Start With One Heaven's Secret Pavilion

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Chapter 59: Southern Wilderness Talents Gathering

"Pleased to meet you."

Ning Xuan and Zhu Wuque responded lightly, showing little interest in Chen Longxiang. The other divine clan prodigies shared their indifference.

The Yuan Realm’s heritage had fractured over generations, and the Southern Wilderness suffered most severely.

Thus, though Chen Longxiang shared the Talents List with them, Ning Xuan and the others carried an air of arrogance, looking down entirely on Chen Longxiang who ranked forty-first.

"Are they all geniuses from the Talents List?"

Many cultivators were utterly awestruck, gazing upon the prodigies with reverence.

"Master, does the Southern Wilderness have divine clans too?"

Ji Xinyu and Liu Ningmei stood by a window. Sensing the commotion around the Talents List, they both fixed their gaze toward it.

The Saint Kings from the Lu Wu divine clan and the Tian Wu divine clan hadn’t altered their forms. Ji Xinyu instantly recognized their origins, surprise flickering in her eyes.

"The Lu Wu divine clan? The Tian Wu divine clan?" Liu Ningmei’s gaze sharpened. "These are divine clans from the Yuan Realm’s ancient era. Why would they appear here?"

"Where did they come from?"

"And those beside the youths—they’re all at the Saint King level. The Southern Wilderness is barren; how could such Saint King powerhouses emerge?"

Ji Xinyu added, "Master, one more point."

"The fact they’re on the Talents List proves they belong to the Southern Wilderness, yet they’ve never appeared here before."

Master and disciple exchanged a look.

Within the entire Southern Wilderness, only Godsfall Ridge housed Saint King experts who remained hidden from the world.

"The people of Godsfall Ridge have come out."

Liu Ningmei murmured, "Likely stirred by the Ten Saints’ heavenly tribulation, they’ve left the Southern Wilderness to seek the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"It must be."

Ji Xinyu nodded in agreement.

"Miss Ji."

Just then, an untimely voice rang out. Ao Lie, accompanied by a black-clad woman from the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and Elder Huang, ascended the tavern stairs and approached Ji Xinyu and her master.

"It’s him." Ji Xinyu’s brows knit slightly.

She had encountered Ao Lie once before and knew of him.

"Show proper respect," Liu Ningmei instructed. "This is the Ninth Prince of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace."

Ao Lie was elated. The moment Elder Huang reported Ji Xinyu’s whereabouts, he immediately set out with the black-clad woman and Elder Huang to follow her trail. Now he’d finally found her.

Joy filled his heart, yet he felt a trace of timidity, as if fearful any discourteous act might offend Ji Xinyu.

"Ninth Prince." Liu Ningmei inclined her head slightly.

"Senior Liu." Ao Lei responded with utmost respect, giving due honor without appearing subservient. Given his status, he was worthy of standing equal to even Liu Ningmei.

His address of "Senior" was purely out of consideration for Ji Xinyu.

He possessed complete information about Ji Xinyu, including her personal preferences.

Ji Xinyu’s parents were both dead, and she was raised solely by Liu Ningmei, who acted as a teacher, father, and mother to her. Naturally, she wanted to please Liu Ningmei.

"Miss Ji," Ao Lie smiled, restraining his emotions.

"Your Highness, the Ninth Prince," Ji Xinyu curtsied lightly.

"Miss Ji, we are of the same generation. There’s no need for you to be so polite," Ao Lie made a gesture to support her but did not touch her.

"If it’s because of my status, then it’s even more unnecessary."

Ji Xinyu looked at Ao Lie in surprise, her eyes shimmering with a hint of confusion.

Usually, disciples from major forces she met were extremely arrogant and self-important, but Ao Lie, as the Ninth Prince of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, was approachable, which made her feel a bit more favorable towards him.

"Elder Liu, have you come for the matter of the Ten Saints’ heavenly tribulation too?" Ao Lie sat down and asked.

Liu Ningmei nodded.

"Actually, the Ten Saints’ heavenly tribulation is ultimately the doing of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," Ao Lie laughed.

"I would like to hear the details," Liu Ningmei’s expression shifted.

"This master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion has unparalleled skills; there’s nothing in the world he doesn’t know about," Ao Lie smiled. "The only flaw is that he is greedy for money."

"Of course, for us, this is a good thing."

"As long as you can produce enough treasures, you can buy any information from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"The reason Elder Huang was able to become a Saint was that I took out some treasures and bought information about a Saint King’s tomb from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

Ao Lie recounted the entire story to Liu Ningmei and Ji Xinyu without hiding anything.

A woman in black slightly frowned.

What did His Highness mean by this?

Although Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was already well-known to all, the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and Pure Land had little friendship. Why was Ao Lie being so polite to them, the teacher and disciple?

Elder Huang remained silent.

He knew the truth, but he absolutely could not reveal it.

Otherwise, if the Eastern Sea Dragon King found out, Ao Lie would be in trouble.

"So that’s how it is," Liu Ningmei finally understood the reason. "Thank you, Ninth Prince, for clearing my doubts."

"Elder, you’re too polite."

Ao Lie laughed. "We all belong to the Eastern Region, sharing the same roots. In the future, we should interact more."

"Indeed."

Liu Ningmei smiled. Although she wasn’t sure what Ao Lie was scheming, befriending him would bring no harm to her and her disciple.

"It’s really lively down there."

Ao Lie walked to the window and stood side by side with Ji Xinyu.

Ji Xinyu glanced at him sidelong for a moment, then turned her head back to look at the arena.

After Chen Longxiang, a woman and a man appeared below the Talents List.

Both are from the Southern Wilderness.

One is Lu Shaojun of Xuanfu Palace, the other is Li Ruofeng of the Red Dust Demon Sect.

They ranked forty-ninth and fiftieth respectively on the Talents List.

Placed at the very bottom.

"This Talents List will surely spark fierce contention among the younger generation," Ao Lie remarked with a light chuckle.

Ji Xinyu nodded slightly.

"I heard from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion that the Southern Wilderness Talents List is merely a prelude. He’ll soon release the Yuan Realm Talents List," Ao Lie stated, his gaze fixed on Ji Xinyu’s jade-white profile. "With your extraordinary talent, Miss Ji, your name will undoubtedly be on it."

"You flatter me, Ninth Prince."

Ji Xinyu replied calmly, "The Yuan Realm abounds with geniuses. How could I possibly measure up?"

Ao Lie smiled faintly, "Your name will be there. And so will mine."

Upon hearing this,

a flicker of surprise crossed Ji Xinyu’s face.

"They’re about to begin,"

Ao Lie changed the subject, turning his attention to the gathering of young talents.

…

"You’re Ji Ning?"

Lu Shaojun of Xuanfu Palace, clad in tight-fitting attire with sharp eyes, pointed an exquisite spirit sword at Ji Ning and declared, "Never in the Southern Wilderness have I heard your name."

"Yet you inexplicably hold first place on the Southern Wilderness Talents List."

Li Ruofeng gently fanned himself with a paper fan and chuckled, "It makes no sense at all."

"However," he continued, "this is the Talents List personally crafted by the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. That venerable elder possesses vast divine abilities and orchestrated such a grand spectacle. He wouldn’t deceive us."

Ji Ning, arms crossed loosely over his sword, replied impassively, "Speak plainly. Get straight to the point."

"I challenge you!"

Lu Shaojun’s fighting spirit blazed. Her sword hummed, resonating like the roar of a dragon, echoing through Linglong City.

Divine Catastrophe stage – perfection!

As the number one genius of Xuanfu Palace, Lu Shaojun had cultivated for over a hundred years, achieving mastery at the Divine Catastrophe stage. She stood but half a step away from ascending to the Celestial God realm.

Yet on the Southern Wilderness Talents List, she stood only forty-ninth.

Were it not for being no match for the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, she’d storm the Pavilion itself to demand answers.

"Hah…"

Ning Xuan scoffed derisively, his voice laced with sarcasm, "The one ranked forty-ninth dares challenge Ji Ning, who holds the top spot? The audacity!"

"In my opinion," he sneered, "you’d do better to pit yourself against Chen Longxiang. If you can actually defeat him, then perhaps you’d barely have the right to try competing with Ji Ning."

"Who are you!?"

Lu Shaojun shifted her sword, pointing its tip directly at Ning Xuan.

"Do NOT point that sword at me!"

Seeing this, Ning Xuan narrowed his eyes, bristling like an angry cat, "I detest nothing more in this life. You have one breath’s time to lower it. Fail to do so, and I’ll make you regret it for eternity."

Zhu Wuque and the others grinned, watching Lu Shaojun intently.

Lu Shaojun’s instincts screamed danger.

Yet she could not withdraw her blade.

She was the future Palace Master of Xuanfu Palace, representing its dignity.

"Let’s see then, how grave a price you can possibly make me pay,"

Lu Shaojun retorted coldly. With a tap of her toe, she soared onto the battle platform, sword still directed at Ning Xuan, formally declaring war.

"Lu Shaojun of Xuanfu Palace, ranked forty-ninth on the Talents List, demands battle!"

"Ning Xuan, an invitation has been extended," Zhu Wuque snickered, "Surely you haven’t forgotten your own threats."

"Ji Ning," Ning Xuan called out, "it seems our match must wait."

"Fine by me,"

Ji Ning descended from the platform, yielding the space to Lu Shaojun.

Upon hearing Zhu Wuque’s words, Lu Shaojun’s eyelashes flickered.