Chapter 868: Congratulatory Gift

Chapter 868 -866: Congratulatory Gift

The descending streak of light revealed itself to be a talisman seal. Xu Yang grabbed it with a bent hand, and the seal dissipated in his palm. It turned out to be a message. Xu Yang raised an eyebrow slightly, then leaped up and dashed toward the core of the mountains.

The Purple Crystal Immortal Lion lay trembling on the ground, waiting for a long time without sensing any movement. Only then did it raise its head. Seeing that Xu Yang had left, the fear in its eyes diminished significantly before it turned and bolted. Being forcefully restrained for dozens of breaths was simply too terrifying for a lion.

Meanwhile, Xu Yang arrived at the Wind and Cloud Platform. Only Cang Feng was there.

“Pavilion Master.” Xu Yang bowed respectfully and asked, “Are Mr. Chen and the others still here?”

“They already returned to their respective branches of Heaven’s Edge Tower half a month ago,” Cang Feng said with a smile. “The invitation for the coming-of-age ceremony of that little girl from Hongtian Ancient City has already arrived at Celestial Sword City’s Heaven’s Edge Tower. Chen Yingchuan just sent a message. Also, take this with you when you go. It’s a congratulatory gift from Heaven’s Edge Pavilion.” He handed over a simple, rustic wooden box.

Xu Yang was stunned. “I’m passing this on? Heaven’s Edge Pavilion isn’t sending anyone?”

After all, that was Hongtian Ancient City, one of the seven top immortal sects. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate if Heaven’s Edge Pavilion didn’t send a representative?

Cang Feng said flatly, “It is more than enough for Heaven’s Edge Pavilion’s Dragon and Tiger Venerable to attend.”

Hearing this, Xu Yang asked no more. That status was indeed sufficient.

However, it seemed Cang Feng also intended to reveal the title of “Dragon and Tiger Venerable.” The difficulty of becoming a Dragon and Tiger Venerable was no less than taking first place on the Dragon and Tiger List, and perhaps even harder. Once it was revealed, Heaven’s Edge Pavilion’s reputation would rise to another level. Although this would thrust him into the center of attention, Xu Yang had no objections. After all, that ancient pine leaf was an immense stroke of luck. This little matter was trivial and harmless.

“All right, there are only a few days left before it begins. Return to Celestial Sword City’s Heaven’s Edge Tower first.” Cang Feng pointed a finger, activating the Teleportation Array at the edge.

Xu Yang bowed once more and quickly stepped inside.

SWISH!

The Teleportation Array activated, and Xu Yang vanished within it. When he regained his senses, he was already standing in the Teleportation Array deep within Celestial Sword City’s Tianya Tower Manor.

A guard heard the noise and came in to check. Upon seeing Xu Yang, he hurriedly and respectfully said, “Mr. Xu.”

Xu Yang asked casually, “Where is Mr. Chen right now?”

“He’s in his room.”

“Understood.”

Xu Yang waved his hand and headed straight for Chen Yingchuan’s room. Upon seeing him, Chen Yingchuan greeted Xu Yang with a face full of enthusiasm. It was as if Xu Yang were the true master of the branch.

“This Dragon and Tiger Battle was truly exhilarating,” Chen Yingchuan gushed. “It’s all thanks to you, Mr. Xu. Without you, I wouldn’t have had any hope of entering the pavilion. After this battle, it’s practically a certainty.”

Xu Yang could feel that Chen Yingchuan was speaking from the bottom of his heart, filled with utmost gratitude. In this regard, he accepted it with a clear conscience and a calm demeanor. Soon, the topic finally shifted to business.

“This is the invitation Hong Xiaoxing sent you.” Chen Yingchuan took out a rustic, dark gold invitation card. It looked low-key yet luxurious, and the material felt extraordinary to the touch.

“By the way, Mr. Chen, will you be going?” Xu Yang asked.

“I won’t be going. At most, the Heaven’s Edge Tower in Hongtian Ancient City will send someone over to take a look. By the way, what did the Pavilion Master say?”

“The Pavilion Master asked me to pass along a congratulatory gift,” Xu Yang replied.

Chen Yingchuan raised his eyebrows and said in surprise, “Then it seems the pavilion won’t be sending anyone else either. You’ll be representing Heaven’s Edge Pavilion at Hong Xiaoxing’s coming-of-age ceremony. That’s a good thing. No matter what, Heaven’s Edge Pavilion is a top-tier force, and even the seven great immortal sects have to show us some respect. Coupled with your status as Heaven’s Edge Pavilion’s Dragon and Tiger Venerable, Hongtian Ancient City certainly wouldn’t dare to neglect you. Besides, the Pavilion Master’s move probably has a deeper meaning.”

“A deeper meaning?” Xu Yang was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding.

Chen Yingchuan stroked his chin and pondered, “Your reputation in the Eastern Continent is quite astonishing right now. The events from the Dragon and Tiger Battle won’t spread for the time being, but for Hong Xiaoxing’s coming-of-age ceremony, powerful experts and geniuses from major immortal sects will gather to congratulate her. Representing Heaven’s Edge Pavilion and revealing your identity as the Dragon and Tiger Venerable… It’s no exaggeration to say that your standing won’t be much less than that of Di Qinghe. The Pavilion Master must have mentioned the Starfall Immortal Ruins to you, right?”

“He did.”

“Then it makes perfect sense. It’s for an alliance!”

Xu Yang’s pupils shrank as he thought of the opportunities within the Starfall Immortal Ruins. It was hard to achieve anything relying on one person’s strength; they could only succeed by forming alliances between teams.

“If we can use this opportunity to rope in Hongtian Ancient City and cooperate with them after entering the Starfall Immortal Ruins, it will be of great benefit to our Heaven’s Edge Pavilion,” Chen Yingchuan said, licking his lips. “Perhaps the Pavilion Master also knows some secrets that we’re unaware of. However, regardless of that, you don’t need to overthink it. Just do what you have to do.”

Xu Yang strongly agreed. The things considered by someone at Cang Feng’s level naturally wouldn’t be that simple. However, these matters were beyond his current reach. There was no point in dwelling on it.

“There are still three days before it begins. We have a Teleportation Array here that leads directly to the Heaven’s Edge Tower in Hongtian Ancient City. When do you plan to leave?”

“I’ll leave tomorrow.”

Before setting off the next day, Xu Yang decided to leave Yuan Mie behind. With his current strength, Yuan Mie was no longer a match for him, let alone capable of helping or acting as his Dao protector. When asked for his opinion, Yuan Mie was more than eager to stay at Heaven’s Edge Tower. After all, his aptitude and combat power were not considered very strong. In the Eastern Continent, he could only be considered a very ordinary Golden Immortal. The benefits of being able to stay in a place like Heaven’s Edge Tower were self-evident to him. Without Xu Yang, he wouldn’t even have the qualifications to stay. As for his disciple, there was no need to worry about him at Black Fire Immortal Mountain.

After arranging all of this, Xu Yang took the Teleportation Array to the Heaven’s Edge Tower in Hongtian Ancient City.

Hongtian Ancient City was a city with a very long history. It was the stronghold of the Hong Family. Given that it was the base of a top-tier immortal sect, Heaven’s Edge Pavilion had only established a mid-tier Heaven’s Edge Tower here to serve as a hub for transfers and information exchange.

Receiving Xu Yang was the branch master, Cui Cheng, a cultivator at the Middle Stage of Golden Immortal. Facing Xu Yang, Cui Cheng was both enthusiastic and reverent. Although he was merely the master of a mid-tier Heaven’s Edge Tower, he also knew of Xu Yang’s strength and identity.

A Dragon and Tiger Venerable.

In terms of strength, Xu Yang was far stronger than him; in terms of status, he far surpassed him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Yang asked curiously, “Mr. Cui, do you know what the procedure is for Hong Xiaoxing’s coming-of-age ceremony in Hongtian Ancient City?”

Cui Cheng smiled and said, “Roughly speaking, it should involve inviting various immortal sects, top prodigies, and important figures to gather together. There will be a round of congratulations and gift-giving, and then Hongtian Ancient City will host some events with prizes to be won.

“However, I can only guess one of the activities. Since it’s Hong Xiaoxing’s coming-of-age ceremony, they might have her wield certain treasures and invite a few prodigies for a rather special sparring match. If she wins, they will certainly hand out some impressive treasures. If she loses, it would naturally mean a slight loss of face. But judging from the rumors coming out of Hongtian Ancient City this time, there’s more to it than just that. There’s something even more special planned, though it remains unclear for now.”