Chapter 513

Chapter 513: Passing the Cost to the Consumers

"System, assist me in advancing to Dao Sovereign."

As the thought arose, a billion Hongmeng points vanished from the account. A vast power flooded into his physical body, Ye Xu’s cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, his Easy Dao transforming in myriad ways.

Half a day later, Ye Xu achieved Dao Sovereign.

His invincible domain also expanded to cover twelve thousand eight hundred miles, spanning all directions.

His awareness enveloped Canglan City like examining patterns on an open palm. He perceived every cultivator with utter clarity, uncovering almost all their secrets. Among them, over a dozen top-tier Dao Lords hid within the city.

"Crafty lot, staying dormant… I ought to give them a chance to reveal themselves."

Ye Xu stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Old Yi, what do you think? Should Heaven’s Secret Pavilion host a martial arts competition?" Ye Xu asked with a devious grin.

Yi Tianxing froze. "Master, are you suggesting… you want them to fight?"

"Certainly feasible, though…"

"Though what?"

Yi Tianxing smiled bitterly. "Those Dao Lords are shrewd old foxes. A mere reputation won’t suffice as incentive for them to clash."

"I know."

Ye Xu’s eyes gleamed with cunning.

Back in Linglong City, he’d organized a Hidden Dragon Gathering.

He could mimic that approach.

Naturally, the martial format could be tweaked—old bottle with new wine.

Yet his current fiscal limitations posed a problem: any offered reward would likely look paltry to the Eight Great Young Masters since they enjoyed backing from Heaven’s Venerables and boasted ready access to treasures and techniques.

Instead, his targets were other Dao Lords on the ranking.

Some hailed from great sects, others were talents from minor schools, and a few existed as rogue cultivators.

Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s prizes would tempt their eyes.

"We could rank top three," Ye Xu proposed. "Quality trumps quantity, so I plan to offer one Dao Sovereign Secret Realm."

"Master, acquiring intelligence on such a secret realm must cost greatly, yes?" Yi Tianxing shot Ye Xu an odd look. Had their miserly lord truly changed nature?

"Naturally, we’ll charge admission." Ye Xu rolled his eyes. "I never run loss-making deals."

"Ah, of course."

Yi Tianxing fought back exasperated laughter.

"Don’t rush it yet, though. Announce it first and gauge reactions," Ye Xu instructed. "If participants exceed two hundred, only then shall I decide."

His inner calculation: attracting fifty top geniuses from the Dao Lord ranking would suffice to draw spectators from all territories.

Regarding fees…

That required Lu Chengfeng’s expertise.

Swoosh!

Ye Xu channeled his magic power, coalescing a seven-colored arc of light into an ancient bell. With a resounding "clang," it emitted successive tolls, causing the surrounding space to vibrate and crumble.

"What is he up to now?"

Everyone was startled by the sudden chime and looked up to the sky.

Standing atop the Dao Bell, Yi Tianxing hovered with robes billowing, radiating an immortal-like aura and Daoist elegance.

"Fellow Daoist friends," he announced, "the Dao Lord ranking has been released, and countless must harbor doubts about the positions therein. Our Heaven’s Secret Pavilion Master thus proposes to host a martial arts competition, offering generous rewards."

"This competition permits even those not listed on the Dao Lord ranking to participate."

"Any Daoist friend wishing to join in the martial arts competition should register at Heaven’s Machine Auction House. Registration will remain open for ten days and close thereafter—no extensions granted."

"A martial arts competition?"

The announcement stirred everyone’s passions. Each Dao Lord grew restless, including cultivators at the Peak of Nine Tribulations Dao Lord realm.

Defeating a ranked Dao Lord would make one’s name echo through the annals of history.

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s name shakes the heavens. Since they are organizing this, the rewards must be staggering—worth trying, wouldn’t you agree?" urged a Nine Tribulations Dao Lord, enthusiasm gleaming in his eyes.

"Hahaha!"

"Brother Xu speaks my mind."

"Having all reached the Nine Tribulations Dao Lord realm, we should test precisely how those ranked Nine Tribulations Dao Lords surpass us!" another chimed in.

"To Heaven’s Machine Auction House!"

A group of over ten surged into flight, streaking toward the auction house.

"Fools truly abound," muttered Xuan Du Ancient Immortal, shaking his head softly.

He had long seen through Ye Xu’s schemes.

As Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion—one who would not get up early without benefits—Ye Xu wasn’t performing charity.

"This lot thinks they can skim Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s profits, oblivious that the fleece comes off their own backs…" continued Xuan Du Ancient Immortal with a wry sigh as he, too, drifted toward the auction house.

"Mh?"

Midway, Xuan Du Ancient Immortal abruptly spied a silver-robed man exuding an imposing aura. His bearing was steady, eyes sharp as lightning—an unmistakable Nine Tribulations Dao Lord.

"Lei Yan, Holy Master…"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.

Lei Yan, Holy Master reigned over Thunderflame Holy City in Thunderclap Immortal Domain and was rumored to be a rogue cultivator. By chance, he had gained an ancient inheritance, rising step-by-step to the Peak of Nine Tribulations Dao Lord.

A champion of justice who despised evil, he had once battled alone into Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, slaying fourteen Nine Tribulations Dao Lords of the demon clan single-handedly—earning legendary fame overnight.

He held the twelfth position on the Dao Lord ranking.

Apart from the eight lords upon it, he stood unquestionably among the mightiest Dao Lords of Hongmeng Dao Realm.

"Never imagined he would appear here," mused Xuan Du Ancient Immortal. An idea sparked within: Befriending him and binding him to our lord would earn no small merit.

With this in mind, he quickened his steps toward Lei Yan, Holy Master.

"Daoist brother Lei Yan," he greeted, clasping his hands respectfully. "I am Xuan Du Ancient Immortal. It is an honor."

"I do not know you."

Lei Yan, Holy Master’s eyes were bright and piercing, as if thunder and fire burned within them, his aura magnificent.

Gazing at Xuan Du Ancient Immortal, his expression was indifferent, his words cold.

"Hahaha… This humble one is but a nameless nobody, how could I ever compare to Daoist brother?"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal showed no annoyance, flattering him, "Daoist brother ranks twelfth on the Dao Lord ranking, detests evil and fights for justice, with a reputation renowned throughout the world. I have long admired you."

"What do you want?" Lei Yan, Holy Master asked lightly.

Everyone enjoys hearing praise. Though Lei Yan, Holy Master was upright, he was not immune to human foibles.

After all, one does not strike a person with a smiling face.

"This humble one has always loved befriending heroes of the world. Might Daoist brother grant me the honor of sharing a few cups with me?" Xuan Du Ancient Immortal extended the invitation.

Lei Yan, Holy Master gave a half-smile, "Kindness offered without reason is either deceit or theft. If you refuse to state your true purpose, then there is no need for us to continue speaking."

He made as if to leave.

"Wait."

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal grumbled inwardly; he had long heard of Lei Yan, Holy Master’s blunt nature, unmoved by either flattery or threats. Today, he saw it firsthand.

"To be frank, this old one serves the Second Young Master," said Xuan Du Ancient Immortal. "Once upon a time, the Second Young Master shared wine with the Eighth Young Master, discussing heroes and counting the heroes of the world."

"Brother Lei Yan," he continued, "was one of them."

His words were a tangled mix of lies, impossible to tell truth from falsehood.

"Oh?"

Lei Yan, Holy Master’s smile deepened, yet carried a touch of mockery.

"I hadn’t imagined that a mere rogue cultivator like myself could catch the eye of the Second Young Master. Truly, an undeserved honor."

"Daoist brother is far too modest," praised Xuan Du Ancient Immortal. "With your abilities, achieving the rank of a Celestial Venerable in the future is not beyond possibility."

"My Second Young Master harbors ambitions as vast as the cosmos within his bosom, with aspirations to swallow heaven and earth. He thirsts for talent. If Daoist brother would but serve him, you could carve out a new realm within the Hongmeng Dao Realm."

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal spoke incessantly, his words flowing like a rushing torrent.

"It is well-known that Daoist friend detests evil. With the Second Young Master’s support, you could surely cleanse the world of foulness, creating an era of peace for future generations."

"Daoist friend has a silken tongue, no wonder you have earned the Second Young Master’s favor," remarked Lei Yan, Holy Master. "It’s just unfortunate that I am not skilled at flattery, nor willing to live under another’s roof."

"Daoist friend…" Xuan Du Ancient Immortal sought to persuade him further.

Suddenly.

Lei Yan, Holy Master’s sharp gaze swept over him, piercing like lightning, terrifying Xuan Du Ancient Immortal into freezing in place, not daring to move for a long while.

"Of the Nine Young Masters, save for the Eldest Young Master who withdrew from the world, devoting himself solely to secluded cultivation, which of the remaining eight is not stained by countless evils, having killed countless?" Lei Yan, Holy Master stated coldly. "Asking me to pledge loyalty to the Second Young Master? He is unworthy!"

"Dare utter another word, and I will carve off your head and send it to the Destiny Sect!"

"Begone!"

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal broke into a cold sweat, trembling uncontrollably.

He felt a terrifying killing intent emanating from Lei Yan, Holy Master.

By the time he regained his composure, Lei Yan, Holy Master had already vanished.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal trembled with rage, his teeth almost grinding into dust.

Relying on the Second Young Master’s power, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

"What a fine Lei Yan, Holy Master you are!" he hissed, his eyes dark and sinister as he spat out venomously, "You had best pray that one day you do not fall into this old one’s hands!"

"Otherwise, I will tear you limb from limb!"