At this time, the moon had already risen, yet Dalahan City remained lively, with cultivators from various parts of the continent gathering here. Many still stayed in Valiard City, awaiting Duke Valiard, while even more gathered in the capital, anticipating his appearance at the royal palace. Speculation had already begun that Duke Valiard had left Valiard City in disguise due to the apparent lack of activity from the Valiard family, leading people to search for him—especially in Dalahan City, where he was most likely to appear.
After leaving the royal palace, Aldrian didn't immediately return to the inn to meet with Eleine and the others. Instead, he first met with the First Finger, whom he had tasked with gathering information. After receiving updates from Arson Vuran, the leader of the Thunderous Shadow Pavilion, about his father's family's movements and their envoy, Aldrian asked the First Finger to track their location.
