Chapter 28: Jiang Li at Tianji Tower

“But where exactly is this Mysterious Mystic Realm?”

There were countless mystic realms across the Nine Provinces, each with bizarre and unique rules. Jiang Li couldn’t possibly know the location of every single one.

But that didn’t matter—if he didn’t know, there were always professionals who did.

…

Everyone in Tianji Tower cultivated a technique called Mastering Fate, a method that led directly to ascension. When mastered, it granted the ability to vaguely foresee one’s own fortune and misfortune, allowing them to avert danger and turn calamities into blessings. Unfortunately, this technique was not for sale at Tianji Tower; otherwise, countless cultivators would have fought to learn it.

The strongest cultivator in Tianji Tower was naturally the Tower Master, followed by the leaders of its branches across the great imperial dynasties. Though they weren’t as powerful as the Tower Master, they had still cultivated Mastering Fate to a level where they could sense fortune and disaster.

Zhou Youfu, the head of Tianji Tower’s Great Zhou branch, was currently lounging on the rooftop, soaking in a pool formed from condensed spiritual energy, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

If Tianji Tower had to pick a favorite imperial dynasty, it would undoubtedly be Great Zhou. The people here followed the rules, conducted business according to Tianji Tower’s guidelines, and wouldn’t attempt foolish acts like kidnapping Tianji Tower members to extort techniques or stealing from them. They also weren’t stupid enough to blame Tianji Tower for inaccuracies after knowingly purchasing incomplete intelligence just to save a few spirit stones.

Come on, we’re very clear about what we sell! If you buy a censored version of intelligence and still think your cultivation is high enough to handle it, how is that our problem?

These kinds of customers were the biggest headaches for Tianji Tower.

Another troublesome type was those who had no money but still tried to haggle. They’d claim they already knew part of the information and that it wasn’t worth so many spirit stones.

Tianji Tower never offered discounts on intelligence, nor did they give it away for free!

The tower had just completed its once-a-decade internal assessments, and the Great Zhou branch had come in first place—top in sales, top in customer satisfaction—making other branch leaders so envious they could barely contain their jealousy.

“Great Zhou is wonderful!”

Zhou Youfu felt proud of his surname—after all, it was “Zhou,” just like Great Zhou itself.

Happily, he submerged his plump body further into the spiritual pool, sending up a stream of bubbles.

But something felt off. He had always been able to sense good fortune surrounding him, yet now, his perception of fate was clouded. He couldn’t tell if fortune or disaster awaited him—his future was a complete blur.

Nearby, a subordinate rushed over in a panic, having just received word from below. Sprinting to the poolside, the subordinate shouted in alarm, “Tower Master! Bad news—Jiang Li is here!”

Zhou Youfu was so startled he forgot to breathe and ended up swallowing a large mouthful of bathwater.

“We at Tianji Tower don’t break the law! We don’t cultivate demonic techniques! We price our information fairly! Why is he here?!”

…

Most people visiting Tianji Tower concealed their identities—those with no money would simply use a piece of black cloth to cover their faces, while the wealthy used special cloth that masked spiritual energy fluctuations. Tianji Tower didn’t mind either way; after all, they were just selling intelligence. They didn’t care who the buyers were.

And as for those who openly showed their faces while purchasing intelligence? That was their own choice.

But today, things were different. Today, even the branch leader had to come out and personally welcome a guest.

Because Jiang Li had arrived.

“Welcome, Human Sovereign Jiang, to our humble establishment.”

Zhou Youfu, flanked by Tianji Tower’s senior staff, personally greeted Jiang Li. Around them, the hooded figures of other customers tensed, their eyes widening in shock and awe. Some even forgot to conceal their identities, too stunned to do anything but stare.

This was Jiang Li! The actual Human Sovereign, walking in the flesh! A figure they might never have the chance to see again in their lifetime!

Fortunately, Tianji Tower’s disciples maintained order, preventing the crowd from swarming Jiang Li.

Seeing how Zhou Youfu was acting, Jiang Li thought to himself, I’m just here to buy some information on the Mysterious Mystic Realm. Why does it feel like I’m the Tower Master inspecting his subordinates?

What Jiang Li didn’t realize was that, to Tianji Tower’s members, his visit was an inspection.

Two hundred years ago, when Jiang Li led the effort to remap the Nine Provinces, Tianji Tower had analyzed the situation and concluded that this was a veiled warning against their business practices.

If they had harbored any resentment toward Jiang Li back then, those feelings had long since evaporated. Over the past two centuries, they had repeatedly witnessed Jiang Li effortlessly annihilate Outer World Demons so powerful they could drive others to despair. By now, they wouldn’t dare hold even the slightest grudge against him.

So if Jiang Li ever set foot in Tianji Tower again, their only choice was to serve him with absolute diligence, ensuring he found not a single fault with their establishment.

“Ah, no, wait—”

“Ahem! ‘The customer is an immortal’—that is our guiding principle!” Zhou Youfu smoothly transitioned, enthusiastically gesturing toward the main hall. “Human Sovereign Jiang, please allow me to show you our guest facilities. Every visitor receives a private room with a dedicated attendant to ensure complete confidentiality and customer satisfaction.”

“Our attendants are equipped with a crystal sphere linked directly to headquarters, allowing them to access all information Tianji Tower possesses.”

“We also have a strict and standardized pricing system—there is absolutely no price gouging.” Zhou Youfu pulled out a massive book, presumably containing the pricing guidelines he mentioned.

“If there’s intelligence we do not currently have, we will gather it based on the customer’s request, ensuring a complete selection. Of course, if certain intelligence involves personal privacy, we absolutely do not sell it!” Zhou Youfu declared righteously, his tone firm and unwavering. Whether he was telling the truth, however, was another matter entirely.

Jiang Li noted Zhou Youfu’s choice of words—he said they “absolutely do not sell” personal information, but he hadn’t said they “absolutely do not collect” it.

“Hmm, not collecting personal information? That’s very commendable,” Jiang Li said, feigning approval as he patted Zhou Youfu’s shoulder.

Zhou Youfu wasn’t an idiot—he immediately understood the underlying message. Jiang Li was hinting at something.

“Yes! We absolutely do not collect personal information!” Zhou Youfu quickly agreed. Whether or not they would actually follow through? That would be for the Tower Master to decide later.

“Does Human Sovereign Jiang find our operations satisfactory?”

“I have no complaints. I’m just here to purchase intelligence on the Mysterious Mystic Realm.”

Zhou Youfu initially thought Jiang Li was simply testing their efficiency. Eager to prove Tianji Tower’s capabilities, he personally operated the crystal sphere.

In no time, all known intelligence on the Mysterious Mystic Realm was compiled into a jade slip and respectfully handed to Jiang Li for review.

Glancing through the contents, Jiang Li raised an eyebrow—Good heavens, they even included the creator’s birth date and eight-character horoscope. And they claimed they didn’t sell personal information?

But it wasn’t Jiang Li’s place to interfere with Tianji Tower. The Human Sovereign’s authority didn’t extend that far. He had already given them a warning, and if he pushed further, it would be overstepping his bounds.

“How much?”

“Surely you jest, Human Sovereign Jiang. This information is worth only a few spirit stones—it is a gift from Tianji Tower to the Human Sovereign Hall.”

After some back-and-forth, Jiang Li ultimately insisted on paying a fair price and slipped the spirit stones into Zhou Youfu’s hands before leaving in a streak of light.

Still holding the spirit stones like a scalding hot potato, Zhou Youfu called over a subordinate.

“You’re skilled in painting, right?”

“Yes, Tower Master.”

“Good. Paint a scene of me standing beside the Human Sovereign, have it framed, and hang it in the hall. Use the finest materials. Do this well, and I’ll promote you to core disciple.”

“Yes!” The disciple clenched his fists in excitement.

A few days later, a painting titled Jiang Li at Tianji Tower was displayed in the main hall.

In the artwork, Jiang Li patted Zhou Youfu’s shoulder, appearing to entrust him with an important task, while Zhou Youfu stood with an expression of unwavering righteousness, as though he bore the weight of great responsibility.