C745 The Little Girl in the Black Robe

"If I insist on searching?" Woo Zhengyang didn't take the low-grade spirit crystal offered to him. Instead, he spoke in a deep voice to the small window in the dim room.

Woo Zhengyang was determined to find the Loong Zhiwu. No matter how perilous or challenging the journey might be, he wouldn't compromise.

"The second floor said if you're determined, you can go up and negotiate," a raspy voice replied.

"Alright, I'll head to the second floor."

"Wait a moment," the raspy voice added before falling silent again.

This time, it wasn't long before the barrier in the front hall slowly parted, revealing a staircase leading to the second floor.

Woo Zhengyang and Bing Yue ascended the stairs and soon found themselves in a relatively normal room. A figure cloaked entirely in black stood waiting for them.

"Young Master Woo, Miss Bing Yue, I've heard much about you," the black-robed figure said upon seeing them. The voice was also raspy, but distinctly different from the previous one. Despite the raspiness, it was clear this was a woman's voice.

"You know us?" Woo Zhengyang was surprised. They hadn't introduced themselves, yet the black-robed figure confidently addressed them by name.

"If the Myriad Connection Association didn't recognize the famous Young Master Woo, we wouldn't have any reason to exist," the figure chuckled lightly. The voice remained raspy but carried a playful tone, almost like a young girl's, which made Woo Zhengyang wonder if this mysterious person was indeed a young girl. However, he quickly dismissed the thought as too far-fetched.

"How should I address you?"

"No need to be so formal with me. You're the guests here. As for me, you can just call me 'Second Floor' at the Myriad Connection Association."

"Alright, Second Floor..."

"Please, don't call me 'senior.' I've told you, there's no need for such formality, or I'll get my pay docked," the figure in the black robe chuckled again.

Woo Zhengyang's earlier absurd thought resurfaced—could this person actually be a young girl?

"Alright, let's get down to business. You're looking for Loong Zhiwu?" Seeing Woo Zhengyang remain silent, Second Floor took the lead in steering the conversation.

"That's right," Woo Zhengyang nodded.

"The first floor probably already advised you against it. Searching for this person won't do you any good, only harm. So, I suggest you drop the idea."

"Sorry, but I can't help it. No matter what, I want to find her," Woo Zhengyang said resolutely.

"Do you know anything about her background?" Second Floor asked.

"No, I'm all ears," Woo Zhengyang replied, shaking his head.

"All ears, huh? Don't you know that at the Myriad Connection Association, we charge for answers?"

"I'll pay whatever it takes!" Woo Zhengyang said urgently.

All along, Woo Zhengyang's belief was solely focused on finding Loong Zhiwu. Even with many questions about her identity, he thought everything would be resolved once he found her. This visit to the Myriad Connection Association was no different.

However, Woo Zhengyang forgot that this place, known for having all the answers, wouldn't take on his task if they knew Loong Zhiwu's identity. If he could first uncover her background, it might not be a bad thing. At least he would understand her better.

Upon hearing the words of the black-robed figure, Woo Zhengyang finally realized he needed to start addressing the issue at hand.

Unexpectedly, the person on the second floor smacked their forehead and said, frustrated, "What am I doing, leading you into this conversation?"

"What's wrong, second floor?" Woo Zhengyang was now almost certain that the person in the black robe was likely a young girl.

"Nothing, let's start with your task. Are you sure you want to hire the Myriad Connection Association to find the Loong Zhiwu?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"But you should know, this is a significant matter, and the cost will be very high. Can you afford it?"

"How many spirit crystals are needed?" Woo Zhengyang was determined to find the Loong Zhiwu, even if it meant spending everything he had. Given the association's previous attitude, he was already prepared to be overcharged.

"How many spirit crystals do you have?"

"I..."

Woo Zhengyang was left speechless by the question from the second floor.

Even though he was prepared to be overcharged, he never expected the association to be this audacious. Instead of stating a price, they asked how much he had, implying they might just take everything...

Feeling frustrated, Woo Zhengyang glanced at Bing Yue, who looked equally shocked at the situation. Bing Yue gave him an innocent look and whispered, "I have no idea why this is happening, but this is definitely the Myriad Connection Association. It's genuine, and their reputation is solid."

"You don't need to overthink it. I just want to know how many spirit crystals you have to see if it's enough to cover the cost of finding Loong Zhiwu," said the young girl inside the black robe, realizing her words might have been a bit off and quickly trying to amend them.

Woo Zhengyang was now certain that she was indeed a young girl, and one who was quite inexperienced in the ways of the world. Despite the odd situation, he didn't say much and pulled out a Hidden Heaven Bag, saying, "Take a look. Is this enough?"

Inside the Hidden Heaven Bag were a hundred high-grade spirit crystals, which Woo Zhengyang had prepared in advance.

The girl on the second floor took the bag, scanned its contents, and remarked, "I didn't expect you to have such a stash, but... this is far from enough!"

"A hundred high-grade spirit crystals aren't enough?" Woo Zhengyang had come prepared with several Hidden Heaven Bags, each filled with various grades of spirit crystals and Heavenly Essence Stones for emergencies.

Based on Bing Yue's estimates, finding someone should only require a few dozen low-grade spirit crystals.

After realizing how much the Myriad Connection Association valued the matter of Loong Zhiwu, Woo Zhengyang had already raised his mental budget several times over. Yet, the girl in the black robe still claimed it was far from sufficient!

"Sir, this is a hundred high-grade spirit crystals. That's enough to buy the life of a Martial King. Isn't it enough just to find someone?" Bing Yue couldn't hold back any longer and questioned.

"That's different. The whereabouts of Loong Zhiwu are worth much more than the life of a Martial King," the young girl in the black robe replied.

"Come on, it can't be that different!"

"Our prices at the Myriad Connection Association are always fair and honest. Otherwise, I wouldn't have advised you to give up on finding the Loong Zhiwu," the young girl in the black robe insisted confidently.

"I've told you, no matter what, I won't give up!" Woo Zhengyang declared, handing over another Hidden Heaven Bag...