Qingfeng Hall.
Yao Bao'er returned to her room to refine pills.
This time, not only the Imperial Dragon Villa but also the Death Squad would be heading to the Summit Gathering.
Therefore, she wanted to refine as many pills as possible before leaving, to be prepared for any eventuality.
Xue Qi and Bing Yao were also not idle, helping Ye Cangtian pack his luggage.
*Screech!*
A sound was heard, and the two women looked up to see Ye Cangtian slowly approaching.
Xue Qi quickly stepped forward and asked, "You were only informing us, why did you take so long?"
"Some people were too much in need of a lesson, so I took care of them along the way."
Ye Cangtian briefly explained the transaction with Wen Shen in the inn.
He hadn't intended to provoke Wen Shen, but the man's demeanor, as if everything was under his control, truly annoyed him.
So, he couldn't help but dig a pit for Wen Shen.
Upon hearing this, Xue Qi was stunned and asked in confusion, "Is this what you call a lesson? Why do I feel that this lesson is a win-win for Misty Rain Tower?"
"That's because you only see the surface."
Ye Cangtian smiled at Xue Qi and said, "That's right, I did agree to Misty Rain Tower to have a chance to participate in the handling of the Four Seals. But do you think I would actually handle the Four Seals?"
Uh...
She immediately understood. This was just a trick to fool the other party.
After all, the Four Seals were so important that Ye Cangtian would not easily let them go. In that case, the opportunity given to the other party would only be an empty promise.
Thinking of this, Xue Qi gave Ye Cangtian a glare and said, "Brother Ye, you are truly wicked! Aren't you worried that Wen Shen will discover this pit you've dug for him?"
"Not worried!"
Ye Cangtian shrugged and continued, "Even if he finds out, what can he do? I never said I wouldn't deal with the Four Seals. It's just that the timing of the deal depends on whether they can afford to wait."
"Uh..."
Bing Yao stared at Ye Cangtian blankly, and after a moment, said, "Brother Ye, after following you for so long, this is the first time I've realized you're also a scoundrel! But I support this!"
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled helplessly and said, "I can't help it! You both know that I have to consider both the Hidden Group and the Imperial Dragon Villa.
And my resources are not abundant, so I have to take every opportunity to gain an advantage..."
The two women responded to Ye Cangtian's explanation with a direct glare and then ignored him, each returning to their tasks.
...
After a small interlude, Ye Cangtian was fully prepared for the Summit Gathering, with only the breakthrough of the three, Cudgel, Taishan, and Wuying Jian, remaining.
So, during the day, when he had nothing else to do, Ye Cangtian would help with some administrative work for the Hidden Group and also spend some time accompanying Elder Long fishing.
Eight days passed in a flash, and deafening roars echoed from the secret chamber of Qingfeng Hall.
Cudgel, Taishan, and Wuying Jian successfully broke through to the Quasi-Heavenly realm, fulfilling their mission.
Among them, Wuying Jian's cultivation was the strongest, directly reaching the fourth heaven of the Quasi-Heavenly realm, while Cudgel and Taishan both reached the third heaven.
The three had all experienced a significant surge in their strength.
However, such results made Yao Bao'er feel helpless.
She had taken numerous pills, including the Heavenly Insight Pill, and her current cultivation was only at the second heaven.
Yet, after taking only one Enlightenment Pill, Cudgel and the other two had surpassed her in cultivation.
This outcome both frustrated her and made her happy for the three, leaving her with mixed feelings.
Ye Cangtian, though he noticed this, did not offer any comfort.
He hoped that this would stimulate Yao Bao'er and encourage her to cultivate diligently in the future.
After a simple celebration for the three, Ye Cangtian found Wen Shen, and together they set off for Misty Rain Tower.
...
A thousand miles away, Misty Rain Tower.
Unlike other peak forces, whose headquarters were located outside human-inhabited areas, Misty Rain Tower was situated within them.
Specifically, Misty Rain Tower was quite mysterious, located in some unexplored region within human-inhabited areas.
Of course, this so-called unexplored region was only relative to weaker forces or ordinary people.
The town where Misty Rain Tower was located was currently a bustling and prosperous scene.
As the Summit Gathering was about to begin, most of the invited forces had already arrived at Misty Rain Tower, with only a small number still en route.
These forces that arrived early were naturally not idle.
They took this time to actively communicate with various forces, attempting to form alliances while also currying favor with the peak forces to seek protection.
This was very important to them.
Every Summit Gathering, regardless of which of the five peak forces hosted it, the explored areas were invariably extremely dangerous.
Let alone these forces, even peak forces might not return.
Therefore, in the face of such danger, their only recourse was to unite. Firstly, to preserve themselves.
Secondly, they could also employ some unscrupulous tactics.
After all, there was more competition than resources, and to obtain treasures, one didn't necessarily have to snatch them from monsters and demons; one could also rob others.
It all depended on whose methods were more ruthless.
At this moment, within the town of Misty Rain Tower, three consecutive carriages arrived.
Shortly after entering the city, the carriages entered the bustling streets. The next moment, the curtains of the carriage were rolled up, revealing a slightly plump, pretty face.
She kept twitching her nose and licking her lips.
"Boss, it smells so good! Can we go down and eat something? I can't take it anymore."
Yao Bao'er glanced at Ye Cangtian, her expression pleading.
She had endured much hardship traveling and eating on the road, and now, smelling the fragrance from outside, she was about to drool.
Hmph!
Ye Cangtian snorted and glared at her, saying, "Bear with it. I'll take you to eat after we've settled down!"
After all, they had arrived at Misty Rain Tower, and the first thing to do was to meet with the people of Misty Rain Tower.
If they were to delay the meeting because of taking Yao Bao'er to eat street food, wouldn't that make them a laughingstock?
Hearing this, Yao Bao'er immediately pouted and said, "Boss, you're mistreating me, I'm going on strike!"
Ye Cangtian chose to ignore her.
Seeing this, Yao Bao'er was still not giving up. She hesitated for a moment and then quickly said, "Boss, how about this, I'll go down and forage for food myself. Anyway, it's not like I'm needed for your meeting with Misty Rain Tower. We won't interfere with each other..."
Hmm?
Ye Cangtian frowned upon hearing this. Since Yao Bao'er had said so, it meant she was absolutely craving food.
And considering that Yao Bao'er wasn't really needed at the meeting with Misty Rain Tower.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian glanced at Yao Bao'er and nodded, saying, "Alright, let Taishan accompany you. Remember not to cause any trouble..."
"Boss, you're the best!"
Yao Bao'er cheered upon hearing Ye Cangtian agree and then pulled Taishan, jumping off the carriage.
Soon, led by Wen Shen, Ye Cangtian arrived at the innermost part of the town, beneath a cliff and waterfall.
The carriage stopped, and Wen Shen immediately came over.
"Mr. Ye, there is a path leading up the waterfall. Misty Rain Tower is at the top."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded and, without further ado, led the Death Squad out of the carriage and walked with them up the steps leading to the top of the waterfall.
After about an hour, their figures appeared at the top of the waterfall.
Before them stood a tall city wall, at least twenty meters high, and in the center above the wall, sat a small building.
The small building was divided into three floors and looked majestic and imposing.
"Everyone, the small building on the city wall is Misty Rain Tower."
Wen Shen explained about Misty Rain Tower as he led the way.
According to ancient records, when Misty Rain Tower was first discovered, it was filled with an overwhelming aura of malevolence, with sword energy crisscrossing, making it extremely perilous.
In ancient times, it must have been one of the few ancient battlefields within human-inhabited areas.
Later, after countless generations of sages from Misty Rain Tower had transformed it, it became peaceful and beautiful, like a fairy realm on earth.
Heh heh.
Upon hearing this, a helpless smile gradually appeared on Ye Cangtian's face.
Wen Shen was truly loyal to Misty Rain Tower, praising the sages of Misty Rain Tower even on such a short journey.