The woman, clad in white, wore a jade pendant around her waist, a divine consciousness artifact from the Heavenly Steps. Her hair was adorned with a jade hairpin and a phoenix-tail hairpin, both defensive magic treasures. She shimmered with an ethereal glow, appearing as radiant as an immortal.
Her expression was cold and arrogant; even in front of Ying Wuxiong, her pride remained undiminished.
"I said long ago that the Universal Secret Realm would undoubtedly fall into the Divine Revelation Minor World," the white-robed woman calmly added.
Ying Wuxiong harbored extreme dissatisfaction with her self-importance and arrogance, but he showed nothing on his face, quickly regaining his composure from his earlier lapse.
"Fairy Yun, you are indeed extraordinary. If that is the case, why doesn't the Yingwu Continent send Fairy Yun to the Universal Secret Realm to scout ahead?"
Although Ying Wuxiong's words were phrased as a question, they lacked the tone of inquiry, clearly indicating his intention to use her as a scout.
The white-robed woman, Yun Youyue, further chilled her expression and directly stated, "No."
Ying Wuxiong's eyes narrowed slightly, and the air in the grand hall seemed to congeal.
The oppressive and suffocating atmosphere caused the Void Breaking Realm guards stationed at the palace entrance to involuntarily lower their heads. Yet, Yun Youyue, facing this terrifying aura head-on, remained as usual, her expression unchanged.
"Since it is inconvenient for Fairy Yun, let us drop the matter," Ying Wuxiong said in a deep voice.
The terrifying aura in the grand hall receded like a tide.
Ying Wuxiong's dissatisfaction with Yun Youyue deepened, but he truly couldn't fathom her depth. He narrowed his eyes and said indifferently, "Then, what advice does Fairy Yun have regarding this journey to the Universal Secret Realm?"
The Universal Secret Realm.
This time, it was likely not just the Yingwu Continent, but also the Yunshen Continent, the Xunming Continent, and even people from the other two middle worlds would be unable to sit still.
If this woman could say something useful to him or the Yingwu Continent, could he then find the opportunity to become a god once he entered the secret realm?
Just as Ying Wuxiong was lost in his own daydream, Yun Youyue's indifferent voice reached him: "Only cultivators below the Void Illumination Mirror can enter the Universal Secret Realm."
"Why?" Ying Wuxiong questioned with displeasure. As he looked up, he met Yun Youyue's arrogant and deep eyes. He frowned and said coldly, "Fairy Yun, are you perhaps deceiving me?"
Perhaps Yun Youyue did not wish to escalate the situation too severely. She softened her tone and said, "Continent Master, you should have more trust in me. Thus far, when have I ever deceived the Continent Master?"
She spoke with a casual tone, still offering no explanation.
Shifting her posture, Yun Youyue turned and walked towards the palace entrance, saying as she went, "My fifty-year agreement with the Continent Master is nearing its end. When will the Continent Master give me what I desire?"
As she spoke, she vanished from the grand hall.
"Continent Master?" A young cultivator, who had arrived at the grand hall to wait at some unknown time, witnessed this scene and quickly lowered his head.
Sometimes, knowing too much was not a good thing.
"Liuchen, what do you think of this Yun Youyue?"
Jiang Liuchen replied, "Her schemes are unfathomable, her cultivation is unfathomable, and her methods are unfathomable."
He used the word "unfathomable" three times, indicating his distinctly unfavorable impression of Yun Youyue, yet also a profound wariness.
"Indeed. In less than a thousand years, she can come and go as she pleases within the space I've locked. Her cultivation is a mystery, yet when she disappears for a period, she acquires heavenly treasures." Ying Wuxiong clapped his hands. "If it weren't for the fact that the Chongyuan Heavenly Dao has been dormant for many years, I would almost think this woman was chosen by the Chongyuan Heavenly Dao as its spokesperson."
A spokesperson for the Heavenly Dao was naturally a child of destiny.
Jiang Liuchen remained silent. In truth, he wished his ears were deaf; he didn't want to hear any of these words.
He simply wanted to live a life of ease and abundance in Tianwu City, not to be the Continent Master's right-hand man!
Unaware of his subordinate's thoughts, Ying Wuxiong continued, "This time, you will go to the Universal Secret Realm."
The Yingwu Continent had countless experts above the Void Illumination Mirror, but there were very few usable individuals below it.
Originally, his most effective subordinates were Yue Jun and Tang Qiao. Little did he know that the useless Yue Jun had perished in a minor world. Ying Wuxiong then turned his gaze to Jiang Liuchen, who had been underutilized for a long time.
Logically, a young cultivator with average cultivation, upon hearing his command and sensing his favor, should have been grateful or at least excited. However, Jiang Liuchen repeatedly waved his hands.
"Continent Master, such an important matter should be handled by Sister Tang Qiao. I fear I am incapable and might ruin the Continent Master's grand plan."
He knew it! When the Continent Master had transmitted his voice to him, it was never for anything good!
Ying Wuxiong was already harboring a considerable amount of anger from his encounter with Yun Youyue. Seeing Jiang Liuchen's lack of appreciation, he let out a displeased snort.
The overwhelming pressure caused Jiang Liuchen to immediately break out in a sweat and kneel on the ground. He hastily corrected himself, "This subordinate deserves death! This subordinate knows his mistake! This subordinate will arrange this matter immediately and ensure we enter the Universal Secret Realm before the other two continents!"
Jiang Liuchen, on the verge of tears, repeatedly guaranteed his compliance before Ying Wuxiong finally let him go.
Emerging from the palace, Jiang Liuchen took a deep breath to stabilize himself, preventing himself from collapsing onto the ground.
"Lord Jiang."
Jiang Liuchen looked at the person passing by and forced a smile. "It's Qingque. Does Sister Tang Qiao have any more instructions for me?"
The magpie feathers on Mo Qingque's head fluttered, and his small eyes, filled with smiles, said, "Not exactly. I just saw Lord Jiang and wanted to say hello. Lord Jiang, are you returning from seeing the Continent Master?"
He flattered, "You are so young and already favored by the Continent Master. In the future, you will certainly not lack resources for cultivation, your path will be smooth, and your future limitless. Truly enviable."
Another reason why the Yingwu Continent had attracted countless cultivators over the years was the consensus gradually forming among the people of the Chongyuan Middle World: the Continent Master of the Yingwu Continent preferred to employ capable young people.
Even if your cultivation was only at the Spiritual Light Realm, as long as you caught the eye of the Yingwu Continent Master, you would receive favor, accompanied by an endless supply of cultivation resources and a bright future.
Tang Qiao and Yue Jun, whose names were on the Golden Name Stele, were the best testament to this. Both came from ordinary backgrounds, yet at a young age, they had achieved heights unattainable by many.
Jiang Liuchen observed Mo Qingque, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind. He reached out and friendly patted Mo Qingque. "I remember, Qingque, you also went on a mission to the Divine Revelation Minor World for a period, right?"
Mo Qingque nodded, bewildered.
His mission had been ordinary, even hastily concluded. Could there be a problem with it now?
"Are you currently stationed at the Sky Curtain Pagoda in Tianwu City?" Jiang Liuchen asked again.
Mo Qingque continued to nod. "Yes."
"That's perfect then." Jiang Liuchen couldn't help but break into a smile. "I'll hand this matter over to you, Qingque. Don't disappoint me or the Continent Master!"
Mo Qingque was confused as Jiang Liuchen continued, "Post an announcement at the Sky Curtain Pagoda. I am recruiting ten cultivators below the Void Illumination Mirror to go to the Universal Secret Realm, regardless of their background or age..."
The news of the Universal Secret Realm's appearance could not be contained. Jiang Liuchen thought that as long as he took people to the Universal Secret Realm for a tour, it should be sufficient.
Outside the Sky Curtain Pagoda, the Golden Name Stele flickered. The name "Chu Tianle" had just appeared in the hundredth position, and before the inscription was even complete, it was pushed down.
"Alas!"
A sigh of regret rippled through the surrounding crowd.