Chapter 464

Chapter 464: Two Figures Under The Night

Before the vermilion gate stood two figures completely enveloped in special robes. The robes were covered in exquisite, intricate runes. Though the runes were dull and lacking luster, they held an indescribable power within.

Under the concealment of the robes, the auras of the two figures were completely masked. If one didn’t look carefully, their presence was unknown; they seemed to fuse entirely with the night itself.

Their appearance went unnoticed by Zhou Luo. Even the formations he had placed around Zhou Fu to guard against intruders showed no reaction.

Under nightfall, it was silent and still. Faint whispers from the manor’s servants could be discerned.

One of the figures stepped forward and slowly raised a right hand. It was a hand as fair and delicate as jade, its exquisite, crystalline skin unmistakably revealing that a woman lay beneath the black robe.

Steadily and unhurriedly, she clenched her right hand into a fist and gently knocked it against the vermilion wooden door.

Thud—Thud—

At that moment, the crisp knocking sounded abruptly out of place, carrying all the way to the outer courtyard and echoing for some time.

After about the time it takes to take twenty breaths, a servant from the outer courtyard, poorly dressed, hurried to the main gate and slowly opened it a sliver.

The servant poked his head out, regarding the visitors outside with curiosity. "May I inquire about your business here?"

The servant’s voice was quiet. Though weariness was etched on his face, he showed utmost respect.

Though merely an ordinary Qi Refinement cultivator, he understood deeply that anyone who appeared here in the core district of the Immortal City was at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator, or perhaps a close friend of the master.

Therefore, even though the visitors came late at night and their faces were obscured, he maintained the respect they were due.

"I wish to see your master."

An unemotional voice came from beneath the black robe.

"Do you have an invitation?" the servant asked conscientiously, though awed by the visitor’s status and strength.

Zhou Luo had instructed him: anyone entering the manor, unless a known acquaintance, absolutely required an invitation. If they had none but insisted on entering, he was to immediately sound the alarm bell beside him.

"No. Bring him out here."

The reply was blunt. Mentioning Zhou Luo outright without revealing more clearly showed an unwillingness to provide further information.

The servant grew vigilant. Seeing the visitor wasn’t forcing entry and mindful that those who came here must be extraordinary, he hesitated before giving in. "Very well. Please wait a moment. I shall inform the master."

With that, he closed the gate again. For caution, he affixed a first-grade alarm talisman to the back of the door.

This way, even if they tried to force entry, it would create a sound alerting everyone.

Then the servant hastened through the corridors to the inner courtyard to report.

The moment he reached the inner courtyard, Zhou Luo had already sensed him.

Moments later, Zhou Luo, now dressed, arrived before the main building. The servant stood waiting respectfully.

"The dead of night, what’s happening?" Zhou Luo strode forward, confusion in his heart.

"Esteemed Master, someone is at the gate demanding an audience," the servant reported, bending at the waist.

"An audience with me?"

Zhou Luo frowned. He released his mental strength. The power of his late-stage Foundation Establishment instantly swept unhindered throughout Zhou Fu, reaching beyond the main gate.

Yet, within the scope of his mental perception, no trace of a single person could be felt.

"Are you certain someone’s outside?" he asked with a low voice.

The servant felt utterly bewildered, replying truthfully, "Master, indeed there are two people outside, both dressed in black cloaks with their faces obscured."

Now it was Zhou Luo’s turn to be confused.

If someone truly stood beyond the door, he couldn’t have failed to detect them with his mental strength moments earlier.

Unless they possessed means to conceal their presence.

As this thought struck him, Zhou Luo grew alert, his right thumb unconsciously rotating the storage ring on his index finger.

"I will investigate. You may retire for the night."

Before his words faded, Zhou Luo turned into a gust of wind and vanished from his spot.

The next instant, he appeared behind the vermilion door yet refrained from opening it.

Both sides remained motionless through the barrier, as if time itself had frozen.

Zhou Luo glanced around; even the Second Level formation he had set revealed no abnormalities. This confirmed the intruders’ exceptional skill in shielding themselves from his formation’s power.

"Who could they be?" he wondered.

Visiting late at night, proceeding so cautiously, and evading all his detection.

This indicated the visitors possessed either extraordinary strength, a formidable background, or wielded powerful treasure.

Under such circumstances, he had to consider whether they were friend or foe.

Friends might be manageable, but if they were enemies… should he open the door?

After brief contemplation, Zhou Luo even focused his mental strength on the newly acquired Third Level Puppet in his spatial pack.

Against enemies, he trusted his capability to cope.

Resolved, he took a deep breath, fixed his full attention on the door, and willed it to open gently.

Two figures clad in black cloaks, faces indistinguishable, met his eyes.

"Who are you?" Zhou Luo demanded with utmost vigilance, every sense heightened.

Their thorough concealment made their intentions utterly unknown.

"Zhou Luo, we speak inside."

The foremost figure uttered the command in a low tone and stepped forward to enter.

Blocking the doorway, Zhou Luo frowned.

But the next second, the figure lowered the cloak’s hood, revealing breathtaking beauty.

Delicate, luminous skin appeared flawless, shimmering softly under the moonlight. Though slightly pale, her loveliness remained undeniable. Her beautiful eyes shone with brilliance, yet held a trace of weariness.

Seeing her face, Zhou Luo froze in place, thunderstruck.

Before he could speak, she pushed past him, striding firmly into Zhou Fu. Her companion followed closely.

One after another, they bypassed Zhou Luo, advancing boldly into the compound.

Snapping back to reality, Zhou Luo hurried outside. With serious expression, he extended his mental strength, scanning the surroundings, fearing witnesses.

"Relax. No one saw."

The voice came from behind as the speaker pulled up her hood again, proceeding inward.

Zhou Luo sighed helplessly. Confirming the coast clear, he shut the vermilion door with resignation.

Soon, the trio reached the main hall. As the two visitors prepared to sit, Zhou Luo spoke firmly, "To the study."

He then led them down a side corridor. Upon reaching a room, he opened the door and lit candles.

Inside the study, both visitors first sat upon the vermilion large chairs.

Zhou Luo poured spirit tea for them, then took the main seat quietly, emotions churning.

Breaking the silence, his voice carried surprise and confusion.

"Manager Long… What brings you and your companion here?"