Half a month later, Black Tiger City.

The towering city walls were heavily guarded, with countless guards in bright silver armor standing atop, staring intently at the mountain forests outside the city.

Compared to Yin Mountain City, Black Tiger City was even more towering and majestic.

At the city gate, several soldiers guarded a Treasure Mirror, scrutinizing each person entering the city and verifying their identities one by one.

Suddenly, a tunneling light swiftly came from the horizon, descending urgently before reaching the city gate, revealing the figures of Yuan Ming and Nan Shangfeng.

"We're finally here. Fellow Daoist Nan, do you know exactly where Master Wu Yu resides?" Yuan Ming looked up at the plaque above the city gate and turned to ask Nan Shangfeng.

"I've only heard that the Master lives in the city; I don't know the exact location," Nan Shangfeng replied somewhat weakly.

After some exploration during this period, the curse within him had been temporarily suppressed by Yuan Ming, allowing him to move like a regular person, but he looked very weary due to the depletion of his Primordial Qi.

Yuan Ming nodded slightly, swept his gaze over the guards in front of the city gate, and quickly walked up.

Just like in Yin Mountain City, entering Black Tiger City also required handling an entry pass, divided into long-term and short-term categories.

"Seems like the nineteen cities of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range all have similar practices," Yuan Ming silently noted, spending twenty thousand Spirit Stones on two short-term entry passes.

This expense naturally came from the wealthy Nan Shangfeng.

"Excuse me, Fellow Daoist, have you ever heard of Master Wu Yu? Where does he live in the city?" Yuan Ming cupped his hands toward the tall guard beside the Treasure Mirror and asked.

"You've asked the right person. Master Wu Yu's residence is in Nine Curves Lane. After entering the city, head west, and you'll soon see it. It's the one with two Three-eyed Lion statues," the tall guard raised his hand and pointed Yuan Ming in the direction.

"Thank you." Yuan Ming expressed his gratitude and was about to enter the city when he was stopped again by this guard.

"Hold on, Fellow Daoist. If I may ask, did you come from Yin Mountain City?" the tall guard inquired somewhat apologetically.

"Why do you ask that?" Yuan Ming was momentarily stunned and inquired without showing his thoughts.

"A few days ago, I was fortunate enough to meet Master Wu Yu once. I did a small favor for the Master, who then pointed out that I would meet a noble from Yin Mountain City today who would ask me for directions, and that a fortuitous encounter awaited me," the guard explained.

"Did the Master really say that?" A hint of surprise flashed in Yuan Ming's eyes.

"Of course! Master Wu Yu's reputation is famous. How could I tarnish his name with such lies?" The guard said confidently.

"I see, but to disappoint you, my friend, I am not from Yin Mountain City," Yuan Ming's thoughts raced, and he shook his head in denial.

"Is that so? Looks like that noble hasn't arrived yet, my apologies for bothering you," the tall guard said apologetically, looking towards the cultivators behind, seemingly searching for that so-called noble.

Evidently, the tall guard held firm belief in Master Wu Yu's guidance.

"Though somewhat nosy, I'm quite curious, what is this fortuitous encounter you mentioned?" Yuan Ming did not leave, instead asking.

"Nothing much. Half a year ago, I was swindled into buying this item, losing half of my family's savings. Master Wu Yu said that the noble I meet today will buy it from me at a high price," the tall guard looked at Yuan Ming in surprise, taking out a Silver Crystal Stone.

The item was crystal-clear and very beautiful, yet emitted little energy wave.

"This is..." Yuan Ming's eyes slightly widened.

This item was none other than the Moon Cold Core needed to refine the Moon God Ring.

Senior Kong had just mentioned recently that he would help him find this item, and now it had appeared. Could everything have been orchestrated by Kong? But then, what was Master Wu Yu's role?

"Senior Kong, is this your doing?" Yuan Ming queried Senior Kong in his mind but received no response.

He furrowed his brow and after quickly weighing his options, said to the tall guard, "This item doesn't appear particularly special, but since Master Wu Yu has prophesied about it, this Crystal Stone must be extraordinary. Would you be willing to sell it to me? I'm willing to offer fifty thousand Spirit Stones."

"Sell it to you? But Master Wu Yu said to sell it to the noble from Yin Mountain City..." The tall guard was greatly tempted but remained hesitant.

"I have some understanding of prophecy. So-called prophecy is about foreseeing trends in the future, not a set outcome. The real future has endless possibilities; what Master Wu Yu said is just one among many, not without variability," Yuan Ming raised his hand and said.

"You... oh no, Senior, are also versed in prophetic divine skills, but..." The tall guard still hesitated.

"The day is getting late, and today will soon pass. If you hesitate any longer, you'll miss this great opportunity," Yuan Ming said, turning as if to leave.

"Alright, I'll sell it to Senior," the tall guard hurriedly called out to stop Yuan Ming, handing over the Silver Crystal Stone.

Yuan Ming was about to take out the Spirit Stones, but Nan Shangfeng beside him was quicker, producing a Storage Bag and handing it to the tall guard.

Yuan Ming nodded his thanks to Nan Shangfeng, then fell silent, wordlessly heading toward Master Wu Yu's residence.

"Yuan, you really are quite the deceiver," Kong's voice suddenly rang out.

"Just a small trick of necessity, Senior. What were you up to just now?" Yuan Ming transmitted a message to ask.

"It's been a long time since I've encountered someone good at prophecy. I just went to deduce that Wu Yu for a while. That Moon Cold Core is fine; you can receive it with peace of mind," Kong replied with a chuckle.

"Senior Kong, you are indeed proficient in prophetic divine skills. Could it be that you have already discerned Wu Yu's origins?" Yuan Ming pursued.

"Naturally, but you need not know," Kong's voice was emotionless.

"If Wu Yu has figured out that I need the Moon Cold Core, could he have deduced everything about me?" Yuan Ming asked with a frown.

He harbored many secrets, and having them deduced by someone else could spell disaster.

"Rest assured, that Wu Yu only deduced that someone would buy the Moon Cold Core at a high price; he doesn't know about your other matters," Kong said.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Before long, Yuan Ming and Nan Shangfeng saw the residence with the three-eyed stone lion statues at its entrance. The main gate was tightly closed, and there were no door attendants to welcome guests, presenting a cold and desolate appearance.

Beside the residence stood a three-story tea house, bustling with many guests inside, giving it a lively atmosphere.

Yuan Ming arrived in front of Master Wu Yu's residence, just thinking of knocking when the host welcoming guests outside the tea house stepped up first.

"Are the two seniors here to see Master Wu Yu?" The host bowed and asked.

"Indeed. Could it be that this tea house is not owned by Master Wu Yu?" Yuan Ming nodded and glanced at him.

"Oh no, we wouldn't dare claim such a connection. Our proprietor merely received favors and guidance from Master Wu Yu, allowing us to open this tea house here, solely to provide a waiting place for seniors who come in admiration. It's not claimed as Master Wu Yu's property," the host hurriedly waved his hands.

"Since it's for waiting, it seems Master Wu Yu does not meet guests all the time," Yuan Ming mused.

"Naturally, Master Wu Yu always adheres to two rules when meeting guests. I was about to explain to the seniors, but the street is chilly, so may I invite the seniors inside, where we can serve Spiritual Tea and slowly explain," the host gestured with an inviting hand.

Yuan Ming nodded slightly and entered the tea house with Nan Shangfeng.

The tea house was not large, with most tables and chairs placed by windows. About twenty to thirty guests were inside, sipping tea slowly, occasionally glancing outside to the main gate of Master Wu Yu's residence, otherwise remaining silent.

These guests had profound cultivation, among them were several Returning Void Cultivators.

The host led Yuan Ming to a tea table on the second floor. Before he could order, someone promptly came with a Purple Nan Tea Pot, followed by maids carrying trays of fruit.

In no time, Yuan Ming's table was filled with fruits for enjoyment, and the tea in his cup was fragrant, instantly refreshing, clearly an expensive high-grade Spiritual Tea.

With Yuan Ming's current wealth, such trivial delicacies didn't mean much. However, he noticed that other cultivators' tables weren't as lavish, causing him some confusion.

"Senior needn't worry, these are complimentary from our store. Master Wu Yu once advised our proprietor that first-time visiting guests should be treated with utmost hospitality," the host warmly explained.

"I see, many thanks to Master Wu Yu then," Yuan Ming raised his cup and gestured towards the neighboring residence.

"You just mentioned that Master Wu Yu has two rules for meeting guests. Specifically, what are these two rules?" Nan Shangfeng sipped the Spiritual Tea and eagerly asked about the main matter.

"Master Wu Yu values fate above all. Hence, the first rule is that the days for meeting guests are not fixed and are determined solely by Master Wu Yu's divination. Sometimes, he comes out daily; other times, he isn't seen for decades. No matter who visits, they must wait patiently," the host explained.

Yuan Ming's brows knitted tightly upon hearing this. A decade might not be long for a Returning Void Cultivator, but given Nan Shangfeng's situation, such a wait was untenable.

Nan Shangfeng's face turned somewhat sullen upon hearing these words.

At this moment, the tea house suddenly became lively. A multitude of cultivators stood up enthusiastically, hurrying toward the outside.

"Seniors are indeed fortunate; having just arrived, you've coincidentally encountered Master Wu Yu opening his residence to guests," the host immediately congratulated.

Yuan Ming and Nan Shangfeng also stood up and looked outside.

They saw the main gate of Master Wu Yu's residence slightly open, and a silver-haired man emerged, surveying the surroundings before cupping his hands towards the crowd of cultivators.

Yuan Ming's pupils suddenly contracted, as the silver-haired man was none other than the mysterious figure Xuan Ye, whom he had previously traded with in Yin Mountain City.

"Everyone, I won't say much. You all know the rules. If your secret technique is ready, please hand it over to me. I'm only waiting for thirty minutes," Xuan Ye announced loudly.

"Senior, this is the second rule. Master Wu Yu enjoys collecting various divine power secret techniques. All who visit must present a secret technique for Master Wu Yu to review. Only those that catch his eye may request an audience," the host explained opportunistically.

"The more exquisite the secret technique, the more likely it is to be noticed by Master Wu Yu?" Yuan Ming stared deeply at Xuan Ye and asked.

"Not necessarily. Master Wu Yu's second rule also considers fate. Last time, a Core Formation Stage Cultivator gained an audience with a common secret technique. However, fate is elusive, so seniors who come to pay respects usually present exquisite secret techniques," the host said.

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