Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

After Jing Ke and Yao Li left, Ye Junlin spent several more days in the dimensional space.

He cultivates during the day and rests at night, enjoying an exceptionally leisurely life.

Perhaps it was because he had avenged his parents and himself, or perhaps it was because he had gained his own power, but his entire demeanor was completely renewed.

Just as Ye Junlin was still lingering in the space,

Meanwhile, Jing Ke and Yao Li had already appeared in the heart of Qingzhou – Qingzhou City.

After several days of investigation, Jing Ke and Yao Li found that Qingzhou City was one of the most chaotic and complicated cities, with various forces occupying branches there due to the terrain.

The most powerful forces in Qingzhou City are as follows:

Linglong Chamber of Commerce: Controls the business world of the Eastern Region and monopolizes the trade of divine weapons and spiritual medicines.

Blood Killing Pavilion is an assassin organization with branches in major cities throughout the Eastern Region.

Besides the major powers, there are also demonic forces and sect forces hidden among them.

"Let's build the Fine Rain Pavilion in this Qingzhou City," Jing Ke whispered.

"Hmm! The power structure in Qingzhou City is in complete disarray, but the more chaotic it is, the better it is for Xiyu Tower to develop."

Yao Li examined the intelligence in his hand and sighed.

After gaining a general understanding of the various forces and situations, Jing Ke and Yao Li decided to begin developing the Xiyu Tower in this location.

"Let's check the black market's bounty board first, and if there are any suitable missions, accept a few."

"Let's first earn some spirit stones and reputation. Then we can establish the Fine Rain Pavilion stronghold later."

The black market is not unique to Qingzhou City; almost every city in the Eastern Region has a branch there.

No one knows who is behind the black market; all that is known is that it is a behemoth.

Rumors circulate that high-ranking officials from multiple factions have gathered, intending to eradicate this illegal territory that stands tall throughout the entire Eastern Region.

However, before they even reached the black market, a mysterious force used a tactic of killing one to scare the other to eliminate the leaders of the two factions.

After that, the Black Market existed, and everyone tacitly accepted its existence; no one dared to be the first to speak out.

A moment later, Jing Ke and Yao Li arrived at the black market.

The two men were dressed in black robes, with only their eyes visible, yet the murderous aura emanating from them startled everyone around them, causing them to give way.

"Hiss, the aura of those two just now was truly terrifying. I felt like I was facing two killing gods, and I was almost scared to death."

A recluse spoke beside him.

"More than that, this aura has already surpassed that of a Grandmaster, and he must be a master of the Void Realm."

"Judging from your appearance, you are truly spineless! What is there to be surprised about? This is the black market; isn't it normal for two unfamiliar experts at the Void Realm to appear here?"

A monk echoed this.

Although many people nodded in agreement with these words, the way they looked at Jing Ke and Yao Li still carried a deep sense of fear.

They even unconsciously shifted their feet to the sides, clearing a path for the two of them in the crowded black market.

Jing Ke ignored this, his eyes, hidden in the shadow of his black robe, sharp as a hawk's.

He scanned the rows of stalls in the black market and the monks hiding their faces, taking in everything around him.

Yao Li tilted his head slightly, trying to catch the snippets of conversation around him and sift out useful information.

As the two walked, the surrounding noise seemed to be blocked out by an invisible barrier.

Only the faint sound of their black robes rubbing together echoed in the air.

After passing through layers of people, a towering bluestone building, several meters high, suddenly appeared before our eyes.

A black plaque with gold lettering hangs above the building, bearing the four large characters "Bounty Hall." The calligraphy is vigorous and powerful, exuding a chilling aura.

On either side of the entrance stood two guards dressed in black, both at the Grandmaster level, with swords at their waists, their cold eyes scanning everyone who came in and out.

Ordinary cultivators passing by would subconsciously conceal their aura.

But when they saw Jing Ke and Yao Li, their pupils suddenly contracted, and the words they were about to ask were stuck in their throats.

The overwhelming killing intent was like a tangible blade, scraping their skin until it stung, leaving them without the courage to even move.

Jing Ke and Yao Li stepped straight into the bounty hall. The light inside was dimmer than outside, and the air was filled with a faint scent of blood mixed with the fragrance of ink.

Dozens of massive wooden pillars supported the roof, and the pillars were covered with countless reward plaques.

From assassination missions at the Grandmaster level to miscellaneous tasks like finding medicine and treasure, there's something for everyone.

Inside the hall, the monks were either engrossed in reading the information on the wooden plaques or chatting quietly in small groups.

But the moment Jing Ke and Yao Li stepped in, the entire hall fell silent, and all eyes turned to the two men in black robes.

"These two...their killing intent is so strong!"

"Look at their steps, light yet steady, they are definitely not ordinary people."

"Could it be that they're after those high-bounty missions?"

Whispers rose and fell, but no one dared to speak too loudly, for fear of displeasing these two killing gods.

Jing Ke ignored this and, with sharp eyes, quickly scanned the hanging wooden signs, but his brows gradually furrowed.

Yao Li also sensed something was wrong and asked in a low voice, "How is it? Is there no suitable mission?"

Jing Ke slowly shook his head, his voice low and hoarse, tinged with disappointment:

"The highest bounty offered is no more than the late Grandmaster stage."

"This kind of task is not challenging for us at all, and the spirit stones obtained are just a drop in the bucket, not enough to support the early operation of Xiyu Tower."

Upon hearing this, Yao Li frowned deeply.

He stepped forward, casually picked up a wooden plaque, which read, "Assassination of the steward of the Wang family of Qingzhou, reward: 100,000 low-grade spirit stones."

The manager was only at the mid-stage of the Grandmaster realm; to them, he was someone they could easily deal with with a wave of their hand.

"It seems that the bounty offered on the surface is simply not worth our attention."

Yao Li hung the wooden sign back in its original place, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"It seems we need to think of another way," Jing Ke said.

As the two were talking in hushed tones, a slightly obsequious voice suddenly came from behind them:

"Gentlemen, judging from your distinguished demeanor, you must look down on these ordinary tasks, right?"

Jing Ke and Yao Li turned around at the same time and saw a thin man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face.

He was rubbing his hands together, looking at them with a big smile, his small eyes gleaming with shrewdness.

A cold glint flashed in Jing Ke's eyes, and an invisible killing intent suddenly spread, making the man feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

My legs went weak and I almost collapsed to my knees; my teeth were chattering.

"S-Senior, please spare us! I only dared to approach you because I saw that you two possessed extraordinary bearing and were no ordinary people!"

Yao Li raised his hand and pressed down on Jing Ke's arm, signaling him to restrain his murderous aura, before speaking calmly:

"Do you know how to accept bounties for Grandmasters and above?"

The man, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, wiped the cold sweat from his brow and bowed obsequiously, saying:

"You two seniors may not know this, but this black market notice is only available to ordinary cultivators."

"Assassinating a master of at least the Grandmaster level or an important figure is like finding a treasure hidden in the darkness."

"We won't easily expose it on the bounty list, but will contact them directly in private, since we don't want to make this kind of thing public."

"Oh! I see. Is there any way to spread the news quickly?" Jing Ke raised an eyebrow, his tone scrutinizing the man.

The man nodded vigorously, his face beaming with an even wider smile:

"This scoundrel's nickname is 'Groundhog.' He's been operating in the Qingzhou black market for over thirty years, but he has no other skills."

"I do know some ways to spread the news. If you two seniors are willing to spend some spirit stones, I guarantee I'll take you to a place where the news can be spread immediately."

Yao Li and Jing Ke exchanged a glance, and saw a hint of attraction in each other's eyes.

Having just arrived in Qingzhou, they knew nothing about the black market. Having a local expert to guide them would indeed save them a lot of trouble.

"After this is done, you'll get your share of the benefits." Yao Li said this in a detached tone, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"Esteemed seniors, please follow me."

The burrowing rat was overjoyed and quickly led the way, muttering the precautions for the black market as it went.

Jing Ke and Yao Li didn't take his rambling words to heart. They simply followed behind him, their eyes scanning their surroundings warily.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the burrowing rat stopped in front of a gate called "Langya Pavilion".