The residence of Xuan Sanqi in Youming City.
Lü Fang hurried to Xuan Sanqi and lowered his head in shame.
As Xuan Sanqi's most trusted confidant, he had failed to complete the task assigned by Xuan Sanqi, losing track of Poxiao. He had come to confess his crime to Xuan Sanqi.
"Lü Fang, this is not your fault."
"Poxiao had already discovered your tracking, and shaking you off was as easy as breathing..."
Xuan Sanqi was filled with rage over the matter, but quickly calmed down.
After all, Poxiao was a master of the Earth level, and having already discovered he was being tracked, it was normal for him to slip away.
"Thank you for your understanding, sir."
Seeing that Xuan Sanqi was not pursuing the matter, Lü Fang quickly thanked him. Then, as if remembering something, he said, "By the way, Poxiao went to Tiancan Tower yesterday..."
In Lü Fang's view, Tiancan Tower's invitation to Poxiao was not a good thing. Someone should intervene to warn them, lest Tiancan Tower offer Poxiao any support.
After all, Tiancan Tower was the second-largest force in Youming City, and its strength could not be underestimated. If they truly provided Poxiao with support, it would undoubtedly disrupt Xuan Sanqi's plan.
"Heh, no need."
Hearing Lü Fang's meaning, Xuan Sanqi waved his hand confidently, appearing to have absolute faith in Tiancan Tower.
"Understood, sir. What should we do next?" Lü Fang asked.
After a moment of thought, Xuan Sanqi said leisurely, "Organize your men to search the city..."
As soon as he spoke, Lü Fang understood Xuan Sanqi's intention. Although Poxiao had disappeared, it was certain that Poxiao was still in Youming City.
The other party was either investigating in secret or observing certain informants.
And Xuan Sanqi's order for him to lead men in a search would surely disrupt Poxiao's plan; this was Xuan Sanqi's objective.
With this in mind, Lü Fang nodded and left the room.
...
A teahouse in Youming City.
Ye Cangtian was still listening to Wei An narrate matters concerning Tiancan Tower.
He became increasingly alarmed as he listened.
Tiancan Tower had been developing steadily for over twenty years since its establishment, without suffering any major setbacks.
No force could exist without friction with the outside world, especially nascent powers, which must carve a bloody path to grow stronger.
Yet, since its establishment, Tiancan Tower had not incurred significant losses, even during periods of unrest in Youming City.
This situation was highly abnormal.
After all, Tiancan Tower had pledged allegiance to the Dark Association. If there was unrest, Tiancan Tower would be cannon fodder in the eyes of the Dark Association.
However, according to Wei An, after each suppression of unrest, the losses of the Dark Association's branch were far greater than those of Tiancan Tower.
This could only indicate one thing.
Not only was Tiancan Tower powerful, but in reality, even the Dark Association's branch could not command them, thus allowing them to avoid being cannon fodder.
So, the question arose: why couldn't the branch command them?
Even if Tiancan Tower had bribed the branch, such a relationship would have crumbled in the life-or-death battles during the unrest.
Who would risk their lives?
Clearly, there was something fishy going on!
Ye Cangtian had already conceived a possibility: the local branch might be completely controlled by Tiancan Tower, serving Tiancan Tower's purposes.
To outsiders, the branch still controlled Youming City, but in reality, it had become a puppet.
However, even Ye Cangtian found this speculation hard to believe.
After all, Tiancan Tower was merely a rising power, with a far less bright future than the Dark Association. Moreover, Tiancan Tower's experts were vastly inferior to those of the Dark Association.
Under such circumstances, who would betray the Dark Association to follow Tiancan Tower?
"Search here meticulously, leave no room or corner unchecked..."
Just as Ye Cangtian was lost in thought, a familiar voice drifted in from outside the window.
The next moment, Ye Cangtian went to the window and looked down. He saw Lü Fang leading guards, searching house by house.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian immediately smiled. It was clear that this group was not targeting various forces, but him.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian glanced at Wei An and said, "I'll lure them away first. Be careful with everything else. The rest of the information is up to you."
Seeing Wei An nod, Ye Cangtian stood up and left the teahouse.
Outside the teahouse, Lü Fang was leisurely eating snacks at a street stall.
He had no hope of finding Poxiao; he just needed to create a grand show of searching.
As for whether it would affect Poxiao, that was up to fate. At least he had tried his best.
"Halt! Who goes there!"
Just then, a subordinate not far away shouted, pointing at a fleeting figure on the roof.
Lü Fang immediately noticed the figure and his spirits lifted. "Chase him!"
This person was clearly acting suspiciously, likely an informant for some force. If they could catch this person, they might be able to follow the lead and uncover the force behind them.
This was definitely an opportunity to gain merit, and Lü Fang naturally wouldn't let it pass. He led his men in pursuit.
With the active cooperation of the Dark Association guards, Lü Fang soon had the suspicious individual surrounded within a courtyard.
The next moment, twenty to thirty men rushed out of the courtyard. They were all burly and armed, confronting the Dark Association guards.
"Hahaha, today is truly fortunate."
"We've stumbled into a rat's nest!"
Looking at the people before him, even if Lü Fang were more foolish, he knew in his heart that this must be a stronghold of some force.
As long as they could take down this place, the merit would be his.
"You insignificant insects of the Dark Association, you walk a path to hell. Since you've come here, stay forever!"
The leader snorted and waved his hand.
The people around immediately charged out.
A great battle was imminent!
Instantly, the sound of clashing weapons, accompanied by screams, echoed.
The numbers on both sides were roughly equal, but the Dark Association held an overwhelming advantage.
After all, Lü Fang was Xuan Sanqi's confidant, and the men he mobilized were elites from the branch. Their coordination and individual combat abilities were extremely strong.
In the darkness, from a corner of a rooftop, Ye Cangtian looked on with surprise.
He had originally intended to personally lure away Lü Fang and his men, but he had inadvertently stumbled into the territory of a gathered force.
However, Lü Fang's side was now exhibiting great power, pushing the opponent back steadily.
The group within the courtyard was utterly unable to resist, clearly indicating that these people were not very strong.
With such strength, why would they gather in Youming City?
Wasn't this seeking their own doom?
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian slowly stood up. Although he didn't know what force these people belonged to, he had seen enough to realize that they were likely enemies of the Dark Association.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
He didn't expect these people to be grateful for saving them; all he wanted was for them to continue causing trouble for the Dark Association.
Ye Cangtian, without his golden mask, flashed towards the two sides.