Chapter 259

Chapter 259: Wealthy and Approachable

"Daoist brother, Master, old… master, what should I do?"

Su Mu had trouble adjusting to the shift in address, his lips curling in a self-mocking, bitter twist. He had once been a dignified reincarnated Immortal King and now was reduced to a mere worker; Su Mu found it truly hard to accept.

"Daoist friend, there’s no need for formality between us. Just stick with the previous form of address as before," Ye Xu said, fully understanding Su Mu’s feelings.

Su Mu heaved a long sigh of relief. "Thank you, Daoist brother."

"There’s no need for you to rush into work just yet."

Ye Xu said, "For now, I’ll give you some time off. You two lovebirds can enjoy each other’s company properly. In a few days, I’ll give you specific instructions."

"Yes."

Su Mu nodded in agreement.

Shen Yueyi’s cheeks flushed pink with both embarrassment and annoyance. She was a young girl in her prime, still unmarried and sheltered, unable to bear such teasing.

Su Mu also felt a bit awkward and immediately said, "Then we’ll take our leave now. If anything comes up, Daoist brother, I’ll rush straight back to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"Go ahead," Ye Xu said, waving his hand.

Shen Yueyi couldn’t bear to stay a moment longer and left Heaven’s Secret Pavilion immediately with Su Mu.

Ye Xu chuckled silently, his brow gradually furrowing with concern.

He had the person under his control, but how to assign Su Mu was another tough problem.

Could he possibly have Su Mu preside over Heaven’s Machine Auction House?

Ye Xu slowly shook his head. Heaven’s Machine Auction House was already presided over by Qiu Qianli, who came from the Temple of Ten Thousand Paths. He had an extensive network and formidable cultivation strength, making him more than sufficient.

Su Mu was a quality tool that must be wielded on the sharpest edge.

Ye Xu pondered hard.

"Senior, I’ve come again!"

Just then, an insincere voice rang out. Yu Ziwei stormed into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion first, followed closely by the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital and Ye Xu’s avatar.

As for Gu Daojin, he entered with his hands behind his back, chest out and head high, as if on an inspection tour, his eyes seemingly scanning up to the heavens.

"Congratulations to you all for a swift success," Ye Xu said with a faint smile.

"This time, we’ve come to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion just to thank you, Senior," Yu Ziwei beamed. "Without your remarkable wisdom, how could we have rescued our master?"

"It’s merely business. You provided the payment, I offered the information while tossing in some extra advice along the way. No need for gratitude," Ye Xu responded courteously.

"That’s true," Gu Daojin said, a flicker of annoyance flashing in his eyes. After all, he was a top true immortal who’d entered so long ago with no one even offering tea or water, much less acknowledging him.

Not to mention, he had just annihilated the Ancient Four Clans.

Ye Xu chuckled. He clearly grasped Gu Daojin’s mind, but felt no urge to compete with him. A cultivation at the peak of the True Immortal Realm might rank among the foremost in the current lower world, but within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, it amounted to little.

"Daoist friend, I assume you’re Rising Dragon Daoist, Gu Daojin?" Ye Xu asked knowingly, smiling. "Trapped for 176,982 years and 136 days—those times were quite unpleasant, I bet."

Swish!

Gu Daojin’s face twitched, betraying either shock or fury kindled by Ye Xu’s words.

Yu Ziwei covered her mouth, stifling a giggle.

Attempting to flaunt his prowess before the senior was bound to end in humiliation for Master, Yu Ziwei mused silently. This might be for the best, curbing his illusion of invincibility.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital simply watched Gu Daojin with pity.

Before the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, they felt utterly transparent, stripped of all secrets. Could Gu Daojin truly be contemplating matching Ye Xu?

"However," Ye Xu continued with a light laugh, "the Chaotic Immortal King’s Innate Chaos Great Dao is exceedingly peculiar. It’s understandable that Daoist friend was ensnared."

Gu Daojin’s expression softened slightly, his head dipping in a faint nod.

Wait…

That comment was clearly mocking my inadequacy!

Realization dawned, igniting a blaze of humiliation and anger within him.

"I heard you annihilated the Bi Fang divine clan several days prior?" Gu Daojin declared, his tone laced with arrogance. "During my return to the Yuan Realm today, I conveniently subdued the Ancient Four Clans as well."

"These ancient divine clans proved remarkably… unimpressive."

Ye Xu beamed, visibly delighted. "Daoist friend, you’ve spared me considerable effort!"

Gu Daojin was taken aback.

He had fully expected Ye Xu to react with anger and strike first. That would have provided ample justification for him to retaliate and finally measure himself against Ye Xu. Yet, Ye Xu seemed oblivious to the implicit challenge.

"I should inform you, Daoist friend," Ye Xu countered, his voice turning cold, "were you to stand idle, I would have taken action myself."

"It prevents these ancient divine clans from swelling with their own perceived invincibility, lest they dare disturb even the Tai Sui!"

Cold sweat beaded on the brows of the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital and Yu Ziwei.

The air crackled with hidden barbs, a thick scent of gunpowder hanging heavy between the two masters.

"Ha ha ha…!"

Gu Daojin burst into loud laughter. "True immortals now walk the lower realm, yet surveying all realms, scarcely any merit a second glance from me!"

"I have heard the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion possesses unfathomable power, boundless magical might. I find myself compelled to seek your instruction."

"Pray tell, Master, did your divination foresee this day?"

Ye Xu nodded, his eyes creasing amicably as he gazed at Gu Daojin.

"Senior, I beg you, hold back!" Yu Ziwei interjected urgently. "My master harbors no ill intent!"

"You little runt!" Gu Daojin roared, flames of fury dancing in his eyes. "I’ll deal with you later!"

Ye Xu remained completely composed. Gu Daojin indeed held no malicious designs – had it been otherwise, he would already lie headless.

Regardless, Ye Xu saw fit to impart a lesson.

BOOM!

Gu Daojin’s face hardened, his battle spirit soaring. He channelled the Ziwei Rising Dragon Path, unleashing its full, terrifying power.

Rising Dragon Dominance unleashed, dragon roars shook the heavens. The entire Heaven’s Secret Pavilion tremored violently.

"Big brother is unleashing his full power!" The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital exchanged grave looks. From the moment he broke free, whether slaying the Semi-Immortal Pan Ao or subduing the Ancient Four Clans, Gu Daojin had never once resorted to fighting at his absolute peak.

But at that moment, Gu Daojin immediately went all out.

This demonstrated how seriously he regarded Ye Xu.

"Ziwei Rising Dragon Path!"

Purple energy swirled within Gu Daojin’s eyes. He pushed Ziwei Star Calculation to its furthest limit, exhausting all permutations as he frantically analyzed Ye Xu’s weaknesses and origins.

Yet, the result Gu Daojin obtained was nothing but blank nothingness.

Roar!

A purple dragon roared as Gu Daojin punched towards Ye Xu. Immortal power crushed the void, surging forward with overwhelming might.

"Freeze!"

Ye Xu uttered the word indifferently—his words becoming law.

In an instant, the purple dragon froze mid-air. Wisps of purple energy solidified, the Great Dao halted, and Gu Daojin himself became fixed in place, utterly unable to move a single muscle.

Ye Xu slowly approached Gu Daojin, smiling. "Daoist friend, has your disciple informed you that no one who causes trouble in my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion ever comes to a good end?"

"Senior!"

Yu Ziwei and the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital turned pale with terror. Though they knew Ye Xu was powerful, they’d never imagined him to be this terrifying.

After all, their master was a pinnacle true immortal.

Yet before Ye Xu, he possessed no capacity to resist.

The difference was starkly clear.

"Our master bears no ill intent—he only sought a friendly contest! We implore you, senior, to show mercy and spare his life!" Yu Ziwei knelt on the ground, pleading.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital also panicked. "Senior’s greatness matches his magnanimity! Elder Brother Gu has always been impetuous. Please, senior, do not take his actions too seriously!"

"We are willing to offer our deepest apologies to the senior!"

Gu Daojin’s eyes strained with effort to move.

Though immobilized, Ye Xu hadn’t shut off his awareness. He could hear every word spoken.

"Hmph."

As Ye Xu snorted coldly, Gu Daojin crumpled to the ground. His cultivation was utterly sapped, completely suppressed and ground beneath Ye Xu’s heel.

Gu Daojin instantly surrendered.

"Truly unimaginable that a senior of such profound mastery exists in the lower realm! This junior admits complete defeat," Gu Daojin changed his tone entirely, offering a fawning, ingratiating smile.

"Long have I heard of senior’s approachable nature. Witnessing it today, the tales proved utterly true—it feels like standing within spring breezes, an honor spanning three lifetimes!"

Gu Daojin mustered all his lifelong skills to lavish praise.

"Daoist friend believes mere words can dismiss this matter?" Ye Xu regarded him with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Gu Daojin’s smile froze. He cautiously inquired, "Then… how does senior intend to chastise this junior?"

"Chastise is too harsh a word."

Ye Xu’s gaze shifted to a shattered stool nearby. "You destroyed property within my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. By the rules, a monetary compensation is naturally required."

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital and Yu Ziwei tensed. The moment money was mentioned, they unconsciously tightened the purse strings at their waists.

"Don’t worry."

Ye Xu revealed a smile. "I get along well with people, so you all don’t need to be nervous."

"You just said it yourself, wasn’t I approachable with a lot of money?"

"Yes… yes…"

Gu Daojin was completely disheartened.

At this point, how could he dare say a word of ‘no’?

"Senior," Gu Daojin spoke with a flattering tone, "however you say we should compensate, we’ll do it. How about that?"

Ye Xu shook his head.

"Pay whatever amount you think is appropriate. If you give too much, rumors might spread that Heaven’s Secret Pavilion bullies customers as a big shop and ignores rules."

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital, Yu Ziwei, and Gu Daojin felt their hearts skip a beat. If there were a specific number, it would have been easier.

The key was that there was no number.

Gu Daojin gritted his teeth, took out a celestial blade from his Purple Palace—exactly the immortal artifact he acquired by subduing the Kunpeng divine clan. Gu Daojin presented it with both hands and smiled. "Senior, is this immortal artifact enough?"

Ye Xu glanced at the celestial blade. With a sudden ‘whoosh’, the celestial blade vanished.

"Sigh."

He sighed softly. "This bench has been here since Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was founded, and I lived with it day and night for over half a year…"

Gu Daojin’s face twitched. He then took out a Zhuque immortal banner, a treasure he stole from the Zhuque Divine Clan and another top-tier immortal artifact.

"I remain, but the object has changed…"

Suppressing the pain in his heart, Gu Daojin took a deep breath and pulled out the Chaos Spirit Root, the Three Talents Formation Disk, and a pair of Yin-and-Yang Dragon-Scale Divine Swords, handing them all to Ye Xu.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital watched with eyes turning red from envy.

Each treasure Gu Daojin produced was of top-tier immortal artifact quality. Most were plundered from ancient divine clans, except the Chaos Spirit Root, which came from Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land.

Now, he gave them all to Ye Xu in one go, and his heart bled.

Yu Ziwei inwardly sighed in relief; thankfully, Gu Daojin had already given her that pair of Divine Feathers from the Kunpeng divine clan. Otherwise, she might have had to hand over everything to Ye Xu.

"System, exchange," Ye Xu thought to himself.

Ding!

[Congratulations, host. You have gained one hundred million heavenly secrets points.]

Not more, not less; Gu Daojin’s compensation was exactly one hundred million.

"Enough then," Ye Xu sighed and said. "What’s gone is gone; no need to dwell on it. Daoist friend, your sincerity is abundant, so I won’t pursue your mistakes further."

Gu Daojin’s heart was riddled with holes.

He knew full well—how could this be just about a bench?

This was the price of his failed show-off.

"Bullshit ‘approachable’,"

Gu Daojin grumbled inwardly nonstop, "obviously it’s ‘approachable due to millions’."

"The world always says the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion values wealth like his own life—it’s utterly true."