Old Man Feng's words still echoed in Lin Fan's mind as he strolled through the bustling streets of Cloud Peak City. "Chaotic Force isn't always evil," and "The Devouring Jade holds even greater secrets than you think." This information completely contradicted what Overseer Alpha had said, leaving him both bewildered and intrigued. Clearly, the Nine Realms world wasn't as black and white as he'd initially perceived.
He decided to temporarily set aside his hunt for Chaotic Force. Cloud Peak City was a hub, a place where he could search for clues about other "Lost Ones," about "variables," and about the unresolved mysteries of his Devouring Jade.
His first targets were teahouses and taverns—gathering places for all sorts of players, from merchants to monster hunters, where news and rumors spread fastest. He didn't want to stand out; he just wanted to listen.
Lin Fan chose a smaller, quieter teahouse, ordered a simple pot of tea, and settled into a secluded corner. He focused on listening to the conversations around him. At first, it was just idle chatter about quests, monsters, or item prices. But then, he heard something that made him stiffen.
"Have you heard? Recently, in the Dark Forest, a large number of monsters have been completely 'drained dry.' Leaving no corpses, just ash." A high-level player said to his companion, his tone full of curiosity.
"Drained dry?" The other player frowned. "Sounds like the traces of that 'shadow hunter' that people have been rumored about for months now. I hear he specializes in hunting monsters infected with toxins or evil qi. Terrifying!"
Lin Fan's heart pounded. "Drained dry, ash, monsters infected with toxins or evil qi..." That was precisely how his Devouring Jade destroyed the Zombie Wolves. Could it be that this "shadow hunter" was also a Lost One, and possessed a similar "variable"?
He diligently tried to remember every detail, including the location of the "Dark Forest." That might be where he'd find another Trial Participant.
Leaving the teahouse, Lin Fan continued to wander through the markets. He paid close attention to players who seemed unusual, those with sharp eyes or an aura unlike ordinary cultivators. He also sought out shops selling special items or documents.
In a small, tucked-away antique bookstore, he found a crumbling book titled "Tome of Anomalies." This book listed several items considered "anomalies" of the Nine Realms, falling outside the realm of ordinary spiritual energy. He bought it for a considerable price.
Back at his inn, he immediately opened the "Tome of Anomalies." He flipped through page by page, searching for descriptions that might relate to the Devouring Jade. Finally, on a yellowed page, he found a small passage.
"...rumors speak of an ancient item, shaped like a jade pendant, known as the 'Ancient God's Eye'. It does not absorb spiritual energy, but rather 'devours' everything around it to 'refine.' Its possessor is said to be led by fate to desolate lands, where chaotic energies reside. However, information about it is extremely rare, and most is considered mere legend..."
"Ancient God's Eye?" Lin Fan murmured, looking at the Devouring Jade in his hand. The name and description seemed to fit. "Devouring everything to refine." This was likely its true ability. "Desolate lands, chaotic energies"—wasn't that the Silent Abyss and the Chaotic Force?
This made Lin Fan feel a deeper connection to the Devouring Jade. It wasn't just a fragment of a Great Dao Supreme Treasure as Overseer Alpha had said; it was also an "Ancient God's Eye," something with an ancient origin and a far more complex purpose.
As he was engrossed in his research, a knock sounded at his door. Lin Fan startled, immediately stashing the Devouring Jade and the book into his storage bag. He opened the door.
A young, beautiful woman with long black hair and sharp eyes stood outside. Her attire was neat, exuding an air of strength and confidence.
[Name]: Blood Splendor (Blood Shadow Pavilion) [Level]: ???
"Greetings, esteemed guest," the woman smiled, her smile hinting at professionalism. "I am Blood Splendor, from the Blood Shadow Pavilion. We heard you're new to Cloud Peak City and seem to be seeking some peculiar information?"
Lin Fan's vigilance shot up. The Blood Shadow Pavilion was a major intelligence organization in the Nine Realms Immortal Realm, specializing in gathering and selling news. They were renowned for their efficiency and their ability to acquire the most unbelievable information. "What have you heard?" Lin Fan asked, maintaining a calm expression.
"Oh, just trivial rumors," Blood Splendor said, her eyes subtly sweeping across his room. "For instance, some individuals have recently collected a large amount of Mid-grade Spirit-Grade Ore from unknown sources, or a new player suddenly vanished and reappeared in Cloud Peak City with astonishing cultivation. And those mysterious 'drained dry' monster traces in the novice forest."
Lin Fan knew she was implying him. This Blood Shadow Pavilion was indeed terrifying. They had been tracking him for a long time.
"Sir Nameless One, don't worry," Blood Splendor said, seeing his expression, immediately reassuring him. "Our Blood Shadow Pavilion is only interested in news and business opportunities. We are not your enemies. On the contrary, we could be a useful ally."
"What do you want?" Lin Fan asked directly.
"We wish to cooperate with you," Blood Splendor stated. "You seem to possess special abilities that greatly interest us. We can provide you with exclusive information about locations where Chaotic Force appears, affected monsters, and even other 'Lost Ones' we discover. In return, we would like a small portion of what you collect from the Chaotic Force, or simply information on how you do it."
Lin Fan was surprised. The Blood Shadow Pavilion knew about Chaotic Force? Or were they just inferring from the traces he left? If they truly knew, then they were more than just an ordinary intelligence organization.
"Why are you interested in Chaotic Force?" Lin Fan asked, probing.
Blood Splendor chuckled softly, her smile enigmatic. "That is our secret, Sir Nameless One. But we can say that it concerns the survival of Cloud Peak City, and perhaps even the entire Nine Realms. You are also working for the 'Overseers,' aren't you? Then we share the same goal."
Lin Fan remained silent. This offer was very tempting. He needed information, and the Blood Shadow Pavilion was the best source. Moreover, their knowledge of the "Overseers" showed they had a deeper network and understanding than he'd imagined.
"I need time to think," Lin Fan said.
"Of course," Blood Splendor said, handing him an exquisite jade token. "This is my communication token. When you decide, simply infuse it with spiritual energy. We eagerly await cooperation with you, Trial Participant Nameless One."
She bowed slightly, then turned and left, leaving Lin Fan standing there amidst a jumble of thoughts.