Tiancan Tower.
Tiancan Tower stood on the south side of Youming City, surrounded by high walls, presenting an air of strict security.
Upon entering Tiancan Tower, Ye Cangtian found himself secretly astonished.
The guards visible on the surface were of very ordinary strength, mostly around the Yellow grade.
However, the hidden guards in the shadows possessed formidable power, with at least half of them reaching the late-stage Profound grade.
With such accumulated strength, coupled with the楼主 and other key personnel, their overall power might not be inferior to a branch, and could even surpass it.
Thinking of Xing Yuan's attitude now, Ye Cangtian became even more convinced that Xing Yuan intended to suppress the influence of Tiancan Tower.
It was simple: the stronger Tiancan Tower became, the more arrogant it would grow, eventually breaking free from the control of the Dark Association. Such a situation would become a considerable problem.
Ye Cangtian had not yet figured out how to deal with this.
While still pondering, Ye Cangtian was led by his guide to the grand hall on the top floor of Tiancan Tower.
Seated in the main seat above the hall was a gaunt old man, appearing to be at least eighty or ninety years old.
Despite his advanced age, the pair of ancient, triangular eyes were exceptionally sharp and full of spirit.
This person was none other than the founder of Tiancan Tower and its current楼主, Tiancan.
This old fellow was no simple character!
As Ye Cangtian's eyes met Tiancan's, he was inwardly surprised.
Although the old man showed no trace of spiritual energy, Ye Cangtian sensed a dangerous aura.
This suggested that even if the old man was not a Earth grade expert, he had at least half of his being on the threshold of Earth grade.
After all, Ye Cangtian was now a mid-to-late Earth grade expert; ordinary peak Profound grade cultivators could no longer pose a threat to him.
"Greetings, Lord Poxiao. Please forgive our poor reception along the way."
As Tiancan gazed at Ye Cangtian, he quickly cupped his hands in a respectful salute.
According to the regulations of the Dark Association, as the head of a faction, his status was equivalent to that of a city supervisor within the Dark Association, also ranking below Earth grade enforcers.
Therefore, it was natural for him to offer the first salute.
On the other hand, seeing the old man offer a salute without even rising from his seat, a cold glint flashed in Ye Cangtian's eyes as he subtly dodged the gesture.
"Tiancan, it seems you have some reservations about me, a newly promoted Earth grade enforcer!"
"In Tiancan Tower, I permit you not to roll out the welcome mat, but is this perfunctory treatment of me not a bit excessive!"
Ye Cangtian stared directly at the old man, speaking coldly.
He was unsure if Tiancan was trying to test him or if he was acting on someone else's instructions to slight him.
However, disrespecting him face-to-face was absolutely intolerable!
"Lord Poxiao, you jest. How could this old man dare to disrespect you!"
"This old man is of advanced age, and coupled with old injuries, it is difficult for me to rise and salute. I implore Lord Poxiao not to misunderstand."
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Tiancan waved his hands repeatedly, offering his explanation.
"Is that so?"
A cold smile flickered in Ye Cangtian's eyes. With a flick of his hand, a streak of black light shot towards Tiancan.
"Protect the楼主!"
As the black light flashed, Mandarola and the others in the hall were instantly alarmed, drawing their weapons.
However, the dagger was too fast; they had no time to react and defend.
Who would have thought that Poxiao would suddenly launch a lethal attack! After all, Tiancan Tower had pledged allegiance to the Dark Association; how could their own people engage in combat upon meeting?
Hmph!
Tiancan was equally taken by surprise. By the time he reacted, without any hesitation, his body sprang up.
That was an attack from an Earth grade expert; it was not something to be taken lightly. Therefore, to be safe, Tiancan chose to evade.
"Lord Poxiao, you have gone too far!"
"Although Tiancan Tower has pledged allegiance to the Dark Association, we are not beasts to be killed on your whim!"
Tiancan roared indignantly. If he hadn't reacted in time to the sudden strike, he might have lost his life. It had certainly caused him to break out in a cold sweat.
With that declaration, Mandarola and the others in the hall instantly surrounded Ye Cangtian.
Even if they knew they were outmatched, they could not simply wait to die.
"Oh, so you *can* stand up after all! I thought you were disabled..."
Facing the furious gazes of the experts from Tiancan Tower, Ye Cangtian's eyes were filled with mockery.
He simply looked at Tiancan quietly, no longer speaking or attacking, as if giving Tiancan a chance to choose.
"..."
Sensing Poxiao's gaze, Tiancan was stunned. Following that, his aged face became grim.
He now understood that Poxiao was testing him, to see if he could indeed stand.
Now that he had been exposed, it meant his previous actions were disrespectful to Poxiao. If this were reported back to the Dark Association, it could lead to a severe reprimand.
With that thought, Tiancan bowed to Ye Cangtian and said, "Tiancan pays his respects to Lord Poxiao once more. I implore your forgiveness for my unintentional oversight..."
He had already discerned that Poxiao, acting with such disregard, was clearly not someone to be trifled with.
Moreover, based on the attack just now, he also knew that if a real conflict were to erupt, Tiancan Tower would likely suffer heavy losses, and it was still uncertain if they could hold him.
Therefore, it was more prudent to concede a step.
Observing Tiancan's attitude, all the members of Tiancan Tower hastily offered respectful salutes to Ye Cangtian.
"Tiancan, consider this matter settled. However, I have a piece of advice for you."
"In my presence, it's best not to play any games. Otherwise, you'll face the consequences!"
Facing the salutes of all the experts from Tiancan Tower, Ye Cangtian snorted lightly, then slowly strode up the steps.
As Ye Cangtian approached, Tiancan's expression was slightly grim. After a moment's hesitation, he still made way for the seat.
Although he was the owner of Tiancan Tower, his status was lower than that of an Earth grade enforcer. Therefore, facing Poxiao's uninvited assumption of authority, he endured it.
This...
The people in the hall watched as Poxiao took the seat, the symbol of Tiancan Tower's paramount authority. They were all stunned, and then a spark of anger flashed in their eyes.
This clearly showed they held Tiancan Tower in contempt! He truly considered himself the master.
Towards the attitude of the crowd, a trace of disdain flickered in Ye Cangtian's eyes, but he was very satisfied with this outcome.
This was precisely the situation he desired.
The more Tiancan Tower distanced itself from the Dark Association, the better. This would help weaken the Dark Association's influence.
Ye Cangtian coughed lightly, his gaze sweeping over Tiancan, "Ahem, you didn't summon me here merely for a welcome reception, did you? Speak."
Tiancan was slightly taken aback. The purpose of inviting Poxiao this time was merely to observe Poxiao's character and his way of conducting business.
Now, through the recent interlude, he had largely concluded that Poxiao was an extremely difficult individual to control.
To make him serve their purposes was practically impossible; at most, it would be a cooperation aimed at mutual benefit.
After a moment of contemplation, Tiancan slowly said, "The reason for inviting you here this time is mainly to get acquainted with you, to become friends..."
"Become friends?"
"Tiancan Tower has already pledged allegiance to the Dark Association. To put it plainly, you are also my subordinate. For a subordinate and a leader to become friends, I suspect there are ulterior motives, aren't there?"
Ye Cangtian smiled faintly. Before understanding the other party's intentions, he did not refuse.
Instead, he crossed his legs, lit a cigarette, and looked at Tiancan with amusement, waiting for the latter to continue.