After managing to temporarily deceive the two men, Jiang Bai felt a sense of relief.
He genuinely feared they might resort to extreme measures to acquire that dubious divination technique.
There was no way he could introduce the system to them; even if he wanted to, the system wouldn't agree!
[System: Those bull-headed fools deserve it!]
Just then, Dugu Qing said, "Sir, I have a small request, and I hope you won't refuse."
"Please, City Lord, just tell me what it is. I will do my best to assist, but I'm just an ordinary person; what can I really do?"
"There's no need to be humble. I won't make it difficult for you; I only want to ask you to perform a divination for me."
Jiang Bai realized this was another test of his skills.
He quickly replied, "Since the City Lord thinks so highly of me, I won't refuse. However, my ancestral divination technique has a rule that's somewhat harsh."
"Please share it; rules should be followed, and I won't put you in a tough spot."
"According to the rules, since you value my skills, I can't accept payment. However, for my divination to be accurate, I need an equivalent offering!"
"Ha! How could I let you do this for free? I have plenty of resources and will make sure you're satisfied!" Dugu Qing replied confidently.
"Then, City Lord, please tell me what you wish to calculate so I can assess the cost."
"To be honest, I have a daughter who's been quite rebellious and hard to manage. Recently, she secretly ran away, leaving only a letter saying she wanted to explore the world, which worries me."
"Could you possibly find out her whereabouts to ease my mind?"
Dugu Qing was indeed telling the truth; he had a daughter who had left without informing him.
"There's no need for the City Lord to worry; I'll calculate it right away."
Jiang Bai confidently assured him, closed his eyes, and pretended to do some calculations.
[System: For this divination, 3,000 spirit stones or equivalent items are required.]
Jiang Bai opened his eyes and said to Dugu Qing, "City Lord, please provide 5,000 spirit stones or an equivalent item as an offering."
"Sigh, I really am too kind; I'll just charge him an extra 2,000 spirit stones." Jiang Bai silently congratulated himself.
Dugu Qing said nothing further and took out a jade pendant from his storage treasure, handing it over to Jiang Bai.
"This should be enough!"
Jiang Bai accepted it, and the system quickly assessed its value.
[System: White Jade Dragon-patterned Pendant, worth 10,000 spirit stones.]
"Wow, this old man really is wealthy!" Jiang Bai exclaimed.
"That's sufficient."
The system took the jade pendant without hesitation.
Dugu Qing and Qin Xiaofeng observed as the pendant vanished into thin air, both frowning in surprise.
With their cultivation in the Void Realm, they couldn't detect how the pendant had disappeared.
There were no signs of any spiritual energy fluctuations under their divine senses.
The moment the pendant vanished, words appeared before Jiang Bai that only he could see.
[System: Dugu Yue, 18 years old, in the Nascent Soul stage, currently in Fengming City at Zuiyun Xuan.]
"Wow, children from rich families are really impressive—an 18-year-old in the Nascent Soul stage, raised by immortals?"
Jiang Bai immediately informed Dugu Qing of Dugu Yue's location.
Dugu Qing promptly commanded his subordinates, "Go and bring that girl back immediately; use the teleportation array!"
Immediately, a Transformation stage cultivator was dispatched.
Upon receiving news of his daughter's safety, Dugu Qing's gaze toward Jiang Bai softened slightly.
Everyone began to exchange compliments and praises.
In less than the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, the Transformation stage cultivator returned with a sweet, mischievous girl.
The girl greeted the distinguished guests at the table politely.
"Hello, Uncle Qin, and all the other uncles and elders."
When she turned to Dugu Qing, she tilted her head and let out a cold snort.
"My daughter is naughty; I apologize for making you all laugh."
Dugu Qing explained awkwardly.
It seemed everyone was already familiar with the City Lord's daughter and laughed it off.
"Yue'er, don't be so temperamental; come and take a seat."
"Come here, little girl." Qin Xiaofeng invited her with a smile.
Dugu Yue immediately ran to Qin Xiaofeng.
Someone who had been sitting next to Qin Xiaofeng wisely shifted to the side.
After Dugu Yue sat down, she playfully stuck her tongue out at Dugu Qing, causing more laughter.
She quickly noticed Jiang Bai's presence.
Among the crowd, he was the only unfamiliar face and the youngest.
Moreover, she realized this stranger was seated at the head of the table, with her father and Uncle Qin on either side.
Instantly, she felt a strong curiosity about Jiang Bai.
"Yue'er, shouldn't you greet your Uncle Jiang?"
Jiang Bai: "???"
"City Lord, this isn't appropriate; I'm not worthy…"
"Don't be modest; I feel a connection with you. What's wrong with calling each other brothers? Yue'er, why are you still standing there?"
Dugu Yue looked at Jiang Bai, who was only a few years older than her. Though she felt annoyed, she lazily performed a greeting.
"Hello, Uncle Jiang…"
Jiang Bai: Great, now I'm a whole generation older!
Qin Xiaofeng exchanged a knowing glance with Dugu Qing but remained silent.
With this interaction, no one doubted Jiang Bai's divination skills any longer.
During the meal, when Dugu Yue learned that Jiang Bai had calculated her whereabouts, her gaze toward him grew more intense.
Jiang Bai occasionally glanced at Dugu Yue, who seemed to be glaring at him, feeling quite uneasy.
Especially when Dugu Yue realized that Jiang Bai had no cultivation, her expression shifted to a strange smile.
If there hadn't been so many people around, Jiang Bai would have wanted to calculate how to handle Dugu Yue.
That girl's stare was genuinely frightening.
While Dugu Qing might still care about appearances and etiquette, a spoiled girl like Dugu Yue would not behave properly.
"I need to come up with a plan to leave Tengxian City soon!" Jiang Bai felt a pressing urgency.
After a satisfying meal, Dugu Qing and Qin Xiaofeng argued over where Jiang Bai would live in the future.
Eventually, after Dugu Yue suggested gifting Jiang Bai a residence in the city, their dispute was amicably resolved.
Dugu Qing and Qin Xiaofeng each sent a trusted aide to escort Jiang Bai to his new home.
They left two of their subordinates with him, claiming it was for his protection.
But Jiang Bai knew the only purpose of these two staying by his side was to keep an eye on him.
In critical moments, they might even take his life.
Sending him to a residence was merely a way to control him and use him as a tool.
As he looked at the impressive house before him, Jiang Bai felt far from happy.
Although it seemed he had become a guest of honor for Dugu Qing and Qin Xiaofeng tonight, his future freedom was uncertain.
This was exactly what Jiang Bai wanted to avoid.
However, thinking about the earnings from today's divination lifted his spirits.
After a busy day, it was time to check his profits!