Chapter 445

Chapter 445: Follow the Heart

Bang!

Li Ruoyu’s mana surged as a divine tree flew out from his Purple Palace. Its crown obscured the sky, and countless branches spread out in all directions. Chaotic energy surged mightily. The power of the Great Dao of Chaos roared, its sound like the tolling of a bell—the sound of the Dao.

The Chaos Immortal Emperor instantly stared wide-eyed.

“A divine treasure born of the innate Great Dao of Chaos!” the Chaos Immortal Emperor breathed heavily, his expression burning with desire. Cultivating the Great Dao of Chaos himself, this object was undoubtedly the absolute pinnacle treasure for him.

Ye Xu’s expression flickered slightly.

This tree was unmistakably the Chaotic Tree, one of the nine great Spirit Roots.

Previously, the Chaotic Tree had been held by the Heavenly Son. After Li Ruoyu slew the Heavenly Son, all of his treasures fell into Li Ruoyu’s hands, and the Chaotic Tree was naturally no exception.

“Daoist friend Li, are you planning to turtle up inside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?” Martial Emperor Lingxiao’s expression was ugly.

“Hide in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?”

The Chaos Immortal Emperor, the Sword Master, the Immortal Daoist, and the other Immortal Emperors all looked confused.

“Master,” inquired Martial Emperor Lingxiao, “didn’t you say you wouldn’t intervene in worldly disputes?”

Simply because the price wasn’t right.

Li Ruoyu thought sourly to himself.

One point two trillion Star Yuan to buy ten days of peace – the thought made his heart bleed.

“Dear friends,” Ye Xu said with a calm smile, “Daoist friend Li voluntarily paid to stay in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion for ten days to discuss the Dao with me. I see no reason to turn down profitable business.”

Everyone instantly understood.

So the Heavenly Emperor, number one on the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings, was seeking refuge inside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?

The Sword Master’s face showed disdain, “How could someone with this kind of mentality ever become the Heavenly Emperor of a universe and reach the top of the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings?”

Li Ruoyu took a deep breath.

Were his true body not occupied facing a tribulation right now, what would he have to fear?

Ye Xu continued calmly, “If you all truly wish to fight Daoist friend Li, you are welcome to return in ten days.”

“…”

Li Ruoyu clenched his teeth tightly.

“Heavenly Emperor,” the Chaos Immortal Emperor spoke suddenly, “are you handing this tree over to the Master?”

“That’s right,” Li Ruoyu confirmed. He didn’t have immense wealth, but what he possessed across the great universes could all be considered supreme treasures.

“How about selling this item to me instead?” offered the Chaos Immortal Emperor, rich and imposing. “I will pay your debt on your behalf?” His opening bid was the staggering 1.2 trillion Star Yuan needed to buy the Chaotic Tree.

“Of course,” he added, “this would naturally only be at a reasonable price.”

Ye Xu remained expressionless, silently watching the transaction unfold between Li Ruoyu and the Chaos Immortal Emperor.

It didn’t matter whose money it was, as long as the profit rolled in.

"Twelve hundred billion Star Yuan," Li Ruoyu said.

"Deal."

The Chaos Immortal Emperor laughed loudly, producing five innate supreme treasures: a diagram of innate Yin and Yang, a cauldron of the Mother Qi of Creation, a divine sword forged from the spine of the ancestral dragon…

Having arrived in the Pangu universe, he had studied the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings and naturally understood the true value of Star Yuan.

"Master, do verify," Li Ruoyu said with a slight curl of his lips. A Chaotic Tree’s value lay between eight and nine hundred billion; when truly reckoned, he was actually profiting.

"We were ourselves mistaken."

Li Ruoyu sighed inwardly. "If it weren’t for the Master, we wouldn’t have been put on a spit to roast, only to lose a Spirit Root in the end."

"This Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings… offers no benefit whatsoever yet has us paying the price ourselves…"

Li Ruoyu felt utterly weary.

"System, exchange."

Ye Xu waved a hand, and the five innate supreme treasures vanished.

[Congratulations, Host. You have acquired one hundred and twenty-eight billion heavenly secrets points.]

"From today, you reside in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion for ten days," Ye Xu declared. "The count begins this very moment."

He channeled his magic power, conjuring an hourglass upon the table.

"Time measured by this. Ten days."

"Thank you, Master."

Li Ruoyu’s pressure instantly lifted. Though only ten days, it offered a much-needed respite. Once his original self severed the present self and future self, stabilizing his cultivation, he would settle scores thoroughly with this lot.

The expressions of those present darkened.

Li Ruoyu had retreated into his shell, yet they dared not act within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

The referee had personally entered the fray.

There was nothing they could do.

Martial Emperor Lingxiao’s eyes darted shrewdly. If a fight with Li Ruoyu was impossible, then finding another target was his only path.

He swept his gaze around the room, frowning.

None here in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion seemed remotely worthy.

Swish!

Abruptly, another powerful presence descended upon Linglong City. A bridge of clouds unfurled from the sky towards Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, upon which walked a stunning woman of exquisite figure. She possessed legs long and straight, clad in a snow-white skirt, her beauty capable of toppling cities, captivating the masses. Yet her face bore fury, her phoenix eyes brimming with killing intent— this was none other than the Yan Immortal Emperor of the Zixiao plane.

"Where is the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

The Yan Immortal Emperor strode into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, ablaze with rage.

She had come for a reckoning.

She, a dignified Immortal Emperor, one of the zenith powers of the Zixiao plane, had been treated by Heaven’s Secret Pavilion as mere ornamentation! Placed upon some ridiculous so-called beauty list, exhibited like a spectacle for all mortals to gawk at.

With the pride of the Yan Immortal Emperor, how could she swallow such an insult?

Therefore, she immediately rushed to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

She didn’t even glance at the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings or the beauty list.

She intended to settle scores with Heaven’s Secret Pavilion!

"Senior Sister Yan?"

Within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, an Immortal Emperor from the Zixiao plane looked at Yan Immortal Emperor in surprise, clearly recognizing her.

"Yan Immortal Emperor has always been proud. Could she be here to cause trouble for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion this time?" The white-robed Immortal Emperor panicked inwardly, guessing her purpose.

"This is disastrous," the white-robed Immortal Emperor smiled bitterly.

Who didn’t know of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s abilities nowadays?

Causing trouble on this senior’s turf? Ten thousand lives wouldn’t suffice.

"Daoist friend Luo?"

Yan Immortal Emperor gazed at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, sensing something peculiar.

She stood at the door, noticing the white-robed Immortal Emperor, and knitted her delicate eyebrows. "Why are you here too?"

"How could this supposedly Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, capable of compiling the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings and the beauty list, be so shabby?"

"Is this woman out of her mind?"

Martial Emperor Lingxiao made no attempt to conceal his scorn.

"Probably."

Immortal Daoist replied with utter seriousness.

The Immortal Emperors within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion were almost all Yan Immortal Emperor’s equals in strength, and those ranked in the top ten of the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings each surpassed her in power.

However, even they remained obedient and utterly respectful within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, daring not the slightest presumption.

What right did Yan Immortal Emperor possess to act otherwise?

Ye Xu lay half-reclined on the master’s chair, one leg crossed over the other.

Though he sensed the strangeness, it wouldn’t hinder Yan Immortal Emperor’s steps.

"So many Immortal Emperors?"

Yet, the instant she stepped into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, she instantly perceived the cultivations of everyone present. Her beautiful eyes suddenly contracted – among those seated were several Immortal Emperors whose cultivation levels even exceeded her own.

Such a shabby place actually gathered more than a dozen top-tier Immortal Emperors?

"Young lady, I am the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

Ye Xu stated calmly. "I compiled the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings. I also compiled the beauty list. Are you here to find trouble with me?"

Ye Xu’s expression held a hint of amusement.

"You jest, Master."

Yan Immortal Emperor’s expression of resentment vanished entirely.

She chuckled foolishly, her demeanor transformed entirely from moments before.

Yan Immortal Emperor curtseyed gracefully towards Ye Xu. Her voice rang like pearls falling onto a jade plate, clear and melodious. "Being able to traverse the eight great universes and compile a list of the strongest experts from each… how could this concubine possibly match your capabilities, Master?"

"Even if I possessed ten times the courage, I wouldn’t dare cause trouble for the Master."

Yan Immortal Emperor felt a tremor of fear in her heart.

She had entered Heaven’s Secret Pavilion without uttering a single word, so how did the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion know she was there to settle scores?

"Boring."

Li Ruoyu couldn’t be bothered concerning himself with such trivial matters.

He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

"Good that you know."

Ye Xu said lightly.

A terrifying power silently enveloped Yan Immortal Emperor.

Yan Immortal Emperor’s heart tightened.

This was a warning for her.

Had Ye Xu decided to act, she wouldn’t have even had a chance to resist.

"Thank heavens I didn’t attack immediately just now." Yan Immortal Emperor lightly touched her chest, her eyes showing traces of lingering fear and relief.

"Master, this humble one wishes to know: what rank will I achieve on the beauty list?"

Yan Immortal Emperor suppressed her fear and flashed a charming smile.

She cared not at all for the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings.

For her, the beauty list was the most important matter.

"You are not first."

Ye Xu poured cold water on her hopes.

"Then who is first?" Yan Immortal Emperor’s almond-shaped eyes sharpened; Ye Xu’s words had instantly sparked her curiosity.

"Ahem…"

The white-robed Immortal Emperor coughed lightly and said, "Senior Sister Yan, to see the actual rankings on the beauty list requires payment of about one hundred million Star Yuan."

"How do I pay?"

Yan Immortal Emperor didn’t care in the slightest.

She only wished to find out her ranking on the beauty list as quickly as possible.

"Figure it out yourself."

Martial Emperor Lingxiao said solemnly, "Do not disturb our business negotiations with the Master here."

Right now,

With Li Ruoyu hiding away, he had no choice but to set his sights on Lin Qianmo as the next best target.

Hearing this, a flicker of anger surfaced in Yan Immortal Emperor’s eyes.

"This brute is also stronger than me."

Sensing the aura emanating from Martial Emperor Lingxiao, Yan Immortal Emperor suppressed her rage.

He was definitely someone who ranked within the top ten of the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings.

"Senior Sister, I have a card here. You only need to swipe it against the beauty list to access the contents of the list." The white-robed Immortal Emperor offered a Supreme Lord Card.

"Thank you, Daoist friend Luo."

Yan Immortal Emperor left Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Swish!

She flew upwards, swiped the Supreme Lord Card, and information from the beauty list flooded her mind.

"Lin Qianmo?"

"Mu Fanyin?"

Lin Qianmo’s cultivation had advanced, causing the rankings on the beauty list to shift.

"I am only ranked third?"

Yan Immortal Emperor was outraged.

The beauty list, as its name implied, primarily ranked based on appearance.

Her placing third meant her beauty was supposedly inferior to Lin Qianmo and Mu Fanyin?

This was absolutely unacceptable to a woman, especially one who was an Immortal Emperor possessing peerless beauty.

"This Empress demands to see just how beautiful that Lin Qianmo and Mu Fanyin truly are!"