A Brewing Storm

For mercenary teams, competition was inevitable.

Only Wei Qingzhu's and Zhou Hu's teams knew about the extraordinary Origin Mall. This knowledge gave them an edge, as the fewer people who knew, the greater their advantage.

Wei Qingzhu smiled faintly, recalling how the shopkeeper had deliberately spread news of the store. Still, only Zhou Hu and his group had believed her, while others dismissed her words as nonsense.

"I take it you've just returned to Nine Stars City?" Zhou Hu asked with a grin.

Wei Qingzhu nodded. "We tracked a Shadow Leopard. That beast was cunning, with an incredible talent for escape. It took us several days to finally bring it down."

The Shadow Leopard, a rare magical beast found in the Nine Stars Mountain Range, typically possessed strength at the Fatebound Ascension stage when fully grown. However, its value rivaled even some weaker Origin Mastery realm beasts due to its unique abilities.

Shadow Leopards could transform into shadows, making them incredibly difficult to detect. Their fur, which retained part of this ability, was highly coveted. Clothes made from Shadow Leopard pelts could significantly conceal the wearer's presence.

"A Shadow Leopard? Now that's lucky," Zhou Hu said, visibly impressed. "Its value is no less than thousands of spirit crystals."

Wei Qingzhu chuckled modestly. "Captain Zhou, I heard you recently took on a mission. How did it go?"

"Don't even get me started," Zhou Hu groaned, waving his hand in frustration. "The magical beasts in the Nine Stars Mountains have gone wild recently, surging toward the outskirts.

"Our team was escorting a caravan into the mountains when we were ambushed by a pack of Amethyst Demon Wolves. If it weren't for the cola and spicy bars from the shop, we wouldn't have made it back alive."

The other members of Zhou Hu's team nodded grimly, the memory still fresh and harrowing.

Hearing this, Wei Qingzhu and her companions frowned. Could something significant be happening in the Nine Stars Mountain Range?

While the opening of ancient ruins was known to powerful sects and influential cultivators, rogue cultivators like Zhou Hu and Wei Qingzhu had no access to such secrets. They could only guess at the cause based on the unusual activity in Nine Stars City and the mountains.

"Don't go to the Nine Stars Mountains for now," Yao Ziyan's voice interrupted their thoughts.

The group turned toward her, their eyes lighting up with interest.

In their eyes, Yao Ziyan was an elite among cultivators, someone who undoubtedly knew the truth behind these events.

"Sister Ziyan, what's happening?" Wei Qingzhu asked curiously.

Yao Ziyan shook her head gently. "With your current strength, knowing won't help. It's not something you can involve yourselves in."

The strongest among them, Zhou Hu, had barely reached the peak of Fatebound Ascension. In comparison, even Origin Mastery cultivators were considered cannon fodder in events tied to ancient ruins.

"I see..."

The group nodded in understanding.

If Yao Ziyan advised them to stay away, the situation was far beyond their abilities. For the sake of their lives, they resolved to remain safely in Nine Stars City for now.

After all, playing games in the shop could enhance their cultivation—why risk their lives elsewhere?

With that, they each grabbed a cup of instant noodles and logged into the Tower of Trials.

Since this was Wei Qingzhu's first time playing, she had to register an account first.