Back at headquarters.
Ye Cangtian glanced at Gui Wu's room, sensing that Gui Wu was still absorbing the medicinal effects, and simply packed his belongings.
Then he called Mandara to his side.
"I just received news of a tomb and will be away for a few days."
"I'm leaving the headquarters in your care. Remember, if Gui Wu comes out of seclusion, do not argue with her."
"If she wishes to stay, let her stay. If she does not wish to stay, then let her leave of her own accord..."
Listening to Ye Cangtian's instructions, Mandara's expression shifted slightly. Although she was quite displeased with all of this, since it was already a fact, what else could she say?
So, she reluctantly agreed.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Just as he had finished giving instructions to Mandara, the door to another room was knocked upon.
A guard arrived.
The guard approached Ye Cangtian, bowed slowly, and said, "Lord Po Xiao, Lord Xing Yuan requests your presence!"
Hmm?
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian couldn't help but be startled. Only half a day had passed, and Xing Yuan was summoning him again?
Had he discovered his little actions?
With questions in his mind, Ye Cangtian proceeded to the main hall.
Upon arriving at the hall this time, Ye Cangtian was clearly taken aback.
Because the entire hall was devoid of Huang Shan and Lu Luo, as well as the hall guards. Only he and Xing Yuan were present.
"Greetings, Lord Xing Yuan. May I ask what matter brings you to summon me, Lord Xing Yuan?"
Ye Cangtian clasped his hands and inquired first.
Xing Yuan glanced at Ye Cangtian and said, "I have a mission for you, and it's quite urgent. I wonder if you're interested?"
"Lord Xing Yuan, to be frank, your subordinate was just about to report to you."
"Your subordinate knows his abilities are insufficient, so he plans to sweep through tombs in various places recently to find some applicable ancient cultivation techniques to improve his strength."
"Therefore, if this matter is not something only your subordinate can handle, your subordinate believes it can be handed over to Huang Shan and Lu Luo..."
Ye Cangtian's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and he quickly replied.
A mission personally assigned by Xing Yuan would surely not be simple. If he accepted it, it would likely delay his departure for Jieyin City, which would be troublesome for the Anti-Black Alliance.
Therefore, Ye Cangtian could only attempt to refuse Xing Yuan's assignment.
"Perhaps you should hear my mission first."
"We just received news from Zi Long that the Guangming Hall has once again approached us, seeking cooperation with the Hei An Association."
Xing Yuan slowly explained the situation, clearly stating that this matter should have been handled by Zi Long.
However, Zi Long had suffered many losses at the hands of Guangming Hall, and to prevent being outmaneuvered by Guangming Hall again, Xing Yuan wanted Po Xiao to go.
Po Xiao's abilities were unquestionable, and his reactions were swift. Serving as Zi Long's deputy would ensure everything went smoothly.
Heh heh, it seems even fate is helping me!
Ye Cangtian chuckled inwardly upon hearing this.
He had originally planned to leave Ghost City under the guise of sweeping through tombs!
Who knew Xing Yuan would give him such a perfect excuse.
Most importantly, this mission passed through Jieyin City, so wouldn't it be a natural progression to leave and resolve Zhang Fan's matter thoroughly?
With this thought, Ye Cangtian asked, "Lord Xing Yuan, do you happen to know what the content of this cooperation is?"
"This seat does not understand the specific details."
"It is said that Guangming Hall has shown great sincerity this time, and they did not mention anything about this mission beforehand!"
Xing Yuan shook his head and spoke slowly. It was precisely because of Guangming Hall's unusual behavior that he worried they might be playing tricks, which is why he assigned the task to Po Xiao.
Hmm?
Ye Cangtian frowned slightly. Even Xing Yuan did not know the specific content and would discuss it at the negotiation table. Guangming Hall's peculiar actions were indeed interesting.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian asked again, "Lord Xing Yuan, is this cooperation a bilateral cooperation, or a multi-party cooperation?"
"Multi-party cooperation."
Xing Yuan was clear on this point and did not conceal it, stating it directly.
...
After leaving Xing Yuan, Ye Cangtian quickly contacted Xiao Feng and the Tang Qingshan couple.
Due to Xing Yuan's mission, some details of the operation needed to be altered, but fortunately, he was passing through Jieyin City, so the changes to the plan were not significant.
After completing these matters, Ye Cangtian set off for Jieyin City without delay.
...
Jieyin City Branch.
At the branch, Xuan Forty appeared to be leisurely drinking tea, but his heart was exceptionally restless.
He had informed four Earth-level powerhouses about Zhang Fan's whereabouts, a move that was extremely risky.
After all, Zhang Fan was only one person, and the merit was also singular. This meant he could only curry favor with one person, and simultaneously risk offending the other three.
However, he had already made his move, and having just one Earth-level powerhouse as a backer would suffice.
The other three Earth-level powerhouses would more or less give face to that person, and his life would not be in danger.
The only problem now was whether his fawning actions would incur the displeasure of all the Earth-level powerhouses, leading no one to accept him.
Or, even if someone was willing to cooperate with him out of consideration for the merit, what would happen if that person later claimed the merit and then ungratefully kicked him aside?
It was for this reason that Xuan Forty was in a state of constant anxiety, hiding in the branch all day, drinking tea and worrying about the matter.
"Report!"
At some unknown time, a loud and familiar voice was heard.
Xuan Forty's eyes immediately opened, and the anxiety within them became even more urgent.
Indeed, the one who entered was a figure he was familiar with and held expectations for; it was the guard he had dispatched to notify the various Earth-level stewards.
"Quickly, tell me, what's the situation?" Xuan Forty asked impatiently.
"My lord, great news..."
The guard replied quickly. Xuan Forty's plan this time was quite successful, attracting the attention of all the Earth-level stewards.
Among them, Hong Mo and Po Xiao even argued in front of Xing Yuan over who would be responsible for this matter, with Hong Mo ultimately gaining a slight advantage.
Most importantly, Hong Mo had also spoken favorably of Xuan Forty, suggesting a desire for bribery.
"Hahaha, excellent, excellent!"
Upon hearing the guard's report, Xuan Forty's hanging heart finally settled, and he became excited.
Although Po Xiao appeared to be Xing Yuan's new favorite, meticulously cared for and favored, at a critical moment, he still couldn't compete with Hong Mo.
This indicated that among the Earth-level powerhouses, Hong Mo's influence remained the greatest, with infinite possibilities for the future.
And now that Hong Mo was extending an olive branch to him, wouldn't he become part of the strongest faction? Who would dare bully him in the future? His future prospects were also limitless!
Thinking this, he turned his gaze to the guard and said, "You have handled this matter well. Rest assured, your master will not treat you poorly in the future. Now, I have another arduous task for you."
"Make thorough preparations to welcome Lord Hong Mo into the city. Remember, it must be grand..."
Upon hearing this, the guard immediately responded and then left the branch.
...