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

He walked to the middle of the bridge and stopped about three zhang away from Tang Lan and the other person. His gaze quickly swept over them, lingering briefly on Tang Lan, a barely perceptible hint of surprise and understanding flashing deep in his eyes—

Although Tang Lan had concealed his aura very well at the moment, Ding Huo, with his keen eyesight, could naturally see that the other party's calm and composed demeanor after the battle was extraordinary.

"Haha, you two are indeed trustworthy, arriving on time as promised."

Ding spoke first, his hearty laughter breaking the silence of the night, as if the conflict in the restaurant during the day and the secret meeting at the bridgehead at midnight were just ordinary social interactions.

"We parted hastily during the day and were unable to have a deep conversation, much less recognize your true identity. I am truly ashamed of my poor eyesight."

Tang Lan returned the greeting with a cupped hand, speaking in a calm tone.

"You're too kind, Daoist Master. Thank you for your reminder during the day. Although we both had our own plans, we appreciate your kindness."

He spoke in a way that was neither humble nor arrogant, thanking the other party for their actions during the day while also making it clear that he was not someone who needed protection.

Ding Huo's smile deepened, and he waved his hand.

"Not at all, not at all. I was just being nosy. Your divine power is so profound that you could easily frighten away even a fierce person like 'Red Tiger'. My meager skills are nothing but a joke to you."

He changed the subject, asking seemingly casually.

"When I arrived just now, I saw a beam of light shooting into the sky from afar, making quite a commotion. Could it be related to Chai Yong...?"

Tang Lan remained calm and said indifferently.

"A minor disagreement has been resolved. Fellow Daoist Chai seems to have other important matters to attend to and has left ahead of time."

Ding, being a perceptive person, immediately knew that Chai Yong had likely suffered a loss and fled, and his opinion of Tang Lan rose even higher. To be able to so easily dismiss the infamous Crimson Tiger Douluo, her strength was probably even greater than he had anticipated.

His smile remained unchanged as he nodded repeatedly.

"It's all over now, it's all over now. That Chai Yong is violent and doesn't know what's good for him. He offended you, brother, and he brought it on himself."

After exchanging pleasantries, Ding Huo shifted his gaze slightly, glancing at Wang Qiu'er, who had stood quietly beside Tang Lan the entire time, exuding a cool and aloof air. He then refocused on Tang Lan, his smile fading slightly, replaced by a more formal and inquisitive tone.

"This place is secluded and quiet, and the timing is perfect."

Ding took a small step forward, lowering his voice slightly, but it was still clear enough.

"Since you two have trusted me enough to come to this appointment, I will not beat around the bush. May I ask... what information do you wish to inquire about?"

He paused, then added, his tone carrying a professional confidence and allure.

"Anything that has happened, is happening, or may happen on the Douluo Continent, as long as the price is right and it does not violate the fundamental principles of my 'Listening Wind Pavilion,' I may be able to find some clues for you. From the secrets and anecdotes of a city or region to the undercurrents between empires and sects, and even some... little-known taboo secrets, all are available for trade."

Tang Lan's gaze lingered for a moment on Ding Huo's seemingly gentle yet deeply calculating face, without immediately answering. A night breeze swept across the bridge, carrying the dampness of the river and the faint scent of distant smoke.

He needed to determine the value of the information this self-proclaimed "Tingfeng Pavilion" Taoist could provide, and how to get him to talk with minimal cost.

The silence lasted for several breaths. Ding Huo did not urge him, but stood there with a smile, looking very patient.

Finally, Tang Lan spoke, her voice steady and clear, sounding particularly resounding in the quiet bridgehead.

"What I want to inquire about is information about the 'Holy Spirit Cult'."

These few simple words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Ding Huo's seemingly unchanging gentle smile froze for a moment, then slowly faded away.

His gaze suddenly sharpened as he scrutinized Tang Lan, as if reassessing the man's origins, purpose, and... the immense potential risks.

The faint air of ease that had surrounded him vanished, replaced by the caution and solemnity befitting a seasoned intelligence officer.

"Holy Spirit Cult..."

Ding Huo slowly repeated the three words, his voice lower and more subdued, carrying a hint of barely perceptible apprehension.

"You really are... straightforward and to the point."

He smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Who doesn't know the infamous reputation of the Holy Spirit Cult? They are full of experts, act mysteriously and ruthlessly, and their influence extends to the shadows of the continent. Inquire about them..."

He looked up at Tang Lan, his gaze filled with scrutiny and a hint of warning.

"This is not just a business deal; it's walking a tightrope. A single misstep could lead to utter ruin. This applies not only to you, but also to me and the 'Listening Wind Pavilion' behind me."

Ding did not directly refuse, but the warning in his words was already very clear.

He paused and continued.

"To be honest, I do have some fragmented information about the Holy Spirit Cult, after all, they are a force that cannot be ignored on this continent. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming extremely serious.

"The value of these messages, and the risks involved in acquiring and holding them, determine their price... They will definitely not be cheap. Moreover, the price varies drastically depending on the level and direction of the information."

If it involves certain core secrets, or content that might attract the Holy Spirit Cult's relentless pursuit, then the price... would likely be astronomical, possibly even requiring barter or some special 'price'.

He was clarifying the rules of the transaction, and also testing Tang Lan's confidence and sincerity. The Holy Spirit Cult's intelligence was a hot potato, a top-tier commodity; not everyone could afford it, nor did anyone dare to sell it.

Tang Lan was not surprised by Ding Huo's reaction. If the other party readily agreed and boasted upon hearing that it was the Holy Spirit Cult, he would have doubted the authenticity of the information and the reliability of the other party.

Such cautious and explicit risk warnings are in line with the style of an organization that can survive in the cracks and sell sensitive intelligence for a long time.

"The price can be negotiated."

Tang Lan's tone remained unchanged.

“But before we discuss the price, I’d like to confirm the extent of the information you have about the Holy Spirit Sect, or rather, whether our understanding of some ‘basic facts’ is on the same level. This will help us conduct the transaction more efficiently and avoid misunderstandings and wasting each other’s time.” A hint of appreciation flashed in Ding Huo’s eyes. The other party was clearly not a naive fool; he knew to confirm the level of intelligence and the basis of common understanding first.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“That makes sense. Please ask.”

Tang Lan directly raised the first, and currently the most crucial and obvious, question.

"Does the Taoist priest know the true cause of the abnormal beast tide that has recently ravaged the southwestern border, especially in Rose City and the surrounding area? Is it related to the Holy Spirit Cult?"

This question hits the nail on the head, yet it's relatively "public," since the beast tide is an open disaster that all parties are investigating. Using it to test the depth and accuracy of Ding Huo's intelligence is perfectly appropriate.

Ding Huo's face did not show much surprise upon hearing this, clearly indicating that he had expected it.

He stroked his beard and said slowly.

"Regarding this beast tide... my 'Listening Wind Pavilion' has indeed invested a lot of resources in the investigation, and has indeed discovered some unusual things."

He lowered his voice to make sure only the three people on the bridge could hear him.

"Based on our numerous daring expeditions to the rear of the beast tide and the information gathered by our spies in various locations, this beast tide is not simply a natural disaster or a riot of soul beasts."

Every time a large-scale beast tide attacks a human city, a 'commander' soul beast with exceptionally strong power and behavior that clearly exceeds the norm appears in the core area behind the beast tide.

The type of this soul beast is not fixed; sometimes it excels in mental control, and sometimes it possesses extremely powerful physical strength. However, they all share a common trait: they exhibit an almost absolute dominance over other soul beasts, and their own state appears frenzied and unstable.

He paused, a serious look flashing in his eyes.

"What's most unsettling is that during an extremely dangerous close reconnaissance mission, our scouts, risking their lives, vaguely saw a humanoid shadow standing beside the 'Commander' soul beast!"
The distance was too great, and the aura was chaotic, making it impossible to determine their exact appearance and soul power level. However, it was certain that they were not victims held hostage by soul beasts, but rather someone in a... parallel, or even dominant, relationship!

Ding emphasized this point.

"After the spy risked his life to bring back this vague information, he soon died from his injuries and some kind of strange mental corruption. This matter was classified as one of the cabinet's secrets."

Our initial assessment is that this beast tide is highly likely to be caused by human intervention, and the methods used are extremely bizarre, capable of directly influencing or even controlling high-level soul beasts. As for whether it is directly related to the Holy Spirit Cult…

He stopped and gave Tang Lan a meaningful smile.

"The detailed analysis, more detailed observation records, and speculations about the possible identity of that humanoid figure... these are the 'intelligence contents' that require a price to obtain. This is all I can say."

That old fox is indeed cunning. He first attracts buyers with some relatively peripheral but crucial findings to pique their interest, then presents the truly valuable, specific analysis and speculation as the product for sale. He demonstrates his strength while maintaining his integrity.

Tang Lan wasn't entirely surprised by the information Ding Huo revealed. The metal fragments Wang Qiu'er brought back and Su Bai's investigation both pointed to human control. Ding Huo's observations confirmed this and provided the more concrete clue of a "human-shaped black shadow," which was very valuable.

He didn't show any eagerness; instead, he nodded to indicate his understanding. Then, he did something that surprised Ding.

Tang Lan slowly opened her right palm. In the center of her palm lay an irregular metal piece, no bigger than a fingernail, completely black, with extremely fine and indescribable patterns on its surface.

The metal plate did not reflect the moonlight; instead, it gave off a dark, light-devouring feeling, faintly emitting a very weak, cold, and evil fluctuation that was almost imperceptible unless one observed it closely at close range.

"Taoist Master, please look at this item."

Tang Lan extended her palm forward.

Ding Huo's attention was immediately drawn to it.

He narrowed his eyes, focusing intently on the object. His soul power sensed it out quietly, and the moment it touched the black metal piece, his brow twitched! That seemingly insignificant little thing gave him a faint sense of threat, as if some extremely ominous power was sealed within it.

Its material and patterns were unlike anything he had ever seen before, and it was by no means an ordinary soul tool part or decoration.

"This is……?"

Ding Huo's face showed obvious doubt and inquiry. With his knowledge and eyesight, he couldn't immediately determine what it was, but his instincts told him that this thing was definitely not simple and was likely related to some forbidden area.

Tang Lan looked at Ding Huo's reaction and a faint, confident smile appeared on her lips.

"This item was obtained by chance when we were investigating the source of the beast tide."

His voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable weight.

"I would like to exchange information related to this item—including its origin, function, and the general process by which we obtained it—for more specific information that you mentioned earlier regarding the 'humanoid shadow' behind the beast tide and its connection to the Holy Spirit Cult. Do you think this exchange is fair?"

Intelligence for intelligence! And it's using physical clues that clearly involve core secrets to exchange for the other party's equally crucial analysis and speculation!
Upon hearing this, Ding Huo's pupils contracted slightly, and for the first time, a clear look of hesitation and weighing appeared on his face.

He stared intently at the black metal piece in Tang Lan's palm, his mind racing. This thing Tang Lan had produced was of immeasurable value, and likely pointed directly to the key to controlling the beast tide! Using it to exchange for some of the information he possessed seemed like a bargain for him.

Because intelligence can be copied and sold, while physical clues may be unique. But conversely, if the other party dares to produce this item, it's either because they have more clues or this item isn't unique, or because the intelligence they seek is of equal or even greater value to this item in their eyes!

More importantly, this black metal piece itself is a huge mystery and a potential source of disaster. Knowing about it might unlock some of the secrets of the beast tide, but it could also drag oneself and the Listening Wind Pavilion deeper into a terrible vortex.

Sensing the increasingly clear and unsettling, subtle fluctuations on the black metal plate, Ding took a deep breath. His keen intuition and professional curiosity as an intelligence broker ultimately overcame his fear of risk.

He could sense that the secret hidden behind this small metal piece was probably more astonishing than he had imagined, and its value might far exceed that of an ordinary intelligence transaction.

He looked up at Tang Lan, his eyes becoming extremely serious.

“This item of yours… is extraordinary. Although I cannot fully comprehend it for the time being, the certain ‘meaning’ it contains is chilling. Very well!”

He seemed to have made up his mind, and nodded heavily.

"I accept this exchange! In return, I will exchange the information about this item in your possession for my further analysis and possible clues regarding the 'humanoid shadow' behind the beast tide! I hope that both of us can be completely honest with each other."

The deal is done. Ding gestured for Tang Lan to begin her story.

Tang Lan didn't waste any time, organizing her thoughts and speaking in the most concise yet clear way possible. (End of Chapter)