Night fell.
In eastern Qingzhou City stood the Moon-Gazing Tower.
This restaurant was even grander than the finest Crane Tower in Suining Prefectural City. Its six stories rose high beneath sweeping eaves, warm yellow light spilling from every floor's windows. Viewed from the street, the entire building resembled an enormous lantern.
When Yi Yang arrived, Lin He was already waiting at the entrance.
He had changed into an ink-blue brocade robe today, and the white jade buckle at his waist had been polished to a gleam. Wearing his usual smile, he came forward to greet Yi Yang from afar.
"Lord Yi, you're finally here."
Yi Yang glanced at the dozen or so mutant beast mounts parked outside. They came in all varieties, and he could not even name some of them.
"Looks like everyone's here?"
"Almost." Lin He stepped aside to lead the way and lowered his voice. "We've booked the entire fifth floor tonight. Twenty-three experts from the top hundred of the Heroes Ranking are here. There are sect disciples from the various prefectural cities and Deputy Chief Inspectors from their Heaven Patrol Offices. Every one of them is a True Astral Realm expert."
The two crossed the main hall and climbed the wooden stairs.
Guests occupied the first four floors, the hum of eating and drinking filling the air. The higher they climbed, the quieter it became. At the fifth floor, two of Lin He's attendants stood at the stairway entrance and stepped aside upon seeing him.
The fifth floor was an open, airy hall with a long table in the center, laden with food and wine. Twenty-odd people sat or stood in small groups, holding wine or tea as they conversed quietly.
The moment Yi Yang stepped inside, at least seven or eight gazes swept toward him