Chapter 716: Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Recruitment List

Jiang Fan had personally witnessed ancient giants.One such giant, severely wounded, was clinging to life by a giant egg.Even in that state, a casual strike from it could shatter the heavens and devastate the earth. Under the siege of countless Nascent Soul cultivators from divine sects beyond the domain, it still unleashed boundless combat power, shattering an unknown number of spiritual artifacts and divine talismans. Countless Nascent Soul cultivators were wounded in that battle.

It was terrifying to imagine what immense power a fully-formed ancient giant would possess! Historical records claimed that Nascent Soul cultivators were merely food for ancient giants.

Jiang Fan fully believed this was not an exaggeration, but a stark, brutal truth! If ancient giants were to sweep across the world once more, the mere thought of such a scenario sent shivers down Jiang Fan's spine.

Ye Cangyuan also felt a chill run down his back, his body trembling slightly as he said, "This is merely the Pavilion Master's speculation. Even the great sages of that era couldn't ascertain how the ancient giants descended. We dare not draw conclusions easily."

He pushed the bronze artifact depicting a Hellish Desolate Beast towards Jiang Fan. "This is a bronze artifact passed down from ancient times," he explained. "It depicts a Hellish Desolate Beast. There are inscriptions on it, which might contain information about the Hellish Desolate Beasts. However, even the Pavilion Master doesn't recognize these characters. Therefore, he asked you to translate them."

Jiang Fan looked surprised. Did even the Pavilion Master, all the way in the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, know about his proficiency in demonic script? He hadn't seemed to display it in front of many people.

Pondering this, he carefully examined the bronze artifact. He noticed densely packed inscriptions carved on it, no larger than grains of rice. He shook his head slightly and said, "These are not human script, nor demonic script. I'm unable to help." The bronze artifact was likely not a human creation.

It was probably a work of some other race among the myriad races from a thousand years ago, which somehow ended up in human hands. Ye Cangyuan showed no surprise and said, "The Pavilion Master said that if you can't decipher it for now, you should keep this bronze artifact. One day, when you manage to crack the inscriptions, you can inform him."

Jiang Fan was puzzled. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion Master had so much faith that he could decipher the text on the bronze artifact? After a moment's thought, Jiang Fan accepted the bronze artifact and said, "I'll do my best." He planned to find some time to review the bundle of myriad race languages. If he found a matching script, he would translate it. This would be a way to repay the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion Master for saving his life.

Ye Cangyuan nodded slightly. "Do you need my help to mediate the matter between you and the Giant Sect?"

Jiang Fan said in a low voice, "No need. It would be best if the Giant Sect doesn't provoke me again. For the sake of being part of the Nine Sects, I'm too lazy to cause them trouble. But if they cross my line, then they shouldn't blame me for being impolite."

Ye Cangyuan was stunned. His question had been whether Jiang Fan needed protection to prevent the Giant Sect from harming him. Yet, from Jiang Fan's mouth, it sounded as if he could easily handle the Giant Sect himself. He twitched his lips and said, "Alright. It's best if you know your limits. Come with me. I have two matters to announce to the Nine Sects."

Jiang Fan was curious. He followed Ye Cangyuan out of the tent. At this moment, all the core members of the various sects, except for the Azure Cloud Sect, were present. As Ye Cangyuan appeared, the scene immediately fell silent.

"By order of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion Master, I announce two crucial matters to the lands of the Nine Sects! First, the human race and the demonic race... are to cease hostilities!"

"What?" Jiang Fan was greatly astonished. A ceasefire? Hadn't the Demonic Emperor just recently led his forces southward? Why a sudden ceasefire? Soon, Jiang Fan remembered the Hellish Desolate Beasts, and understanding dawned on him instantly.

The Hellish Desolate Beasts were a common enemy to both races. They required a united front, so the two races could no longer afford to continue their internal conflict. However... Jiang Fan thought of his compatriots who had died on Mount Jie. Was the war just ending like this? Their vengeance had not been exacted! What about Yaoyue, who commanded the army, and the Firmament Demonic Emperor, who initiated the war? Had either of them paid the price?

A tinge of discomfort spread through his heart. Yet, he understood even better that continuing the fight would only sacrifice more humans and more demonic cultivators forced into the conflict. Ultimately, it would only benefit the Firmament Demonic Emperor, allowing him to weaken the demonic tribes as he wished. "Never mind," he thought, "I'll settle this score personally one day!"

The members of the Nine Sects were also greatly stirred. The Nine Sects had mobilized all their manpower and resources for a decisive battle, yet the war had suddenly ended. Some felt a sense of relief, while others were unwilling because they couldn't avenge their fallen. Still others were angry at not being able to achieve glory or make significant contributions. However, with the Hellish Desolate Beasts looming, an alliance between the two races was the overriding trend. Individual feelings had little impact.

"The Nine Sects may decide their own departure times and withdraw from Mount Jie in an orderly fashion. However, please remain in a state of combat readiness. Soon, the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion will issue even more critical combat orders." Ye Cangyuan did not mention the Hellish Desolate Beasts. For now, this matter was to be kept quiet to avoid unnecessary panic.

"The second matter is that the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion will officially recruit disciples from the Nine Sects. Based on their performance in the Mount Jie war and their previous mission accomplishments, the Pavilion Master has drawn up the following list of candidates."

"What?" The crowd from the Nine Sects immediately became excited. Entering the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was akin to a carp leaping over the dragon's gate. The ultimate dream of Nine Sects disciples was to enter the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion through their own efforts, and compete on the same stage as those legendary, mythical prodigies. If they progressed further, they would have the opportunity to step into the Grand Granary Prefecture and experience an even vaster world of martial arts. Even if they couldn't leave, what they learned would be enough for them to return to their respective Nine Sects and take charge of their sect.

Many past sect masters of the top three among the Nine Sects had experience studying within the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. This was also why they were stronger than the sect masters of the other six sects. After a five-year interval, the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was recruiting disciples once again. Who wouldn't be tempted? If their own disciple was fortunate enough to be selected, it meant that years later, a great powerful cultivator would return.

The most excited were the Grand Supreme Sect, the Myriad Swords Sect, and the Giant Sect. This was because the vast majority of disciples recruited each time came from these top three sects. It was rare for any of the other six great sects to have a recruit. Of course, it wasn't every time that disciples from all three top sects were chosen. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's requirements for disciples were outrageously strict. Sometimes, for over a decade, not a single disciple would be able to enter the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. At best, disciples from all three top sects might be selected simultaneously.

Therefore, it was genuinely hard to say who would enter the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion this time. Perhaps all three sects would have candidates, or perhaps only one or two sects. As for the other six sects, although their hopes were not high, they still wished their disciples could defy fate and change their destiny.

Under countless expectant gazes, Ye Cangyuan took out the handwritten list from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. He slowly began: "Grand Supreme Sect: Xia Chaoge."

No sooner had he spoken than exclamations of joyful surprise erupted from the Grand Supreme Sect! Both the Grand Elder and the Sect Master and other elders were beaming with joy. Shangguan Sheng exclaimed excitedly, "Chaoge! You've been selected!"

Xia Chaoge's gaze was calm, and she offered a perfunctory, slight smile. "Thank you, Master, and the sect for years of cultivation," she said. Her gaze then immediately shifted to Jiang Fan. There was a faint hint of expectation in her eyes.

In stark contrast to the Grand Supreme Sect's joyful cheers were the Myriad Swords Sect and the Giant Sect. They fixated their gaze on Ye Cangyuan. Could it be that only the Grand Supreme Sect's disciples would be selected this time?

Fortunately, Ye Cangyuan's lips moved again. "Myriad Swords Sect, Liang Feiyan." As soon as he spoke, the Myriad Swords Sect members burst into surprised cheers. "Hahaha, our Myriad Swords Sect has also been selected!" "Liang Feiyan, congratulations, congratulations!"

Xu Qingyang couldn't stop smiling. The stone weighing on his chest had finally lifted! His sword art had never been able to be passed down. Liang Feiyan's journey to the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion would bring her many opportunities. At the very least, there was great hope she would master the first part of the Sword Manipulation Art. This would prevent the sword art from being lost.

The Giant Sect members grew tense. Two of the top three sects had been selected. It would be extremely embarrassing if their Giant Sect wasn't chosen. Kong Yuanba clenched his fists, thinking, "We can do it! Liang Feiyan was selected, and my disciple Jin Zhongming is much stronger than Liang Feiyan. There's no reason he shouldn't be selected."

What thrilled him was that Ye Cangyuan indeed spoke. Another sect's disciple had been selected. However, the name he announced sent a chill down Kong Yuanba's spine. Ye Cangyuan, with a faint smile, announced loudly:

"Azure Cloud Sect, Jiang Fan..."