I chose the safe house, and the Human Alliance regretted it.

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding crowd fell silent.

People from the City Lord's Mansion have all arrived in Imperial Star City!

"So this is the City Lord's Mansion," Lu Ming said with a smile, adopting a very humble attitude. "When in Rome, do as the host says. Please, Elder Zi."

Wang Zhe from Flying Star City, Liu Fei from Azure Star City, and others also took the opportunity to give way.

This is, after all, Imperial Star City, and the City Lord's Mansion should be more advanced; they wouldn't lose face here.

"Thank you all." Zihe said politely, her gaze sweeping over everyone. "It's a rare treat for all of you to come to Emperor Star City together. Please be sure to visit the City Lord's Mansion."

"Definitely, definitely," everyone readily agreed, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

The only one who was unhappy was Wang Wei.

As the bidding price climbed steadily, this purple crane interfered, causing him to suffer significant losses.

He leaned back on the sofa and shook his head regretfully.

Zihe walked into the hall under everyone's watchful eyes.

The storefront doors slowly closed, shutting out the onlookers.

Zihe was slightly taken aback, but didn't pay it any mind.

He looked at Wang Wei.

Wang Wei looked at him with a half-smile, and their eyes met.

A hint of surprise flashed in Zihe's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

He cupped his hands in greeting and said politely, "Greetings, shopkeeper."

Wang Wei nodded slightly, discreetly discerning Zi He's information.

The next moment, his eyes lit up slightly—a real big fish had come to his door!

Name: Zihe

Age: 286

[Strength]: Twelfth level of Origin Realm

[Affiliation]: Zi Family, Imperial Star City

[Note]: Uncle Zi Jin has had his consciousness corrupted by the Kailo silicon-based race, codename KL103221

Wang Wei remained calm and composed, his face still bearing that nonchalant smile.

He had known for a long time that the Kailo silicon-based clan had infiltrated the city lord's mansion, but he didn't expect them to come knocking on his door so quickly.

And they came voluntarily.

Zihe was also sizing up Wang Wei.

Not only could he not see through the young man's abilities, but he also had the illusion that he had been seen through from head to toe.

Those eyes were so deep they seemed bottomless.

He had lived for nearly three hundred years and had never felt such oppression from anyone.

It's not about overwhelming force, but about a sense of nakedness in the soul.

After a moment of silence, Zihe took a deep breath and spoke first: "Shopkeeper, I have a question for you."

"Please speak," Wang Wei said, leaning back on the sofa, unhurried.

"May I ask the shopkeeper if you know about the Kailo Silicon-based Clan?" Zihe's voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.

"Ten thousand vials of energy liquid," Wang Wei quoted directly.

Zihe was taken aback.

He didn't expect that the very first question would start with a charge, without even a chance for pleasantries.

His lips twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"……good."

"Why ask such a question when you already know the answer, Mr. Zi?" Wang Wei's smile deepened. "Aren't you yourself a member of the Kelvin silicon-based family?"

Upon hearing this, Zihe tensed up.

"Shopkeeper, please don't joke." Zihe forced herself to remain calm, but her voice was somewhat strained. "The Kailo race is the mortal enemy of the human race, how could I possibly..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Wei quietly read out a string of numbers: "KL103221".

Zihe's voice stopped abruptly, and her pupils contracted sharply.

"Unraveling the secrets of the world, bringing peace to human affairs." Wang Wei said calmly, "That's the shop's signboard. Does Elder Zi think the shop owner is boasting?"

Zihe's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He subconsciously activated the primal power within his body.

But the next moment, his expression changed from solemn to terrified.

He couldn't mobilize even a fraction of his original power.

"You... what exactly is your identity?" Zihe's voice trembled.

"To find out the answer to this question, you'll need to pay one million vials of energy liquid first." Wang Wei held up one finger, looking at him with a smile.

Zihe instinctively took a step back.

He had lived for nearly three hundred years and had never been so out of control.

He turned around, intending to rush out the door.

But then, an immense pressure came crashing down from all directions.

His body was pinned to the ground, and he couldn't move even a finger.

Zihe's body trembled slightly, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

"I am from the City Lord's Mansion," he said with difficulty, his voice hoarse.

"Oh," Wang Wei replied casually. "You can call for help now. I'll be waiting; I'll take as many people as they come."

Zihe's face froze completely.

He knew that Zi Jin had bought 100,000 bottles of energy liquid from this store.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come in person.

He was initially skeptical about whether the store was really as amazing as advertised.

But now he has no choice but to believe it.

The shop owner's abilities were unfathomable, and he directly revealed his identity.

It should be understood that his clan's invasion of human consciousness is equivalent to the fusion of the two, only with the Kailo silicon-based clan taking the lead.

Even the Imperial Source Lord couldn't see any flaws.

But now, the shop owner in front of him easily saw through his scheme.

Zihe was perfectly aware of what this meant.

As long as this shop owner takes action, his clan's infiltration plan, which has been going on for many years, will be completely uprooted.

Silence fell over the hall.

Although the people outside the store could not hear the conversation inside, they sensed something was amiss from Zihe's reaction.

"What? Did the negotiations break down?"

"That can't be right. Those who went in were from the City Lord's Mansion. If we offend the City Lord's Mansion, how can this shop stay open?"

"This shopkeeper dares to claim he can settle disputes among people; do you think he'd be afraid of the City Lord's Mansion?"

"..."

The surrounding crowd was buzzing with discussion.

People from the eleven main cities—Starry Sky City, Flying Star City, Azure Star City, and Realm Star City—hesitated.

Lu Ming, from the Lu family of Xingyu City, asked in surprise, "It's just a business transaction, why does it seem like things have gotten heated?"

Wang Zhe from the Wang family of Feixing City hesitated, "Could it be that we can't agree on a price?"

Lu Ming glanced at him and scoffed, "Does the City Lord's Mansion really not want to part with a few vials of energy liquid?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhe was about to refute when Liu Fei of the Liu family of Cangxing City said in a deep voice, "What's the rush? You'll know when the people from the City Lord's Mansion come out."

The companies stopped their confrontation and quieted down.

Inside the store, Zihe took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

"Senior," Zihe's tone changed, from "shop owner" to "senior," "Are you really only running a shop for business?"

"Of course," Wang Wei said with a smile. "I know what you're worried about. But—as long as the price is right, everything is negotiable."

Zihe stared intently into Wang Wei's eyes, trying to find a flaw in them.

But he didn't see anything.

Those eyes held only calmness and a despairing certainty.

"I want the entire operation," Zihe said, enunciating each word clearly. "Information on all personnel who have infiltrated the First Empire—every single one of them. The shop owner is not to reveal a single detail to anyone."

"A one-time buyout?" Wang Wei leaned back on the sofa with a grin. "It'll be very expensive."

"Name your price," Zihe said in a deep voice, knowing there was no turning back.

Wang Wei whispered a number: "Ten billion vials of energy liquid."

"What!" Zihe's pupils dilated suddenly, and he staggered.

Ten billion units—this number is beyond astronomical comprehension; it's enough to bankrupt a planet.

"It's already very cheap," Wang Wei explained patiently.

"After all, it's a buyout. Think about it, if the information is leaked, your clan's centuries of infiltration will be wasted. And it won't just be you who dies. Ten billion units, is that expensive?"

Purple Crane fell silent.

He knew that what Wang Wei said was true.

But he couldn't decide on the price.

"I can't make that decision myself," Zihe said with difficulty. "I need to consult with my superiors."

"Sure," Wang Wei nodded, kindly reminding him, "but you need to be quick. You know, my shop is open, and someone could come in and ask other questions at any time. What if they ask something they shouldn't..."

"I understand," Zihe interrupted him. "Those 10,100 vials of energy liquid will be delivered later."

"Take care." Wang Wei waved.

The pressure on Zihe instantly dissipated.

He felt as if he had been granted a pardon and almost staggered towards the door.

The storefront doors opened.

Zihe came out, his face ashen, with beads of sweat still on his forehead.

Everyone outside turned to look at him, and someone whispered, "His expression seems off..."

Zihe took a deep breath, forced a smile, and cupped his hands to the crowd, saying, "The shopkeeper's reputation is well-deserved."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

The group looked at each other, and for a moment no one dared to go in rashly.

Lu Ming gritted his teeth: "Since you're not going in, then I'll go in first."

He took a deep breath and pushed the door open.