Chapter 31: Intelligence
"Let's go in first."
Li Changsheng spoke lightly.
His spiritual sense had already scanned the entire White Tower, giving him a clear understanding of the situation inside.
The White Tower was indeed more formidable than rumored. This was just a branch in the Qi Kingdom, yet it was guarded by a cultivator and three peak innate martial artists. It was worth noting that the spiritual energy in the mortal world was sparse, and cultivation here was extremely slow. Ten years of bitter cultivation here couldn't compare to a single year of cultivation in a spiritual vein.
That's why no cultivator would willingly stay in the mortal realm for long, which is why cultivators are rarely seen in the mortal world.
When the White Tower's attendant led Li Changsheng and his two companions inside, a middle-aged cultivator dressed as the manager, who was at the peak of the Qi Refining stage, immediately stepped forward and said to the attendant:
"You may leave. I will personally attend to these three distinguished guests."
"Yes!" The attendant was shocked but quickly bowed and retreated toward the entrance. Even when the Qi Kingdom's royal family came to purchase information, the grand manager had never personally received them. Today, however, he had personally come out to attend to these guests.
"Please, this way."
The grand manager of the White Tower gestured slightly with his hands and led the three to the VIP hall.
As soon as they sat down, several stunning maids served them tea.
"You may leave."
The grand manager waved his hand gently, and the maids withdrew.
"Wait outside," Li Changsheng instructed Zhao San and Lao Liu to leave as well.
Once only the two of them remained in the VIP room.
The grand manager looked directly at Li Changsheng and asked, "Leader Li, have you come to the White Tower for information about the Tiānxià Huì?"
"Oh?"
"You know who I am?"
A trace of surprise flashed in Li Changsheng's eyes. He had just emerged from the secret realm, made a brief stop in Wushan City, and then came straight to the White Tower in Zhongshan City. He hadn't expected to be recognized immediately by the people of the White Tower.
"In the Tiannan Region, there isn't much that my White Tower doesn't know," the grand manager smiled slightly and said, "Today, Leader Li annihilated the Song family and then rushed to Zhongshan City. I guessed that you might be coming to the White Tower to find the whereabouts of the remaining members of the Tiānxià Huì."
After speaking, the grand manager directly took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Li Changsheng.
Li Changsheng's expression remained unchanged as he took the scroll and spread it out on the table.
The scroll contained detailed information about the Tiānxià Huì, including who had betrayed the organization, who had died, and even the whereabouts of people like Qin Yi, whom even the Qi Kingdom's royal family couldn't find.
"Ha."
Li Changsheng let out a sigh of relief. According to the scroll, although the Tiānxià Huì had suffered heavy losses recently, Qin Yi, Bai Qing'er, and others were only injured and were now hiding in the Immortal Tomb in Linshui County.
However, the Qi Kingdom's royal family had already discovered Qin Yi's trail, and Song Rulong had led a group of martial artists to pursue them.
"How much does this information cost?"
Li Changsheng asked.
"This information is a gift from the White Tower," the grand manager shook his head and said.
"I don't accept favors for no reason," Li Changsheng said plainly.
He believed that there was no such thing as a free lunch, and often, what seemed free was the most expensive.
Moreover, silver had no use to him now.
There was no need to owe a favor for a bit of silver.
The grand manager was momentarily stunned, as if he hadn't expected Li Changsheng to refuse, but he quickly regained his smile and said, "This information isn't worth much. The White Tower simply wishes to establish a positive connection with you."
"This is also an order from above. If I were to charge you for this information, I'm afraid I would be punished."
Li Changsheng frowned slightly.
"A positive connection?"
"The White Tower has cultivators like you, at the peak of Qi Refining, stationed in the mortal world. Your strength is probably not weaker than the Sunset Sect, which rules the Qi Kingdom. Why would you need to establish a connection with me?"
The grand manager simply shook his head, "Leader, please don't make things difficult for me. I'm just following orders."
After speaking, the grand manager took out a jade pendant of unknown material from his storage bag and handed it to Li Changsheng.
"Leader, as long as you hold this jade pendant, you can access all the information in the White Tower."
"As for the reason behind establishing this connection, I'm sure someone will find you in the future to explain."
Li Changsheng took the jade pendant, a look of astonishment on his face.
He had thought it was just an ordinary jade pendant, but upon holding it, he realized it was a top-grade magical artifact. It had the effects of calming the mind, gathering spiritual energy, and enhancing cultivation speed.
In the cultivation world, such an artifact could easily fetch twenty to thirty thousand spirit stones. And now, the White Tower was simply giving it to him?
The White Tower was clearly much stronger than he had imagined!
Even the Sunset Sect probably wouldn't have such a grand gesture!
"In that case, do you have any information about the cultivation world in the Tiannan Region?"
Li Changsheng asked directly.
The jade pendant was a good item, and he would take it.
As for what the White Tower might ask of him in the future, as long as it didn't harm his interests, he would consider it on a case-by-case basis.
"Yes!"
The grand manager didn't hesitate at all, immediately taking out a purple jade slip from his storage bag and handing it to Li Changsheng.
"Leader, this contains basic information about the cultivation world in the Tiannan Region. If you need deeper intelligence, you'll have to go to Sunset Valley. The largest branch of the White Tower in the Qi Kingdom is located there."
The grand manager's attitude was respectful.
"Mm."
Li Changsheng nodded, took the jade slip, and left directly.
He believed that with the White Tower's strength, finding him would not be difficult if they needed anything.
"This is for you."
After leaving the White Tower, Li Changsheng threw a small porcelain bottle to Lao Liu. Then he turned to Zhao San and said,
"Let's go to Linshui County!"
Watching the departing figures of Li Changsheng and Zhao San, Lao Liu let out a sigh of relief, his face filled with joy as he looked at the small porcelain bottle in his hand.
He was now certain that Li Changsheng was undoubtedly a powerhouse even among immortals.
And the items bestowed by an immortal—how could they be ordinary?
When he opened the bottle, he was immediately struck by a refreshing medicinal aroma. Just smelling it made his internal energy grow slightly stronger. Lao Liu hurriedly closed the bottle and nervously glanced around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he relaxed.
"A pill bestowed by an immortal!"
"This means my rise is destined!"
After speaking, Lao Liu sprinted toward his family's home.
"Zhang Tian of the Formless Gate."
"Iron Cang, the Invincible Divine Fist."
"Zhuo Biao of the Iron Spear Sect."
"And Song Rulong!"
"Haha..."
Looking at the list he had obtained from the White Tower, Li Changsheng's eyes were filled with coldness. Although he had gathered some information from the Song family, they weren't entirely clear on the details of what had happened. The scroll from the White Tower, however, clearly documented every treacherous act committed by those traitors.
Li Changsheng didn't blame those who weren't particularly loyal for their betrayal. Even based on the information from the Song family, he had planned to only deal with Song Rulong and a few other ringleaders.
But according to the intelligence from the White Tower, after betraying the Tiānxià Huì, these people had immediately led the Qi Kingdom's martial artists to slaughter their former comrades, who had only days before called each other brothers. Over a thousand members of the Tiānxià Huì had died, and including their families, the death toll reached several thousand.
And the ones who had carried out these killings were none other than Song Rulong and his group.
Sitting in the carriage, Li Changsheng's eyes were filled with icy coldness.
"Since you've shown no regard for past camaraderie, be prepared to face my wrath."