Douluo: Steal Tang San's luck and become stronger!

"The message has been secretly passed through our channels to all known leaders of the undercover teams in the four cities of East, West, South, and North. It was delivered using the highest level of emergency communication code and was accompanied by the exclusive mark of 'Master No-Face'."

They have all confirmed receipt and replied that they will do everything in their power to arrive at the Radiant Restaurant on time tomorrow night at midnight to attend this secret meeting personally chaired by Your Excellency! Not a single one will dare to be absent!

As Tao Zuo finished speaking, a look of relief mixed with pride appeared on his face. He felt he had done a good job in completing the first important task assigned by this mysterious "master" so efficiently.

After listening, Tang Lan's face showed little expression; she simply nodded slightly.

"Yeah, well done."

Tao Zuo was overjoyed to receive such affirmation.

He rubbed his hands together, staring at Tang Lan expectantly, as if anticipating something.

Tang Lan glanced at him and knew exactly what he was thinking.

He reached out and swept his hand across the table, and a plant about half a foot tall, with a vibrant green body, a thumb-sized, translucent red fruit at the top, and emitting a rich fragrance and pure soul energy fluctuations appeared on the table.

"This is the vine that grows alongside the 'Crimson Crystal Fruit.' Although it is not the main fruit, it still contains considerable essence of plants and fire-attribute spiritual power. For a Soul Master like you, whose Martial Soul leans towards yin and control and whose foundation is somewhat weak, it can strengthen your foundation, harmonize yin and yang, and accelerate the condensation of your Soul Power. Consider this a reward for your capable work."

Tang Lan said in a flat tone, as if she were casually tossing down an ordinary trinket.

Tao Zuo's gaze was instantly drawn to the lush green plant! He could clearly feel the pure energy emanating from it, which resonated subtly with his own soul power. The small red fruit, in particular, made his mouth dry, his very soul yearning for it! This was absolutely a rare spiritual plant he had never seen or even heard of before! It was probably more than a thousand years old!

"Thank you so much for your generous gift, sir!!"

Overjoyed, Tao Zuo almost knelt down again. His hands trembled as he carefully lifted the spiritual plant, feeling the surging energy within. He seemed to already see his future—breaking through to Soul Saint and greatly increasing his strength! This "Faceless Lord" is indeed generous! Following him, there's definitely something to be gained!
"Go down and continue to keep an eye on all sides to ensure everything goes smoothly tomorrow night."

Tang Lan waved her hand.

"Yes! Yes! I'll take my leave! Rest assured, sir, there will be absolutely no mistakes!"

Tao Zuo carefully stored the spiritual plant in his storage soul tool, bowed again, and then, suppressing his excitement, tiptoed out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.

The entire restaurant corridor returned to silence.

Once Tao Zuo's footsteps had completely disappeared at the top of the stairs, Wang Qiu'er, who had been standing by the window, turned around. A clear look of heartache and displeasure appeared on her beautiful face as she pouted.

"That's the vine that grows alongside the 'Crimson Crystal Fruit'! Although its effects aren't as good as the main fruit, it's still a rare thousand-year-old spiritual plant! Any Soul Master who consumes it will see a significant increase in Soul Power and a solid foundation in a short period of time! And you just gave it to that disgusting evil Soul Master? What a waste!"

She wasn't stingy; she was simply annoyed that good things were being given to evil spirit masters.

Tang Lan smiled, walked to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and said leisurely.

"Qiu'er, don't feel sorry for him. As the saying goes, you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Tao Zuo is a greedy and life-loving person. You can't just rely on intimidation and control. You have to give him real and irresistible benefits."

Only then will he truly risk his life and be 'utterly loyal' to us. It's just a thousand-year-old companion vine; if we can exchange it for him 'luring' all the evil spirit masters of Rose City out, this deal is well worth it.”

He took a sip of tea, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"To catch big fish hiding in deep water, you need to use enough fragrant bait that the fish can't resist. This spiritual plant is part of that fragrant bait."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qiu'er snorted, but knowing that Tang Lan was right, she said no more, only muttering to herself.

"That guy got off easy."

The next three days were unusually "busy" for Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er.

They need to constantly change identities and roles, navigating between the two sides.

During the day, they would occasionally appear as "Tang Yun" and "Tang Qiu'er" to discuss the details of defending the city with the city lord Xu Yu and to learn about Xu Yu's secret investigation into the "Blood Refining Array".

They exchanged information with Lin Yanhong regarding the scattered clues gathered from the Guangyan Chamber of Commerce's intelligence network concerning the loss of contact with other branches, and discussed how to leverage the Chamber of Commerce's resources to support a potential "net-closing" operation.

At night, or in certain secluded settings, they revert to their mysterious identities as "Faceless Master" and his retinue, receiving sporadic reports from various evil spirit master infiltrates throughout Rose City through Tao Zuo. At the same time, they constantly urge Tao Zuo, in the guise of "high-level inspectors," to confirm the final list and security measures for the gathering the following night.

Playing this dual role is a huge test of mental strength and acting skills. Fortunately, Tang Lan has vast mental strength and meticulous control, and Wang Qiu'er is no ordinary woman either. The two cooperated well and handled the situation with ease, without revealing the slightest flaw.

The night of the third day finally arrived.

As night fell and the city lights began to twinkle, the Guangyao Restaurant opened for business as usual, its facade brightly illuminated by lanterns. However, observant people might notice that the guests coming to the Guangyao Restaurant tonight seemed somewhat different.

Starting in the evening, a steady stream of unfamiliar guests entered the restaurant. Most of these guests were dressed in dark robes and wore wide-brimmed hats or hoods, hiding most of their faces in shadow.

They were taciturn, living in small groups, seemingly unfamiliar with each other. After entering the restaurant, they didn't linger in the lobby. They either went straight up the stairs or found a table in a corner, ordered some simple drinks, and then waited quietly like clay or wooden sculptures for something.

Their presence gradually filled the once bustling restaurant lobby with an eerie and oppressive atmosphere. Even the waiters subconsciously slowed their footsteps and spoke in much softer voices.

As midnight approached, the number of these unfamiliar guests reached a peak. The first and second floors of the restaurant were almost completely filled with these "strange guests."

They barely spoke to each other, only occasionally exchanging glances and knowing looks.

Just then, the portly shopkeeper, who had been sitting behind the counter, stood up, put on an apologetic smile, clapped his hands, and said loudly.

"Esteemed guests, we are truly sorry! The entire restaurant has been booked for a private banquet tonight. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask that you please find another place to stay. We are so sorry!"

As he spoke, he gestured to the waiters to politely "invite" the regular customers to leave. Most of the ordinary customers were somewhat displeased, but seeing this, they gave in.

Knowing that the restaurant was likely booked by someone they couldn't afford to offend, they muttered a few words and then paid their bills or accepted free meals and left. Soon, apart from those strange men in black hoodies, there were no other people on the first and second floors of the restaurant.

The shopkeeper and his staff seemed to have received clear instructions; after clearing the area, they quickly retreated to the kitchen or accounting office and disappeared. The entire first and second floors of the restaurant were completely "occupied" by these silent men in black.

When the time came, all the guests dressed in black, as if receiving a silent command, rose almost simultaneously, put down their cups and saucers, and then silently and orderly began to walk upstairs. Their footsteps were light, and their movements were frighteningly synchronized, like a well-trained army, yet exuding an eerie atmosphere. A dense but deep chorus of footsteps echoed on the stairs.

Meanwhile, on the third floor of Guangyao Restaurant, the largest, most luxurious, and rarely open-to-the-public "Tian"-class private room was brightly lit.

The private room, spanning several hundred square meters, was arranged like a banquet hall. Inside, several large long tables covered with pristine white tablecloths were arranged in a U-shape.

The long table was already piled high with all sorts of exquisite dishes, snacks, fruits, and rows of fine wines. The delicacies, a feast for the eyes and nose, and the enticing aromas created a stark contrast to the oppressive and eerie atmosphere downstairs, as if everything was prepared for the upcoming "feast."

Around the long table were hundreds of high-backed chairs. At this moment, none of the chairs were occupied. In the four corners of the private room stood several waiters dressed in uniform black outfits, expressionless and exuding a cold aura, standing with their hands at their sides like statues.

The entire private room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, save for the faint hum of the burning soul-guided lamps and the silent aroma of food. A heavy pressure, like a storm brewing, quietly gathered in this luxurious banquet hall.

Time ticked by, and the giant private room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Only the aroma of the sumptuous dishes on the long table and the steady glow of the soul-guided lamps made the wait seem even longer and the pressure even more intense. Hundreds of empty high-backed chairs stood like silent spectators, awaiting the actors' entrance.

Finally, the heavy door leading to the private room was pushed open silently.

A figure walked in first. It wasn't the mysterious "Faceless Lord" as expected, but Tao Zuo, a familiar minor leader from the South District.

At this moment, Tao Zuo had shed his usual slightly sinister and obsequious demeanor, donned a well-tailored dark purple robe, and wore a deliberately trained smile that mixed respect and restraint.

He walked straight to the end of the long table, behind a slightly smaller podium next to the empty chair that was clearly the head of the table, with his head held high and his steps steady.

His appearance made the already eerily quiet venue even more subtly tense. Many of the hooded men in black slightly raised their heads, their gazes beneath the hoods carrying scrutiny, doubt, and a hint of barely perceptible disdain.

Tao Zuo? He's just a level 69 Soul Emperor. Although he's in charge of some affairs in the South City, many people present are at the same level or even higher than him. Why should he be the one to preside over this important meeting that was supposedly convened by a "high-ranking official"?

Tao Zuo clearly sensed the doubt in those eyes, but he remained calm and cleared his throat, speaking in a louder and more confident voice than usual.

"Everyone! Quiet!"

His voice echoed in the empty private room, successfully attracting everyone's attention.

"First of all, on behalf of Lord 'Faceless,' I welcome all my brothers to gather here tonight!"

Tao Zuo put on a warm smile and looked down at the faces hidden in the shadows of hoods.

"I know that you may have doubts, speculations, or even... a little bit of dissatisfaction in your hearts. Why is it that the person who gathered you here is not your familiar direct superior, but me, a 'small person'?"

He paused, his smile becoming mysterious.

"The answer is simple. Tonight belongs to Lord 'Faceless'! And I, Tao Zuo, am merely an insignificant servant entrusted by Lord 'Faceless' to convey his will and preside over this meeting."

"Lord Faceless?"

Several suppressed, questioning voices echoed from below the stage.

This name is extremely unfamiliar to the vast majority of people.

"Not bad!"

Tao Zuo's voice suddenly rose, carrying an almost worshipful tone.

"The 'Faceless' Lord is a high-ranking official directly under the main altar, who, under orders from 'those few,' secretly infiltrated the southwest to coordinate 'that major event' and the 'Bloody Bird' plan! His position is esteemed, and his strength is unfathomable! The Lord's arrival signifies that the Holy Church's attention to Rose City and the entire southwest region has reached its highest level!"

His words not only elevated the status of "Faceless" but also explained why he was able to host the meeting—he was the liaison directly connecting with the "higher levels."

However, the audience listened quietly without much reaction. Anyone can talk the talk; they'll walk the walk.

Where is that "Faceless Lord"? Given his esteemed status, why doesn't he show himself?
Tao Zuo seemed to have anticipated this outcome; his smile remained unchanged, but instead, it exuded even more confidence.

He stopped keeping everyone in suspense and clapped his hands.

Immediately, two waiters carried a wooden tray covered with a red cloth to the podium.

Tao Zuo reached out and lifted the red cloth.

On the tray were three jade boxes of different sizes, all exquisitely crafted. The jade boxes themselves exuded a faint spiritual aura, clearly indicating that they were not ordinary items.

"As you know, words alone are not enough to convince anyone."

Tao Zuolang said loudly.

"Therefore, before formally conveying the Lord's decree, let me first show you, brothers, the Lord's preparations for this operation... a bit of 'sincerity'!"

He deliberately emphasized the word "sincerity," and then, under everyone's unwavering gaze, he opened the three jade boxes one by one.

As soon as the first jade box was opened, a chilling, domineering energy wave, seemingly carrying the aura of a savage beast, instantly spread out!
Inside the box lay a bone about half a foot long, its entire body a dark gold color, with naturally formed complex cloud and thunder patterns on its surface, shaped like the hind limb of some powerful beast! A rich radiance of soul power flowed across its surface, and a faint, deep roar echoed in the soul power perception!

"A soul bone! It's a soul bone!"

"Judging from this aura... it's at least fifty thousand years old!"

"It's a right leg bone! Absolutely top-quality!"

A collective gasp and heavy breathing erupted from the audience! Soul bones are the most coveted treasures for any soul master! Especially high-grade, practical soul bones—they are priceless! (End of Chapter)