Chapter 153

Chapter 153: Do You Have Doubts?

"Those who oppose the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion never meet a good end."

Though Yang Xuanzhan was terrified to the extreme, his expression remained resolute, without a trace of retreat.

He trusted Ye Xu.

"Boom!"

The bearded man let out a strange roar. His head transformed into that of Ox-Head, demonic energy raged to the skies. He opened his dreadfully large mouth, revealing an infinite mixture of resentment and killing intent, as if a hell had opened up.

He aimed to swallow Yang Xuanzhan whole.

"Sister, should we not intervene?" Lan Youruo gently furrowed her delicate brows.

Lin Qianmo remained silent; her attitude made her position clear.

"Daoist Friend Lan, this man seeks death himself, why trouble ourselves?" Ao Bing said dismissively. First there was the Sword Servant of the True Martial God Sect, then Great Emperor Xiang Liu, and yet there were still those who questioned the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

If this was the case, then only their lives could serve as proof.

Dao King wore a peculiar smile.

One breath passed, yet the bearded man remained frozen, mouth agape, countless wailing vengeful spirits trapped within, utterly still.

A single drop of sweat rolled down Yang Xuanzhan’s forehead; his palms were drenched.

"Interesting."

An ethereal, distant voice sounded. Ye Xu appeared on the platform. Standing with hands clasped behind his back, his eyes, vast and profound as the starry sky, held a trace of an enigmatic smile.

He ignored the bearded man, instead fixing his gaze on the members of the Mystic Law Sect.

The moment Ye Xu’s eyes fell upon them, everyone from the Mystic Law Sect trembled all over.

Ye Xu looked squarely at their leading Great Emperor, stating lightly: "Give me an explanation."

"Otherwise, all of you can die."

"Master," the Great Emperor, who was also a member of the demon clan, spoke lightly, seemingly indifferent to the bearded man’s fate. "Junior Brother Ox-Head has an arrogant temper. How to deal with him is entirely up to you, Master."

"Is this your explanation?"

Ye Xu sneered. "You think I’m an idiot?"

With a mere thought, the Great Dao of Creation surged, engulfing the bearded man. The man’s body instantly shrunk, transforming into a miniature bull demon, landing squarely in Ye Xu’s palm.

Lin Qianmo and the others stiffened visibly.

This was the first time they had witnessed Ye Xu take action.

"Great Dao of Creation…"

An expression of deep understanding flickered across Lin Qianmo’s face. She seemed to recognize the nature of Ye Xu’s power, her eyes filled with astonishment.

"In the blink of an eye, suppressing a peak quasi-emperor… truly worthy of being a Senior."

Ao Bing, Lian Jiuyou, Yue Ruyi, and others sighed in admiration, utterly impressed.

"This level of strength far surpasses that of an ordinary Great Emperor powerhouse," Qilou Yan analyzed.

"This isn’t his full strength."

Lan Youruo added.

Meanwhile, Dao King rested his chin on his hand, seeming to analyze the situation.

Ye Xu’s methods were something he could replicate too—this didn’t prove Ye Xu’s strength.

"It’s still too feeble,"

Dao King sighed inwardly. If an Emperor Venerable came, they might uncover some of Ye Xu’s secrets.

But those who cultivated to the Emperor Venerable realm were all sharp-witted people; surely none would risk offending the unfathomable master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"You’ve misunderstood, Master,"

the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor struggled to distance himself from the bearded man, saying, "The Mystic Law Sect has many factions, each acting independently. Junior Brother Niu wouldn’t obey my orders."

Boom!

Ye Xu’s magic power surged, and the bull demon instantly crumbled to dust, without even a chance to resist.

"Since that’s the case," said Ye Xu, his killing intent swelling, "you may all die too."

He prepared to strike the Mystic Law Sect members down.

"Wait!"

the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor backed down. "Master, I offer compensation for Junior Brother Niu’s misconduct."

"Continue,"

Ye Xu withdrew his aura.

"……"

The onlookers exchanged puzzled glances.

He’d just threatened to subdue the Mystic Law Sect, yet halted at the mention of compensation?

Truly worthy of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"I offer an imperial weapon as recompense."

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor drew forth a Divine Spear. Power of the Great Dao swirled around it, radiating immense force.

"It seems my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion remains beneath notice,"

Ye Xu sighed faintly. "Dismissing me with one imperial weapon…"

"Master, I meant no such disrespect!"

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor felt his scalp tighten. Before Ye Xu, he tread as if on thin ice.

The bull demon’s actions were indeed ordered by the Mystic Law Sect’s higher-ups.

As one of the five titans in the Mystic Realm, the Mystic Law Sect’s strength lagged only behind the Taihao Heavenly Sect—an undisputed superpower.

How could they be unprepared?

Their worst outcome would be total annihilation.

Using treasures to settle this peacefully was already the best possible resolution.

"Would this Seven-Treasure Mysterious Spirit Fruit redeem Junior Brother Niu’s offense?"

Purple Palace opened within the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor, and a seven-colored divine fruit flew out.

The fruit was about the size of a fist, woven with Dao patterns, swirling with seven-colored divine light. It remarkably contained the power of the Seven Great Dao, undoubtedly a rare treasure of heaven and earth.

Its Dao rhythm was profound and robust, crystal clear and translucent. Upon being taken out, one could immediately hear the ethereal sound of the Dao, marvelously wondrous.

"Seven-Treasure Mysterious Spirit Fruit?"

Dao King’s eyes lit up.

He wasn’t alone; the top experts of each sect stared with intense fervor.

It wasn’t just because the Seven-Treasure Mysterious Spirit Fruit was precious, but because it belonged to the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest.

Could Mystic Law Sect producing the fruit mean Mystic Law Sect knew the whereabouts of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest?

"System, how many heavenly secrets points can this fruit exchange for?"

Ye Xu thought inwardly.

[Five million.]

Ye Xu’s gaze flickered, realizing this single fruit was of considerable value, comparable to an Emperor Venerable’s treasure.

"Very well, in light of your sincerity, I shall forgive Mystic Law Sect this time," Ye Xu accepted the Seven-Treasure Mysterious Spirit Fruit without changing his expression.

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor heaved a sigh of relief.

As long as the matter could be resolved, spending that Seven-Treasure Mysterious Spirit Fruit was worth it.

"However…"

Ye Xu’s tone stretched long.

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor’s heart clenched tight again, staring with wide eyes, waiting for Ye Xu’s next words.

"My people from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion were injured by your junior brother. You’ll need to settle his medical fees and compensation for psychological distress," Ye Xu said, flashing a smile.

"…"

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor’s face darkened. One Seven-Treasure Mysterious Spirit Fruit actually wasn’t enough.

Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s appetite was truly beyond belief.

"Now that’s the senior I know."

Ao Bing secretly stifled a laugh. Ye Xu regarded wealth as paramount; if he could seize twelve tenths of an advantage, he would never settle for ten.

"I won’t make it difficult for you. This imperial weapon will suffice as his medical fees."

Ye Xu’s gaze fell upon the Divine Spear.

"Master commands it; how would I dare refuse?"

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor repressed his fury, presenting the Divine Spear with both hands. "Please accept it graciously, Master."

Ye Xu channeled his mana and stored the spear.

"Stand down."

At that command, the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor immediately retreated to the viewing platform.

Ye Xu swept his gaze over the various factions and smiled. "I realize Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s existence is still brief, its rise too swift, making everyone a little uncomfortable."

"But I am ever a man of open-mindedness."

I could accept anyone who questioned Heaven’s Secret Pavilion; everyone should strive for friendly exchanges without harming good relations.

Pfft!

It was unclear who couldn’t hold back; once the laughter burst out, the scene became intensely awkward.

"It wasn’t me."

Qi Wuhen said with a straight face.

Everyone’s gazes fixed on him.

They didn’t believe him.

"It really wasn’t me…"

Qi Wuhen was heartbroken and frustrated.

The only slight relief for him was that Ye Xu’s attention wasn’t on him.

"Now, who else has doubts?"

Ye Xu said with a faint smile, "I can give you all the answers at once today."

Everyone remained silent.

The lesson from Mystic Law Sect was still fresh in their minds.

No one wanted to become the next Mystic Law Sect.

"It won’t lead to war, will it?"

Ao Bing felt apprehensive in his heart; the Great Emperors present couldn’t be counted on one hand; if both sides started a war, he would definitely take Ao Lie and flee back to the East Sea immediately.

"Impossible."

Lin Qianmo said.

Mystic Law Sect ended up worse for their trouble, so who would dare to invite misfortune now?

These guys were all crafty like monkeys.

The real fools, such as the bull demon from Mystic Law Sect, had already perished.

"Daoist friend Wuyou, do you have any doubts?"

Ye Xu’s eyes gleamed with divine light, seeming to pierce through layers of space-time to settle on Dao King.

Swish!

At that moment, countless gazes converged on Dao King.

Dao King shuddered with deep dread.

What did the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion intend by this?

Why single him out for questioning?

Could it be that his recent thoughts had been seen through by the master?

In a split second, Dao King’s mind raced through countless ideas.

Ye Xu had the power to read minds; Dao King had encountered this before, but under the earlier circumstances, the emperors’ thoughts surely aligned with his—so why was he targeted alone? Was it because his strength was supreme?

"Dao King is here too?"

The Great Emperor experts looked shaken; none had sensed Dao King’s presence.

If Ye Xu hadn’t exposed him, they still wouldn’t have known a peak expert from the lower realm lurked near them.

Bu Linglong’s face turned dark.

She felt no affection whatsoever for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Right now, shifting the attack directly to Taihao Heavenly Sect filled Bu Linglong with rage.