Chapter 198 - 103 Second Stage, Mixed Fortune (5k)

Zhuge Wanjun listened to Old Meng’s words, contemplative. She tried to recall why she had advanced.

Upon careful reflection, she didn’t feel there was anything abnormal about the process. At most, she had encountered some situations, persevered through them, and then naturally advanced.

She had originally thought this was all very normal, but now, reminded by Old Meng, she suddenly realized that not everyone encounters these situations, nor can everyone successfully resolve them, and even if they do, it might not lead to advancement.

It indeed required luck.

"Uncle Meng, why did you advance?"

"Because my opportunity arrived. I felt the emergence of something unique, and before I could react, I had already reached Nanwu County, completing an extraordinary leap, and with it, my advancement. Whether I can advance or not is mainly out of my control."

Old Meng rarely spoke the truth, but as he did, he couldn’t help but glance towards the villa area.

Now that his emotions were slowly settling down and the fluctuations from the advancement dissipating, chatting with Zhuge Wanjun actually helped him see things more clearly.

Merely one unique item shouldn’t have been enough to be the trigger for his advancement, compelling him to instinctively grasp it.

Possibly, here, there was more than one item, more than one kind.

This kind of uniqueness wasn’t from ordinary wondrous items, because many wondrous items are unique. It was more likely owing to the influence they could bring and the significance behind them, far surpassing ordinary wondrous items.

Moreover, the presence of not just one, when clustered together, could completely overwhelm someone thousands of miles away like him.

"That young man earlier, do you know him?"

"He is my top-priority client." Zhuge Wanjun smiled and said nothing more.

Being able to say that much was already out of consideration for their past friendship.

Old Meng had a sudden realization. He understood now why Zhuge Wanjun had arrived so quickly—it wasn’t for him, but because of that person. Perhaps Zhuge Wanjun didn’t want any irreconcilable conflict to arise between them.

"You do have a distinctive insight."

"Besides him, do you recognize anyone else living here?"

"I don’t really have much interaction with the others. In this villa area, the southern part is mostly ordinary people, and the northern part is mostly empty."

Old Meng nodded, signaling his understanding. That man from earlier, with his overwhelmingly heavy killing aura, was undoubtedly an encounter unlike any he’d had in his life. The killing intent was so potent that even though the man was smiling, seemingly in a good mood and not intending to kill, it still felt as though he were committing violence.

There was no way that guy was normal.

And to think there’s someone who can keep such a powerful individual in check, prevent major disturbances, and yet I’ve never even heard of this person... There must be an entity out there capable of completely overpowering him in every aspect.

"Nanwu County truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Suffering such a blow this time is truly no injustice; it’s better than falling into an even bigger trap later on."

Old Meng glanced at Zhuge Wanjun.

"For matters concerning advancement, I won’t advise you. Take care of yourself and call me if you have any issues."

Old Meng gave one last look towards the dark, unlit northern part of the villa area.

"I can offer you information three times for free, but if anything here is to be sold, you must inform me immediately. I’ll give you an additional fee for the information."

"Alright," Zhuge Wanjun agreed.

"I’m leaving. Nanwu County doesn’t suit me. I’d better stay away."

Dressed in flip-flops and big shorts, Old Meng stood up and vigorously pedaled his tricycle. The tricycle picked up speed, and before it had gone even a hundred meters, it vanished down the road.

Zhuge Wanjun stood on the street in the middle of the night, smiling quite happily.

She originally came to Virtue City, on one hand, to set up a branch, and on the other, to see if Wen Yan needed any help.

Who would have thought that just by signing a simple contract, I would acquire three free opportunities for information?

Old Meng, that cunning merchant, I know him well. For him to be willing to spend so much, it can only mean he believes it will bring him even greater benefits.

Contemplating Old Meng’s theory about opportunities, she mused that perhaps her own opportunity truly lay with Wen Yan.

After thinking it over, she called Wen Yan to relay why Old Meng had come here and to further elaborate on who Old Meng was.

After finishing the call, she left on her own, walking back to where she was staying temporarily.

「Meanwhile.」

Wen Yan returned home with three items, placed them in a cabinet, and then inspected another item already inside.

The painting given to him by Xiao Wu.

Pei Tugou might not have misunderstood Old Meng’s words, but Old Meng’s comment had clearly provoked him, practically daring him to a fight.

Wen Yan pondered.There were truly quite a few things a wandering merchant would call unique.

Xiao Wu’s painting, the world’s first painting with a Soul.

His left middle finger, with its black nail—the only thing remaining after the Big Executor dissipated.

The Small Gold Grain... even Old Meng hadn’t seen it before. He could appraise it, probably due to a wandering merchant’s Professional Ability. That barely qualified as unique too.

Lastly, this villa complex.

Old Zhao’s villa.

If I count people... there’s the foolish son, the Soul Devouring Beast—no, it should be called the Soul Devourer now.

Xiao Wu, the first Soul Painter, and likely still the only one.

As for Pei Tugou, his "honest man" persona was actually a Profession. Now, even Wen Yan was beginning to feel something was off.

And then there’s me, the Natural Enemy.

Indeed, all of these could be considered unique.