The Secret Realm of the Seven Star Pavilion was located in the northern part of Ji City's domain, in a vast valley.
An excellent Secret Realm was enough to bear the rise and fall of a family.
After years of operation, the Tian family of Daze had fortified this place like a fortress.
Garrisoning a large army, building watchtowers, deploying arrays... leaving only one path in and out of the valley. During the time when the Seven Star Pavilion was not open, this passage would also be closed.
Given the strength the Tian family of Daze had invested here, if they had any malicious intentions, none of those participating in the Seven Star Pavilion's Secret Realm would likely leave alive.
But such a thing was almost impossible to happen.
Because yielding these spots relied not on the Tian family's self-awareness, but on the demands of other top powers in the State of Qi, and even the Qi court itself.
Those twenty spots that could be retained without competition were the greatest privilege the Tian family had secured for themselves. Apart from that, everything else in the Seven Star Pavilion had to be fought for.
Of course, the Seven Star Pavilion's Secret Realm still nominally belonged to the Tian family of Daze.
Taking advantage of each opening of the Seven Star Pavilion's Secret Realm to turn it into a grand event branded with the Tian family's mark, thereby expanding their family's influence and creating tangible, considerable benefits for Ji City... these operations were entirely the Tian family's own business, and no one could interfere.
During the opening period of the Seven Star Pavilion's Secret Realm, the Tian family not only had to behave themselves, but also had to ensure that all participants were not harmed by factors outside the Secret Realm.
The cultivators participating in the Seven Star Pavilion came from all over the State of Qi, among them no shortage of powerful forces.
No family was willing to offend so many forces at once.
If the Tian family couldn't follow the rules, naturally there would be forces eager to take over the Seven Star Pavilion's Secret Realm.
After triple verification, Jiang Wang and Li Fengyao were finally able to enter this long-famous valley.
This valley was named after the Seven Star Pavilion's Secret Realm, simply called Seven Star Valley.
After delivering them to the valley entrance, Xiao Tong drove back to the inn alone.
Today was the thirteenth of the ninth month, and the Tian family had confirmed that the Seven Star Pavilion would open today.
Jiang Wang and Li Fengyao had arrived rather late. Neither of them was the sociable type, and to avoid unnecessary trouble, they deliberately arrived just before the deadline.
When entering the valley, the cultivators participating in the Seven Star Pavilion had mostly arrived. They were scattered in twos and threes at different locations, leaving only a huge circular area in the center of the valley empty.
Li Fengyao was undoubtedly the focus of the entire gathering, the existence pursued by all eyes.
The female cultivators participating in this Heavenly Secret Realm were numerous, but none of their beauty could compare to Li Fengyao.
She did not wear a veil, because her beauty needed no concealment. Nor was she someone who would compromise herself to avoid trouble. Those cold and proud beautiful eyes merely swept lightly, and the gazes directed at her promptly turned away.
Her beauty seemed to have an innate distance.
And Jiang Wang, standing beside Li Fengyao, inevitably became the target of various scrutinizing or provocative glances.
Many people were also whispering, inquiring about his background.
Jiang Wang listened carefully, occasionally catching a few phrases, all things like "Who is he?" and "What right does he have?"
Because of Li Fengyao, he—someone whose name wasn't even listed in the underground betting odds—bore attention that exceeded what his level of fame should have warranted.
Jiang Wang did not provoke anyone, nor did he respond to anyone's provocations, only silently observing everyone in his heart.
Every person here could potentially be an opponent.
Among the crowd, besides Li Fengyao, the most eye-catching figure was a medium-height man with flowing hair.
Standing there, he made people instinctively want to look up. Though he wasn't particularly tall, it seemed as though one could only see him by raising their head.
His face was calm, his eyes like the deep sea, commanding respect without anger.
This person was none other than Lei Zhanqian, the prodigious talent of the Lei family. He stood there, speaking to no one. Yet those around him, whether consciously or unconsciously, gathered around him as their center.
Jiang Wang had once seen Lei Yikun of the Lei family at Yunwu Mountain. Lei Yikun was also of the Lei family's direct line and technically a cousin to Lei Zhanqian, but their temperaments were completely different. The short and stocky Lei Yikun was actually somewhat more hot-tempered.
And on the other side, also surrounded by people, was Fang Chong, who presented yet another style.
He was a middle-aged man with a kindly smile, chatting and laughing with those around him, getting along harmoniously. When Jiang Wang entered the valley, he even smiled at him proactively.
The Secret Realm of the Seven Star Pavilion offered as many as one hundred and eight spots. Some people trusted only themselves, while others planned to combine their strength.
People were all different.
Actually, Jiang Wang wouldn't have minded joining some small group to avoid attracting attention. Unfortunately, standing beside Li Fengyao, no one approached, and even if he wanted to keep a low profile, he couldn't.
Among all the cultivators in the entire valley, besides Li Fengyao, the only other person Jiang Wang recognized was Lian Shao of the Nanyao Lian clan. He was the same Lian clan member who had mocked Lian Que at the Sword Furnace when Lian Que was forging the Blade of Longing.
Of course, in Lian Que's words, he was just a pitiful person born without freedom. Lian Que had fought for and won his life token, while Lian Shao had not, and their fates diverged from there.
Meeting again now, this Lian Shao appeared much more peaceful. Seeing Jiang Wang again at Seven Star Valley, he showed no unusual reaction.
Since their parting in Nanyao City, Lian Que had begun competing for the position of next patriarch of the Lian clan. Though Zhong Xuansheng had been secretly advising him, things were not going well, because Zhong Xuansheng himself had been preoccupied with his own troubles recently. And Lian Que's personality—resolute and fiery enough, but lacking in flexibility and cunning—made him truly ill-suited for such maneuvering.
Of course, that was his own concern.
Time passed quickly.
After completing his initial observation of his opponents, Jiang Wang turned to continue refining himself.
Preparation was never enough.
Recently, the Nether Candle had been quite calm, but Jiang Wang could sense that Jiang Yan was also within it, cultivating in some manner that Jiang Wang didn't fully understand. In other words, while Jiang Wang was making progress, Jiang Yan, dwelling in the Nether Candle, had not stopped either.
But Jiang Wang was not certain whether this perception was his own advancement or whether Jiang Yan was deliberately revealing it to him.
After patrolling the Heaven and Earth Island several times, a booming sound reached his ears.
He turned to look.
The valley's sealed passage had opened again.
A man with delicate features and a feminine temperament strode in.
Buzzing discussions filled his ears.
"Why is someone still coming at this time?"
"Haven't the gates been sealed?"
"Shh... be quiet, it's the Ninth Prince!"
The valley fell silent in an instant.
The Ninth Prince of Great Qi, Jiang Wuxie, was not a man known for his good temper. If it had been the Crown Prince, known for his magnanimity, they might have dared to discuss more.
The Tian family had strict rules regarding entry times for Seven Star Valley. The previously sealed valley passage was a manifestation of these rules.
Logically speaking, at this point, the Secret Realm of the Seven Star Pavilion was about to open, and no more entries should have been allowed.
But these so-called rules were clearly not applicable to Jiang Wuxie, the Ninth Prince of Great Qi.
Jiang Wuxie walked with leisurely steps, indifferent to the various gazes people cast upon him, like a lord inspecting his territory, surveying those in the valley from a position of superiority.
Where his gaze fell, the proud cultivators naturally lowered their heads and bowed in respect.
Just then, someone suddenly shouted at the Tian family members responsible for maintaining order: "Since the passage to Seven Star Valley can still be opened, my friend is just outside! Why won't he be let in? He was only late for a short while because he was framed!"
"Yes! Is there any reason for this? It's clear that people can still enter—why can't my junior brother come in?"
No one paid them any attention.
The total number of people who could finally enter the Seven Star Pavilion was fixed. Everyone could be considered a competitor, and before this, fewer was better.
So in truth, all sorts of schemes had never ceased before the Secret Realm opened. Setting traps to make people late was merely one of the simplest methods.
Generally speaking, as long as things didn't escalate too much or result in deaths, the Tian family wouldn't interfere.
As for whether someone fell for such tricks, that was their own business.
At least before the Secret Realm opened, most people were on high alert. Those who lost their opportunity through carelessness really couldn't blame the Tian family.
In fact, the person shouting knew this well. The only reason they were still making noise was to try to leverage Jiang Wuxie's privilege and see if they could secure another chance for their friend. Since no one paid attention, they let it go.
Shouting a few times was doing their utmost; pestering relentlessly was something they absolutely didn't dare do.
Jiang Wuxie strolled leisurely into the valley, ignoring the various people bowing to him and the noisy clamor. His gaze swept casually around before nimbly settling on Li Fengyao.
"Hey! Sister Li of the Li family!" His eyes brightened, and the corners of his mouth curved upward.
Jiang Wuxie's smile was not very dignified, but it wouldn't make anyone uncomfortable. Perhaps because his face was so exquisitely refined, what would seem frivolous on an ordinary person became a kind of roguish charm on him.
Given the standing of the Li family of Stone Gate, even if Jiang Wuxie was a prince of Great Qi, this "Sister" was a fitting address.
Li Fengyao gave a slight nod of her chin to acknowledge him: "The Ninth Prince is also here."
"Yes." Jiang Wuxie spoke as he walked closer, but Li Fengyao's gaze fixed him slightly, and he stopped at a distance of about three steps.
He didn't mind this at all, showing no displeasure on his face. Perhaps he was already accustomed to Li Fengyao's cold pride. He stood there and continued enthusiastically: "Later, when we enter the Seven Star Pavilion, please go easy on me, Sister Li."
Li Fengyao said lightly: "You're too modest."
And said nothing more.
Jiang Wuxie showed no embarrassment. He looked left and right, his gaze falling on Jiang Wang, who stood beside Li Fengyao, but it passed over him swiftly.
There was a hint of surprise in his eyes, but it stopped at just that hint.
And Jiang Wang stood with quiet composure, his face showing neither sorrow nor joy. His eyes were unmoved by favor or disgrace.
Though coming to Seven Star Valley with Li Fengyao had sparked all sorts of speculation, Jiang Wang's confidence had always come only from himself alone.
With sword in hand, why should a man fear?
Just at this moment.
Everyone's vision suddenly dimmed.
As if an invisible hand had pulled a vast curtain across the sky...
The entire Seven Star Valley was suddenly plunged into darkness.