Chapter 451: Heavenly Sovereigns Gather

"You're quite slick with this 'borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha' act!"

Walking out of the hall amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, the Ice Imperial stepped forward and teased.

How could he not be clear about the situation regarding the Nine Nether Jade Vein?

If one were to truly calculate it, it still belonged to the property of the Dongling Sect's first-generation Sect Master.

"Has this Nine Nether Jade Vein not been gifted to me?" Xiao Han paused, turning his head to say calmly.

"It has." The Ice Imperial was left speechless.

"If it has, then that's that; why care so much." Xiao Han did not stop his pace.

"Prepare yourself; the time left for us is not much."

Hearing this, the Ice Imperial's expression was no longer relaxed; cold light flickered in his eyes as he stepped forward to follow.

In the following two months, the entire Langya Heavenly Palace was busy consolidating its own strength, purchasing various strategic supplies from the outside world under the gaze of suspicion and unease, and distributing them to the Disciples and Elders.

Even the high-level Elders who used to be able to crack small jokes now wore stern faces, and a Disciple would be severely reprimanded for even the slightest mistake in cultivation.

Even the most dull-witted existence could perceive the shift in atmosphere; the air was permeated with a tense and murderous aura.

Not only the Langya Heavenly Palace, but the western borders of the Great Thousand World, including the vast regions bordering the Outer Realm Evil Clan such as the Sheng Yuan Continent, gradually saw a state of swords drawn and bows bent.

The number of experts in the Sheng Yuan Continent, which had long stationed a large number of powerhouses, had now doubled, and the Heavenly Sovereign powerhouses who were usually rarely seen also appeared frequently.

……

Sheng Yuan Continent, Great Thousand Pavilion.

At this moment, the Great Thousand Pavilion was much more desolate than in the past; the various people from all walks of life who once gathered here had all disappeared, leaving only a crowd of aged figures with white hair and beards.

Occasionally, a few rare middle-aged-looking existences were mixed into the crowd of decrepit old people.

From the outside, this group of people might be the least threatening group.

However, the truth was the exact opposite; this batch of old men in the Great Thousand Pavilion who looked like they would take three breaths after walking two steps were the peak power of the entire defensive line—the legendary Heavenly Sovereigns who were only heard of but never seen!

As the Building Master of the Great Thousand Pavilion on the Sheng Yuan Continent, Lan Laotou was responsible for the reception duties this time, so he inevitably had to deal with others.

As the number of people entering the Great Thousand Pavilion gradually increased, sounds of greetings rang out one after another within the pavilion.

"Old Man Huo!"

"Sword Monarch, trust you have been well since we last met!"

"Old Demon, your body is still sturdy!"

"Yo, isn't this Old Ghost Lan? You're not dead yet!"

Lan Laotou frowned and looked in the direction of the voice. Seeing the face of a familiar old friend, he felt joy in his heart but also put on a stern face and said ungraciously:

"Rest assured, even after you, this old bastard, are buried, this old man will still be able to drink at your grave!"

"Take your seat first, we'll talk later."

The expert who was familiar with Lan Laotou was not annoyed; he laughed and walked into the hall, chatting with others, and for a moment, the desolate pavilion seemed quite lively.

"Lan Laotou, I'm not late, am I?"

At this moment, a voice that sounded quite young rang out at the main entrance. Everyone in the pavilion was stunned, and then they curiously looked toward the door.

After all, not many people could come to the Great Thousand Pavilion for a meeting today, and such a young expert was simply rare.

Sure enough, at the end of their gaze were two young men in white. One of them had a smile on his face, while the other, a stern-faced figure, was sizing up the interior of the pavilion, staring back at the group of big shots without any stage fright.

Hmm, a Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereign, foundation solid, strength not bad!

Eh?

A Great Perfection Earth Sovereign?

This doesn't quite qualify!

Everyone sensed the cultivation of the smiling young man, their brows slightly furrowed, but they did not show it.

Instead, they cast their gazes toward Lan Laotou, who seemed to have a good relationship with the two; the other party was not someone who did not know the gravity of the situation.

A Great Perfection Earth Sovereign was just cannon fodder in a war at their level; this young man should have some unique traits.

Sure enough...

Lan Laotou shook his head helplessly and sighed:

"You brat arrived quite early. You two go in first; when everyone is here, I will introduce you two."

Xiao Han agreed casually and walked into the hall with the Ice Imperial.

"A fresh face, little friend!"

Just as Xiao Han and his companion were preparing to find a quiet corner, they suddenly heard an aged voice.

The source of the voice was a smiling old man, barefoot, wearing a hemp robe covered in countless patches, with messy hair. He looked disheveled and no different from a beggar, but his body lacked the peculiar odor of the latter, and his aura was like an abyss or the sea, unfathomable.

"Does the senior have any advice?"

Xiao Han returned the smile; anyone in this room was a great senior to him, and the fraction of their cultivation years was older than his age.

"Are you two together?"

The overly familiar old man gestured toward the Ice Imperial at the side; although it was a question, his expression was extremely certain.

Exchanging a glance with the Ice Imperial, Xiao Han smiled and nodded.

"Indeed."

"So it is?"

The old man revealed an expression of realization, then asked quietly:

"Little friend, can you tell this old man what special skills you have?"

"Special skills?"

The old man laughed heartily, took a few gulps from a wine gourd he had produced from who knows where, and said quite confidently:

"Little friend, do you know that only experts at the Heavenly Sovereign level can attend today's meeting, and your cultivation..."

The old man shook his head, wearing an expression that said, "you know what I mean."

"Oh? Is that what you meant, senior?"

Xiao Han suddenly realized, and said casually:

"This is no secret; I am merely occupying this seat because I happen to have the status of a Spirit Array Grandmaster."

"Oh, a Spirit Array Grandmaster, is it!"

The old man subconsciously replied while continuing to drink, then suddenly froze, his motion of pouring wine seemingly locked in place, and the liquor, exuding an intoxicating aroma, flowed onto the ground like a small stream.

"You are a Spirit Array Grandmaster?"

The old man's voice rose by an octave; although the Heavenly Sovereigns present appeared aged, they were all sharp of hearing and sight, hearing it clearly, and they all looked at the youth, who still wore a faint smile, in shock.

"Is there a problem?"

Xiao Han asked in confusion:

"A Spirit Array Grandmaster shouldn't be considered all that rare, right?"

Not rare?

Everyone asked themselves in unison.

Among all the experts in the Great Thousand Pavilion, counting every single one of the dozens of Heavenly Sovereigns, Xiao Han was the only Spirit Array Grandmaster.

The old man gave Xiao Han a strange look, as if trying to see if Xiao Han was showing off, but after detecting nothing unusual, he could only offer a few dry laughs and take his leave.

Once Xiao Han's identity as a Spirit Array Grandmaster was exposed, the previously quiet area was suddenly surrounded by a group of smiling old men, all of whom had come to build a connection.

Having reached the level of Heavenly Sovereign, they might look down on a Spirit Array Master, but they absolutely had to value every Grandmaster.

Because, one never knew when the great arrays of their factions might encounter a mishap and require the help of a Spirit Array Grandmaster; this was a matter concerning the foundation of their factions, and not a single bit of carelessness could be afforded.

Moreover, unlike those Spirit Array Grandmasters who had long been famous throughout Da Qian, this one was clearly a newcomer; building a relationship early meant one more path for the future!

Xiao Han smiled as he dealt with the figures coming to greet and befriend him, his face becoming stiff.

Finally, a steady and powerful voice ended his suffering.

"Everyone, please take your seats!"