"Milady, shall we accompany you?" Two Spirit Lord servants bowed low, their expressions neutral but their eyes watchful as the cloaked maiden prepared to leave her chambers.
"No need," she replied, her voice clipped and steady. "I have personal matters to attend to. And do not mention this to anyone."
With a swish of her cloak, she disappeared through the door, leaving the servants exchanging wary glances.
One lingered for only a moment before trailing after her discreetly. The other turned on her heel, heading deeper into the palace toward a set of ornate double doors. A golden phoenix blazed in the center, its wings outstretched, as if ready to take flight. She bowed low, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of tension.
"Little Yu requests an audience with the master. I have news concerning Milady."
A deep voice resonated from within. "Enter."
The doors opened with a quiet groan, revealing a stately office cluttered with scrolls, documents, and glowing information disks. Behind the heavy desk sat Xiao Feng, master of the Xiao family, his sharp eyes narrowing as Yu stepped forward.
"Milady has left the palace," Yu reported, her tone cautious. She knew her words would weigh heavily on the formidable man before her.
Xiao Feng's frown deepened, a shadow passing over his stern features. After her recent suicide attempt, he had stationed two Spirit Lords at his daughter's side to prevent any further "incidents." That she had managed to slip away so easily was both infuriating and concerning.
"Did Yi follow her?" he asked, his voice sharp.
"Yes, master," Yu confirmed with a nod. "She instructed us not to inform anyone of her departure, but we thought it best to report."
"Do you know where she is going?" Xiao Feng's fingers drummed rhythmically against the polished wood of his desk.
"We have some suspicions," Yu began carefully. "A few days ago, Milady inquired about the best place to gather information in the capital. We suggested the Trade Union's Information Pavilion. Yesterday, she requested drawing materials. Today, she left with what appeared to be a sketch of a young man with blond hair. I believe she plans to seek him out using the Trade Union's resources."
For a moment, silence reigned. Then Xiao Feng chuckled, the sound low and humorless. "So, that's why she refused to marry. A hidden man, one she kept secret even from me. Let's see who my daughter deems worthy of her affections."
He stood abruptly, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud.
"You've done well, Yu. Leave the rest to me," he said, vanishing without a sound.
Meanwhile, Tianshi moved through the bustling streets of the Central Region Capital, her cloak pulled tight to conceal her identity. Her heart pounded with a mix of determination and unease. She hadn't acted earlier out of fear that her father would uncover her intentions—and, worse, harm the man she sought.
The Trade Union's Information Pavilion loomed ahead, its grand facade blending seamlessly with the other towering structures. She paused for a moment, her breath catching. The image of Xuefeng's face, sketched from memory, felt etched into her very soul. Could she really explain her love for someone she had never met? Would she find him here, or was she chasing a ghost?
Shaking off her doubts, she stepped inside.
The lobby buzzed with activity, resembling a modern-day bank but steeped in the mystique of the cultivation world. Employees sat behind glass counters, processing transactions and exchanging information with stone-faced cultivators. Two signs directed visitors: one to the Information Pavilion, the other to the Spirit Pavilion. Without hesitation, she turned left toward her goal.
The setup was efficient, with patrons purchasing information using Spirit Stone Cards to transfer payment. Tianshi's heart sank slightly—she didn't have one. Would she be turned away?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shift in the room's energy. Conversations hushed, and heads turned as a middle-aged man descended a grand staircase. His aura radiated authority, and his every step commanded attention.
"Manager Kong," murmurs filled the air.
"Good morning, Manager Kong."
"Manager Kong, looking sharp today!"
The man scanned the room, his sharp gaze landing on Tianshi. She stiffened beneath her cloak, hoping to remain unnoticed, but to her dismay, he strode directly toward her.
"Welcome," he said, his voice warm but laced with curiosity. "I'm Manager Kong. How may I assist you?"
Tianshi hesitated, her hands gripping the edges of her cloak. "I… I'd like to purchase some information," she said, lowering her voice in an attempt to disguise it.
"Excellent," he replied smoothly. "But this isn't the place for such delicate matters. May I invite you to my study upstairs?"
Her instincts screamed that something was off, but refusing would only draw more attention. Reluctantly, she nodded and followed him up the staircase.
As they ascended, the murmurs in the lobby grew louder.
"Who could she be to warrant Manager Kong's personal attention?"
"Maybe a young mistress from one of the Great Clans?"
"Even the Xiao family's princess wouldn't get this treatment. She must be someone special."
"Well, it's not like we will find out anyway. Let's get this information about the hidden domain as soon as possible."
"Yeah, you're right. It's going to open soon, and we don't want to miss it."
Upstairs, Manager Kong ushered her into a lavish office, its decor a blend of sophistication and power. The walls were adorned with rare artifacts, their glow casting a warm light over the room. Tianshi's eyes roamed, momentarily captivated. Her mother had been an interior designer, and though this world was far removed from Earth, she couldn't help but appreciate the artistry.
"Please, have a seat," Manager Kong said, pouring tea with practiced ease. "Now, tell me, what brings you to the Information Pavilion?"
Tianshi hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of her cloak. Could she trust him? She glanced at the tea, its steam curling lazily upward, and decided to take the risk.
"I'm looking for someone," she began, her voice steady despite her nerves. "A young man with blond hair. I need to find him as soon as possible."
Manager Kong's eyes gleamed with interest. "And why is this young man so important to you?"
Tianshi's gaze hardened. "That's none of your concern. Can you help me or not?"
Manager Kong chuckled, setting his cup down with a quiet clink. "Rest assured, I can help you. But all information comes at a price."
"I'll pay whatever it takes," she replied, her determination unwavering.
"Very well," he said, his tone shifting to professional precision, the earlier warmth fading into a sharp focus. "Can you give me more details about the person you're looking for?"
Tianshi hesitated for a heartbeat before pulling a neatly folded sketch from her ring. She handed it over with steady hands. "His name is Liu Xuefeng. This is his likeness. I don't know where he is—he could be anywhere, even in distant regions," she explained, her voice calm, though her fingers fidgeted slightly at her sides.
Manager Kong unfolded the drawing and examined it closely. His expression remained neutral, but for the briefest moment, a flicker of recognition crossed his features. If she noticed, she gave no indication.
"That's quite a task," he said, smoothing the paper between his fingers. "But rest assured, the Trade Union excels at finding people. No matter where he's hiding, we'll locate him."
"I need you to ask him something when you find him," Tianshi said, leaning forward, her tone urgent. "Ask if he remembers Tianshi and what happened on the cliff. If he does—and if he asks about me—tell him I'm in the Xiao Family estate in the Central Region Capital."
"Understood," Manager Kong replied smoothly, setting the drawing aside. "However, a search this broad will take time. To comb the entire Realm, even with our resources, will likely take at least one to two months."
"That's fine," she said, her tone firm. "Just keep it quiet. I don't want my family involved in this."
"Of course," he assured her, a polite smile curving his lips. "The Trade Union values discretion. This matter will remain between us."
"Good," she said, rising from her chair. Her hood fell back into place, shadowing her face. "Please inform me immediately when you find him. And thank you for agreeing to help."
"There's no need for gratitude, Lady Xiao," Manager Kong said, standing as well. "Your family's long-standing relationship with the Trade Union makes this a small courtesy. Consider it part of our partnership."
Tianshi nodded and left the room without another word, her cloak billowing behind her.
The moment the door clicked shut, a figure emerged from the shadows of the room. Xiao Feng, his face impassive but his eyes sharp as steel, stepped into the light.
"You owe me a new Spirit Artifact for this," Manager Kong said dryly, sipping his tea. He didn't flinch at the sudden presence of one of the most powerful men in the region.
Xiao Feng ignored the jab, his focus razor-sharp. "What do you know about the boy?" he demanded. While Tianshi might have missed the faint twitch of surprise on Manager Kong's face earlier, Xiao Feng had not.
A sly smile tugged at the corners of Manager Kong's lips. "It seems I do know something," he admitted, savoring the moment. "But first, let's talk about that Spirit Artifact."
Xiao Feng's jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Fine. You'll get your Artifact. Now talk."
Manager Kong chuckled softly, setting his teacup down with a delicate clink. "News came in just this morning about a young man in a small country in the Eastern Region—a place called Aurora. The Liu Clan, to be precise. A Black Talent has awakened there. Interestingly, this boy was initially a red talent. After consuming a Six Petals Lotus Flower, he advanced to black talent. If that wasn't impressive enough, he also survived a Six Lightning Heaven Tribulation with barely a scratch."
Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed. "And?"
"Our branch office struck a lucrative partnership deal with the Liu Clan shortly after his awakening. It's clear this boy is someone to watch," Manager Kong finished, leaning back in his chair with satisfaction.
Xiao Feng didn't hesitate. He reached out, snatched the drawing from the table, and tucked it into his sleeve. "I'll handle this. If he's not worthy of my daughter, he'll never lay eyes on her. And if he is…" Xiao Feng's voice trailed off ominously as he vanished without so much as a sound.
Left alone, Manager Kong exhaled a long, measured sigh, picking up his teacup once more. He swirled the remaining tea thoughtfully before taking a slow sip. "Apologies, Lady Tianshi," he murmured to himself, his voice tinged with regret. "But business is business."
He set the cup down, its soft clink reverberating in the now-empty room, and turned his attention to the next matter on his desk.