While Xiao Fan and his companions were sampling the restaurant's delicacies in their private room, elsewhere in Xinlai City, in a luxurious courtyard...
A man so unremarkable that anyone would instinctively overlook him in a crowd strode swiftly into the courtyard, then dropped to one knee outside the master bedroom.
"What is it?"
An imposing voice rang out from inside the room. Its authority was palpable from the sound alone.
It seemed to conjure a vivid image of a potbellied man in his forties, his hair half gray.
"Reporting to you, Master: several experts of unknown background entered Xinlai City just now. Their leader is a young man who looks to be in his twenties, accompanied by two women. Both women wear veils, so their faces cannot be seen. The man's strength is estimated to be at the Dou Wang level."
"An unfamiliar Dou Wang expert..."
Inside the room, the imposing voice spoke softly, then seemed to mutter to itself.
"I wonder whether this will affect our plans..."
The man kneeling outside the door kept his head lowered and remained motionless.
"What else?"
"After entering the city, the three of them went to our restaurant and requested a private room. They should still be inside."
After hearing the man's report, the person inside pondered for a moment before saying, "Understood. You may leave. Continue monitoring everything in the city. These are unusual times, and we absolutely cannot let our guard down."
"Yes!"
The man acknowledged the order, then turned and hurried away.
Inside the restaurant, Xiao Fan, You Ruo, and their companion remained in their private room. With his exceptional strength and soul perception, however, nothing happening in the restaurant could escape Xiao Fan's notice.
That included the man who had rushed out of the restaurant to deliver his report.