Chapter 243

Chapter 243: The Divine Clans’ Scheme, Forging a Demi-Immortal

"The Bi Fang divine clan has been exterminated."

The destruction of a true immortal’s cave had created an immense disturbance. Meng Changan and Ji Xuan Yi’s return brought news of this event to the ancient divine clans.

Instantly, the ancient divine clans were filled with terror and fell silent.

The Bi Fang divine clan, which had once ruled over a domain during ancient times, had been annihilated by the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion mere days after emerging. It was terrifying.

"Times have changed."

Clad in azure robes, the Ji clan patriarch within the ancient Ji clan sighed with emotion.

"They were simply too foolish and brought this upon themselves," a green-robed Emperor Venerable stated coldly. "However, who exactly is this Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

"Looking throughout all ages and all realms, there has never been anyone with such capability, daring to claim omniscience."

"Because of the Bi Fang affair, they are discussing countermeasures. Should we go observe?"

"There’s no need." The Ji clan patriarch shook his head. "It won’t accomplish anything."

He turned and fixed his gaze on the green-robed Emperor Venerable.

"Do not presume to fathom the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

The Ji clan patriarch, steady in demeanor, spoke solemnly: "You need only understand this: within the Yuan Realm, our clan may offend anyone—even that yellow-robed immortal—but we absolutely must not offend Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

The green-robed Emperor Venerable frowned slightly and nodded. "Patriarch, our clan has now fully stabilized its territory. Within the Yuan Realm, there still remain the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom and Dawn City. Should we eliminate them?"

"One should never act to extremes."

The Ji clan patriarch’s eyes held wisdom. "That Green Lotus Demon Emperor of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom is highly peculiar. Even the mighty Zhu Rong Divine Clan suffered greatly at their hands."

"As for Dawn City…"

His eyes grew profound. "Consider it doing Daoist Friend Lin a favor."

"Our target is the worlds surrounding the Yuan Realm. The Mysterious Realm is currently in chaos; our clan can add fuel to the fire."

"Yes."

Admiration shone in the green-robed Emperor Venerable’s eyes.

Although the patriarch’s cultivation was not the highest within the Ji clan, his wisdom was exceptional and his vision broad. Elders had previously suggested imitating the Bi Fang divine clan to ambush Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s clients, but the patriarch, Ji Yuan Ming, had forcefully quashed the idea despite pressure. Had it not been for that, the Bi Fang divine clan’s fate today would be the ancient Ji clan’s tomorrow.

…

"That Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion has acted too ruthlessly!"

At the same time, due to the extermination of the Bi Fang divine clan, numerous ancient divine clans gathered together, led by the Ji clan, with Ji Xuan Yi personally presiding.

As for the Da Meng Clan, it naturally remained unworldly and did not participate.

"I know that among all of you, there are still some who wish to follow the Bi Fang divine clan’s example. I called you here today to give you a warning."

Ji Xuan Yi’s gaze scanned the leaders of the various ancient divine clans as he spoke coldly: "In the current all realms, there is no one we ancient divine clans cannot provoke—except Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"Let me state this bluntly: if anyone is stupid enough to do it again, neither Senior Brother Meng nor I will step in to plead for you."

There was something else Ji Xuan Yi left unsaid.

Even though the two pleaded, it was useless.

Although they were both immortals, their level was too low, and Ye Xu paid no attention to them at all.

"Senior Ji, is the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion really that strong?" questioned the leader of Kunpeng divine clan. "Could it be that even with the combined strength of our ancient divine clans, we still cannot overthrow Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

"We have only just emerged with great difficulty, yet an overlord looms over us. Why not join forces to confront him? Who would win is still unknown."

Ji Xuan Yi’s gaze turned cold, and a bone-chilling cold enveloped the leader of Kunpeng divine clan. His killing intent was as sharp as a knife, freezing the leader’s magic power and bloodline. His eyes were icy and sharp as he said, "What you do is your own business. My clan will never meddle with you."

Whoosh!

As soon as Ji Xuan Yi finished speaking, he suddenly vanished.

Huff! Huff!

The leader of Kunpeng divine clan panted like a bull, drenched in cold sweat. A flicker of ferocity appeared in his eyes as he glared fiercely in the direction where Ji Xuan Yi had disappeared.

"In my opinion, Ji Xuan Yi and Meng Changan simply don’t want to exert effort," the leader of Pan Ao Divine Clan said. "The higher one’s cultivation level, the more afraid of death they become."

"They are true immortals, possess the Eternal Great Dao, and live as long as the sun and moon. They don’t need to take risks with us."

"Pan Daoist friend, your ideas are very dangerous."

The leader of peacock divine clan said solemnly, "My clan’s Kong Yu once visited Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. He was rude for a moment and was beaten back to his original form by the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"After he returned to the clan, we tried many methods but couldn’t restore his cultivation."

"He can only recover on his own when the three-year period arrives."

The old woman of Tian Wu divine clan, leaning on her dragon-headed staff, smiled and said, "Dear friends, you haven’t been to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and don’t know the Master’s abilities."

"Moreover, you dislike Heaven’s Secret Pavilion only because you were used to dominating in ancient times and aren’t accustomed to someone ruling over you."

"But times have changed, so if you’re not used to it, you must get used to it."

The Six Divine Clans that had visited Heaven’s Secret Pavilion before—Ji clan, Ji clan, peacock divine clan, Zhu Rong Divine Clan, Tian Wu divine clan, and Lu Wu divine clan—were all very wary of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"We could test him," said the leader of Pan Ao Divine Clan with a sinister smile. "The Bi Fang divine clan acted rashly and arrogantly, which led to their extermination disaster."

"If we are more careful and don’t leak information, we can gain huge benefits and do it secretly without a trace. Presumably, the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion won’t mind."

"That makes sense."

The leaders’ eyes lit up; this method seemed feasible.

The leader of peacock divine clan and the Tian Wu old woman exchanged a look and gently shook their heads.

Risking the entire divine clan’s fate for a small profit, with such a helmsman in charge, the clansmen were extremely unlucky.

"Since our paths differ, we cannot work together. We bid farewell."

"A bunch of idiots."

Zhu Rong, whose nature was fiery, sneered and marched away.

A group of self-righteous leaders remained behind, discussing the specifics.

…

Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Ye Xian’er returned and respectfully presented the decree.

"The Bi Fang divine clan has been annihilated."

Ye Xu looked at Qiu Qianli and smiled.

"The spirits of those Daoist friends beyond the heavens may rest in peace now."

"This old man kowtows in gratitude for the Master’s great kindness."

Tears welled in Qiu Qianli’s eyes, his expression heavy with sorrow as he dazedly stood in place.

Several breaths passed before he snapped back to reality, falling to his knees and kowtowing.

"Young one, you’ve done well this time. Here’s your reward."

As he spoke, Ye Xian’er was flung by Ye Xu into a pocket of Time and Space where spiritual energy condensed into thick fog. His voice echoed,

"The flow of time within this space differs from the outside world by a factor of ten."

"You have one month. Cultivate diligently."

The voice faded away.

Ye Xu dismissed Qiu Qianli. Holding the decree, he stepped into a separate Time and Space.

The Second Primordial Spirit Avatar sat cross-legged, its cultivation still stagnating at the peak of the Great Emperor realm.

With a thought from his Divine Sense, treasures streamed out of the decree—countless artifacts quietly gathered by Ye Xu after the eradication of the Bi Fang divine clan.

This was the entire accumulated wealth of a divine clan, vast and staggering.

"Ill-gotten gains thrive, while those who do good lie unburied," Ye Xu muttered self-mockingly.

"No wonder everyone in the cultivation world loves killing and plundering—it’s profiteering without investment."

His gaze flickered as he selected pieces of celestial gold and rare treasures.

Once the selection was complete, his eyes settled on the Second Primordial Spirit Avatar.

Though imbued with Ye Xu’s consciousness, this avatar couldn’t actively cultivate. Thus, even when spiritual energy surged across the Yuan Realm, it remained trapped below the Emperor Venerable Realm.

Now, Ye Xu intended to refine these celestial golds and rare treasures into the avatar, elevating its strength to the peak of the Emperor Venerable Realm, or even the half-immortal realm.

Otherwise, flesh merely at the Great Emperor’s peak could never withstand his immortal power. Nor could he channel his true strength through this vessel.

"True immortals are emerging everywhere now. Without reinforcement, I wouldn’t even survive outside," Ye Xu sighed.

Boom!

He channeled his magic power, condensing the Great Dao of Creation into a massive Creation Furnace.

Creation as the craftsman, Yin and Yang as the coal, the avatar itself as the metal.

With a flick of his sleeve, Ye Xu cast shards of celestial gold into the Creation Furnace. Precious rarities and Emperor Venerable’s treasures followed, melting swiftly under the tempering flames of immortal fire.

At his mental command, the Second Primordial Spirit Avatar leaped into the fiery crucible.

Hiss! Crackle!

The celestial golds, rare treasures, and magic artifacts liquefied into glowing, rainbow-hued metal. This molten cascade poured over the avatar, enveloped completely by creation-grade immortal flames. The immortal liquid rapidly fused with its form.

Infused with this immense power, the avatar’s cultivation soared visibly.

Emperor Venerable Realm…

Mid-stage Emperor Venerable…

Within a stick of incense, the avatar reached the upper limit—breaking into the half-immortal realm, incapable of further advancement.

"These celestial golds and treasures are still too ordinary. To push the avatar further, I’d likely need Immortal King-level Immortal-level treasures," Ye Xu lamented softly. The lower realm was vast, but treasures of that caliber likely resided only in Secret Realms like the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest.

"Though true immortals walk the earth now, they aren’t utterly commonplace. At least this avatar has reached the peak tier. It should handle most situations."

"I spent an ocean of treasures just to boost it to the half-immortal realm. Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land, you better not disappoint me."

After a moment’s thought, Ye Xu retrieved a purple copper immortal tower and pressed it into the avatar’s Purple Palace.

This was an authentic immortal artifact.

"Even wandering outside, dignity matters," Ye Xu remarked.

His eyes appraised the reconstructed avatar appreciatively, as though gazing upon perfect art.

"Go."

With a wide sweep of his sleeve, the Second Primordial Spirit Avatar vanished from the pocket dimension.