Chapter 132

Chapter 132: Invincibility Brings Loneliness

Gusu City in the Southern Wilderness.

This city was situated over ten thousand li outside Godfall Ridge, with the Murong family as its ruling power. Protected by a God King, within the entire Southern Wilderness, it could count as a first-rate family.

That day, the sky above Gusu City suddenly tore open, and a man and a woman walked out from the Sea of All Realms, descending upon the Southern Wilderness land.

The moment they landed, the Ancestor of the Murong family seemed to sense it, but his Divine Sense barely emerged before snapping back like startled lightning.

These two who had arrived in Gusu City were absolutely terrifyingly formidable experts.

Even as a God King, he dared not provoke them.

If Ao Bing and others had been present, they could have recognized the woman as none other than the Seven-tailed Celestial Fox of the Taihao Heavenly Sect, Empress Yue Ji.

"Sect Master, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion should still be over three hundred thousand li away," Yue Ji said to the man, her expression respectful.

The man wore a pitch-black robe with gold trims on the cuffs, and coiled on the robe was a nine-clawed black dragon. His stature was tall, his aura massive as mountains and seas; just his gaze delivered an overwhelming pressure.

His cultivation level was unfathomable, as deep as an abyss and as steadfast as a peak.

"Let’s go."

His voice was deep and resonant, brimming with unique charm.

He was not handsome in appearance but extremely imposing and martial; every action exuded a world-dominating presence, like a great and wise emperor.

With one step forward, the two already appeared thousands of li away.

"Huh… That must be Godfall Ridge over there, right?" The imposing man looked toward Godfall Ridge’s direction, where lofty peaks wound endlessly and exuded an aura of mystery.

Yue Ji nodded.

"Legends say Godfall Ridge holds the greatest secret of the Yuan Realm."

A flicker of disdain shone in Yue Ji’s eyes. "It’s merely a decayed place. Now it doesn’t even have an Emperor-class powerhouse—how big a secret could it hold really?"

"In this subordinate’s view, it’s just hearsay spread by the Yuan Realm’s locals."

The imposing man chuckled lightly and said no more.

"The spiritual energy near Godfall Ridge is dissipating—do you feel it?"

Yue Ji’s gaze shifted. "Indeed it is."

But what of it?

"Don’t underestimate the Yuan Realm," the imposing man glanced sideways at Yue Ji and said lightly. "The Yuan Realm is that person’s ancestral home, gathering grand destiny. Even if it suffers momentary decline, it will inevitably rise again."

"This subordinate shall remember the sect master’s teachings."

Yue Ji’s expression turned solemn as she hurriedly replied.

"Let’s go to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," the imposing man smiled. "Likely that master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion has already been waiting for some time."

The two vanished into the distant skyline.

Half a quarter-hour later, they landed in Linglong City.

Though Linglong City kept expanding, across the whole Southern Wilderness, its scale remained modest.

Yet when the imposing man swept his Divine Sense over it, he detected scores of cultivators at the Saint realm hidden inside; such a small city indeed housed many hidden formidable talents.

"Sect Master, we’ve arrived at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

Yue Ji and another person walked up to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. A gleam of killing intent flashed in Yue Ji’s eyes. This was where she had previously met defeat and withdrew, even witnessing the fall of Great Emperor Xiang Liu.

Today, with their sect master personally gracing this place, he would undoubtedly sweep Heaven’s Secret Pavilion clean.

"Sect Master, perhaps allow this subordinate to act?" Yue Ji volunteered eagerly.

"Who told you we came seeking vengeance?" The imposing man frowned, his expression deeply dissatisfied.

Yue Ji froze.

Hadn’t their sect master, condescending to come personally to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, arrived for revenge?

The Taihao Heavenly Sect was one of the three powerful figures of the Spirit Realm. Great Emperor Xiang Liu had been killed. If they didn’t avenge him, where would the Taihao Heavenly Sect’s reputation stand?

"I told you long ago that there are heavens beyond this heaven, and others beyond us," the imposing man’s tone was cold and harsh. "Yet you barged into a supreme expert’s domain without restraint. Xiang Liu’s death is the lesson. You should be grateful he didn’t turn his hand against you."

Yue Ji’s back felt a chill.

"Then this time, Sect Master, you’ve come…"

"To clean up the mess you created, naturally."

The imposing man’s expression remained icy. "Offending an expert would be most unfavorable for the Taihao Heavenly Sect."

He stared intently at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, his gaze grave.

From his very first glimpse of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, he had known its master was no one to trifle with—truly someone beyond his reach.

He was even prepared. If the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion demanded a resolution, he wouldn’t hesitate to hand Yue Ji over to him for judgment.

The imposing man stepped through the pavilion’s entrance.

Yue Ji, uneasy and anxious, followed him inside.

"Lady Yue Ji, we meet again."

Ye Xu smiled genially at Yue Ji, his gaze then settling on the imposing man, a flicker of interest passing across his face.

"Master…" Yue Ji was shocked inwardly. She hadn’t revealed a single detail about herself. How could Ye Xu possibly know her name?

Yang Xuanzhan stood with a cold expression, clearly unwelcoming.

"Have you come today, gentlemen and lady, to avenge Xiang Liu, Great Emperor of your esteemed sect?" Ye Xu inquired, a hint of mockery in his half-smile.

"Master, you misunderstand!"

Yue Ji hurriedly explained, "This humble young lady came this time to apologize for my previous discourtesy towards you."

Ye Xu laughed.

Seeing his expression, Yue Ji’s heart went cold. She truly couldn’t fathom what Ye Xu was thinking.

"You lack the authority to decide."

Ye Xu’s gaze shifted away from Yue Ji and fixed upon the imposing man. "You, Sir, as Master of the Taihao Heavenly Sect, are presumably a man who can decide. How shall we resolve this… enmity… rests entirely with you."

The imposing man’s gaze sharpened slightly before blossoming into a smile once more. "As expected of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Though I entered without uttering a word, the Master discerned my identity."

"To be frank, I came today seeking resolution."

Clang!

At a single thought, a twelve-section golden mace, resembling a dragon’s spine, materialized midair.

Each section bore distinct divine patterns. Even any single segment could rival an imperial weapon.

Once fully unleashed, this mace could evolve into a peerless formation—truly a top-tier imperial artifact.

"This artifact is known as the Dragon Mace of the Heavens, once wielded by an elder of my Taihao Heavenly Sect." The imposing man held it in both hands, presenting it respectfully. "I offer it as reparation, hoping the Master shall dissolve past grievances."

Yue Ji’s expression flickered. The Sect Master’s deference filled her with deep self-reproach.

Were it not for her and Xiang Liu offending such a terrifying figure—a man who defied bowing even to a true immortal—her liege would never humble himself thus.

Ye Xu did not immediately reach for the Dragon Mace.

His eyes fixed on the imposing man, cold and unchanging.

A weapon like this could secure Yue Ji’s gratitude and resolve the feud between Taihao Heavenly Sect and Heaven’s Secret Pavilion—a perfect two-fold scheme.

Indeed worthy of a Sect Master.

Ye Xu shifted his Divine Sense. The imposing man’s secrets surfaced in his mind.

[Identity: Sect Master of Taihao Heavenly Sect]

[Cultivation: Peak Emperor Venerable, half-immortal realm]

[Cultivation Technique: Taihao Tai Xuan Classic]

[Divine Abilities: Point Toward Heaven, Sketch Upon Earth | One Thought Blossoms…]

[History: Ten thousand years ago, slain his master to seize power…]

[Purpose: Suspects his master lives and seeks Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s aid to confirm it…]

"…Ruthless to the extreme."

Ye Xu regarded "Dao King" with newfound dread.

Betraying one’s master, annihilating one’s lineage—utterly merciless.

Though his path mirrored Ning Wudao’s, their motives diverged completely.

Ning Wudao slew his father—the Golden Toad Demon God—because the demon coveted his Celestial Demon bloodline, plotting to consume him upon ascension to seize greater power.

Ning Wudao had simply fought to live.

Dao King’s treachery? Born of pure selfish ambition—a lust for authority craving dominion over all.

The two were not comparable.

"Master, are you perhaps not satisfied with this gift?" Dao King slightly frowned; Ye Xu’s delay in accepting the Dragon Mace of the Heavens made the cunning him feel a bit suspicious.

"Of course not."

Ye Xu reached out his hand, and the Dragon Mace of the Heavens flew to him, then immediately dissipated.

Ding!

[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained 1.6 million heavenly secrets points.]

1.6 million heavenly secrets points—this was pure profit.

Ye Xu could not suppress a smile.

"Actually, between Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and Taihao Heavenly Sect, there is not much grudge. Daoist friend, your gift is too generous," Ye Xu laughed.

"…"

Dao King’s face twitched slightly; Ye Xu’s thick skin made him mortified.

Who would accept a gift first, then discuss how expensive it was?

"Master, your character is noble; this small Dragon Mace of the Heavens, being used by you, is an honor for it," Dao King flattered.

Yang Xuanzhan watched with great enjoyment.

Spirit Realm giants? Peak masters of the Lower Realm?

In my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, weren’t they only capable of acting humbly?

"Daoist friend, you flatter me too much."

Ye Xu laughed and said, "I’m just a businessman; Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is only a place for business. Under heaven, there’s nothing I don’t know."

"I don’t know what kind of news Daoist friend wants to buy?"

"My visit this time was mainly to resolve grievances; as for business, it was secondary," Dao King laughed.

Ye Xu disagreed.

From the information he knew, Dao King himself was an extremely hypocritical person.

He wasn’t in a hurry, and Ye Xu wasn’t either.

Take it slow.

After all, the initiative was in his hands; he wanted to see how long Dao King could endure.

"Since that’s the case, let’s sit down and have some tea."

Ye Xu ordered Yang Xuanzhan to serve tea.

They sat down one after another.

Yue Ji remained silent the whole time.

Before Dao King and Ye Xu, she did not have the qualification to speak without permission.

"Daoist friend, cultivating for 200,000 years and reaching the peak of the Lower Realm, you can be considered an outstanding figure of your generation," Ye Xu said lightly with a smile.

"Moreover, your sect’s Taihao Tai Xuan Classic is a method for attaining immortality; in my opinion, with your cultivation and talent, the day of attaining immortality isn’t far off."

Every time Ye Xu spoke a sentence, Dao King’s mood became heavier.

He kept things extremely hidden and was skilled in concealing himself, but Ye Xu seemed to see through him entirely; before Ye Xu, he had no secret at all.

This feeling made Dao King very anxious.

Everything about him was in Ye Xu’s control.

"Master, you overpraise me."

Dao King suppressed his inner turmoil and probed, "Master, your strength is exceptional, even above mine; you must be a true immortal from the Red Dust, wandering in the mundane world unwilling to ascend.

My insignificant strength is truly nothing compared to you, Master."

"Invincibility is a kind of loneliness," Ye Xu sighed deeply.

"…"

Dao King and Yue Ji’s faces twitched.

Was he admitting it?

Was he truly a true immortal from the Red Dust?

Yang Xuanzhan, however, thought it was natural; his master was naturally the world’s top fighter, or else he wouldn’t know everything and accomplish anything.

"Actually, your master, tens of thousands of years ago, was also an outstanding figure of his generation," Ye Xu changed the subject.

"If he hadn’t perished, he might have attained immortality by now."

Dao King’s heart clenched tightly.

He gripped the armrest desperately, trying hard to control the panic and terror in his heart.

His intuition was sharp; Ye Xu suddenly dragging in the previous sect master of Taihao Heavenly Sect was definitely not coincidental.

He must know plenty of inside information.

The more Dao King thought, the more frantic he grew.

Who exactly was this master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?