Chapter 515

Chapter 515: Too Polite

"I never imagined the first place I’d return to upon arriving back in the Hongmeng Dao Realm would be the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

Two women entered Canglan Divine City, one after the other. The Ninth Young Master was dressed as a young nobleman in cyan robes, holding a folding fan. She was elegant as jade and extraordinarily handsome.

Lin Qianmo possessed stunning beauty and an ethereal aura. Walking together, the pair resembled a perfect couple, drawing countless glances from passersby.

After nearly a month of recuperation, the Ninth Young Master’s cultivation had remarkably returned to its peak. Having no bottle-necks to begin with, she swiftly regained the Nine Tribulations Dao Lord level once sufficient resources were provided.

With her assistance, Lin Qianmo’s cultivation had also reached the World Master level.

"Even back in the lower realm, the Master stirred chaos across the land single-handedly," sighed Lin Qianmo. "And having entered the Hongmeng Dao Realm, he remains completely unchanged. Truly remarkable."

No matter how she reasoned, she dared not imagine that Ye Xu could possess such formidable capabilities.

But the moment the Dao Lord ranking appeared, it utterly shattered her previous understanding.

It was well known that the Nine Young Masters enjoyed the protection of the Heavenly Reverends. To exploit them was tantamount to openly declaring oneself an enemy of the Nine Young Masters and opposing the Heavenly Reverends.

Ye Xu’s strength was truly unimaginable.

"Even I underestimated him," said the Ninth Young Master.

The moment the Dao Lord ranking came into being, she heard that irritating yet familiar voice. She found it difficult to recall the emotions she felt at that time.

"The Master has grown bolder," murmured Lin Qianmo, gazing up at the sky. The Heaven’s Secret Pavilion now towered loftily above all living beings, distant and unattainable. It cast such a shadow that the Dao fruits of the other Dao Sovereigns seemed diminished to the size of rice grains, their radiance eclipsed.

"Ninth Sister…"

Just then, a voice echoed within the Ninth Young Master’s Purple Palace.

The Ninth Young Master’s red lips curved slightly into a faint smile.

"Qianmo, come with me. We’re meeting two people," said the Ninth Young Master, walking toward a wine tavern. She ascended the stairs to find the Third Young Master, dressed in plain robes, seated opposite the black-clad Sixth Young Master.

Xu Taishou, Moro, and a bewitchingly beautiful young woman stood off to the side.

The young woman had a soft, fluffy white fox tail and slightly pointed ears. Her shifting gaze revealed a hint of slyness. She appeared cute and harmless, yet she was a Four Tribulations Dao Sovereign.

She was the Sixth Young Master’s protector.

Compared to her two brothers, the Ninth Young Master’s entourage paled significantly. Her sole companion, Lin Qianmo, was only at the World Master level.

"Third Brother, Sixth Brother."

The Ninth Young Master nodded in acknowledgment and moved to sit at another seat.

"Ninth Sister, you’ve returned to the Dao Realm but didn’t contact either of us?" complained the Sixth Young Master bluntly. "Are you afraid we’d harm you?"

"How would I dare complain about either of you?" the Ninth Young Master replied. "Back in the lower realm, without your help, Third Brother and Sixth Brother, delivering that Innate Reincarnation Divine Egg, I doubt I could have broken free from that constraint."

"This pot of wine, I toast to my esteemed brothers."

The Ninth Young Master raised the wine pot and drank deeply from it, her gesture bold and unrestrained, rivaling any man’s.

"Hahaha…! Our Ninth Sister really hasn’t changed one bit!" bellowed the Sixth Young Master. He drained his own pot in a hearty gulp, then thumped it onto the table. His eyes burned with fervor. "Ninth Sister, now that you’ve regained your peak strength, the three of us should join forces immediately and advance to Dao Sovereign."

The Third Young Master remained silent, quietly pouring wine for himself.

He understood Ninth Young Master’s temperament well.

"There’s no rush," Ninth Young Master bobbed her head slightly, saying: "I must complete one task first before I can cooperate with the two of you to advance to Dao Sovereign."

"What task?" Sixth Young Master frowned. "Could there be anything more important than our ascension to Dao Sovereign?"

Ninth Young Master nodded.

"I need to kill Second Young Master and Eighth Young Master!"

Her killing intent surged toward the sky; cold light shone from her eyes.

These words struck Xu Taishou, the fox-tailed girl, Moro, and Lin Qianmo like thunder, leaving them greatly shocked.

The Nine Young Masters had a mutual agreement.

None of them could seek external aid when battling one another, or they would inevitably face severe consequences.

Second Young Master and Eighth Young Master joining forces to set a trap and kill Ninth Young Master—that remained within the rules.

But should the three of them advance to Dao Sovereign and then attack the other two young masters, it would be an unfair victory, a breach of the pact, and would undoubtedly face opposition.

Precisely because of this, Ninth Young Master wished to kill Second and Eighth Young Masters before reaching Dao Sovereign.

"Ninth Sister truly rivals even the boldest of men!"

Third Young Master sighed faintly: "I admit inferiority."

Sixth Young Master frowned: "Ninth Sister, killing those two is no easy task."

"It was difficult before—but now, perhaps not."

Ninth Young Master smiled, blossoming like a flower, two faint dimples appearing on her cheeks. Her gaze passed through the window lattice, piercing into the faraway Heaven’s Secret Pavilion on the horizon. "That is a place where one’s wishes came true."

Swoosh!

Third and Sixth Young Masters’ eyes turned razor-sharp.

"Little Nine…"

Third Young Master finally spoke, staring intently at Ninth Young Master: "If you seek help from the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, you violate our rule."

"Third Brother, rest assured."

Ninth Young Master stated: "The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion won’t intervene. I only need the whereabouts of those two."

"Therefore, it doesn’t break the rule."

Third Young Master’s sword-like brows drew tightly together.

How could he not know the capabilities of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?

But during his own visit there, he deliberately avoided mentioning this matter, precisely fearing to cross a sensitive boundary.

"Eldest Brothers, dare you act together with me?"

"Why wouldn’t I dare?"

Sixth Young Master responded bluntly and straightforwardly.

Witnessing this, the fox-tailed girl gave a soft inward sigh.

Ninth Young Master’s eyes settled on Third Young Master — the unspoken meaning was perfectly clear.

"The three of us share the same spirit. Since both of you have decided to act, how could I stand by idly?" The Third Young Master’s tone was carefree, yet his brows remained slightly furrowed.

"To Heaven’s Secret Pavilion!"

Once decided, the Ninth Young Master flew toward Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

The group headed for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion truly carries grand presence, no less than my own family’s patriarch," the Sixth Young Master remarked in awe, utterly forgetting his earlier "lofty debate" with the Third Young Master in the Divine Capital.

Lin Qianmo’s gaze was tranquil as water. Returning to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

"Master, after many days apart, I’ve come specially today to pay my respects."

The Ninth Young Master walked at the forefront, cupping his fist in greeting.

Ye Xu looked surprised.

At their first meeting, this person appeared as a young woman. Meeting again today, not only was she dressed as a man, but her tone had also shed its former softness, exuding a boldness now.

"How strange…" Ye Xu wondered inwardly.

Between the Upper Realm and Lower Realm, the Ninth Young Master seemed like two different people.

His gaze swept over the group. As expected, for the Third, Sixth, and Ninth Young Masters, he could only see the most basic information. The Sixth Young Master remained just another nameless figure.

However.

The Ninth Young Master did possess a name.

Luo Qianchen.

"Long time no see. Daoist friend, you’ve shed your former melancholy, looking spirited and triumphant—truly worthy of congratulations," Ye Xu offered polite praise.

"And congratulations to you for advancing to the World Master realm."

Ye Xu then congratulated Lin Qianmo.

"Master, you flatter this humble young lady too much. I don’t deserve such respect as ‘Daoist friend’," Lin Qianmo responded with a bitter smile.

Back in the Lower Realm, Lin Qianmo had naturally assumed Ye Xu was merely a transcender—even a Dao Lord would have been acceptable. But in the Upper Realm, Ye Xu stood as a suspected top-tier powerhouse, likely an Enlightened One. How dare she call him Daoist friend as an equal?

"My Heaven’s Secret Pavilion lacks such rigid formalities. No need for ceremony," Ye Xu said with a light laugh.

Ye Xu then turned his eyes to the fox-tailed girl.

The fox-tailed girl was also examining Ye Xu, her long lashes fluttering with intense curiosity.

Ye Xu’s expression turned peculiar.

An old monster who’d surely lived countless Yuanhui… and now here she was, playing cute?

"Master, could you remove me from the Dao Lord ranking?" The Sixth Young Master’s first words left the group stunned. "Or at least put me at the top. I don’t want to be called Fifth Brother."

Ye Xu had to laugh internally.

You’re not Fifth Brother—you’re Old Six!

"Naturally possible," Ye Xu replied, his smile widening.

"Huh…"

The moment he spoke, everyone stared at Ye Xu in disbelief.

First place on the Dao Lord ranking had already been decided. Could it really be changed? What about fairness?

"Do not make a fuss," Ye Xu reassured them with a smile. "All eight of you possess roughly equivalent strength, with virtually no gap between you. So who takes the top spot matters little beyond prestige."

"Daoist friend, if you wish to ascend to number one, it’s entirely feasible—provided you pay Five hundred million divine stones."

"…"

The Sixth Young Master gave an awkward chuckle. "Master, I merely jested! Since when do I chase empty titles?"

"So a moment ago, you were just pulling my leg?" Ye Xu’s expression instantly cooled.

The Sixth Young Master felt wronged. How was he to know a finalized Dao Lord ranking could be altered with money?

"Master," Luo Qianchen intervened to smooth things over, "since the Dao Lord ranking is finalized, altering it for payment might invite speculation. Let me apologize to you on Sixth Brother’s behalf."

Having ascended from the Lower Realm, Luo Qianchen clearly understood the norms of this place.

She produced a Nine Tribulations Dao Lord artifact. "Please accept this small token."

"Hahaha…"

Ye Xu’s cold facade instantly bloomed into radiant delight, the transition smooth and seamless.

"We are old acquaintances—no need for formalities!"

Even as he spoke, he pocketed the Nine Tribulations Dao Lord artifact.

"Do refrain from such politeness next time."

"…"

The others stared in stunned silence.

Lin Qianmo, however, accepted it as normal. An invincible being must have some eccentricity, and Ye Xu’s was amassing wealth.