A Fierce Omen in Willow City

The very mountains and rivers here felt steeped in a fierce, ominous power.

The faces of the Dragon Guards immediately turned solemn.

Ji Fuyao spoke slowly, "It seems a clash with the Drunken Immortal Pavilion is now inevitable."

It was written in the stars.

Qing Yan considered this. "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. The ominous shift in the world's energy isn't due to our arrival. Willow City is where the Drunken Immortal Pavilion first rose to prominence when they first entered Cangzhou. It is their birthplace."

Wang Man sneered. "Their birthplace, you say? The cosmic forces have shifted. It seems the Drunken Immortal Pavilion's luck has finally run out!"

Ji Fuyao nodded faintly. "Still, we must be careful."

The Dragon Guards replied in unison, "Understood!"

Just then, the communication Ancient Jade Slip in Wang Man’s Storage Ring began to vibrate rapidly.

He injected his spiritual sense, and Wei Yan’s voice emerged. "Your Majesty, if you have arrived in Willow City, I have already dispatched a steward from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion to wait for you in secret. The Heavenly Net Hall has risen, and our Fuyao Dynasty is currently weak, so we must not be high-profile. I have secretly instructed the steward to receive you."

Qing Yan confirmed the secret password for the rendezvous.

A moment later, Ji Fuyao and the Dragon Guards split into several groups and flew toward Willow City.

Sure enough, a grey-robed steward was waiting at the entrance of Willow City. He quickly ushered Ji Fuyao and her party inside.

Today, Willow City was bustling with people. Cultivators constantly flowed in and out, and the air was thick with noise and excitement.

Stepping into the city, Wang Man and Qing Yan continuously scanned their surroundings, their hearts on high alert.

Willow City was lined with towering structures: Pill Pavilions, Artifact Forging Workshops, and Spirit Herb shops. It was a vibrant scene, radiating a sense of prosperity. Along the streets, countless cultivators had set up stalls, selling everything from jade slips and cultivation techniques to rare spirit herbs.

However, the cultivation level of the people in this city was generally low. The highest spiritual sense could detect was the Saint King realm.

After a while, Wang Man and Qing Yan relaxed slightly, having failed to detect any hidden divine senses or spiritual probes.

The grey-robed steward of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion led Ji Fuyao and the others toward the Pavilion's branch, introducing the city as he went. "Esteemed guests, this is the birthplace of our Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Two or three thousand years ago, our Pavilion was confined to this small Willow City, but we slowly expanded, opening branches all over Cangzhou."

"Now, our headquarters have moved from Willow City to Cang City. This Willow City branch was originally scheduled to be closed, as the location is somewhat remote. But our Pavilion Master, Lord Wei Yan, decided to keep it as a tribute to our origins." The steward’s face held a look of profound pride.

Wang Man scoffed internally. It seems Wei Yan hasn't told this steward who we are. The traitor is still trying to play the long game.

The grey-robed steward pointed to the shops and buildings lining the street. "All these businesses in Willow City are actually under the control of our Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Our branch here holds absolute sway."

Qing Yan frowned slightly.

Soon, the grey-robed steward welcomed Wang Man and Qing Yan into the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Wei Yan had already arranged rooms for them.

The steward said respectfully, "Esteemed guests, tomorrow is the highly anticipated auction. Please look forward to it."

Creak.

The grey-robed steward closed the door.

As he walked away, a fleeting, wicked smile crossed his lips, too subtle for anyone to notice.

Inside the room, Qing Yan lowered her voice. "Your Majesty, did you notice something strange about the cultivators in Willow City?"

Ji Fuyao nodded. She had felt it too.

Just then, Wang Man’s communication Ancient Jade Slip vibrated again. It was Wei Yan's voice once more. His tone was meek, full of apologies, even promising to "prostrate himself and beg for forgiveness" after the auction, speaking with theatrical sorrow. Yet, he still wouldn't show his face!

Putting away the jade slip, Wang Man coldly snorted. "Traitor! We already see through your tricks! We shall see what kind of ultimate treasure is being auctioned tomorrow."

A sharp glint flashed in Qing Yan's eyes. "Your Majesty, I will take the other Dragon Guards and set up a perimeter outside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion."

Ji Fuyao nodded.

Soon, night fell.

Ye Beichen, the Ye Family Old Ancestor, and his group had already arrived outside Willow City, concealing themselves in the mountains, awaiting Ji Fuyao's command.

The scent of battle silently brewed.

Ji Fuyao sat cross-legged, her fiery red phoenix robe cascading around her. Her slender jade hands performed a series of spiritual seals, and she began cultivating the Heaven-Burning Art!

***

Grand Dao Sect.

Azure Mystery Peak.

Lu Xuan was currently sprawled out on his Mystic Ice Bed, enjoying a well-deserved nap.

The System’s voice chimed in.

"Ding! First Disciple Ji Fuyao is cultivating! Initiating cultivation synchronization!"

"Ding! First Disciple has gained new comprehension of the Heaven-Burning Art! Initiating synchronization!"

"Ding! Second Disciple Ye Chen is cultivating..."

"..."

A pleasant, tingling sensation washed over Lu Xuan's body. A massive influx of cultivation base surged into his Dantian, the sheer comfort making his body tremble slightly. This period of 'lying flat' had brought Lu Xuan one step closer to Six-star Profound Saint!

Just then, the communication Ancient Jade Slip in his robe vibrated. Lu Xuan injected spiritual energy, and the Sect Master's deep voice came through.

"Lu Xuan, the Ancient Supreme Artifact, the Bronze Ancient Palace, remains elusive. Our Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the others have not given up the search."

"Also, there is another matter. Pass this message on to Ye Chen. The Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm near the Sky Blade Gate has been sealed by several Great Emperors. The rules are now set: anyone below the Saint Realm can enter!"

"If Ye Chen wishes to enter this Ancient Secret Realm, tell him to gather at the Grand Dao Hall tomorrow."

"I got it," Lu Xuan replied.

He quickly passed the message on to Ye Chen, who looked visibly excited.

Suddenly, several divine rainbows streaked across Azure Mystery Peak. The top True Disciples—Fang Yan, Luo Lingkong, and Liu Xuan—descended.

Liu Xuan flashed Lu Xuan a seductive smile, her voice dripping with a certain sultriness. "Peak Master Lu, we've come to invite Junior Brother Ye Chen to enter the Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm with us."

Lu Xuan glanced at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen smiled. "Great. See you tomorrow."

The top True Disciples smiled faintly. "After our spar the other day, we agreed to go out and temper ourselves. We didn't expect an Ancient Secret Realm to pop up so quickly."

Ye Chen nodded. "Indeed."

Liu Xuan, dressed in a long dress that revealed a hint of her ample figure, stood upon shimmering flower petals. She looked at Ye Chen with a serious expression and warned him, "Qin Xiao will likely enter the Secret Realm this time. You must be careful. We can communicate via jade slip. If Qin Xiao or his people try anything, we will step in to help you."

Luo Lingkong added, "Junior Brother Ye Chen, your enemies this time might not just be Qin Xiao. There will be disciples from the Sky Blade Gate, the Ancient Qin Family, and the Supreme Profound Sect! You must be extra cautious!"

Ye Chen’s expression grew serious. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother, Senior Sister."

A moment later, Liu Xuan, treading on shimmering flower petals, and the other top True Disciples gracefully departed.

Once they were gone, Lu Xuan said to Ye Chen, "Liu Xuan and the others are right. You need to be careful when you go to the Ancient Secret Realm. Come on, I'll take you to the Grand Dao Hall to buy some life-saving trinkets."

Ye Chen was slightly stunned. "Thank you, Master."

Boom! A divine rainbow appeared beneath Ye Chen’s feet, lifting Lu Xuan up, and the two flew toward the Grand Dao Hall.

They arrived quickly. In the depths of the Grand Dao Hall, Elder Mu, still in his grey robe, sat behind a wooden desk.

Lu Xuan smiled. "Elder Mu, I've come to exchange some treasures for Ye Chen."

A sharp glint flashed in Elder Mu's eyes. He remembered the last time Lu Xuan went shopping for Ji Fuyao before her mission. He had exchanged a mountain of treasures, including the first volume of the Grand Dao Scripture!

Elder Mu pulled out an Ancient Jade Slip and handed it to Lu Xuan to browse. He knew Lu Xuan still had over ten million Contribution Points left and could exchange whatever he pleased.

Lu Xuan injected his spiritual sense and began to select items.

He quickly finalized his choices.

"One-star Quasi-Emperor tier Attack Talisman! One million Contribution Points!"

"One-star Quasi-Emperor tier Defensive Spiritual Armor! One million Contribution Points!"

"Saint King tier Ancient Spirit Boots..."

"Saint King tier Defensive Array Plate..."

"..."

In total, he spent seven million Contribution Points in one go!

Ye Chen was utterly dumbfounded. He knew how hard it was to accumulate even a million Contribution Points through sect missions or rewards. And his Master had just blown seven million in one breath! He was literally being armed to the teeth!

Lu Xuan smiled, placing the treasures into a Storage Ring and handing it to Ye Chen. "Take it."

Ye Chen froze. "Master, isn't this... a bit much?"

Lu Xuan shoved the ring into Ye Chen's hand. "They're just Quasi-Emperor tier trinkets. Take them. Remember, once you're in the Ancient Secret Realm, you don't have to fight to the death. If you can't win, just detonate the talismans! Just don't get hurt."

Tears welled up in Ye Chen's eyes. Wuwu... Master is too good to me. I have no way to repay this kindness! He vowed internally to rise quickly and repay his Master's boundless generosity!

At that moment, Elder Mu looked at Lu Xuan, a look of profound relief and satisfaction on his face. He didn't know when it happened, but he realized this Lu Xuan fellow wasn't entirely worthless. At least he was incredibly good to his disciples!

He had spent over ten million Contribution Points on Ji Fuyao and now seven million on Ye Chen. He hadn't even blinked!

Ye Chen sniffled. "Master, I promise I will obtain the inheritance in this Secret Realm!"

Lu Xuan smiled. "No, that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is not getting hurt."

A wave of warmth washed over Ye Chen's heart. "Yes, Master. You are truly too kind to me."

Elder Mu, sitting nearby, spoke leisurely. "Ye Chen, don't feel too embarrassed. Your Master spent over ten million Contribution Points on Fuyao, too."

Ye Chen froze. Ten million Contribution Points! A tiny, tiny sliver of imbalance crept into his heart. It seemed Master still favored Senior Sister a little more! He felt a small pang of envy.

But he quickly shook it off. That's Senior Sister! She deserves it!

Lu Xuan gently patted Ye Chen's head. "Let's go. Stop overthinking things."