“It’s common knowledge that the city lord will go after whoever caused such a big disaster, why isn’t he running?” Ji Rui frowned.

The young man said nothing, but he was thinking to himself, “Does he still not understand? The man must have powerful backing!” That was why he had come to seek Ji Rui’s counsel instead of seizing Qianye on his own.

As a scheming man, the city lord naturally figured this out. “What is his strength?”

“His apparent origin cultivation is rank-twelve, but his combat strength far exceeds that. He defeated Meir and Tian Jin in a single move.”

Ji Rui gasped. “Even Tian Jin lost in one move?”

“He was somewhat injured due to Meir’s ambush, but it’s not very serious.”

Ji Rui was livid. Moments later, he said, “Ask your Uncle Guan to visit the Four Winds Hotel. Remember to keep a good attitude and also bring some presents, just in case.”

“Father, this…”

“Not this or buts! That person remaining here means that he doesn’t think anything of us. If even an old rank-seventeen expert like me can’t frighten him away, what use can you guys be? A group of trash!”

Knowing that Ji Rui was in a bad mood, the young man replied with a string of yeses and left the courtyard in a hurry. He didn’t dare stay any longer.

In the small courtyard of the hotel, Qianye and Nighteye had just finished dinner when there was a knock on the door.

Qianye opened the door and saw a burly, middle-aged man and a young man standing behind him. This mighty man made no motion to hide his strength, allowing everyone to see his seven origin vortices. The young man wasn’t weak, either, and had condensed his first vortex at such a young age.

The burly man cupped his hands, saying, “This lowly one is Guan Zhongliu. Thanks to the City Lord’s benevolence, I hold the position of city guard commander in Southern Blue. This is the city lord’s twelfth son, Ji Shicheng.”

Twelfth Young Noble? Reportedly, the Southern Blue city lord wasn’t that old yet. If this young man here was only the twelfth son, the man was truly capable. Qianye criticized the man secretly but wore a smile on his face. “What rare guests! Please come in.”

The wine and dishes in the courtyard hadn’t been cleared away yet. Guan Zhongliu laughed loudly upon seeing the table. “Mister, you’re quite spirited, it seems. I still haven’t asked your name?”

“I’m Zhao Ye, just a wandering cultivator with no place to call home.”

“Zhao Ye? Are you that famous Mister Zhao who racked up shocking accomplishments in Port City?” Guan Zhongliu’s expression became much more serious.

“Indeed, I am.” Qianye was fairly surprised at how well-informed this person was.

The burly man said, “Mister Zhao’s accomplishments are simply too shocking. I have many good friends working under City Lord Su, so I received some first-hand information.”

Qianye laughed. “Please don’t tell me more Moonlight-Demon assassins will appear shortly afterward?”

Guan Zhongliu replied hurriedly, “Of course not! Our Southern Blue has always been in the neutral position, and always will be. Besides, Mr. Zhao merely fought as a hired mercenary, something all too common in the neutral lands.”

Qianye merely smiled. It was indeed a common occurrence, but the Moonlight Demons’ losses were too great; it was impossible for them not to bear grudges. Qianye wasn’t really afraid of them unless a divine champion were to personally take action. No matter how bad the situation, he still had the power to escape.

At this point, the servants had cleared away the dishes and delivered some tea and snacks. Guan Zhongliu thus sat down to chat with Qianye, sounding out his intentions in coming to the city both directly and indirectly. The latter made no mention of his origins but did disclose his desire for Dreameater Bugs and similar products.

It was no secret that Su Dingqian had given his entire stock to Qianye. “I heard City Lord Su gave Mr. Zhao at least three such bugs. I wonder what use you have for them? Maybe I could help you a bit.”

Qianye replied, “To be honest with Commander Guan, this Dreameater Bug’s strange effects greatly benefit a secret art that I cultivate. That’s why I’ve been searching for it at all costs.”

Guan Zhongliu nodded. “Our Southern Blue is small and poor, but City Lord Ji does have some Dreameater Bugs.”

Qianye seemed moved. “Is there any way to persuade City Lord Ji to relinquish them?”

“Normally, you would have to rack up contributions as you did in Port City. The other way is to pay a high enough price, a hundred and fifty thousand gold coins for each Dreameater Bug or an item of equal value.”

This price shocked Qianye. According to the market price, Dreameater Bugs were worth some tens of thousands, but this shady city lord had raised the price three times. However, there was only a price for these bugs with no market—there were always people willing to take the bait no matter how high the asking price.

Qianye pondered for a while. “Commander Guan, this price is too high.”

Guan Zhongliu laughed out loud. “That is indeed the case, but I can’t do anything to change the city lord’s decision. In truth, I think that contributing to the city is the fastest way. Didn’t Mr. Zhao get three Dreameater Bugs from City Lord Su? No matter how you put it, our City Lord Ji is much more generous than him.”

Qianye nodded. “Let me think about it.”

Guan Zhongliu didn’t force the issue, either. “This matter does require careful consideration. Then, I’ll be taking my leave here.”

Guan Zhongliu stood up and was just about to leave when his entire body trembled, his eyes full of horror and amazement as he glanced at Nighteye. He had been talking with Qianye for so long yet never noticed that she was sitting beside them. This shock was nothing to scoff at; it immediately drenched him in cold sweat.

“What’s wrong Commander Guan? Are you unwell?” Qianye asked.

“No, no, it’s nothing. Rest well, Mr. Zhao, I won’t disturb you anymore.” With that, Guan Zhongliu left immediately with the twelfth young master in tow. Since the beginning to the end, this young master never got the opportunity to talk.

Qianye didn’t understand why Guan Zhongliu looked like he had just seen a ghost.

Moments later, the man had returned to the city lord’s mansion and was standing before Ji Rui. The city lord was pacing about in the study, no longer in the mood for a nap. “How did it go?”

Guan Zhongliu’s face was pale. “That person is Zhao Ye, and I suspect that woman accompanying him is a divine champion!”

“Divine Champion!” Ji Rui was astonished. Soon afterward, he was filled with delight. “It’s fortunate that we were sufficient in etiquette! But this is a serious matter, are you sure?”

Ji Rui’s expression shifted as Guan Zhongliu recounted the conversation. “Even I cannot completely avoid your perception. It would seem that this woman is indeed a divine champion. But, how can there be a divine champion in the Eastern Sea?”

“Isn’t there one in the Moonlight Demons?”

Ji Rui’s expression was ugly. “What would that person come to Southern Blue for? This, this…”

Guan Zhongliu was calm. “We should see how things develop and see what they want.”

“That’s true, except for convenience in transportation, our Southern Blue really has nothing a divine champion might want.”

“But that Zhao Ye says he wants Dreameater Bugs.”

Ji Rui pondered for a moment. “We can’t hand it to him directly. We can give him a discount at most. Otherwise, it’ll devalue the favor he owes us.”

The little hotel courtyard became quiet after Guan Zhongliu’s departure. Seemingly tired, Nighteye returned to the room. Qianye followed her to the bed and reached out to embrace her by the waist. “We haven’t been intimate for some time.”

Nighteye glanced at him with a charming, spurious smile. “Fine, I’ll reward you for your good performance today.”

A delighted Qianye was just about to pounce over when, all of a sudden, Nighteye placed a small, white foot on his chest and kicked him off the bed. Caught entirely off guard by the well-timed attack, he landed flat on his back.

Qianye clambered up with a serious expression and said in a gloomy voice, “Who are you?”

Nighteye leaned on the bed, exuding a natural charm. “When did you figure it out?”

“That’s not important. Who are you and where’s Nighteye?”

Nighteye sat up to put on her shoes and clothes. “Nighteye is me and I am Nighteye. Or rather, I am the true Nighteye, you understand?”

Was this a fractured spirit or dual personalities? Qianye had no answer.

At this point, Nighteye had already tidied up her clothing, and the playfulness in her eyes had faded away, replaced by an indifferent coldness. “Since you’ve seen through it, I’ll no longer continue this farce. I’ll be leaving now, take care.”

Shaken, Qianye blocked the way out and roared, “Stop! Just who are you and where are you taking Nighteye?”

Nighteye shot him a glance, revealing a cold smile on her lips. “You want to stop me when you’re so weak?”

That gaze froze Qianye’s entire body. It felt like his veins were filled with icy water and not auric flame blood. In a short moment, his entire body was covered in a layer of frost and the temperature in the room fell drastically.

Qianye’s entire body was sealed in ice, and only the blood core and three half-crystallized origin vortices were still alive. Seeing Nighteye about to leave, Qianye clenched his teeth, pushing his blood core and origin vortices to the maximum output. The origin power of Venus Dawn gushed out of his body and merged together with the dark golden blood energy.

Venus Dawn and the dark golden origin power stood at the two extremes of Daybreak and Evernight. This unrestrained combination didn’t increase their power but instead resulted in a violent explosion!

Countless explosions erupted in Qianye’s body. His ancient vampire physique was riddled with wounds and immediately descended into a state of heavy injury. However, the explosions shattered the ice sealing him, affording him freedom of movement.

Qianye took a step forward and blocked Nighteye’s path once more.

Some ripples finally appeared in Nighteye’s indifferent pupils. “You’re quite ruthless on yourself, but you’re now injured. What can you even do after regaining your freedom of movement, stop me? Foolish.”

With that, she pointed at Qianye’s chest with her finger. The force was small, but it wasn’t something Qianye could endure. He fell to the ground with a plop, and the wounds all over his body erupted in blood, painting a sanguineous human shape on the floor.