Chapter 63
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Chapter 63: Hidden Dragon List
"Senior, are there restrictions on this list?"
"Master, could we preview the Yuan Realm Talents List in advance?"
Cultivators in Linglong City eagerly asked one after another.
The Saint Kings of the ancient divine clans brightened. Access to the Yuan Realm Talents List would grant them greater insight into the Yuan Realm’s affairs.
Saint Kings from the Western Regions, Central Plains, and Eastern Region breathed slightly faster.
Ji Ning and other young prodigies gazed with burning intensity.
Considering themselves extraordinary and second to none, they wondered if they too could make the Talents List.
Ye Xu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a warm spring breeze of a smile gracing his face.
Gradually, the crowd quieted.
"The Yuan Realm Talents List follows the same restrictions as the Southern Wilderness Talents List. Without limitations, wouldn’t everyone qualify?" Ye Xu remarked lightly.
The person who asked chuckled awkwardly.
"Master, could you elaborate on these restrictions?" inquired a Divine God.
"Under three hundred years of age, above the Divine God realm."
"Moreover, every individual on this list possesses the potential to achieve enlightenment!"
Whoosh!
Ye Xu’s words spread, sparking an uproar throughout the venue.
This criterion proved exceptionally stringent.
Consider this: cultivators reaching the Divine God realm within five hundred years are already elite.
Qin Haishan, for instance, cultivated for nearly a millennium yet still remained at the Divine Catastrophe stage’s peak. Without Ye Xu’s guidance, he would never have advanced further in his lifetime.
The conditions for the Yuan Realm Talents List could only be described as extreme.
Achieving Divine God status before three hundred? Across the entire Yuan Realm, likely few could meet such a demand.
But the most staggering revelation lay in the final statement.
Potential to achieve enlightenment!
Did this foreshadow the Yuan Realm nurturing countless future Great Emperors?
"Seems we’re excluded," Ning Xuan sighed bitterly.
"We don’t know if we’ll even enter the Divine God realm a year from now, but Senior Sister Ji will grace the Talents List," Zhu Wuque declared, a peculiar gleam in his eyes as they settled on Ji Mingyue.
At Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, Ye Xu once predicted Ji Mingyue would appear on the Talents List in one year.
This implied her ascension to Divine God status by then.
Ji Ning’s eyes also flickered with a strange light.
"I shall designate the Yuan Realm Talents List as the Hidden Dragon List," Ye Xu’s voice resounded. "One hundred names will fill its ranks. Mirroring the Southern Wilderness Talents List, only names and cultivation levels will appear. For any further details, one may visit Heaven’s Secret Pavilion to trade with me."
"The Hidden Dragon List? What an excellent name!"
Countless individuals were already envying those listed at that moment.
"Of course, if any of you wish to view it early, you may visit Heaven’s Secret Pavilion—but it will come at a cost," Ye Xu said smilingly.
Hearing this, figures like the Saint King from the ancient divine clans and those from the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, who had previously traded with Ye Xu, all wore expressions that said, "Just as expected."
"How could such a renowned master of our world care so deeply for material wealth?" Ji Zhe pondered in disbelief.
"Perhaps that’s simply the elder’s peculiar delight," Zhu Rong Saint King remarked with an odd grin.
"Ji Ning, carry on."
Ye Xu turned to Ji Ning and his companions. "After today, no one should challenge your position as number one on the Talents List."
"This junior shall obey."
Ji Ning glanced at Ning Xuan. "Ning Xuan, you step forward."
Drawing a sword from his embrace—a simple, ancient-looking blade without the slightest hint of aura, as if it were mere mortal steel—Ji Ning pointed it directly at Ning Xuan, his challenge unmistakably aggressive.
Ning Xuan’s face darkened like charcoal. He hated nothing more in life than being pointed at with a sword. Ji Ning knew this was his absolute taboo yet chose to provoke him anyway; clearly, Ning Xuan was to be the first target.
"Then have it your way."
Ning Xuan leapt onto the dueling platform. Already on the verge of collapse, the platform groaned under his impact, fissures spreading rapidly across its surface.
"Let’s see what this number one spot is really made of—whether it holds any water!"
Clang!
Ning Xuan reached into the void, summoning a divine dagger into his grasp—undoubtedly a divine weapon.
Against Lu Shaojun, he hadn’t used a weapon at all. Yet facing Ji Ning, he drew his divine weapon without hesitation, proof enough of Ji Ning’s formidable presence.
Shoom!
Ning Xuan moved.
Denying Ji Ning the initiative, he struck first, vanishing instantly from sight.
Shoom! Shoom! Shoom! Shoom! Shoom!
The next instant, six afterimages accompanied by six arcs of dagger light converged from all directions. Heaven and earth split into six sealed realms; the platform shattered completely.
This was his true strength.
That frail structure could never withstand the erosion of sword energy and lethal dagger intent.
"The Talents Battle has begun," said the Saint King of the western demon clan, looking at Ye Xu. "Master, might you not wish to witness their true capabilities?"
"The extent of their power, I know full well," replied Ye Xu. "Besides, my interest has already been soured by those from the True Martial God Sect."
With that, Ye Xu departed elegantly, Ye Xian’er at his side.
Returning to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, Ye Xu’s expression abruptly clouded.
Bang!
He crushed a teacup in his grip. A terrifying killing intent erupted from him, enveloping the entire pavilion in an aura as sharp as blades. Ye Xian’er fell silent.
"Elder," she mustered the courage to ask, "are you angry at that person from the True Martial God Sect?"
For the first time in such a long while, she witnessed Ye Xu fly into a rage.
Yet Ye Xian’er remained entirely in the dark about the cause.
"Not bad." Ye Xu flicked his wide sleeve. The remains vanished as a teacup materialized on the table. His expression cleared instantly, as though nothing had transpired.
Had Fu Tianxing and his wife not arrived in time today, he would have had only one recourse:
Spending heavenly secrets points to summon the system.
However, he had never attempted summoning the system outside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and remained uncertain whether it would succeed.
"That man was utterly loathsome," Ye Xian’er declared indignantly. "The revered senior wishes to go wherever he pleases. Who has the right to force him?"
"It seems the revered senior is far too amiable. That’s why those people constantly scheme against him."
Ye Xu regarded Ye Xian’er with surprise. So that was how the girl interpreted the situation.
Heaving a long sigh, he lamented, "I withdraw from worldly entanglements, wishing only to focus on business. Yet even so, this crowd denies me peace."
"We must kill a chicken to warn the monkeys."
The True Martial God Sect would serve as that chicken.
However, this matter required careful consideration and thorough planning.
Tap! Tap! Tap!…
Just then, a flurry of footsteps approached from outside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, followed by a cluster of voices.
"Junior Ji Zhe (Liu Ningmei), seeks an audience with the revered senior (Master)."
"It’s them," Ye Xian’er puffed out her rosy cheeks, displeasure written across her face.
Their opportunistic conduct on the viewing platform when they saw how the wind was blowing had left an indelible mark on her.
In Ye Xian’er’s eyes, they groveled when begging for Ye Xu’s help yet stood idly by at the first sign of trouble—the very picture of cold indifference.
Only Ao Lie of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace displayed a shred of loyalty.
"Enter," Ye Xu instructed lightly.
Ji Zhe and the others shuffled into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
"Daoist friend Qinghe, Ao Lie, please sit," Ye Xu gestured.
A mere thought brought forth five stools positioned behind Gui Qinghe, Fu Tianxing and his wife, Ao Lie, and Elder Huang.
Those from the ancient divine clans and the Yuan Realm Saint Kings received no such acknowledgment.
Awkwardness washed over Ji Zhe and his companions.
They understood: Ye Xu was angered.
Yet the deed was done, and regret served no purpose.
"Ahem…" Ji Zhe cleared his throat, about to speak.
"Daoist friend Ji," Ye Xu inquired with feigned concern, "trouble with your throat?"
Ji Zhe forced an awkward chuckle. "The revered senior sees all. This junior’s throat… is indeed slightly bothersome."
He filed the subtle rebuke away in his mind.
The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was not only greedy but also narrow-minded.
Ji Zhe suffered such treatment, and the remaining Saint Kings also felt as though they were walking on thin ice. They feared provoking Ye Xu’s displeasure, lest he swiftly cast them out of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
After all, their purpose for coming was the detailed information about the Hidden Dragon List.
Ao Lie and Elder Huang watched coldly.
"Serves them right," thought Ao Lie with satisfaction, though a glance toward Ji Xinyu stung his heart. "It’s just a pity that Miss Ji is tangled up and implicated as well."
"Senior, the purpose of our visit, I believe Senior is well aware," Liu Ningmei spoke up, her elegant brows slightly furrowed, deliberately breaking the tense silence.
"What purpose do you have?" Ye Xu’s gaze was icy. "This Master doesn’t know."
Liu Ningmei’s expression stiffened.
Weren’t the rumors saying the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was approachable? Why did he seem like a powder keg today, ready to explode at a spark?
Ye Xian’er found it rather amusing.
Who could imagine that someone his respectable age would have the temperament of a child?
"…"
Hearing Ye Xian’er’s thoughts, Ye Xu nearly gave her a knuckle rap.
Wasn’t he in the full bloom of youth, right in his prime?
"Ahem!"
Ao Lie caught the change, stood up, and spoke to ease Liu Ningmei’s awkwardness. "Senior, Elder Liu knows that Senior is omniscient. How could any thoughts of ours escape your notice?"
"Elder Liu meant to praise your discerning eyes and supreme wisdom!"
"This junior’s thoughts precisely," Liu Ningmei hurriedly agreed, casting Ao Lie a grateful look.
"Well then."
Ye Xu understood Ao Lie’s intention and offered him flawless support. "Out of consideration for you, I won’t pursue her earlier comment."
"Liu Ningmei, speak plainly. Don’t beat around the bush. This Master can’t be bothered expending effort to probe your minds."
Liu Ningmei felt as if pardoned. Being spared a negative impression in Ye Xu’s eyes was sheer luck.
"Senior, this junior wishes to see the detailed information regarding the Hidden Dragon List." Liu Ningmei stated.
"Master, I would also like to witness it." An elderly Saint King from the Western regions’ demon clan spoke.
The Saint Kings of the ancient divine clans voiced their agreement in unison.
Ye Xu wasn’t surprised.
He had barely announced the forthcoming release of the Hidden Dragon List before these people descended upon Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. They were here for nothing else.
This Hidden Dragon List represented the future of the Yuan Realm.
Those listed upon it were likely the future titans capable of turning the Yuan Realm upside down, individuals crucial to its rise or fall. Information this significant, they naturally desired an exclusive preview.
"Please be seated."
Ye Xu’s smile beamed with delight. Seats materialized beneath each person in attendance.
"…"
The assembled guests didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The moment business came up, Ye Xu radiated joy, a textbook miser.
Each of them was a significant figure within the Yuan Realm, possessing vast experience. Yet among all the reclusive experts they had ever encountered, Ye Xu stood unparalleled in his love of money.
Ye Xian’er gave a soft snort of contempt.
"He was gloomy just a moment ago, but now he can’t stop grinning over money. Utterly unbecoming for an esteemed senior," she grumbled under her breath.
As her words fell, Ye Xian’er vanished from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
Then, Ye Xu adopted a perfectly serious expression. "The rules here, I trust you are all aware."
"So long as a suitable price is offered," he declared, "everything can be arranged."
