Chapter 148

Chapter 148: The Money Rolls In

"Scram!"

Ye Xu, utterly exasperated, could no longer contain his temper. With a mere thought, Qi Wuhen vanished on the spot from everyone’s sight.

"Venerable Senior…"

The prodigies of the ancient divine clans trembled, their eyes filled with fear.

"Do not worry."

Ye Xu rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I merely exiled him to the Demon Suppression Cave. He will remain there for seven days to reflect on his actions properly."

"The Demon Suppression Cave?"

Meng Feixian had never heard of such a place and looked puzzled.

Yang Xuanzhan’s face twitched faintly. "It is a perilous site in the Southern Wilderness. Nine thousand years ago, the sects of the Southern Wilderness established it as a prison to trap trolls and ferocious beings."

"However, given his abilities, he likely won’t be seriously harmed."

At most, he’ll pay a price, Yang Xuanzhan silently added to himself.

Having seen countless people, he had never encountered anyone as brazen and shameless as Qi Wuhen.

Indeed, were it not for Qi Wuhen’s unbearable behavior, someone as calmly detached as Ye Xu wouldn’t have taken action to banish him to the Demon Suppression Cave.

Over nine millennia, the Demon Suppression Cave had accumulated countless grievances and lingering resentments. It surely held demons with strength at the sage level—if not even the Saint King level.

In short, Qi Wuhen was truly in for a miserable time.

Meng Feixian offered a bitter smile. Qi Wuhen had always been incapable of restraint and possessed shamelessly thick skin. Teaching him a harsh lesson might very well be for the best.

"He won’t die," Ye Xu stated lightly.

"Venerable Senior, we shall take our leave now."

With Meng Feixian leading, the prodigies bowed respectfully to Ye Xu and departed from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Ye Xu’s heart ached bitterly.

He almost had it within his grasp. So close!

He called out, "Yang Xuanzhan."

"Your humble servant is here."

"You shall take charge of organizing the Hidden Dragon Gathering," Ye Xu solemnly instructed. "The event will take place in Linglong City. Discuss the arrangements with the City Lord of Linglong."

"This humble servant obeys." Yang Xuanzhan’s expression brightened with delight. Finally, his talents were being put to use.

Having once governed his own major sect, managing something like the Hidden Dragon Gathering was second nature to him. After all, to Ye Xu, such a gathering was merely trivial administration—hardly worthy of his personal supervision.

Yang Xuanzhan accepted his order and left.

Moments later, he arrived at the City Lord’s residence. The City Lord of Linglong and Zhao Cheng hastened out to welcome him.

"My lord."

The two bowed with utmost respect.

The City Lord of Linglong wore an expression of beaming delight as he smiled and asked, "May I ask what important matters bring Your Honor here?"

His cultivation had already reached the early stage of the Divine God realm.

Though it might seem insignificant, for the City Lord of Linglong, who had long lost hope of advancing, achieving divinity had resolved his greatest concern.

Moreover, although Linglong City now teemed with powerful figures, none dared act disrespectfully toward him. They still showed him a fair degree of respect.

All of this was thanks to the existence of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"It seems you’re doing quite well," Yang Xuanzhan remarked with a slight smile before his expression turned solemn. "The master has decided to hold the Hidden Dragon Gathering in Linglong City. From now on, you will follow my commands."

"Yes," the City Lord of Linglong responded with grave seriousness.

"Let’s discuss how to prepare."

The three entered the council hall.

—

Sea of All Realms.

A luxurious divine ship sailed toward the Yuan Realm, its dragon flag soaring proudly, billowing ferociously as it vividly displayed the might of the royal lineage.

Royal Prince Bao, corpulent in stature, stood at the ship’s prow with a kindly expression. Behind him were a group of young scions from the Holy Ancestor Dynasty—twelve in all.

"Royal Uncle, when will we arrive at the Yuan Realm?" a cold-faced youth solemnly inquired. Clad in a black python robe and a jade crown, his aura was deep and robust, his bearing noble, while a faint draconic energy lightly radiated from him.

This was Third Prince, Xuan Yu. Only two hundred and ninety-six years old, his cultivation had already reached the Saint King level. Possessing a Holy Dragon Soul, he was unquestionably one of the Holy Ancestor Dynasty’s finest talents.

Behind him were numerous other outstanding individuals: some royal kin, some outsiders.

But without exception, each was at least at the sage level.

"Half a day more," Royal Prince Bao replied with a gentle, approachable smile.

"I’ve heard that Heaven’s Secret Pavilion convened the Hidden Dragon Gathering, inviting geniuses from all realms to compete against the Yuan Realm’s native young heroes. I wonder how many experts will descend?" a youthful-looking maiden wondered eagerly.

"Hmph!" snorted a cold-mannered man with a blade strapped to his back. "How many of those so-called geniuses could withstand even a single strike from me?"

"Huangfu Xinjue, don’t be so arrogant," a slightly older and exceptionally beautiful woman admonished with a light frown. "The world is vast and brimming with talent. Even our Holy Ancestor Dynasty is but a corner within the expanse of all realms. If you refuse to curb this arrogance, you’ll suffer greatly for it someday."

"I heed your lesson, Seventh Princess," Huangfu Xinjue said, yet his gaze remained as sharp and contemptuous as ever, utterly dismissing the princess’s warning.

"Little Seven speaks truly."

Royal Prince Bao nodded and said, "Last time at Return to the Ruins, I saw a young man whose cultivation was merely at the saint level, yet his strength probably exceeded even a Saint King."

He had seen Nangong Zhandao, but he didn’t know his identity.

"Royal Prince Bao, I didn’t expect you to personally escort juniors to Yuan Realm."

At that moment, a pleasant voice sounded; a moonbeam split space, and on a flying sword stood several figures.

The man was handsome and the woman was stunningly beautiful.

The leader turned out to be Qilou Yan.

These people were all members of the Moon God Clan, and they also intended to go to Yuan Realm.

"Oh, it’s Daoist friend Qi."

Royal Prince Bao saluted with clasped hands and said, "It has only been two short months since we last parted; I didn’t expect we would meet again."

"Are you also going for the Hidden Dragon Gathering?"

"Not just for the Hidden Dragon Gathering, but more importantly, for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," Qilou Yan smiled and said.

"Nowadays, all realms are spreading that Heaven’s Secret Pavilion has an exceptional man who knows everything and can do anything; I am specifically visiting him."

"What a coincidence," Royal Prince Bao said with a laugh, "I intended the same; how about after the Hidden Dragon Gathering concludes, we two go together?"

"That is not necessary."

Qilou Yan refused.

Royal Prince Bao showed no embarrassment and said, "In that case, we will meet again in Yuan Realm."

Qilou Yan nodded, and the flying sword traced an arc of light, swiftly leaving the divine ship of Holy Ancestor Dynasty far behind.

Half a day later.

The divine ship broke through the void and descended into Yuan Realm.

An overwhelming aura loomed over Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, terrifying many members of the demon clan within a hundred thousand miles, who scattered and fled in confusion.

Royal Prince Bao restrained his aura, reached out, and captured a fox demon at the Divine God realm.

With a single thought, he fully perceived all the fox demon’s memories.

However, Royal Prince Bao did not kill indiscriminately; he threw the fox demon to the ground and flew with a group of juniors from Holy Ancestor Dynasty toward Linglong City.

The same scene played out across various parts of Yuan Realm.

Star Realm, Mysterious Realm, and Shadow Realm…

Experts from every realm descended into Yuan Realm, rushing to Linglong City.

……

In Linglong City, at the City Lord’s residence.

In those days, the stage for Hidden Dragon Gathering had been built, forged from special divine gold, so solid that not even a quasi-emperor could shatter it.

In front of the stage, a ladder had been erected.

This was the Ladder of Ascension.

According to Ye Xu’s words, the Ladder of Ascension was a threshold for participants; if they could not climb the ladder, naturally they lacked the qualification to join Hidden Dragon Gathering.

"Finally, done."

Yang Xuanzhan gazed at the stage of the Hidden Dragon Gathering, utterly astonished.

Merely constructing a single stage had consumed a vast array of treasures, extravagance reaching its peak.

"So this is the Hidden Dragon Gathering?"

Suddenly, a group of young people arrived before Yang Xuanzhan.

"It’s them…"

Ye Xian’er’s gaze flickered slightly.

The group before them were precisely the young generation geniuses from the Holy Sect of Transformation, the Empress Nuwa Clan, and the Taihao Heavenly Sect.

"Correct."

Yang Xuanzhan nodded, "What brings you all here?"

"We’ve come to register."

A tall man grinned broadly, "This storage ring contains six sacred artifacts, the entry fee for the six of us."

He took out a ring and handed it towards Ye Xian’er.

He wasn’t sure of Yang Xuanzhan’s identity, but handing it to Ye Xian’er certainly wouldn’t be wrong.

Anyone able to stay close to the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion naturally had an extraordinary connection.

"He is in charge of all matters concerning this. Give the entry fee to him."

Ye Xian’er swallowed hard, but recalling Ye Xu’s instructions, she didn’t presume to take charge.

Yang Xuanzhan’s eyes brightened.

The tall man didn’t mind and passed the ring to Yang Xuanzhan.

Yang Xuanzhan swept it with his Divine Sense, confirmed it was correct, and immediately produced six badge tokens.

On each badge was the imprint ‘Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’, impossible to counterfeit.

"This item is the pass for the Hidden Dragon Gathering. When the gathering commences, you can enter directly by presenting this badge," Yang Xuanzhan explained.

"So that’s how it is…"

Everyone understood. The tall man distributed the badges to the remaining five.

"We wish to take part too."

Bu Linglong took out five sacred artifacts. Meng Baiyu and the others had perished, leaving only three disciples from their Taihao Heavenly Sect still in the Yuan Realm. However, she had reported back to the sect; her senior brother and a senior were already on their way.

Yang Xuanzhan didn’t concern himself with the details; the more participants, the better.

Within mere moments, seventeen sacred artifacts had fallen into his hands.

The City Lord of Linglong stared, transfixed.

Those were all genuine treasures.

A single sacred artifact could buy his entire city lord’s residence.

Yang Xuanzhan also swallowed hard.

The treasures in his hands couldn’t even compare to Xuanfu Palace in its heyday, and that was just a small fraction.

It was conceivable that once talented individuals from all realms gathered, the entrance fee would only keep increasing.

A hundred?

A thousand?

Just one gathering alone could accumulate so many treasures like this.

All of this relied on the reputation and prestige of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Yang Xuanzhan fondled the sacred artifacts one by one, filled with mixed feelings.

Each sacred artifact was different, truly satisfying his fondness for handling such items.

"Making a fuss over nothing."

Yang Xuanzhan glanced at the City Lord of Linglong and Zhao Chen’s astonished eyes and said, "With the reputation of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, how could it not be worth such trifles?"

"Moreover, would Master care about so little?"

"That’s true."

No one doubted it.

Not long after, Ao Bing, Yue Ruyi, and others arrived, bringing talented individuals from their sects.

"Could this be a mistake? We’ve got such a close relationship with the senior, yet we still have to pay an entrance fee?" Ao Lie protested vehemently as soon as he heard about the Hidden Dragon Gathering requirements, staring suspiciously at Yang Xuanzhan. "Are you trying to pocket it all for yourself?"

Yang Xuanzhan’s face turned pale. "Ninth Prince, how dare I embezzle Master’s things?"

"This is all Master’s rule."

"The last troublemaker was Qi Wuhen, third on the Hidden Dragon List, who was exiled to the Demon Suppression Cave by the senior."

Ye Xian’er looked at Ao Lie and said expectantly, "Brother Ao, do you want to go keep him company too?"

"…"

Ao Lie became terrified, instantly losing his spirit.

He had heard about Qi Wuhen’s deeds at the Red Dust Demon Sect.

He believed Ye Xian’er’s words without a doubt.

Ye Xian’er had no reason to frighten him.

"The senior’s skills are beyond all limits; why bother with these mundane things?" Ao Lie complained as he fumbled around on his own person.

"Shut up."

Ao Bing knocked Ao Lie on the head with his knuckles.

"Daoist friend Yang, please check them."

The address "Daoist friend Yang" delighted Yang Xuanzhan.

The person before him was the Eastern Sea Dragon King, yet he was being addressed as a Daoist friend, making Yang Xuanzhan feel as if his bones melted with pleasure.

"Great King, here are your tokens."

Yang Xuanzhan handed over the tokens.

After the entrance fees were paid, everyone left.

Returning to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, Yang Xuanzhan immediately presented all the items to report back to Ye Xu.

"Master, please take a look."

Yang Xuanzhan said respectfully.

"It’s unnecessary."

Ye Xu waved his hand. "You keep staying there—only five days remain until the Hidden Dragon Gathering, and many people from all realms still haven’t arrived, so guard that place peaceably over the next few days."

"After this matter is over, I will reward you."

Yang Xuanzhan was excited beyond words.

"Serving Master is what this humble servant ought to do."

Ye Xu responded with a faint "hmm."

"This humble servant takes his leave."