470 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama
Chapter 470: Gathering Intelligence - I Will No Longer Be the Resentful Senior Sister! - Urban Novel "What's the matter?" Feng Li asked, turning around in confusion when she saw Ye Ling Long halting in her steps. Feng Li's spiritual senses weren't as acute as Ye Ling Long's, so she hadn't noticed the auras emanating inside the tavern. Ye Ling Long's expression grew more serious as she shook her head slightly, "It's nothing, let's discuss inside." With that, she confidently strode in. "Welcome, esteemed guests," a store attendant greeted them the moment they stepped in, a clever grin on his face. Though his cultivation level was low, merely in the realm of a virtual immortal, his perceptiveness was extraordinary. Ye Ling Long and Feng Li were unfamiliar faces with an aura that set them apart from typical cultivators, prompting the attendant’s already respectful demeanor to become even more reverent. "Would you prefer a private room or the main hall?" Ye Ling Long glanced at the bustling main hall, where numerous eyes appraised both her and Feng Li, their admiration mixed with curiosity for the newcomers. Even in the celestial realm, where beauty was commonplace due to the abundant spiritual energy, remarkable looks such as theirs were rare. "A private room, please," Ye Ling Long decided, disliking the idea of being ogled like a sideshow. With that, she casually tossed a high-grade celestial crystal to the store attendant, who caught it with both hands. His eyes widened in surprise before he swiftly pocketed it. He had expected an ordinary or perhaps a superior-grade celestial crystal at most, never anticipating such generosity. His grin became uncontrollable as he glanced around, thankful no one else saw the crystal’s quality. "Lead us to the private room, I have some questions for you later," Ye Ling Long said after handing over the crystal. "Of course, right this way," the attendant replied eagerly, now even more obsequious, as he led Ye Ling Long and Feng Li to a private room, promising to return once he had a free moment. Ye Ling Long nodded in agreement. Once the door shut, Feng Li curiously inquired, "What are you planning to ask that store attendant? Could he possibly know where that pesky creature's body is?" Just then, Dragon Soul materialized, retorting, "What did you call me, you feathery twit?" Feng Li smirked, "Whoever answers gets the title." Seeing their familiar spat brewing, Ye Ling Long quickly interjected, "While the store attendant might not know where Dragon Soul's body is, he's certainly aware of the recent happenings around here. People like him are often the most informed." She paused thoughtfully, "Moreover, I sensed several powerful auras in this tavern that aren't local. Perhaps... they share our objective?" "Do others know about your body's location?" Feng Li asked Dragon Soul curiously. His expression darkened, as though recalling unpleasant memories. Ye Ling Long speculated he was thinking of those who had once extracted his dragon soul. Besides himself, only they would know the body's location. At that moment, a purplish-golden light flashed and Qian Jun appeared in the room. Dragon Soul and Feng Li had witnessed Qian Jun’s emergence multiple times, so they showed no surprise, only curiosity about his sudden appearance since Qian Jun had been reclusive lately, focusing on nurturing his spirit. His main body had lingered in the chaotic celestial and demonic energies of the ancient secret realm for years. A look of repulsion marred Qian Jun’s features as he spoke with distaste, "I've sensed an unsettlingly familiar aura." "Fu Chang Ming?" Ye Ling Long guessed, suspecting it was the man who had ambushed her master. "No," Qian Jun shook his head. "It is similar, yet not him." "Similar?" Ye Ling Long mused, "If it’s so akin, then it must be someone from the Fu family, likely a direct descendant of Fu Chang Ming." Qian Jun nodded in agreement. Hearing this, a glint of murderous intent flashed in Ye Ling Long's eyes, "Since fate has brought us together, it would be remiss not to offer them a proper reception." Ye Ling Long did not consider herself a virtuous person, believing instead in the relentless nature of vengeance. When she resolved to end Fu Chang Ming's life, she inherently positioned herself against the entire Fu family, knowing they wouldn't stand by idle if their pillar was threatened. ... Despite the small town’s limited offerings and mundane food lacking spiritual essence, the taste was quite decent. After enjoying a few bites, the door of their private room was gently knocked. Upon Ye Ling Long's invitation, the door creaked open and the store attendant stepped inside. Closing the door behind him, his ingratiating smile was strangely non-offensive, "What would you like to know, esteemed guests? I will be candid with everything I know." Ye Ling Long appraised him approvingly before waving her hand to shield the room from prying eyes, "There's no need to be on edge. I just have some questions. Answer them well, and you’ll certainly be rewarded with celestial crystals." With that, she presented several more high-grade celestial crystals. In this remote town, even superior-grade crystals were considered extravagant, let alone high-grade ones. The store attendant eagerly replied, "Ask away, esteemed guest." "Are there any rumors about dragons here? And have there been any strange visitors lately?" The attendant nodded immediately, "What a coincidence, the guests who arrived before you asked the same questions. There are indeed dragon legends here in Wolong Town—the very name itself is derived from them." He then vividly recounted the town's namesake legend, detailing tales of a golden dragon said to have fallen here. His storytelling brought the legend to life as if he had witnessed it firsthand, making Ye Ling Long think it was a pity he wasn't a professional storyteller. "Enough with the details, I'm interested in where the dragon supposedly fell." "It's rumored to be in the deep mountains south of town, where the peaks resemble a coiled dragon. At the center of those peaks lies a pond, as if encircled by the dragon." "As for the unusual guests, they were the ones who arrived just before you did." With that, the store attendant halted, having said all he intended. People in his line of work knew what to divulge and what to withhold. Ye Ling Long, satisfied, handed over the high-grade celestial crystals she'd promised. With care, the attendant secreted them away before leaving the private room in high spirits.