The Trial of the Myriad Dharma Pavilion

“Good! Good! Good!” Lie Tianxiong exclaimed three times in succession, forcefully patting the Second Elder on the shoulder, his face filled with approval.

“Second Elder, you’ve done very well! I truly haven’t misjudged you! With you assisting me, I can now focus on dealing with our external enemies without worry!”

“It is merely my duty, Palace Master. I would never dare claim credit. It is all thanks to your virtue and guidance.”

The Second Elder lowered his head modestly, concealing the inexplicable look that flashed across his eyes.

Lie Tianxiong nodded in satisfaction. With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed out at the sea of clouds beyond the palace, his bearing soaring and imposing.

“Now that I have emerged from seclusion, I shall naturally lead the sect in reclaiming everything we have lost!

“Second Elder, have there been any important developments outside the sect recently?”

“I was just about to report to you. According to the original schedule, the Grand Tournament of the Seven Sects of Xuanzhou will be held in half a month.

“This year, our Burning Heaven Palace is responsible for hosting the tournament. The invitations have already been sent out as usual, and we have received replies from all the sects. They will all arrive on time.”

The Second Elder immediately stepped forward, adopting a respectful posture as he delivered his report.

“The Grand Tournament of the Seven Sects?”

“Excellent! The timing couldn’t be better!”

Lie Tianxiong turned around, his gaze burning as he looked at the Second Elder.

“Speaking of the tournament, disciples are the foundation of a sect. How is the younger generation doing these days? Do we have anyone capable of shouldering great responsibility?”

The Second Elder seemed to have been prepared for this question. Upon hearing it, he revealed a few traces of a gratified smile, as though he were keeping some secret to himself. Lowering his voice slightly, he said,

“Reporting to you, Palace Master, under your blessing and guidance, all the disciples have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their cultivation these past few months, and their progress has been truly remarkable. For this tournament, the elders and I have secretly selected six core disciples to participate.

“The weakest among these six is already at the mid-stage of the Core Condensation Realm. Their foundations are solid, and each is an outstanding combatant among those of the same realm.”

He paused briefly. Then, lowering his voice even further, he continued with unmistakable excitement, “Especially Martial Nephew Lin Lie.”

At the mention of that name, Lie Tianxiong’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

Lin Lie was someone in whom he had placed great hopes.

The Second Elder continued, his voice filled with restrained delight. “Martial Nephew Lin has not disappointed your expectations. Just two nights ago, he successfully broke through his bottleneck and officially entered the Violet Palace Realm!

“At present, only this subordinate and two Protector Elders know of the matter. We have strictly sealed the news, and publicly continue to claim that he is merely at the peak of the Core Condensation Realm.

“Martial Nephew Lin also understands the importance of this arrangement. He is currently consolidating his cultivation, striving to astonish everyone when the tournament begins.”

“The Violet Palace Realm?!”

Lie Tianxiong was stunned at first. Then, overwhelming joy surged into his heart. He immediately forced it down, transforming it into an even sharper gleam in his eyes.

He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white, revealing the excitement within him.

“Good! Good! Good!”

Once again, he exclaimed three times, but this time his voice was steady and filled with power. “Lin Lie truly hasn’t disappointed me! Second Elder, you’ve handled this matter perfectly!”

He paced back and forth twice, his thoughts becoming increasingly clear. Then he sneered.

“The Violet Palace Realm, hahaha! As far as I know, among the younger generation of the various sects in Xuanzhou, those who have openly reached this realm are as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns!

“That so-called genius from the Myriad Arts Pavilion is probably only hovering at this threshold!

“Our senior disciple has quietly entered the Violet Palace Realm. This news will make a wonderful surprise for the various sects at the tournament!”

“Hahaha!”

Lie Tianxiong’s triumphant laughter echoed throughout the entire secluded cultivation grounds as he imagined the glory he would enjoy on the day of the tournament.

He had completely forgotten how miserably he had been beaten in the secret realm, and he had also forgotten his original plan to keep a low profile and endure!

The Second Elder watched Lie Tianxiong’s high-spirited appearance and sighed inwardly.

“Palace Master, you’re getting carried away…”

…

The Myriad Arts Pavilion, Council Hall.

Pavilion Master Yun Canghai sat at the head of the main seat. He wore a dark teal robe, and his aura was as deep as the sea.

His gaze slowly swept over the elders seated on either side below him.

“The Grand Tournament of the Seven Sects concerns the century-old reputation of our Myriad Arts Pavilion. It also affects the division of Xuanzhou’s resources for the coming decades.

“With the tournament approaching, everyone, how is the intelligence gathering on the core disciples of the other six sects—especially their senior disciples—coming along?”

The Enforcement Elder responsible for compiling intelligence was the first to rise. Holding a jade slip in both hands, he reported solemnly,

“Reporting to the Pavilion Master, according to our investigations from multiple sources, the senior disciples publicly acknowledged by the various sects are currently, for the most part, stable at the late stage of the Core Condensation Realm.”

Yun Canghai accepted the jade slip and swept it with his divine sense. He nodded slightly to indicate that he understood.

At that moment, the First Elder stroked his long beard and added, “Although these sects each possess their share of outstanding talents, their foundations and accumulated heritage ultimately cannot compare with the top-tier inheritances built up by our pavilion over a century.

“When the senior disciples are roughly equal in cultivation, what matters is their cultivation methods, resources, ability to respond in battle, and a touch of fortune.

“In my opinion, so long as no major accidents occur, first place in this tournament should still belong to our Myriad Arts Pavilion.”

However, Yun Canghai’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He asked, “How is the Burning Heaven Palace doing? Has there been any movement from Lin Lie?”

After suffering a major loss in the secret realm, the Burning Heaven Palace had fallen into an unusual silence. Even Palace Master Lie Tianxiong had been seriously injured and entered seclusion. Since then, the palace had sharply reduced its overt dealings with the outside world, and even its disciples’ trips down the mountain for training had been greatly curtailed.

The First Elder pondered for a moment before saying, “After Lie Tianxiong was seriously injured, the Burning Heaven Palace was temporarily managed by the Second Elder. Their conduct has become exceptionally low-key, while their mountain gates are also much more heavily guarded.

“That young man is ruthless by nature, and his talent is indeed extraordinary. If the Burning Heaven Palace has devoted all its resources to nurturing him over the past few months, he may have broken through. We cannot afford to let our guard down.”

“Cannot afford to let our guard down…”

Yun Canghai repeated the words in a low voice. After a moment, he said,

“First Elder, information obtained from paper is ultimately superficial. Ordinary spies cannot enter the core areas of the various sects. What they see and hear may contain omissions—or may even be smoke deliberately released by the other side.”

The First Elder’s expression turned solemn. “What does the Pavilion Master intend?”

“I’ll trouble you to make the journey personally. Secretly infiltrate the other six sects. Do not alarm anyone. You need only confirm the true cultivation auras of their senior disciples and watch for any abnormal prodigies concealing their strength.

“With your King Realm cultivation and the ‘Concealing Spirit Veil,’ the other six sects will absolutely be unable to detect you.”

The First Elder understood the importance of the matter. He rose solemnly and cupped his fists.

“This old man accepts the order. I will act with the utmost caution and bring back reliable information for the Pavilion Master.”

Yun Canghai nodded, then looked toward the other elders.

“As for the rest of you, the preparations for every aspect of the tournament must be made even more meticulously. Nothing can go wrong.

“The participating disciples are to receive twice the usual cultivation resources. Their condition before the battles must be adjusted to its peak.”

“Yes!”

All the elders answered in unison.

After discussing the tournament procedures, venue arrangements, reception of guests, and other details at length, the elders successively rose and silently left the council hall.

Azure Mystic Sect, the Sect Master’s Hall.

Xuanyangzi was cultivating when his divine sense suddenly stirred. He took out an ancient transmission jade talisman.

Slowly opening his eyes, he extended his thoughts into it.

The message within was concise:

“The First Elder of the Myriad Arts Pavilion, carrying the Concealing Spirit Veil, will secretly infiltrate the Azure Mystic Sect late tomorrow night to investigate the true strength of the disciples on the various peaks.”

Xuanyangzi ran his fingers along the edge of the jade talisman, then broke into a grin, as though he had thought of an amusing idea.

“Tomorrow night, then. Come on over. I guarantee you won’t make a peep once you arrive.”