Chapter 497

Chapter 497: The Sovereign’s Summons

Ten days later, the golden flying ship sailed into Canglan City.

"That’s the flag of the immortal court."

Dao Lord Long Yuan gazed at the fluttering flag, his eyes slightly stern—in this Canglan City, the only person who could catch the Third Young Master’s eye was from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

The flying ship hovered above Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, and three figures slowly descended.

"Even the Third Young Master is disturbed and has sent people; is my master really going to close the doors and retreat?" Dao Lord Long Yuan sighed, for as a junior, he couldn’t make the decision.

The arrival of the immortal court envoy alarmed the Canglan Merchant Alliance.

Lu Yunzhao, Yuan Qingfeng, and the heads of the various families all hurried over, showing complete courtesy, to welcome Nuwa and the others.

"The immortal court envoy’s arrival in Canglan City truly brings honor to this humble place. Why not first come to the Canglan Merchant Alliance to rest while we host a welcoming banquet for you?"

Lu Yunzhao smiled.

"No need."

Moro said, "We have come under orders this time and don’t wish to make a grand scene; all of you, step aside."

"Yes."

The six heads of the family nodded.

"This is Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?" Moro stared at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, expressing admiration, "What a fine place."

Yi Tianxing could scarcely conceal his excitement in his eyes.

Indeed, it was the Master.

"Dear friends who have come from afar, please enter." Ye Xu’s voice came through.

"Hahaha…"

Moro laughed heartily, speaking as he walked into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, "I’ve long heard of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s extraordinary abilities. I am Moro, who has come under the Emperor’s command from the Tian Cang Immortal Domain specifically to visit the Master."

The three of them stepped into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

What greeted their eyes was an extremely simple setting in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion—a young man with sword-like brows and star-like eyes lay lazily in a large chair, holding a small book and reading it with great pleasure.

Seeing the three of them, Ye Xu slowly put down his book and ordered Xixi to serve tea.

He looked at Yi Tianxing and smiled, "You’ve finally returned."

"This old man greets the Master."

Yi Tianxing bowed respectfully.

"We’re family—no need to be so formal." Ye Xu spoke with deep meaning.

Yi Tianxing shuddered slightly.

Once the three of them settled down, Ye Xu turned his gaze to Nuwa and smiled, "I’ve long heard of Empress Nuwa’s reputation but never had the chance to meet you; today, we finally cross paths."

"You flatter me, Master," Nuwa replied modestly, "How could a mere young lady like me live up to the name Empress Nuwa?"

Moro wore a look of surprise.

Ye Xu seemed to have an unusual relationship with Yi Tianxing and Nuwa, especially with Yi Tianxing, treating him affectionately, speaking casually, and even calling him family.

"Such good deeds as creating humans by molding clay and repairing the heavens to save the world are indeed worthy." Ye Xu smiled.

Nuwa’s cultivation had reached the stage of Seven Tribulations Dao Lord.

As a cultivator ascending from the lower realm through Ascent through Merits, her cultivation speed within the Hongmeng Dao Realm was nothing short of meteoric—making her truly exceptional among her peers.

"This Pavilion Master appears truly approachable and unassuming, just as Yi described," Nuwa thought to herself.

Ye Xu was undoubtedly a figure of profound mastery.

For a lofty figure like him to remain so down-to-earth was something she had never encountered before.

"Master, our visit today—" Moro began to speak.

Ye Xu remarked lightly, "Sent by the Third Young Master to invite me to the immortal court?"

"Your remarkable wisdom leaves me in awe, Master," Moro replied, inwardly alarmed. He had never revealed their purpose, yet Ye Xu knew their mission—truly befitting a master of profound insight.

Ye Xu remained unfazed.

He had learned of this from Yi Tianxing’s memories.

Nuwa and Moro’s cultivation surpassed his; he couldn’t yet perceive their depths.

"What is your stance, Master?" Nuwa’s eyes flickered as she spoke. "The sovereign seeks talents with utmost fervor, a ruler of unmatched nobleness. Should the Master join the immortal court, he would receive the highest honors."

Yi Tianxing shook his head with a rueful smile.

Truthfully, he knew from the moment he understood their motive that this task was impossible.

In the Pangu universe, every attempt to invite Ye Xu had ended in failure.

And any who dared resort to force within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion were reduced to dust without exception.

Heaven’s Secret Pavilion—the foremost forbidden ground in the world.

Yi Tianxing believed it would remain so even within the powerhouse-laden realm of Hongmeng Dao Realm.

Ye Xu laughed.

"Xixi, tell me, how does the Third Young Master compare to me?" Ye Xu inquired.

"He isn’t as handsome as you, Grandmaster," Xixi answered earnestly.

Moro’s face darkened.

"I meant capability," Ye Xu corrected, smiling with satisfaction.

Nuwa gave a slight shake of her head.

Ye Xu’s stance was already clear.

"Who is the Third Young Master?" Xixi tilted her head, puzzled. "Is he stronger than you, Grandmaster?"

Moro’s face turned as dark as coal.

Ye Xu appeared thoroughly pleased.

"Daoist friend," Ye Xu remarked lightly, "the name of the Third Young Master may resonate across the Hongmeng Dao Realm, but here in my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, it means nothing at all. This is my domain."

"Master, do you know how powerful the Emperor is?" Moro solemnly asked.

"Anyway, he’s no match for me."

"…"

Moro’s lips twitched. Although the Third Young Master’s cultivation wasn’t high—merely a Nine Tribulations Dao Lord—within the immortal domains under the immortal court’s jurisdiction, he could fight even a Dao Sovereign.

The Nine Young Masters each possessed extraordinary divine abilities.

Moreover.

Their prestigious reputation throughout the Hongmeng Dao Realm wasn’t merely due to their talent and strength, but also their backing.

Among the Nine Young Masters of the Hongmeng Dao Realm, who didn’t have formidable support?

Otherwise, they would have long perished without a place to bury their corpses.

"Master, the Emperor instructed," Nuwa suddenly interjected, "that if we fail to invite you to the immortal court this time, we are to ask you a question instead."

"To ask a question here, there’s only one requirement."

"Have the money ready."

Ye Xu chuckled.

"The rules of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion are naturally well-known to us."

Nuwa smiled faintly, her dimples showing. "The Emperor entrusted me to ask: Does the Master know which nine texts make up the Nine Great Heavenly Books?"

As these words fell, silence enveloped Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Moro and Nuwa looked gravely serious.

The secret of the Nine Great Heavenly Books had circulated for a very long time, yet very few truly understood them. Those aware of the Heavenly Books’ existence were no ordinary figures, even within the vast Hongmeng Dao Realm.

Both were deeply curious about the secret of these texts.

"System, how many Hongmeng points are required to inquire the names of the Nine Great Heavenly Books?" Ye Xu asked internally.

[Five million.]

Ye Xu’s expression shifted slightly.

"One hundred and fifty million divine stones."

"Hiss…"

Yi Tianxing sucked in a breath.

The Master remained the Master. That price stunned him.

"Too expensive."

Moro’s eyes flickered with a trace of derision.

Nuwa’s pupils contracted slightly.

Ye Xu’s quotation meant he knew.

Yet, Nuwa could not afford to pay.

This was merely the Third Young Master’s test.

Nuwa sighed lightly and asked an even more explosive question, "Then… does the Master know the whereabouts of the Nine Great Heavenly Books?"

But.

Ye Xu’s face gradually turned cold.

"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, are you trying to fish information out of my mouth?" Ye Xu said with a sneer.

"Master, Mother Goddess definitely does not mean that."

Yi Tianxing felt panicked in his heart.

He immediately explained to Ye Xu, "Mother Goddess heard from this old man about your deeds, Master, and regards you as Heaven and Man; this must be the Third Young Master’s instruction."

Nuwa looked bitter and did not explain.

"A traitor who bites the hand that feeds him!"

Moro’s expression turned fierce, looking at Yi Tianxing with a revealing killing intent.

Yi Tianxing broke out in goosebumps all over his body.

Bang!

Ye Xu’s expression also darkened.

With a thought, Moro was immediately pressed down by an invisible force, lying prostrate on the ground; he had no time to react, nor strength to resist.

"Do you want to kill people in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Ye Xu’s tone was ice-cold.

He was filled with killing intent.

"Master, spare my life! How dare I act recklessly here?" Moro pleaded repeatedly.

Swish!

A sword light slashed into Moro’s head; instantly, Moro’s aura greatly diminished, dropping from the Nine Tribulations Dao Lord realm to the Eight Tribulations Dao Lord.

"This time, I only cut off a measure of your cultivation as a lesson for you."

Ye Xu said expressionlessly,

"If there is a next time, there won’t be a next time."

"Go back and tell the Third Young Master: if he doesn’t know how to teach people, I can teach him."

The atmosphere was tense like a drawn bow.

Moro was already terrified out of his wits.

A cold hum sounded; the restraints on him were released, and he regained freedom, but that segment of cultivation had been truly severed.

Moro’s hatred surged like the tide.

"I will relay Master’s words to the Emperor word for word."

Moro said with a gloomy face.

"We go."

With that, he took Nuwa and Yi Tianxing and began walking towards the exit of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Did I allow you to leave?"

Ye Xu spoke again.

Moro turned around, putting on an ingratiating smile, and said, "Master, if you have something to say, please speak plainly; this humble one will surely convey it to the Emperor."