The two climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor.
The second floor was a tea restaurant. Pillars supported the roof, while the walls on all four sides had been replaced with floor-to-ceiling windows and carved windows, allowing customers to sit by them, drink tea, and enjoy the view.
Kou Beiyue stood at the stairway entrance and looked around. Tea tables filled the spacious, empty hall, but there was not a single customer—only an old shopkeeper standing by the counter.
Human Blood Bun led him to the counter and said, "Sir, we're here for the summit."
The old man had graying hair and wore a plain traditional jacket. He had been bent over his accounts, but at the words, he raised his cloudy eyes and slowly said, "Spirit Realm ID. Recommending organization."
"Human Blood Bun, Spirit Energy Society East District Branch."
"Kou Nanyue, Spirit Energy Society East District Branch."
The old man nodded, took out two wristbands from a drawer, and said, "Put them on."
Kou Beiyue reached out to take one. The moment his fingertips touched the wristband, he was stunned to discover that the wrinkled, age-spotted hand had turned into a delicate, fair little hand.
He looked up and saw a young woman with a gentle smile. Her clear, pure eyes curved like crescent moons, tinged with tenderness as she smiled and said, "Beiyue."
Kou Beiyue froze. He stared dazedly at the young woman before him, his eyes seemingly filling with tears, and murmured, "Big Sister."
His sister, in the full bloom of youth, smiled and asked, "Beiyue, do you have any connection to the authorities or the Public Security Bureau?"
At those words, ripples suddenly spread across the lake of Kou Beiyue's gloomy, sorrowful heart. They soothed his grief and daze, sending a violent shudder through his