Chapter 482

Chapter 482: Entrapment

"It was indeed him!"

The pupils of Xuan Du Ancient Immortal shrank into needle points.

"My lord, do you know him?" The Head of the Qin Family asked with a doubtful expression. "Could it be that this man is the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal nodded.

The Head of the Luo Family frowned. "Is the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion only at the Third Tribulation Dao Lord realm?"

Ye Xu had not concealed his cultivation level.

His power was merely that of a Third Tribulation Dao Lord.

Of course, he truly was only at the Third Tribulation Dao Lord realm.

"What is there to fear from a Third Tribulation Dao Lord?" The Head of the Qin Family chuckled lightly. "In my view, this man is nothing but a puppet. Behind him, there must be an expert."

"Otherwise, with his level of cultivation, how would he dare to protect Luo Nishang so fiercely?"

"That makes sense."

Said the Head of the Luo Family.

"Be careful—this could be a trap." Xuan Du Ancient Immortal took a deep breath. "The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion acts mysteriously. From what I know of him, he certainly isn’t limited to Third Tribulation Dao Lord strength."

"My lord, are you suggesting he’s fishing?" The Head of the Qin Family felt a chill run down his spine.

If that truly were the case, this man was too treacherous!

"Are you certain the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is only a Third Tribulation Dao Lord?"

Elsewhere, Ice Phoenix Demon Lord’s elegant eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if she couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. She turned to Feng Wuji. "Is this man truly the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

"The real deal."

Said Feng Wuji.

Only then had he learned Ye Xu’s true level of cultivation.

The Third Tribulation Dao Lord realm was currently far out of his own reach, yet Feng Wuji believed Ye Xu couldn’t be merely that.

"Palace Master, you absolutely must not have any inappropriate thoughts," Feng Wuji said after a moment of consideration, surprisingly offering advice. "Although the Master is greedy for small gains, he won’t do anything he’s not certain about."

"It’s very possible the Master is fishing."

"Fishing?"

Ice Phoenix Demon Lord’s eyes brightened. "Explain it to me."

"Powerful figures from all regions gathered at Canglan Divine City, yet only Dao Lord Long Yuan went inside. But in less than a quarter of an hour, he fled in panic."

Feng Wuji continued. "In my opinion, Dao Lord Long Yuan likely didn’t have enough treasures to buy what he wanted."

"The Master is utterly obsessed with wealth."

"Acting out of character by suppressing his cultivation—he must be trying to lure someone into making a move."

"You know him quite well," Ice Phoenix Demon Lord remarked, her gaze shifting thoughtfully.

Feng Wuji nodded. "During my ascension, I broke through the barriers of six major universes and spread the reputation of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion across them."

"This move by the master was surely intended to advertise through Luo Nishang," Feng Wuji analyzed.

"Hence, anyone bold enough to act would merely serve as a warning."

After listening to Feng Wuji’s words, the Ice Phoenix Demon Lord grew increasingly intrigued by Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Dear friends, you’ve traveled far as my guests," Ye Xu said with a cupped-hand salute and a smile. "Why not come sit awhile at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion? I hope you won’t mind my humble abode."

"Daoist friend, are you the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

The Bi’an landed, and the Beast Sect Master’s gaze fixed on Ye Xu. Rubbing his chin, his eyes held suspicion.

"It is I," Ye Xu replied cheerfully.

"Daoist friend, you possess remarkable courage," the Beast Sect Master remarked approvingly. "With merely Third Tribulation Dao Lord cultivation, you dare conceal Luo Nishang within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Do you not fear death?"

"Getting paid to protect others," Ye Xu sighed and shook his head. "In these times, earning money grows ever harder. Having finally secured a deal, I naturally must give my utmost."

"Nonsense!"

Suddenly, an old man with white hair and white brows emerged like a ghost. His aura radiated immense power—clearly an Eight Tribulations Dao Lord.

The Beast Sect Master retreated a step.

"I’m an honest man and never deceive anyone," Ye Xu declared with a smile.

The Old Man with White Brows snorted coldly. "Young friend, countless eyes now watch Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. If you are wise, hand Luo Nishang over."

"Only then can you keep your life."

"What about my payment then?"

"…"

The Beast Sect Master stared as if seeing a ghost.

The Old Man with White Brows meant harm, yet Ye Xu still cared about money. To value wealth over life made him either a reckless fool or someone with powerful backing.

"The waters here run too deep," the Beast Sect Master thought, his resolve wavering.

"A fine master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion indeed!"

At that moment, a Young Female Daoist appeared.

She held a horsetail whisk and wore loose Daoist robes that concealed her graceful figure. Every movement exuded elegance.

"Daoist friend," she asked, "which matters more—wealth or life?"

"Wealth matters more."

Ye Xu didn’t hesitate.

"…"

Both the Young Female Daoist and the Old Man with White Brows twitched their faces.

This man truly valued coins over his own neck!

The Ice Phoenix Demon Lord also chuckled. "This pavilion master is rather amusing."

"And the most amusing part is yet to come."

Feng Wuji’s lips curved slightly.

"Lord, does the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion not have a sound mind?" the Head of the Qin Family looked puzzled. "What use is having more money when one’s life is gone?"

"Do you really think he wants to die?" the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal sneered.

"Good!" Suddenly, the Old Man with White Brows roared with laughter. "In my lifelong cultivation, I’ve seen countless extraordinary individuals, but I’ve never met someone like you who values money over life before."

"Name a price, and I’ll buy your life!"

"Five million divine stones!" Ye Xu said seriously.

"Too expensive," the Old Man with White Brows said.

"You are only a Third Tribulation Dao Lord, at most three million divine stones."

"Deal!" Ye Xu laughed heartily. "Pay up and take delivery!"

In the Young Female Daoist’s clear eyes, a hint of gravity appeared.

"Daoist brother, beware of treachery," the Young Female Daoist said.

"This magical artifact, called the Turning Heaven Wheel, was forged by my own hands; three million divine stones are more than sufficient." The Old Man with White Brows waved his sleeve, and a Dao Lord magical artifact flew towards Ye Xu.

"Good treasure!" Ye Xu’s eyes shone with fervor.

"Hand over your life!" The Old Man with White Brows surged his magical power; his Eight Tribulations Dao Lord cultivation explosively surged forward, the void collapsed, the Great Dao withered, and in an instant, he drew Ye Xu into his divine power.

Bang!

With a thunderous roar, the void was continuously shattered, Ye Xu’s body suddenly disintegrated, and his Great Dao, primordial spirit and flesh body vanished without a trace.

That Turning Heaven Wheel floated in mid-air, spinning rapidly.

"Fragile as a twig," the Old Man with White Brows sneered, then retrieved the Turning Heaven Wheel.

"Dead?" The Head of the Qin Family, the Head of the Luo Family, and the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal stared fixedly at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

At this moment, countless Dao Lords watched without blinking.

What had just happened was too absurd.

Many people had not yet come to their senses.

"Daoist friend, that treasure is already mine; why did you take it away?"

Just then.

A ripple appeared in the void; a gentle breeze swept over the street; scattered light points converged and coalesced into a body. Ye Xu looked at the Old Man with White Brows with displeasure.

"You… you…" The Old Man with White Brows was shocked.

His full-power strike, and Ye Xu was unharmed?

"Are you perhaps trying to renege on the deal?" Ye Xu snorted coldly.

"Daoist friend, it’s clearly you who is reneging," the Young Female Daoist frowned. "You sold your life for three million divine stones, yet you’re unscathed; this is obviously deception."

"Did I ever say I only have one life?" Ye Xu said with a half-smile.

"…" The corner of the Young Female Daoist’s mouth twitched.

Ye Xu turned to look at the Old Man with White Brows and said, "Daoist friend, are you perhaps regretting it?"

The Old Man with White Brows furrowed his brow tightly.

"This old man dares not."

He immediately handed the Turning Heaven Wheel to Ye Xu.

Ye Xu held the Turning Heaven Wheel; the Divine Sense mark on this treasure was completely erased by him. He toyed with the Turning Heaven Wheel, smiled faintly, and said, "You killed me once, I got a treasure; it’s a fair trade."

"Do you want to play again?"

The Old Man with White Brows shook his head vigorously like a drum.

Beside them, the Beast Sect Master watched this with horror.

"Lord, could the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s strength have reached the Dao Sovereign realm?" the Head of the Qin Family trembled with fear.

Enduring a full-power strike from an Eight Tribulations Dao Lord unscathed—such strength could be called unfathomable, like that of spirits.

"Merely the Dao Sovereign realm?" the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal muttered.

Would a Dao Sovereign truly dare to take on the matter related to the Heavenly Book all by himself?