220: Hyacinth

Lu Chen's figure did not pause for a moment, and even the frequency of his breathing remained unchanged.

He continued following the maid, walking out of the side room with a normal gait, passing through a short passage, and returning to the relatively noisy side hall corridor.

On his face, he wore a mask, his gaze calm, as if that sudden voice transmission was just an insignificant breeze.

However, the look in his eyes beneath the mask had already become profound.

Thoughts whirled in his mind as several guesses flashed by in an instant.

Was it someone from the auction?

Unlikely. If the officials had business, they could have invited him openly; there was no need for such a secretive voice transmission.

Was it another bidder who noticed his determination to obtain the shenxiao token?

While possible, how would the other party confirm his identity?

This auction was supposed to protect the privacy of its participants.

The most likely candidate was... "the person who consigned the shenxiao token."

Lu Chen was almost certain in his heart.

The other party sent this token of unknown use to the auction, perhaps with the intention of fishing or testing the waters.

As the only one who bid and successfully won it, he naturally became the other party's target.

But what exactly was the other party's goal?

Did they recognize the token's value, regret the auction, and want it back?

Or... was it related to the Shenxiao Sect?

Could it even be related to the Sect's secret mission in Ruins Abyss City?

“Fengxin Manor...”

Lu Chen silently repeated the name, quickly searching through his memory.

It seemed to be just an unremarkable small shop in the city that dealt in information gathering and miscellaneous commissions, with no significant reputation.

Choosing such a place was indeed inconspicuous.

Regardless of who the other party was or what their purpose might be.

This sudden voice transmission and invitation had already thrown a thread of inexplicable variables and potential clues before him.

To go, or not to go?

How should he respond?

He needed to plan carefully.

While showing nothing on his face, he had already placed this sudden appointment at Fengxin Manor at the top of his list of urgent matters.

Lu Chen emerged from the side room with a normal expression, his steps not appearing hurried.

He did not return to the main auction hall but walked straight toward Qian Gui, who was still waiting in the original spot. The moment their eyes met, he gave an almost imperceptible nod.

How sharp was Qian Gui? Although he saw no ripples in Lu Chen's gaze.

That nearly uncatchable sense of stagnation, different from before, still made his heart stir.

He immediately stood up and, without a word, followed closely behind Lu Chen, the two of them walking one after the other.

Like ordinary buyers who had no lingering interest after obtaining their items, they silently blended into the crowd of people leaving.

They quickly passed through the winding passages and left the underground black market.

Until they stepped out of that hidden iron door and were back in the cold night air of Ruins Abyss City, mixed with various scents, neither of them spoke.

They found a secluded corner and quickly removed the masks used for the auction.

However, they did not restore their original appearances but instead put on another set of ordinary disguises prepared in advance.

After completing this, Lu Chen did not relax; his Divine Sense quietly spread out like an invisible spider web into the surroundings.

At the same time, he sent a voice transmission to Qian Gui, his voice steady but carrying a hint of unquestionable caution: “Be careful, I feel someone trailing us. It might not be targeted at us, but it's best to be prudent. Let's split up, circle around a few times, and then return.”

Qian Gui's heart tightened, but he showed nothing on his face, only giving a nearly imperceptible nod.

Although he didn't know exactly what Lu Chen had encountered during the black market handover.

For his always-composed master to be so alert, it was definitely no small matter.

The two immediately separated, each blending into the sparse crowd under the night sky and walking in different directions.

However, neither returned directly to their stronghold or shop; instead, they both began to wander seemingly at random through the crisscrossing streets and alleys.

Sometimes they stopped at a vendor's stall, sometimes they turned into a dim alleyway, and sometimes they joined a slightly more bustling night market area.

This was the most basic anti-tracking method, intended to confuse any possible observers and confirm their own safety.

About half an hour later, that faint, indistinct sense of being watched completely disappeared from Lu Chen's perception.

He did not relax, circling for a long time before finally meeting up again with Qian Gui, who had also confirmed he had shaken off his tail, at the end of a secluded alley.

Their attire at this moment had been slightly adjusted again, different from when they left the black market.

After confirming the surroundings were safe, Lu Chen finally sent another voice transmission, asking the question that had been lingering in his mind: “What kind of place is the Fengxin Manor in the west of the city?”

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Qian Gui's eyes; he clearly hadn't expected Lu Chen to suddenly ask about this place.

Recalling for a moment, he transmitted back: “Reporting to Master, on the surface, Fengxin Manor is a shop dealing in Talisman and Formation Materials. Its selection isn't extraordinary, and its business is ordinary. However... according to some scattered information, they also engage in grey businesses like selling information and acting as intermediaries, and they have some reputation in specific circles. But they operate extremely discreetly and secretly, with varied contact methods, making it difficult for outsiders to grasp their true roots. My understanding of this manor is also limited; I only know of its existence and have never dealt with them.”

After listening, Lu Chen nodded thoughtfully.

A shop that ostensibly deals in Talisman and Formation Materials but secretly sells information... choosing to meet here fits the secretive style of that mysterious voice transmitter.

But what exactly was their purpose?

“Do not mention today's matters to others. Return on your own and keep a close watch.”

Lu Chen gave Qian Gui instructions, finally adding, “If there is any new information regarding Fengxin Manor, report to me at any time.”

“Yes, Master, please rest assured.”

Qian Gui responded respectfully, knowing in his heart that this matter was likely not simple.

But if Lu Chen didn't mention it, he wouldn't ask.

The two separated again, this time truly returning to their respective places.

Lu Chen did not return directly to the small courtyard but changed his route and disguise several more times in the city.

Like a slippery fish, he completely disappeared into the shadows of Ruins Abyss City's intricate streets and alleys.

He needed time to digest what he had gained today and, more importantly, to carefully consider whether that sudden appointment at Fengxin Manor was an unexpected boon or an unknown trap.

Lu Chen returned to the secret room of the small courtyard without disturbing anyone, only using a special method to secretly summon Li Wuya.

The candlelight cast their shadows onto the stone walls, swaying slightly.

After listening to Lu Chen's brief but crucial narration—obtaining the shenxiao token and the sudden voice transmission invitation during the handover.

A hint of gravity also crossed Li Wuya's habitually calm face.

His knuckles unconsciously tapped the tabletop as he whispered two terms.

“shenxiao token... Fengxin Manor...”

“Exactly.”

Lu Chen nodded, his voice sounding exceptionally clear in the enclosed Stone Chamber.

“This token is indeed a token of our Sect, and its significance is extraordinary. Since that person holds this token and chose this time and place to use the auction as bait... their intention is most likely aimed at our Sect, wanting to use this object to draw out someone who might be interested in, or rather, sensitive to this token.”

He paused slightly, looking at Li Wuya with a calm gaze, and continued: “Regardless of whether the other party is friend or foe, or what their purpose is, I must personally make this trip. If it's a trap, I need to ascertain the truth; if it's a clue, I cannot miss it. However,”

He changed his tone, adding a hint of a request, “There may be variables in tomorrow's trip, so I will need Elder Li to follow in secret to provide support.”

Lu Chen had his own considerations.

The fact that the other party chose such an obscure way to contact him, rather than an open approach, suggested several things.

First, their own strength or background was likely insufficient to act openly, or they had concerns.

Second, they acted mysteriously and were deep-scheming.

Third, there was a high probability they were not a Cultivator above the Core Formation Stage; otherwise, there would be no need for such secrecy, as they could simply use force or pressure to compel him.

This was the source of his confidence to go and investigate. But while he had confidence, caution was essential.

With Li Wuya, a powerful Sword Cultivator at the Core Formation Stage, backing him up from the shadows.

Even if there truly was an accident, it would be enough to handle most situations, or at least ensure a safe retreat.

After hearing this, Li Wuya did not hesitate at all and nodded decisively: “Very well. Tomorrow I will hide in the shadows and go with you.”

His gaze was as sharp as a sword as it swept over Lu Chen, “How do you plan to keep the appointment? In your true identity, or...”

“Naturally, I will go with the disguised identity from the auction.”

Lu Chen had already thought it through, “Since the other party sent the transmission through the auction, they recognize the buyer who won the shenxiao token. I will meet them as that buyer. However, this disguise needs to be more refined so that one's roots cannot be easily seen through.”

A flash of approval showed in Li Wuya's eyes: “Prudent. I will maintain my distance and, unless necessary, I will not reveal my presence. Do you have any emergency contact or warning items on you? If not, I have a specially made Sword-Seal Talisman here; within a hundred miles, it can be sensed upon activation.”

“I'll trouble Elder Li then.”

Lu Chen did not refuse, taking the jade Talisman shaped like a small sword that felt slightly warm to the touch from Li Wuya.

He did have communication methods on him, but an extra layer of protection was always good.

Some deeper preparations and reliances did not need to be fully disclosed, even to Li Wuya.

The two briefly discussed details such as possible meeting points for tomorrow, tracking distance, and response signals to ensure they were in sync.

Finally, Li Wuya looked at Lu Chen and said in a heavy voice: “The reappearance of the shenxiao token, followed by this strange invitation, is likely not an isolated incident. Be careful in everything. If anything is wrong, prioritize your own safety. Since the token is already in hand, the Sect mission has made progress; there is no need to rush and risk going too deep.”

“I understand, thank you Elder Li.” Lu Chen nodded solemnly.

He knew well that Li Wuya's words were out of concern and also a consideration for his safety as a patrol envoy.

With the plan settled, Li Wuya did not stay any longer. His figure flickered and disappeared from the secret room like light smoke to make preparations for tomorrow's events.