Inside the private room.
Han Ming smiled and asked, "Since you two came to the tavern, you must be here to make money, right?"
"How can you tell?" Wu Qi asked in return.
Han Ming was about to explain, but seeing that Wu Qi did not seem to be pretending, he said, "Don't tell me you don't know what this tavern is for?"
Simply put, this tavern was a gathering place for assassins.
Although Death Canyon appeared isolated, powerful figures from the outside world could still extend their reach into it.
Those sentenced to exile had all committed serious crimes. Some victims' families, seeking revenge, would use special channels to post missions here.
The tavern they were in was one of the locations where such missions were issued.
The people waiting outside were there to be hired as assassins.
In such a vast canyon, locating a target was troublesome. Assassins could not reveal themselves before taking action, so tracking and scouting were usually delegated to the weaker individuals guarding the entrance.
However, missions were only released occasionally. Many people waited here long-term to secure assignments as soon as they appeared.
As for the "Third Young Master" mentioned by the server, Han Ming guessed he was a high-ranking member of Spirit Hall. In a place like Death Canyon, no one would dare openly issue assassination missions without Spirit Hall backing them.
After hearing this, Wu Qi gained a clearer understanding of the place.
To complete their trial, they had to kill either one Spirit Ancestor or ten Spirit Elders.
It would be best to finish within one month so both of them could conclude their trial at the same time.
Han Ming's words carried a hint of probing intent. After selling the white badge to him, Wu Qi left quickly.
Outside the tavern.
Chang Kong muttered, "That guy doesn't seem like a good person. We should stay away from him."
With three hundred trade coins, their next steps would be much smoother.
Wu Qi nodded. "But his information should be correct. We're only in the outer area. If we want to find Spirit Elders or stronger Spirit Masters, we must enter the inner city."
Entering the inner city was easy. Passing inspection was not.
So before going in, they decided to obtain another white badge and a yellow badge to better "justify" their identities as criminals.
Moreover, the inner city was not the core of this place. Spirit Ancestors rarely appeared there. Otherwise, Wu Qi would not risk entering so casually.
Along the road leading to the inner city, Wu Qi and his companion found a concealed spot and hid.
Using their spirit power to sense fluctuations, they gauged the strength of every passerby.
At noon, a storm swept through the canyon. Heavy rain poured from the sky.
Wu Qi and Chang Kong draped waterproof cloth over themselves to avoid getting soaked.
"I like killing on rainy days," Chang Kong said with a faint smile.
Wu Qi reminded him, "Focus. Don't end up being killed instead."
In stormy weather, Wu Qi's Azure Luan martial soul gained environmental advantages. However, the heavy rain also created resistance. In such conditions, the boost and hindrance largely offset each other, so his strength was not significantly enhanced.
Before long, three figures entered their sight.
The leader was a thin man named Hu Erhan.
Wu Qi recognized him. Three years ago, this man had killed someone on a street in Spirit City.
Since the victim had been an ordinary person with no family pursuing the matter, and considering his identity as a Spirit Master, he had only been sentenced to exile.
Now that they had encountered him, there was no reason to let him go.
"This damned weather is really annoying," Hu Erhan cursed, then barked, "Didn't you say two trial participants entered the canyon? Why can't we find them?"
The two underlings behind him hurried to explain, "Boss, we saw them with our own eyes. But they left early this morning. We got up late and couldn't catch up."
Through sensing the flow of the wind, Wu Qi could roughly hear their conversation. His heart tightened.
They had entered the canyon under cover of night, yet they had still been noticed.
It seemed Hu Erhan's group often lay in wait near the usual arrival point of trial participants.
In a place like this, no one wanted to stay longer than necessary. Obtaining a gold badge was their only way to leave.
For freedom, these people would stop at nothing.
It was also a warning to Wu Qi.
From now on, they had to act with even greater caution.
"Brother Wu, do we move?" Chang Kong clenched his fists, battle intent flashing in his eyes.
"Wait."
Wu Qi responded and pulled him slightly backward.
As a high-ranking Spirit Elder, Hu Erhan possessed sharp perception. Sensing movement at their former position, he immediately halted.
The two underlings behind him stumbled, nearly falling.
"Boss, what—"
Hu Erhan said in a low voice, "Someone's nearby. We're being watched."
In Death Canyon, people were killed every day. Especially in the outskirts, slaughter happened almost constantly.
Hu Erhan had been here for three years and had long since become seasoned. Many people wanted him dead, but none had succeeded.
With his solid strength, he had no reason to feel uneasy.
The two lackeys positioned themselves in front and behind him, eyes filled with vigilance.
Suddenly, a large blade formed from feathered edges flew down from above their heads.
It was Wu Qi's first Spirit Ring ability, Wind-Controlled Flying Blade.
Hu Erhan reacted swiftly, grabbing one of his lackeys and using him as a shield against the strike.
That lackey was only a Spirit Grandmaster and completely unprepared. How could he withstand an attack from a Spirit Elder?
His body was cut cleanly in half. Blood mixed with rainwater, and the heavy scent of blood filled the air.
Hu Erhan released his Demon Bear martial soul. His muscles swelled, his body radiating raw strength.
The remaining lackey was terrified by the sudden scene and hid behind Hu Erhan, not daring to move recklessly.
"I'd say, you dare to launch a sneak attack but don't dare to show yourself? What are you, cowards?" Hu Erhan sneered.
From that single strike, he had already judged Wu Qi's strength. Naturally, he was not afraid.
Chang Kong stepped out with the Coiling Dragon Staff resting across his shoulders, smiling faintly. "You've come to a place like this. Still afraid of death?"
The lackey pointed at him excitedly. "Boss, it's him! He's one of the trial participants!"
"Oh?" Hu Erhan's eyes lit up.
He had planned to enter the inner city to search for the trial participants. He had not expected them to appear so effortlessly.
He knew Chang Kong was not the one who launched the previous attack.
Two people meant two gold badges.
"A Ming, get ready. Kill them. Two gold badges are just enough for us to get out."
With the other lackey already dead, A Ming had no more hesitation. Freedom was right in front of him, how could he not be tempted?
Wu Qi landed beside Chang Kong and looked at them coldly. "I'll deal with Hu Erhan. You handle A Ming. Be careful. He's not weak."
Chang Kong grinned. "Don't worry. I'd like to experience the 'thrill' of killing too."
Those who kill will eventually be killed.
Especially knowing Hu Erhan's past, there was no psychological burden in eliminating him.