Chapter 481

Chapter 481: Scared Out of Their Wits

“Most of the people had arrived.”

On a tall building, Xuan Du Ancient Immortal, along with the Head of the Qin Family and the Head of the Luo Family, gazed into the distance at the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s Divine Sense enveloped Canglan Divine City, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

In Canglan City, hidden powerful auras radiated, no weaker than him; in fact, there were cultivators even stronger than him. All sides were watching and waiting.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal sighed and said, “The only troublesome aspect is the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion…”

The worst had indeed happened.

That Heaven’s Secret Pavilion had certainly ascended from the Pangu universe.

“The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is insatiably greedy; snatching Luo Nishang from him will be harder than ascending to heaven.” Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s eyes flickered. Recalling his experiences in the lower realm, he felt frustrated.

“Sir, at present, all sides are watching; no one is breaking the stalemate.” The Head of the Qin Family frowned and said, “Continuing like this won’t lead anywhere.”

“Don’t tell me you want to be the pioneer?” The Head of the Luo Family retorted with an eye roll.

The Head of the Qin Family shook his head immediately.

“There are plenty of people more anxious than us.” Xuan Du Ancient Immortal laughed and said, “We’ll see.”

The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion acted arrogantly and tyrannically; he didn’t want to be the first to suffer a setback.

“This Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Sect is just a bunch of cowards as well.” The Head of the Luo Family mocked.

Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Sect arrived with thunderous force but halted before the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

All noise and no substance.

Whoosh! At that moment, a dragon’s roar shook the heavens. A bolt of lightning descended from the sky, landed before the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, and transformed into a young man in silver robes with majestic dragon horns.

This person possessed extremely high cultivation; he was a Seven Tribulations Dao Lord.

“Senior brother Long Yuan…” Ice Phoenix Demon Lord murmured. Her phoenix eyes moved slightly. The silver-robed member of the dragon clan was the seventh disciple of Dao Sovereign Penglai, his true form that of a Sinful Dragon. With a powerful bloodline and immense talent, he was a candidate expected to cultivate into a Dao Sovereign.

Dao Lord Long Yuan’s descent upon Canglan City was clearly under Dao Sovereign Penglai’s orders.

Even Dao Sovereigns were secretly observing the unfolding events.

“Hmph!” Dao Lord Long Yuan scanned his surroundings and sneered, “A pack of losers. You’ve come all this way, yet you don’t even dare step into the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion? All those endless years of cultivation wasted for nothing!”

“Dao Lord Long Yuan, your words are faulty.” Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Sect’s Beast Sect Master said with a laugh, “We aren’t afraid of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion; we merely avoid being the mantis preyed upon by vile figures lurking in the shadows.”

“If you’re scared, just admit it—stop making excuses.” Dao Lord Long Yuan jeered.

The Beast Sect Master’s expression darkened slightly, but he dared not act out.

After all, he was a direct disciple of Dao Sovereign Penglai, and his cultivation wasn’t weak; he deserved some face.

“Daoist brother Long Yuan, your abilities are great and your courage matches; we admire you immensely.” A Dao Lord flattered him, “But dare you enter Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and bring out Luo Nishang?”

Dao Lord Long Yuan sneered, “Why wouldn’t I?”

Many Dao Lords secretly rejoiced.

Someone was finally willing to step forward first.

Feng Wuji frowned, disbelieving a Seven Tribulations Dao Lord could be so foolish.

Dao Lord Long Yuan paused before the gate of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and called out clearly, "This junior Long Yuan, seventh disciple of Dao Sovereign Penglai from the Penglai Immortal Domain, requests an audience with the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"Enter."

A light voice drifted out from within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"It truly is the Master!"

This was a voice Feng Wuji had engraved deep within his soul, utterly unforgettable. Excitement surged into his eyes as well.

The Ice Phoenix Demon Lord shot him a surprised glance.

"He genuinely knows the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?" the Ice Phoenix Demon Lord wondered silently.

Heaven’s Secret Pavilion stood independent of the world, forming its own realm—a feat requiring at least the strength of a Dao Sovereign. How could Feng Wuji, a mere Sovereign of the World, know a Dao Sovereign?

Having been granted permission, Dao Lord Long Yuan entered Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

The Beast Sect Master wore a dumbfounded expression.

He had expected Dao Lord Long Yuan to attempt to fight his way into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, never imagining he would act with such courtesy.

Upon entering Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, Dao Lord Long Yuan saw a handsome youth, graceful like Heaven and Man himself, lounging idly in an armchair. His eyes sparkled like stars, his nose defined and noble, his aura unfathomably profound.

"Is this the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Dao Lord Long Yuan’s heart quivered. Immediately, he bowed deeply. "This junior greets you, Senior."

He may be bold, but he wasn’t foolish.

For Heaven’s Secret Pavilion to dare make such pronouncements clearly indicated it had powerful backing.

His purpose in entering the pavilion was merely to test Ye Xu’s depths.

"Do you know how many Dao Lords, how many Dao Sovereigns, are currently concealed within Canglan City?" Ye Xu asked without looking at him, posing a sudden and seemingly disjointed question.

Dao Lord Long Yuan froze.

"This junior does not know," Dao Lord Long Yuan answered truthfully.

"Among cultivators at the Dao Lord realm, there are one hundred and twenty-eight in total. Of those Dao Lords whose strength surpasses yours, there are twenty-seven," Ye Xu stated lightly.

Shua!

Dao Lord Long Yuan’s pupils abruptly contracted.

Twenty-seven top-tier Dao Lords, yet not a single one has acted?

However, their traces could not evade Ye Xu.

A trace of fear arose in Dao Lord Long Yuan’s heart. He couldn’t fathom Ye Xu’s intentions, nor understand why Ye Xu would tell him the number of Dao Lords in Canglan Divine City.

"The Dao Sovereigns are fewer."

Ye Xu continued speaking as if to himself. "Only six."

"One of them, his true form is Táo Wù—likely sharing quite a connection with you."

Bang!

Upon hearing these words, Dao Lord Long Yuan’s mind went completely blank. His knees grew weak, and he could barely resist kneeling on the ground.

Dao Sovereign Penglai was Tánglù’s true form. His own master had been lurking in the shadows all along.

Ye Xu remained calm and composed. As a Third Tribulation Dao Lord with a domain enveloping the entire Canglan Divine City, a mere thought from him laid bare all secrets. Those Dao Sovereigns and Dao Lords who thought they were hidden were unaware they had long been within Ye Xu’s grasp.

If Ye Xu desired it, a single thought could exterminate all those who harbored ill intent.

He had also spotted two old acquaintances: Xuan Du Ancient Immortal and Feng Wuji.

Dao Lord Long Yuan’s tongue trembled as he forced a smile, saying, "Senior, this junior has been disrespectful and presumptuous. I merely wished to pay my respects and ask a single question."

"Ask."

"This junior wishes to see Luo Nishang," Dao Lord Long Yuan said, gathering his courage, "to learn the truth of Dao Sovereign Ziyang’s demise. Might you be able to arrange it, Senior?"

"One must admit," Ye Xu said with a smile, "your guts are indeed considerable."

"Senior, spare me!" With a thud, Dao Lord Long Yuan hastily prostrated himself on the floor.

"…" Ye Xu was speechless. "Friend," he said, "I was complimenting you. Why such panic?"

Dao Lord Long Yuan kept his head bowed low, the fear within him kept spreading. Those words from Ye Xu terrified him profoundly.

"Did you see the pair of couplets at the entrance to the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?" Ye Xu asked.

Dao Lord Long Yuan nodded. He had only glanced briefly upon entering the pavilion, paying it little heed.

"If you wish to know the secret behind Dao Sovereign Ziyang’s demise, why ask Luo Nishang?" Ye Xu smiled amiably.

"Truly?" A flicker of hope lit within Dao Lord Long Yuan.

Ye Xu nodded. "I don’t care for violence and conflict. I only wish to conduct my business peacefully. Whether it’s the mystery of Dao Sovereign Ziyang’s fall, or even regarding the Book of Heaven… I can tell you. Of course," he added, "it depends on how much sincerity you can demonstrate."

A glint sparked in Dao Lord Long Yuan’s eyes. "Senior, do you mean to say that as long as this junior can provide sufficient divine stones and treasures, I can purchase any information from you?"

"An apt student!" Ye Xu said, visibly pleased.

"This junior’s wealth, I fear, is insufficient," Dao Lord Long Yuan admitted with embarrassment.

"No money? Then no discussion." Ye Xu closed his eyes.

"Don’t rush, Senior!" Dao Lord Long Yuan’s smile deepened meaningfully. "Since my master is nearby, this junior will seek him out immediately and inform him of everything."

"Hmm."

Having obtained Ye Xu’s permission, Dao Lord Long Yuan breathed a profound sigh of relief and instantly fled out of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Scared me to death…" He patted his chest repeatedly, great astonishment filling him within the confines of the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. He harbored no doubt that Ye Xu could crush him utterly with a single finger.

As for finding Dao Sovereign Penglai, it was merely an excuse for escape. Dao Lord Long Yuan did not truly believe that Ye Xu was omniscient and omnipotent.

"Regardless, finding Master comes first," Dao Lord Long Yuan’s expression grew stern. The mere fact that Ye Xu could track every Dao Lord and Dao Sovereign within Canglan City was proof enough of terrifying, unfathomable power. Moreover, once he found Dao Sovereign Penglai, he could leave the decisions to him. Dao Lord Long Yuan vanished from the spot.

"Ah, such a group of cowards…" Ye Xu sighed and stood up, walking unhurriedly out of the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Gradually, a young man of peerless grace and striking beauty, clad in cyan garments, came into the view of each Dao Lord. He shone like a constellation from the heavens itself, radiating an incandescent brilliance. The hearts of all who saw him tightened apprehensively.