Time flowed like water.
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In the southern region of the Chanay Continent near the southwestern frontier, Locke and the Silkworm Queen had traveled miles to arrive at a city that appeared within their sight.
“The city ahead is Shana City, a major city near Pengdala City. Let’s start by gathering some information.”
Locke acted nonchalantly on the surface but was well aware internally. It was a rare opportunity for him to act alone, and he certainly wanted to perform well. There might be more significant responsibilities waiting for him in the future.
He couldn’t let someone else take all the praise.
“Mhm, being cautious is good.”
The Silkworm Queen quickly shrank her form and landed on his shoulder, expressing agreement with his decision. If Pengdala City was the enemy’s headquarters, diving headfirst into it would certainly backfire, and they had to guard against that.
Before long, the duo, one human and one insect, entered Shana City and made their way to a district that catered specifically to sorcerers.
Various shops lined the streets, bustling with sorcerers, apprentices, and all sorts of exotic creatures. The amalgam of human and animal noises created a lively atmosphere.
‘Great Shana Trading House’
The eye-catching fiery sign attracted everyone who passed by, including Locke. He noticed the sign and the grand hall it was attached to immediately.
It turned out to be a marketplace that combined shops, a tavern, a restaurant, an inn, and workshops all in one.
From the name, it wasn’t hard to deduce its connection with the rulers of Shana City, and such places usually had intelligence for sale.
“Let’s go inside and have a look.”
Locke walked inside and found the place spacious and crowded.
He had planned to visit the tavern, but his keen eyes spotted a subtle symbol pointing toward a dimly lit, inconspicuous small shop in a corner. This shop sold a variety of miscellaneous items.
Locke thought for a moment and walked over.
“I want to buy some information.”
Inside the small shop sat a woman veiled with a face cover, plump in stature, probably a sorcerer apprentice. She sat in the darkness, remaining silent as people approached, so Locke had to initiate the conversation.
“State your request,” the woman finally spoke, her voice soft and low.
“A man named Randall, an Insect Control Master from a foreign place. He usually has a golden beetle with him,” Locke tentatively asked.
Previously, he had tried to contact Randall multiple times through the Secret Method Seal, but all attempts had been fruitless.
The woman looked up and her veiled head shook slightly, indicating she had no information in that regard.
“Let me ask you this; do you know of any famous Insect Control organizations nearby?” Locke anticipated this and continued his inquiry.
“The price is three thousand magic stones,” the woman said immovably, her tone firm.
“You—fine, I’ll pay the magic stones, hoping your information is worth it.” Locke was genuinely taken aback by her non-negotiable stance. For the greater good, he complied and paid the asked price in magic stones.
After receiving the magic stones, the woman stood up and walked to the back. Moments later, she brought out a small-sized Crystal Ball and handed it to Locke.
Locke didn’t avoid it; right in front of her, he received the intelligence within the small Crystal Ball. Brief information about a few Insect Control Master powers materialized, including the Black God Society.
The Black God Society, a scattered group of Insect Control Masters, with uncertain personnel and location, their members often appeared in the Blood Ring Mountains.
“Is this all?”
Locke was somewhat disappointed. This information was hardly better than what Solomon had provided. Although Solomon also failed to find any substantial content, he only managed to relay a few names of Black God Society members.
“Just that,” the woman sensed his extraordinary presence but didn’t waver.
“You’re tough,” Locke didn’t want to cause further complications and withdrew his imposing aura before turning toward the tavern.
Having not obtained the desired information here, he could only try his luck at the tavern next.
Staring at his receding figure, the woman continued to crouch in the shadows, motionless, like a wooden statue.
Locke felt a gaze on his back and glanced back to see that the person still appeared dazed, which he found boring, and he quickly disappeared around the corner.
Not far away was ‘Shari’s Tavern,’ where the noise inside was so loud it almost lifted the roof.
“Let’s drink this glass to our hope of gathering a million magic stones and becoming official sorcerers soon.”
“Old John is right; let’s drink this one for Master Marichadon.”
“Cheers! For Master Marichadon and for the Black Magic Wind Fire Array.”
Locke entered the tavern with furrowed brows, disliking the raucous inside until he overhead a snippet of conversation that made the corners of his mouth involuntarily curl up.
“Silkworm Queen, listen, someone is praising our leader,” Locke whispered.
“That’s right, apart from Sorcerer Ivan, who else could make them official sorcerers?” the Silkworm Queen gleefully agreed.
With this little interlude, both felt the tavern seemed much more agreeable to look at.
However, to Locke’s surprise, even after spending most of the day at the tavern, he still couldn’t extract any valuable information; the Black God Society was indeed very secretive or involved in some illicit matters.
As evening approached, he exited the Great Shana Trading House and walked along the brightly lit streets.
“No need to hurry, Sorcerer Ivan and the others will definitely take some time to arrive, giving us enough opportunity to delve deeper into the Black God Society,” the Silkworm Queen consoled.
“I don’t want to delay that long— ” Locke disagreed, but suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
The Silkworm Queen sensed something too and kept quiet.
Locke quickened his pace slightly and when he passed a small alley, he casually walked in, followed promptly by a lean figure.
“You’re bold, merely an apprentice daring to follow me,” Locke stopped inside the alley waiting for the newcomer.
“Do you know who I am?” said the lean girl, half her face masked.
“Underestimating people, are we? Well, have you come to return my three thousand magic stones, or do you have some other information to sell?” Locke recognized her—it was unmistakably the woman selling information in the small shop.
It was evident that this appearance was her real face.
“Yes, I have some private information I want to sell for a good price,” the girl straightforwardly admitted, her identity disclosed.
“Are you sure you have the information I need? If it does not satisfy me, I won’t be as agreeable as I was during the day,” Locke said coldly.
“Forgive my directness, but you carry the aura of the Black Beard Chapter; you must be probing for information on the Black God Society. Fortunately, I happen to know some,” the girl said unflinchingly, stating her judgment.
Locke’s gaze grew more solemn at these words.
To cast a wide net and attract the Black God Society’s attention, he indeed had revealed some traces of the Black Beard Chapter’s aura. However, this was definitely not something an apprentice could sense.
He also clearly perceived that this girl had not practiced the Black Beard Chapter.
With her approaching him now, there was inevitably some trickery at play.