The entire hall fell silent!
Although Qi Ping's strength was not considered top-tier within the Ziwei Dao Palace, he could still be counted among the powerful.
However, such a powerful individual had been forced back by a single strike from Fong Rulie. Observing Fong Rulie's demeanor, it was clear he was at ease and hadn't fully exerted himself.
Sitting beside Pang Huanyin, Veteran Siao yanked out a strand of his beard.
They didn't know the extent of Fong Rulie's strength. Only the Ziwei Dao Palace cultivators who had brought them into the secret realm had seen it firsthand. Today, they had hoped to get a clear view through Lin Xun's duel, but Lin Xun was eliminated first.
"Bring another one!" Fong Rulie planted his long spear into the ground, yelling with a hint of drunken bravado, radiating high spirits.
Without waiting for Veteran Siao's command, a burly man with a bristling beard stood up, shouting, "I'll go!"
Fong Rulie laughed heartily, twirled his spear, and advanced towards the burly man, striking down with force.
After 5 breaths, the burly figure was sent flying out of the hall.
"Next!" Fong Rulie, in high spirits, propped his spear on his shoulder like a staff, his gaze sweeping over the Ziwei Dao Palace cultivators.
Moments later, a third person was sent flying out of the hall. Throughout, Fong Rulie had only struck three times.
"That's enough, Old Six," Lu Ye's voice sounded.
Fong Rulie shook his head, "I'm not done yet."
His nature was like that, always eager for combat. To him, three bouts were just a warm-up.
"How about I fight you?" Lu Ye looked up.
Fong Rulie felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him in the dead of winter. His spirits cooled instantly, sobering up. He quickly retracted his spear, not daring to look at Lu Ye, mumbling as he walked back to his seat, "Drinking is better, drinking is better."
Pang Huanyin's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.
The Ziwei Dao Palace cultivators also seemed to realize something, their indifferent gazes towards Lu Ye becoming intense.
In the silence, Veteran Siao coughed lightly, "Fong Xiaoyou's strength is indeed impressive!"
Impressive, indeed. In the entire Ziwei Dao Palace, perhaps only Pang Huanyin could match him. No one else could be his opponent.
"Elder, you flatter me," Fong Rulie laughed aloud, continuing to drink.
"I wonder, with such prowess, where does Fong Xiaoyou rank among your senior brothers?"
At these words, everyone's ears perked up.
Fong Rulie casually replied, "Among us senior brothers, we rank by strength. I'm sixth, naturally ranked sixth!"
There were faint sounds of gasping. Pang Huanyin's eyes almost narrowed into slits.
Someone with strength comparable to hers, ranked only sixth?
Then, the five in front must be even stronger. What about the eldest disciple Lu Yiye?
She took a deep breath, calming her complex emotions, and turned to Lu Ye, "Fellow Daoist, continue with your conditions."
"The second condition is that I want to go to the Mount Sumeru Secret Realm. For this, I need the Palace Master's assistance."
Pang Huanyin was puzzled, "Why do you wish to go to Mount Sumeru?"
Lu Ye replied, "It also concerns my missing junior brothers and sisters. Yiye and I previously sought out the Silver Snake Valley, while the Fourth and Sixth joined the Ziwei Dao Palace. There's a chance some of the others might have entered Mount Sumeru. To find them, I must go to Mount Sumeru."
"This won't be easy," Veteran Siao shook his head repeatedly, "Since the Great Change, there has been little communication among the three major secret realms of the human race. Usually, it's only the guiding envoys who interact upon meeting outside, or during specific events at predefined times and places to exchange information. To directly enter a specific secret realm... that's hard, very hard."
Pang Huanyin asked, "What's the third condition?"
Lu Ye slowly shook his head, "If the Ziwei Dao Palace can meet the first two conditions, we can discuss it then. But rest assured, Palace Master, I will not make unreasonable demands. The third condition should align with the Ziwei Dao Palace's philosophy."
"The Dao Palace's philosophy..." Pang Huanyin was thoughtful for a moment before saying, "The first condition is understandable. Seeking your junior brothers and sisters is reasonable. Our Dao Palace will assist as much as possible. As for the second condition, I'll discuss with Veteran Siao to see if there's any feasible solution."
"Then I'll await good news from the Palace Master." Lu Ye nodded slightly.
The banquet soon ended.
Lu Ye and his companions were placed on a secluded mountain peak, with no one else within a ten-mile radius.
In the guest room, Lu Ye was meditating. He frowned, looking at the uninvited Lui Qing and Fong Rulie.
Behind them was the worried Ying Wuji.
He didn't want to come, but couldn't refuse. After all, he was with Ten Thousand Demons Ridge and should stand with Lui Qing and Fong Rulie.
"What is it?" Lu Ye looked up at the three.
Fong Rulie, not wanting to lose momentum, stiffened his neck, "Of course, there's something."
Fong Rulie said, "We want to know what your third condition is for Ziwei Dao Palace. Also, why do you want to go to Mount Sumeru?"
Lu Ye glanced at him, then shifted his gaze to Lui Qing, "Speak to me directly. No need to use others' mouths."
Lui Qing smiled faintly, "Fellow Daoist Lu, you misunderstand..." He trailed off, unable to continue, as Lu Ye's gaze became sharp and penetrating, as if seeing through him. He quickly changed his tone, "But indeed, I'm curious. Surely it's not just as you explained to Ziwei Dao Palace, right?"
"We came as nine, dispersed everywhere. Since Heaven's Augury gathered us, we should work together. Now four of us are here, and I'm asking Ziwei Dao Palace to search for the other five. What's wrong?"
Lui Qing nodded, "Of course, nothing wrong with that. But if it's just to find them, why go to Mount Sumeru yourself? Asking Ziwei Dao Palace for help is the same. Are you plotting something? Or do you know something we don't?"
"What do you think I know that you don't?" Lu Ye retorted.
He believed he hadn't revealed much, but it seemed Lui Qing had sensed something. As expected, magic cultivators were keener than physique and combat cultivators.
Lui Qing smiled wryly, "If I knew, would I ask you? Fellow Daoist, you just said Heaven's Augury gathered us. We should work together, especially in this Unparalleled Continent. There shouldn't be a divide between Haotian Alliance and Ten Thousand Demons Ridge. In terms of Heaven's Augury's favor, none of us compare to you. So I wonder, before leaving Nine Provinces, did Heaven's Augury give you special guidance?"
"No!" Lu Ye remained calm, "I only know Nine Provinces Heaven's Augury sent us here, likely to deal with the Corpse Race calamity. You must have realized that too."