Chapter 333

Chapter 333: Long Time No See

"Do you think I’m wronging you?"

Ye Xu’s face turned slightly cold, and he slowly stood up.

A terrifying aura spread out from him, and the atmosphere abruptly solidified.

Su Mu and Gu Daojin looked stern.

The Master was truly angry.

Formless Demon Lord had disobeyed orders and gone on a killing spree, which was bound to affect the image of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

But what Ye Xu cared more about was that Formless Demon Lord dared to defy him.

If he couldn’t discipline his subordinates, then first offenses would inevitably lead to second ones.

Formless Demon Lord had to be severely punished.

"Master, please hear my explanation," Formless Demon Lord said.

Sweat poured down his brow as a powerful pressure bore down on him, nearly suffocating him.

"Subordinate… subordinate is utterly loyal to the Master, without any disloyal thoughts," he added.

"Still making excuses!" Ye Xu shook his head lightly. "You disobeyed orders and rebelled against me; I’ll let you spend seven days in the Oblivion Calamity."

"Master!" Formless Demon Lord became terrified. The Oblivion Calamity was a world-ending disaster that erupted when the universe lost all balance; even experts at the end of the Great Dao couldn’t escape it.

It truly meant death!

"The people I killed were just a group of ants; what crime have I committed?" Formless Demon Lord clenched his teeth, face full of hatred. "How could I, a full-fledged Demon Lord, be inferior to a group of ants?"

Boom!

At Ye Xu’s thought, a whirlpool of Time and Space appeared in the void. Strange forces emanated from it—a world of decay, death, and destruction—that chilled the heart.

"No!"

Formless Demon Lord became thoroughly frightened. "Master, spare me!"

Swoosh!

His pleas, however, failed to soften Ye Xu’s heart; the whirlpool of Time and Space swallowed Formless Demon Lord and slowly closed.

Su Mu and Gu Daojin fell silent.

The Oblivion Calamity was described as heaven-destroying and earth-shattering; even the collapse of the Immortal Realm was far incomparable. Formless Demon Lord had been thrown into the Oblivion Calamity, making his survival uncertain.

"Relax, he won’t die," Ye Xu said lightly. Subduing an Immortal Venerable at the end of the Great Dao wasn’t easy, so he naturally wouldn’t let Formless Demon Lord perish in the Oblivion Calamity.

But while death could be avoided, punishment could not.

Formless Demon Lord would at least lose a layer of skin.

"Daoist brother, isn’t the punishment too heavy?" Su Mu suggested. "Formless Demon Lord has hard-to-tame demonic nature; this act will surely make him resentful."

Ye Xu said lightly, "If I don’t punish him, he’ll do it again next time."

"In Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, you can be incompetent, but you cannot disrespect me."

"Yes," both of them thought sternly.

"This journey, you guys have also gained considerable harvests, cultivate calmly now." Ye Xu looked at Su Mu and the other two, saying: "Su Mu, your cultivation level is too low, I will now send you to a space with a hundredfold time flow, focus on your cultivation quietly."

"Thank you, Daoist brother." Su Mu was overjoyed.

Gu Daojin was filled with envy. Manipulating the flow of time and reversing the passage of days was truly a great divine ability, and for cultivators, it was even more a great fortune.

"Gu Daojin, you don’t need to envy, attend to your duties calmly, and I won’t treat you poorly." Ye Xu said with a laugh.

"This subordinate understands."

Gu Daojin chuckled and said, "Then this subordinate will take leave first."

Ye Xu nodded.

After Gu Daojin had left, Ye Xu exerted his magical power and sent Su Mu to the space with a hundredfold time flow.

As for the Second Primordial Spirit Avatar, after accepting the Chaotic Golden Lotus and half of the wall bricks, he made him depart from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"The nine great Spirit Roots are gradually emerging, perhaps we can compile a Talented Individuals and Rare Treasures List." Ye Xu murmured.

To make a living, one must continuously develop new businesses.

The Talented Individuals and Rare Treasures List was the next venture.

"Junior Yan Duxing seeks an audience with senior."

Outside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, two figures materialized: the Third Elder of the Taihao Heavenly Sect, and Yan Duxing, disciple of the Dao King.

"Yan Duxing?" Ye Xu frowned slightly.

After a few breaths, he recalled this person.

Yan Duxing was formerly a prominent name on the Yuan Realm Talents List, later taken as a disciple by the Dao King.

As was well known, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and the Taihao Heavenly Sect had a minor grudge, so how dare Yan Duxing visit?

Ye Xu was quite intrigued.

"Enter."

As soon as the words fell, Yan Duxing and the old woman walked into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Senior." Yan Duxing straightened his attire and bowed respectfully.

The old woman also bowed respectfully.

"In the past, you were a member of my Yuan Realm Talents List." Ye Xu looked at Yan Duxing and sighed, "It’s a pity you joined the Taihao Heavenly Sect."

"Looking at present, you’ve been faring well."

Not seeing him for a year, Yan Duxing had attained the completeness of the great sage level.

Such cultivation progress was truly exceptional.

"All of it stems from senior’s credit." Yan Duxing flattered, "If not for senior establishing the Talents List, this junior likely wouldn’t have had a chance to shine, nor could he have earned the favor of this master."

"You are quite eloquent with your words." Ye Xu chuckled.

"Senior, this junior’s visit today has two purposes." Yan Duxing pondered for a few breaths and spoke solemnly.

Ye Xu gazed at him with a half-smile.

Yan Duxing felt immense pressure as he gritted his teeth. "The first purpose," he said, "is to request Senior release the incarnation of Master Li. The Taihao Heavenly Sect is willing to pay ample compensation."

Ye Xu’s smile deepened.

"The second purpose," Yan Duxing continued, "is to seek information about the Star Realm."

"Senior, please name your price."

Yan Duxing stared directly at Ye Xu.

"How amusing," Ye Xu chuckled lightly. "The master hides behind while sending the disciple to act. It seems Di Wuyou knows fear too."

"Go tell Di Wuyou to see me in person."

Yan Duxing stiffened – Ye Xu played by no predictable rules.

Shouldn’t he just state his price instead?

"Master," Yan Duxing forced a thin smile, "between my master and you… there exists some enmity. I fear this may become unpleasant."

"It matters little," Ye Xu replied coolly. "A minor feud needn’t turn fatal."

The old woman’s face hardened as she glanced at Li Ruoshui, expression deeply humiliated.

The exalted founder of the Taihao Heavenly Sect reduced to a serving maid?

If word spread, the sect would lose all dignity.

Li Ruoshui’s expression remained dark and still.

"Summon Di Wuyou here," Li Ruoshui commanded coldly.

"This…" Yan Duxing hesitated, trapped between choices. He couldn’t decipher Ye Xu’s intentions. If his master came and Ye Xu subdued Dao King with one strike… wouldn’t that make him an accomplice?

Li Ruoshui’s voice remained icy. "Should the Master truly wish Di Wuyou dead, hiding to the ends of the earth would save him."

She’d witnessed firsthand Ye Xu suppressing the Formless Demon Lord and creating the Oblivion Calamity. Such power likely existed nowhere else in this world.

How could Dao King—a mere true immortal—possibly escape?

"This disciple obeys."

Yan Duxing departed swiftly.

After one stick of incense burned, he plunged into the Sea of All Realms. Upon its vast, undulating surface, he spotted the gaunt, solitary figure of Dao King, clad in black robes.

"Master," Yan Duxing bowed.

Dao King turned, eyes sharpening with surprise. "Why are you alone?"

Had Heaven’s Secret Pavilion killed the Third Elder?

"Set your mind at ease, Master. The Third Elder is unharmed—she remains at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," Yan Duxing’s voice faltered before he blurted out, "The Master demands your presence at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion to negotiate."

"Otherwise… he won’t aid the Taihao Heavenly Sect."

"Demands my presence?"

Dao King’s heart lurched; his composure fractured.

"The enmity between me and the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion isn’t forgotten. Why summon me? To kill me?"

"Impossible…"

"Judging by the Master’s recent displays, killing me requires no elaborate schemes."

Within a flash, Dao King organized his thoughts.

"Master," Yan Duxing urged, "for safety… avoid Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"This concern pleases me," Dao King replied, his rare gentle smile surfacing. "Fear not—Heaven’s Secret Pavilion won’t kill me."

"As a mere true immortal, receiving the Master’s invitation honors me. Should I refuse… wouldn’t that insult Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

"Hahaha…"

In one stride, Dao King swept Yan Duxing with him beyond the Sea of All Realms, emerging outside Linglong City.

Gazing upon this familiar place, Dao King felt deep emotion.

Both men arrived before Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Junior Di Wuyou requests an audience with Master Senior!"

Dao King announced with utmost reverence.

"Daoist friend, enter," Ye Xu’s voice resonated.

Heart filled with trepidation, Yan Duxing followed Dao King inside.

Dao King raised his eyes toward Ye Xu.

"Senior," he smiled, "it’s been long."

Ye Xu smiled back—this Dao King merely feigned calm; fear still clawed within him.

But his Dao heart proved strong enough to suppress that dread.

Ye Xu’s expression turned utterly harmless. "Daoist friend, your heart pounds fiercely."

"You fear I’d kill you?"