50: Mittel's olive branch

The scent of blood inside the courtyard at No. 7 Black Dagger Alley was quickly dispersed by the north wind. The cold corpse was silently dragged away by the alley's "cleaners" when night fell, as if it had never existed. This was the daily routine of Black Rock Town; death was as common as eating and drinking water.

Li Ao set up a simple early warning Restriction inside the stone house, then immersed himself in consolidating and organizing his own power. Entering the Middle Stage of the second layer of the Black Iron Hegemon Body brought not only a surge in defense and strength but also a subtle elevation in the level of his life, making his perception of energy and Law much sharper. He needed time to fully familiarize himself with this brand-new body and the strand of "Nirvana" Law power that he could command as easily as his own arm.

At the same time, he did not stop sensing the outside world. His Soul Power was like an invisible radar, cautiously sweeping the area for hundreds of meters centered on the stone house. He "heard" the drunken clamor of mercenaries in the neighboring courtyard, "saw" the dirty transactions taking place in the distant shadows, and also captured several faint probing auras scanning this area—clearly, the method he used to instantly kill that Seven-Star Great Dou Master during the day had attracted the attention of some local tyrants.

However, these probes were very restrained, carrying a testing intent, and no one rashly came to provoke him. One of the Laws of survival in Black Rock Town: Do not easily provoke someone you cannot see through before figuring out their background.

On the evening of the third day, as Li Ao was deducing more variations of the Nirvana Slash, a faint and regular knocking sound came from outside the courtyard gate, not the usual crude pounding.

Li Ao raised an eyebrow slightly; his Soul Power had already sensed the two people standing outside the door. Leading them was a woman wearing an inconspicuous gray cloak. Her figure was graceful, and her aura was extremely well concealed, but the subtle, specially trained charm and shrewdness allowed Li Ao to instantly identify her—Ya Fei. Following her was a steady-breathed, sharp-eyed Elder whose strength was approximately that of a Three-Star Dou Ling; he should be a guard from the Mittel Family.

They had indeed found him, and their speed was not slow.

With a thought from Li Ao, the courtyard gate silently slid open.

Ya Fei lifted the hood of her cloak, revealing her charming and moving face, though at this moment, it lacked her usual professional smile and held more solemnity and caution. She walked into the courtyard, her gaze quickly sweeping over the simple, even somewhat dilapidated yard, finally settling on Li Ao, who was standing at the entrance of the stone house.

When her gaze met Li Ao's pupils—which were as deep as an ancient well, with silver-gray stellar vortices seemingly swirling within—her heart involuntarily trembled, as if her Soul was being sucked in. She keenly sensed that the temperament of the Li Ao standing before her had undergone an earth-shattering change compared to when she saw him at the Mittel Auction House half a month ago. He was more restrained, and yet more dangerous! He was like a divine weapon sheathed in Chaos stone, its edge completely hidden, yet making people feel even more intensely the world-shaking power when it is drawn.

"Mister Li Ao, please forgive our abrupt intrusion," Ya Fei slightly curtsied, her tone carrying just the right amount of respect without being subservient. "Upon learning that Mister is cultivating here, Ya Fei represents the Mittel Family to pay her respects."

The Elder behind her also bowed, his eyes filled with vigilance and awe. As a guard, he could more directly sense the hidden Qi and blood power on Li Ao, which was like a primordial fierce beast, causing even him, a Dou Ling, to feel waves of trepidation.

"The Mittel Family's intelligence is very well-informed," Li Ao said in a calm tone, revealing no emotion.

Ya Fei smiled sweetly, her charm unchanged, but she dared not harbor any further intentions of testing him. "Mister flatters us. The Mittel Family's foothold in the Empire relies on this insignificant intelligence network. Upon learning that Mister might be in this location, the Family dared not be negligent and specially ordered Ya Fei to come and see if there is anything Mister requires assistance with."

As she spoke, she took out a simple, ancient-looking black storage ring from her sleeve and presented it with both hands. "This is a small token of the Family's sincerity. Inside are five 'returning purple spirit pill,' which have miraculous effects on stabilizing one's Realm and repairing hidden injuries. There is also a detailed map of the Jia Ma Empire and its surrounding areas, marking dangerous locations, Secret Realms, and the Mittel Family's covert contact points that are difficult to learn through ordinary channels. We hope this can be of some assistance to Mister."

This gift was undeniably generous. The returning purple spirit pill is a peak fifth-grade Medicinal Pill, priceless, and a rare treasure for any Dou Huang expert. The map, moreover, was invaluable, representing the Mittel Family's immense sincerity and trust.

Li Ao glanced at the storage ring but did not immediately take it. Instead, he looked at Ya Fei. "What does the Mittel Family want?"

There is no such thing as a free lunch, especially in a place like Black Rock Town.

Ya Fei’s expression became serious, and she said earnestly, "Mister speaks frankly, and Ya Fei will not beat around the bush. The Mittel Family wishes to forge a favorable connection with Mister. We dare not hope that Mister will serve our Family; we only hope that at some point in the future, if it is convenient for Mister, he can offer the Mittel Family some assistance within his capabilities. At the same time, the Mittel Family's commercial network and intelligence System throughout the Empire are open to Mister. Should Mister have any needs—for medicinal ingredients, intelligence, or even certain special resources—the Mittel Family will do its utmost to procure them for Mister."

This was a long-term investment, betting on Li Ao's future growth potential. They sought no control, only cooperation and friendship, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Li Ao was silent for a moment. The Mittel Family's commercial network and intelligence capabilities were indeed what he currently needed. Cooperating with such a local power could save him a lot of trouble. Furthermore, the sincerity and foresight displayed by Ya Fei and Elder Teng Shan did not make him feel averse.

He reached out and took the black storage ring, sweeping it lightly with his Soul Power to confirm the contents.

"Agreed."

These two simple words allowed the stone hanging in Ya Fei's heart to finally drop, and a genuine, bright smile bloomed on her face, like ice melting for the first time. She knew this investment had succeeded!

"Thank you, Mister!" Ya Fei curtsied again. "The Mittel Family will secretly pay attention to Mister's safety in this area. This is a special jade token to contact me; if Mister has any needs, he can contact Ya Fei through it." She then handed over a warm, white jade token.

Li Ao took the jade token and nodded.

Ya Fei understood propriety well and knew it was inappropriate to linger. Having achieved her goal, she took the initiative to bid farewell. "Then Ya Fei will not disturb Mister's cultivation any further. Farewell."

She put her hood back on and quietly departed with the guard Elder, just as they had arrived, without attracting any attention.

Li Ao rubbed the black storage ring and the white jade token in his hand, his eyes deep. The Mittel Family's olive branch was within his expectations. With their assistance, his actions in Black Rock Town, and even throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire, would be much more convenient.

He was not worried that the Mittel Family would betray him. A shrewd merchant knows how to weigh short-term interests against long-term investments. Under the enormous pressure from the Cloud Mist Sect and the Hall of Souls, allying with him, the "Blade Ancestor" with infinite potential, was the Mittel Family's best choice.

"Resources, intelligence..." Li Ao muttered softly. "Next, it's time to clean up some noisy flies, and then... see what kind of monsters and demons are hidden in this Black Rock Town."

His gaze seemed to penetrate the walls of the stone house, casting toward the east side of the town, to the place called the "Shadow Inn." People from the Hall of Souls were lurking there. What were they plotting? Was it related to those Black Robed Men in the back mountains of the Cloud Mist Sect? All of this required him to uncover it.

Meanwhile, far away in Jia Ma Holy City, Xiao Yan had less than half a month remaining until the destiny-altering Three-Year Agreement. The storm was simultaneously brewing and taking shape from both the border and the imperial capital.