"Boss, excuse me, have you seen this person here?"
Ning Beichen described his master's appearance but did not reveal his name.
"I haven't seen him. You can ask elsewhere."
The innkeeper thought for a moment and said apologetically to Ning Beichen.
"Okay, thank you."
Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying returned to their room. After a brief discussion, they decided to rest for the night and start inquiring the next day.
The following day, Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying wandered around the human cultivator's stronghold.
Although it was called a human cultivator's stronghold, there weren't many human cultivators here; they wouldn't see one for half a day.
This was not surprising, as everyone who came here was a strong individual capable of sword flight. Furthermore, entering the Starfall Sea was a matter of nine deaths and one life. It would be strange if there were many people.
Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying learned that there was a place that specialized in providing information, but it required payment.
The currency here, of course, referred to Starfall Stones. Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying didn't have many Starfall Stones left, but they still decided to go and check it out.
The information provider wasn't an organization or faction, but a person – a disheveled old man.
When Ning Beichen described his master's appearance, the old man glanced at Ning Beichen and said leisurely.
"You're looking for Chen Xingyun?"
Ning Beichen's face lit up with joy, but he quickly composed himself and replied, "Yes, do you have any news of him?"
"I do, but you can't afford it."
The old man said straightforwardly to Ning Beichen.
"How much does information on Chen Xingyun cost?"
Ning Beichen had no choice but to ask him.
"One hundred thousand Starfall Stones. Kid, it's not that I'm looking down on you, but even if I give you a fifty percent discount, I doubt you can afford it."
The old man's words shocked Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying.
With one hundred thousand Starfall Stones, they could have advanced to the extraordinary realm. Why would they spend it on a piece of information? Was this old man crazy?
"Kid, I know what you're thinking. You think this old man is crazy, right? Let me tell you, I'm the only one in the world who has news of Chen Xingyun. If you go elsewhere, even if you offer a million Starfall Stones, you won't get any information about Chen Xingyun."
The old man confidently told Ning Beichen.
"I don't have that many Starfall Stones."
Ning Beichen said helplessly.
"I know you don't."
The old man said, his gaze sweeping over Ning Beichen with disdain.
"Excuse me, we're disturbing you."
Ning Beichen prepared to leave with Luo Yingying. Even if the old man offered him a fifty percent discount, he couldn't afford fifty thousand Starfall Stones.
Just as they turned and took a few steps, the old man spoke from behind them.
"I have information that can help you find a large amount of Starfall Stones. Are you interested?"
Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying's footsteps stopped abruptly. They both turned around, somewhat puzzled. Would this old man be so kind?
"Don't look at me like I'm a swindler. I'm just trying to do business. I'm old, and I don't have the same energy as you young folks to go around fighting and killing. So I can only stay in this desolate place to grow old and wait for death."
The old man said to Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying.
Hearing his words, Ning Beichen's eyelids twitched, and he spoke.
"Old man, the information you're talking about probably won't be easy to obtain, right?"
"Kid, there's nothing easy in this world. Think about why you came to the Starfall Sea."
The old man retorted to Ning Beichen.
"This information is free? And I don't have to make any promises?"
Ning Beichen pondered for a moment and then asked.
"No, as long as you can successfully return alive, I'll stick to my word. I can give you a fifty percent discount. I'm a businessman, and information is my merchandise. I only make money by selling it."
The old man was quite frank.
"Alright, tell me how to get a large amount of Starfall Stones."
Ning Beichen asked him.
The old man, with practiced ease, took out a map and handed it to Ning Beichen. This map was actually a portion of the Starfall Sea map, with many markings. Among them, one marking was circled in red dye.
"The place you need to go is here. There's a deep abyss black hole here, and inside it are many Starfall Stone mines. It depends on whether you can bring them out."
The old man said in a low voice.
"It should be very dangerous inside, right? Otherwise, why wouldn't you go yourself?"
Luo Yingying said from the side.
"Young lady, you are correct. That place is indeed very dangerous, but rewards are linked to risks. If you feel it's dangerous, you are welcome to not go. No one will force you."
"If you have a method that is not dangerous and can also obtain a large amount of Starfall Stones, please tell me. I am willing to pay a high price."
The old man said to Luo Yingying in a scornful tone.
"Old man, please don't take offense. Thank you for the information. If we can return alive, I will definitely buy the news from you."
Ning Beichen said immediately.
"Young man, then I wish you success."
The old man looked at him with an expression that suggested he had high hopes.
After Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying left, Luo Yingying said to Ning Beichen.
"Ning Beichen, do you really believe that old man is that kind?"
"I don't believe him, but this map is of great help to us. Whether he's telling the truth or not, we'll know once we go and see."
Ning Beichen said to Luo Yingying.
"Will it be very dangerous?"
Luo Yingying was very worried.
"Don't worry too much. Along the way, haven't we encountered enough dangers? As long as we work together with one heart, no danger or difficulty can stop us."
Ning Beichen comforted her.
Luo Yingying recalled their experiences on the journey and nodded, feeling that Ning Beichen had a point.
Cultivators were meant to brave difficulties and defy the heavens. If they were timid and fearful, they shouldn't venture out.
Moreover, searching for Starfall Stones was not just for information; they also needed Starfall Stones for cultivation.
Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying stayed there for two more days, gathering more intelligence. Then, Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying left the human resting stronghold, preparing to head for the deep abyss black hole in the Starfall Sea.
However, with the map, their journey became much easier. They didn't have to wander aimlessly; they just needed to follow the map.
But having a map did not guarantee safety, because maps were inanimate, while Starfall Beasts and ill-intentioned human cultivators were alive. They remained cautious, prioritizing steadiness over speed.
Starfall Beasts were clearly not to be trusted, but they had to be even more wary of other human cultivators, as most of them harbored malicious intentions.