Chapter 400

Chapter 400: Ninth Young Master

Swish!

Lin Qianmo’s pupils shrank like wheat awns, evidently shaken by the words "Ninth Young Master."

"How could it be him?"

Lin Qianmo could not believe it.

"The universe has its day of destruction, and the heavenly way its moment of collapse," the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal said lightly with a smile. "Although the Ninth Young Master was strong, he could not avoid fate."

The Reincarnation Ancient God and Xuanxin were utterly perplexed.

Especially the Reincarnation Ancient God—though he was from the Hongmeng Dao Realm, he was merely a divine egg and knew very little about the secrets of the Hongmeng Dao Realm.

The so-called Ninth Young Master was something he had never heard of.

As for Xuanxin, he knew even less.

"How did he die?" Lin Qianmo asked.

The Xuan Du Ancient Immortal smiled. "Once we find his Dao heritage, we can solve all mysteries."

He looked at Lin Qianmo and said, "Daoist friend, since you know of the Ninth Young Master’s existence, you must understand how immensely powerful he was."

"His Dao heritage—surely you are tempted by it?"

Lin Qianmo showed a hint of sorrow. In the past, she had met the Ninth Young Master in the Hongmeng Dao Realm; his elegance was peerless, as flawless as jade.

And yet, even such a figure could not escape the calamity of death.

"Fine!"

Lin Qianmo agreed, saying, "You’ve searched for a long time—have you found his Dao heritage’s location?"

"It is about to appear."

The Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s smile held a trace of mystery. "But the moment is not yet ripe. The Ninth Young Master’s legacy grounds remain unopened, and under heaven, no one can enter."

"Daoist friend, you seem to have forgotten one person."

Lin Qianmo said solemnly.

"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion!"

At that moment, it was the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s turn to frown. His gaze turned deep as he said, "That master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is indeed an intriguing fellow, appearing in the Pangu universe without cause, as if rootless and boundless."

Lin Qianmo said, "If, as you say, the Pangu universe was created by the Ninth Young Master, and his Dao heritage truly lies within the Pangu universe, then the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s motives become suspicious."

Before, Lin Qianmo had not known of the Ninth Young Master’s matters and had little doubt about Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s existence.

After all, a transcendent remaining in the lower world to live in peace and safety was understandable.

But at this moment, Lin Qianmo had to doubt Ye Xu’s true motives.

"Now that you mention it, this old man should go see him," the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal said. "Rumors claim the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion knows all and can do all. If that is true, he must certainly know about the Ninth Young Master’s legacy grounds."

"I’ll go with you."

The matter was too important for Lin Qianmo to restrain herself.

Swish!

The blue ox let out a long cry and trod upon the clouds as it departed. Lin Qianmo and the Reincarnation Ancient God soared together toward Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

After a stick of incense, the trio and the ox descended upon Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Ye Xu was teaching Xixi cultivation. The little girl advanced at an astonishing speed, reaching the Divine Spring Realm in just one month—a feat that left Ye Xian’er utterly mortified.

Yue Lingxi’s cultivation also progressed steadily. With her memories now unsealed, she swiftly attained the Divine Catastrophe stage and stood on the verge of godhood.

"Master, Lin Qianmo requests an audience," Lin Qianmo announced, clasping her hands as the trio and ox stepped into the pavilion.

"Hmm?"

Ye Xu’s gaze sharpened. He could discern neither Lin Qianmo’s nor the Reincarnation Ancient God’s cultivation depths. But Xuan Du Ancient Immortal? A cultivator merely at the proof of the Second Primordial Spirit? He couldn’t pierce that aura either.

Even that ox radiated the power of someone holding proof of the Second Primordial Spirit.

That ox… that old man… Comprehension dawned within Ye Xu. He instantly recognized Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s identity.

"What a silly ox eating peonies, hehehe…"

Xixi stared at the massive blue ox, finding it utterly absurd. Just an ox, yet it held a resplendent peony in its mouth? Truly a sight.

Grandfather Ox is generous. Won’t lower myself to sparring words with a mere slip of a girl, mused the blue ox inwardly, lifting its head loftily as it pretended not to have heard Xixi.

"Dear friends, you’re indeed rare visitors," Ye Xu smiled. "Xian’er, tea for our guests."

The company seated themselves.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s eyes studied Ye Xu intently.

"The world speaks of the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion possessing vast divine abilities. Witnessing it today, truly the reputation pales before the reality," Xuan Du Ancient Immortal clasped his hands respectfully. "This humble elder bears the title Xuan Du. I pay my respects to the Master."

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal comported himself with the utmost ceremony.

"You flatter me too much, Xuan Du Daoist," Ye Xu replied. "Such matters are but mere fleeting repute, hardly worth mention."

System. Query: cost in heavenly secrets points for Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s complete information?

[Sixteen hundred billion.]

Ye Xu’s eyes narrowed to slivers.

Back then, probing Lin Qianmo’s information required twelve hundred billion. Yet this unknown Xuan Nu Ancient Immortal demanded four hundred billion more?

Another transcendents, Ye Xu realized, already piecing together Xuan Du’s origins. Strictly speaking, this counted as exploiting the system for a free ride anyway—he was merely benchmarking, comparing costs with Lin Qianmo’s case.

Despite having approximately eight hundred billion in his account presently, parting with a fortune just to sate curiosity about Xuan Du? He had no such inclination.

Yet… is this his True Body? Reincarnation body? Or doppleganger? Ye Xu’s eyes gleamed with intense focus. In truth, the key puzzle remains this: how did transcendents slip the confines of the Dao of heaven to descend here?

"Master, are you familiar with the Ninth Young Master, perchance?"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal sipped his tea lightly, the question tossed out with deliberate nonchalance.

"Daoist friend, you’re new here, so you probably don’t know the rules of my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," Ye Xu said. "Every question I answer comes with a price."

"…"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s voice caught in his throat. He fell silent.

He had merely wanted to meet Ye Xu and test his depth, yet the first question had stumped him. Would he really pay for information he already knew?

Ye Xu rolled his eyes.

Expecting to freeload at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion? This old man was downright daydreaming.

Of course he didn’t know the Ninth Young Master. But with enough money, he knew everything.

"So how many Star Yuan for information about the Ninth Young Master?" After a brief hesitation, Xuan Du Ancient Immortal made his decision. Spending a small sum to uncover Ye Xu’s origins would be worth it. Otherwise, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion would loom over him like a mountain, unsettling his mind.

Lin Qianmo and Reincarnation Ancient God also watched with gleaming eyes—this truly was a way to probe Ye Xu’s secrets.

"System, how many heavenly secrets points to query information about the Ninth Young Master?"

[One trillion.]

"Cough…"

Ye Xu nearly choked on his tea, hastily taking another sip.

"Dang…"

He was utterly shaken inside. Merely one piece of information costing a trillion heavenly secrets points? This Ninth Young Master must be a major figure even in the Hongmeng Dao Realm.

[As the system’s permissions remain incomplete, information regarding the Hongmeng Dao Realm is limited. Only partial data is retrievable.]

The system suddenly added.

"…"

Ye Xu went numb. By the system’s logic, one trillion would only buy basic information—none of the Ninth Young Master’s actual secrets. Even so, it demanded a trillion points!

"Xuan Du Daoist," Ye Xu chuckled, "if you can produce eighteen trillion Star Yuan, I’ll gladly share the secrets I possess."

For a transcendent, the price couldn’t be low. If this deal succeeded, he’d leap closer to achieving the Three Yuan Proof.

"…"

Lin Qianmo and Reincarnation Ancient God exchanged horrified glances. This Pavilion Master truly had a ruthless heart!

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal looked extremely constipated. He already knew some details about the Ninth Young Master—why would he pay eighteen trillion Star Yuan for familiar news? Five trillion would have been his limit. Though he could afford eighteen trillion, wasting money pained him immensely.

His eyes turned murky as he stared at Ye Xu. For now, Ye Xu remained an enigma, but that fearless arrogance deepened Xuan Du’s wariness.

"This Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion… his purpose in lingering within the Pangu universe might truly be complex," Xuan Du Ancient Immortal thought.

The deadliest trap is the one imagined.