Stepping out of the mansion, Palace Master Wu Ma Hai turned back with a dark expression, causing the two guards at the entrance to hold their breath in fear.
“Such arrogance and ignorance from a mere Unity realm cultivator!” Palace Master Wu Ma Hai sneered before departing.
The two guards exchanged bewildered glances.
“Was he referring to Elder Dongbo as arrogant and ignorant?”
“It seems negotiations with Elder Dongbo fell apart. Even if he had to refuse a Chaos realm expert, he shouldn’t have made it so awkward.” The two guards whispered among themselves, quickly spreading the news to their friends for discussion.
These guards and attendants were all assigned by the Blade Emperor City—low-ranking members temporarily serving Dongbo Xueying during the Star Conference. Once the event concluded, they couldn’t care less about an Inner Hall Elder of the Taixu Temple. Gossiping about the affairs of such “great figures” was a pastime they thoroughly enjoyed.
Soon, word spread.
Many well-informed individuals learned that Palace Master Wu Ma Hai had called Dongbo Xueying “arrogant and ignorant,” and most of those who heard the news sided with the palace master.
Across the five sacred worlds of the Chaos Void, it was customary for Unity realm cultivators to show deference to Chaos realm overlords.
—
Dongbo Xueying, however, paid no heed to the outside chatter. Only the weak obsessed over the actions of the strong. True powerhouses had no interest in trivial matters concerning their inferiors. Before he was certain of his breakthrough to the Chaos realm, he would avoid provoking such figures, preferring to endure in silence. But now, with absolute confidence in his ascension, while he remained courteous, he refused to tolerate disrespect. So what if relations soured? It wouldn’t be long before he surpassed them effortlessly.
“Hmm?”
One day, while meditating by the lake in his abode, Dongbo Xueying received a sudden message.
It was from the Heart Image Sect Master, the host of this Star Conference.
“With over half a year left before the millennium deadline, Palace Master Jiang Fu has already submitted his list to the Heart Image Sect Master?” Dongbo Xueying was surprised. The message contained the names of the twenty individuals Palace Master Jiang Fu had selected.
“Not a bad selection.”
Dongbo Xueying reviewed the list. In his judgment, all the chosen candidates ranked within the top three hundred in terms of potential.
“Chen Qiong.” Dongbo Xueying smiled upon spotting the name. “Dragonhide Emperor must have approached Palace Master Jiang Fu as well. I had intended to choose him too.”
This young man, Chen Qiong, had an extremely short cultivation history. Over the past thousand years, he had sought Dongbo Xueying’s guidance three times, showing remarkable progress. His potential likely placed him within the top twenty.
—
As days passed, the Star Conference began to stir beneath the surface.
Those with sharp ears soon learned that the mentors’ lists were being submitted one by one.
Palace Master Jiang Fu, holding the highest status, was the first to submit.
Half a month later, Island Master Zi Tu, the sole female mentor, submitted her list second.
Another month later, Five Marsh Serpent Ancestor followed suit.
A month after that, the Blade Emperor City—the host of this conference—had their representative, General Tian Guang, submit his list.
As a Unity realm cultivator, Dongbo Xueying understood his place and chose to submit last.
“Please inform the Heart Image Sect Master that Dongbo Xueying seeks an audience.” Standing before a grand mansion—the Heart Image Sect Master’s residence within Blade Emperor City—Dongbo Xueying made his request.
“It’s Dongbo Xueying!”
“One of the five mentors of the Star Conference!”
“He’s here to submit his list!”
Outside the Heart Image Sect Master’s mansion, many had been lying in wait, particularly the anxious young geniuses awaiting their fate. They had already uncovered the lists of the first four mentors. Now, only Dongbo Xueying’s remained.
The secrecy of these lists was never strict. The Heart Image Sect Master, the five mentors, and the attending Chaos realm observers all received copies. After all, the lists were meant to be public.
“This is the last one.”
“Twenty names. I hope mine is among them.”
“My final chance.”
The hopeful geniuses lurking near the mansion held their breath in anticipation. Over the past thousand years, many had sought Dongbo Xueying’s guidance, but he had never given any definitive hints.
—
Inside the mansion, Dongbo Xueying followed a servant through winding corridors, across a vast plaza, and toward a towering black hall.
This hall, majestic and imposing, occupied roughly a tenth of the mansion’s grounds—spanning ten thousand miles. It was one of Blade Emperor City’s most striking structures.
This was the renowned Heart Image Hall.
Dongbo Xueying knew that the Heart Image Sect Master usually cultivated within this hall—a specially constructed sanctum for his practice.
“Elder Dongbo, the sect master awaits inside.” The servant halted outside the hall.
Nodding, Dongbo Xueying stepped in.
The Heart Image Hall was vast and empty, its ten-thousand-mile expanse devoid of adornments. Only a single figure sat cross-legged on the dimly lit floor.
The Heart Image Sect Master, draped in loose robes that pooled around him, had a slightly hunched back and a gentle smile. Though he exuded no aura, Dongbo Xueying felt the hall expanding endlessly in his perception—stretching into an infinite, shadowy cosmos.
And at its center sat the Heart Image Sect Master, the master of this universe.
“Rumors say that Chaos realm experts at the ninth level of the Star Tower possess insights rivaling those of Cosmic Gods. It seems true.” Though the sect master displayed no power, his mere presence within the hall conveyed his terrifying might.
At present, he could effortlessly slay Dongbo Xueying. Even with Patriarch Tian Yu’s protective treasures, Dongbo Xueying would last only a fleeting moment.
“Elder Dongbo.” The Heart Image Sect Master’s homely face radiated warmth, his voice gentle. “The first four mentors have submitted their lists. Once yours is finalized, the combined selection of one hundred names will be made public.”
“I’ve made my choices.” Dongbo Xueying waved his hand, summoning a golden scroll that floated toward the sect master.
The Heart Image Sect Master glanced at it, then frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on one name—Xing Huo Xun Yi.
He looked up at Dongbo Xueying.
Xing Huo Xun Yi?
As the host of this Star Conference, the Heart Image Sect Master was well-versed in the backgrounds of all participating geniuses. He had taken note of this particular candidate—the youngest son of Xing Huo Emperor, a peerless powerhouse on his level.
Despite such privileged origins, after over five hundred billion years of cultivation, Xing Huo Xun Yi ranked only 3,600th in the conference, his potential likely placing him outside the top five thousand.
Privately, the Heart Image Sect Master held some goodwill toward Dongbo Xueying. After all, he was the strongest Unity realm cultivator to emerge in this era across the two sacred worlds, comparable to Lei Yan of the Eternal Sacred World.
“Are you certain you won’t revise your list?” the Heart Image Sect Master asked. “It hasn’t been disseminated yet. You can still make changes.”
“No need.” Dongbo Xueying shook his head.
The sect master hesitated before adding, “Elder Dongbo, I heard that when Patriarch Tian Yu nominated you as a mentor, two of the five Cosmic Gods opposed it. You barely passed. Your choices don’t just reflect on you—they represent the Taixu Temple.”
The lists were public. While some experts might act selfishly without shame, sacred institutions valued their reputations. Being mocked by countless cultivators would tarnish the Taixu Temple’s dignity.
“Thank you for your concern, Sect Master. My decision stands.” Dongbo Xueying smiled.
The Heart Image Sect Master sighed inwardly. He had done his part by offering advice.
“Very well. The list is finalized.”
With that, he disseminated the selections to all parties, preparing to announce them publicly.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage