NOVEL NEXT Are You Really Just A Dou Master?
Every Dou Emperor expert present in the Magical Beast Mountain Range had heard the rules set by the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. Thus, even those bearing deep grudges with each other didn't dare to act recklessly here.
Aside from Jia Ma Empire's Jia Xingtian, the emperors of Chu Yun Empire, Luo Yan Empire, and Mulan Empire had also arrived. They were Chu Yun Que, Luo Yan Tian, and Mulan San, respectively, each of whom had reached the peak of the Dou Emperor realm.
(T/N: I've cross-checked the original story and found no mention of the Emperor's name for each Empire mentioned above. I guess the author invented these names for the story's sake. I assume that Luo Yan Tian here isn't the same person as Yan Luo Tian, the sect master of the Gold Geese Sect. However, this might change if the latter chapters state otherwise.)
Chu Yun Que had a stern expression, showing no friendliness towards any of the other Dou Emperors present. After all, he still held some resentment in his heart.
Old Ghost, the guy who died in the last auction, was actually his brother. After investigating the ins and outs of the matter, he finally found out that his brother had perished at the hands of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion.
Jia Xingtian looked at Chu Yun Que's defiant face with a hint of disdain. All those who attended the past auction knew very well that the fault lay with Old Ghost. Had he not tried to snatch the Green Lotus Core Flame by force, the Heavenly Pavilion wouldn't have had to take action and behead him.
In fact, the Heaven Ascending Pavilion had shown mercy; otherwise, Chu Yun Empire might already have been wiped off the map of the Dou Qi continent.
Looking at Chu Yun Que's sour face, Mu Lan San guffawed, "Haha, Chu Yun Que must be angered to death. The death of an eight-star Dou Emperor is a huge loss for any empire, but Heaven Ascending Pavilion, with two Dou Ancestors standing guard, is not one to be trifled with."
"Indeed. I doubt Chu Yun Que has the courage to seek revenge against Heaven Ascending Pavilion. Unless, of course, he wants his empire to be destroyed," Luo Yan Tian added, shrugging while observing the four magical beasts outside Heaven Ascending Pavilion.
As Dou Emperors, they could sense that the three fifth-tier magical beasts were on the verge of a breakthrough. If they all advanced, Heaven Ascending Pavilion's power would significantly increase.
Chu Yun Que's face twitched, clearly hearing the whispers of the three old men. Were it not for the fear of Heaven Ascending Pavilion's Dou Ancestor experts, he would have demanded a blood debt for his brother's death.
The Misty Cloud Sect's leader, Yun Yun, arrived with several Dou King experts. As the leading power in the Jia Ma Empire, their status was extremely high.
Despite the current unclear status of the former sect master, Yun Shan, those harboring ulterior motives against them still dared not act recklessly.
Although they had been declining in these past years, they were still one of the most formidable sects in the Jia Ma Empire, with a Dou Emperor in charge and countless Dou King experts as members.
As long as their enemies dared to attack them, they had ways to ensure the former left empty-handed or even suffered massive losses.
"Sect Master Yun, it's been a year since we last met. You look more beautiful than ever," Niu Meng approached with a smile.
Except for those from the pavilion, no one else caught his interest. But Yun Yun was different. There were many occasions when the Pavilion Master had mentioned her name, speaking of how excellent a woman she was, and how great it would be if the pavilion could have her as an ally.
"Manager Liu Meng. Long time no see."
Niu Meng smiled, chuckling slightly. "Sect Master Yun, my master invites you to come in."
"What?!"
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed. Whether Dou Emperors or Dou Kings, they all looked puzzled.
The master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion was always a mystery to them. They hadn't even seen the tip of his nose.
However, Yun Yun, upon her arrival, was invited in by such a powerful figure, making them grind their teeth in envy.
Though she felt a little flattered by the special treatment, Yun Yun still showed composure on the outside. She asked softly, "The auction hasn't started yet. Is it really okay for me to enter so early?"
"No problem," Niu Meng replied. "It's the Pavilion Master's order. Please don't make things difficult for me."
Hearing this, Yun Yun couldn't refuse and walked towards the interior of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. The elders following her tried to enter as well, but Niu Meng stopped them.
"The Pavilion Master didn't say you could enter."
"This…"
"Uh…" The elders' faces turned into expressions of confusion and disappointment.
Realistically, they needed to stay outside.
However, Elder Yun Leng did not feel particularly uncomfortable. Given that many Dou Emperor experts were gathered here, and none had the right to enter the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, they could only wait outside until the appointed time.
Yun Leng felt somewhat relieved.
...
Second Floor of Heaven Ascending Pavilion, VIP Room
Yun Yun, led by Linglong, arrived at the room where the Pavilion Master was located. Upon entering, she saw Pavilion Master Li Xiao elegantly brewing tea.
"Sect Master Yun, I've heard much about you," Li Xiao said as he set down the teapot and slowly turned his head.
Under his almost suffocatingly exquisite appearance, Yun Yun's face involuntarily blushed, and she quickly looked away. But her curiosity kept pulling her gaze back to Pavilion Master Li Xiao.
She had thought the Pavilion Master would be an elderly man with gray hair, but now she realized she had been mistaken.
Yun Yun cleared her throat lightly and brushed her hair, seemingly trying to hide her shyness.
Li Xiao then made a gesture inviting her to take a seat. "I've long heard that Yun Yun, the master of Misty Cloud Sect, is an exceptionally beautiful woman. Seeing you today, your reputation precedes you."
"Haha, Pavilion Master, you flatter me. Compared to the two beauties at your sides, my appearance pales in comparison."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself," Li Xiao shrugged. "My name is Li Xiao; you can call me Pavilion Master Li."
"Li Xiao... what a good name," Yun Yun said, her clear and bright eyes sparkling with indescribable glints.
"Sect Master Yun, please be comfortable. There aren't many rules here. Please, have a seat."
"Thank you," Yun Yun said, walking gracefully, her every movement exuding confidence and elegance, as if the entire world danced around her.
She sat down, gently picked up the teacup on the table, took a light sip, and said, "Good tea. I wanted to ask about the price of this tea last time."
"I'll arrange to have some sent to you later. This tea is reserved for esteemed guests. If Sect Master Yun wants to try other teas, we have those as well."
"Oh?" Yun Yun raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her eyes. Could there be teas even better than this?
"Thank you very much, Pavilion Master Li," Yun Yun said, nodding in gratitude.
The auction house had been established for a year, and many powerful figures had heard of it, but none had seen the Pavilion Master's face.
Now that Yun Yun had seen him, she felt a fluttering sensation in her heart. I didn't expect that after cultivating alone for so many years, I would feel this way about a young man...
Li Xiao looked to be only about twenty years old, clearly much younger than her.
"Pavilion Master Li Xiao, may I ask about your cultivation level?"
Upon entering, Yun Yun had used her spiritual sense to scan Li Xiao but found no trace of Dou Qi, as if he were an ordinary person.
Li Xiao smiled faintly. "My talent is a bit lacking. I've just broken through to a nine-star Dou Master."
Hearing this, Yun Yun's expression changed slightly. A Dou Master? How was that possible...
The Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, with two peak Dou Ancestors as guardians and a sixth-tier magical beast like the Amethyst Winged Lion King as a mount—if this were told to others, few would believe it.