Seeking a Talisman

"Years ago, I was banished to Jianye City because of an important matter. To avoid trouble, I pretended to be as I was before. I truly did not mean to deceive you, Young Master Shen. Please forgive me." Ma Xiuxiu gathered her robes and gave a curtsy.

"Banished?" Shen Luo sharply caught that word.

"To be honest, I am a member of Treasure Gathering Hall. Years ago, I made a mistake and was punished by being sent to Jianye City to run a small shop. Only recently was I finally pardoned and allowed to return to the main hall in Chang'an City." Ma Xiuxiu sat down as she spoke.

"Miss Ma is from Treasure Gathering Hall!" Surprise appeared on Shen Luo's face.

He had been in Chang'an for over half a month. Though he had not gone out much, he had heard a great deal about Chang'an City from Xie Yuxin and learned the names of several major factions among its cultivators.

Naturally, the Great Tang Government Office stood at the head of Chang'an City, but major sects such as Huasheng Temple and Mount Putuo also had cultivators stationed there.

Treasure Gathering Hall was likewise a major force in Chang'an City. However, unlike sects such as the Great Tang Government Office and Huasheng Temple, Treasure Gathering Hall was a wealthy merchant house engaged in commerce, one of Chang'an City's three great trade associations. Its branch halls were as numerous as clouds and spread across nearly every major cultivation city in Great Tang. It was even said that Treasure Gathering Hall had a presence beyond Great Tang, making its influence extraordinarily vast.

"I am merely a minor member of Treasure Gathering Hall, not anyone important." Ma Xiuxiu smiled faintly.

"Even an ordinary member could so easily find Shen's whereabouts. Treasure Gathering