Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

The next morning.

Before leaving the manor, Xu Yang made a special trip to a secret chamber.

When he opened the chamber door, Yang Xiao shot to his feet, glaring at Xu Yang like a lion on the verge of going berserk.

"Xu Yang, let me out."

"You dare lock me up? My big brother will never let you go."

Standing at the doorway, Xu Yang sneered, "Yang Yuan already came here yesterday. I told him that you’ll be released after the trade fair ends. He just left."

"What did you say?"

Yang Xiao trembled all over, staring blankly at Xu Yang in disbelief.

Big brother actually agreed?

How is that possible?

"By the way, today’s the last day before the trading event begins; lately, the Yang Family’s reputation hasn’t been great. I wonder if Mr. Yang’s presence can change that."

"After all, if things don’t turn around, it could cost the Yang Family tens of millions of Immortal Crystals in profit..."

Xu Yang grinned, flicked his sleeve, and shut the chamber door, leaving only Yang Xiao’s impotent, furious howls echoing inside.

After leaving the manor, a figure appeared quietly beside Xu Yang.

It was none other than Yi Que.

"Second brother, is everything ready?"

"Don’t worry, junior brother. Senior brother personally oversaw everything—nothing can go wrong, unless a Golden Immortal arrives." Yi Que smiled faintly, as if everything was under control.

Xu Yang beamed and waved his hand, "Come on, let’s take a stroll through Four Spirits Town."

Today, Four Spirits Town was especially lively.

Though the trading event had yet to begin, it was the final day, and cultivators from all around had arrived in droves—some were loose cultivators, some came with two or three friends, while others were in groups from minor clans or sects.

Four Spirits Town couldn’t really be called a small town; it rivaled a large city, and every inch was packed with people at this moment.

Because of the many Immortal Elixirs uniquely nurtured by Four Spirits Immortal Mountain, the town was bustling beyond compare.

The pavilions owned by the six major powers were especially crowded, but outside the Yang Family’s pavilion, hardly anyone could be seen.

The contrast was striking.

The constant stream of rumors in recent days had clearly made people wary.

Even if those rumors were baseless, there were still five other factions’ pavilions, so why risk it?

As Xu Yang passed near the Yang Family’s pavilion and took in the sight, he looked quite satisfied.

If things continued like this, at tomorrow’s trade fair, the Yang Family wouldn’t be left with nothing, but what little they’d get would be negligible.

Compared to previous years, it would be the worst ever.

At this moment, he was quite curious about what kind of response Yang Yuan would make.

"Mr. Xu, stroll around as much as you like. The rest of us are secretly watching—you won’t have to worry about any mishaps."

A transmission sounded in his ear.

It was from a powerhouse of Flame Dragon Mountain.

Xu Yang wasn’t surprised. He nodded slightly and began to roam the area at his leisure.

As time passed and noon drew near,

suddenly, cultivators along several streets all started surging in one direction.

The crowd surged like a tide.

"Huh? Everyone’s headed to the Yang Family’s pavilion."

"Is something happening?"

Xu Yang’s spirits lifted at once, and he called Yi Que to follow the crowd together.

"What’s going on?"

"You don’t know?"

"You don’t know either? Then why are you here?"

"To watch the show, obviously."

"I know! Word is, the Yang Family’s eldest son, Yang Yuan, has arrived."

"Yang Yuan’s a core disciple of Black Fire Immortal Mountain, and even made the Immortal Pride List—one of only two in all of North Province."

"He’s standing outside the Yang Family’s pavilion, apparently about to announce something."

"I bet it’s got to be related to those rumors about the Yang Family these days. Come on, let’s go and check it out."

...

Listening to the chatter all around, Xu Yang thought, as expected.

"I wonder how Yang Yuan is going to handle this. Showing up at a time like this and causing such a stir—if he’s not prepared, it will be a huge loss of face," Yi Que muttered.

"If he dares to appear, he must be ready."

"Let’s just watch for now."

Although curious, Xu Yang stayed calm.

The real show hadn’t even started. What was Yang Yuan planning to use to turn the crisis around?

As the swelling crowd finally arrived beside the pavilion, Xu Yang realized it was impossible to get any closer.

As he was looking around, he suddenly noticed a figure atop the Flame Dragon Mountain pavilion nearby, waving to him.

"Senior brother, let’s go."

Xu Yang gestured, and together with Yi Que, soared upward, landing on the roof of Flame Dragon Mountain’s pavilion.

The man waiting was a powerhouse at the Late Stage of Celestial Immortal from Flame Dragon Mountain.

The three exchanged smiles, then turned their gaze to the scene below.

From their vantage point, they had a clear view of everything before the Yang Family’s pavilion.

Two guards stood on either side of the main gate.

Yang Yuan stood at the front entrance, a stretch of emptiness several meters ahead of him—though encircled on all sides, no one dared approach that space.

Yang Zhenyuan stood off to one side behind Yang Yuan.

After about a dozen breaths,

seeing that nearly all the cultivators had gathered, Yang Yuan grew solemn, cupped his fists and bowed all around.

"Yang Yuan greets all fellow cultivators who have come from far and wide."

"As for my identity, I believe most of you already know."

"Still, perhaps a few don’t recognize me yet."

"My name is Yang Yuan, eldest son of the Yang Family, core disciple of Black Fire Immortal Mountain, fortunate enough to have recently made the Immortal Pride List."

At these words, a ripple swept through the crowd.

Indeed, some did not recognize Yang Yuan until now.

After hearing who he was, the crowd could not help but click their tongues.

Such status was extraordinary.

Usually, glimpsing him even once would be difficult.

"Concerning the recent rumors of the Yang Family’s coercion and fraud—yes, such matters did occur; but it wasn’t our family’s intention, rather the work of troublemakers beneath us."

"In response, my family has already meted out severe punishment. There will be no leniency!"

Yang Yuan’s tone was stern, his voice sharp, echoing down the long street so that everyone heard him loud and clear.

At that, some curled their lips, while others listened quietly or looked on curiously.

Pausing briefly, Yang Yuan continued, "However, at tomorrow’s trading event, I, Yang Yuan, as a core disciple of Black Fire Immortal Mountain, guarantee there will be no injustice or underhanded conduct."

"If there is, I, Yang Yuan, will willingly expel myself from Black Fire Immortal Mountain!"

A commotion instantly broke out.

Such openness, in front of all these people, was as good as wagering his future as proof.

If any incident did occur and he expelled himself from Black Fire Immortal Mountain, he’d become a laughingstock throughout North Province.

If he broke his word?

That would be even more disgraceful—a public joke!

For a moment, the crowd was in turmoil—someone even called out in support.

"Mr. Yang’s got guts! Just for this, I’ll definitely go check out the Yang Family’s trading area tomorrow."

"Hahaha! I said so from the start—it must’ve been the work of petty crooks. With power like the Yang Family, why would they dig their own grave over something so petty?"

...

Up on the pavilion, the Flame Dragon Mountain powerhouse’s expression grew a little grim.

"Yang Yuan’s got some skill."

"Those few cheering him on must be Yang Family’s plants."

"After this, at least the public sentiment will change quite a bit."

"He probably isn’t done yet." Xu Yang squinted, murmuring softly.

Just as he spoke, Yang Yuan’s voice rang out again.

"What’s more, at this trade fair, I’ve brought five single-use talismans personally forged by our Yang Family Ancestor—each comparable to an attack, defense, or speed blow from a Golden Immortal! All will be up for grabs in the gambling segment!"

Finishing, Yang Yuan wore a confident smile.

Five Golden Immortal Talismans.

All up for grabs in the gambling session—who could possibly resist?

With those words, the long street suddenly fell silent for more than ten breaths.

Then, a tidal wave of clamor erupted, every cultivator’s eyes shining bright as lanterns.

Cheers of excitement flooded the street like a surging tide.