Chapter 145

Chapter 145: A Man’s Knees Bear Gold

"Seventh Junior Brother!"

As soon as Meng Baiyu died, Bu Linglong’s expression instantly darkened to the extreme. She stared coldly at Lin Qianmo and the two others, saying, "Master of the Red Dust Sect, do you dare to slaughter a disciple of our Taihao Heavenly Sect so wantonly? Are you not afraid of Taihao Heavenly Sect’s revenge?"

Lin Qianmo’s gaze turned slightly cold. "Are you threatening me?"

"This junior does not dare."

Bu Linglong said indifferently, "This junior merely cannot stand your esteemed sect’s methods of handling affairs."

"If you wanted to kill, why target Taihao Heavenly Sect?"

"Do you think Taihao Heavenly Sect is easy to bully?"

Lin Qianmo said lightly, "He intended to slaughter my disciple, so I granted his wish. Let me see if the Taihao Heavenly Sect backing him dares to invade the Yuan Realm!"

Her gaze landed on Bu Linglong. In an instant, Bu Linglong felt like she had plunged into an ice cave, with all her magical energy sealed. She dared not utter another word.

This was a ruthless individual, at least unafraid of Taihao Heavenly Sect.

"Originally, however much chaos you stirred up, it wasn’t my concern, but you have gone too far."

Lin Qianmo’s gaze swept over the prodigies of the ancient divine clans and many geniuses from the Spirit Realm. Without any expression, she stated, "From today onward, if any of you tread within thirty thousand miles of the Red Dust Demon Sect, kill without hesitation."

The killing aura soared skyward, scattering the floating clouds above.

Everyone trembled all over, each shivering with dread.

"Cough, cough…"

Qi Wuhen coughed twice, staring at Lin Qianmo, and said, "Elder, we came here for Nangong Zhandao. Unfortunately, he has been hiding in the Red Dust Demon Sect and dared not emerge to accept challenges."

"I’m here."

Suddenly, Nangong Zhandao uttered those two words.

He turned and stared at Qi Wuhen, saying lightly, "You are not my opponent."

"We haven’t even fought yet, how would you know?" Qi Wuhen protested, unwilling to accept this.

Nangong Zhandao shifted his gaze away, completely dismissing Qi Wuhen.

Among those present, only a very few were worthy of his action.

"Pity…"

Ye Xu sighed softly in his heart. Lin Qianmo’s arrival meant this big brawl was off.

"Elder!"

At that moment, a voice sounded beside Ye Xu’s ear. Qi Ruyu looked astonished as she said, "Why have you come to the Red Dust Demon Sect? Why didn’t you inform me?"

"Cough…"

Ye Xu coughed and said, "Keep it low-key."

But it was already too late.

That "Elder" from Qi Ruyu—anyone present who wasn’t deaf heard it clearly.

Bu Linglong, the tall man, the young man in linen, and others all frowned. For a Saint King to address someone as "elder," Ye Xu’s identity was evidently extraordinary.

Could it really be the disciple of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?

"Greetings, senior."

The next moment, something incredibly astonishing happened.

Lin Qianmo, Lan Youruo, and Nangong Zhandao, who had intimidated the entire venue just moments ago, actually walked over together in front of Ye Xu, their expressions filled with shock and reverence, and bowed deeply.

"…"

The expressions on everyone’s faces were intensely dramatic.

Lin Qianmo and Lan Youruo were peak quasi-emperors, beings half a step from the Dao Proof, yet they too addressed Ye Xu as "senior." What could his true origin be?

"If he were the disciple of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, it clearly wouldn’t be enough for the Master of the Red Dust Sect to call him senior. Who exactly is he?" Bu Linglong’s expression kept shifting uneasily.

"Qi Wuhen, didn’t you claim to know his background?"

An elite prodigy from an ancient divine clan questioned sharply.

Qi Wuhen looked utterly despondent. "He’s someone I only met after walking out of Godfall Ridge. There was no conversation during that time, and his identity was just a lie I made up."

"So he isn’t the disciple of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Another elite from a divine clan asked.

"How the hell would I know!"

Qi Wuhen felt so overwhelmed that his head seemed to split in two; recalling his own actions, he desperately wished for death.

"In his eyes, I’m probably just a monkey."

"Master, could this senior you speak of possibly be the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Meng Feixian’s eyes sparkled with sharp insight; in just a few seconds, she formed a startling theory.

It was impossible for a disciple of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion to command such respectful bows from Lin Qianmo or genuine admiration from Nangong Zhandao—it was most likely the master himself.

"It is me."

Ye Xu had no choice but to admit it helplessly.

Originally, he wanted to travel in secret disguise, but now it had blown up into public knowledge.

Whoa!

Upon hearing this, Bu Linglong, the young man in linen, and others were absolutely stunned.

Bu Linglong felt both shocked and terrified.

After all, she had just considered attacking Ye Xu.

Now that she thought back on it, she couldn’t help but tremble with lingering fear.

"Junior bows in salute to the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion!"

The talented elites from every realm promptly bowed in homage.

Of course, a few remained dismissive, such as the two from the Empress Nuwa Clan.

"Oh no, oh no…"

Qi Wuhen only felt his legs go limp, his vision darken, and his entire body lose all strength.

Although this was his first time leaving Godfall Ridge, he had learned from his master just how terrifying the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was. And yet, he had actually called him "Brother"?

"This is the end for me…"

Not long before, he had even used Ye Xu as a shield.

"Giggle, giggle…"

Ye Xian’er had been watching Qi Wuhen all along. Seeing his despairing expression, on the verge of tears, and his trembling legs, she let out a bell-like laugh.

Everyone watched Qi Wuhen with schadenfreude.

Meng Feixian and the others also wore expressions of pity. They dared to offend the Taihao Heavenly Sect, but offending the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was utterly unthinkable.

"Qi Wuhen, after you die, I’ll take your corpse back to Godfall Ridge and hand it over to Emperor Venerable Four Extremes," the man with an eerie aura said, grinning widely.

"Dead young, passed in his prime…" another person chimed in.

Qi Wuhen’s face turned black as charcoal. Gone was his previous arrogance and dominance; he curled up like a ball, like a quail, terrified Ye Xu would notice him.

"Brother Qi…"

It was at this moment Ye Xu spoke.

Qi Wuhen shuddered all over, slowly raising his head, looking on the verge of tears.

"Senior, please don’t belittle me! How dare I presume to call you brother?"

"Only a short while apart, and you’ve become distant," Ye Xu feigned sadness.

Thump!

Qi Wuhen’s legs completely gave way, and he thumped down onto his knees.

"A man’s knee houses gold…"

"Senior, I was wrong!"

Qi Wuhen cried out loudly.

Meng Feixian frowned slightly at the scene but didn’t dare to intervene.

"Get up."

Ye Xu channeled his magic power, and Qi Wuhen slowly rose from the ground. Ye Xu shook his head, "Between us, there is no grievance or grudge. I have no intention of making things difficult for you. Why kneel like this?"

"If word spreads, outsiders will think I bullied a junior."

"Thank you for your leniency, Senior."

Seeing he had escaped a death sentence, Qi Wuhen immediately switched back to a smiling face again.

A true man can bend or stretch; Qi Wuhen had never cared about saving face.

"So easily resolved?!"

The cultivators from the Spirit Realm were dumbfounded.

Qi Wuhen’s offences, visited upon any formidable figure, would warrant light punishment like the erasure of one’s cultivation base, or worse, the complete destruction of one’s soul.

This master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was simply far too easygoing.

The beautiful woman from Taihao Heavenly Sect was filled with resentment, her expression venomous and unwilling.

Seeing Ye Xu had no intention of making things difficult for Qi Wuhen, Meng Feixian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Qianmo and the others weren’t surprised.

The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was naturally amiable when not conducting business.

However, once treasures were involved, he became approachable only by virtue of immense wealth!

"Senior, your visit to the Red Dust Demon Sect surely isn’t just a casual stroll?" Lin Qianmo looked at Ye Xu, her eyes flickering.

"I’ve heard talents from all sides wish to challenge Nangong Zhandao. I specifically brought Little Ye here to witness the battle and broaden her perspective," Ye Xu replied.

Ye Xian’er widened her eyes. Clearly, it was you who insisted on coming to the Red Dust Demon Sect!

"Currently, people from various realms are continuously pouring into the Yuan Realm. Undoubtedly, more and more of the young generation will question the authenticity of the Hidden Dragon List, with Nangong Zhandao being the primary target," Ye Xu said lightly.

"In my opinion, this matter can be resolved once and for all."

"Otherwise, the Red Dust Demon Sect will have no peaceful days."

"Do you have any ingenious strategy, Senior?"

Qi Ruyu’s eyes glinted as she asked.

"Since they wish to challenge the talents on the Hidden Dragon List, give them an opportunity to do so openly, through a fair battle."

Ye Xu said solemnly, "Therefore, I intend to host a gathering for these prodigies, allowing them to contend for supremacy."