Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

He handed the black gold card to Yuan Tiangang: "Keep it, it's a 50% discount, might as well take advantage of it."

"This will save us a lot of spirit stones; we might need them later."

"Since they've shown goodwill, we don't need to push them away."

"It's always good to have another force to communicate with when we're operating in the Eastern Region in the future."

Yuan Tiangang took the card, put it away, and nodded, saying:

"Your Majesty is right. The black market has been operating in the Eastern Region for many years and has extensive connections. If we can use their channels to pass on information, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Ye Junlin picked up his jade chopsticks again and took out a piece of "glass crisp":

"Shangguan Hong should be here by now. Let's not worry about that for now, let's see what he wants to say after we meet him."

The private room returned to tranquility, with only the aromas of wine and tea mingling together.

Meanwhile, Xing Luoyao, who was in another private room on the top floor, had also heard the shopkeeper's report and her eyes were filled with anticipation.

At this moment, downstairs at the Wenxian Tower, Shangguan Hongxing reached the entrance and was about to speak.

A waiter came forward and said to him:

"Esteemed guest, the person you are waiting for has been waiting for you on the top floor for quite some time. They specifically sent me to invite you upstairs."

"What? They're already here?" Shangguan Hong looked surprised and doubtful. After all, their agreed meeting time was still a whole incense stick's time away.

He never expected that Ye Junlin would arrive at Wenxianlou ahead of time just to enjoy the food.

Immediately, Shangguan Hong followed the attendant towards the top floor. Given his status, he was not qualified to enter the top floor; if he were the head of the Shangguan family, perhaps he could give it a try.

He thought to himself, "Hmm, it seems that this Drizzle Pavilion is indeed extraordinary. Even the Immortal Inquiry Pavilion values ​​it so much that they have offered me a private room on the top floor. I have never been to the top floor before, and today I have truly broadened my horizons."

Before long, they arrived at the private room where Ye Junlin and the other person were.

The door to the private room suddenly opened, and a dignified yet cold voice rang out from inside: "Come in!"

Shangguan Hong entered the private room in response and met Ye Junlin and Yuan Tiangang.

"Greetings, young master; greetings, sir." Shangguan Hong, sensing Yuan Tiangang's terrifying aura, immediately bowed to the two.

Ye Junlin did not respond, but continued to drink his tea. Before Shangguan Hong arrived, he had already instructed Yuan Tiangang to communicate with Shangguan Hong.

"Um"

Yuan Tiangang said in a deep voice.

"This is my young master."

Yuan Tiangang did not reveal Ye Junlin's identity, because before leaving, Ye Junlin had instructed him to simply address him as "Young Master" in public!

With the phrase "my young master," Shangguan Hong also learned the key figure in this meeting.

"Alright, now tell us what you wanted to talk to us about."

"Yes, sir. First, let me introduce myself. I am the head of the Langya Pavilion in the Black Market, as you two already know."

"Actually, I have another identity. I am the third son of the head of the Shangguan family, one of the four great families of the Great Qian Dynasty."

"I have come here today to seek your support and help me seize the position of head of the Shangguan family."

The aroma of tea filled the private room. Shangguan Hong stood with his hands at his sides, his expression a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

He could sense the faint, yet palpable, pressure emanating from Yuan Tiangang, a being at the Celestial Realm.

He understood even more clearly that although the "young master" in front of him seemed young, he was the real decision-maker.

Yuan Tiangang put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Shangguan Hong, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority:

"You want my Xiyu Tower to help you seize the position of head of the Shangguan family? Have you ever considered whether my Xiyu Tower has the strength to do so?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Hong immediately looked up, his tone resolute:

"This junior firmly believes that your forces were able to defeat the strong with the weak in the battle against the Qingyun Sect last month, forcing the Qingyun Sect's patriarch to take action, which shows that you have a profound foundation."

"Especially with such a powerful figure as you in charge, there are very few forces in the Eastern Region that can rival you."

"As long as your forces are willing to take action, the Shangguan family's little squabbles are nothing to worry about."

His words both praised Xiyulou and highlighted Yuan Tiangang's strength, clearly showing that he had done his homework.

Yuan Tiangang remained noncommittal and continued to ask:

"Even if my Fine Rain Pavilion has the capability, what can you offer that would make us willingly work for you?"

Shangguan Hong was prepared, and took a deep breath, saying:

"This junior is willing to offer up all the proceeds from managing Langya Pavilion over the years, totaling ten million low-grade spirit stones and fifty century-old spiritual herbs, as a deposit."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly earnest:

"If I succeed in seizing the position of family head, I am willing to offer one-third of the Shangguan family's treasury as a token of my gratitude."

These conditions are undeniably generous, especially the promise of one-third of the treasure vault, which is enough to tempt many forces.

Ye Junlin remained silent, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, as if deep in thought.

Shangguan Hong glanced at him from time to time, but dared not look him directly in the eye, and could only place his hopes on Yuan Tiangang.

After listening, Yuan Tiangang shook his head: "This is not enough."

Shangguan Hong's heart tightened: "Then... what else does Lord Yuan need? As long as the Shangguan family has it, this junior will not be stingy!"

Yuan Tiangang raised his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing in them: "Langya Pavilion."

"What did you say?" Shangguan Hong asked in surprise, seemingly not having heard him clearly.

"Langya Pavilion must belong to my Xiyu Tower," Yuan Tiangang said, enunciating each word clearly.

"If you want us to take action, you must hand over control of Langya Pavilion."

Shangguan Hong's face instantly turned ugly, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead:

"Lord Yuan, Langya Pavilion is the culmination of my many years of hard work, and it is also my way out..."

"That's precisely why it has value," Yuan Tiangang interrupted him.

"Langya Pavilion itself is an intelligence organization, with strongholds, connections, and information channels all over Qingzhou. These are exactly what my Xiyu Tower needs."

"With it, our intelligence network can be deployed instantly, saving us years of effort. If you're not willing, then this deal is off."

Yuan Tiangang's tone was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

He knew very well that Langya Pavilion's intelligence network was far more important to Xiyu Tower than the ten million spirit stones and a third of the treasure vault—intelligence was the foundation for establishing itself in the Eastern Region.

Shangguan Hong struggled, his hands clenched into fists.

Langya Pavilion was his source of confidence, his escape route after failing to compete with the Shangguan family. Handing it over would be tantamount to cutting off his own escape route.

If he doesn't hand over the position, and Xiyulou doesn't make a move, he has no chance of winning the position of family head. He might even be swallowed up by his other brothers and lose his life.

Ye Junlin finally spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying a penetrating force:

"Sect Master Shangguan, you can't have your cake and eat it too."

"What you want is the position of family head, and what we want is Langya Pavilion. We each get what we need, so why not?"

Shangguan Hong suddenly looked up at Ye Junlin.

This "young master" didn't say much from beginning to end, yet he seemed to be able to see through his thoughts.

He knew this was his last chance.

After a long pause, Shangguan Hong seemed to have made up his mind, and gritted his teeth, saying:

"Alright! I agree! As long as your esteemed faction can help me seize the position of family head and control of Langya Pavilion, I will offer it to you with both hands!"