Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

Half a day passes in the blink of an eye.

The air in Qingzhou City was more restless than usual.

A message, as if it had grown wings, flew throughout the area surrounding Qingzhou in the Eastern Region.

The Qingzhou Linglong Chamber of Commerce will hold a large-scale auction in half a month.

The Linglong Chamber of Commerce is a renowned business giant in the Eastern Region, with branches throughout various prefectures and cities.

Renowned for the rarity of its auction items and its outstanding reputation, it attracts monks from all directions even to ordinary auctions, let alone this grand event, which is dubbed "large-scale."

Rumor has it that this auction will not only feature the high-level spiritual weapon "Blood-Drinking Blade," but also the "Primordial Essence Pill," which can help peak-stage Innate cultivators break through to Grandmaster level.

There's also the "Gathering Yuan Pill," which helps a Grandmaster break through to the Great Grandmaster level, and the Netherworld Flower, which increases physical strength and blood circulation.

Even more remarkable are the "Glassy Fruits," which grow at the very core of the "Source of the Spiritual Vein," their fruit resembling a glass ball that reflects a rainbow of colors when rotated.

The Glazed Fruit can complete a cultivator's foundation, making the "Dao" more perfect. If used to break through to the Celestial Realm, it can stabilize a cultivator's foundation and make it easier to comprehend the laws of heaven and earth.

Upon hearing the news, cultivators from Qingzhou and other neighboring regions set off and converged on Qingzhou City.

In no time, the inns in Qingzhou City were overflowing with people, and powerful cultivators carrying weapons could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys.

An atmosphere of both anticipation and tension filled the air.

Qingzhou City

Linglong Chamber of Commerce.

Inside an elegant attic, a woman dressed in a light green silk dress stood by the window, gazing at the bustling crowd on the street.

—It was Lin Wan'er, the president of the Qingzhou branch of the Linglong Chamber of Commerce.

She had a pretty face and a shrewd look in her eyes. She was playing with a jade pendant in her hand, her eyes thoughtful.

"Guild Master, this is Lady Luo Yao's communication jade slip."

A maid entered quietly and handed over a jade slip that shimmered with a faint light.

Lin Wan'er took the jade slip, channeled her spiritual power, and a clear, cold female voice rang out in the room:

"Wan'er, prepare a gold-embossed invitation and find a way to send it to Xiyu Tower."

"Remember, do not offend the people of Xiyulou!"

Lin Wan'er's heart stirred.

"While the Fine Rain Pavilion has recently gained prominence in Qingzhou, it is nothing more than a newly emerging assassin organization."

"Why did Lady Xingluoyao send them the highest-level invitation?"

Lin Wan'er pondered to herself, but dared not delay in the slightest.

The Linglong Chamber of Commerce is an enterprise of the Xingchen Pavilion, and Xing Luoyao holds a prominent position; her orders must be obeyed.

She turned to the maid and said, "Bring me a gold-embossed invitation."

A moment later, an invitation with gold trim was presented to Lin Wan'er. The cover was printed with the logo of the Linglong Chamber of Commerce, exuding an air of luxury.

Lin Wan'er picked up her pen and wrote the words "Respectfully invite the esteemed envoy of Xiyu Tower to grace us with his presence" on the invitation. Her handwriting was both beautiful and vigorous.

"How should this invitation be delivered?"

Lin Wan'er frowned slightly.

The organization, Fine Rain Pavilion, is extremely secretive. Not only is its headquarters unknown, but even its members operating outside the organization have no way of knowing where it is. How can it be contacted?

After a moment of contemplation, she summoned an elderly servant with white hair.

This old servant has served the Chamber of Commerce for hundreds of years. He is loyal and well-informed, and knows Qingzhou City like the back of his hand.

"Old Jin, do you know the location of the Fine Rain Pavilion's stronghold?"

"President, the black market general store is where the bounty marker for the Drizzle Pavilion is located," Elder Jin replied.

Upon hearing this, Lin Wan'er immediately handed the invitation to Mr. Jin.

"Then take this invitation to the general store in the black market and give it to the person there. Tell him to make sure it is forwarded to the upper floors of the Fine Rain Pavilion."

Old Jin accepted the invitation, carefully tucked it into his pocket, and bowed, saying, "Don't worry, Chairman, I understand."

After saying that, he turned and left, his figure quickly blending into the crowd on the street.

Deep within the black market, inside a general store.

The groundhog was dozing on the counter when it heard the wind chimes tinkle. It slowly looked up and asked, "What would you like to buy, sir?"

Upon seeing that the visitor was Elder Jin, he quickly stood up: "Elder Jin, what brings you here today?"

The burrowing rat had been roaming around Qingzhou City for decades and believed he knew Old Jin, simply because he used to guide newcomers to the Linglong Chamber of Commerce.

Seeing that it was a burrowing rat, Old Jin didn't say much. He took out a gold-embossed invitation from his pocket and lowered his voice, saying:

"This is a groundhog, entrusted to me by President Lin of the Linglong Chamber of Commerce. It must be delivered to the upper echelons of the Xiyu Building."

The burrowing rat took the invitation. It was slightly heavy in its hand. Upon seeing the handwriting on the cover, it was startled—the Linglong Chamber of Commerce would actually send an invitation to the Xiyu Tower.

He dared not delay and quickly nodded, "Don't worry, I will definitely deliver it."

Seeing that he had accepted it, Old Jin asked, "So you've joined the Drizzle Pavilion now?"

"Hahaha! I am honored to be chosen by the esteemed lord of the Drizzle Pavilion!" the Groundhog replied proudly.

Old Jin glanced at the burrowing rat, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Seeing Elder Jin leave, the mole clutched the invitation in his hand, strode into the inner room, took out a communication token that Jing Ke had given him last time, and infused it with spiritual power:

"Lord Jing Ke, the Linglong Merchant Guild has sent a gold-embossed invitation, inviting Xiyu Tower to participate in the auction in half a month."

A moment later, the token responded: "Understood, I will have Xuan Yi come and retrieve it."

"Yes."

Before an incense stick's time had passed, Xuan Yishi Yong's figure appeared outside the general store.

He was still wearing that black outfit, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily. Only after confirming that no one was following him did he push open the door and enter.

Where is the invitation?

The burrowing mouse quickly presented the invitation: "Here it is."

Shi Yong took the invitation, glanced at the cover, then tucked it into his pocket and said in a deep voice:

"Lord Jing Ke asked me to pass on a message to you, saying that you have been doing very well lately, and he hopes you will continue your efforts!"

"I know, I know," the burrowing mouse nodded happily.

Shi Yong said no more and turned to disappear into the shadows of the black market.

...

Fine Rain Tower stronghold,

Listening to the Rain Hall.

Jing Ke was discussing their upcoming mission with Nie Zheng, Yao Li, and others when Xuan Yi returned. He asked, "Did you get the invitation?"

"I've got it, sir." Xuan Yi presented the gold-embossed invitation.

Jing Ke accepted the invitation, opened it, and frowned slightly: "Linglong Chamber of Commerce... what's the point of us assassins participating in an auction!"

He surveyed the crowd and said in a deep voice, "What are your thoughts?"

Yao Li cupped his hands and said, "I've heard that the Linglong Chamber of Commerce has powerful figures backing it. Since they've taken the initiative to be friendly, it's not appropriate to refuse them easily."

Jing Ke nodded and put the invitation away: "I will first report this matter to Lord Yuan."

He turned and went up to the third floor.

When Yuan Tiangang saw Jing Ke enter, he asked in a slow voice, "Jing Ke, what brings you here?"

Jing Ke presented the invitation: "Lord Yuan, this is an invitation from the Linglong Chamber of Commerce."

Yuan Tiangang accepted the invitation, read it, and then put it away, saying, "I will report this matter to the monarch."

"Oh, right! I almost forgot to tell you, the Linglong Chamber of Commerce is backed by the founders of the black market. When the monarch and I went to the Wenxian Tower, they were interested in befriending us."

"I see. I was wondering why they would send an invitation to an assassin organization like ours. But the black market has powerful backers, and it's certainly beneficial to be on good terms with them," Jing Ke said.