Chapter 818: Unstoppable

Inside the great hall, many cultivators sat upright. The jovial atmosphere of clinking cups was gone, replaced by a sense of solemnity. In the vast hall, only Pang Huanyin's deep, resonant voice continuously echoed.

Her purpose in coming here was twofold: fulfilling Lu Ye's request was secondary; primarily, she wanted to seize this opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with Liu Zhenguan and discuss the possibility of their two secret realms joining forces against the Corpse Tribe. Reflecting on the past and observing the present, she analyzed the current situation of Unrivaled Continent, recounted the tragic fate of humanity in the outer strongholds, and predicted possible future developments.

Some silently drank wine, some watched with cold indifference, and others merely scoffed. Even though she could see that Liu Zhenguan, seated at the head, was being perfunctory and giving no direct answers, she did not lose heart and continued to plead her case. Because as long as there was even a glimmer of possibility, she did not want to miss this opportunity.

"Mountain Master Liu, it is true that the three great human secret realms drift within the void, untraceable. But how long can such days last? A thousand years ago, humanity on Unrivaled Continent prospered, but look at us now. If one day, all humans in the outer strongholds perish, how can the three great secret realms remain unaffected? The secret realms and the humans in the outer strongholds share a common origin; they should advance and retreat together. Mountain Master Liu, please reconsider!"

Pang Huanyin's words were earnest, her eyes sincere, and her demeanor solemn. She added, "If Mount Sumeru is willing to join forces with my Ziwei Dao Palace, our Dao Palace is willing to be the vanguard, to see if, after a millennium, we can still purge the world of these evil creatures!"

At the head seat above, Liu Zhenguan put down his wine cup, let out a breath, and nodded, saying, "Palace Master Pang makes a good point, but this matter is of great importance. I alone cannot make the decision. I must convene all the elders of the mountain to discuss it together. Palace Master, asking me to give an immediate answer puts me in a difficult position."

Pang Huanyin said, "It is good that the Mountain Master has this intention. It is also a blessing for humanity on Unrivaled Continent."

"However..." Liu Zhenguan narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze fixed on Pang Huanyin. "There is one thing I don't understand, and I must ask Palace Master Pang to enlighten me."

Pang Huanyin said, "Please speak, Mountain Master Liu."

"The methods for calculating the portals to the three great human secret realms are all top secret, yet I wonder how Palace Master Pang learned the method for deducing the location of my Mount Sumeru portal, and what means you used to open it!"

As Pang Huanyin had previously told Lu Ye, Liu Zhenguan appeared magnanimous on the surface but was in fact deeply cunning. During the day, he said nothing about their forced entry, but the time to challenge them was always coming. Forcibly entering someone else's portal was, after all, a taboo. If everyone did that, the secret realms would no longer be safe. This welcome banquet tonight, with many Mount Sumeru powerhouses openly and covertly surrounding them, clearly showed that Mount Sumeru had made thorough preparations.

Pang Huanyin also knew that if she couldn't give the other party a satisfactory answer, let alone the already slim hope of alliance, whether they could even leave here was questionable. Of course, Mount Sumeru was unlikely to kill them; Liu Zhenguan would not want to offend Ziwei Dao Palace.

"Elder Xiao!" Pang Huanyin called out.

Elder Xiao stood up and stepped forward, took out a golden ring-shaped treasure, offered it with both hands, and said, "Mount Sumeru's lineage is broken, and many records have long been lost. The Mountain Master may not be aware, but when Mount Sumeru's secret realm was created, an ancestor of my Ziwei Dao Palace contributed significantly. Therefore, the ancestor left this item and the method of deduction so that if Mount Sumeru ever faced misfortune, my Ziwei Dao Palace could provide timely assistance."

The exact purpose for which Ziwei Dao Palace's ancestor left this golden ring treasure was no longer verifiable, but it was certainly not as Elder Xiao claimed. As he spoke, a Mount Sumeru cultivator took the golden ring from his hand and presented it to Liu Zhenguan. Liu Zhenguan took the golden ring in his hand, examining it repeatedly, but couldn't discern much about it.

Elder Xiao spoke again: "Our unauthorized entry into Mount Sumeru this time was truly out of necessity. However, please rest assured, Mountain Master Liu, this is the only treasure left by our Dao Palace ancestor, and only I know the method for deducing the Mount Sumeru portal. Now that this item has been presented, no one will ever again be able to forcibly enter Mount Sumeru's portal."

Liu Zhenguan nodded slightly. "The Dao Palace ancestor was truly a remarkable person. This item is profound, though I can't discern its true nature. I believe what Elder Xiao says. However..." He looked up at Elder Xiao. "My Mount Sumeru will accept this item, but as for the method of deduction, how can it be taken back? Please enlighten me, Elder Xiao!"

Elder Xiao said, "I will naturally keep my mouth shut. As for the method of deduction, I will not pass it on to anyone else."

Liu Zhenguan slowly shook his head. "It's not that I don't trust Elder Xiao, but this matter is too important to allow for any mistakes."

"Then what does the Mountain Master suggest?"

The flesh on Liu Zhenguan's face twitched slightly, and his voice grew cold. "Only the dead can keep a secret."

Pang Huanyin's expression suddenly darkened.

Elder Xiao nodded. "What the Mountain Master says is true. In this world, only the dead can truly keep a secret. If the Mountain Master can agree to my Palace Master's request, then what does it matter if I hand over my life to the Mountain Master today?"

"Elder Xiao!" Pang Huanyin uttered a low, stern warning.

Elder Xiao did not look at her, but slowly shook his head, his gaze fixed on Liu Zhenguan: "Mountain Master, I am old and do not have long to live. I do not fear death. But you, Mountain Master, are in your prime and have great potential. After you, your descendants will be endless. Will you not consider the future of your lineage? Must they also be confined to this secret realm for their entire lives? The world outside was originally the domain of humanity. Now, humanity is either hiding or fleeing. Humans in the outer strongholds live precarious lives, their fates uncertain. The three great secret realms possess resources but only know how to look after themselves, afraid to take the lead. Such behavior is unworthy of secret realm cultivators! My Palace Master, a woman, still has the ambition to bring peace to the chaotic world. Mountain Master, a great man, are you truly less capable than my Palace Master?"

"Silence!"

"Impudence!"

"Old man, you're asking for death!"

The moment Elder Xiao finished speaking, a group of Mount Sumeru cultivators immediately erupted in righteous indignation. Instantly, spiritual energy surged through the great hall, and the scene became chaotic.

Elder Xiao, however, did not stop speaking, but instead stepped forward, his aura imposing: "What happened today, my Dao Palace was indeed in the wrong first. If the Mountain Master wishes to take my life to eliminate future troubles, I have nothing to say. I only hope the Mountain Master can see clearly the world's situation and agree to join forces with my Dao Palace to resist the enemy. If so, then even if I die, I will have no regrets!"

Faced with Elder Xiao's aggressive stance, the flesh on Liu Zhenguan's face twitched even more violently. He hadn't expected that he merely wanted to address the matter of the Dao Palace's method for the Mount Sumeru portal, but was instead forced by the old man's righteous and stern words to the point of having to make a decision. He secretly lamented, "The older, the wiser." In this current situation, if he truly killed Elder Xiao, unless he agreed to ally with the Dao Palace, Pang Huanyin would not say much; and even if she harbored resentment, she couldn't express it for the sake of harmony between the two secret realms. But if he didn't kill Elder Xiao, then the matter of the deduction method would be glossed over, leading to far-reaching consequences.

Liu Zhenguan was burning with frustration but found it difficult to act. As he was troubled, a female cultivator hurriedly entered.

Liu Zhenguan abruptly stood up and sternly demanded, "What is it?" This female cultivator was clearly someone he had assigned to the spirit peak where those two women resided. Had something gone wrong over there? This startled Liu Zhenguan greatly. One of those two women absolutely could not have anything happen to her. His exaggerated reaction also caused Elder Xiao and Pang Huanyin to feel secretly surprised and suspicious.

The female cultivator quickly reported, "Mountain Master, that young lady is very pleased with the gift sent by today's guests and says she wants to come personally to express her gratitude!"

Liu Zhenguan let out a long breath of relief, his suspended heart finally settling. As long as no accident had occurred over there, it was fine. As for coming personally to express gratitude...

"No need," Liu Zhenguan waved his hand. "Tell them to rest at ease." Such a woman, he was already too busy keeping hidden. How could he possibly let Pang Huanyin and the others see her before the grand wedding? If Pang Huanyin were to learn of her abilities, Ziwei Dao Palace might harbor ulterior motives. Since ancient times, among the three great secret realms, Ziwei Dao Palace had the most cultivators perish at the hands of the Corpse Tribe, many of whom had to end their own lives after contracting the primordial Corpse Poison. If Pang Huanyin knew that woman had the ability to cure primordial Corpse Poison, she would certainly not let her go. Therefore, Liu Zhenguan would absolutely not allow Pang Huanyin to easily see that woman. He was somewhat curious, though, what gift Ziwei Dao Palace had actually sent this time that she was so pleased, even willing to come personally to express her gratitude.

"Mountain Master, the sisters couldn't stop her..." The female cultivator's expression was panicked, and she no longer cared about outsiders being present, reporting truthfully.

"Couldn't stop what...?" As Liu Zhenguan's words trailed off, he finally understood what was happening. Outside the hall, violent spiritual energy fluctuations surged, and a faint sound of clashing metal came from far away, drawing closer. It seemed someone was fighting their way toward them.

Pang Huanyin's eyes revealed surprise, and she subtly exchanged a glance with Elder Xiao. Elder Xiao also hastily retreated. Just as she was about to quietly instruct Lu Ye beside her, she saw him looking outside the hall with a thoughtful expression.

"Yi Ye, what's wrong?" Pang Huanyin asked.

Lu Ye suddenly broke into a smile. "Nothing."

Pang Huanyin was stunned for a moment. Since meeting Lu Ye, she had never seen him smile, having thought he was a cold-hearted person. But unexpectedly, he could also smile. Yet this smile... seemed to hold some deeper meaning.

Just as she was puzzled, two figures darted into the entrance of the great hall, one after another, followed closely by a group of female cultivators, all looking disheveled, clearly having gained no advantage. These women had tried to intercept them all the way, but it was utterly futile. The person they were trying to intercept possessed strength beyond imagination. Liu Zhenguan's supposedly foolproof deployment was simply no match for the woman wielding two blades.