Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!-Chapter 659 - 650: Daughter of Fortune

"Buzz buzz buzz~"

Jiang Yuangang killed a small monster, and a new message popped up on the holographic interface.

[I'm sorry! Sir, I think I've caused some trouble! But I don't know exactly what happened, nor do I know what I said. Anyway, the Cloud City Lord Yuan Man is sitting right across from me now.

She was originally here to inquire about the Immortal Peach and now wants to have a detailed face-to-face talk with you... Oh, and she's aware of Cai Wenyi leaking the Underground City affair. I'm so scared she'll silence me, what should I do?]

"Cai Wenyi?" He pondered for a moment and opened the message, feeling a bit confused after reading it. Then he remembered he was one of the guards for the Cloud City underground cavern.

It was uncovered so quickly, as expected, the Cloud City Lord is quite formidable!

The information was mixed, so Jiang Yuan sorted it out—firstly, City Lord Yuan Man went to the Treasure Pavilion to inquire about the "Immortal Peach", likely a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure needed to extend lifespan.

Additionally, it has long been rumored that the Cloud City Lord was struggling, possibly failing to ascend, with little lifespan left. The rumors don't seem to be untrue when verified against the facts.

As for the leak of the Underground City secret, it's indeed a bit awkward.

She has come straight to us, so what should be done now?

He quickly searched through the warehouse and storage box linked with the Storage Bag: there are 90 Longevity Pills left, besides those sold and given once to the members of the courtyard; there are also 18 Nine Netherworld Peaches with no side effects, he ate one leaving 17.

These add up to a lifespan of 2,600 years, which is undoubtedly a significant temptation for the Cloud City Lord.

Since I'm a big man, I can't hide behind and let the little fox face the storm. So I should go for a meeting!

It's better if the other side is reasonable; if not, I'll fight it out, I'm not afraid!

Of course, the best result is to talk it over clearly, connect with the City Lord, and in the future, the Alchemy Room can continuously produce various Elixirs, distribute them to each Market for sale, and make a fortune!

"No need to be afraid, bring her to the Cloud Grocery Store, and I'll handle the rest." Jiang Yuan replied, glancing at the time which was already 3:30 in the morning, with two and a half hours till daybreak. If all went smoothly, he'd complete the main quest by harvesting crops by sunrise.

Upon receiving the reply, Miss Hu Jiu's hands trembled with nerves, thankful the other party didn't forcibly request to know the Communication Stone content.

Taking the chance to send a message, she hurriedly added—there are two people, besides City Lord Yuan Man, there's a tall, cold-looking man, who didn't introduce himself, could possibly be the Lord's entourage.

"Hmm? She brought company? A one-on-two match could be a bit tough, better be cautious." After reading the message, he immediately left the Mysterious Cave, entered the Floating Market, adjusted the dial to Wo Hu Temple Market, and opened a crack in the window quietly.

This way, he could ensure to get the details of the other side first-hand, ensuring to know the enemy as well as oneself to win every battle!

Just in case the visitors are hostile, with a store door set by the system in between, they're unlikely to break in, no matter how strong they are.

"Please follow me." The little fox obediently put away the Communication Stone, drooping her tail and big ears, with a lackluster spirit, led the way.

Yuan Man saw her pitiful look and thought it understandable why Cai Wenyi used the underground cavern as a conversation starter to charm the little Fox Demon. Seeing her aggrieved expression, even as a female Cultivator, she couldn't help but feel softhearted.

It was indeed perfect to have her secretly probe the Underground City's guards and managers!

"Miss Hu Jiu, have you considered the matter of me hiring you to go to Cloud City?" Yuan Man continued with persuasion as she followed her to the lower level: "As long as you're willing to try, you can choose any rare herbs, Spirit Stones, or Magical Treasures at will!"

The little fox pursed her lips, shook her head slightly and whispered: "I can't lose my job at the Treasure Pavilion, this matter is important. However..."

On second thought, the other party is the Cloud City's City Lord, if she could indeed lend some help, there are dedicated occasions to perform or cultivate Charm Techniques. If rewarded with some treasures, she could give them to her sister or Mr. Jiang.

"Thanks for the City Lord's favor, if Mr. Jiang agrees, I can spare some time each day to give it a try." Miss Hu Jiu said and quickly added: "I never use color to serve people, even when probing guards, I must do it my way. Please, City Lord, do not force me."

Jiang again? Yuan Man nodded in agreement, looking forward to the upcoming meeting.

With still some time before the Market closes, many Demon Cultivators have had their fill, staggering around with a faint alcohol smell, humming unknown tunes, some laughing and cursing, and some laid-back. Looking at them, not having seen worldly fireworks for a long time, Yuan Man felt quite pleased.

"Hey, what are you doing in this Market?" She turned and looked at Qu Luming, who was respectfully following beside her, and casually asked: "Isn't it that guy Du Li is also running out of lifespan, so you came for the Immortal Peach?"

The other party was caught between a smile and a cry, shook his head, and truthfully replied: "Senior has long not cared about worldly matters, so may not know that recent years, the Demon Realm has acted continuously in secret, hiding many Demon Cultivators in the Market. Though their intentions are unknown, those not of our race do not share our hearts. My entity sent me to investigate Demon Cultivators hiding in the Market, accidentally encountering you, Senior."

"Isn't it unfortunate?" Yuan Man chuckled: "You're likely cursing me in your heart now, thinking how unlucky to be caught in the Market."

Qu Luming hurriedly bent over to salute, "I dare not, senior, I am always at your command."

Hu Jiu stood at the front with her heart pounding, thinking it was so close! Fortunately, Sister Cang was not in the Treasure Pavilion, this was the Great Demon senior rumored to be secretly visiting the market!

What a mess, they really found their way to Wo Hu Temple Market. I must quickly find a way to inform Sister Cang.

It seems these two don't get along, no wonder at first glance Lord City Lord appeared displeased. I wonder if this secret visit by the Great Demon disrupted the City Lord's plans; will there be another visitation?

If Sister Cang keeps hiding outside and doesn't return, will he notice something amiss and deliberately track her down?

A dignified Great Demon dispatched by the Demon Realm Alliance bows to the City Lord, his realm must be incredibly high. I hope the young gentleman can handle him, and perhaps this alliance can help Sister Cang avoid disaster...

She listened carefully, memorizing the details as she walked to the entrance of the grocery store.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Sir, I've brought the two esteemed guests." The little fox cautiously knocked on the door.

She knew the mysteries of the Floating Market, thinking that in case of any unexpected situations, the young gentleman could quickly escape using it, so it should be fine.

[Yuan Man: A Demon Cultivator of the first level in the Tribulation Crossing Realm, City Lord of Cloud City, owner of the Underground Cave, and former Daughter of Fortune. She has a kind and gentle nature, but due to a defect in the Heavenly Dao, her fortune quickly declined and she suffered severe backlash. When ascending to the Thunder Tribulation Crossing, she was betrayed by the demon cultivator Du Li, who stole her fortune and Life Origin.

Yuan Man possesses supreme dual Spirit Roots of Earth and Wood. Even after being schemed against, she successfully ascended thanks to her solid power. However, her Life Origin dropped from the initial default value of 100 to 20, severely injuring her body and mind, and her lifespan decreased instead of increasing. Current lifespan balance: 3 years and 2 months.]

[Side quest triggered: Daughter of Fortune]

[The former Daughter of Fortune unexpectedly lost her blessing and suffered backlash. It's lamentable to see such a great demon in the Tribulation Crossing Realm fall into such a pitiful state. Please complete the quest to help the Daughter of Fortune reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to her!]

[Task 1: Assist Yuan Man in identifying fifty traitors within the Underground Cave. Reward: Fortune +10]

Before the door was knocked, Jiang Yuan had already seen the details of the visitors clearly through the window slit.

Apart from the unlucky bigshot in the Tribulation Crossing Realm, Du Li's clone and Qu Luming, whom he once encountered at the Golden Chicken River Market, were also present. These two bumping into each other must mean Qu Luming came to Wo Hu Temple Market to seek out hidden demon cultivators, only to be caught by the injured party.

The Vice Alliance Hierarch of the Demon Realm, Du Li, is no good either. Robbing and plundering during another's Thunder Tribulation Crossing, Yuan Man did well to not smash Qu Luming with one slap; it's a testament to her kindness and resilience acknowledged by the system.

In that case, there's no need to worry about fighting. Clearing things up while helping the Daughter of Fortune is beneficial; forming powerful alliances and completing tasks for rewards, a triple win!

"So Mr. Jiang is also opening a shop in the market. What business are you engaged in?" Qu Luming looked at the "Cloud Grocery Store" he had just visited not long ago, feeling slightly complicated.

If only he had lingered a little longer earlier, missing it by a smidgen, running headlong into the knife's edge, damn it, such bad luck!

Today is definitely not suitable for going out. Next time, he should talk to the Judge about obtaining a Magical Treasure for predicting fortune and misfortune. If there's any sign of ill-omen, he absolutely won't step out...

As his thoughts ran wild like a runaway horse, the tightly shut door suddenly opened, and a somewhat familiar voice came out, "The shop occasionally sells unused groceries and doesn't often open for business. Daoist Qu, long time no see."

"Oh? You two know each other?" Yuan Man immediately became alert. Du Li is not someone to trust, and his clone cannot be underestimated, especially the friends his clone knows!

"We had a chance encounter at the Golden Chicken River Market before. Daoist Qu even gave me a name card, but I was traveling in haste and didn't bring it with me. Just as well to give it today." Jiang Yuan smiled and welcomed them: "This must be Senior Yuan, please come in, Miss Hu Jiu has informed me."

The little fox tucked her tail between her legs and greeted sensibly, "Sir, then I will go back first?"

She knew that her presence might actually hinder the young gentleman's performance if they started fighting, and she urgently needed to inform Sister Cang not to return to the market to avoid being caught by the Great Demon, so she glanced to signal her urgency to leave.

Yet, Yuan Man reached out a hand to stop her, "Hold on. Didn't you say you need the young sir's permission to help me test the city's guards? Let's settle that as well."

With just a glance, she was quite impressed with "Mr. Jiang."

He was a human cultivator, strongly exuding human aura, yet there wasn't a hint of Spiritual Power fluctuation across his body.

With such youthful and clean appearance, he must have taken a Youthful Appearance Pill to maintain it. The only possibility for an alchemist not showing any Spiritual Power fluctuation is having a Magical Treasure to conceal it; while the Spiritual Power is hidden, the human aura continues to drift unmasked, suggesting it's not a great Magical Treasure.

Upon further investigation, Yuan Man was surprised to find that, even as a cultivator in the Tribulation Crossing Realm, she couldn't sense any Spiritual Energy from him, could his Magical Treasure be a Divine Artifact?

It's been many years since a Divine Artifact has appeared; this young fellow is quite interesting.