Chapter 531 541: Ancient Secret Realm

The crowd instantly fell silent. Seeing Gu Yifeng stand up, everyone looked baffled. 'Is this Gu Yifeng still looking for trouble?'

The members of the Celestial Profound Sect all frowned slightly, their eyes holding a trace of doubt.

Gu Yifeng swept his gaze across the crowd and said slowly, "Today is Hua Peak Master's birthday. All of you are renowned experts of the Eastern Profound Domain. With everyone gathered here, I have a matter of great importance to announce."

Hearing Gu Yifeng's words, everyone grew curious. What could this "matter of great importance" possibly be?

From the side, Lingzhi placed his palms together and said slowly, "Amitabha Buddha. Elder Gu, if you have something to say, please do not hesitate."

"Yes, yes, just say it, Elder Gu," the Xiaoxiang Wanderer, Duan Chi, urged with a smile.

Gu Yifeng nodded and continued, "As you all know, our Eastern Profound Domain has legends about a dragon—specifically, the scales of the mythical Azure Dragon. The Azure Dragon's scales were split into eight pieces, but only three have ever come to light. One is in my Taiyi Pavilion, one is in the Celestial Profound Sect, and another was in the hands of the Thousand Nether Valley, though it was eventually lost. Our Pavilion Master wishes to gather all eight Dragon Scales, and so, he invites everyone to search for them together."

Gu Yifeng paused, cleared his throat, and continued, "Our Pavilion Master has also predicted that if all eight Dragon Scales are gathered, they will form a mysterious key. The key to a certain Ancient Secret Realm."

"An Ancient Secret Realm!?"

Everyone was stunned by Gu Yifeng's words.

Wen Qingye, too, was captivated by Gu Yifeng's words. An Ancient Secret Realm, coupled with the allure of the Azure Dragon... even he felt a stir of excitement.

'Taiyi Pavilion still wants to look for the Dragon Scales?' Wen Qingye thought of Guu Hongxiu taking that map and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Situ Yun stepped forward and declared, "The Celestial Profound Sect will naturally give this matter our full support! Opening this Ancient Secret Realm would surely be of great benefit to everyone in the Eastern Profound Domain."

"This is a wonderful undertaking. Baoling Temple is willing to lend its strength."

"The Daoist School of Non-action is also willing."

"The Sword Sect will certainly not hold everyone back."

...

Upon hearing Gu Yifeng's proposal, the crowd voiced their support one after another.

The mere mention of an Ancient Secret Realm was enough to make those present lose their composure. If they could obtain even the slightest opportunity from within, their power would change dramatically. Who could possibly not be moved by such a prospect?

After all, many of the founding Ancestral Masters had established their sects only after obtaining some legacy from a Secret Realm. If any of them could acquire just a fraction of such a legacy, their name would be celebrated for ages to come.

In an instant, everyone felt their mouths go dry, their hearts thrumming with restless excitement.

Gu Yifeng had clearly anticipated this reaction. He nodded and said, "Since you all agree, then I hope that anyone who obtains information about the Dragon Scales will promptly make it public. When the time comes, if our entire Eastern Profound Domain works together, we will surely be able to open this Ancient Secret Realm."

Tangg Guanzhong's eyes narrowed slightly. "This Taiyi Pavilion... their appetite certainly isn't small. Tianyang, what do you say?"

Yum Tianyang nodded. "It isn't. We'd best be cautious."

It wasn't just the Celestial Profound Sect. The Sword Sect, Thousand Nether Valley, Baoling Temple... numerous factions sensed Taiyi Pavilion's immense ambition. But since this venture offered them nothing but benefits and no drawbacks, they naturally wouldn't object.

After speaking, Gu Yifeng cupped his fist in salute to the crowd, nodded to Hua Lie, and then sat down.

The clinking of cups and lively chatter continued as guests mingled. Before anyone realized it, the sun had begun to set.

Hua Lie then rose, scanned the crowd, and announced, "If you are not in a hurry to leave, you are welcome to stay for a time in the guest quarters here on my Celestial Profound Sect's Absolute Peak."

The guests rose as well, understanding that the banquet had come to a close.

Many chose to stay, but a good number also decided to depart.

Those who wished to foster good relations with the Celestial Profound Sect and Hua Lie remained to rest for a few days. As for the Sword Sect, Taiyi Pavilion, and Thousand Nether Valley, most of their members departed in a hurry.

Just as Wen Qingye got up and was about to exit the main hall, Daoist Shangxuan stopped him.

"Young friend, might I have a moment?"

Wen Qingye looked at Daoist Shangxuan in confusion. "Yes? Is there something you need?"

Daoist Shangxuan stroked his beard and said with a smile, "I find myself quite curious about you, young friend. I'd like to have a proper chat. What do you think?"

As he spoke, Daoist Shangxuan took out a purple-striped paper slip and tossed it to Wen Qingye. A large character for "Dao" was inscribed upon it.

"A Daoist Token?" Zhang Zhilin, who was walking over, couldn't help but express his surprise when he saw the purple slip. He then said to Wen Qingye, "Since Daoist Shangxuan has gifted it to you, you should accept it."

At that moment, Ling Tianyu saw the purple Daoist Token. A flash of greed appeared in his eyes, vanishing as quickly as it came. He then stared straight ahead and walked out of the great hall of Absolute Peak.

Hearing Zhang Zhilin's words, Wen Qingye, though still unsure what Daoist Shangxuan had given him, nodded and accepted it.

Seeing Wen Qingye accept the Daoist Token, Daoist Shangxuan smiled and nodded at Zhang Zhilin, then departed with the rest of the Daoist School of Non-action.

After bidding farewell to the others, Wen Qingye and Zhang Zhilin started walking toward Life Peak.

Wen Qingye took out the Daoist Token and gave Zhang Zhilin a questioning look.

"This Daoist Token is an invitation from the Daoist School of Non-action. With it, you are an honored guest of their sect—and not just an ordinary one," Zhang Zhilin explained with a slight smile. "In the entire Eastern Profound Domain, fewer than five people of the younger generation hold a Daoist Token. This is a great affirmation of your status."

"I see."

Wen Qingye nodded. No wonder so many people had looked at the Daoist Token with such fervent, envious, and jealous eyes.

"Well now, you won't have to face punishment from the Ancestral Hall anymore. Before long, your Martial Uncle Ji will give you some compensation from the Sect," Zhang Zhilin said with a laugh. "When the time comes, don't go easy on him."

Wen Qingye also smiled and nodded. "I understand."

With that, Wen Qingye headed toward his Cave Mansion.

Within a single day of the birthday banquet for Hua Lie, the Absolute Peak Master of the Celestial Profound Sect, key pieces of information were already being spread throughout the Eastern Profound Domain via various Secret Techniques.

Everyone who received the news was astounded.

Wen Qingye's name was once again on everyone's lips.

Wen Qingye was an Emperor-grade High-level Pill Master? How was that possible? Wasn't his bone age only twenty-one? The youngest known Emperor-grade Pill Master in the Eastern Profound Domain had a bone age of twenty-three!

The news sent shockwaves through the land, leaving everyone stunned.

But the news that followed was even more heart-stopping.

Liu Xiaomo had once again defeated Lu Wushuang, then went on to triumph over Qii Yue. He had even unleashed the incomplete Immortal Sword Technique, the Fourteen Ways of Ghost and God Slaying, defeating a master swordsman of the older generation despite being his junior. With such a stunning battle record, Liu Xiaomo's name should have been the one to echo throughout the Eastern Profound Domain.

However, the final outcome was completely unexpected. In the end, Wen Qingye had intervened and, relying solely on Cloud Conceal Peak's Cloud Concealment Sword Technique, defeated Liu Xiaomo, the ghostly genius of the sword.

Everyone was utterly dumbfounded. This Wen Qingye... was he really that monstrously talented?

After all, Chu Bufan, Lu Wushuang, Mingkong, and Wang Hao were Core Disciples of the previous generation. While they held the same title as Wen Qingye, their bone age was significantly higher.

The Celestial Profound Sect, once thought to be lacking worthy successors, suddenly had a new power rise unexpectedly from its ranks: Wen Qingye.

But then, the news of Wen Qingye's severed meridians and lack of future potential also began to circulate once more. For a time, the entire Eastern Profound Domain was abuzz with discussion. His fame had spread so far that his name could be heard even in the most remote areas.

Thus, the name Wen Qingye had truly risen to prominence, and countless people throughout the Eastern Profound Domain began to firmly commit it to memory.