72: Third Life: How Am I the Villain? (Thirty-Six)

Chen Ping was also instantly vigilant, stepping forward to faintly shield Xu Yuan behind him.

Under that sharp pressure, the shadows there twisted, rippling like water.

Immediately, a figure dressed in plain gray robes with an indistinct face slowly emerged.

The newcomer did not seem intimidated by Qin Zhantian's Aura; he merely bowed slightly and spoke in a strange, calm tone, as if devoid of any emotion:

"Sect Master Qin, please calm your anger. I have no ill intentions."

His gaze passed over Qin Zhantian and Chen Ping, landing on Xu Yuan, his indistinct face seemingly revealing a hint of scrutiny.

"I am an attendant of the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion. By order of the Pavilion Revered Master, I have come specifically to deliver a 'Foundation Establishment congratulatory gift' to Chen Yuan, the Dao Child of the Overlord Blade Sect."

Upon hearing the three words "Celestial Mechanism Pavilion," the sharp Aura surrounding Qin Zhantian suddenly receded, yet the gravity in his eyes increased rather than diminished.

Chen Ping's pupils also constricted; he clearly knew the weight that this name represented.

Qin Zhantian spoke in a deep voice, his tone softening slightly, yet still carrying vigilance: "So it is an attendant from the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion. May I ask, Your Excellency, what brings you to our humble sect? And what is the meaning of this gift?"

The gray-robed attendant's voice remained calm and waveless: "Sect Master Qin, do not worry. It is the custom of our Celestial Mechanism Pavilion that within the Southern Region, any Cultivator who successfully achieves Foundation Establishment with a High Grade Dao Foundation before the age of twenty is automatically listed on the 'Southern Region elite rank' candidate list."

His gaze turned back to Xu Yuan, his indistinct face seemingly able to see through everything: "Dao Child Chen Yuan, bone age seventeen, condensed the 'Ten Thousand Blades Facing the Origin' Dao Foundation, which has not appeared in the Overlord Blade Sect for a hundred years. Your Foundation is profound, and you even slew a Foundation Establishment Mystic Ice Evil Toad while at the Qi Refining stage; your potential is extraordinary."

"According to the Pavilion's assessment, you are now ranked eighty-ninth on the Southern Region elite rank."

"elite rank?"

Xu Yuan's heart stirred; this was the first time he had heard of this list.

The gray-robed attendant seemed to notice Xu Yuan's confusion and explained: "The Southern Region elite rank is a list specifically compiling geniuses of the Foundation Establishment Stage under fifty in the Southern Region. Everyone on this list is a standout among their peers."

"Being listed on the elite rank grants one the qualification to participate in the 'Southern Region Elite Battle'."

"Ten years from now, the Elite Battle will commence at a location designated by the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion. At that time, all Foundation Establishment Prodigies under fifty in the Southern Region may attend to compete for Opportunities."

"Those who perform exceptionally in the Elite Battle will not only receive generous rewards, but the winner may also obtain a… magnificent Opportunity for Core Formation."

An Opportunity for Core Formation!

Once these words were spoken, even Qin Zhantian and Chen Ping's breathing hitched!

The Golden Core Path is a Realm that countless Foundation Establishment Cultivators dream of, yet have no hope of reaching in their entire lives!

A definitive Opportunity for Core Formation is of immeasurable value!

The gray-robed attendant seemed very satisfied with the effect of these words. After a slight pause, he threw out an even more astonishing piece of news: "Furthermore, according to custom, the final victor of this Elite Battle, in addition to the Golden Core Opportunity, may also make one request of our Celestial Mechanism Pavilion."

His tone shifted slightly, carrying an indescribable depth: "Of course, this request is not without limitations. You must know, while our Celestial Mechanism Pavilion possesses some means, we are not omnipotent. The request must be within the scope of our Pavilion's capabilities."

"More importantly," the gray-robed attendant's indistinct gaze seemed to focus on Xu Yuan again, "the person making the request must themselves demonstrate… potential, strength, or… other qualities sufficient to match or even exceed the value of this request."

"Our Celestial Mechanism Pavilion never makes a losing deal."

The implication in these words was very clear—the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion's promise was indeed precious, but it was by no means easily obtained.

It was more like an investment; only by proving that you possess astonishing value worth investing in could this promise be fulfilled.

"This is the congratulatory gift ordered by the Pavilion Revered Master. Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Chen, on ascending to the elite rank."

The gray-robed attendant flipped his hand, and a purple token that was neither gold nor jade, feeling warm to the touch, and a small Storage Pouch appeared out of thin air, slowly flying toward Xu Yuan.

"The token is proof of identity for the elite rank, and also an invitation to the Elite Battle. Inside the Storage Pouch are some meager gifts to express our goodwill. The message has been delivered, and the gift has been presented; I shall take my leave."

Before his voice had even faded, without any movement, his figure faded and blurred like a reflection dissolving into water. Right under the gaze of Qin Zhantian and the other two, he vanished silently and without a trace, as if he had never appeared at all.

Leaving behind only the purple token and the Storage Pouch, as well as the three people standing there with varied expressions.

Xu Yuan reached out to take the token and the Storage Pouch, sweeping his Divine Sense slightly over the Storage Pouch.

He discovered inside a few bottles of High Grade Medicinal Pills commonly used at the Foundation Establishment Stage and some precious Artifact Refining Materials. They were of significant value, but to him, having seen many storms, they were not exactly shocking.

His attention was focused more on the purple token, which was engraved with complex cloud patterns and the number "eighty-nine."

After the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion attendant's Aura had completely vanished, Xu Yuan turned to Qin Zhantian, whose expression remained grave, and asked: "Revered Master, what exactly is this Celestial Mechanism Pavilion… what kind of sacred existence is it? To have such great generosity and such a bold tone?"

Qin Zhantian took a deep breath and said slowly: "The Celestial Mechanism Pavilion… is an extremely mysterious and ancient organization. The duration of its existence is said to even surpass many of the Upper Sects that dominate one side today."

"No one knows the exact location of its headquarters, nor does anyone know the true depth of its strength!"

"It is only known that its sphere of influence is by no means limited to our Southern Region, but… spans the five regions of the Eastern Wasteland, Western Desert, Southern Region, Northern Plains, and Central Plains! It is a behemoth in the true sense of the word!"

"Spans five regions?"

Chen Ping gasped; he was clearly hearing such secrets for the first time. Although the Overlord Blade Sect had several Foundation Establishment Cultivators holding down the fort, and Sect Master Qin Zhantian was even a powerhouse at Foundation Establishment Perfection, if one looked at the entire Southern Region, they could only be considered a local force tucked away in a corner.

And the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion, which could span five regions, had a Foundation and strength that were simply unimaginable!

"Indeed." Qin Zhantian nodded solemnly. "They are famous for compiling and publishing various rankings and selling intelligence, but their true terror lies in the fact that no one dares to provoke them lightly."

"The rankings they publish have extremely high credibility, and it is said that there are unimaginable powerhouses behind them…"

Qin Zhantian looked at the token in Xu Yuan's hand, his eyes complex: "Yuan'er, being listed on the elite rank and obtaining the qualification for the Elite Battle is a massive Opportunity, but it also means that your future path is destined not to be peaceful."

"The Southern Region Elite Battle ten years from now will gather the top Foundation Establishment Prodigies from the entire Southern Region. The intensity and cruelty of the competition will far exceed your imagination."

"And that Golden Core Opportunity, along with one request from the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion… are enough to drive everyone crazy."

"After all, those are Golden Core True Persons who can overturn rivers and seas with a wave of their hand, whose Divine Sense can cover ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers, and whose single decree can suppress a region."

"As far as I know, the most recent Golden Core True Person born in the Southern Region was from the Burning Sun Upper Sect thirty years ago."