497: Secret recipe

In the western part of the Li Luan Sea Region, on Xiwu Island, within the main hall of the Xiwu Divine Hall.

Venerable Xi Heng, clad in a crimson robe, strode quickly into the hall.

"Palace Master, news has arrived; the team escorting resources to the Zhongli Dynasty has arrived, and not a single item is missing."

Venerable Xi Heng respectfully reported the newly received news to the majestic figure seated at the head of the main hall.

"Oh? It seems those old fellows still have some capability."

"Without us having to act, they smoothly overcame this difficulty. The situation is now somewhat more favorable to us."

At the head of the hall, Great Expert Xi Mian, the Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall, chuckled softly and nodded.

"The Palace Master speaks truly. However, the Cen Ling Dao Palace's influence is growing ever stronger. With this ebb and flow, the Divine Hall might become increasingly passive."

"Should we strengthen our ties with the Zhang and Zhou Families?"

Venerable Xi Heng subtly flattered him. As Great Expert Xi Mian's absolute confidant, he knew a great deal and could speak his mind directly.

"Cen Ling Dao Palace... indeed cannot be underestimated."

"If not for that old ghost being injured two hundred years ago for some unknown reason, the time it would have taken for us to develop to this point would have been much longer."

"However, in recent years, that old ghost's injuries have healed, and he has colluded with the Xuan Dao Palace."

"Even Big Brother feels it is quite troublesome."

At the head of the hall, the majestic man's eyes showed deep thought, and various ideas flashed through his mind.

"The Divine Hall truly needs assistance now."

Thinking this, the majestic man's gaze sharpened, and he looked down at Venerable Xi Heng, who was respectfully waiting below.

"Xi Heng, when will Xi Hong emerge from seclusion?"

Great Expert Xi Mian asked.

"The Saint broke through to Soul Transformation several years ago, achieving the status of a Venerable. However, he has remained in seclusion to comprehend the secret technique bestowed by the Palace Master."

"With the Saint's talent, he should be able to master that supreme secret art and emerge from seclusion in a few more years."

Xi Heng thought for a moment and replied to Great Expert Xi Mian.

"Mm."

"Once Xi Hong emerges from seclusion, have him take my calling card and make a trip to Gui Zhou Island to marry that Foremost Genius who has been the subject of so much talk."

"This can conveniently bring our two factions closer, allowing us to jointly confront the Cen Ling Dao Palace."

Great Expert Xi Mian, the Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall, casually gave his orders, not at all considering whether the Zhou Family would agree to this matter.

"Yes, Palace Master."

Venerable Xi Heng bowed in assent.

In his opinion, for the Saint of the Divine Hall to marry a daughter from a Void Refining Family was naturally a given.

If it were before, they might not have agreed, but given the current situation, this move would be mutually beneficial for both factions.

"This subordinate takes his leave."

Venerable Xi Heng bowed and was about to retreat.

"Oh, and how are things on Old Third, Old Fifth, and Old Eighth's side?"

At the head of the hall, Great Expert Xi Mian remembered something and asked Venerable Xi Heng, who was about to depart.

"There is no news yet from Third Ancestor, Fifth Ancestor, and Eighth Ancestor. The Dark Star Great World is not weak, and it has ancient Seals passed down through generations. It is difficult to break through this world in a short time. To conquer the Dark Star Great World will likely still take several decades."

Venerable Xi Heng paused and slowly explained.

"Understood. You may go."

Great Expert Xi Mian waved his hand, signaling Venerable Xi Heng to withdraw.

After Venerable Xi Heng exited the main hall, Great Expert Xi Mian sighed softly.

If not for the constraint of the Cen Ling Dao Palace, no matter how strong the Dark Star Great World was, it wouldn't have been able to resist the Divine Hall for so long.

"Several decades..."

Great Expert Xi Mian slowly fell into contemplation... In the northern part of the Chaotic Sea, on Qingyang Peak, located in the center of Gui Zhou Island, which is perennially shrouded in mist.

Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi had left, leaving only Elder Beihai and Qi Dade in Qi Dade's Immortal Cave.

"Although it's just a name whose authenticity we can't verify, it at least provides a direction. I will report this intelligence now."

Elder Beihai and Qi Dade had studied the three characters 'Hai Ruoli' brought back by Zhou Yunxing and his companion for several days, searching through ancient texts within the Clan, but still found nothing.

Elder Beihai stood up, bowed to Qi Dade, and was about to leave.

"Cough cough~"

"Lao Chao, this isn't the real reason you're preparing to leave, is it?"

Qi Dade put down an ancient text he was holding, and his Divine Sense spread out. As if sensing something, he looked at Elder Beihai, who was in a green robe and strikingly handsome, with a strange expression.

"Hmm? Old Qi, what are you talking about?"

Elder Beihai's face showed displeasure.

"This is a major Clan matter. You and I have wasted these days with no results, so we naturally must inform the Clan and seek other clues."

"This matter is urgent; I'm going now."

Elder Beihai, with a righteous expression, said to Qi Dade. Having said that, his body was already moving towards the outside of the Immortal Cave.

"Hehe, Lao Chao, I know you too well. You can't leave now."

Qi Dade chuckled, and his Thousand Peaks Fan appeared in his hand. He quietly waved it towards Elder Beihai, who was rapidly fleeing outside the Immortal Cave.

Immediately, ethereal mountain peak shadows appeared around Elder Beihai, and a heavy pressure emerged from each peak.

Elder Beihai's body stiffened, frozen in place.

Qi Dade had already broken through to the Late Golden Core Stage, and his strength was much greater than his.

"You've really harmed me."

Sensing the aura that had already appeared outside and knowing that he had missed the best chance to leave, Elder Beihai turned and glared at Qi Dade.

His eyes were full of bitterness.

"Lao Chao, what must come will always come. How long can you hide?"

"Besides, do you know why I have so many Dao Companions, yet still..."

Qi Dade put away his Thousand Peaks Fan, came to Elder Beihai's side, and winked at him.

"What do you mean?"

Elder Beihai's expression changed, and he leaned his body close to Qi Dade's ear.

"I have a secret recipe."

These four simple words seemed to contain infinite Dao, causing Elder Beihai's expression to change dramatically.

"Old... Brother Qi!"

Elder Beihai's face was excited, and the meaning in his eyes was self-evident.

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

Qi Dade gave Elder Beihai a reassuring look.

"Cough cough~ Hmm~"

Elder Beihai understood, adjusted his posture, and returned to his normal demeanor.

A moment later.

A beautiful figure arrived from outside.

"Brother Qi, is my Lao Chao here?"

A soft female voice came from outside the Immortal Cave.

"Sister-in-law, Lao Chao and I are studying ancient texts. Please come in and wait a moment."

Qi Dade called out.

Then he opened the Formation of the Immortal Cave.

When Fairy Qing Ruo, Elder Beihai's Dao Companion, entered, she saw two handsome figures sitting opposite each other, each holding an ancient text, seemingly engrossed in reading.

"He didn't run away?"

Seeing Elder Beihai's figure, Fairy Qing Ruo felt a little doubt, but more than that, it was joy.

"Brother Qi."

Fairy Qing Ruo bowed gently, then sat down beside Elder Beihai.

"Last month, Fairy Xiao of Apricot Blossom Sect gave me a pot of good wine. Shall we try it today?"

Elder Beihai involuntarily straightened his body, and a soft voice entered his ear.

"No, I won't drink it."

Hmph! How could he, the dignified Elder Beihai, need such a vulgar thing? He knew what this so-called good wine was. Now, with this supreme secret art, these mundane things no longer caught his eye.

"So resolute?"

Fairy Qing Ruo looked at Elder Beihai suspiciously.