Chapter 169: The Nine Members of the Rebirth Pavilion

Luo Feng smiled at the green-robed woman: "Madam Fengdu overestimates me. The Rebirth Pavilion is famed throughout the Origin Continent—its members must all far surpass me."

"Of the current eight members, one is invincible in God-King First Stage, seven are God-King Second Stage," the green-robed woman admitted.

"I'm vastly inferior to them," Luo Feng said.

"Then will you join?" the green-robed woman looked at Luo Feng. "You should have confidence—you'll soon become invincible in God-King First Stage."

Luo Feng did not answer immediately, but paused and asked: "Madam Fengdu, could you tell me the rules of the Rebirth Pavilion?"

The green-robed woman said: "I merely founded this organization. All members are absolutely equal and know each other's identities. If an action is to be taken, one may invite other companions to join—but whether they participate is entirely voluntary."

"Whether members are friendly or hostile toward each other, no one has the right to interfere."

"But the Rebirth Pavilion has two core rules: First, no member may reveal another's identity. Second, those who join an action initiated by a member must not betray it; those who refuse must not disclose it."

"That's it. Once you join, you must abide by these rules," the green-robed woman said, fixing Luo Feng with her gaze. "Violate them, and you violate great karmic law—you become the common enemy of all members."

Luo Feng understood.

No leaking identities. No betrayal.

It was quite simple.

"If it's only these two rules, I'm willing to join," Luo Feng said.

After all, over countless eons, the Rebirth Pavilion had maintained a good reputation on the Origin Continent—it was not an organization founded by outsiders like the Two Realms Palace, the Ten Thousand Methods Tower, or the Timeless Solitary Boat.

Moreover, Madam Fengdu's own reputation was excellent; both ancient kingdoms treated her with goodwill. It was the Rebirth Pavilion's and Madam Fengdu's reputations that made Luo Feng willing to join.

In truth, according to his Master Zuo Shan Ke's original advice, after becoming a God-King, one would naturally join some faction.

"Welcome to the Rebirth Pavilion," the green-robed woman smiled brightly, flipping her hand to produce a token. "With this token, a thread of your intent can enter the Rebirth Pavilion. I will summon the other companions to welcome our new member."

Luo Feng took the token.

"With this token, you may also contact the other eight members," the green-robed woman said.

Luo Feng sensed it: the token could only be used to enter the Rebirth Pavilion or contact the eight companions.

…

A towering figure stood firm in heaven and earth, his body nearly occupying a third of the entire land. Black winds howled, scouring his skin; his dark-green hide radiated terrifying energy.

In this realm, besides him, there were only two old servants.

"Hmm?"

The towering figure suddenly opened his eyes, his dull yellow gaze filled with surprise. "Fengdu invited a new member? The Rebirth Pavilion finally has a new member?"

…

"Come, come, drink, drink!"

In a grand hall, a young man lounged, leisurely drinking as many friends surrounded him.

"Younger brother, your talent is high—you must devote more effort to cultivation," said a burly man with scaled tail and pointed horns, approaching. "If you keep indulging like this, when calamity comes, you won't escape."

"Cultivation?" The drunken youth glanced at his friend. "Big brother, what's the point of cultivation?"

"With great strength, you become a Chaos Realm master—you can effortlessly control the fate of an entire Chaos Province," the burly man said.

"I don't care who controls whose fate. Controlling my own fate is enough. Hahaha—what I see, hear, and know—that's all I need," the drunken youth laughed. "Don't be greedy. Enjoying fine wine is already wonderful."

"Sigh—" the burly man said no more.

The drunken youth suddenly sensed something.

"Oh? Fengdu invited a new member? I wonder who it is?" The drunken youth's eyes held a hint of depth—he had chosen reincarnation to sever karmic entanglements and gain freedom.

Yet even after reincarnation, he still contacted Madam Fengdu and remained in the Rebirth Pavilion.

The Rebirth Pavilion was the only thing he still trusted—its members had never betrayed him.

"Let's see the new member," the drunken youth used the token, his intent instantly traveling to the Rebirth Pavilion.

…

Beyond the Origin Continent lay the Infinite Cosmic Sea. Near the continent's edge, a vast stretch of cosmic sea was blanketed in endless toxic mist, its range expanding continuously, growing denser with time.

At the mist's center floated a colossal creature with countless claws and a single golden eye.

"The Rebirth Pavilion finally has a new member. Fengdu's choice must be extraordinary," the colossal creature sent her intent into the Rebirth Pavilion.

…

Soon, one by one, members arrived.

"Hum." Luo Feng, using the token, entered the Rebirth Pavilion with his intent for the first time.

It was a pavilion formed from illusion. Luo Feng stepped inside and saw eight figures already seated—the new member was the last to arrive.

"Luo He has come," Madam Fengdu sat there, smiling at Luo Feng.

The other seven also looked curiously at Luo Feng, all friendly.

Luo Feng saw these seven—they revealed nothing. He recognized them instantly, and he was secretly astonished.

"What a Rebirth Pavilion. No wonder it had only eight members, yet its fame rivaled the Two Realms Palace." Luo Feng knew each of these members was renowned far and wide.

"In the Rebirth Pavilion, all members are equal—call each other by name," Madam Fengdu said. "Luo He, from now on, you are our ninth member."

"Luo He," a burly figure raised his cup with a smile, warmly. He was the Lord of the Abyss.

"Luo He, I've long heard your name. The fact that Fengdu invited you means you're even greater than the legends say," chuckled a massive fat man, his smile radiating invisible charm that naturally drew affection from all beings—he was the direct disciple of the Lord of Ten Thousand Worlds, the Great Freedom Master.

"Luo He, I'm Wu Xin," said a young man, smiling at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng smiled and nodded: "Brother Wu Xin."

!.

Wu Xin…

He had once been a guest God-King of the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom, never fully joining—only serving as an ordinary guest. As his strength grew and he reached God-King Second Stage, he naturally began vying for resources.

The resources he acquired were too precious; the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom launched multiple assassinations. After successive attempts, Wu Xin was finally slain.

"I had no choice. As long as I lived, the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom wouldn't stop. So I reincarnated—so they couldn't trace me through karma," the young man explained. "You're only in Chaos Realm now, and you have nothing they'd covet! When you grow strong enough, you'll see how ugly the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom's Imperial Lords truly are!"

Luo Feng smiled faintly: "Thank you, Brother Wu Xin."

Of the eight members present, two bore deep grudges against the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom: the Lord of the Abyss and God-King Wu Xin. Both had once been guest officials—the Lord of the Abyss had even been the direct disciple of Emperor Xuan.

Their grudges were real. Luo Feng understood Wu Xin's warning—it was sincere.

But…

Though many rumors circulated, Luo Feng knew the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom had some arrogant Imperial Lords and God-Kings.

Yet at present, he had no feud with them. On the contrary, his ties with Emperor Chu, his Master Emperor Chu, and Emperor Ming—he cherished them all.

Gratitude is gratitude. Enmity is enmity.

His Master Emperor Chu and Emperor Ming had both shown him kindness. Luo Feng would not turn against the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom just because some cultivator whispered a few words.

"Luo He," a white-robed man smiled and nodded to Luo Feng.

"Lord Tian Du," Luo Feng nodded back.

Lord Tian Du was the direct disciple of the Flame Wind Ancestor. A God-King Second Stage, he was a guest God-King in the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom, yet still held high status—even the Imperial Lords treated him with respect.

The first material for his Three-in-One form had come from Lord Tian Du's pet.

…

Luo Feng exchanged brief greetings with several members present.

Of the eight members, Madam Fengdu was from the Eastern Pole Region; the Great Freedom Master came from the Ten Thousand Worlds Nation.

The Lord of the Abyss, God-King Wu Xin, and Lord Tian Du all had ties to the Flame Wind Ancient Kingdom.

Cloud Heaven God-King, invincible in God-King First Stage, had once been a guest God-King of the Thunder Ancient Kingdom. He once lost control while cultivating the Primordial Bloodline and killed a Thunder Ancient Kingdom God-King, forcing him into exile.

Blackfire Demon Lord, a God-King Second Stage and guest God-King of the Thunder Ancient Kingdom, had broken ties with them after seeking resources to become a Sovereign. In truth, the Thunder Ancient Kingdom still valued him—but since they never granted him the Sovereign resources, he turned against them. His reputation on the Origin Continent remained good.

"Earth God-King," Luo Feng looked at the final figure, a burly man seated there, smiling and raising his cup to Luo Feng.

Luo Feng immediately raised his cup, yet understood within…

Of the entire Rebirth Pavilion, Madam Fengdu and this Earth God-King were the strongest.

Earth God-King was a self-made God-King who had once served as a guest of the Thunder Ancient Kingdom. His talent was extraordinary, dazzling—he even received multiple resources left by Yuan, drawing the Thunder Ancient Kingdom's scheming. Yet his strength was too great; even under siege by multiple Sovereigns, he escaped directly.

Though only a God-King Second Stage, Earth God-King could fight on equal terms with Thunder Ancient Kingdom Sovereigns.

"A Rebirth Pavilion with two members equal to Sovereigns," Luo Feng thought silently. "No wonder its fame is so great."

This welcome gathering was also for mutual familiarity.

Aside from Earth God-King, who was quiet, the other members chatted with Luo Feng warmly.

"Among all members, my strength is the lowest. Even if they plan actions, they won't involve me," Luo Feng understood. After becoming a God-King, his power surged—but only then could he join real operations.

(End of Chapter)