Chapter 296

Chapter 296: Teach Me How to Act?

Truth be told, had it not been for Gu Daojin provoking the three Immortal Kings—Bai Muyue, Zhong Ling, and Li Ruoshui—at the Divine Court ruins, his carefree nature would never have allowed him to submit obediently to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Now, with pursuers on his heels, Gu Daojin couldn’t afford to weigh his options.

Yet how could their thoughts escape Ye Xu’s notice?

"Master, we… we…"

The Heavenly Talisman Old Man attempted an excuse, then instantly released a bitter laugh. Before the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, their hearts were laid bare—any justification felt hollow.

"Actually," Ye Xu’s eyes gleamed faintly as he said with a light chuckle, "treating Heaven’s Secret Pavilion as a refuge isn’t entirely out of the question. Pay extra."

"…"

Facial muscles twitched across the group. After all that, money remained the ultimate solution.

"Alternatively," Ye Xu stated lightly, "you should know of Yang Xuanzhan. To preserve his life, he chose to serve Heaven’s Secret Pavilion like a beast of burden. You could do the same."

"Master, name your price!" Gu Daojin said solemnly.

"First encounter breeds familiarity. Since we’re practically friends, I’ll offer you a friend’s rate. Nine hundred million Star Yuan—one hundred million each for nine people," smiled Ye Xu.

Puh!

Gu Daojin sprayed a mouthful of tea. Nine hundred million Star Yuan? That was daylight robbery!

It amounted to nearly half the resources they’d painstakingly gathered from the Divine Court ruins.

"Big brother, the cost may be worth it," urged the Nine Palaces Emperor Venerable.

"Don’t rush," Ye Xu continued pleasantly. "My protection isn’t indefinite. That nine hundred million fee? That covers merely a year. Extending it? Pay more."

Their hearts bled.

Under such terms, indentured servitude under Heaven’s Secret Pavilion seemed the safer bet.

"Senior, we’ve come to join Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," Qin Fei Yan forced a faint smile. "It’s said the Pavilion Master honors talents with humility. Surely we…"

Ahem…

Ye Xu coughed pointedly. "Your ‘archaeological exploits’ speak for themselves—quite notorious, I dare say. A little soul-searching, and you’ll admit the term ‘talents’ hardly fits."

They stood frozen in awkward silence.

"However, since joining the Pavilion is your earnest wish," Ye Xu offered lightly, "I’m not unreasonable. Pay Heaven’s Secret Pavilion seven hundred million Star Yuan—a twenty percent discount—plus sign a contract indenting yourselves to me for one hundred years."

"For that century, I guarantee your safety."

"Of course, if any recklessness leads to self-destruction, that’s none of my concern."

Ye Xu leaned back, observing the group with leisure, awaiting their answer.

"Palace Master, this is Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

Suddenly, words drifted from outside. Tianyun Zi, sect master of the Tianyun Sect, wearing a bamboo hat, respectfully guided Bai Muyue forward.

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion…"

Bai Muyue gazed at the structure. The pavilion seemed to possess a power akin to consuming one’s mind; meeting her eyes, it stirred a bottomless curiosity, making it impossible to look away.

A prodigy who could deduce the complete information of the Divine Court without ever stepping foot outside? Bai Muyue was thoroughly intrigued. Just how formidable were the abilities of such an extraordinary individual?

"If I could recruit him for the divine dragon, he would undoubtedly be a tremendous asset," Bai Muyue mused.

"Tianyun Zi, all of you wait outside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. I will enter alone," Bai Muyue commanded, leaving Tianyun Zi, the Palace Master of Tianyuan Palace, and the others outside before walking into the pavilion by herself.

"Oh?"

The instant Bai Muyue crossed the threshold, she immediately spotted Gu Daojin, the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital, and their companions.

Gu Daojin and the Seven Immortals tensed up.

"What a coincidence."

Bai Muyue revealed a charming, toothy smile.

But to Gu Daojin’s eyes, that very smile seemed utterly chilling.

"What a coincidence."

Yu Ziwei smiled in a manner more disconcerting than weeping.

Foes inevitably cross paths.

"Dear friends, after pilfering such a trove of treasures from the Divine Court, have you come to spend them?" Bai Muyue inquired lightly, her smile gentle, seemingly devoid of any hostility, as if she had forgotten the grievance between them entirely.

The group lowered their heads, silent.

"Dare I ask, dear friend, are you the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?" Bai Muyue did not immediately settle accounts with Gu Daojin and the others. She had more important matters this time.

Her gaze settled upon Ye Xu, and her eyes narrowed.

The young man before her was strikingly handsome, his eyes like stars and moons, bearing an ethereal, transcendent aura, akin to an exiled celestial immortal. Even Bai Muyue had to concede that among all the men she had ever encountered in her life, not one surpassed Ye Xu in looks.

"A superficial visual creature…" Ye Xu thought.

Bai Muyue’s thoughts were no secret to Ye Xu.

"It is I."

Ye Xu smiled faintly. "Daoist friend Bai, if you have unresolved matters with them, you may settle it first. No need to mind me."

Swoosh!

As soon as his words fell, Gu Daojin and the others felt their hairs stand on end.

Bai Muyue’s eyes also narrowed sharply.

She had only just entered Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and hadn’t revealed the slightest detail about herself, yet Ye Xu already knew her surname. Such divinatory skill was nothing short of astounding.

"Senior, we agree to your terms," Gu Daojin said hastily. "Let us execute the contract swiftly."

He produced one precious immortal herb after another.

Primordial Ginseng Fruit.

Nine Lives and Nine Deaths Grass.

Other Shore Flower.

All were treasures plundered from the Creation Garden of the Divine Court.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital were not idle either. One by one, they presented spiritual liquid from the Yao Pool, quantities ranging in the thousands of pounds at a minimum, evidently laying bare their entire stash.

They fully believed that what Ye Xu said was true.

Even if everyone joined forces, they couldn’t defeat an Immortal King with a single finger.

"Worthy pupils."

Ye Xu nodded in satisfaction.

Bai Muyue watched in confusion.

"Weren’t these treasures obtained from the Divine Court? Why would they eagerly hand them to the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion upon seeing me?" She was utterly perplexed.

"Sign this contract, and we’ll belong to the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion family as one," Ye Xu smiled as nine pages of contracts drifted towards the nine individuals.

Without hesitation, they pricked their fingertips and imprinted their pledges onto the parchments.

An invisible force coiled around their primordial spirits, a tangible reminder of their contract with Ye Xu. The consequences of breaking it went without saying.

"System, exchange."

With a sweep of his sleeve, Ye Xu gathered all the treasures.

Ding!

Congratulations, Host! You’ve obtained twelve billion heavenly secrets points!

Burp…

A satisfied belch echoed.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital and others stared at Ye Xu. In their hearts, they could almost hear the drip-drip sound of metaphorical blood trickling away.

"Daoist friend Bai, from today onward, they are under the banner of my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. I hope you might set aside your grievances against them, as a favor to me."

Ye Xu lightheartedly proposed.

Bai Muyue frowned slightly. She hadn’t yet discerned Ye Xu’s true power, yet he demanded she relinquish her grievances against Gu Daojin and the others. His approach was undeniably overbearing.

"Master, you first humiliated the sect master of my Tianyun Sect under my command, and now ask me to abandon personal grudges. Is this simply because of those three words: ‘Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’?" Bai Muyue icy tone matched her chilling expression. "I hear the Master enjoys conducting business. This proposed ‘deal’ guarantees your profit while leaving me at a severe disadvantage." Her voice turned frigid. "Surely, no respectable merchant operates so unjustly?"

Gu Daojin exchanged a glance with the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital.

Bai Muyue’s resentment towards Ye Xu’s approach was unmistakable.

"If you refuse to submit," Gu Daojin chimed in eagerly, stirring the pot, "then settle it by skill! Might makes truth!"

Hmph!

The next instant, a wave of power descended. Gu Daojin found himself completely unable to speak, only managing weak hmph sounds, his eyes brimming with sheer terror.

"Big brother…!" The Seven Immortals were struck with horror.

"I just warned you not to court death," Ye Xu stated coldly.

An overwhelming aura blanketed Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. It felt like the awakening of a Supreme Lord, nearly suffocating them all.

Huff… huff…

After several seconds, the restraint lifted. Gu Daojin collapsed to the floor, gasping for air.

"There won’t be a next time."

Ye Xu declared lightly.

"My deepest… deepest thanks, Master," Gu Daojin stammered, consumed by unshakeable dread.

"Daoist friend Bai," Ye Xu’s gaze grew piercing as it fixed upon Bai Muyue, "those words of yours… were you attempting to lecture me on the principles of business?"