With Xiao Shun by her side, Song Ling’er was cheerful throughout the journey. She danced around like a free bird. Seeing his disciple so happy, Xiao Shun’s mood also brightened.


    As dusk fell, they arrived at a local five-star hotel and booked two rooms to rest for the night, nning to head to Miaojiang early the next morning. After dinner, they each returned to their rooms. Xiao Shun took out the “Book of Warriors” and sat cross-legged on the floor, practicing ording to its instructions.


    “Knock, knock…”


    After some time, there was a gentle knock on his door. Xiao Shun stood up and opened it.


    “Master, it’s sote and I can’t sleep. How about we go out for a bit?” Song Ling’er stood outside with an expectant look in her eyes. Having finally gotten a chance to be alone with her master, she didn’t want to waste it and wanted to make the most of it.


    Feeling sorry for her, Xiao Shun nodded in agreement. “Wait for me; I’ll change my clothes.”


    Song Ling’er was overjoyed and nodded eagerly. Soon after, Xiao Shun changed his clothes and left the hotel with Song Ling’er.


    Heaverpool was an unfamiliar city to him. Xiao Shun had no idea where the fun ces were. “Do you know any interesting spots around here?” he asked.


    Song Ling’er giggled and took out her phone proudly. “I already searched for local attractions while we were at the hotel.” She handed her phone to Xiao Shun.


    Xiao Shun nced at it and was surprised. “Gambling stones and Gupetitions?”This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Heaverpool was on Wradeogon’s southeastern border, adjacent to several Southeast Asian countries. The jade trade was booming here, and Gu techniques were also popr. Xiao Shun recalled meeting a poison expert long ago but never knew their identity, only deducing that they used Southeast Asian Gu techniques rather than those from Wradeogon.


    While he pondered this, Song Ling’er continued excitedly, “We’re just in time! There’s a grand gathering tonight on the outskirts of Heaverpool with gambling stones and Gupetitions. We can’t miss it.”


    Intrigued, Xiao Shun smiled. “Alright, let’s go check it out!”


    After agreeing, they hailed a taxi to the outskirts of Heaverpool.


    “You must be from out of town,” said the middle-aged driver, who seemed very chatty.


    Song Ling’er couldn’t resist joining in. “Uncle, we just arrived in Heaverpool!”


    “You’vee at the right time,” the driver said with a meaningful smile. “I heard that many big shots from Southeast Asia and Miaojiang are attending tonight’s Southern Wilderness Gathering. They’ve brought some precious stones rumored to contain priceless jade!”


    Curious, Song Ling’er asked, “Uncle, how do you know all this?”


    “Hehe, this Southern Wilderness Gathering has been around for ages; every local knows about it!” The driver paused briefly before continuing.


    The Southern Wilderness Gathering started in the 1950s as a bteral trade event between Southeast Asian countries and Wradeogon. Southeast Asia is rich in poisonous insects and nts, while Miaojiang’s mountains are home to many skilled in Gu techniques butck resources for nurturing Gu insects. They traded their abundant jade for necessary supplies.


    This trade rtionship hassted for seventy years but evolved since the early 21st century into apetition where winners set the terms for future trades. Essentially, whoever wins gets more benefits! The gathering transformed from a simple trade fair into an exciting eventbining trade andpetition, attracting countless participants each year.


    Song Ling’er’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Great! We have something fun to watch tonight.”


    The driver nodded. “Exactly! This year’s representative from Southeast Asia is the Xia family, known for their masterful Gu techniques that even Miaojiang experts fear.”


    “Is the Xia family really that powerful?” Song Ling’er asked.


    The driver exined, “Absolutely! Otherwise, Miaojiang wouldn’t send their elite Bai Miao n topete this year; they’re the best in Gu techniques within the Ten Thousand Mountains!”


    Xia family… Bai Miao n… Sitting in the back seat, Xiao Shun furrowed his brows in thought. Thest Gu expert he encountered had impressive skills and was said to be from the Xia family by Tang Li. Perhaps he could find that person tonight!


    The driver then gave Song Ling’er a friendly tip. “Youngdy, if you have enough money, buy a piece of jade from the Miaojiang people; you won’t regret it.”


    Confused, Song Ling’er asked, “Uncle, what do you mean?”


    Smiling mysteriously, the driver said, “A Miao friend told me that this batch of stones from Bai Miao was mined from a very mysterious ce to exchange for a highly toxic nt called ‘Mandrake’ from Southeast Asia.”


    “Mandrake?” Song Ling’er was puzzled.


    “I don’t know much about it either,” admitted the driver. “It’s supposedly an extremely rare poisonous nt that hasn’t been seen for centuries; whether it’s true or not is anyone’s guess.”


    As they spoke, they approached a brightly lit venue in the distance.