Supreme Emptiness

Dong, dong—

Jiang Fan's heart betrayed him, beating twice uncontrollably.

What was terrifying.

Was that this person actually noticed, glancing over at Jiang Fan with a hint of surprise:

"You've heard of it?"

Jiang Fan's heart chilled.

What realm was this person at?

How could they be so fearsome!

Even his abnormal heartbeat couldn't escape notice?

Thankfully, Jiang Fan was someone with exceptional composure, quickly steadying his heartbeat.

He avoided showing any sign of nervousness.

He cupped his hands and said, "This junior has indeed heard of it."

Oh?

The man immediately descended, his expression expectant, and asked, "Where is he?"

"If you can provide an accurate lead, I'll gift you a Nascent Soul Jade Token."

Hiss!

Jiang Fan was secretly shocked.

Was Yan Dao'an that important?

Merely providing information could earn such an extravagant reward?

Feigning excitement, he quickly replied, "Reporting to senior."

"I once saw him during the Nascent Soul battle in the Demon Race Northern Territory."

The Nascent Soul expert nodded slightly.

That wasn't much of a clue.

On that day, so many Nascent Soul experts besieged the Ancient Giant, and Yan Dao'an was among them.

However.

He refocused on Jiang Fan, his gaze profound:

"How do you recognize Deputy Building Master Yan?"

"This is his first time coming to this continent."

He had keenly detected a trace of inconsistency.

Jiang Fan forced himself to control his heartbeat, ensuring he showed no abnormality, and said:

"To be honest."

"This junior once had the fortune to witness a battle between Green Crane Master and Deputy Building Master Yan."

"It seemed that Green Crane Master was gravely injured, and Deputy Building Master Yan wanted to..."

The Nascent Soul expert raised his hand to stop him.

"Enough."

"I know what happened."

If Jiang Fan were to explain further, it would inevitably tarnish Jiangshan First-class Building's reputation.

Spreading it farther could provoke dissatisfaction from the Ten Thousand Tribulations Holy Temple toward Jiangshan First-class Building.

"And what of the outcome?" he asked.

Jiang Fan replied, "Green Crane Master suddenly grew stronger, and the two fought to a draw, ending their fight after a few moves."

"In the end, they each went their separate ways."

"This junior has not encountered him since."

The Nascent Soul expert squinted slightly, muttering:

"That old fox Green Crane Master, even I must tread carefully around him."

"Deputy Building Master Yan attempting to subdue him truly was wishful thinking."

He shook his head.

Looking at Jiang Fan once again, he said:

"The information you provided is of limited value. It doesn't take me closer to finding Yan Dao'an."

"The Nascent Soul Jade Token reward cannot be granted."

Jiang Fan secretly exhaled in relief.

Getting away with deception was a blessing; he didn't dare expect any reward.

"However, you did provide something, after all."

"I can gift you a small reward."

In one hand, a partially consumed jug of wine appeared, its fragrance intoxicating, stabilizing Spiritual Power within the body.

In the other hand, several thumb-sized broken crystals appeared.

"One is Moon Viewing Wine. Drinking it can stabilize your Spiritual Power, eliminating concerns about shaky foundations."

"The other is Ghost Soul Crystal, capable of entrapping remnant souls—able to seal Nascent Soul souls at best, though it's already shattered and might only work on Core Formation realm souls now."

"Choose one."

It sounded like discarded scraps he didn't care about.

But what Nascent Soul cultivators regarded as trash could be treasures for a Core Formation cultivator.

Take the wine, for instance. If Jiang Fan drank it,

his recent breakthrough to the Seventh Level of Core Formation would allow him to consume the Thousand-Year-Old Clam Meat and directly ascend to the Eighth Layer without wasting time consolidating Spiritual Power.

The Ghost Soul Crystal, Jiang Fan pondered to himself.

Could he use the Mountain River Tripod to refine the fragments back into a single piece?

If he could, he'd obtain a magical treasure capable of sealing Nascent Soul Souls.

"I want both." Jiang Fan blinked.

The Nascent Soul expert smiled faintly. "An unsurprising answer."

"But I am a merchant. I don't do losing trades."

"You provided one piece of information, so you can only pick one."

Jiang Fan quickly considered.

To this expert, both items were clearly insignificant.

Even giving both away wouldn't bother him at all.

But he had his principles, it seemed.

"Do you have any other questions? If I happen to know the answer, I can provide you with one additional piece of knowledge," Jiang Fan offered.

After all, he had nothing to lose.

If by chance he truly knew the answer, why not benefit?

The Nascent Soul expert laughed heartily and said, "Alright, I'll ask one more."

"If you can even give me a shred of useful information, I'll gift you both."

"A thousand years ago, an Ice and Fire Demon Lord perished on this continent."

"If you can provide any leads..."

Before he could finish speaking.

Jiang Fan thought aloud, "Didn't he have a palace called the Li Fire Heavenly Palace?"

The Nascent Soul expert's expression suddenly froze.

His hands, like iron claws, gripped Jiang Fan's shoulders tightly, exclaiming in shock:

"You... you know?"

"Where?"

Jiang Fan winced at the pain in his shoulders.

He quickly said, "Senior, please ease your grip."

The Nascent Soul expert immediately released him, regaining his composure, and said, "Apologies."

"It was just too unexpected."

He directly shoved all the items into Jiang Fan's hands.

"Take it all."

"If you can pinpoint the location accurately, I'll also give you the Nascent Soul Jade Token I promised earlier."

Jiang Fan's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Even if the place has nothing left, is that acceptable?"

The Nascent Soul expert replied, "The possessions of the Ice and Fire Demon Lord aren't so easily taken."

"You only need to provide the location. Leave the rest to me."

Jiang Fan was overjoyed.

He immediately said, "Head directly south to a place called Tai Lake."

"At the bottom of the lake lies an ancient ruined palace known as the 'Li Fire Heavenly Palace.'"

"Most likely, only broken bricks and debris remain."

The Nascent Soul expert murmured the words "Tai Lake" to himself.

Then decisively produced a Nascent Soul Jade Token and tossed it to Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan froze and said, "Senior, shouldn't you verify first?"

"You're giving it to me just like that?"

He had expected the other to journey to Tai Lake to confirm.

The Nascent Soul expert shook his head. "No need."

"You're a smart man. For a Nascent Soul Jade Token, you wouldn't dare offend a true Nascent Soul expert."

"And even if I were fooled, I could always visit the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to find you."

"Your Pavilion Master wouldn't be able to protect you."

With that, he waved his hand slightly.

"Farewell for now."

At that moment.

Kang Lin's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam. Suddenly bowing, he said, "This junior, Kang Lin, a disciple of the Divine Movement Sect, pays his respects to the Jiangshan First-class Building Owner."

"I humbly request the Building Owner to make a transaction with this junior."

What?

Jiang Fan's pupils contracted violently.

Could this person really be the Jiangshan First-class Building Owner?

No wonder he dared declare that the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master couldn't protect Jiang Fan.

To oversee the vast commercial empire of Taicang State, unafraid of the Outer Realm Divine Sects' predations,

the Building Owner must undoubtedly possess unfathomable peak strength.

Was the figure before him truly such a colossus?

Jiang Fan was alarmed.

The Jiangshan First-class Building Owner gazed down at Kang Lin, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth:

"Very well."

"We at Jiangshan First-class Building welcome all business."

"So long as you can pay the price."

These words echoed those of the female deputy Building Master who almost rescued Jin Zhongming.

Kang Lin's face lit up with joy.

He pointed at Jiang Fan from afar, his eyes filled with malice:

"I want to hire the Building Owner to kill him!"