Chapter 514

Chapter 514: Absolutely Profitable

Lei Yan, Holy Master ascended the jade steps and entered Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Within sight, Ye Xu was playing chess with Luo Nishang. Indeed bored, he had called out Luo Nishang, who usually cultivated inside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, to play chess and dispel his boredom.

But Luo Nishang, coming from a prestigious family, possessed superb chess skills. Ye Xu hadn’t managed to win a single game.

"Master, I’ve won again."

Luo Nishang smiled sweetly and said, "Won three games. The wager was ten days per game, so that’s a total of thirty days."

She could stay in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion for thirty extra days.

"Master, your face seems dark…" A trace of surprise flickered in Luo Nishang’s eyes. Surely the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, a Heavenly Venerate level powerhouse, wouldn’t be troubled by a few hundred thousand divine stones?

"Junior Lei Zhengyang, pays his respects to the Master."

Seeing the two conclude their game, Lei Yan, Holy Master finally spoke and offered a formal greeting.

"Master, a customer is here. I’ll make myself scarce for now."

"Sesame, open the door…"

Luo Nishang’s melodious voice chimed. A whirlpool of Time and Space manifested in the void. She stepped out, moving from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion directly into a Palace tower.

Lei Yan, Holy Master’s mouth twitched slightly.

What a childish woman!

Ye Xu turned his gaze towards Lei Yan, Holy Master.

Row after row of information appeared before his eyes.

Name: Lei Zhengyang.

Identity: City Lord of Thunderflame Holy City, ranked twelve on the Dao Lord ranking.

Cultivation: Peak of Nine Tribulations Dao Lord.

Techniques: Innate Great Unity Divine Thunder Technique.

Divine Abilities: Heaven’s Thunder-Lightning Control spells, Eyes of the Thunder God, Divine Thunder Evasion…

…

After a few breaths, Ye Xu had Lei Zhengyang’s information fully clear in his mind. In short, this was a man of pure righteousness. Slaying the demons of Wanmo Ridge was merely a minor episode in Lei Zhengyang’s life.

"Who would have thought this man had a grievance with the Eighth Young Master," Ye Xu thought to himself.

He gathered his thoughts and smiled. "Young friend, no need for such formality. In fact, I must congratulate you for being ranked twelfth on the Dao Lord ranking."

"In the entire Hongmeng Dao Realm, you are among the very top group of talents."

"You flatter me too much, Master."

Lei Zhengyang looked slightly abashed and said, "This junior’s purpose for visiting is because there’s one matter I wish to seek your guidance on."

"Speak," Ye Xu replied with a smile.

Lei Zhengyang’s expression abruptly turned fierce, and killing intent erupted violently.

"I want to kill the Eighth Young Master!"

His killing intent surged upward, as if not even pouring the entire Heavenly River could wash it away. The righteous aura he once possessed had now transformed into a palpable murderous aura, causing onlookers to couldn’t help but feel their hearts tremble.

Ye Xu’s expression remained calm. He had already seen the information on Lei Zhengyang and knew about the grudge between Lei Zhengyang and Eighth Young Master.

This matter also involved Ninth Young Master.

Hatred filled Lei Zhengyang’s eyes.

Years ago, Second Young Master and Eighth Young Master had joined forces, setting a trap to kill Ninth Young Master within the Tianlan Immortal Domain. They sacrificed them all in a blood ritual, slaughtering every cultivator, living creature, and all things within a territory spanning 3.6 billion li around them to set up a peerless slaughtering formation.

Lei Zhengyang’s family was one of them.

At that time, he was merely a Sovereign of the World.

In that battle, the two Young Masters succeeded in gravely wounding Ninth Young Master, forcing him to reincarnate in the mortal world. It took an immensely long time of recuperation for him to recover his vitality.

But the affair was not over.

After the mass blood sacrifice, survivors remained within the slaughter formation. After Ninth Young Master was severely wounded, Eighth Young Master, seeking to prevent the news from leaking, ruthlessly killed every last one of them.

Lei Zhengyang’s sworn brother, as close to him as flesh and blood, died at the hands of Eighth Young Master.

However.

Heaven does not sever all paths.

While in hiding, Lei Zhengyang chanced upon a Secret Realm. By fortune, he received the legacy of a supreme Dao Sovereign and cultivated the Primordial Taiyi Divine Thunder True Canon. Step by step, he advanced to become a Nine Tribulations Dao Lord, reaching twelfth place on the Dao Lord ranking.

He thought of nothing but slaying Eighth Young Master and Second Young Master day and night, to avenge his family and his friends, his brothers.

Yet, Eighth Young Master and Second Young Master were far too formidable. Even by their own strength alone, Lei Zhengyang found them difficult to shake, to say nothing of the powerful Dao Sovereigns backing them.

The might of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion gave Lei Zhengyang a glimmer of hope.

This was his purpose in coming here.

"Master, please grant me your blessing," Lei Zhengyang bowed respectfully.

Ye Xu shook his head, "My boy, killing Eighth Young Master is no difficult matter. I can tell you his weakness. However, the Dao Sovereign backing him will not let him die."

"You cannot kill him."

"Could it be that even you, Master, cannot kill him?" Lei Zhengyang’s eyes widened in anger. "If the Master is willing to act, this junior is willing to pay any price."

"I could kill him," Ye Xu replied with a faint smile, "but that does not mean you can afford the price."

Obtaining the complete information on a Young Master easily cost billions. This touched upon secrets of tremendous magnitude. The Dao Sovereigns behind them – how would they ever allow them to die?

Lei Zhengyang, full of righteous hatred and unwavering principle, was indeed admirable.

But he couldn’t come up with the money.

Without money, Ye Xu could do nothing.

"My boy," Ye Xu said, "I understand your desire to kill Eighth Young Master and Second Young Master to avenge your loved ones. But you cannot be rash. Only by becoming strong yourself is the true, dependable path."

"I know all things past and see into the future. There is nothing I am unaware of."

"If killing the Eighth Young Master is impossible for now, you can always just cultivate to attain the Dao Sovereign realm first."

Lei Zhengyang’s emotions gradually calmed.

He thought too naively.

It was clear the Eighth Young Master and Second Young Master were no ordinary Nine Tribulations Dao Lords. The price needed to kill them was more than he could currently bear.

"The Master is right," Lei Zhengyang said sheepishly. "This junior was too impatient."

He changed the subject. "This junior has been stuck at the Nine Tribulations Dao Lord realm for many years. My cultivation has encountered a bottleneck. May I ask Senior for guidance on how to break through to Dao Sovereign?"

System, query how Lei Zhengyang can advance to Dao Sovereign, Ye Xu thought inwardly.

Ding!

[Innate Thunder Marsh Dao Domain, complete information, requires 900 million Hongmeng points.]

Simplified Version, requires 200 million Hongmeng points.

"Too expensive!" Ye Xu clicked his tongue.

Mere simplified information about a chance for a Nine Tribulations Dao Lord to advance to One Tribulation Dao Sovereign costing 200 million Hongmeng points? It was blatant price gouging.

"Wait…"

A gleam lit up Ye Xu’s eyes. If I hold that martial arts competition, I can use a Dao Sovereign Secret Realm as the venue. They’d pay an entry fee. And the treasures they manage to seize within that Dao Sovereign Secret Realm itself can count as their prize.

This way, not only wouldn’t I spend big money, I could pocket even more profit, and I’d save on giving out rewards altogether.

The more Ye Xu pondered it, the more potential he saw.

He had initially considered setting rewards for the top three contenders, but upon having this thought, even those rewards became unnecessary.

After all.

Within a Dao Sovereign Secret Realm, especially this Innate Thunder Marsh Dao Domain reputedly second in value only to the All Laws Sect Ruins, surely lay opportunities for Dao Lords to advance to Dao Sovereign.

Moreover, treasures were undeniably present within the Secret Realm.

"Master? Master…"

Seeing Ye Xu remain silent for so long, Lei Zhengyang cautiously called out to him.

"Young friend, you truly possess a pure heart," Ye Xu said, a sly glint in his eyes. "I shall grant you a favor. Are you aware of the upcoming martial arts competition my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is preparing to hold?"

"How could I deserve such generosity?" Lei Zhengyang stammered, feeling unexpectedly honored.

Ye Xu chuckled. "For this martial arts competition, I plan to use a Dao Sovereign Secret Realm as the battleground. Contending Dao Lords shall clash directly within the Secret Realm."

"Thus, not only will you have the chance to seize opportunities, but you can also measure your strength against others – a win-win situation."

"Most significantly, within this particular Dao Sovereign Secret Realm lies an opportunity for you to advance to Dao Sovereign."

Ye Xu fixed a penetrating gaze on him. "Young friend, are you interested?"

Lei Zhengyang was inwardly stunned.

"Master, this doesn’t quite feel right…"

As a simple and sincere man, Lei Zhengyang felt genuine discomfort at the idea of freeloading.

"Why not?" Ye Xu waved a hand grandly. "Entering the Dao Sovereign Secret Realm is one thing; actually seizing the advancement opportunity requires strength. Without strength, how will you defeat the many heroes competing for it?"

"Winning that prize would be a deserving reward."

"This junior understands."

Lei Zhengyang’s spirits lifted. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior. This junior is willing to participate in the martial arts competition."

"Hahaha…"

Ye Xu laughed heartily. "Heaven’s Machine Auction House is registering participants. Go forth and sign up. Once the necessary number is gathered, I will personally open the Innate Thunder Marsh Dao Domain."

"Yes."

"This junior takes his leave."

Lei Zhengyang turned to leave. After a couple of steps, he paused, turned back, and offered a deep, respectful bow. "Senior’s teachings, this junior will surely etch upon his heart."

With that, Lei Zhengyang exited Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, descending the steps.

Ye Xu’s eyebrow quirked almost imperceptibly.

As the saying goes, one glimpses a person’s character through minor details.

Of all the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s customers so far, Lei Zhengyang was the only one who had actually walked up the steps.

His attitude towards Ye Xu carried genuine respect.

Quite unlike Xuan Du Ancient Immortal, who acted respectful in person but cursed behind their back.

"Someone so sincere actually resembles the human ancestor a little," Ye Xu murmured.

The simplified information for the Innate Thunder Marsh Dao Domain requires 200 million Hongmeng points. With 200 participants, each would need to contribute at least two million divine stones for me to turn even a small profit.

Ye Xu rubbed his chin.

For Nine Tribulations Dao Lords, several million divine stones wasn’t excessive.

No matter how he calculated it, Ye Xu couldn’t possibly lose.

Wasn’t the whole purpose of painstakingly creating the Dao Lord ranking simply to make a tidy little profit?