Chapter 990: The Rules of Pearl Radiance Pavilion
“Roar!”
Great Minister of Works revealed a pair of snow-white, plump bare arms, overlapping with the massive white tiger phantom, exuding a majestic aura that could swallow mountains and rivers.
Second Minister of Works flew midair, his upper body exposed, jet-black skin emitting a metallic luster, his hands overlapping with the black dragon’s claws, like an angry Vajra.
One dragon, one tiger, coiled in battle against heaven and earth.
Every cultivator in the entire Pearl Radiance Pavilion drew in cold air, staring with incredulous eyes at Great Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works standing before Gu Linfeng.
Kong Hongbi, ranked seventh on the *Half-Saint List*, had actually been sent flying by two unknown monks.
Wasn’t it said that figures on the *Half-Saint List* could sweep everything below the Saint realm?
Even Ouyang Huan, with his state of mind, abruptly stood up, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
Qi Feiyu tapped the stone table with her jade-like fingers, trying to control the shock in her heart, and said, “Could those two monks have already reached the Saint realm and deliberately concealed their cultivation?”
Ouyang Huan shook his head. “The two monks have not reached the Saint realm, but they are extraordinary individuals. Their combat power is enough to contend with beings on the *Half-Saint List*. If the two monks join forces, I estimate only the top three beings on the *Half-Saint List* could stop them.”
Qi Feiyu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, finding it very puzzling. “Gu Linfeng is only a fourth-rank Half-Saint. How could he invite such powerful Buddhist experts? And the two monks call Gu Linfeng ‘Uncle Master.’ Could the Blood God Sect be secretly connected with the Ten Thousand Buddha Path?”
Ouyang Huan was also quite puzzled.
Figures like Great Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works, even within the Seven Ancient Teachings, held transcendent status, enough to stand on equal footing with Divine Sons.
What qualifications did the Blood God Sect’s Divine Son have to make them follow his lead?
At this moment, Murong Yue was also deeply shocked, staring at Great Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works, re-evaluating them.
Over the past two months, these two unreliable monks had caused her no small amount of trouble. She had always looked the other way out of respect for Zhang Ruochen.
Who would have thought their combat power was so formidable?
That was the seventh-ranked on the *Half-Saint List*, hailed as the strongest among the younger generation of the Kunlun Realm human race after the *Heroes Ode*—and they had repelled him?
Tonight’s battle would surely spread the names of Great Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works across the world.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen was also somewhat surprised.
Kong Hongbi’s strength was undeniably formidable. Even if Zhang Ruochen used all his means, he couldn’t be a match for him at this stage.
Originally, Zhang Ruochen had been prepared to unseal the third seal of the Sarira to defuse the situation tonight. The powerful combat strength displayed by Great Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works had helped him out considerably.
To the left of the pavilion, Bu Qianfan, hanging from a pillar, suddenly opened his eyes, a fierce battle intent radiating from his pupils.
He wasn’t dead. The power fluctuations emanating from his body were still quite strong.
Bu Qianfan extended an arm and pulled out the halberd embedded in his heart. Blood dripped down drop by drop, yet he seemed completely unaware of the pain.
“Thump!”
His feet landed on the ground, and he immediately circulated Saint Qi to heal his injuries.
Streams of undying energy surged from the depths of his blood, flowing continuously toward the wound on his chest. Soon, his shattered heart was repaired, and his injuries recovered by seventy to eighty percent.
Seeing this, many felt a chill run down their spines.
“I’ve long heard that Bu Qianfan has an Undying Saint Body, capable of regrowing his head even if it’s cut off. I always thought those legends were exaggerated and untrue. Now, I’m starting to believe it.”
“Truly a group of the top talents from the Kunlun Realm—each one like a dragon, each one extraordinary. They can’t be judged by ordinary standards.”
Murong Feng and Yanxu Saint General had stopped fighting and retreated.
Yanxu Saint General was covered in bloodstains, panting heavily, staring at the group outside the pavilion, feeling his scalp tingle.
Who would have thought their strength was so formidable?
“Young Hall Master, you’re injured!” Yanxu Saint General looked at Kong Hongbi with concern.
Kong Hongbi glanced at the claw marks on his chest and snorted coldly. “Just a minor injury.”
“Whoosh—”
A layer of deep blue light surged from Kong Hongbi’s body, and the claw marks on his chest quickly healed completely, leaving only fair skin.
Great Minister of Works raised a trembling, fleshy arm and roared, “Kid, with strength like that, you still want to fight Uncle Master? This monk thinks you should go back and train for a few more years.”
Kong Hongbi exhaled deeply, glaring at Great Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works, and snorted, “Your strength is indeed decent. But if this young master goes all out, I’ll make sure you two die without a burial place.”
“Arrogant enough. In that case, let’s fight again. Let’s see how you make us die without a burial place.”
Great Minister of Works was furious, feeling Kong Hongbi was too arrogant and needed to be taught a lesson.
Just as Kong Hongbi, Great Minister of Works, and Second Minister of Works were about to strike again, a melodious voice came from afar. “Hold on.”
Then, Ouyang Huan and Qi Feiyu walked side by side, crossing the defensive formation around the lake, appearing on its shore.
In addition, the high-ranking members of Pearl Radiance Pavilion all appeared, gathering behind Ouyang Huan and Qi Feiyu.
Not many cultivators present recognized Ouyang Huan and Qi Feiyu.
But seeing the Pavilion Master of Pearl Radiance Pavilion standing behind them, they vaguely guessed their identities.
Ouyang Huan appeared elegant and free-spirited, with the demeanor of a refined gentleman. He cupped his hands and smiled. “Brother Kong, Brother Gu, you two are the leading figures of the Bright Hall and the Blood God Sect. Why harm the harmony between your factions over a woman?”
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Ouyang Huan, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Ouyang Huan and Qi Feiyu had surely been in Pearl Radiance Pavilion for a while, watching the show from the shadows. They had probably hoped Kong Hongbi would teach him a harsh lesson, creating a rift between the Bright Hall and the Blood God Sect, which was why they hadn’t shown themselves.
Now that Great Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works had displayed strength on par with Kong Hongbi, if the three continued fighting, the defensive formations around the lake would certainly fail to withstand the shockwaves.
If the defensive formations shattered, the entire Pearl Radiance Pavilion might be destroyed. How could they remain seated?
Seeing Ouyang Huan appear, Kong Hongbi retracted his Saint Qi, flicked his sleeve, and snorted, “Brother Ouyang, don’t blame me for not giving you face. Earlier, the Pavilion Master and I had already agreed on a price, and now Gu Linfeng butts in, trying to get ahead. How can I swallow this?”
Ouyang Huan walked forward. With each step, a black lotus bloomed beneath his feet, surrounded by ripples of black light.
Soon, he stood between Kong Hongbi and Zhang Ruochen, looking at Zhang Ruochen with a smile. “Brother Gu, drawing swords over a woman is not the act of a hero. Why not let Stone Beauty go to Brother Kong? I’ll give you a hundred beautiful maidens. What do you say?”
Zhang Ruochen couldn’t see through Ouyang Huan’s true cultivation, but when he saw the black lotus beneath his feet, he knew Ouyang Huan’s cultivation was very close to the Saint realm.
Even if not a ninth-rank Half-Saint, he was at least an eighth-rank Half-Saint.
The black lotus was condensed from Sacred Dao rules by Ouyang Huan, clearly a show of strength to intimidate Zhang Ruochen and Kong Hongbi.
If Zhang Ruochen didn’t know his place, Ouyang Huan would side with Kong Hongbi and crush him completely.
Of course, if Kong Hongbi refused to heed his advice, he would side with Zhang Ruochen and suppress Kong Hongbi.
In this three-way contest, the initiative was entirely in Ouyang Huan’s hands. It had to be said, this man was far more cunning than Kong Hongbi.
“A hundred beautiful maidens—can they compare to Stone Beauty alone?”
Zhang Ruochen’s stance was firm, with no room for compromise. “Whatever price Kong Hongbi offers, I’ll pay ten times.”
Hearing this, even Kong Hongbi silently called him a “madman.”
Kong Hongbi didn’t know Stone Beauty’s true identity, merely seeing her as an exceptionally beautiful ordinary woman, not valuing her highly.
Earlier, he had fought with Zhang Ruochen for two reasons: first, he couldn’t swallow his pride; second, he thought he could easily deal with Gu Linfeng, not taking him seriously.
Now, the situation was different. Gu Linfeng was clearly not someone who could be easily suppressed. Moreover, the Ministry of War, Black Market First Class Hall, Ten Thousand Buddha Path, and Demon Sect were all involved. Even if the Bright Hall was powerful, it couldn’t afford to offend them all at once.
Thus, Kong Hongbi had to consider whether continuing to fight over a beauty was worth it.
The Pavilion Master of Pearl Radiance Pavilion stood by the lake and announced, “The Young Hall Master offered one hundred million spirit crystals for just one night with Stone Beauty.”
Hearing this price, the cultivators by the lake were all stunned.
“As expected of the Bright Hall’s Young Hall Master—truly wealthy, spending one hundred million spirit crystals for just one night with Stone Beauty.”
“One hundred million spirit crystals is enough to buy a first-rank Half-Saint battle slave.”
“If I had one hundred million spirit crystals, I could buy a thousand beauties and have them serve me every night. Haha.”
“Keep dreaming. Many low-rank Half-Saints don’t even have one hundred million spirit crystals in total assets. You’ll never achieve that in a lifetime.”
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“I offer one billion spirit crystals. From today, Stone Beauty belongs to me. Anyone who dares to compete with me—either you die, or I die.”
Zhang Ruochen issued a harsh ultimatum, his stance resolute.
Having said this, even if a Saint wanted to compete with him, they would have to weigh whether it was worth it.
One billion spirit crystals equaled one hundred Sacred Stones.
Other Half-Saints might see it as a vast fortune, but Zhang Ruochen didn’t care.
He flicked his sleeve, sending out one hundred Sacred Stones like a rain of light toward the Pavilion Master of Pearl Radiance Pavilion.
Kong Hongbi’s eyes widened in fury, and he wanted to charge forward, but Ouyang Huan stopped him.
Ouyang Huan whispered something in his ear, and gradually, Kong Hongbi calmed down, not immediately attacking Zhang Ruochen.
Kong Hongbi said coldly, “If it weren’t for this young master still needing to attend the auction and prepare a birthday gift for the Hall Master’s five-hundredth birthday, I would fight you to the death tonight.”
“Anytime.” Zhang Ruochen said.
Just then, an old crone with white hair and a palace-dressed woman with a veil appeared by the lake, walking over to the Pavilion Master and Qi Feiyu.
The palace-dressed woman clearly held a very special status, as even the Pavilion Master and Qi Feiyu immediately bowed to her.
Zhang Ruochen naturally noticed this and looked at the palace-dressed woman with curiosity.
Why did the Demon Sect’s Holy Maiden bow to her?
The palace-dressed woman was surrounded by a mysterious power, and with her veil, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t see her face clearly, nor could he determine her age—she seemed young, yet also somewhat older.
The palace-dressed woman gave an order to the Pavilion Master, then turned her eyes toward the pavilion.
Qi Feiyu, standing nearby, heard the conversation between the palace-dressed woman and the Pavilion Master, and her willow-leaf brows tightened slightly, showing a puzzled expression.
The Pavilion Master of Pearl Radiance Pavilion looked at Zhang Ruochen and said, “Divine Son, Pearl Radiance Pavilion can sell Stone Beauty to you, but there is one condition.”
“What condition?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Pavilion Master smiled. “Tonight, the Divine Son must share a room with Stone Beauty and must also take her virginity.”
Hearing this condition, not only was Zhang Ruochen slightly stunned, but the other cultivators present were also quite surprised.
“Pavilion Master, are you joking?” Zhang Ruochen said.
“Of course not.”
The Pavilion Master shook his head and continued, “This is a rule of Pearl Radiance Pavilion: any female slave must enter as a virgin and leave as a non-virgin.”
“Is there such a rule?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
“There wasn’t before, but there is now,” the Pavilion Master said.
Zhang Ruochen certainly didn’t think the Pavilion Master was adding this rule for no reason.
It must be related to that palace-dressed woman.
Her target was clearly Ling Feiyu.
Zhang Ruochen suspected that the palace-dressed woman might know that Stone Beauty was Ling Feiyu.
But who was the palace-dressed woman? What was her purpose?
To further crush Ling Feiyu’s will?
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, finding it hard to understand what kind of twisted mind would use such methods to torment Ling Feiyu.
“No, the palace-dressed woman isn’t just targeting Ling Feiyu; she’s also testing me. Did my strong performance earlier arouse her suspicion?” Thinking this, cold sweat broke out on Zhang Ruochen’s back.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze, without leaving a trace, glanced at the palace-dressed woman standing in the distance, only to find her staring at him with a questioning look.
Instantly, Zhang Ruochen felt a faint chill enveloping his head.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen realized how dangerous his situation was. Without a doubt, he had stepped into the vortex of internal strife within the Demon Sect.
If they discovered that Zhang Ruochen had recognized Stone Beauty’s true identity, they would surely kill him with lightning speed to silence him.
If that happened, Zhang Ruochen and Stone Beauty would never leave Pearl Radiance Pavilion alive.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen’s hesitant expression, Kong Hongbi’s face twisted into a sinister smile. “Gu Linfeng, can you handle it? If not, this young master can take your place.”
“Tough talk doesn’t mean a tough body. Haha.”
Yanxu Saint General and Guigu Saint General both laughed loudly, staring at Zhang Ruochen’s lower body with strange looks.
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(First, a big chapter tonight. The second chapter will be updated tomorrow afternoon. Also, can anyone guess the identity of the palace-dressed woman? A character mentioned earlier.) (To be continued.)