180: In Wanjin Pavilion, Mrs. Jin

The next day at noon, in the central area of Tianbei City.

A truly magnificent building stood there. Unlike the rough stone and wood structures surrounding it, this building was constructed entirely from a blend of dark gold metal and crystalline ice crystals, reaching nine stories high, shimmering with a cold, luxurious luster under the sunlight.

On the massive plaque, the three gilded characters "Wanjin Pavilion" were written with the vigorous strokes of a Dragon and Phoenix in flight, subtly emitting an invisible pressure.

This was the headquarters of the Wanjin Pavilion, renowned throughout Tianbei City and even the Northern Region.

Li Ao and Medusa arrived precisely on time.

Waiting at the entrance of the pavilion were two maids, dressed in light gold palace robes, whose appearances were lovely and whose aura was considerable (they were surprisingly at the Dou Wang level).

Upon seeing the two, the maids immediately bowed in greeting, their demeanor respectful yet neither servile nor arrogant.

"Young Master Li, Your Majesty, Madam has been waiting for quite some time on the top floor. Please follow us."

Guided by the maids, the two entered the Wanjin Pavilion.

The ground floor hall was extremely spacious, bustling with people, yet not noisy.

All sorts of rare treasures glittered inside crystal counters, their energy fluctuations subtle yet powerful.

Most of the clientele had steady auras, indicating they were either wealthy or noble.

Li Ao swept his Soul Power slightly and sensed at least five Dou Zong level auras faintly lurking in the shadows, indicating tight security.

They did not linger on the first floor, instead using a small internal, private teleportation array inscribed with complex spatial runes. With a flash of light and shadow, they arrived at the ninth floor.

Unlike the noise and extravagance below, the ninth floor was exceptionally quiet.

Stepping out of the array, they were greeted by an extremely elegant and spacious hall.

The floor was covered with snow-white, unknown animal hides, and the walls held several ice and snow landscape paintings that conveyed a profound Concept. A faint scent of sandalwood lingered, refreshing the mind.

At the end of the hall was a massive floor-to-ceiling ice window, looking out upon the neat rows of rooftops of Tianbei City and the endless ice plains in the distance.

Standing in front of the window, with her back to them, was a woman dressed in a gorgeous golden gown.

Hearing the footsteps, the woman slowly turned around.

Her appearance was not absolutely stunning, but she possessed a mature charm and the graceful bearing of someone long accustomed to high status.

Her skin was fair, and the faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes did not detract from her elegance; instead, they added a certain charm refined by experience.

Her pair of Phoenix eyes were bright and sharp, seemingly capable of seeing through people's hearts.

She did not deliberately emit powerful energy fluctuations, but simply by standing there, she naturally became the center of the entire space.

This person was undoubtedly the head of the Wanjin Pavilion—Madam Jin.

"Young Master Li, Queen Medusa, your presence honors my Wanjin Pavilion."

Madam Jin displayed a perfectly measured smile. Her voice was gentle but carried an undeniable sense of authority.

Her gaze first paused on Li Ao for a moment, a flicker of imperceptible surprise crossing her eyes, before settling on Medusa, where the astonishment deepened further.

"Madam Jin is too kind. It is our honor to be invited by Madam."

Li Ao cupped his hands and replied, neither humble nor arrogant. Medusa merely nodded slightly as a greeting, her expression remaining cool and detached.

"Please, have a seat." Madam Jin led them to the cushioned seats by the window. Maids immediately served fragrant tea; the blend of tea aroma and sandalwood was refreshing.

"Yesterday, upon hearing of your arrival, I was eager to meet you. Seeing you today, you are indeed a Dragon and Phoenix among people, truly living up to your reputation."

Madam Jin took a small sip of tea and spoke with a smile, smoothly glossing over the conflict from the street yesterday as if it were a trivial matter. "Especially Young Master Li, so young, yet your cultivation has already reached the Transcendent stage. Even I find it hard to gauge you. Truly, the younger generation is formidable."

Li Ao smiled faintly but did not take the bait, cutting straight to the point: "Madam is busy with myriad affairs. I doubt you invited us merely to offer compliments. May I ask the purpose of your invitation?"

Madam Jin set down her teacup, the smile in her Phoenix eyes receding slightly as she grew serious. "Young Master Li is direct, so I will also speak plainly. I invited you for two reasons. First, naturally, to be a good host and make the acquaintance of two outstanding talents. Second, I wish to discuss a transaction with Young Master Li."

"A transaction?" Li Ao's eyes flashed. "What does Madam refer to?"

"I heard Young Master Li is looking for 'nine nether cold iron'?" Madam Jin stated directly.

Li Ao was not surprised that she knew this. Perhaps she had informants within the Mittel Family, or she had simply deduced it based on his movements and needs.

"That is correct," Li Ao admitted frankly. "The piece Madam holds, might you be willing to part with it? The price is negotiable."

Madam Jin, however, slowly shook her head, saying, "That piece of nine nether cold iron is already scheduled to be the final item at the auction the day after tomorrow. The process is set and cannot easily be changed. The Wanjin Pavilion's reputation in the Northern Region is paramount."

Li Ao frowned slightly but remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

Sure enough, Madam Jin changed the subject: "However, if Young Master Li is willing to help the Wanjin Pavilion with a small favor, that piece of nine nether cold iron might be transferred directly to Young Master without going through the auction."

"What favor?" Li Ao asked, realizing this was the true purpose of the meeting.

Madam Jin leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice, her tone serious: "I would like to ask Young Master Li, after the auction concludes, to escort an item and a person out of Tianbei City and travel to the 'Ice Spirit Clan' deep within the Northern Region."

"Escort?" A hint of surprise flashed in Li Ao's eyes. Given the strength and background of the Wanjin Pavilion, why would they need outsiders to escort an item and a person? And the destination was the mysterious Ice Spirit Clan?

"That is correct." Madam Jin nodded, a trace of helplessness on her face. "This matter is of great importance, and... there are certain internal forces within the Pavilion that I cannot easily mobilize, lest I alert the enemy.

Young Master Li and Your Majesty are highly skilled, and as newcomers, you have few ties to the various powers in the Northern Region, making you the most suitable candidates."

She looked at Li Ao and added, "Of course, this journey may involve risks. As far as I know, an unknown force has already set its sights on that item."

"As compensation, besides the piece of nine nether cold iron, my Wanjin Pavilion can also provide an additional reward that satisfies Young Master, or we can promise Young Master one condition, within the capabilities of the Wanjin Pavilion."

Li Ao did not immediately answer, lightly stroking the teacup with his fingers.

Madam Jin's words contained a lot of information: internal forces that could not be mobilized, the coveting of an unknown power, the mysterious Ice Spirit Clan... This situation seemed deeper than he had imagined.

He glanced at Medusa, whose expression was calm, clearly leaving the decision to him.

"I need to know what is being escorted, who is being escorted, and what the background of that 'unknown force' might be."

Li Ao pondered for a moment, then looked up at Madam Jin, his gaze sharp.

Madam Jin seemed to have anticipated this question. She contemplated for a moment before slowly replying, "The item to be escorted is an 'ancient ice spirit talisman,' which is the key to opening a certain Secret Realm of the Ice Spirit Clan.

The person to be escorted is my daughter, Jin Ling. She possesses a partial Ice Spirit Clan Bloodline and needs this talisman to return to her clan's territory to receive the Legacy.

As for that unknown force..." She paused, a flicker of coldness in her eyes. "It is highly likely that they are related to the 'Hall of Souls'."

Hall of Souls!

Li Ao's pupils contracted sharply. He hadn't expected to hear that name again in this Northern Region!

In an instant, thoughts raced through his mind. Was the Hall of Souls targeting the ancient ice spirit talisman, or Jin Ling's Ice Spirit Clan Bloodline? Or both?

This matter seemed to be more than just a simple transaction.

If he could establish a good relationship with the Wanjin Pavilion, acquire the nine nether cold iron, and simultaneously cause trouble for the Hall of Souls... this transaction seemed worthwhile.

Li Ao set down his teacup, met Madam Jin's scrutinizing gaze, and said in a deep voice, "I accept this commission."