"Master, you are actually…?"
At that moment, Baili Zilin stared at the mysterious white-robed man, his face filled with shock.
This face was not one he was seeing for the first time.
He had previously seen it in the records of experts from the Seven Realms Holy Palace.
This man was the strongest genius of the Seven Realms Holy Palace before Jie Ranqing's emergence — a figure who, like Jie Ranqing, had truly ruled over an era.
His name was Jie Mubai.
He was also Jie Tian's father.
"Young Master Zilin, you still didn't know my true identity?" Jie Mubai asked.
"Master, when you first cooperated with our Prison Sect, Lord Baili made it clear that your identity would never be disclosed to anyone."
"So up until now, within the entire Prison Sect, only I and Lord Baili knew your identity. Even Young Master Zilin was unaware until now," Jimo Qianzhou explained.
"I never would have imagined that Master is actually the illustrious Senior Jie Mubai."
"Senior, I was rude before — please do not take offense."
Despite not having fully recovered, Baili Zilin rose to his feet and performed a deep bow.
"Young Master Zilin, there is no need for such formality. Your body has not yet healed — you should rest," Jie Mubai said.
With a light flick of his finger, a powerful barrier descended, restraining Baili Zilin in place.
Then he continued: "In truth, I could have inscribed my name at the peak of the Fortune Sacred Realm."
"But I chose a different path."
"I obtained the key to opening the Fortune Sacred Realm, allowing me to trigger its manifestation abnormally, making the Fortune Sacred Realm available to me alone."
"Though the fortune power I gained each time was relatively small, over the long run the harvest was still substantial."
"Truth be told, the fact that I was able to step into the ranks of Heavenly Dragon Spirit World Masters at my age is partly thanks to the Fortune Sacred Realm," Jie Mubai said.
"So the Fortune Sacred Realm has been missing for so many years — was that your doing, Master?" Jimo Qianzhou asked.
"You could say that." Jie Mubai gave a slight nod.
"Ha ha! I heard that back in the day, Jie Ranqing always hoped for the Fortune Sacred Realm to manifest, so she could inscribe her name at the peak and then challenge the most powerful fortune power within."
"She wanted to accomplish what even her father, Jie Tianran, had failed to achieve."
"But despite waiting all those years, the Fortune Sacred Realm never appeared."
"So it was you, Master, who kept it from manifesting — denying her that chance."
"In the end, you were the strongest all along."
"Back then, people said your talent was inferior to Jie Tianran's, which was why you couldn't inscribe your name at the peak or earn the right to challenge."
"But now it turns out you had already mastered the Fortune Sacred Realm. With talent like that, how could Jie Tianran possibly compare?"
"Now that Jie Ranqing has fallen, you are the strongest Spirit World Master of this era. Surpassing Jie Tianran is only a matter of time. The Seven Realms Holy Palace will eventually be yours."
Jimo Qianzhou heaped praise upon Jie Mubai without restraint.
But Jie Mubai waved his hand dismissively.
"I simply chose a different path — I absolutely did not master the Fortune Sacred Realm."
"However, I am naturally quite familiar with it."
"With Young Master Zilin's barrier bloodline, a bit of guidance from me would be more than enough to let him inscribe his name at the peak."
"After many years of observation, I have also determined how to successfully complete the challenge and obtain the most powerful fortune power from the Fortune Sacred Realm."
"However, doing so would mean that an opportunity rightfully belonging to me would instead belong to Young Master Zilin."
At this point, Jie Mubai turned his gaze toward Jimo Qianzhou.
That look made Jimo Qianzhou feel the weight of pressure.
"Master, once Lord Baili emerges from seclusion, I will speak with him about this matter," Jimo Qianzhou said.
"Like I said, I am merely familiar with the Fortune Sacred Realm — I have not truly mastered it."
"As for when it opens, that is not for me to decide. I must follow the Fortune Sacred Realm's natural rules."
"Speaking of which, the Fortune Sacred Realm is due to open around now. I had originally planned to enter and gather fortune power for myself."
"But if Young Master Zilin wishes to seize this opportunity to give it a try, I will refrain from entering. Instead, I will let the Fortune Sacred Realm manifest normally, and Young Master Zilin can enter."
Jie Mubai said.
"Manifest normally?"
"Then the Seven Realms Holy Palace would certainly send a great number of experts in as well, wouldn't they?" Jimo Qianzhou asked.
"Aren't you the one who has never feared the Seven Realms Holy Palace?" Jie Mubai asked.
"Our Prison Sect's strength is such that we fear no one — but right now, all the lords are in seclusion, so our combat power is not at its peak," Jimo Qianzhou replied.
"Don't forget — I am a member of the Seven Realms Holy Palace."