Chapter 510

Chapter 510: Tremors Across the World

The Dragon Pattern Incense ignited.

Amidst the hazy smoke, a time-space illusion gradually took form.

The Second Young Master, still carrying the sword box on his back, gazed calmly at the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal.

"Young Master," the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal spoke solemnly, "the Dao Lord ranking has appeared. Are you named upon it?"

The Second Young Master nodded. "The Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s Dao Lord ranking resonates with the Heavenly Dao. The moment it emerged, I received a message from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"It’s said this list encompasses all Dao Lords under heaven. How high am I ranked upon it?"

Ye Xu hadn’t revealed any information regarding the yin and yang realms.

Though upon the Dao Lord ranking stood top Dao Lords from that other world.

"Young Master, you still have the mind to care about your rank?" The Xuan Du Ancient Immortal didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Whenever this Dao Lord ranking emerges, it inevitably fans the flames of bloody conflict across the Dao Realm."

"In my opinion, you must visit the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. You must talk terms with its Master."

The Xuan Du Ancient Immortal continued, "The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is decidedly open-eyed for money. Provided we deliver sufficient riches, we can likely seal his lips and prevent him from divulging your information."

The Second Young Master’s expression showed no ripple.

"For countless years, those longing for my death have been beyond counting."

"Xuan Du, your fears are excessive."

Between the nine young masters, a mutual agreement existed.

Affairs concerning them were for them alone to settle. Should any Dao Sovereign dare intervene, they faced immediate retribution.

These nine young masters were all remarkably astute.

The clear purpose of this pact was to ensure they remained locked in deadlock, sharpening each other.

The Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s face twisted into a bitter expression.

"I shall indeed visit the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion eventually, but the moment has not yet arrived," the Second Young Master stated. "I am on the cusp of advancing to Dao Sovereign. For this period of time, I must enter seclusion for my breakthrough."

"Congratulations, Young Master!"

The Xuan Du Ancient Immortal, startled at first, immediately offered his congratulations.

"Do not disturb me during this time without cause."

Leaving these words behind, the Second Young Master waved his sleeve, and the mist dispersed as the Dragon Pattern Incense gradually burned itself out.

"The Young Master advances to Dao Sovereign… the other young masters will likely follow soon," the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal murmured. He departed the headquarters of the Canglan Merchant Alliance, his gaze turning towards the Dao Lord ranking.

A vast crowd gathered.

In the blink of an eye, the Dao Lord ranking had already garnered billions of divine stones.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal arrived at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"This old one pays respects to the Master." The Xuan Du Ancient Immortal looked towards Ye Xu, his expression grave and inwardly cautious.

If the previous Ye Xu seemed utterly harmless and approachable, the current Ye Xu bore a distinct sharp edge—an edge that bore down on the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal with pressure.

After all, the strength Ye Xu had revealed was, at the very least, at the level of a Celestial Sovereign.

"There’s no need for such formality, Daoist friend. Please have a seat," Ye Xu said.

"I dare not accept the title of ‘Daoist friend’,"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal was immensely flattered.

Ye Xu shook his head and chuckled.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal sat down, smiling. "Ever since the Master released this Dao Lord ranking, it has shaken the ten thousand domains. Such a feat leaves an old man like me utterly awestruck."

"At present, everyone is curious about the individuals featured on the Dao Lord ranking, and I am no exception."

"You wish to preview it beforehand?" Ye Xu smiled knowingly.

Having advanced to the Nine Tribulations Dao Lord, Ye Xu could now clearly discern Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s inner thoughts.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal nodded. "Please state your price, Master."

As a longtime patron, Xuan Du Ancient Immortal knew Ye Xu’s temperament extremely well: everything, every piece of information, had its price at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

If he couldn’t obtain it, it simply meant he hadn’t offered enough divine stones.

"I promised people across the Heavens that once three hundred eighty million divine stones are gathered, the contents of the Dao Lord ranking would be made public to all," Ye Xu said, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips. "And yet, you want to see it early? Are you suggesting I should break faith with the world?"

"I wouldn’t dare suggest that,"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal trembled slightly, forcing an obsequious smile onto his face. "The credibility of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is unmatched under the heavens. How could an exception be made merely for this old man?"

"In your eyes, I’m nothing but a money-grubber," Ye Xu stated plainly. "Why the pretense?"

"Uh…"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal dared not utter a word.

He had only thought it silently; he hadn’t actually said it aloud.

"Viewing the Dao Lord ranking beforehand isn’t entirely impossible,"

Ye Xu said lightly. "As of this moment, the ranking account holds 380 million divine stones. If you wish to see it now, you simply need to pay 820 million divine stones."

"……"

The corner of Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s mouth twitched violently.

He wasn’t an idiot, nor did he possess anywhere near that kind of wealth.

"This old man’s finances are meager," Xuan Du Ancient Immortal stammered, his laughter awkward and embarrassed. "How could I possibly afford it?" He hurriedly excused himself and retreated.

Lu Chengfeng watched Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s departing back, a flicker of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

"There’s no need to rush to kill him," Ye Xu said. "Besides, he was merely obeying an order."

"Chengfeng understands."

Lu Chengfeng knew clearly in his heart.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal had been the commander orchestrating the annihilation of the two Lu and Yuan clans; the true culprit was the Second Young Master.

However, behind the Second Young Master stood the Destiny Sect, stood a Heavenly Respect!

"Old Yi," Ye Xu’s gaze turned profound, and he suddenly posed a seemingly cryptic question, "would you say my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion has now become one of the established powers within the Hongmeng Dao Realm?"

"Of course!"

Yi Tianxing said, "Once the Dao Lord ranking was released, the world was shaken, and people also knew that the Master’s strength was definitely not inferior to the so-called seventy-two Heavenly Venerables."

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is undoubtedly a supreme pole in the universe."

"Master, why did you say that?"

Ye Xu’s strength was evident to all.

Two words — invincible.

However, Yi Tianxing did not quite grasp the implication of Ye Xu’s words.

"Those so-called Heavenly Venerables can all prop up the Nine Young Masters; I, invincible in the world, think I must cultivate a genius known to all, to display the prestige of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," Ye Xu said leisurely.

Yi Tianxing and Lu Chengfeng’s hearts trembled.

"Master, in my opinion, Chengfeng could be a candidate," Yi Tianxing said, his eyes shifting; though honest, he understood Ye Xu’s meaning.

Ye Xu clearly intended to groom Lu Chengfeng.

Lu Chengfeng’s gaze was wise.

He saw farther than Yi Tianxing.

Once Heaven’s Secret Pavilion promoted a top genius on par with the Nine Young Masters, it was an omen of the pavilion interfering in worldly affairs.

"Master ultimately cannot endure isolation and has a heart to enter the mundane world," Lu Chengfeng thought to himself.

Ye Xu laughed and said, "I know my bounds."

Ning Wudao, Xixi, and Lu Chengfeng, among others, could all be nurtured.

It was not limited to one person.

In terms of talent, perhaps Lu Chengfeng was stronger.

But in terms of Dao heart, Ning Wudao was absolutely above Lu Chengfeng.

"Perhaps, one day in the future, the Hongmeng Dao Realm will have one more Tenth Young Master, hahaha…" Yi Tianxing laughed heartily.

"Trivial," Ye Xu said with a scornful expression, "Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is invincible in the world, how could it stand shoulder to shoulder with them?"

"The top title can only have one!"

……

Tian Cang Immortal Domain, Divine Capital of the Immortal Court.

Yan Ruyi concealed her aura and arrived at a City God Temple.

Inside the City God Temple, incense flourished abundantly, and people streamed like threads through a loom.

Yan Ruyi walked into the back hall.

The view gradually broadened, and a courtyard came into sight; on the right side, a trimmed pavilion stood, within which a youth in black sat cross-legged.

The youth wore black garments and had black hair; his long hair fell loose behind his back, carrying an air of carefree ease.

He was thin and frail in build, with delicate features, sitting quietly in the pavilion, his whole person seeming to merge with heaven and earth, making it impossible to detect the slightest hint of his presence.

As Yan Ruyi drew closer, her feelings grew increasingly complex; a surge of emotion welled up in her heart, and she could no longer hide her own presence, blurting out, "Junior brother!"

Whoosh!

The black-clad young man instantly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and fierce, his murderous aura slicing through the void like a sword.

Yan Ruyi’s technique for concealing her aura was extremely refined.

Even so, he only detected her presence because Yan Ruyi’s internal turmoil rose within her.

"It’s me."

Yan Ruyi struggled to conceal her agitation; she wanted to step forward but faltered slightly. Gazing at Yan Changkong, she spoke in a gentle voice, "After all these years, I’ve finally found you."

"I have been expelled from the sect, so I am no longer your junior brother," Yan Changkong replied, retracting his killing intent. He slowly closed his eyes, his expression utterly indifferent, not even glancing at Yan Ruyi.

"In my heart, you are still my junior brother."

Yan Ruyi lightly bit her red lips.

Yan Changkong’s coldness was something she had anticipated.

But truly feeling that chill made Yan Ruyi feel even more sour inside.

Yan Changkong frowned and said, "I only arrived in Divine City one day ago. How did you know I was here?"

"I approached the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. He excels in heavenly mystery calculations and deduced your whereabouts for me," Yan Ruyi revealed without holding back.

"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Yan Changkong’s gaze flickered slightly.

As a Five Tribulations Dao Sovereign, Yan Changkong sensed the heavenly phenomena stirred by the Dao Lord ranking, and he also felt a strong interest in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Why have you come to see me?"

Impatience tinged Yan Changkong’s words as he said, "If there’s nothing else, then leave Divine City right away and don’t meddle with my business."

Yan Ruyi’s delicate frame trembled faintly, and her tender heart filled with boundless disappointment and sorrow.

She still remembered.

When she learned of the news that Yan Changkong would be driven out of the Time Palace, she went straight to plead with her master, but the Celestial Lord of Time remained unmoved by it.

Yan Changkong knelt outside the Time Palace for three long years, yet his devotion still did not shake the Celestial Lord of Time’s resolve.

He knelt for three years; she pleaded for three years.

Afterward, Yan Changkong disappeared.

Yan Ruyi continuously pursued traces of Yan Changkong’s whereabouts.

From the cultivation stage of World Master to her current elevation to Four Tribulations Dao Sovereign.

"Since the day I was cast out of the Time Palace, I have severed all ties with you all," Yan Changkong finally turned to face Yan Ruyi, his eyes filled with frost. "In the past, I would never have accepted your pity."

"Now, I certainly won’t."

"One day, I will prove to all of you that my path is right, and I was not wrong."