Chapter 160: Hidden Nine, Hidden Ten, Hidden Eleven

Li Wei-yi cleared away all traces and auras, placing the ghost flag and night-traveling clothes into his spatial bag, resolved not to use them easily in the near future.

The situation at Mirror Moon Pavilion was no small matter; even two casual attendants could easily scold and order around the top young masters of Lizhou. The "Young Venerable" they spoke of must be terrifyingly powerful.

Provoking such a powerful force and its experts would make anyone tremble with fear, feeling as if a thorn were constantly in their back.

Li Wei-yi had to be careful; he had used the Disguise Art and altered his voice at the time, so there should have been no slip-ups.

"I'll hide it for as long as I can!" he thought. "Just give me time, and all those Left and Right Attendants, and that Young Venerable, will reveal their true forms."

Zuoqiu Ting must have seen through him.

However, by using the azure yin banner in the Heavenly Pavilion, Li Wei-yi had originally intended to attract people from the Zuoqiu Clan.

According to Lord Yin, he had negotiated with the Zuoqiu Clan, and the two parties were now allies. The Nine Li Hidden Sect was effectively "semi-transparent" to the Zuoqiu Clan; they could be approached as members of the Hidden Sect.

At Thirty-Three Li Mountain, Li Wei-yi had done nothing to wrong the Zuoqiu Clan; on the contrary, he had even saved Zuoqiu Baiming and Zuoqiu Lanlan.

It was already late at night.

Although the Heavenly Pavilion was still brightly lit, the earlier liveliness had faded, and voices were gradually dying down.

Li Wei-yi adjusted his aura, put on his formal robes again, and headed straight for Cloud Palace.

"Brother Chi is back!"

The young talents from Zhizhou quickly stepped forward to greet him.

Qi Wangshu said, "That Chen Lian was incredibly stubborn. We used every trick in the book, but couldn't get a single word out of him. Miss Ling'er tried to forcibly extract his soul thoughts using her psychic power, but he fiercely resisted with his combat will. In the end, death spirit flames erupted from his body, burning him into this state!"

Inside the room, which was equipped with a formation array.

On the floor, Chen Lian's head had turned into a charred skull, and his neck and chest were also burnt black.

Everyone had different expressions; some were worried, others silent.

After all, this was a young genius at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm, a valuable asset to any sect or clan, highly likely to grow into a Dao Seed Realm master in the future.

Li Wei-yi's expression was solemn: "You all must realize that tonight's events are not as simple as they seem. So, please help me conceal the fact that I left the Heavenly Pavilion earlier. To outsiders, say I was injured by Chen Wenwu's sword energy and spent two hours recuperating."

Li Wei-yi believed that the people from Mirror Moon Pavilion would be suspicious, but likely wouldn't investigate him and Li Ling deeply, as they were indeed too young and their cultivation levels weren't strong enough.

Even if they investigated deeply, they would focus on Hidden Nine and Zuoqiu Ting.

Li Wei-yi continued, "Ling'er and I will take responsibility for Chen Lian's death; it has nothing to do with any of you. If the Three Chen Palace seeks revenge on you, I, Chi, will certainly not stand idly by. The Nine Li Tribe will handle everything."

Qi Wangshu laughed heartily: "Is the Three Chen Palace really that arrogant? Do we have to be afraid of getting implicated and revenged upon for making friends? In the Southern Territory, if the Three Chen Palace wants to dominate and pressure us, I'm afraid their strength isn't enough. No matter how strong Chen Wenwu is, my elder brother can match him. Don't underestimate us, Brother Chi!"

True friendships are forged in adversity. Qi Wangshu felt that Li Wei-yi was extraordinary and it was appropriate to show him favor.

A young talent from Zhizhou said, "Among the major forces in the Southern Territory's seven prefectures, the Zuoqiu Clan, the spokesperson for the Southern Territory, ranks first. Second is Tianya Ridge of the Myriad Demon Caves. Third is Coffin Mountain, leader of the three Barbarian Marauders. The Sui Sect struggles to enter the top five, and the Three Chen Palace can only compete for the top ten; they are far from dominating everything."

Someone voiced a differing opinion: "Coffin Mountain's foundation is far inferior to the Nine Li Tribe's; they only have two Eternity Realm giants, Xu Fodu and An Xianjing. I believe the Nine Li Tribe is the Southern Territory's third largest force!"

The Zhizhou talent gave a wry smile: "In terms of overall strength, the Nine Li Nine Divisions are certainly among the top three. But who can argue with Coffin Mountain's taboo existence, a being who transcends the Eternity Realm? Just one person can elevate Coffin Mountain into the ranks of the highest powers in Lingxiao. What's more, Xu Fodu has lived for four hundred years and An Xianjing for three hundred sixty years—how can they be considered ordinary Eternity Realm giants?"

The young talents from Zhizhou then began to argue over the power ranking of the Southern Territory's major forces.

Li Wei-yi placed Chen Lian's corpse into his spatial bag, thinking about how to dismiss the people in the room, and then to examine the black metal box.

A young female attendant from the Heavenly Pavilion came to the door, holding a white jade tray, and asked clearly, "May I ask who is Young Master Chi?"

Li Wei-yi pushed open the door and asked, "Who is Young Master Chi?"

"My mistress is Miss Qi of the Immortal Forest, an Immortal Attendant, and she wishes to invite Young Master Chi from Cloud Palace for a discussion," the attendant replied.

Li Wei-yi looked bewildered: "I don't know your Miss Qi. Are you looking for the wrong person? Think carefully, perhaps Miss Qi is looking for Young Master Qi or Young Master Liu?"

The attendant, with a clever glint in her eye, smiled and said, "There's no mistake; my mistress is looking for Young Master Chi of the Nine Li Tribe. She says she has long heard of Young Master Chi's talent and wished to befriend him, and that meeting today in Juze City is a heaven-sent destiny."

All the young talents from Zhizhou were envious and began to jeer.

"Good heavens, this is power! Who says mortal charm is inferior to a pure immortal body? From now on, I'll be the first to disagree!"

"Miss Qi of the Immortal Forest is renowned as a master of both dance and swordsmanship, with extremely high martial arts cultivation, not an ordinary mortal. Among all the Immortal Attendants in the Immortal Forest, her talent and beauty place her among the top five. To invite her to perform a dance, one would need to offer a price of a million silver coins to even have a chance."

"Brother Chi, this is such a romantic and beautiful opportunity, Old Qi here can only dream of it. What are you hesitating for?"

Li Wei-yi was, of course, alert.

He had no connection whatsoever with this Miss Qi. She hadn't invited him earlier or later; she invited him precisely when he returned to the Heavenly Pavilion.

What did that indicate?

It was highly probable that Li Wei-yi's departure and return to the Heavenly Pavilion while invisible had been under her constant surveillance.

Most importantly, the name Chi Yongsheng was entirely fake.

The attendant said, "My mistress has prepared a letter. She says that once Young Master Chi reads it, he will naturally honor her with his presence."

"Oh! Then I'd like to see if this letter contains a touching love poem or a mind-altering aphrodisiac."

Li Wei-yi smiled and picked up the letter from the white jade tray.

He opened it, glanced, and immediately closed it.

He put it into his bosom.

His tense facial muscles relaxed, and he chuckled, "Quite the master of both dance and swordsmanship! I'm rather looking forward to it! Such a beautiful evening, filled with romance and beauty—it seems tonight is destined to be a sleepless night."

Li Ling, standing nearby, frowned deeply and transmitted coldly, "Are you truly drugged? Why would anyone fancy you? Be careful of a honey trap."

"Who would refuse a honey trap? Stay here in Cloud Palace; don't wander off."

Li Wei-yi walked a few steps with the attendant, then suddenly stopped and said seriously to Li Ling, "Find a way to contact your brother. It would be best if he came to Juze City."

Miss Qi resided in the Immortal Palace, one of the Heavenly Pavilion's twenty-eight palaces.

Li Wei-yi entered her room, while the attendant remained outside.

Within, there were silken drapes, candle shadows, and famous paintings hanging on the walls.

The first person he saw was Hidden Nine, who was already waiting inside, seated by the window. His massive, door-sized axe lay casually against the wall.

For the first time, he seriously observed this hidden person, reputed to be the most supremely talented of this sixty-year cycle, the pinnacle of mortals, with all hundred meridians turned to silver.

He had a rugged face and a high-bridged nose, his entire being possessing a sculptural, powerful, and three-dimensional presence. Sitting there, he created his own aura, as if everything around him changed because of him.

Li Wei-yi was not affected by his aura at all; he remained calm and composed, confidently and naturally closing the door.

"Whoosh—"

A hundred-pattern formation array rose from the ground, enveloping the entire room.

Bead curtains clinked softly.

Qi gracefully strolled out, renowned as a master of both dance and swordsmanship. She had long legs, slender arms, a supple figure, and skin as flawlessly white as jade and wax. She wore a veil and held a four-foot starlight sword, which she polished with a spotless white silk cloth.

Earlier, it was she who had performed the dance on the elevated platform in the center of the lake.

But at this moment, she was in a completely different state from when she was dancing, her eyes as sharp as the sword in her hand.

"He is Hidden Nine! Who are you?"

Li Wei-yi took out the faintly fragrant letter from his bosom; it bore a special symbolic mark of the Nine Li Hidden Sect.

Qi's phoenix eyes held a misty gaze, her plain gauze gown appeared like mist around her, and she parted her lips slightly to say in a heavenly voice, "Hidden Ten!"

"Divine Hidden Person, Li Wei-yi."

Li Wei-yi announced his identity, then sat opposite Hidden Nine, exuding the confidence and presence of a Divine Hidden Person.

Qi frowned, looking at Hidden Nine: "Has a Divine Hidden Person already been conferred?"

Li Wei-yi said, "It's only a matter of time. If I'm not a Divine Hidden Person, am I Hidden Twenty-Six? What about Yao Yin? Her talent is so extraordinary; she'll also have all hundred meridians turn to silver sooner or later. I can't just kill her for the position of Hidden Twenty-Six, can I? Yao Yin traveled with you to Qiuzhou, where is she now?"

The last question was directed at Hidden Nine.

"Hidden Fifteen and Hidden Sixteen escorted her and Hidden Twenty-Four to the Valley of Valiant Spirits to pay respects to her mother!"

Hidden Nine's tone was calm, and he added, "You must at least cultivate to the Fifth Stage of the Five Seas Realm to officially become a Divine Hidden Person. To want to be our leader at this stage... your confidence and spirit are sufficient, but your strength is not. I'm not convinced!"

"I'm not convinced either! For a Divine Hidden Person to gain everyone's respect, they must either possess exceptional wisdom and methods, or be strong enough to overpower everyone."

Brilliance shone in Qi's eyes as she raised her Starlight Sword above her head.

Without a visible swing, a sword array constructed from sword energy automatically interwove like a spiderweb within the room.

Li Wei-yi released his spiritual energy to sense the sword energy's positions, realizing his body could no longer move.

Because even moving a finger would trigger the sword array.

He was completely locked within the net-like prison of sword energy.

"I'm half-convinced!"

A third voice echoed in the room.

Li Wei-yi was surprised; there was someone else?

When he entered the room, he had carefully sensed his surroundings, yet failed to detect anyone.

This person's concealment ability simply defied logic.

Following the sound, Li Wei-yi saw the third person. This person was coiled on the ceiling beam, with a human upper body and a blue snake tail for the lower body. Their ears were pointed, and their tongue flickered like a snake's.

Li Wei-yi said, "What do I call you, Brother Half-Convinced?"

"Hidden Eleven."

He continued, "Yao Yin's talent is already astounding, but Lord Yin says Li Wei-yi surpasses her, possessing the power to easily defeat three psychic murals. Moreover, his cultivation speed is terrifyingly fast; I'm afraid it won't be long before he catches up to us. Wouldn't it be shameful to refuse to be convinced now, only to concede later?"

Li Wei-yi said, "It doesn't matter! I understand your reluctance; anyone with a bit of skill wouldn't be content to obey a junior whose strength is inferior to their own, would they?"

"The fact that you can say that makes you much more agreeable!"

Qi retracted the sword array, her arm movements graceful as she threw the Starlight Sword, which instantly returned to its sheath on the table behind the curtain.

"But those who remain unconvinced won't receive any benefits!"

Li Wei-yi took out a Rainbow Cloud Elixir, a rare medicine that helps open the Sea of Qi, and tossed it toward the ceiling beam.

Hidden Eleven quickly reached out and snatched it, then excitedly asked, "I'm fully convinced now, is it still not too late?"

"Conviction comes from the heart; it's not obtained through coercion or enticement."

Li Wei-yi truly understood Hidden Nine and Hidden Ten. With their level of cultivation, how could they easily obey a junior whose cultivation was far inferior to their own, especially when they lacked mutual understanding?

If Li Wei-yi were in their position, he absolutely couldn't do it either.

Hidden Nine asked, "Was there any result from your tracking?"

Li Wei-yi became completely serious and recounted the entire tracking process in detail.

"The Young Venerable!"

Hidden Nine, Hidden Ten, and Hidden Eleven were all stunned by the mysterious entity Li Wei-yi mentioned, having never heard of such a being before.