The night market in the Tianbei Region was anything but quiet.
This place lay near the trade road outside Tianbei City. Most of those passing through were mercenaries, traveling merchants, and disciples of various sects, along with some beast-carriage convoys that raised magical beasts. The air carried the scent of herbs, beast blood, strong liquor, and dust. From time to time, the low roars of magical beasts drifted from afar, making the jade bottles on the stalls tremble softly.
Xiao Fan and the others did not enter the city immediately.
Mang Tianchi had blocked Saint Gu You for them. That favor was too great, too great for Xiao Fan to dismiss with a smile as ordinary assistance. Jia Nan Academy had already borne enough risk for him. If he drew the gaze of a Soul Hall Demi-Saint back to the academy, that would not be repaying kindness—it would be harming them.
So he had to find a foothold in the Central Plains first.
Not to completely attach himself to another force, but to borrow its influence and conceal his edge.
Soul Hall had already treated him like a prized prize, while forces of the Central Plains such as the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, Ice River Valley, and Wind Lightning Pavilion had begun to reveal themselves. Even though he had now broken through to a Three-Star Dou Zong, he was still far from capable of running wild through the Central Plains. Without intelligence, identity, or backing, sooner or later, others would peel away his hidden cards layer by layer.
He needed a net.
A net that could hide people, find people, save people, and kill people.
But before that net was woven, they first had to survive.
"Let's enter Tianbei City first."
Xiao Fan looked toward the distant city lights and