Chapter 999: Breach of Contract

The Venerable Master was surprised.

The disciples of the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Palace cherished their understanding of the Thunder Dao divine abilities they cultivated, keeping them to themselves.

How could Jiang Fan, an outsider, be willing to share his insights?

“Is that true?” The Venerable Master was somewhat unconvinced.

What did Jiang Fan have that he couldn't share?

He was not a disciple of the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Palace, so there was no competition for positions or resources between them.

Their increased strength wouldn't affect Jiang Fan in the slightest.

To put it another way,

Even with the blessing of the Void-Flow Thunder Energy, they couldn't reach Jiang Fan's level of mastery.

Jiang Fan replied sincerely, “This junior speaks from the heart.”

The Venerable Master was stunned, his gaze at Jiang Fan now tinged with a hint of apology.

He shouldn't have been so strict with him just now.

“However, this junior is currently busy rebuilding the Heavenly Secret Pavilion and has no time to share them right now.”

“Later, I will leave my insights in the new Heavenly Secret Pavilion.”

“If any department head doesn't mind, they are welcome to come to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion to study them, and incidentally, also serve as an honored guest elder.”

“Oh, so that's your 'incidentally'?”

You're clearly just trying to recruit guest elders, aren't you?

The Venerable Master stroked his beard and glared, thinking, “I knew there was no living Bodhisattva here!”

“He's nothing but a calculating schemer!”

“The beads practically bounced off my face!”

Upon hearing this,

The five department heads were immediately tempted.

It was well known that most of the masters who had achieved great success in various departments had gone into the 'lunatic asylum,' leaving them with no one to consult.

Now, someone was willing to share their insights—such a good opportunity was impossible to find even with a lantern!

As for serving as a guest elder...

If they could quickly learn a Thunder Dao divine ability, it would be entirely worth it.

However, with the Venerable Master present, they could only suppress their excitement and cautiously observe his expression.

The Venerable Master grumbled, “If you want to go, then go! Why are you looking at me?”

With the ancient giants about to arrive, and his disciples needing to improve their strength, he couldn't very well stop them, could he?

He could only watch as this little rascal got his way.

Nan Yuanshu immediately stepped forward, saying, “Count me in! I want to learn Cloud-in-Shadow!”

With one department head taking the initiative, the other four also stepped forward.

“Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, may I ask when the new Heavenly Secret Pavilion will be established? And where will it be located? This department head would also like to visit and offer congratulations on that day.”

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master was overwhelmed with flattery.

He would have been content just to invite Nan Yuanshu.

Now, all five department heads were vying to become guest elders of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion!

He immediately responded with great enthusiasm.

Even more surprising to him was that Venerable Sanqian, who had always had reservations about smaller factions like theirs, also brazenly came forward to try and curry favor.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master was overjoyed.

With so many guest elders, the new Heavenly Secret Pavilion was secure!

The Venerable Master shot a glance at Jiang Fan, then scanned the crowd and said seriously, “What is destined to come cannot be avoided.”

“A thousand years ago, the ancient giants failed to achieve their goal. A thousand years later, their momentum will be even more ferocious.”

“Do not harbor any illusions of luck; no one can escape this catastrophe!”

“Qionglou, open up all the secret realms of the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Palace for the disciples to cultivate, and strive to improve their strength as much as possible within three months!”

“Sanqian, keep those stubborn fools who can't wake up properly confined. Don't let them cause trouble during this period and distract everyone.”

“Furthermore, in these three months, the liaison meetings among the major sects will be unprecedentedly frequent. There will be many matters of cooperation. As long as they concern the ancient giants, cooperate where possible, and do not refuse easily.”

“The three of us Spirit Transformation cultivators and one Bodhisattva will meet to discuss the general situation.”

“Everyone, abandon your fantasies.”

“Prepare for battle!”

After speaking, he summoned nine thunder dragons and ascended into the sky.

As the order was given, the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Palace, which had enjoyed a millennium of peace, stirred to life like a waking giant dragon, exuding vibrant energy.

Jiang Fan also took his leave, not disturbing them further.

The two stood outside the Teleportation Hall.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master held six communication jade slips, his face alight with joy. He said, “The Heavenly Secret Pavilion can now relocate with peace of mind.”

“We'll go back now and lead everyone here.”

Jiang Fan pondered, “Pavilion Master, you go back alone.”

“I need to go somewhere first.”

It had already been several days since the Venerable Master of True Words summoned him.

He couldn't leave a Spirit Transformation realm existence waiting.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master mused, “That works too.”

He took out ten high-grade spirit crystals and said, “Take these.”

“After you've handled these matters, go to the Fire Worship Sect and inform Fairy Qianlan and Venerable Yunhuo about the date of the sect's establishment.”

Jiang Fan nodded, taking the high-grade spirit crystals with both hands.

Watching the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master leave via the teleportation array, Jiang Fan also prepared to depart.

“Senior Tyrant, wait! Wait for me!”

Hua Wuying ran over frantically, holding up her skirt. “Don't leave me behind.”

She dared not stay in the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Palace.

It was better to temporarily follow Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan slapped his forehead. How could he have forgotten her?

She was worth four Lingtian Pills, after all.

“It's really troublesome to carry around collateral. It would be great if I could just stuff you into a spatial storage device.”

Hua Wuying's delicate nose wrinkled. “My master will redeem me in three days at most.”

“You can rest assured!”

Three days later.

Myriad Tribulations Sacred Palace, Hell Lotus Department.

Song Lingyu gripped Nan Yuanshu's hand, refusing to let go. “Junior Brother, are you really going to stand by and do nothing?”

Nan Yuanshu said helplessly, “Senior Sister, I don't have any Lingtian Pills either.”

“The only one I had, I gave to a disciple yesterday so he could undergo tribulation.”

This was the fifth similar answer Song Lingyu had received.

As news spread that the ancient giants would descend in three months, everyone was agitated.

Department heads and elders no longer hoarded their resources, distributing them to their disciples, hoping they could improve their strength before the great calamity arrived.

Naturally, top-grade spirit pills like Lingtian Pills had already been given out long ago.

Song Lingyu grew anxious. “I don't care. If you don't help me, I'll go crazy right before your eyes.”

Nan Yuanshu was not threatened. He said, “It's fine. Even if Senior Sister goes crazy, she'll just fall into depression anyway.”

With that, he pulled free from her grip and closed the stone door.

Song Lingyu was on the verge of tears.

She had thought the Lingtian Pills would be easy to borrow, but who would have known that not a single one could be obtained?

“What should I do?”

“Wuying is still collateral with him!”

Beep, beep, beep!

Just then,

Her communication jade pendant chimed.

She took it out and saw it was a debt collection message from Tyrant.

“The three-day period has expired. Your four Lingtian Pills are ready, I trust?”

Song Lingyu's expression stiffened.

She sheepishly replied, “Give me ten more days.”

“In ten days, I will definitely redeem my disciple.”

On a cloud in Taicang Great Province,

Jiang Fan sent a message with a dark expression: “Overdue payments incur interest. An additional Lingtian Pill for ten extra days.”

“Otherwise, I will sell your disciple.”

Putting away the communication jade pendant, Jiang Fan glared at Hua Wuying.

“Your master isn't going to be a deadbeat, is she?”

Hua Wuying had lost her earlier bravado from three days ago, and her voice had become much softer:

“No, she won't.”

“I believe Master will definitely redeem me, definitely!”

In reality, her heart was pounding.

If Master really becomes a deadbeat, what will happen to me?

Jiang Fan glanced at her and said, “Then you'd better pray she can repay the debt in ten days.”

“Alright, keep an eye on the road. Remind me when we reach the Venerable Master of True Words' territory.”

With that, he closed his eyes and looked inward, into the depths of his mind.

As his vision darkened, it gradually brightened again.

A towering divine tree, vibrant with green life and stretching endlessly beyond sight, came into view.

He had reached the Nascent Soul realm.

It was time to claim what belonged to this realm!