Heh, You Grew a Brain

Dark Lion City, the closest to the Law Enforcement Team's stronghold, is a city of moderate size in the Black-Corner Region.

Whether it was due to the city's name or the power struggles among the various factions within the city, Qin Yu and his companions felt a strange sense of unease from the moment they stepped into the city.

"Qin Yu, weren't we supposed to be dealing with the Blood Sect? What are we doing in Dark Lion City?"

Zi Yan was always the most restless one. After entering Dark Lion City, she soon felt a bit bored.

This place is so lifeless, it's not fun at all!

"How about I take you straight to Blood Seal City and kill those elders right in front of their sect leader Fan Lao?"

"Uh... never mind then, I'll just wander around here for a bit."

Zi Yan stuck out her tongue somewhat awkwardly. Blood Seal City was the Blood Sect's stronghold; she dared not venture in recklessly.

Xiao Yi Xian followed beside the two, her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, appearing very vigilant.

"Relax, you're making it a bit too obvious."

Qin Yu patted Xiao Yi Xian on the shoulder, slightly easing her tension.

Where are we going?

"Go gather some intelligence."

The three walked through two streets and stopped in front of an inconspicuous little shop.

The shop was small, with a worn-out curtain hanging at the entrance, obscuring the view inside.

This is it.

According to information provided by Wu Zun, the owner here is a seasoned information broker.

As long as the price is right, you can get most of the information in the Black-Corner Region from him.

"You wait at the door, I'm going in."

"Why?"

As soon as Zi Yan said this, she met Qin Yu's subtle gaze.

"I won't ask anymore, I won't ask anymore..."

Zi Yan understood perfectly what that look meant, so she immediately stood obediently at the door, like a dutiful little door god.

Qin Yu lifted the curtain and walked into the shop.

The shop was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a mixture of musty and herbal smells.

Behind the counter sat a gaunt, middle-aged man wearing a greasy gray robe, wiping a Black Jade Slip whose purpose was unclear.

Hmm, the Treasure-Seeking Sacred Body's connection is very weak; it probably isn't anything special.

What do you need?

The middle-aged man didn't even raise his head; his voice was hoarse, as if his throat had been rubbed with sandpaper.

"Buying intelligence."

Qin Yu walked to the counter and handed the portraits of the three Blood Sect elders to the shopkeeper.

"I need the latest information on these three people."

Only then did the boss finally raise his head and glance at Qin Yu.

Buying information about the Blood Sect, are they enemies?

"Information on three people, three million gold coins."

Qin Yu didn't haggle after hearing the price. He simply took out a jade bottle from his Storage Ring, placed it on the counter, and gently pushed it over.

"I didn't bring that many gold coins."

The shopkeeper glanced at Qin Yu suspiciously, poured the pills from the jade bottle into his palm, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

"A fifth-grade Dou Ling Pill?"

Having been an information broker for so many years, I do have the ability to recognize things.

"Whether it's worth three million or not, you should know in your heart."

The shopkeeper was silent for a moment, then quickly put the pill into his pocket, a subtle change in his expression.

"So generous..."

The middle-aged man looked Qin Yu up and down again, his gaze now more scrutinizing than before.

"Your pill is indeed excellent, but exchanging the information of three people for a single Fifth-Rank Pill... I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Yu's aura suddenly changed.

A silent, overwhelming aura belonging to Dou Wang expert emanated from the shopkeeper, abruptly ending his words.

"I've really gotten a great deal! Here's what I'll do: I'll give you an extra piece of information!"

Tsk, I guess we'll see a lot of these face-changing monsters in the future.

The shop owner chuckled dryly, pulled out a tattered scroll from under the counter, glanced at it, and then quickly scribbled a few lines on the portrait Qin Yu handed him.

"The latest intelligence on the three individuals is all listed here."

Qin Yu glanced at it and found that the shop owner had written down all the information about these people's recent activities and their latest cultivation levels.

One of the people's names was even circled, with a few words written next to it:

"I will be attending the Black Seal City Auction soon."

"Black Seal City?"

Black Seal City is not far from Dark Lion City and is considered a relatively large city in the Black-Corner Region, frequently hosting various auctions.

"Right."

The boss nodded, his tone becoming more cautious.

"That man is called Feng San, a four- Dou Wang. He's been active in the Black Seal City recently. According to reliable sources, he will appear at the auction in three days."

"Anything else?"

"That's all."

The middle-aged man shrugged.

"These three are all core elders of the Blood Sect, and their whereabouts are usually kept secret. It's already quite an achievement to find out about them."

Qin Yu said nothing more and turned to walk towards the door.

"Take care, guest."

A middle-aged man's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of probing.

"You're welcome to come again next time you have business."

Qin Yu didn't turn around, but lifted the curtain and walked out.

Outside the shop, Zi Yan was squatting by the roadside, poking at the cracks in the bricks with a twig, her little face full of boredom.

Xiao Yi Xian stood at the door and immediately went to greet Qin Yu when she saw him come out.

Qin Yu didn't speak, but shook his head slightly, then put a finger to his lips as a shushing gesture.

Xiao Yi Xian immediately understood and shut her mouth.

Seeing their state, Zi Yan put down her branch and came over. Just as she was about to speak, Qin Yu glared at her and stopped her.

The three left the shop and walked back the way they came.

After walking about a hundred steps, Qin Yu slowed his pace slightly, and a wisp of his Soul Power silently extended out, probing towards the direction of the shop.

Inside the shop, a middle-aged man sat behind the counter, holding Dou Ling Pill in his hands, clearly enjoying it, without making any unusual moves.

Qin Yu then withdrew his Soul Power, and his steps returned to normal.

Let's go.

Why wouldn't you let me speak just now?

After walking two blocks, Zi Yan finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered to Qin Yu.

"I'm afraid you'll give yourself away."

"While doing this doesn't necessarily guarantee that he won't betray us, he doesn't seem stupid."

Zi Yan blinked, seemingly processing what she had just said.

After a moment, she nodded and summarized earnestly:

"Oh~ you're worried that guy will betray your information about the three Blood Sect elders to the Blood Sect, right?"

"Wow, you've finally got a brain."

"Of course!"

Zi Yan's lips twitched, but then she felt something was off.

Forget it, why bother with all that?

"Where are we going now? Are we looking for that elder?"

"We'll talk about it tomorrow. Let's find a place to stay first, and then head to Black Seal City early tomorrow morning."

"We have to wait until tomorrow..."

Zi Yan muttered something under her breath, but didn't complain anymore.

After all, Dark Lion City was already boring enough; if they had to travel for another day, it would be utterly tedious.