Chapter 110

Chapter 110: Who Is the Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?

Qin Changsheng was greatly encouraged. He said, “I venture to request Senior allow this junior to stay in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion a while longer, to fulfill my master’s final wish.”

“Granted.” Ye Xu stated. “Lin Qianmo and others are familiar acquaintances of mine. As she made the promise, she will certainly keep her word. You may wait here with peace of mind.”

Qin Changsheng nodded.

Just who is this Lin Qianmo? he thought.

Not only would his master entrust her with that item, but she was even known to the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion—her origins must be extraordinary.

She likely hasn’t become an emperor; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been hunted by the two emperors of Taihao Heavenly Sect.

“Senior.”

Turning toward Ye Xu, Qin Changsheng asked, “This junior has another matter to inquire about.”

“Speak.”

“If I were to relocate our sect here, what would the odds of success be?” Qin Changsheng’s eyes glinted.

Ye Xu smiled meaningfully.

Though the Southern Wilderness had gained a few more saints since Heaven’s Secret Pavilion emerged, it remained the lowest-tier region within the entire Yuan Realm in terms of power.

A quasi-emperor like Qin Changsheng ranked among the absolute elite in the Yuan Realm.

His question wasn’t truly seeking an answer; rather, he intended to elicit Ye Xu’s opinion.

Qin Changsheng lowered his gaze slightly, a trace of unease stirring in him.

Ye Xu’s guess was spot on. He was indeed fishing for guidance.

The Southern Wilderness stretched vast, yet throughout his journey, only Heaven’s Secret Pavilion commanded Qin Changsheng’s awe and fear.

The various other sects didn’t concern him in the slightest.

“Daoist friend Qin,” Ye Xu said lightly, “With your capabilities, relocating to the Southern Wilderness is trifling. Conquering it outright wouldn’t be hard. Still, I trust you’ll mind your boundaries.”

“This junior understands.”

Qin Changsheng was overjoyed. Having heard Ye Xu’s stance, he could return to Unsurpassed Fairy Island, immediately move their sect disciples to the Yuan Realm’s Southern Wilderness, and firmly establish their foothold.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

At that moment, sharp whistles tore through the air.

Lin Qianmo, Ao Bing, Yue Ruyi, Lan Youruo, and Long Tuo appeared outside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Their hearts still pounding from fear, they glanced back. For now, the Nine-headed Great Emperor and Seven-tailed Celestial Fox hadn’t caught up.

Still, they’d deliberately left faint traces of their passage, guiding Taihao Heavenly Sect’s two emperors toward Linglong City.

The five swiftly flashed inside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Nangong Zhandao, Ji Xinyu, Ao Lie, and others had also arrived.

“My lord,” Yang Xuanzhan greeted with a deep bow.

“We pay our respects to Senior.”

Everyone hurriedly saluted Ye Xu.

“Senior…” Ao Lie chuckled, his grin crooked. “We’re being pursued. We’d seek shelter in your treasure land to evade those hunters.”

Ye Xu felt a vein throb on his forehead. The moment the group entered, he had already noticed what they were thinking—to use Heaven’s Secret Pavilion against the two emperors of the Taihao Heavenly Sect.

Qin Changsheng’s gaze swept over the crowd, his brows slightly furrowing. Among these people… was the one he had been waiting for?

Lin Qianmo’s eyes also settled on Qin Changsheng. The information provided by Xu Changqing included aura signatures and portraits. Qin Changsheng’s appearance matched the person in the portrait perfectly.

"Qin Changsheng, this is Lin Qianmo."

For now, Ye Xu refrained from addressing their earlier thoughts and instead made the introductions.

"Daoist Friend Lin, this is Qin Changsheng."

"This lowly one is Qin Changsheng. Greetings, Daoist friend," Qin Changsheng clasped his fists in salute. "I dare to ask if you have the item?"

Yue Ruyi’s gaze sharpened.

The item?

She suddenly recalled the secret exchange between Xu Changqing and Lin Qianmo.

"Indeed," Lin Qianmo nodded slowly. "Originally, I intended to settle this matter after concluding our current affairs at the Unsurpassed Fairy Island. I never expected to find you here at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is renowned far and wide. Now that I am in the Yuan Realm, naturally I must pay a visit," Qin Changsheng replied with a smile.

Hum!

Lin Qianmo extended her palm. A human-skin manuscript floated in midair. A mysterious, ancient aura emanated from it, causing hearts to tremble.

Ao Bing, Yue Ruyi, and Long Tuo fixed their burning gazes upon it.

This was the most important secret treasure of the Unsurpassed Divine Mountain—a treasure Xu Changqing had risked his life to deliver.

Its value was beyond imagination.

"For this item, Emperor Venerable Buzhou fell, the Unsurpassed Divine Mountain was destroyed, and now Xu Changqing has also paid the price," Lin Qianmo stated. "But his wish was finally fulfilled. I hope you do not disappoint his expectations."

She waved her hand lightly. The human-skin manuscript drifted toward Qin Changsheng.

Qin Changsheng caught it with both hands.

"Thank you, Daoist friend," Qin Changsheng bowed deeply at the waist, the gesture full of solemn reverence. "You are a great benefactor to our Unsurpassed Divine Mountain lineage. The Unsurpassed Divine Mountain will forever remember this immense kindness."

"I was entrusted with a matter and have faithfully carried it out," Lin Qianmo replied lightly.

"Qin Changsheng," Ye Xu interjected, "Daoist Friend Lin is the Ancestral Master of the Red Dust Demon Sect. If you wish to move to the Southern Wilderness, you may discuss it with her. She can allocate a territory for you."

"Yes."

"You wish to move?" Lin Qianmo looked puzzled.

Qin Changsheng gave a bitter smile. "The Sea of All Realms is too perilous. It hinders the growth of the coming generations. Therefore, I wish to relocate my sect to the Southern Wilderness within the Yuan Realm."

"I hope you can extend some support in this matter."

"Qi Ruyu," Lin Qianmo instructed, "you will handle this matter."

"Disciple obeys."

Qi Ruyu said solemnly.

He had fully integrated the Peachtree sapling with his sea of consciousness, advancing his cultivation to the Saint King realm. Aside from the quasi-emperors, he had gained the most from this journey.

Ao Bing, Yue Ruyi, and others had each obtained half a volume of the imperial scripture.

Everyone had their share of rewards.

Meanwhile.

The Nine-headed Great Emperor and the Seven-tailed Celestial Fox finally arrived at Linglong City. They exchanged a glance, their eyes instantly locking onto Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"The aura of that group vanished completely the moment they entered that pavilion," mused the Seven-tailed Celestial Fox, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "Something feels… off."

"Hahaha…"

The Nine-headed Great Emperor roared with laughter. "You’re far too cautious."

"The Yuan Realm hasn’t seen the birth of a Great Emperor in a million years. What possible strangeness could exist in a world utterly devoid of Great Emperors?"

The Seven-tailed Celestial Fox thought for a moment and conceded the point.

The Yuan Realm was known across the myriad domains primarily because of the eeriness surrounding Godfall Ridge. At its core, the Yuan Realm was merely an extremely ancient world, one that had, ages ago, given birth to the Heavenly Emperor.

The two descended upon Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"How peculiar," the Nine-headed Great Emperor muttered.

His Divine Sense couldn’t penetrate the pavilion, yet he could clearly see Lin Qianmo, Yue Ruyi, Ao Bing, and the others with his own eyes.

When his gaze fell upon Qin Changsheng.

In an instant.

The Nine-headed Great Emperor’s blood boiled.

The human-skin manuscript!

The artifact the Taihao Heavenly Sect had pursued relentlessly for a million years, even wiping out the Unsurpassed Divine Mountain in their quest—it had finally surfaced.

"That very scripture! It is among these people!" The Nine-headed Great Emperor threw back his head and howled with laughter, the sound like thunder from the Nine Heavens, shaking Linglong City to its foundations.

Countless qi cultivators were struck with terror.

The weight of his imperial might oppressed all, stifling any thought of resistance.

The Seven-tailed Celestial Fox’s gaze turned icy cold.

Such unusual circumstances inevitably hid deception.

Lin Qianmo and her companions had fled for their lives across vast distances, leaving obvious trails. And now, they had openly appeared right before their eyes, almost as if… luring them here.

And this Heaven’s Secret Pavilion radiated profound mystery.

Even her Great Emperor-level primordial spirit could not pierce its secrets.

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Nine-headed Great Emperor glanced at the couplet with undisguised disdain. "Not even the Ancestor of our Taihao Heavenly Sect dares speak presumptuously of the heavens’ secrets! Yet in this wretched backwater, we find someone spouting such boastful claims!"

"You lot have profaned the Heavenly Dao! Truly, you deserve death."

Ao Bing, Yue Ruyi, and the others felt restless unease stir within them.

The only time Ye Xu had ever made a move was when he executed the Sword Servant of the True Martial God Sect. Back then, a sword intent comparable to a quasi-emperor’s had erupted from within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

As for whether Ye Xu could withstand even a Great Emperor, Long Tuo, Ao Bing, and the third companion harbored little confidence. After all, they faced two Great Emperors.

Ao Lie wore an expression of fear, but inwardly, he fervently wished the two would attack Heaven’s Secret Pavilion sooner. Judging by the Nine-headed Great Emperor’s arrogant rant about smashing the pavilion, he was practically begging to incur Ye Xu’s wrath. If he did, he’d be walking into certain doom.

Ye Xu remained expressionless. Ao Lie’s petty scheming was as clear to him as day.

"They’re all so clever, scheming against me now," Ye Xu thought wryly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. One or two Great Emperors were scarcely worth his concern.

Had these two been more restrained, he might have mediated the conflict.

However, the Nine-headed Great Emperor’s fierce, earth-shaking aura betrayed no intention of settling matters peacefully.

Moreover, he dared accuse Ye Xu of profaning the Heavenly Dao?

Every great transmigrator was inherently rebellious against the heavens! So, profaning the Heavenly Dao was practically their mandate.

Besides, everything Ye Xu had done since emerging into this world had essentially been scheming against the Dao, exploiting its loopholes. Who knew how much heavenly punishment he’d accumulated?

Everyone’s gaze silently focused on Ye Xu. If Ye Xu didn’t act, their scheme would be for nothing.

The Nine-headed Great Emperor took a step, planting half his foot across the threshold of the pavilion.

"Wait!" The Seven-tailed Celestial Fox felt a wave of unease. She called out sharply, "Don’t go inside!"

Suddenly, a sense of dread washed over her – an ominous premonition, a sudden inspiration warning of ill fortune.

"Yue Ji, you vastly overestimate them," the Nine-headed Great Emperor sneered contemptuously. Brushing aside Yue Ji’s warning, he strode into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion with menacing bravado.

"Giggle…" The Nine-headed Great Emperor chuckled, a savage sound. "You lot gave this Emperor quite a chase."

"Hand over the Path of Oblivion Blade and the human-skin manuscript. I’ll grant you a swift death."

"Daoist friend, violence is forbidden within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. That is the rule established by Senior Ye," Ao Bing’s voice held a tremulous edge, betraying his fear. "If you break this rule, disaster will surely befall you."

"Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

The Nine-headed Great Emperor sneered even more contemptuously.

"A place the size of a sesame seed, yet so full of hot air."

"Step forward and show yourselves! Which one among you is the master?"

Lin Qianmo and her companions were like turtles trapped in a jar. The Nine-headed Great Emperor felt supremely confident and in no hurry to strike first.

He crossed his arms over his chest, sweeping his gaze across the group.

Ye Xu sat reclined in his grand master chair, leisurely pouring himself a cup of tea and flipping through a book, completely ignoring the Nine-headed Great Emperor.

But the Nine-headed Great Emperor was no fool.

The looks exchanged by the group gave him the answer.

"Hahahaha…"

He fixed his eyes on Ye Xu, mocking, "A mere lad still smelling of milk dares claim the heavens’ secrets can be divined? Truly, a fool knows no fear."

"Lad," he jeered, "if you truly know fate and can foresee fortune and calamity, then calculate—calculate how much longer you have to live?"

"Me?"

Ye Xu chuckled lightly, closing his book. "Time means nothing to me."

"If you’re wise, a few decades of life grant clarity."

"If you’re foolish," he said, his voice turning sharp, "like your Excellency, then each extra day you survive makes you a greater scourge."

Hearts pounded among the onlookers.

The tension crackled like gunpowder about to ignite.

"Hahaha…"

Utterly unbothered,

The Nine-headed Great Emperor’s thunderous laugh exploded, thick with killing intent. "Since you cannot calculate it, allow this emperor to read your fortune!"

"When I decree your death by the third watch, you won’t survive the fifth."

"Right now, I claim your life!"

Boom!

The Nine-headed Great Emperor’s power erupted.

His five fingers descended like a mountain, crushing down upon Ye Xu.