"Strange, that old man left too quickly. In the blink of an eye, he's nowhere to be seen."
When Li Xuan reached the three-hundred-meter intersection, he glanced back unintentionally and said with surprise.
Three hundred meters was merely a minute for Li Xuan. Yet, in that minute, Li Xuan had lost sight of the old man.
"This Blissful Continent is truly mysterious," Li Xuan murmured, then turned and walked in the direction indicated by the old man.
A few minutes later, Li Xuan finally saw a massive pavilion.
On its plaque, the words "Leiyin Pavilion" were clearly written.
Upon seeing this, a hint of joy appeared in Li Xuan's eyes. As long as he entered Leiyin Pavilion, the information he sought would be easily obtained.
"Distinguished guest, what level of information do you require?" As Li Xuan approached the entrance of Leiyin Pavilion, a maid stepped forward to greet him.
"Please, young lady, enlighten me," Li Xuan replied with a slight bow.
"My name is Lin Cai Feng. Distinguished guest, please follow me." The maid curtsied and then led the way into the pavilion.
Seeing this, Li Xuan did not hesitate and followed Lin Cai Feng into Leiyin Pavilion.
"Distinguished guest, please observe. Here are the prices corresponding to each information level. If you require a certain level of intelligence, you may take the corresponding token here, and someone will facilitate the transaction for you. The premise is that you must first provide the corresponding payment, which is spirit stones."
Lin Cai Feng pointed to a luminous screen in the center of Leiyin Pavilion and explained.
Li Xuan nodded as if understanding, finding this method rather convenient. However, he was also curious if they weren't afraid of retaliation from various factions for openly selling their intelligence.
But then, realizing it was none of his concern, Li Xuan chuckled self-deprecatingly and walked towards the luminous screen.
At this moment, many spiritual masters were already gathered around the screen. As Li Xuan approached, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
Most of these people carried a unique scent, akin to sandalwood.
Thinking that this was the Blissful Continent, Li Xuan mused inwardly and then focused his gaze on the luminous screen.
After a period of observation, Li Xuan slowly withdrew his gaze.
"Distinguished guest, what level of information do you require? If you have already made your selection, please take the token for the corresponding level," Lin Cai Feng, who was by Li Xuan's side, naturally noticed his contemplation and spoke.
Li Xuan nodded. The screen displayed ten levels of classification, each corresponding to different strengths and weaknesses of factions.
Clearly, on the Blissful Continent, there were ten levels of power, from strongest to weakest. Li Xuan paid no mind to the lower-level factions. The information on factions of level seven and above, however, piqued his curiosity.
Simultaneously, information about events also had ten levels of classification. Some news was trivial, while other pieces were extremely secret.
What surprised Li Xuan was that the information regarding the selection of the Buddha Son was offered free of charge.
Even more remarkably, this information could be updated in real-time. However, the prerequisite was that one must purchase intelligence of level seven or above from Leiyin Pavilion to enjoy this update.
"This one," Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then took a token for level nine intelligence and said to Lin Cai Feng.
"Distinguished guest, please follow me." As if slightly surprised by Li Xuan's chosen level, Lin Cai Feng showed a hint of astonishment.
However, as a maid of Leiyin Pavilion, her standards were naturally high. After quickly regaining her composure, Lin Cai Feng respectfully bowed to Li Xuan and then led him towards a private room on the second floor.
Seeing this, Li Xuan surveyed his surroundings. Finding that no one was paying him attention, he followed Lin Cai Feng upstairs.
"Distinguished guest, please wait a moment. The manager will be here shortly to finalize the transaction." As Li Xuan entered a private room, Lin Cai Feng, who had entered earlier, bowed to him and said.
After Lin Cai Feng's departure, Li Xuan glanced at the room's furnishings and was somewhat astonished. Even a single private room was decorated with extreme luxury.
Not only were there illuminating objects like night-blooming pearls, but also many exquisite carved patterns. Even the tables, chairs, and couches emanated a trace of spiritual energy.
The spiritual energy within the entire room was also extremely dense. Such a private room was clearly extraordinary.
Furthermore, on the walls, intricate formations designed to block divine sense probes exuded an ancient aura.
Clearly, these measures were taken by Leiyin Pavilion to prevent eavesdropping on guests' inquiries. The use of such profound formations indicated that Leiyin Pavilion possessed formidable hidden strengths.
"Heh heh, apologies for keeping you waiting, distinguished guest." Just as Li Xuan was marveling at Leiyin Pavilion's profound foundations, a familiar voice reached their ears.
"It's you?" Li Xuan heard and immediately looked towards the source of the voice at the doorway. A peculiar expression flashed across his eyes upon seeing the newcomer.
The person who entered the private room was the same old man who had previously paid Li Xuan's city entry fee.
"Heh heh, young man, what a coincidence that we meet again so soon after parting ways." The old man smiled calmly and walked directly to a chair in the room, sitting down.
Li Xuan forced a wry smile. Although he didn't fully understand, he knew this was all arranged by the old man. If the old man hadn't informed him, how would he have known about Leiyin Pavilion's existence? And, of course, he wouldn't have come here to inquire about the information he sought.
However, Li Xuan harbored no ill feelings towards the old man, especially since he realized he couldn't sense any fluctuation of spiritual energy from him at all.
Clearly, the old man before him far surpassed him in strength.
Considering the old man to be a highly concealed existence, Li Xuan's expression became much more reverent.
"Senior, you informed me of all this. May I ask why you specifically brought me here?" Li Xuan bowed to the old man and then asked with a hint of curiosity.
The old man smiled again, neither confirming nor denying, and nodded. "Young man, you are new to the Blissful Continent. If you wish to learn about the situation here, even understand the various factions, you naturally need to gather information."
"And by chance, my Leiyin Pavilion exists precisely for this purpose. Therefore, my actions are merely an attempt to attract some business for Leiyin Pavilion."
Li Xuan chuckled wryly. If he hadn't seen the interior decoration with his own eyes, he might have actually believed the old man's words. However, he couldn't press further at this moment. After all, the old man seemed approachable, but Li Xuan had no idea about his true nature.
"In that case, may I ask, senior, can you explain one by one the information I wish to inquire about?" Li Xuan asked.
The old man nodded. "Since you have come to Leiyin Pavilion, as long as you can afford the price, we will naturally provide the latest and most detailed intelligence. However, information of your chosen level nine is quite costly. I wonder, young one, can you afford it?"
Li Xuan smiled. He had already seen the prices on the screen downstairs and knew that Leiyin Pavilion, despite dealing in information, was indeed rather expensive.
Intelligence from level one to five ranged from tens of thousands to a million high-grade spirit stones. But beyond that, intelligence from level six to ten started at tens of millions of spirit stones.
"Here are fifty million high-grade spirit stones. Senior, you may count them." As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, a ring fell into the old man's hand.
"It seems you are quite wealthy, young one. Very well, since I have accepted your payment, I shall provide you with ample intelligence. Speak, what information do you wish to know?" the old man said after pocketing the ring.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then began, "As you just mentioned, senior, I am new here, so I naturally need to quickly understand the Blissful Continent. Besides basic intelligence, I also wish to know about the Buddhist sects."
"As is widely known, the Blissful Continent is essentially ruled by the Buddhist faith. And at the city gate, I was somewhat curious about the factions like the Asura Sect you mentioned."
"Heh heh, this information you could learn by staying on the Blissful Continent for a while. Moreover, such information is not worth classifying as level nine. Is there no other intelligence you wish to inquire about?"
The old man chuckled and his gaze narrowed slightly as he looked at Li Xuan.
"Young master, ask him if he has any information about the Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotuses." At this moment, the voice of the Heavenly Dao Brush sounded in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan was startled and then looked at the old man. "Senior, do you know of the Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotuses?"
"Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotuses? Information about this item is indeed worthy of a level nine classification. I knew you wouldn't come to a place like the Blissful Continent for no reason. After all, the Blissful Continent is not a hospitable place, and ordinary spiritual masters would not dare to come here casually."
"However, if you are here for the Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotuses, it is likely due to issues with your vital essence. Very well, young one, you and I are fated. Take a look at this information first. After you have understood it, I shall then explain the details about the Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotuses."
Upon hearing Li Xuan mention the Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotuses, a look of realization flashed across the old man's face. As soon as he finished speaking, the old man casually shot a ball of spiritual light that flew rapidly towards Li Xuan.
Li Xuan was momentarily stunned. From the old man's words, it seemed that the Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotuses might indeed exist. Although he didn't know why the Heavenly Dao Brush wanted him to ask, Li Xuan knew that the Heavenly Dao Brush would never speak without reason.
Li Xuan caught the ball of spiritual light floating before him and pressed it directly into his forehead, closing his eyes slightly.
Seeing Li Xuan begin to examine the information so unguardedly in front of him, the old man smiled slightly and picked up the spiritual tea on the table to drink.