Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

He took a deep breath and added:

"But I have one condition—I must personally appease and hand over the core members of Langya Pavilion, and I must not harm their lives."

"Can."

Yuan Tiangang nodded. "What we need are distribution channels, not lives."

"As long as they behave themselves, Xiyulou will not make things difficult for them."

With a consensus reached, the atmosphere in the private room eased somewhat.

Shangguan Hong took out a communication talisman, infused it with spiritual power, and handed it to Yuan Tiangang:

"This is the token of the Lord of Langya Pavilion. With this, one can mobilize branch headquarters in various places."

"I will deliver the deposit to your organization in three days."

Yuan Tiangang took the talisman and put it into his storage ring:

"Three days from now, we will send someone to contact you and develop a detailed plan."

"Before that, you need to list out the power distribution within the Shangguan family, the trump cards of each faction, and the forces behind your brothers, and hand them over to us."

"I understand!" Shangguan Hong bowed and replied, his heart finally at ease.

Although they lost Langya Pavilion, with the support of Xiyu Tower, their chances of seizing the position of family head are at least 70%.

Ye Junlin put down his teacup and stood up: "The matter is settled, you can leave now."

Shangguan Hong dared not linger. After bowing once more, he turned and left the private room.

After he left, Yuan Tiangang looked at Ye Junlin:

"My lord, if we take over Langya Pavilion, our intelligence network will be able to cover the entire Eastern Region much faster."

"At that time, neither the Blood Slaughter Pavilion nor any other forces will be able to escape our notice."

Ye Junlin nodded: "Shangguan Hong is ambitious but lacks courage, which makes him perfect for my use."

"Once you've acquired Langya Pavilion, take over as soon as possible and integrate its intelligence resources."

He looked out the window, where the outline of Qingzhou City was clearly visible in the sunlight: "It's time to stir up this stagnant water in the Eastern Region."

Outside the private room, Shangguan Hong hurried downstairs. Although he was still reluctant to leave, he was filled with anticipation for the future.

What he didn't know was that this deal would not only change his fate,

Years later, Shangguan Hong was still glad he made that decision. Of course, that's another story.

This also marked a crucial step in Xiyulou's expansion in the Eastern Region.

【Ding! 】

[Congratulations, host, your intelligence organization has taken shape, but your assassin organization is still in its infancy.]

No replacements have been made for the Earth, Dark, and Yellow level assassins.

[Release Regular Task: Recruit Talented Individuals]

[Mission Requirements: Recruit at least three cultivators at the Grandmaster level or above to join the Misty Rain Pavilion, a subordinate force of the Eternal Night Realm, within two months!]

[Quest Reward: Special Item *1]

At that moment, the system's voice suddenly rang out!

"The Fine Rain Pavilion really needs to recruit some people. Jing Ke and the others are all at the Void Realm, and they are generally unwilling to accept bounties below the Void Realm," Ye Junlin muttered to himself.

He then looked at Yuan Tiangang.

"Let's go to the Fine Rain Pavilion stronghold; I have something to announce."

"Yes"

The two then left Wenxian Tower and, under Yuan Tiangang's cover, headed to the Xiyu Tower stronghold.

Inside the Rain-Viewing Pavilion at the Fine Rain Pavilion stronghold, spiritual energy and candlelight intertwined, casting a solemn glow on everyone's faces.

As soon as Ye Junlin and Yuan Tiangang appeared outside the pavilion, the crowd guarding the main stele turned around in unison.

"Your subordinates greet Your Majesty!"

Di Yun and Linghu Chong stood side by side; the former looked travel-worn, clearly having just returned from outside.

The seven guards, including Jing Ke, Yao Li, and Nie Zheng, exuded a solemn aura, while Chu Yu, though a newcomer, followed closely behind.

The nine people bowed in unison, their voices so loud that the candlelight inside the pavilion flickered slightly.

Ye Junlin raised his hand to signal, "Get up, everyone."

After everyone stood up, his gaze swept across the entire room, finally landing on the inscription on the main monument that read, "Zhao Kui's mission is complete."

He spoke slowly: "The Fine Rain Pavilion has just been established, and you have completed your first mission quite well, but this is only the beginning."

He changed the subject, his tone growing serious: "You all need to recruit at least three Grandmaster-level cultivators into the building within the next two months."

"This matter concerns the very foundation of the assassin organization and must be addressed as soon as possible."

Di Yun stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty, while searching for a branch of the Blood Slaughter Pavilion, Linghu Chong and I have noticed several rogue cultivators who are quite powerful and may be worth recruiting."

Linghu Chong also said, "Among them is a man nicknamed 'Iron-Armed Ape,' who is a late-stage Grandmaster. He was being hunted down for offending someone. If we can lend a helping hand, he will probably be willing to submit."

Ye Junlin nodded, then looked at everyone: "As for the matter of recruiting personnel, I will give you a plan."

His voice suddenly turned stern, carrying an undeniable air of authority:

Those who reach the Grandmaster realm are designated as Yellow-Rank Assassins;

Those who reach the Grandmaster realm are designated as Xuan-level assassins;

Those at the Void Realm are designated as Earth-level assassins.

Everyone held their breath, listening intently as he continued his announcement:

"The positions of the top assassins will temporarily be held by Jing Ke, Yao Li, Nie Zheng, Zhuan Zhu, Yu Rang, Cao Mo, and Chu Yu."

Ye Junlin's gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over the seven guards. "No one outside the core of my Eternal Night Heaven is to be touched!"

The seven men responded in unison, "We obey!"

Ye Junlin paused, then emphasized, "There's one more thing, regarding the outer sect members we recruit..."

"Regardless of their cultivation level, none of them may enter the Eternal Night Space; they may only remain at the Drizzle Pavilion base to carry out their duties."

Yuan Tiangang added, "What the monarch says is absolutely right."

"The base has set up a training ground and living quarters in the backyard. The training and mission handover of the outer sect assassins all take place within the base."

"It can be managed by me, Di Yun, Linghu Chong and I."

"Jing Ke, you seven guards, as top-tier assassins, are responsible for verifying the loyalty of new recruits. If necessary, you may personally test them."

Ye Junlin looked at Jing Ke, "Especially those who have old grudges with major powers, we need to investigate whether there is any fraud behind them."

"After review, cultivation resources and techniques may be granted."

"If the other party has enemies, Xiyu Tower can settle the score on their behalf—but only on the condition that they submit to the enemy."

Jing Ke clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate understands! We will definitely not allow spies to infiltrate!"

His gaze fell on Chuyu: "Chuyu, you're new here. You can follow Cao Mo to familiarize yourself with the base's affairs and assist in assessing the cultivation level and character of newcomers."

Chuyu bowed and said, "Your subordinate obeys!"

Ye Junlin then looked at Di Yun and Linghu Chong:

"Have you two located the exact location of the Blood Slaughter Pavilion's branch?"

"Reporting to the monarch! After our investigation, we believe that the Blood Slaughter Pavilion branch is located south of Qingzhou City, but the exact location still needs to be confirmed!" Di Yun stepped forward and said.

"Good! Find them as soon as possible and wipe them out." Ye Junlin's eyes were cold, and he had not forgotten the Blood Killing Pavilion's assassination attempt on him and destruction of his dantian!

"Your subordinates obey!" Di Yun and Linghu Chong replied in unison.

After making the arrangements, Ye Junlin walked to the sand table and tapped the model of Qingzhou City with his fingertip:

"Two months from now, I want to see at least three Grandmasters join the ranks."

"This matter concerns the very foundation of Xiyu Tower; no one is allowed to slack off."

"We will not fail you!" the ten men replied in unison, their voices filled with fierce fighting spirit.

Outside the Viewing Rain Pavilion, dusk was deepening, and the eaves of the Fine Rain Pavilion outlined a cold and austere silhouette in the night.

With this order issued, a recruitment network, spearheaded by the top assassins and covering Qingzhou City, has quietly been set in motion.

Meanwhile, those powerful, independent cultivators hiding among the common people are unaware that an opportunity to change their destiny is quietly approaching.