105: Chapter 105

In the blink of an eye, the Second Elder and several other high-level members of the Medicine Pavilion arrived at the Soul Guarding Hall to investigate the situation.

Upon seeing the two extinguished Soul Lamps, everyone was shocked beyond measure.

The Second Elder said in a deep voice, "Pavilion Master... in my opinion, the Grand Elder and his companion must have died at the hands of the Spirit Devouring Tapir."

Daoist Lianxiao frowned slightly but quickly began to ponder.

The Second Elder continued, "Our Medicine Pavilion has always been benevolent here in the Central Region. We have business dealings with all the major Holy Lands; logically speaking, there shouldn't be any powerful enemies."

"Moreover, the Grand Elder himself was a powerhouse at the Nascent Soul Seventh Layer, and the Fifth Elder was with him. In this Central Region, those capable of killing both of them are few and far between."

"I estimate that the Grand Elder's group must have encountered a large pack of Spirit Devouring Tapirs and were besieged, leading to their accidental demise."

Everyone nodded in agreement. After all, for a hundred years, no one had dared to oppose the Medicine Pavilion, let alone slay its Grand Elder. This explanation seemed reasonable.

Daoist Lianxiao's expression grew even more somber upon hearing this.

"Does this mean the path to the heavenly dust pill is cut off?"

The Soul Guarding Hall was silent; no one dared to speak up.

Everyone present was a high-level member of the Medicine Pavilion. They were well aware that their Pavilion Master had been stuck at the Nascent Soul Ninth Layer for two hundred years. But now... without the inner core of the Spirit Devouring Tapir, there was no medicinal primer, and there was no hope of refining the heavenly dust pill.

The Second Elder took a deep breath and stepped forward to break the silence.

"Pavilion Master, I have a plan."

As soon as he spoke, everyone was stunned. Even Daoist Lianxiao glanced over, a trace of ill-concealed expectation flashing in his eyes. "Oh? What brilliant idea do you have, Second Elder?"

The Second Elder steadied himself and said slowly, "Pavilion Master, the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony is approaching. If a Disciple from our Medicine Pavilion can win the competition, perhaps we can ask the Mysterious Realm Emissary for a heavenly dust pill."

Daoist Lianxiao's eyes lit up, and his expression gradually softened.

"Go and inform the Prodigies participating in the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony. If they win, our Medicine Pavilion will protect their families' prosperity forever. If they lose..." Daoist Lianxiao's expression turned cold, "then they must return double the resources the Medicine Pavilion invested in them to the Sect."

...The next day!

Inside the inn, a figure in a white dress arrived at Chen Xuan's door and reached out a slender hand to knock lightly.

"I wonder what instructions the Sect Master has for calling me here."

"Come in and talk!"

Having received permission, Qi Yue then opened the door with a 'creak' and stepped into the room. Her beautiful eyes scanned the room, finally landing on the handsome, immortal-like figure in white.

Chen Xuan held a teacup in one hand and looked at Qi Yue, saying, "Qi Yue, I plan to go to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion to inquire about the jade stone. Ye Hao and the others are cultivating in the inn. You stay behind to protect their path."

Qi Yue thought for a moment and said softly, "Sect Master, I am somewhat familiar with the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. Do you need me to introduce you?"

"Oh?"

Chen Xuan pondered for a moment and then shook his head in refusal. "No need. You stay and take care of Wanqing and the others. I killed a few people from the Medicine Pavilion yesterday. If they dare to come looking for trouble again, don't hold back."

Although he still had nine teleportation talismans, just in case, Chen Xuan decided to let Qi Yue stay behind to protect Wanqing and the others.

A few Disciples were much more important than some jade stone.

Qi Yue was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected that after being away for only half a day, the Medicine Pavilion would actually provoke the Sect Master. They really were a bunch of fools who didn't know the meaning of death.

"In that case, why not let Xiao Yun accompany the Sect Master?"

"Xiao Yun?"

Qi Yue explained softly, "Xiao Yun was previously an Elder of the Zixia Holy Land and is quite familiar with the customs of the Central Region. If he leads the way for the Sect Master, it should save a lot of trouble."

Chen Xuan nodded slightly and thought for a moment. "Very well!"

...Deep in the Central Region!

A magnificent pavilion rose from the ground, standing tall. Several exquisite buildings surrounded it like stars around the moon.

Two men walked through the city, gradually heading toward the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

"Senior, this is the largest city in the Central Region, and the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony is also held here." Xiao Yun introduced the local customs to Chen Xuan with great enthusiasm.

Earlier in the inn, when Qi Yue stated that he should lead the Sect Master to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, his mind had been buzzing. He understood that Fairy Qiyue was looking out for him.

Fairy Qiyue was once such a proud person in the Central Region, with countless pursuers. Even that personage from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion could hardly catch her eye. Yet, she was so respectful to this Senior. Now that he had the chance to show his worth before the Senior, it was not just an Opportunity, but a great stroke of fortune.

After yesterday's events, Xiao Yun finally understood how unfathomable the Senior beside him was.

He felt that every time he thought he saw the Senior clearly, he would instantly discover that what he touched was only the tip of the iceberg. Such mystery made him even more in awe.

For example, the celestial phenomena triggered yesterday; he still didn't understand what had happened.

"I see. Does one need to register to participate in the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony?" Chen Xuan asked curiously.

Although he came to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion to ask about the jade stone, he was in no hurry. There were still four days until the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony. Chen Xuan had come out this time with the intention of relaxing and having fun.

Xiao Yun nodded. "Sects from the outer regions do indeed need to register."

"And if one wins the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony, is it mandatory to go to the Profound Realm?"

"Not necessarily; there is no rule stating it must be so. However, every Prodigy who has won the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony has, without exception, been taken to the Profound Realm by the Mysterious Realm Emissary." Although Xiao Yun didn't quite understand why the Senior would ask such a question, he answered honestly.

"After all, only by going to the Profound Realm will the path of immortal cultivation become broader and longer." He paused and added, "To be blunt...

"The current Sect Masters and Elders of the major Holy Lands, as well as the powerhouses within the Sects, are all old fellows with poor Aptitude. They didn't have the ability to go to the Profound Realm, so they chose to stay in this world and live like carefree local kings."

Chen Xuan nodded slightly; that did make sense.

Those with high Realms weren't necessarily those with good Aptitude, but they were certainly those who had monopolized cultivation resources.

While they spoke, the two had already entered the city gate.

The streets were bustling with people and carriages, and the noise was incessant. The level of prosperity was several times greater than that of Wanbao City.

Xiao Yun suddenly changed the subject. "Does Senior enjoy drinking?"

Chen Xuan smiled. "I occasionally have a few drinks."

The road of immortal cultivation is long; one must Cultivate some hobbies to pass the time. Especially for someone like Chen Xuan, whose Realm increases while he's lying down without needing to practice.

One could only say that players with cheats have their own troubles.

You natives only need to consider how to Cultivate and raise your Realm. Unlike me, a transmigrator with a System, I have much more to consider.

This was also why he would play chess and compete with Vice Minister Mu in the Sect.

Xiao Yun laughed. "If that's the case, Senior must try the city's most famous immortal brew, 'flowing sunset drunkenness'!"

"'flowing sunset drunkenness'?"

Xiao Yun explained with a smile, "This wine is brewed in a thousand-year-old ice cellar, using Jade Pool Spring Water as a primer, and incorporating thirty-six kinds of rare Spirit Medicine, such as Nine-Leaf Flowing Sunset Grass and Snow Congealing Flower."

"Not only is the aroma of the wine soaring, but it is also extremely rare. It's even joked about by many Cultivators as a great Opportunity that is hard to find even for a Golden Core."

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up slightly. "In that case, I really must try it."