A deafening roar reverberated through the heavens. At Tianyi Pavilion, five Supremes simultaneously appeared. Gazing at the brilliant radiance above, they exchanged glances before swiftly heading towards the Five Pavilions.
"Greetings, Wood Supreme," Li Xuan bowed and greeted the suddenly appearing Wood Lanyin Supreme within the Pavilion Master's residence.
Li Xuan had already awoken at the sound of the booming noise, so Wood Lanyin Supreme's appearance did not surprise him.
Wood Lanyin Supreme lightly nodded her head and then spoke, "The signal for the Six Regions Grand Assembly has sounded, and the Six Regions will soon head to the Sacred Ruins Palace. Li Xuan, as the master of my Wood Pavilion, I have come to impart some instructions."
"Wood Supreme, please speak," Li Xuan replied with a nod.
As Li Xuan finished speaking, Wood Lanyin Supreme waved her hand, and a spiritual seal floated before him. "This is one of my divine abilities. If necessary, it can help you resist one fatal blow."
"If there are no issues, there will be no need to use it. However, once it is used, I will detect it immediately. At that time, you are likely in trouble. This is a situation we do not wish to see. Nevertheless, ensuring your safety is paramount."
"Secondly, you must strive to maintain Tianyi Pavilion's ranking among the Six Regions during this Grand Assembly. If our ranking drops, it will likely lead to an even more embarrassing situation. Of course, if we are truly outmatched, then defeat is defeat. The burden will ultimately fall upon us."
"Disciple understands," Li Xuan nodded, his gaze returning to Wood Lanyin Supreme. Since Madam Mo Ningxiang, the Great Revered Wife, had mentioned the Six Regions Grand Assembly as an auction, Li Xuan surmised that Wood Lanyin Supreme had further instructions.
Wood Lanyin Supreme smiled at this, then waved her hand again, sending a spatial ring to Li Xuan. "This contains fifty billion Taiyuan Crystals. The most important task for the Six Regions Grand Assembly is to bid for a treasure with wood attribute for our Wood Pavilion."
"These Taiyuan Crystals are prepared as your provisions. Of course, if you have any needs, you may also bid for them. To win even one item at the Six Regions Auction House would be a tremendous fortune."
"Fifty billion Taiyuan Crystals… Wood Supreme, is the threshold for the Six Regions Grand Assembly this high?" Upon hearing Wood Lanyin Supreme's words, Li Xuan's brows inevitably furrowed.
While Taiyuan Fruits were essential for spiritual masters' cultivation, Taiyuan Crystals were a higher-tier existence. Taiyuan Crystals had little use for spiritual masters below the Immeasurable Realm, but they were highly sought after by powerhouses above the Divine Transformation Realm.
The amount of fifty billion was exceptionally substantial. As the new Pavilion Master of the Wood Pavilion, Li Xuan knew that the Wood Pavilion's annual consumption was only around one billion Taiyuan Crystals. Thus, fifty billion Taiyuan Crystals could not be considered insignificant.
Wood Lanyin Supreme smiled wryly and nodded. "Do not underestimate the Six Regions Grand Assembly. Although this Cloud World appears to be ruled by our Six Regions, some hidden forces likely possess equal strength."
"Take this Six Regions Grand Assembly, for instance. To this day, we do not know which force controls it from behind the scenes. But it is certain that the power behind it is formidable."
"Not a force from the Six Regions?" Li Xuan asked in surprise.
"It is unlikely to be a force from the Six Regions, otherwise, their concealment would be too profound," Wood Lanyin Supreme nodded slightly. "When Great Revered Lin Yi was still present, he once brought us to the Six Regions Grand Assembly."
"At that time, two peak experts of the Years Realm from Wangu Domain and Shengxu Domain spoke disrespectfully and were immediately executed on the spot. Great Revered Wangu and Great Revered Shengxu were furious, but the appearance of a mere wisp of aura caused both of them to change countenance."
"Even Great Revered Lin Yi himself stated back then that the mastermind behind the Six Regions Grand Assembly was extremely powerful. Even Great Revered Lin Yi himself was only at a four-to-six ratio, with him being the four and the other party the six. Since then, no one from any region has dared to be ostentatious at the Six Regions Grand Assembly."
"Such a powerful existence! It seems this Cloud World truly harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers," Li Xuan said with a wry smile. Even someone like Great Revered Lin Yi was so wary; with his current strength, it was better to be cautious.
Wood Lanyin Supreme smiled slightly. "For someone like Great Revered Lin Yi, he would fear no one alone. Only if two Great Revereds or above joined forces could they possibly defeat Great Revered Lin Yi."
"However, when it concerns the forces behind the scenes, actions must be restrained. For this expedition, we have already discussed and decided that you will be in charge. Therefore, while completing your mission, you must ensure their safety."
"I am to protect them? Wood Supreme, isn't that a bit too much of a burden?" Li Xuan was startled and said with a wry smile.
As Wood Lanyin Supreme had said, if it were just himself, Li Xuan would not feel uneasy even if he couldn't win and had to flee. But to also look after them would undoubtedly tie his hands.
Moreover, Li Xuan knew the importance of these individuals to Tianyi Pavilion; losing even one would be an immeasurable cost.
"I knew you wouldn't agree so easily. However, I have managed to secure something for you. As long as you accept, the other four pavilions will each give you five hundred million Taiyuan Crystals. This is no small fortune," Wood Lanyin Supreme said with a playful chide.
With a wave of her hand, a spatial ring instantly floated before Li Xuan.
"As a disciple of Tianyi Pavilion, it is only right to protect my fellow disciples. However, since the esteemed Supremes have shown such favor, as a disciple, I cannot let them down. Therefore, I shall accept it."
Li Xuan scratched his head, then quickly accepted the spatial ring, putting on a righteous expression.
"Alright, I have conveyed all that needs to be said. Next, you will visit White Supreme. We depart in an hour," Wood Lanyin Supreme said with a roll of her eyes and a wave of her hand.
"Yes!" Li Xuan grinned and instantly vanished.
Sovereign Maiden Peak, in a pavilion.
"Do you have any thoughts about this trip to the Six Regions Grand Assembly?" As Li Xuan appeared, Bai Suxin, White Supreme, put down her teacup and looked up at him.
"I see it as a trial, and an opportunity to witness the powerhouses of this Cloud World. Beyond that, I have no other particular ideas. May I ask if you have any instructions, White Supreme?" Li Xuan replied with a shake of his head.
Bai Suxin stood up. "I have no specific instructions, but you must proceed with caution and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Furthermore, the Six Regions Grand Assembly is not an ordinary auction. If you find something you like, feel free to bid for it. I have some savings here; consider it entrusted to you."
"Thank you, White Supreme," Li Xuan's heart warmed. Although Bai Suxin did not explicitly state that she was giving him funds because she worried he might be short, Li Xuan understood perfectly.
Moreover, Li Xuan knew that Bai Suxin's action was more about fulfilling her role as a "Master's Wife," especially since the inheritance of Great Revered Yun Qi was now with Li Xuan.
However, the purpose of this trip was indeed somewhat unclear. If he encountered something he truly desired, he absolutely could not miss it. Since Bai Suxin had offered it, Li Xuan had no choice but to accept. He knew without a doubt that the ring contained Taiyuan Crystals.
"Alright, there is nothing else. You may go now. Remember to return alive," Bai Suxin said, waving her hand after Li Xuan accepted the spatial ring.
"Disciple remembers," Li Xuan said, his expression turning serious. He bowed respectfully to Bai Suxin before turning to leave.