Chapter 480

Chapter 480: Testing Patience

"Master, Lord Xuan Du awaits you at the estate," reported the steward of the Qin Family via voice transmission.

The Head of the Qin Family visibly startled, then smiled at the Head of the Luo Family. "Brother Luo, it’s been too long since we last drank freely. How about visiting my estate today until we’re thoroughly drunk?"

"I wouldn’t dream of refusing," replied the Head of the Luo Family, an old fox who immediately caught the hint.

Both bid farewell to the Heads of the Shangguan and Hong Families. They boarded the treasure carriage and departed, heading toward the Qin Family estate in Canglan Divine City.

"Neither of those old men is an oil-saving lamp," murmured the Head of the Shangguan Family, lightly fanning himself with a paper fan, his expression grave. "Brother Hong—while the Canglan Merchant Alliance appears united on the surface, the Lu and Yuan Families form one faction, while Qin and Luo collude. Certain matters require our prompt decision."

"Set your mind at ease, Brother Shangguan," declared the Head of the Hong Family. "Once I return, I’ll bind my wretched son and deliver him to the Shangguan estate as your son-in-law."

"Ugh…" The Head of the Shangguan Family’s mouth twitched.

Half an incense stick’s time later, the Qin Family’s treasure carriage halted before their estate. Though modest compared to the Lu Family estate, it still displayed grandeur—pavilions every ten paces, towers every five steps.

The two family heads stepped out and traversed the void, arriving instantly at the Qin Family’s main hall.

Inside sat an elderly man in green, his hair white but face youthful, radiating vitality as he sipped tea alone. Utterly relaxed, he didn’t rise even upon seeing the two heads.

This was Xuan Du Ancient Immortal.

His aura was colossal—unerringly rivaling even the Lu Family’s ancestor, Lu Xuanyin. Clearly, he had reached the realm of an Eight Tribulations Dao Lord.

"We pay our respects, My Lord," both family heads bowed deeply, their usual arrogance utterly absent.

"Too formal." Xuan Du Ancient Immortal slowly set down his teacup, cutting straight to the point. "I’ve come today regarding the Ziyang Immortal Palace."

"The Second Young Master has entrusted this entirely to me. You must assist unreservedly."

"As you command." The two heads exchanged a glance, each sensing the gravity of the matter.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal was the Second Young Master’s confidant—a figure who moved unseen. That the Second Young Master regarded the Ziyang Immortal Palace with such importance hinted at deeper secrets.

"En route, I heard news," stated Xuan Du Ancient Immortal. "Dao Sovereign Ziyang’s disciple is presently at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, yes?"

The instant he processed this news, Xuan Du Ancient Immortal froze.

His first thought: The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion had returned to the Hongmeng Dao Realm.

Towards Ye Xu, Xuan Du Ancient Immortal had always nursed a shadow of dread.

"He is," confirmed the Head of the Qin Family, shocked by how swiftly word had spread.

"My Lord, is something wrong?" frowned the Head of the Luo Family, detecting a strangeness in the Ancient Immortal’s tone.

"Do you have any news about Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?" Xuan Du Ancient Immortal asked.

The two shook their heads; they knew nothing at all.

"I doubt it will be so coincidental. I hope it’s not him." Xuan Du Ancient Immortal sighed. If it truly were Ye Xu, the matter with Ziyang Immortal Palace would become troublesome.

"Sir, since we already know where the person is, should we act immediately?" the Head of the Luo Family said.

"Wait."

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal lowered his eyelids, his expression grave. "The issue of Dao Sovereign Ziyang involved too many consequences. All the young masters were scheming in the shadows, so we must not become that mantis."

The fall of Dao Sovereign Ziyang concealed the secret of a heavenly book.

This matter was known to very few.

Without that, even the Second Young Master would not care so much about Ziyang Immortal Palace.

"Observe and wait quietly."

…

A rainbow-feathered boat flew into Canglan Immortal Domain.

Ice Phoenix Demon Lord and Feng Wuji (Mad Daoist) stood side by side.

"Lately, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s reputation has been booming, yet no one seems to know where it suddenly came from?" Ice Phoenix Demon Lord smiled bewitchingly, and the beauty of heaven and earth paled in comparison to the radiance of her smile.

Feng Wuji smiled but did not speak.

When he ascended to Penglai Immortal Domain, he had never heard of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, but recently, news about it had spread across all domains, clearly indicating someone was stirring the waters.

That maneuver was surely Ye Xu.

However, Feng Wuji said nothing more.

"No need to be so guarded when you’re with me." Ice Phoenix Demon Lord chuckled. "Do I look like I eat people?"

Feng Wuji froze in surprise and hurriedly shook his head.

"Palace Master is like a celestial fairy, born divine and sacred, and with awe in my heart, I dare not overstep my place."

Ice Phoenix Demon Lord lazily sat down.

"Sit here." She patted the spot beside her.

"This subordinate dares not." Feng Wuji said.

"Since you know you’re a subordinate, you must follow my command." Ice Phoenix Demon Lord said.

Feng Wuji felt his scalp crawl, forcing him to sit down.

The longer he spent with Ice Phoenix Demon Lord, the stronger his urge to flee grew.

"Do you know, in the outside world, it’s rumored that Dao Sovereign Ziyang’s death wasn’t due to the Five Declines of Celestial Beings, but related to the legendary heavenly book?" Ice Phoenix Demon Lord said with a smile.

"Heavenly book?" Feng Wuji’s expression shifted.

These past days, he had been busy refining treasures left by Dao Lord Qianyuan, successfully forging the Great Dao World of the Nine Heavens in one go, yet his cultivation realm remained at Early World Master.

How could he possibly be concerned with all that?

Ice Phoenix Demon Lord dipped her head in a graceful nod. "Legends say that when the Hongmeng Dao Realm was forged, it gave birth to the Nine Great Heavenly Books – embodiments of nine supreme Daos."

"Yet," she continued, "no one knows their whereabouts."

Feng Wuji’s interest sparked brightly.

"Palace Mistress," he asked eagerly, "what power do these Heavenly Books possess?"

The Ice Phoenix glanced at him with her beautiful eyes. "Each of the Nine Great Heavenly Books represents an ultimate path of power. To obtain one and comprehend its profound mysteries is to ascend to the supreme pinnacle."

"The supreme pinnacle?"

Feng Wuji frowned in confusion. "What kind of realm is that?"

The Ice Phoenix slowly shook her head.

As a mere Six Tribulations Dao Lord, her level was too low; the knowledge she could access was severely limited.

"Heavenly Books…"

Feng Wuji murmured the name, lost in thought.

"Canglan City beckons."

Just then, Ice Phoenix Demon Lord’s spirit sharpened. She rose immediately, her usual icy demeanor settling back over her like frost.

"Palace Mistress, shall we proceed directly to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?" Feng Wuji asked hopefully.

"No."

Ice Phoenix Demon Lord replied flatly.

"Far too many eyes are fixed upon Heaven’s Secret Pavilion now. Yet, not one soul has dared make the first move. All merely observe in wary silence."

Feng Wuji shrugged off her concern.

The invincibility of Ye Xu was etched deep into his soul. He journeyed to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion seeking aid, not to commit robbery. Offending Ye Xu was unthinkable.

Once inside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, I must devise a way to slip free of her, Feng Wuji thought inwardly.

Constantly shadowing a Dao Lord chafed at his freedom; his very cultivation felt stifled under such close, powerful scrutiny.

They approached Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Feng Wuji’s gaze swept the scene. He instantly recognized the unchanged plaque and the familiar pair of flanking plaques. Joy surged within him, yet his expression remained carefully impassive.

"We take residence nearby. We watch and wait," ordered Ice Phoenix Demon Lord.

At that very moment,

Numerous pairs of eyes were also locked upon Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

A mere speck of space, yet it drew the fierce, focused gaze of countless individuals.

Roar!

Suddenly,

A deafening bellow, both draconic and bovine, shook Canglan Divine City. A Bi’an descended from the heavens, radiating formidable divine majesty. Its powerful frame was armored entirely in gold scales, its presence imposing.

Standing atop the Bi’an´s head was a Dao Lord robed in violet, emanating immense, boundless power.

"It’s the sect master of Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Sect!"

A voice rang out in the city, identifying the violet-robed figure.

The Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Sect resided within the Ziyang Immortal Realm. Long overshadowed by the Ziyang Immortal Palace, the sect seized the moment to strike following the fall of Dao Sovereign Ziyang.

His pursuit to Canglan Divine City wasn’t purely for vengeance; he sought both the treasures of Ziyang Immortal Palace and the truth behind the Dao Sovereign’s death.

"Sect master, that is Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

One by one, Dao Lords of Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Sect materialized on the scene. Seven in total, their stares towards the structure were openly hostile.

"Your command, Sect Master?"

The seven Dao Lords awaited his decree.

"Hold any attack. It reeks of strangeness."

The Beast Sect Master swept his Divine Sense over Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, yet its secrets remained utterly veiled.

He, however, felt little surprise.

Given Heaven’s Secret Pavilion dared to trumpet to the world that Luo Nishang hid within its walls, its strength behind the daring boast must be formidable.

These men were old foxes who’d weathered countless Yuanhui. Not a fool among them.

For now, potent figures lurked unseen in the shadows, awaiting developments, plainly intending to feel out the capabilities of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"If their hearts are steady, mine remains unrattled," the Beast Sect Master scoffed coldly. His gaze swept the surrounding spaces as he clasped his hands behind his back. "Let us see whose resolve breaks first."

"Our lord is wise,"

gushed the seven Dao Lords. They too had sensed an unnerving depth to the situation.

The Beast Sect Master’s mouth twitched slightly.

Truth be told, he had nearly lost control moments before, almost lashing out at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.