Chapter 2069: Meeting the Star Banishing Palace Master

There are billions of people in the world, and many share the same name. However, for three young prodigies — Zheng Yang, Liu Yang, and Zhang Xuan — to all share names with Zhang Xuan's disciples? That's simply too much of a coincidence!

While others might not know the names of Zhang Xuan's disciples, Wu Chen was well aware of them. The Firmament is incredibly difficult to enter; it was already a feat for Master Zhang to get in. How could all of his disciples have possibly followed him here?

This means that both individuals are highly likely to be fakes, disguised by Master Zhang himself!

It seems this fellow was fond of disguises on the Master Teacher Continent, using many identities such as Yang Xuan, Luo Tianya, and Sun Qiang.

"The same person? What do you mean?" Han Jianqiu asked, turning to look at him as he mumbled to himself.

"Nothing..." Wu Chen quickly shook his head. "I was just muttering to myself..."

Han Jianqiu dismissed him and remarked, "It seems the Bridge of Heaven will be quite lively this time. I wonder who is stronger: our Sect Master Zhang, or Liu Yang and Zheng Yang! Three young prodigies competing on the same stage... it's certainly something to look forward to!"

"Indeed, it's something to anticipate!" Liao Changlai's eyes showed a hint of longing.

Wu Chen's eyes narrowed, and a corner of his mouth twitched. He echoed the sentiment, but his voice was barely a whisper, audible only to himself: "Yes... it's something to look forward to! Though... I don't think he'd see it that way..."

Half a day later, Zhang Xuan returned to Stargazing Island.

"Greetings, Sect Master..." Sect Master Kui Xiao came forward to greet him.

He didn't know where Zhang Xuan had been, assuming he had merely taken a short walk outside.

"Sect Master?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"I've already sent word to the other five great sects," Sect Master Kui Xiao said with a smile. "From this moment forward, you are the new Sect Master of my Seven Star Pavilion, and I will automatically become an elder..."

Zhang Xuan offered a wry smile, surprised by how quickly the other party had acted.

However, having already given his word, he naturally wouldn't refuse now. Moreover, holding the position of Sect Master would make it easier for him to accomplish certain tasks.

"What is the relationship like between the Seven Star Pavilion and the Stargazing Palace?" Zhang Xuan asked after a moment of thought.

"The Stargazing Palace doesn't have particularly good relationships with any of the other five great sects," explained Sect Master Kui Xiao, who was now Elder Kui Xiao. "The Seven Star Pavilion only contacts them for trade and business; otherwise, we don't usually interact much."

"So, the relationship is just average?" Zhang Xuan's brows furrowed.

"That's right!" Elder Kui Xiao affirmed. "Whatever the Sect Master wishes to do, as long as it doesn't involve anything too significant, the Stargazing Palace should not cause any trouble, given your standing as the Seven Star Pavilion's Sect Master."

As two of the six great sects, even if their relationship wasn't strong, a certain level of respect had to be maintained. Otherwise, it would be awkward for both parties.

"I want to go to the Stargazing Palace Master to ask some questions," Zhang Xuan said.

"Simply asking questions should be straightforward enough!" Elder Kui Xiao smiled. "As long as it doesn't involve sacrifices or deities, there shouldn't be a problem. The Stargazing Palace's greatest ability lies in their power to offer sacrifices to the heavens and communicate with deities. Any matter involving these is a secret to them, and they are unlikely to divulge anything."

When the six sect masters gathered to discuss the Bridge of Heaven, Sect Master Qin Yuan merely spoke a single sentence, and a conflict almost erupted.

Thus, matters concerning deities are a sensitive topic for them—a 'dragon's reverse scale.' As long as that is not touched upon, there should be no significant issue.

"This..." Zhang Xuan's brows furrowed tightly; he was unsure how to respond.

What he wanted to ask was precisely about these two things.

"Sect Master, could what you wish to ask be related to that?" Elder Kui Xiao was taken aback by Zhang Xuan's expression.

"I do want to inquire about matters related to that, to confirm a suspicion..." Zhang Xuan paused. "Do you know how I can contact the Palace Master?"

Even if the Palace Master might not reveal anything, he intended to go and try regardless.

As a Sect Master, making an inquiry between equals would at least be easier than disguising himself as a disciple to gather information.

Seeing that the Sect Master genuinely intended to inquire about these matters, Elder Kui Xiao rubbed his temples before finally speaking: "It's not difficult to contact her; I can help arrange a meeting. However... Sect Master, please be careful. Palace Master Du Qingyuan has a fiery temper. Should any verbal disagreement arise, I urge you not to act impulsively and to consider the stability of our sect..."

Du Qingyuan was indeed powerful, but their new Sect Master also possessed pseudo-god realm weapons and immortal beasts; it was uncertain who would prevail should they clash. Nevertheless, it was best to avoid any conflict, as it would inevitably impact both great sects.

"Don't worry," Zhang Xuan said with a faint smile. "I'm only going to ask questions; I won't cause any trouble."

He was typically reserved and low-key, adhering to the principle of 'I do not offend unless provoked.' He wouldn't easily stir up trouble, especially when it concerned two major sects.

"That's good then!" Hearing the Sect Master's assurance and recalling his performance in the Small Mirror Sea, Elder Kui Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll contact her for you right away..."

He then took out a jade token, tapped it lightly, and a moment later looked up. "Sect Master, Palace Master Du has agreed to the meeting," he said. "However, she wishes for you to go to the Stargazing Palace."

Zhang Xuan nodded. The location didn't matter to him, as long as he could secure a meeting.

Elder Kui Xiao led the way, and the two flew one after the other. It wasn't long before they arrived at the grand entrance of the Stargazing Palace.

Unlike the other sects he had encountered, this was merely an ordinary palace, situated within the vast city of Stargazing Island. While it didn't appear particularly imposing, a closer inspection revealed that it was not only the island's central point but also a nexus where spiritual energy from millions of miles of surrounding sea gathered, clearly indicating the presence of a formidable formation. No wonder it had endured for so long; the six great sects truly were extraordinary.

After presenting their visiting cards, they smoothly entered a grand hall. Shortly after, a maid approached them. "Sect Master Liu," she announced, "Our Palace Master will only see you alone. Elder Kui, we ask that you kindly wait here."

"Very well!" Knowing the Sect Master likely had confidential matters to discuss and that it would be inconvenient for him to be present, Elder Kui Xiao nodded, gave Zhang Xuan a cautious look, and settled into a chair in the room.

Led by the maid, Zhang Xuan followed closely, navigating a long corridor before entering another grand hall.

The hall was silent, with a large screen positioned in the center, obstructing the view.

"I just received word from the Seven Star Pavilion regarding Sect Master Liu's succession, and now the Sect Master has arrived... May I ask the purpose of your visit?" A faint voice emanated from beyond the screen. "My Stargazing Palace and the Seven Star Pavilion have always maintained trade relations. For Sect Master Liu to come in such haste, it must be something significant. If it is within my power, I will certainly not refuse."

Zhang Xuan felt a slight displeasure upon noticing that Palace Master Du was concealed behind a screen and given her tone. Nevertheless, he nodded and cupped his fists. "I have indeed come here with a request," he stated.

The person on the other side of the screen said, "Sect Master Liu, please speak!"

"I have heard that over two months ago, Palace Master Du offered a sacrifice to the Heavens, which led to the descent of a deity!" Zhang Xuan stated. "I wish to inquire about specific information regarding this deity, and I hope the Palace Master will enlighten me!"

Since he had already come this far, he naturally intended to clarify all the doubts in his mind.

"I'm unaware of where Sect Master Liu might have obtained such information... I have no knowledge of this matter myself, and therefore, I cannot enlighten you!" The faint voice from beyond the screen replied.

Zhang Xuan's eyebrows furrowed. "I have already been to the Sea of No Man and made thorough inquiries. It was confirmed that over two months ago, the Palace Master indeed traveled there and, through a sacrifice, caused a deity to descend, who even left behind countless drops of divine blood after being injured..."

"Sect Master Liu must have been mistaken," the faint voice from behind the screen stated. "I have remained in the Stargazing Palace all these years and have never visited the Sea of No Man. I am completely unaware of the events you describe! If Sect Master Liu is merely here to ask about such unsubstantiated matters, I'm afraid I cannot entertain you further. Xiao Qing, see the guest out!"

"Sect Master Liu, if you please!" The maid from earlier stepped forward.

"Since Palace Master Du is unwilling to speak further, I'm afraid I must resort to rudeness!" Zhang Xuan let out a cold snort, ignoring the maid in front of him as he abruptly stood up.

He had already anticipated her denial, but since the matter involved Luo Ruoxi, he was determined to uncover the truth, even if it meant causing a confrontation today.

Previously, he might have been hesitant, but now, with the protection of five pseudo-gods, if she wouldn't speak willingly, he would compel her to. Other matters could wait, but this one could not be delayed for another moment.

"Rudeness?" The voice from behind the screen turned icy. "What is the meaning of this, Sect Master Liu? Do you intend to act presumptuously within my Stargazing Palace?"

"Precisely!" Zhang Xuan nodded and then waved his hand.

Whoosh! Four pseudo-god realm immortal beasts simultaneously appeared in the room. "Bring Palace Master Du to me!" Zhang Xuan commanded.

"Yes!"

Though the Flood Dragon Shark and Black-backed Turtle were marine creatures, having reached the pseudo-god realm, they could also exist on land, albeit with slightly diminished strength compared to their aquatic environment.

Boom! The four immortal beasts simultaneously unleashed their immortal power, a formidable force that surged towards the sky.

"How presumptuous!" The voice behind the screen was clearly taken aback, having not expected the Seven Star Pavilion's Sect Master to be so audacious as to resort to action at the slightest disagreement. A sharp cry followed.

Whoosh! The sound of wind swept through the grand hall as several peak Immortal Sovereign realm elders charged forward.

"Get out!" The Great Shark roared, shaking the ground like thunder.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The Immortal Sovereign elders who had just entered were simultaneously sent flying backward, each crashing to the ground, severely injured.

The gap between the Immortal Sovereign and pseudo-god realms was simply too vast. Even though the Great Shark could only exert about eighty percent of its full power on land, it was still beyond what the elders could contend with or withstand.

As the Great Shark repelled the Immortal Sovereigns, the Second Shark, Third Shark, and Black-backed Turtle had already surrounded the figure behind the screen. With a surge of power, the figure was instantly restrained and brought forward.

"You're not... Palace Master Du Qingyuan? Who are you?" Zhang Xuan frowned as he clearly saw the figure brought forward by the three beasts.

Although he had never seen Du Qingyuan, nor heard a precise description of her appearance, the person now restrained before him was a woman who looked to be in her early twenties. She was clearly completely different from the legendary Palace Master Du, who was said to be nearing the end of her lifespan.

This woman wore a light purple gown, possessed a graceful figure, and appeared no older than twenty-five, with a true age unlikely to exceed a hundred years. Most crucially, her cultivation was merely at the early stage of the Immortal Sovereign realm, far from even reaching its peak. How could she possibly be the Palace Master of the Stargazing Palace, one of the six great sects?

It was well known that Palace Master Du's true cultivation was even stronger than Sect Master Kui Xiao's. Among the six great sect masters, even if she wasn't ranked first, she was certainly among the top three.