Otherworldly Affairs Office-Chapter 659 - 569: Arrival at the Celestial Secret Pavilion (Seeking Subscription)

Seeing his sect's forces finally arrive, Shi Yuansi immediately burst into tears and flew to Sheng Hongxue's side, crying out like a wronged bride, "Sect Leader Senior Brother!"

Sheng Hongxue glanced at his junior brother, known for his calmness and composure, now looking flustered and disheveled, furrowing his brow as he asked, "Yuan Si, what on earth happened here? Tell me quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yuansi sighed deeply, understanding the gravity of the situation and knowing he could not exaggerate or lie under the eyes of all present, he recounted the events that occurred after the three arrived here, completely and accurately.

Although he had already learned the general course of events from the reporting disciple, hearing his junior brother's recounting still made Sheng Hongxue feel light-headed and chest-heavy. This truly was a case of disaster befalling while sitting at home - a simple reception task escalating to the point of sect closure!

"Yuan Si, you have always been cautious in your actions, which is why I entrusted you to assist Xue Lin. How could you agree to such an absurd challenge!" Sheng Hongxue said with anger as he rubbed his forehead in frustration.

Shi Yuansi hung his head with a bitter smile, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, the other party was so aggressive that we had to accept to preserve our sect's honor. As for the subsequent bet, his conditions were too tempting, and I was blinded by greed, unable to stop Senior Brother Bai from boasting, but..."

At this point, Shi Yuansi could speak no further. Behind Sheng Hongxue, Celestial Secret Pavilion's Linglong Residence Elder, Huai Mincai, sneered, "But who would have thought the young man's strength was extraordinary, and even the three of you together couldn't handle him!"

Having his thoughts exposed by the Grand Elder to his face, Shi Yuansi hung his head even lower in shame. Huai Mincai looked at him and shook his head helplessly, turning to Sheng Hongxue, "Pavilion Master, ultimately, our sect fell for the Immortal Palace's scheme. It seems they're trying to suppress other sects through alliances at the grand selection. No matter, since we are not fated for this conference, we'll ensure those six palaces have a hard time. But these matters need careful planning, the urgent issue now is to rescue Xue Lin from them. Regardless of the mistakes he's made or penalties awaiting him, since we're here, if the other side harms him further, then today the Celestial Secret Pavilion..."

"No need to say more; I understand," Sheng Hongxue interrupted Huai Mincai's words, gracefully entering the courtyard. He raised his eyes and spoke to the rebellious young man holding his junior brother by the throat, "You must be Pei Yan!"

"That's right!" Facing the opposing forces' pressure, Pei Yan showed no intention of releasing his grip and responded with his head held high.

Despite his anger, Sheng Hongxue couldn't act rashly, as he realized that although he had reached the Celestial Human Realm and Pei Yan was merely at the early Human Realm, being able to fight off his three junior brothers single-handedly already evidenced Pei Yan's strength and potential. Furthermore, Pei Yan held leverage against him, so he reluctantly suppressed his displeasure and softly said, "Regardless of how this started, or who's right or wrong! The contest is over, the outcome decided, I respectfully ask Young Master Pei to spare my junior brother's life!"

Having finished, Sheng Hongxue offered Pei Yan a slight bow.

"Given your position, it equates to being a bureau chief in my cornerstone realm, equal to my superior. The way you address me gives me a lot of face, and I should sensibly release him. Moreover, although I am arrogant, I am not bloodthirsty," Pei Yan said, easing his grip on Bai Xuelin's throat, allowing him to cough and gasp for air, continuing, "But alas! Pavilion Master Sheng, your junior was vicious and ruthless. The first time we fought, I was generous enough to spare him after I won, but he unashamedly attacked me from the shadows when I was outnumbered, almost costing me my life, continually entangling with me, seeking my demise. Pavilion Master Sheng, you merely spouting words is too frivolous for me to release him!"

"What do you want then?" Sheng Hongxue squinted his eyes, smiling coldly.

"His life!" Pei Yan retorted stubbornly through gritted teeth.

"Is there no room for negotiation?" Sheng Hongxue asked, already preparing for battle, as at that moment, Bai Xuelin's life seemed less crucial. In front of the masses, if Pei Yan remained obstinate, he would have no choice but to fight!

"There is!" Just moments ago, exuding killing intent, Pei Yan now smiled amicably, saying, "Previously, the bet involved six Dao Heart Stones; they would become my Personal Guards if they lost. Since Pavilion Master Sheng has personally come, I, Pei Yan, am not someone unappreciative of kindness or oppressive. Let's consider the talk of those three becoming my Personal Guards as an innocuous joke between predecessors and myself. I am not concerned about whether your sect will seal its gates upon return, nor will I pursue it. As long as those six Dao Heart Stones, imbued with laws, are fulfilled, as for Bai Xuelin, if you want him alive, just return three Dao Heart Stones to me!"

Hearing these terms, Sheng Hongxue thought to himself what a cunning young man Pei Yan was. If he were relentless, it might have aroused joint hostility among those in the Daoist Realm. Now, by retreating to advance, discarding the unrealistic bets in exchange for truly valuable items, he gagged Sheng Hongxue. Yes, historically, it's customary to redeem captives on the sect battleground with heavy treasure, so his demands weren't excessive.

"Three Dao Heart Stones, you truly value my junior brother!" Sheng Hongxue shook his head with a wry smile.

"Don't say that, Pavilion Master Sheng! Though the Daoist Realm is rich in talent and resources, cultivating an Asura Dao cultivator for a sect involves time, effort, and wealth far exceeding what three Dao Heart Stones can measure!" Pei Yan replied with a smile, flattering.

"Alright, deal!" Sheng Hongxue glanced at Pei Yan with the wary eyes of the Investigation Hall and Demon Race entourage. One Pei Yan wasn't terrifying; no matter how talented he was, with the majority of the Celestial Secret Pavilion's top-brass present, they could capture and kill him. The real threat was the power behind him. If a battle broke out, the sect would barely benefit, possibly sustaining heavy losses, causing the Celestial Secret Pavilion to be severely weakened, perhaps taking over a millennium to regain its peak, facing both the veteran rival Mo Sect and other factions seeking to replace them, risking their standing in the Daoist Realm.

Forcing a war was truly unwise!

Thinking this, Sheng Hongxue touched his waist pouch, a brief moment of intense heartache flashing across his face before he resignedly retrieved an exquisite jade box, tossing it towards Pei Yan, saying, "Here are three Dao Heart Stones containing laws, along with two more containing pure Daoist source energy. My junior brother Bai Xuelin has one, totaling six. The remaining Dao Heart Stones will be collected after our return to the Celestial Secret Pavilion, and delivered to your dwelling before you leave the Daoist Realm. Release him!"