Chapter 254: with translation of chapter title

Yang Zhu stopped thinking, reached forward and seized it, the runes filling the sky were grabbed by him, then he began to deduce, and soon determined the approximate locations of the several people.

How did we get there?

Originally, while Yang Zhu was missing, the Yaochi Holy Maiden and others were not idle either; they began searching everywhere, hoping to find hidden relics or something else.

Who would have thought they actually found a five‑colored altar; after the big black dog fiddled with it, the altar finally reacted.

Although it didn't launch like the Nine Dragons pulling a carriage, it nevertheless unexpectedly sent several people back to Zi Wei…

Do we have to turn back again?

With a hint of helplessness, Yang Zhu could only take out the Beginningless Immortal Platform; besides being able to set off along a preset route, it could also be used to traverse the universe.

Suddenly, purple qi came from the east, auspicious signs rolled down, and a magnificent gate appeared in the holy purple mist.

The massive gate resembled a divine pass guarding the border, its aura grand and vast, a boundless breath rushing toward the face, leaving one stunned for a moment.

This ancient gate stands over a hundred zhang tall; though built entirely of clear stone, it exudes a special aura that makes one dare not slight it in the least.

A young man walked out, barely twenty years old, his appearance ordinary, certainly not as handsome as jade.

But his pair of ink‑black eyes were extraordinarily deep, his bearing exuded steadiness, and his cultivation was also very strong.

Yin Tian De?

Yang Zhu recognized him—he was Yin Tian De of the Zi Wei star region; he never expected to meet him here on the Gu Xing of Yinghuo after several years.

It… is you!

The purple qi and the ancient gate and other phenomena all vanished, calm restored; upon seeing Yang Zhu, Yin Tian De's expression froze for a moment, incredulous.

After being defeated by Yang Zhu in a few moves, he quickly adjusted his mindset and Dao heart, then resolutely embarked on the remainder of his eastern tour.

Over these years he traveled east, seeing all kinds of heavenly‑pride divine bodies, yet he never again encountered anyone who surpassed the present age like Yang Zhu did.

Yang Zhu had almost become an indelible mark in his mind; he wanted to forget, yet couldn't help recalling that battle, how the opponent had completely crushed him.

"What a coincidence, to meet here." Yin Tian De spoke.

"It's indeed quite a coincidence; what brings you here?"

Yang Zhu's tone was still polite; his impression of Yin Tian De wasn't bad, and if it weren't for the sake of proving the Dao, he wouldn't have gone to defeat him.

Without beating around the bush, Yang Zhu directly asked about his purpose, knowing that given Yin Tian De's opportunities and means, he would certainly not come to Yinghuo for no reason.

"I once discovered an ancient scroll in the Taiqing Holy Realm; on it…"

Yin Tian De is steady‑tempered, a person of broad mind and great ambition; even though Yang Zhu defeated him three hundred times, he harbored no resentment and spoke truthfully.

When the Taiqing Holy Realm was still in Yin Tian De's hands, he happened upon a Dao diagram inside, which recorded the divine ability of One Qi Transforming into Three Purities, among others, as well as news of the Guang Nine Secrets.

Throughout his eastern tour, while training, he was constantly seeking traces of the Nine Secrets.

Finally, two years ago, he learned that the Number Secret resided with the previous successor of the Taiqing Holy Realm, but that person went to an ancient star called Yinghuo and then vanished without a trace.

After spending over a year, he finally obtained and gathered the means to go to Yinghuo; after drifting in the universe for more than half a year, he managed to arrive safely.

"The Number Secret is indeed here, but I have already obtained it."

Yang Zhu did not conceal it, answering truthfully.

"I previously seized the Taiqing Holy Realm…"

"The Taiqing Holy Realm changed hands; it was due to your ability, and my inability to keep it; I, Yin, have no complaints."

Yin Tian De interrupted Yang Zhu; though not absolutely beautiful, his face was fairly handsome, bearing a relieved smile.

He had no objection to the Taiqing Holy Realm falling into Yang Zhu's hands; cultivation and proving the Dao are like that—treasures go to the capable. "I don't want to see you waste years of essence and blood for nothing; I can pass the Number Secret to you."

Yang Zhu, for a moment, looked highly at the other party, as if seeing someone else; he had long been eager to fight himself to the death.

Among the Nine Secrets, the Number Secret can be said to be relatively mysterious; most people in the world do not know what kind of existence it is.

What field it involves, what its function is, etc. —everything is unknown.

"Really?"

Hearing that, Yin Tian De's expression startled, his breath caught.

No matter how steady his temperament, he could not resist the allure of the Nine Secrets; after all, that is an existence that can rival the ancient scriptures of a great emperor! "Say it, do it."

Yang Zhu nodded; emotionally and rationally, he ought to pass the Number Secret to the other party.

Yin Tian De had obtained Laozi's inheritance, mastering One Qi Transforming into Three Purities; cultivating it would be absolutely effortless, and he would not have wasted his years of painstaking search in vain.

Furthermore, too few people hold the Number Secret; Yang Zhu does not want the world to have only himself mastering it, so he can suitably pass it on to some heavenly‑pride talents and the like.

Moreover, this could also be considered a kind of compensation for the Taiqing Holy Realm…

A divine light flashed across Yang Zhu's brow, carrying the Number Secret, which instantly sank into Yin Tian De's mind.

Like a sea, intricate Dao patterns surged into his mind; Yin Tian De was deeply shocked, nearly becoming immersed on the spot in their supreme profundity.

"This is the Nine Secrets… thank you."

Yin Tian De took several deep breaths before forcibly suppressing his surging emotions, then clasped his hands to express his thanks, very sincere.

"This I also return to you."

Returning the dragon‑horse nurtured on the Divine Lake to the other party, the Beginningless Immortal Platform, when unleashed, burst forth with ten‑zhang of immortal radiance, wondrous and extraordinary, as if sprinkled from the immortal realm.

Yang Zhu turned to leave, but just as he was about to step forward with one foot, Yin Tian De called out to him.

"Brother Yang Zhu! Uh… if you don't mind me calling you that."

As soon as those words were spoken, Yin Tian De's motion abruptly paused; he also didn't know whether that form of address was appropriate.

Because their contact has been minimal, their friendship is still far from reaching that level.

"Just call me as you like; is there anything else?"

Yang Zhu drew back his body, turned around and looked at him.

"What I want to ask is, have the Nine Secrets already been lost, and is there a chance to see the others?"

The Nine Secrets—each secret is the ultimate insight in a certain field, an existence that can rival the ancient scriptures of a great emperor; for anyone, even a quasi‑emperor, they hold tremendous allure.

"Naturally."

With the sound's end, nine radiant large characters burst from within, shining upon this heaven and earth, even the river of ages taking on a luminous haze.

Moments later, Yang Zhu entered the gate of light and vanished; the great characters representing the Nine Secrets likewise dissolved into a shower of light.

"They've all been gathered..."

Yin Tian De's pupils contracted; he could scarcely believe the scene he had just witnessed, as if dreaming, utterly fantastical.

"Indeed, with your bearing and spirit, it's no wonder."

Soon he came to terms with it; although he did not know Yang Zhu's origins, his intuition told him it must be tremendously fearsome.

(End of chapter)