of at least five people. Generous reward. Issuer: Spirit Hall Branch Hall of Sylvester City]

Every one of the missions pointed straight toward the heart of the current storm.

Lan Aotian sneered inwardly.

The Spirit Hall's actions were indeed swift. They had already officially linked the "Blue Silver Grass Disappearance" to "Tang Hao" and put it on the table.

That anonymous investigation mission was almost certainly issued by the Spirit Hall, in an attempt to gather more details through civilian forces.

As for the mission to escort the Supply Caravan, it revealed that the Spirit Hall was gathering resources for its headquarters, perhaps for the Finals, or perhaps to deal with possible unforeseen developments.

Just then, a commotion came from the entrance of the Soul Master Guild.

A squad of knights wearing the bright Silver Armor of the Heaven Dou Royal Knights stopped outside, guarding several ornate carriages.

A Girl was the first to leap out of the carriage in the middle.

She looked about fifteen or sixteen years old. She wore a simple white dress and had short hair reaching her ears. Her features were delicate and adorable, especially her large eyes, which were exceptionally lively.

She looked around curiously, her face filled with undisguised excitement.

Immediately afterward, an elegant middle-aged man and an old man with a withered face but eyes as sharp as swords also stepped down from the carriage.

Their auras were restrained, but Lan Aotian could tell at a glance that the old man was actually a Title Douluo!

The middle-aged man was also a powerhouse at the Soul Douluo level.

Several well-informed soul masters nearby cried out softly.

"It's Miss Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! And Sect Master Ning Fengzhi and Jian Douluo Chenxin!"

"Why have they come to Sylvester City? Shouldn't they be going to Spirit City to watch the Finals?"

"Perhaps they're only stopping to rest along the way. But with even Jian Douluo personally acting as her escort, it seems the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly dotes on this little princess."

Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi, and Jian Douluo Chenxin.

Lan Aotian's gaze shifted slightly.

He had not expected to encounter such important characters from the Original Work here.

Moreover, things were somewhat different from how they had been described in the Original Work.

It seemed that his arrival had produced a Butterfly Effect.

That was only natural, after all. This was not a fictional world operating according to rigid rules.

It was a genuine, living world.

Naturally, not everything could follow the Original Work.

As one of the Upper Three Sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Intelligence Network and resource channels were certainly far beyond those of ordinary forces.

Perhaps this was an opportunity.

He did not rashly approach them, merely observing from a distance.

Ning Fengzhi seemed somewhat interested in the Soul Master Guild as well, and entered with Ning Rongrong and Jian Douluo.

Their arrival naturally caused a stir inside the guild, along with a wave of respectful greetings.

Ning Fengzhi wore a smile as he politely greeted several familiar soul masters.

Jian Douluo stood expressionlessly behind Ning Rongrong, his gaze seemingly calm, yet taking every potentially threatening corner around them into account.

Ning Rongrong curiously examined the mission board. When she saw the investigation mission regarding the "Blue Silver Grass Disappearance," she blinked and turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Dad, this mission is so strange. How could Blue Silver Grass disappear on such a large scale? And the reward is so high."

Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, though a trace of contemplation flashed through his eyes. "There are many strange occurrences in the world. Perhaps it has something to do with the special abilities of certain soul masters or soul beasts. Rongrong, when you're traveling, observe and listen more, and ask fewer questions."

"Oh." Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue and looked at the other missions.

Lan Aotian took the entire scene in.

But he did not say anything.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had clearly noticed this matter as well. It was only unknown what stance they held.

He quietly retreated and left the Soul Master Guild.

Back in his room at Qingfeng Yuan, Lan Aotian sat down cross-legged and sorted through today's gains.

The situation was becoming increasingly clear.

The Spirit Hall had already listed Tang Hao and the disappearance of Blue Silver Grass as top priorities, and was acting swiftly.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and other major forces were also watching from the sidelines.

The main ingredient for the Transformation Pill was difficult to obtain through legitimate channels. Perhaps he truly would have to try his luck in the Dark Alley, or... find a way to make contact with forces at a higher level.

He rubbed his chin.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect might be a good point of entry.

They were fabulously wealthy and possessed an abundant collection. Perhaps they had what he needed.

Moreover, Ning Fengzhi had far-reaching vision and was skilled at investing. Perhaps some sort of deal could be made.

Of course, he could not reveal his identity and true purpose directly.

He needed to find a suitable opportunity, a method that would not arouse suspicion while still piquing the other party's interest.

His gaze fell on the deepening night outside the window.

The night in Sylvester City was destined to remain far from peaceful.

And his plan should also quietly unfold within that night.

At night, Sylvester City shed the clamor of the day, but it did not fall asleep.

Soul Guidance Street Lamps still cast a gentle glow along the main roads, but many of the smaller alleys had already sunk into darkness.

In the western part of the city was an area that even the City Patrol Guard rarely visited. The locals called it the "Dark Alley."

There were no signs here, only half-hidden wooden doors or stairway entrances leading underground.

Silent guards often stood at the entrances, their sharp eyes sizing up every unfamiliar face that approached.

The air was filled with the scents of age and dampness, along with an elusive trace of blood and secret transactions.

Lan Aotian had changed into an inconspicuous gray cloak. He pulled the hood low, covering most of his face and revealing only his well-defined chin.

He slightly adjusted his aura, concealing his overly pure vitality and revealing only Soul Power fluctuations roughly at the Soul Emperor level.

This level was enough to command attention in the Dark Alley without making him too conspicuous.

It perfectly suited his purpose in coming here.

That was exactly the effect he wanted.