411: The Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion's Test

"Good! Good! Good!" Lie Tianxiong said "good" three times in a row, patting the Second Elder's shoulder forcefully with a face full of praise.

"Second Elder, you have done very well! This Seat truly did not misjudge you! With your assistance, I can deal with external enemies with peace of mind!"

"It is my duty; I dare not take credit. It is all thanks to the Palace Master's prestige and virtue."

The Second Elder lowered his head humbly, hiding an unidentifiable look that flashed through his eyes.

Lie Tianxiong nodded with satisfaction, his hands behind his back as he gazed at the sea of clouds outside the palace, his Aura high.

"Now that I have emerged from seclusion, I shall lead the Sect to take back everything we have lost!"

"Second Elder, has anything major happened outside the Sect recently?"

"I was just about to report to the Palace Master. According to the original schedule, in another half-month, it will be the time for our Xuan Province Seven Sects Competition."

"This time, the competition is hosted by our Burning Heaven Palace on a rotational basis. Invitations to all parties have been sent out as per custom, and responses from each Sect have been received; they will all attend on time."

The Second Elder immediately stepped forward half a pace and reported with a respectful posture.

"Seven Sects Competition?"

"Good! It comes at just the right time!"

He turned around, looking at the Second Elder with burning eyes.

"Speaking of the competition, Disciples are the Foundation. How is our Sect's younger generation doing these past few months? Are there any talents capable of taking on great responsibilities?"

The Second Elder seemed prepared, showing a somewhat "secretive" and gratified smile upon hearing this, lowering his voice as he spoke.

"Palace Master, thanks to your great fortune and strategic guidance, the Disciples have focused their minds over these months, and their progress is indeed significant."

"For this competition, the other Elders and I have secretly selected six Core Disciples to represent us."

"Among these six, the lowest cultivation is at the Middle Stage of the Core Formation Realm. Their Foundations are solid, and their combat power is among the best in the same rank."

He paused briefly, his voice even lower, but with a clear sense of excitement: "Especially Nephew Lin Lie."

At the mention of this name, Lie Tianxiong's gaze suddenly sharpened.

He had high hopes for Lin Lie.

The Second Elder continued, his tone carrying "suppressed joy": "Nephew Lin did not fail the Palace Master's expectations. Two nights ago, he successfully broke through his Bottleneck and officially stepped into the Purple Mansion Realm!"

"Only I and two Protector Elders know of this. We have strictly ordered a news blackout, and to the outside world, we still claim he is at the Peak of the Core Formation Realm."

"Nephew Lin also understands this intention well and is currently stabilizing his Realm, striving to make a stunning debut when the time comes."

"Purple Mansion Realm?!"

Lie Tianxiong was first stunned, then an uncontrollable wild joy surged in his heart, which he immediately forced down, transforming it into a deeper, sharper light in his eyes.

He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white, showing his inner excitement.

"Good! Good! Good!"

He said "good" three times again, but this time his voice was steady and full of power. "Lin Lie truly did not disappoint me! Second Elder, you handled this matter excellently!"

He paced back and forth a few times, his thoughts becoming clearer as he sneered, "Purple Mansion Realm, hahaha! From what I know, among the younger generation of the various Sects in Xuan Province, those who can reach this Realm on the surface are as rare as phoenix feathers!"

"That so-called Genius from Myriad Law Pavilion is likely still lingering at this threshold!"

"My Burning Heaven Palace's eldest Disciple has broken into the Purple Mansion silently. This news shall be a surprise for everyone at this competition!"

"Hahaha!"

Lie Tianxiong's triumphant voice echoed throughout the seclusion grounds as he imagined the scene of regaining his pride on the day of the competition.

He completely forgot how pathetic he looked when he was beaten in the Secret Realm, and also forgot his previous plan to keep a low profile!

Looking at Lie Tianxiong's high-spirited appearance, the Second Elder sighed silently in his heart.

"Sect Master, you're getting cocky!"

...Myriad Law Pavilion, Discussion Hall.

Sect Leader Yun Canghai sat in the main seat at the head, wearing an ink-green robe, his Aura as deep as the sea.

His gaze slowly swept over the Elders sitting on both sides below.

"The Seven Sects Competition concerns the century-old prestige of our Myriad Law Pavilion and also involves the division of resources in Xuan Province for the next few decades."

"With the competition imminent, how is the intelligence gathering on the Core Disciples of the other six Sects, especially their top Disciples, coming along?"

The Law Enforcement Elder responsible for intelligence gathering stood up first, holding a Jade Slip, and reported in a deep voice.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, according to various investigations, most of the top Disciples currently on the surface of each Sect have their cultivation stabilized at the Late Stage of the Core Formation Realm."

Yun Canghai took the Jade Slip, scanned it with his Divine Sense, nodded slightly, and signaled that he understood.

At this time, the Grand Elder stroked his long beard and added, "Although these Sects each have their own talents, their Foundations and legacies..."

"...ultimately cannot compare with the top-tier Legacy accumulated by our pavilion over a hundred years."

"With the top Disciples having similar cultivation levels, the competition will be based on Cultivation Techniques, resources, combat adaptability, and a bit of Luck."

"In my opinion, as long as no major accidents occur, the first place in this competition should still fall to our Myriad Law Pavilion."

However, Yun Canghai's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He asked, "How is Burning Heaven Palace doing recently? Is there any news regarding that Lin Lie?"

Since Burning Heaven Palace suffered a great loss in the Secret Realm, and even Palace Master Lie Tianxiong was heavily injured and went into seclusion, they have become unusually quiet.

They have almost severed most of their overt interactions with the outside world, and even the frequency of Disciples going down the mountain for training has significantly decreased.

The Grand Elder pondered, "Since Lie Tianxiong was heavily injured, the Second Elder has been acting as the palace's temporary administrator. Their actions have been exceptionally low-key, and the mountain gate's security has become much stricter."

"That boy's Heart-Nature is ruthless, and his talent is indeed extraordinary. If he has received the full cultivation of Burning Heaven Palace over these months, he might have achieved a Breakthrough; we must be on guard."

"We must be on guard..."

Yun Canghai repeated in a low voice, and after a moment:

"Grand Elder, knowledge gained from paper is always superficial. Ordinary scouts find it difficult to enter the core areas of each Sect. What they see and hear might have omissions, or might even be smoke screens intentionally released by the other party."

The Grand Elder's expression turned solemn: "The Sect Leader means?"

"I'll have to trouble the Grand Elder to personally take a trip and secretly infiltrate the other six Sects. There's no need to alert anyone; just confirm the true cultivation Aura of their top Disciples and see if there are any hidden Prodigies."

"With your King Realm cultivation and the 'Spirit-Hiding Veil,' the other six Sects will certainly be unable to discover you."

The Grand Elder knew the importance of this matter, stood up solemnly, and cupped his hands. "I accept the order. I will act cautiously and bring back exact news for the Sect Leader."

Yun Canghai nodded and looked at the other Elders. "As for the rest of you, the various preparations for the competition need to be more meticulous; no mistakes are allowed."

"For the Disciples participating in the competition, double their cultivation resources recently. Their combat state must be adjusted to the Peak."

"Yes!" The Elders responded in unison.

After discussing details such as the competition process, venue layout, and reception arrangements, everyone stood up one after another and silently exited the Discussion Hall.

Azure Profound Sect, Sect Master's Hall.

Xuan Yangzi was cultivating when his Divine Sense suddenly stirred, and he took out an ancient Transmission Jade Talisman.

He slowly opened his eyes and sent his Divine Thought into it.

The information in the jade talisman was concise: "The Grand Elder of Myriad Law Pavilion, carrying the Spirit-Hiding Veil, will sneak into the Azure Profound Sect late tomorrow night to investigate the Disciples of each Peak."

Xuan Yangzi's fingertips brushed the edge of the jade talisman, and he then grinned, as if thinking of some interesting idea.

"Late tomorrow night, come then. I guarantee you won't make a sound once you arrive."