After a long silence, Ye Cangtian finally made up his mind and decided to return to Ghost City first.
After all, Mandara and Feiyan were still in Ghost City, and he could take the opportunity to find out why Xing Yuan had left.
With this thought, Ye Cangtian glanced at Yushan and said slowly, "I need to return to Ghost City first. I won't talk with you further."
"Very well, I shall prepare a carriage and horses for you, my lord."
Without further ado, Yushan ordered people to prepare the carriage and horses and personally escorted Ye Cangtian away from the Reception City.
...
After several days of rapid travel, Ye Cangtian finally arrived at the gates of Ghost City.
Unlike when he had left, there was now a squad of guards from the Dark Association at the gates of Ghost City, strictly interrogating all passersby.
It was clear they were worried about spies infiltrating the Bright Hall.
However, this was of no concern to Ye Cangtian. Upon seeing the mask on his face, the guards unanimously allowed him to pass.
Returning to headquarters, Ye Cangtian did not go to the main hall first but returned directly to his own residence.
To his confusion, Mandara and Feiyan were not in the room.
Furthermore, judging by the dust in the room, the two women had likely been gone for some time.
Where had they gone?
Could their strength have been exposed, and they were transferred to the front lines?
Ye Cangtian pondered, it wasn't impossible. After all, even Xing Yuan had been dispatched, so what were the two women compared to Xing Yuan?
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Just then, a Yellow-tier deacon knocked on the door and entered, bowing respectfully to Ye Cangtian.
"Lord Dawn, Lord Kong Ling wishes for you to go to the main hall."
Kong Ling?
Ye Cangtian's brows furrowed. He had never heard of anyone named Kong Ling!
Moreover, the person addressed him as "Lord" and directly sent someone to summon him instead of coming personally, suggesting a higher position than his own.
Thinking about it, there were probably very few people in the entire Dark Association whose status was higher than his!
After all, even Hong Mo wouldn't have the authority to do this, would he?
Of course, the answer was already in his mind, though Ye Cangtian was reluctant to admit it. Who else could be stationed here, capable of replacing Xing Yuan?
It was likely none other than the Heaven-tier expert of the Dark Association who had been in seclusion for decades!
Many people in the outside world believed this person to be dead since he hadn't emerged for decades. From Xing Yuan's cautious tone, Ye Cangtian had also guessed that this person might not be dead.
However, Ye Cangtian did not wish for this person to emerge from seclusion.
Firstly, Xing Yuan had treated him reasonably well, and his own status was growing. If a Heaven-tier expert were to control the Dark Association, it was hard to say whether his status would be affected.
If he were to be expelled from the core circle of the Dark Association's high-ranking officials, all his previous efforts would be in vain, and it would become even more difficult to accomplish anything in the future.
Secondly, with another Heaven-tier expert in the Dark Association, they would become even more difficult to deal with.
If he wanted to take action against the Dark Association, he would have to redeploy his plans.
But regardless, since he had been summoned, he had to go.
With that in mind, he looked at the Yellow-tier deacon and said, "Please wait a moment. I will tidy myself up briefly and then accompany you."
A moment later, Ye Cangtian, accompanied by the Yellow-tier deacon, arrived at the main hall of headquarters.
The instant he stepped into the hall, he felt a gaze, carrying immense pressure, fall upon him. That gaze seemed capable of seeing right through him.
In the next moment, Ye Cangtian, enduring this pressure, glanced towards the main seat of the hall.
Seated at the main seat was a man wearing a purple-gold mask. Judging by his withered hands, the man was likely an elder.
Indeed, a Heaven-tier expert.
Ye Cangtian muttered to himself and quickly bowed, saying, "Your subordinate, Dawn, greets Lord Kong Ling..."
"You are Dawn?"
"As expected, a talented individual! No wonder Xing Yuan thought so highly of you!"
Kong Ling withdrew his gaze and said faintly.
He had emerged from seclusion some time ago and had already heard much about Dawn. Therefore, as soon as he heard of Dawn's return, he immediately sent someone to summon him.
Upon seeing him, Dawn was indeed extraordinary.
Ye Cangtian quickly replied, "Lord Kong Ling, you flatter me. May I ask why you have summoned me, Lord Kong Ling?"
"No hurry, answer me a question first."
Upon hearing this, Kong Ling waved his withered hand and said, "Dawn, let me ask you, are you willing to follow me?"
Uh.
At these words, Ye Cangtian was stunned. He hadn't expected the other party to poach him.
However, this also indicated that, in some aspects, Kong Ling's relationship with Xing Yuan was not harmonious.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian hesitated for a moment before replying, "Your subordinate is a member of the Dark Association. If you have any instructions, your subordinate will naturally do his utmost.
However, your subordinate is shallow in learning and may disappoint you."
Ye Cangtian politely refused.
Since Xing Yuan and Kong Ling were at odds, he naturally would not follow the latter.
He didn't want to be used to deal with Xing Yuan, especially since Xing Yuan had taught him the Spirit Control technique, which had greatly boosted his mental power.
Of course, if a day came when things came to a head and he had to face Xing Yuan, that would be another matter.
"Hmph!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's reply, Kong Ling let out a cold snort, clearly understanding the other's intentions, but he was not resigned.
In the next moment, he looked at Ye Cangtian and said, "Dawn, do not underestimate yourself. There are few who can withstand my soul's pressure, which proves you are a worthy talent.
In the future, you might even inherit my legacy, and even succeed me, controlling the entire Dark Association!"
"..."
Within a couple of sentences, cold sweat broke out on Ye Cangtian's forehead.
The mention of soul pressure indicated that the other party had essentially seen through his mental power cultivation.
After all, this was something he had always kept hidden, yet the other party could discern everything with just a few glances, proving that his mental power cultivation was terrifyingly profound.
As for the so-called inheritance of legacy and future control of the Dark Association, these were of no concern to him; he did not covet them at all.
After a moment of silence, Ye Cangtian looked at the other party and said, "Thank you for your appreciation, Lord Kong Ling. Your subordinate will certainly serve the Dark Association with all his might..."
*Hmph!*
Before he could finish speaking, Kong Ling let out a cold snort and interrupted him.
His gaze also shifted from mildness to a hint of sharpness, saying, "The Dark Association is currently in need of personnel. Since you say so, then go to the front lines to deal with the rebels!"
It was clear that Kong Ling was angered by Ye Cangtian's lack of appreciation. However, since Ye Cangtian had committed no fault, he could not act directly.
Therefore, he intended to give Ye Cangtian a warning.
After all, the Bright Hall's actions were extremely fierce, and anyone facing them was at some risk, so no one was willing to accept this task.
He hoped that Ye Cangtian would understand that no matter how capable he was, he could not escape his control, and it would be best to think carefully before answering.
"Alright! Your subordinate will head to the front lines immediately and deliver a satisfactory report!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian agreed without hesitation. He had been looking for a way to leave as soon as possible anyway.
After all, Mandara and Feiyan were not here.
Secondly, judging by their styles of handling affairs, Xing Yuan was more approachable than Kong Ling.
Although Xing Yuan might seem indifferent to some matters, he was always in control.
Towards his subordinates, Xing Yuan prioritized unity and appointed people based on merit.
In contrast, Kong Ling's style of handling affairs was rather overbearing, and a slight disagreement would lead him to consider eliminating dissenters.
This greatly displeased Ye Cangtian, so he had long wished to keep his distance, and now the opportunity had arrived.
Saying this, Ye Cangtian bowed respectfully to Kong Ling and then withdrew from the hall.
As soon as Ye Cangtian left the hall, two figures, one black and one white, appeared in the shadowy corner of the hall.
Both wore black and white ghost masks, and they were the former confidants of Ba Tian, the Black and White Impermanence.
Having learned of Ba Tian's demise, and given Ba Tian's close relationship with Kong Ling during his lifetime, they ultimately chose to follow Hong Mo and pledge allegiance to Kong Ling.
"My lord, Dawn is unappreciative. Shall we step forward and teach him a lesson?"
A hint of malevolence flashed in Hei Wuchang's eyes as he stepped forward grimly and said.
Kong Ling glanced at him and said faintly, "A lesson must be taught, but it's overestimating him to use you. Moreover, your methods are rather brutal; he might end up dead.
He has good talent. If possible, it's better to keep him for our own use."
Saying this, Kong Ling clapped his hands, and in the next moment, two more figures appeared from a corner of the hall.