Chapter 54
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Chapter 54: Meeting the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion
Linglong City.
Zhao Cheng wore a worried expression as he reported to the City Lord of Linglong. "My lord, since the Talents List was released, the transient population in Linglong City has exceeded three million."
"Cultivators from major sects have secretly infiltrated Linglong City, including people from the Ten Giants."
The City Lord of Linglong, however, remained composed.
After the Talents List announcement, only disciples from two Ten Giants factions—Lu Shaojun and Li Ruofeng—had made the list. Esteemed talents like Yu Qinge from the Tianxin Sect, acknowledged prodigies of the Southern Wilderness, were shockingly absent.
This had sparked immense controversy.
These past days had seen numerous young cultivators gathering in Linglong City, not without ambitions to challenge the rankings.
"You’re overly worried," the City Lord said lightly. "With that senior in Linglong City, no one can make waves."
"Our immediate task is to solidify people’s perception—make them believe Linglong City serves that senior, that we speak in his name."
"That makes sense." Zhao Cheng’s eyes gleamed.
"A great change occurred at Godfall Ridge two days ago. Linglong City will likely grow even busier soon."
The City Lord instructed, "Maintain order in the city. Other matters need not concern us. I doubt anyone would dare cause trouble here."
The last person who misbehaved in Linglong City… well, graveyard grass now grows thick over their tomb.
As the two stepped out of the city lord’s manor, the crowd surrounding the Talents List was immense.
"Zhao Cheng."
"At your command."
A wise glint in his eye, the City Lord smiled. "Take our most valuable Precious Materials. Build a battle platform—nine zhang tall and ninety-nine zhang wide."
"We’ll create the perfect setting for them."
"Brilliant plan, my lord."
Zhao Cheng was filled with admiration. Why hadn’t he thought of this?
He immediately headed to the treasury, selecting treasures hoarded by the City Lord. Precious metals and spirit ores were summoned from all regions to construct the Talents Battle platform.
Cultivators worked at astonishing speed. Within half a day, an indestructible, impenetrable battle platform rose from the ground. Its surface crawled with spirit runes, radiating fierce killing intent.
The City Lord of Linglong climbed onto the battle platform, gazing down at the crowd.
"Esteemed guests," he addressed them, "all who’ve come here share one goal—to test yourselves against those on the list. This platform serves as the battlefield I personally prepared for you."
"Should anyone wish to spar, step up and await your challenger."
The City Lord said lightly.
"Lord City Lord," complained one cultivator, "it’s been days! Not a single person from the Talents List has shown up. Who is there to fight?"
He’d entered Linglong City immediately after the list’s release and waited eagerly, yet saw none of the named talents.
"Could this Talents List be some kind of hoax?" challenged another.
"You may question the City Lord of Linglong," another cultivator said solemnly, "but never doubt Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Its master knows everything—truly nothing escapes his knowledge."
"Is it really that amazing?"
The crowd chattered incessantly, their discussions endless.
"Ji Zhe, uncle, it seems the fame of the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion has long been deeply rooted in people’s hearts."
The two members of the ancient Ji clan had already entered Linglong City. They did not rush to the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, but first came before the Talents List and remained to observe.
When he saw his own name appear at the top spot, Ji Ning felt a strange discomfort inside.
The ancient Ji clan had been passed down for millions of years, with countless Great Emperors and even many true immortals emerging. Yet, unexpectedly, Ji Ning himself had been ranked on such a list; it seemed utterly peculiar.
"Have you noticed that those on the Talents List only have a name, cultivation level, and potential indicated? Beyond that, no specific information is given," Ji Zhe said solemnly.
"Hahaha…"
The laughter of the City Lord of Linglong drifted over. "This friend has truly sharp eyes, detecting the issue at a glance. I’m impressed."
"To be frank, I was ordered to release the Talents List."
"The lack of specific details on the Talents List stems from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s desire to avoid revealing the exact backgrounds of all talented individuals, so their secrets wouldn’t be uncovered."
"Are you implying that the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion knows all the information about those on the list?" Ji Ning’s gaze sharpened.
"Certainly."
The City Lord of Linglong nodded.
"Who might you be?" Ji Zhe inquired.
"I am the City Lord of Linglong, tasked with handling minor affairs for the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," the City Lord of Linglong replied with a laugh.
After hearing this, Ji Zhe found himself regarding the City Lord of Linglong with newfound respect.
The man’s cultivation was only at the initial Divine Catastrophe stage, making him unworthy of attention. Yet his words subtly hinted at ties to the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, forcing Ji Zhe to take him seriously.
Throughout their journey, the words of the Myriad Phenomena Saint and the sight of the Ten Saints’ heavenly tribulation had instilled awe in Ji Zhe for the supernatural powers of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
"That is still rather remarkable."
Ji Zhe gave a faint smile.
"Might I learn your honorable name, esteemed Daoist friend?" the City Lord of Linglong asked.
"A mere name is just a label."
"City Lord, we two have pressing matters to attend to. Farewell until we meet again."
As his words ended, Ji Zhe and Ji Ning vanished into thin air.
The City Lord of Linglong felt his heart and mind tremble intensely.
He was absolutely a master of great skill.
…
"Ji Zhe, you truly acted without honor, abandoning us and departing Godfall Ridge."
Before the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, a red-haired man from the Zhu Rong Divine Clan voiced his discontent.
Beside him were also several other members of the divine clans.
After Ji Zhe’s departure, these ancient divine clans concealed within Godfall Ridge could no longer restrain their restlessness. They dispatched Saint Kings, one after another, to infiltrate the Southern Wilderness.
The Ten Saints’ heavenly tribulation was not a grand event.
Yet behind it, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion remained unfathomable.
They had to uncover who truly controlled Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and how much they knew about Godfall Ridge.
Thus, a group of divine clans surged into Linglong City.
"Ji Ning."
A man in rainbow-feathered robes, features strikingly beautiful, pinned his gaze on Ji Ning with a mocking smile. "What merit makes you number one on the Talents List?"
"That’s exactly my question."
Another prodigy from an ancient divine clan sneered. "A list fabricated by some unknown diviner—how could it represent our true strength?"
"I believe we should re-rank it with our fists."
A man in blue robes from the Ji clan smiled lightly, glancing sideways at a young woman.
This girl’s black hair cascaded like a waterfall. She had an impeccably delicate oval face, skin like congealed cream, and a tall, slender figure, elegant as the finest porcelain. Her aura was serene, undisturbed.
She stood gracefully, pure as a painting, seeming to still time itself.
Her beauty differed entirely from Ye Hongchen’s and Qi Qingsi’s.
"Ji Mingyue, have you nothing to say?" Zhu Wuque, the foremost genius of the Zhu Rong Divine Clan, his hair blazing crimson, spoke fiercely to her.
"What does first or second matter?" Ji Mingyue replied gently, her voice calm. "I cultivate not for strife, but for the Grand Dao."
"Thus, the Talents List holds no significance for me."
"Well claimed—‘no significance.’" Ning Xuan, clad in his rainbow-feathered robes, spoke coldly, his tone sharp. "If cultivation isn’t for supremacy, it’s purposeless."
"Proving your Dao is contention. Achieving sainthood is contention. This world is an ocean of misery, where countless vessels vie, a thousand sails racing."
"Without contention, you drown in suffering, forever barred from the other shore."
Ji Zhe frowned slightly, considering Ning Xuan’s words.
This argument held truth.
"Well spoken." A Saint King from the peacock divine clan patted Ning Xuan’s shoulder, approval clear on his face.
Ji Zhe spoke up. "If you seek contest, not now."
"Do not forget our purpose in coming to the Southern Wilderness."
As one, their eyes turned toward Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
The higher their cultivation, the clearer they perceived the pavilion’s profound mystery.
Standing there, it felt like another realm entirely, echoing the cave worlds within Godfall Ridge almost perfectly.
Yet those inner worlds evolved from the realms of Great Emperors, even true immortals.
This Heaven’s Secret Pavilion before them spanned barely a dozen meters wide. Calling it humble wouldn’t be an overstatement. Likely, its master’s skills weren’t nearly as wondrous as rumors boasted.
"Very well. Then let’s meet this master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and gauge his measure."
With shared laughter, the Saint Kings chose not to announce themselves and strode directly toward the pavilion.
Chapter 55: Original Form
Translator: I suddenly found that I left out chapter 55 when I copied and pasted the chapters. Now add it after chapter 54.
Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
After several days of cultivation, Ye Xu forged Nine Dao Palaces and established the Heavenly Court.
In his Purple Palace, a vast Heavenly Court spanning eight hundred miles floated above the chaos. Within it, there were nine majestic halls, clearly visible as the Nine Dao Palaces.
From deep within the void, strands of immortal spirit energy flowed through void fissures, pouring into the Heavenly Court to nourish Ye Xu’s primordial spirit and physical body.
He had reached the Divine Catastrophe stage.
Following days of cultivation and spending ten thousand heavenly secrets points, Ye Xu successfully broke through to the Divine Catastrophe stage.
A seed imprinted with mysterious Symbols floated quietly at the core of the Heavenly Court, absorbing immortal spirit energy and growing steadily over time.
The Heavenly Court and the immortal seed represented the ultimate realms of the Dao Palace stage and the Divine Catastrophe stage.
Establishing the Heavenly Court meant reaching the peak of the Dao Palace stage.
Condensing the immortal seed signified the Peak of the Divine Catastrophe stage.
This was Ye Xu’s foundation.
In the future, relying on the Heavenly Court and the immortal seed, he would attain immortality and become an emperor.
"These ten thousand heavenly secrets points were really well spent," Ye Xu said contentedly. Having arrived in the Yuan Realm for a little over a month, he had achieved the Divine Catastrophe stage.
If he had spent all the over five hundred thousand heavenly secrets points, it could have made him a Saint, even a Saint King.
"Has that girl also broken through?" Ye Xu’s gaze fell on Ye Xian’er. She was still in a state of epiphany, having reached the early stage of the Dharma Image stage, but hadn’t exited that state yet.
Because of Ye Xu’s breakthrough, Ye Xian’er’s cultivation ascended further.
"Tsk tsk," Ye Xu murmured, his eyes flickering. "On the future Talents List, you will definitely earn a spot."
"Hmm?"
Suddenly.
Waves of powerful auras descended upon Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Ye Xu suppressed his aura and, with a thought, sent Ye Xian’er to another dimension to avoid disturbance.
After a few breaths, a group of divine clans with varied appearances filed in.
The only ones that seemed normal were the four members from the ancient Ji clan and the Ji clan. The others were either half-human and half-beast or entirely in beast form.
In an instant, Ye Xu perceived their origins.
"Godfall Ridge? Ancient divine clans? Inherited for ten million years?"
Ye Xu felt inwardly startled, but remained outwardly calm. He picked up a cup of tea leisurely, glanced at them, and said lightly, "Dear friends, are you here for business?"
"You are the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?" The saints stared at Ye Xu with mixed expressions.
There was no ripple of aura on Ye Xu, and his face appeared youthful. Could someone so young be the famed master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?
They had previously speculated about Ye Xu’s identity, assuming he was mostly a messy old man.
But upon actually seeing Ye Xu in person, they still couldn’t help being amazed.
"It was me," Ye Xu stated calmly. "If this is business, then let’s discuss business. Otherwise, please leave."
"Humph!"
The Peacock Saint King snorted coldly. Having lived for countless years, he’d never encountered someone daring to act so arrogantly in his presence. Anger flickered in his eyes.
"Before we conduct business, I have a question for you." The Zhu Rong Divine Clan’s Saint King looked at Ye Xu. "Was the Ten Saints’ heavenly tribulation your doing behind the scenes?"
"I also have a question," the Ji clan’s Saint King chuckled lightly. "How did the Master know the route through Godfall Ridge, enabling a group of semi-saints to perfectly avoid its dangers and enter the tomb of Panwu the Great Sage?"
"Was that Talents List truly crafted by the Master himself?" Ji Zhe also spoke up. "I fail to understand how the Master acquired detailed information about the various divine clans in Godfall Ridge to single out the finest talents among the younger generation?"
They bombarded him with a rapid barrage of questions. Ye Xu slowly savored his tea, entirely unmoved.
"I have already told you," Ye Xu said lightly, "Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is a place for commerce. Any knowledge you seek, you must exchange for something."
"Humph." The Peacock Saint King’s gaze turned icy. "Do you know who we are?"
"Just the ancient survivor clans of Godfall Ridge." Ye Xu dismissed them indifferently. "You may flaunt your power before outsiders, but in my eyes, you are merely people who have lost their freedom."
"A plucked phoenix isn’t even as good as a chicken. What more are you, but a mere peacock!"
"How dare you!" The Peacock Saint King snapped, fury blazing. Ye Xu’s final words had struck right at his heart. He remembered the former glory of the Peacock divine clan, cruelly extinguished when a sudden calamity struck, crushing all the Yuan Realm’s ancient Imperial clans, divine clans, and immortal races into the confined space of Godfall Ridge.
Trapped there forever! Only in the last million years, as the seals began to loosen, could they occasionally slip out into the Yuan Realm or the Sea of All Realms.
"This man knows far too much," Ji Zhe felt a chill in his heart. That Godfall Ridge was a prison was a secret almost unknown throughout the entire Yuan Realm.
That ancient curse had nearly severed the Yuan Realm’s own lineage of knowledge. Though some in other realms were aware. Could this man be an old monster from another world?
The thought made Ji Zhe considerably more wary. In the vast Sea of All Realms, the Yuan Realm was but a drop in the ocean. Worlds far more powerful existed, even harboring true immortals. It was highly probable that the master before him hailed from another world.
The man in cyan from the Ji clan also grasped this implication, his heart pounding with sudden tension.
"You wish to make a move against me?" Ye Xu asked.
Ye Xu gazed at the Peacock Saint King with a faint, enigmatic smile.
A chill crept into the Peacock Saint King’s heart.
That smile sent shivers down his spine.
He shifted his gaze toward the assembled deities—only to find the Zhu Rong Saint King and the Saint King of the Tian Wu Divine Clan both watching him with peculiar, knowing grins. The man in green robes and Ji Zhe appeared calm and composed, yet their eyes occasionally flickered toward him.
It seemed everyone was silently urging him to strike.
"All I ask is that you apologize to me," the Peacock Saint King stated coldly after drawing a deep breath. "Otherwise, I will have no choice but to offend."
"Ah…" Ye Xu looked momentarily stunned. It had been a long time since anyone dared to challenge him within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. To his own surprise, he felt a twinge of excitement.
Interpreting Ye Xu’s expression as weakness, the Peacock Saint King’s eyes flickered with uncertainty.
"An apology? Impossible." Ye Xu reclined in his grand chair, gently swaying. "If you wish to attack, then attack."
Boom!
Without another word, the Peacock Saint King surged with magical power. His hands transformed into deadly claws, slashing violently as if to tear both Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and Ye Xu to pieces.
But what happened next was entirely unexpected.
The Peacock Saint King’s power failed to rend the very fabric of space. He froze mid-motion.
Time seemed to stand still.
The Peacock Saint King stood rigid, utterly immobile.
"Hiss…"
A wave of icy dread swept through the gathered Saint Kings. Clearly, the Peacock Saint King hadn’t had a change of heart—he had been utterly paralyzed by tremendous pressure, incapable of moving a muscle or channeling the slightest trace of power.
Moreover, the space of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion proved harder to breach than even Godfall Ridge itself. A full Saint King’s force could not shake it.
This place was truly terrifying.
"Thank goodness it wasn’t me who acted."
The Saint Kings of the Tian Wu and Zhu Rong Divine Clans trembled with fear.
"Esteemed senior, spare his life," Ning Xuan spoke calmly, without a shred of panic. He bowed deeply to Ye Xu. "Uncle Yu held no killing intent. I implore you to look past his actions."
"Those who raise a hand within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion never fare well," Ye Xu retorted coldly.
Shua!
In a flash, Ning Xuan appeared before Ye Xu, respectfully presenting a jade box with both hands.
"A humble gift in token of respect," Ning Xuan said reverently.
Ye Xu swept his Divine Sense into the box. Inside lay a sparkling purple divine marrow—legendary Creation Divine Marrow that could revive the dead. So long as the soul remained intact, it could restore even a Saint. Its value far surpassed that of any sacred artifact.
"Ahem."
Ye Xu coughed lightly, collecting the jade box without a trace of expression. "In acknowledgment of your sincerity, I shall pardon him. However…" he paused before adding, "though the death penalty may be spared, he shall not escape punishment."
The corners of everyone’s mouths twitched. It was just as rumored—the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was greedy for money as if his life depended on it, his eyes glittering at the sight of wealth.
Their thoughts didn’t escape Ye Xu.
His face darkened. He was conducting fair transactions—how could they call him greedy for money as if his life depended on it?
Even if there are millions of people in the world, not a single one is a true confidant!
Ye Xu sighed lightly, filled with regret.
"Thank you, Senior." Ning Xuan said respectfully.
Regardless, Ning Yu surviving was the best outcome.
Who told him to be so arrogant?
Simply consider it paying for a lesson!
Poof!
Ye Xu flicked his finger, and a streak of divine light flew into the Peacock Saint King’s forehead.
The next moment,
Ning Yu’s physique underwent a drastic transformation. He shifted from human form into a five-colored peacock, his cultivation sealed. He let out a mournful cry.
"I’ve restored you to your true form for three years,"
Ye Xu said lightly. "Do you submit?"
Would he dare not submit?
Ning Yu nodded repeatedly.
Though reverted, he retained his intelligence and knew what was required.
The entire crowd fell silent,
shocked by such a miraculous feat—even a great sage couldn’t achieve it.
Could this youth before them be a quasi-emperor?
Or even… a living Great Emperor?
