Chapter 468

Chapter 468: Lu Chengfeng

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

The purple-robed youth glanced dismissively at the flyer.

Throughout the Canglan Immortal Domain, cultivators claiming mastery over celestial calculations were as numerous as stars. Yet those with true worth were a rarity.

He naturally assumed the so-called Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion must be mediocre as well.

"Go tell your Master," the purple-clad youth said lightly, "that if he wishes to do business within the Canglan Immortal Domain, his pavilion must pay the Canglan Merchant Alliance one hundred source crystals annually."

The Formless Demon Lord looked stunned. "Pay taxes?"

In the lower realm, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion minted currency and collected the coinage tax. Never had he imagined that after entering the Hongmeng Dao Realm, they now owed taxes to the Canglan Merchant Alliance!

"Young Master, my Pavilion Master possesses vast divine abilities," the Formless Demon Lord declared solemnly. "If you doubt this, I can escort you to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion personally."

The burly man beside him snorted. "No matter how capable one claims to be, inside Canglan Divine City, even a dragon must coil and a tiger must crouch."

The Formless Demon Lord forced an awkward smile.

"My time is precious. I haven’t any to waste visiting your Pavilion," the purple-robed youth stated coldly. "If the hundred source crystals aren’t delivered within three days… expect a visit from the Canglan Merchant Alliance."

"Get lost!"

The burly man kicked the Formless Demon Lord squarely on the rear.

Stumbling forward, the Demon Lord lurched out of the tavern.

Rubbing his backside, he grumbled, "Fools who can’t recognize true worth."

"I wonder if the Master will agree to pay?"

He abandoned his flyer distribution task and headed straight back to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, intending to relay the Merchant Alliance’s demands to Ye Xu.

"Let’s go."

Upstairs in the tavern, the purple-robed youth rose, his burly attendant following as they departed.

"If this world truly harbored a miracle worker of earth-shaking capability, it might be Young Master’s salvation," the attendant sighed. "Alas, most are just pretenders chasing fame."

A flicker of melancholy passed across the purple-robed youth’s expression.

The Canglan Merchant Alliance united six great families, with the Lu Family standing foremost.

He was this generation’s Young Master of the Lu Family — Lu Chengfeng.

Yet fate was cruel: Lu Chengfeng had been born with a constitution utterly devoid of potential, incapable of cultivation.

Nevertheless, his intellect shone brilliant, his strategies unparalleled. Though denied the path of cultivation, he poured his genius into commerce. In mere centuries, he fanned the Merchant Alliance’s growth into a roaring blaze, splendid as brocade adorned with flowers.

Deep-seated defiance burned within Lu Chengfeng’s eyes.

However brilliant his mind, he remained a mere mortal.

Even cradled by the Lu Family’s wealth, sustained daily by rare elixirs and immortal pills… the hard ceiling of a mortal’s nine hundred years neared.

He was already eight hundred years old.

To any true cultivator, eight centuries felt like the mere blink of an eye.

For Lu Chengfeng, it was the journey of an entire life.

"I’ve combed through this world since birth, searching for extraordinary beings, yet none could solve my innate crippled physique. None could enable me to cultivate." Lu Chengfeng gave a bitter smile.

He’d descended with a silver spoon in his mouth, his status lofty, yet fate denied him the ordinary path of cultivation.

The burly man clenched his fists. "Heaven is truly unjust…"

Moments later, Lu Chengfeng composed himself. He boarded a dragon carriage, driven by the burly man, and returned to the Lu Family estate.

The Lu Family estate resided in the eastern reaches of Canglan Divine City. Vast and sprawling, it resembled celestial palaces — Immortal Palaces towered, pavilions stood tier upon tier, shrouded in radiant clouds and mist, a true realm of the immortals.

"Young Master!"

As Lu Chengfeng entered the estate, numerous Lu Family disciples bowed respectfully to him.

Yet the moment they turned away, pity filled their eyes.

The esteemed Young Master of the Lu Family, born with a crippled physique! Scouring ten thousand methods across the world couldn’t alter his destiny as a cripple. He could only watch the days pass, slowly aging. It held a deep pang of sorrow.

"Young Master, the head of the family commands your presence in the Xuan Guang Hall upon your return."

Just then, an elderly man with white hair approached and spoke respectfully.

"Uncle Qing, what does Father seek me for?" Lu Chengfeng inquired.

Lu Qing shook his head.

"Lead the way then."

Steward Lu Qing walked ahead, guiding the path towards the Xuan Guang Hall.

"Bringing Father with reverence."

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived. Lu Chengfeng bowed deeply.

Within the hall stood a middle-aged man, hair graying at his temples, imposing even without visible anger. He held a book scroll in his right hand, his left hand clasped behind his back. Draped in an azure-blue robe, he radiated dignity and grandeur.

"Rise."

Lu Chengfeng slowly stood upright.

His gaze shifted. The head of the Lu Family wasn’t alone in the Xuan Guang Hall. An elderly figure and a youth accompanied him.

"Father summoned your son here. May I know the reason?" Lu Chengfeng asked.

"Half an hour ago, Ancestor Xuanyin sent me a message."

The head of the Lu Family’s expression turned grave. "Somewhere within Canglan Divine City concealed a presence even she couldn’t penetrate. She tasked us with uncovering its details."

A chill ran through Lu Chengfeng’s heart.

Ancestor Xuanyin, the League Master of the Canglan Merchant Alliance, was a peak Dao Lord who had lived through countless Yuanhui. Even within the vast Hongmeng Dao Realm, she commanded immense influence.

"If even she couldn’t penetrate it… could it be a Dao Sovereign?"

"Esteemed Head, is there concern entrusting Chengfeng with this?" The elder spoke up, his brow furrowed. "He remains an ordinary person. Should danger arise, his chance of survival would be negligible."

"No matter."

The head of the Lu Family waved dismissively.

"Chengfeng, do you dare to go?" said the head of the Lu Family.

In his view, a place that even Lu Xuanyin could not see through, even if he went himself, would be certain death if danger arose.

Since it was so, it was better to let Lu Chengfeng go.

He supposed that no one would kill a mortal.

If it really was a senior expert, perhaps it could be a chance of luck for Lu Chengfeng.

"I dare."

Lu Chengfeng nodded.

In his heart, some interest arose; a place that even the Ancestor could not fathom must hold something mysterious.

He looked toward the head of the Lu Family and asked, "I don’t know where it is?"

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion!"

said the head of the Lu Family.

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Lu Chengfeng’s heart shook violently.

"That master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, could he really have such power?"

Associating with Formless Demon Lord’s claims and Lu Xuanyin’s message, Li Chengfeng’s heart palpitated fiercely, and a sliver of hope stirred within him.

"Father, since it’s a visit, we must prepare a rich gift."

Lu Chengfeng’s eyes flickered slightly, as he said, "Why not use the ancient chaotic lotus obtained from Ziyang Immortal Realm a few days ago as a gift to meet that senior?"

The head of the Lu Family showed a satisfied look.

Lu Chengfeng couldn’t cultivate, so he studied wealth-making ways; in social graces, he was already very smooth.

Therefore, entrusting this task to Lu Chengfeng, he felt very secure.

The elderly and the young two frowned.

The ancient chaotic lotus was valuable; yet it had to be given as a gift to someone else?

Only, for things decided by the head of the family, they dared not oppose.

After a stick of incense, steward Lu Qing held a purple jade box, crafted from Hongmeng Purple Jade, which could seal everything, prevent spiritual energy leakage, and nourish its contents.

"Lu Qing, go with Chengfeng," ordered the head of the Lu Family.

"This old servant obeys,"

Lu Qing nodded.

The two walked out of the Lu Family together, boarded the dragon carriage, and raced toward Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Uncle Qing, do you know any more news?" Lu Chengfeng said.

"I do have some,"

Lu Qing laughed, "I heard that Dao Lord Qingyuan also exchanged words with the Ancestor; after we figure out Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s details, we still need to inform Dao Lord Qingyuan."

Lu Chengfeng’s eyes flashed.

Dao Lord Qingyuan was precisely the old willow tree standing in Canglan Divine City for unknown Yuanhui.

He attained the Dao even before Lu Xuanyin and was a top Dao Lord expert.

Roar!

The dragon carriage sped on the main road, pedestrians clearing the way, none daring to block.

After all, the Lu Family was the first family in Canglan Divine City.

Half an hour later, the dragon carriage arrived before Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Lu Chengfeng slowly stepped down from the carriage.