Qu Huashang's standing within Yin Yang Heaven was matched by Pei Wenxuan's standing within Myriad Demon Heaven. A figure of such prominence would one day become a pillar of Myriad Demon Heaven—there was absolutely no way he could become a son-in-law through marriage into Yin Yang Heaven. That would be a tremendous loss for Myriad Demon Heaven.
So when they heard that Elder He intended to sign Pei Wenxuan up for the Dao Discussion Assembly, the two disciples in charge of registration were dumbfounded.
"Quit dawdling! Register him immediately and issue his jade token!" Elder He seethed with fury.
"Yes, yes, yes—please wait a moment, Elder He!" The two disciples didn't dare delay. They hurriedly recorded Pei Wenxuan's information and handed over a jade token.
Elder He snatched the jade token and left without a moment's hesitation. The two Yin Yang Heaven disciples exchanged bewildered glances.
Before they could recover, someone else arrived to register.
...
Half a day later, the two disciples stared blankly at the ledger before them.
In that short span of time, over a dozen Blessed Lands and Paradises had re-registered their disciples for the Dao Discussion Assembly—and every single one of those disciples was a Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator, each a newly risen prodigy from the past century, just like Pei Wenxuan.
What truly left them at a loss was that among these names was actually a woman!
On the ledger, one line was written in clear, unmistakable characters:
Langya Blessed Land, Gu Pan, Sixth Grade!
The Dao Discussion Assembly was organized for Qu Huashang to select a husband, so naturally all participants were supposed to be men. Yet no one knew what had gotten into Langya Blessed Land—they had stuffed a female disciple into the mix as well. If Gu Pan somehow claimed the top prize, wouldn't she end up sharing a bed with Senior Sister Qu in the future?
Just picturing that scene… the two disciples found their breathing growing heavier.
Though they had no idea what had actually happened to make all these newly advanced Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivators simultaneously change their minds and join the Dao Discussion Assembly, they could clearly sense that the wind at this gathering had shifted.
Their eyes drifted involuntarily to one name, and they had a vague feeling that this change was somehow connected to that person. After all, before today, this individual had been the only Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator among the hundreds of participants in the Dao Discussion Assembly!
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On Serendipity Peak, Yang Kai examined Kong Tianyu's spatial ring and found some Fifth-Grade cultivation resources—nothing else of particular value. As the lord of the Void Territory, presiding over a major Star Market, with powerful subordinates at his command and vast wealth, these scraps naturally held no appeal for him. He tucked them away carelessly and continued refining the Heaven Opening Pill.
Before long, his protective formation was triggered—not by a violent bombardment, but by what seemed to be someone requesting an audience.
Yang Kai frowned, rose to his feet, opened the formation, and pushed open the door. A dashing young man stood outside. Upon seeing Yang Kai, the young man immediately bowed. "Lu Jing of the Juyuan Alliance greets Senior Brother!"
Yang Kai eyed him up and down. "Something you need?"
He vaguely recalled seeing the Juyuan Alliance somewhere on his Cosmos Map. The Cosmos Map was all-encompassing, cataloguing every major domain and every faction within them that had been mapped. Yang Kai had once scrutinized every section of it while searching for the Star Realm, so he retained a passing impression of the Juyuan Alliance.
However, since they had no prior dealings, he hadn't paid it much attention.
If he remembered correctly, the Juyuan Alliance ranked in the upper tier among second-rate forces, with Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivators in its ranks.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Senior Brother—please forgive the intrusion." Lu Jing carefully studied Yang Kai's expression, and seeing no sign of impatience, felt slightly relieved. The sight of Kong Tianyu being killed with a single spear thrust moments ago had terrified him. That was a Fifth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator who'd been swatted to death like an ant—facing Yang Kai now left him trembling with fear, terrified that a single wrong word might provoke a direct attack.
Anyone who came to the Dao Discussion Assembly had to be prepared for the possibility of being killed. One could say that if Yang Kai wished it, he could slaughter every person on Serendipity Peak.
"If you don't mind, Senior Brother, might I come in to talk?" Lu Jing asked softly.
Yang Kai considered briefly, then stepped aside. Lu Jing thanked him and entered.
Once host and guest were seated, Lu Jing spoke. "I have long admired your reputation, Senior Brother—it has resounded like thunder. To finally meet you today…"
Before he could finish his flattery, Yang Kai raised a hand to cut him off. "Get to the point." This was their first meeting, and there was really nothing to discuss. The only reason he'd let the man in was to find out what he was after.
Lu Jing was put in an awkward position. He gave a slight cough and managed a sheepish smile. "It's like this, Senior Brother Yang—I've come to ask that, during the Dao Discussion Assembly, when it is within your ability, you might protect my safety."
Yang Kai's brow furrowed slightly as he regarded the man with puzzlement.
Lu Jing smiled bitterly. "As you've no doubt noticed, I'm only a Fourth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator. Among all the participants in this Dao Discussion Assembly, I'm squarely at the bottom. If I were to run into anyone truly powerful, I'd have absolutely no way to fight back."
Yang Kai's expression turned oddly bemused. "If you know your own strength is lacking, why join the Dao Discussion Assembly in the first place?"