The third secret was that Ao Kangsheng’s true target was never He Yifan. The reason He Yifan was killed was to avenge the Barbarians.
His real opponent was Shui Duanyun. Before eting Shui Duanyun, Ao Cangsheng did not want to reveal his true strength too early.
Faced with Ao Cangsheng’s brutal slaughter of He Yifan, Lingxiao Academy naturally sank into a heavy mood, while most of the spectators were shocked, and a few even felt a kind of horrified awe.
Amid all the uproar, there was only one person who felt neither shock nor regret.
In that mont, his eyes held only fear—thick, unadulterated fear.
This person was the old man Ge Yi, seated beside Baichuan Qiongding.
After staring coldly for a long ti, the old Ge Yi suddenly turned, said a few words to Baichuan Qiongding, then rose and walked toward a building on the western side of Jinlin Platform.
Not long after the old Ge Yi left, Baili Chuanqiong directly summoned Ao Cangsheng.
In front of Baili Chuanqiong, Ao Cangsheng lowered himself slightly and said, "Your Highness has summoned this commoner—what might you require?"
High above, Baili River smiled with open approval. "You are indeed that proud Cangsheng. After this battle, you truly opened my eyes."
"I did not expect Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts School to be hiding a tiger like you."
Hearing this, Ao Cangsheng pretended to be flustered by the favor and said, "This lowly one is but a Martial Arts practitioner, my strength is ager and ordinary. Your Highness flatters ."
Baichuan Qiongding listened to Ao Cangsheng’s modest words as if he hadn’t heard them at all. Changing tack, he said, "There is sothing I wish to ask you. What do you think?"
"I do not know what Your Highness wishes to ask."
"With your strength, you could join a certain power. I know of a transcendent force. I intend to recomnd you there. What do you think?"
"I do not know what power Your Highness refers to?"
Ao Kangsheng turned slightly as he asked.
Because Ao Cangsheng had lowered his head, the Crown Prince of Sichuan could not see his expression.
"This power is called Luoyun Valley. Have you heard of it?"
Baili Chuanqiong said slowly.
Hearing this, Ao Cangsheng’s eyes narrowed at once. He shook his head and said, "I’ve never heard of it."
Baichuan Qiongding smiled faintly. "It doesn’t matter if you haven’t. Go to the western pavilion now. Soone is waiting for you."
Ao Cangsheng nodded, saluted again, then turned and walked toward the west side of Jinlin Platform.
Seeing the Crown Prince summon Ao Cangsheng, many people’s expressions changed.
Especially those from Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts School looked even worse.
Because they knew that although Ao Kangsheng possessed rare talent and extraordinary power, he was an enemy of the Royal Family.
At this mont, with the Crown Prince summoning Ao Cangsheng—if he didn’t intend to buy him over, his intentions were likely anything but good.
Under Baichuan Qiongding’s guidance, Ao Cangsheng arrived at a small pavilion.
As he stepped into the pavilion, just as Ao Cangsheng had expected, an elderly Ge Yi appeared before his eyes.
Though the pavilion stood on Jinlin Platform, the furnishings inside the loft were extrely simple.
There was a bookshelf, three potted plants, a table and two chairs; on the table sat a teapot and several teacups.
At this mont, there was a tea lamp in front of Elder Ge Yi. The tea in the lamp was erald green, steam curling up from it, exuding a faint tea fragrance.
"For you."
Seeing Ao Kangsheng, Ge Yi smiled kindly.
"You were looking for ?"
Ao Cangsheng halted and asked, stopping three zhang away from the old Ge Yi.
Ge Yi nodded and said, "Sit."
With that, he waved his hand, motioning Ao Cangsheng to sit opposite him.
He took another sip of tea, then poured a cup for Ao Kangsheng.
Ao Cangsheng did not refuse and sat down across from Ge Yi.
"What can I do for you, Elder?"
Once seated, Ao Kangsheng asked calmly.
"Little brother, you perford very well at this banquet."
Ge Yi pushed the teacup toward him and spoke in praise.
Ao Cangsheng smiled slightly. "Senior overpraises ; I do not deserve it."
Hearing this, the old Ge Yi laughed even more brightly. "Others may not know, but I do. You call that ’undeserved’?"
Ao Cangsheng still wore that gentle smile, but said nothing.
"Have you heard of Luoyun Valley?"
The old Ge Yi took up his tea, took a small sip, and lifted his eyelids.
"I only just heard His Highness ntion Cloud Valley."
Out of caution, Ao Cangsheng did not drink the tea in his hand, nor did he deliberately fuss over it.
Though the old Ge Yi had yet to speak clearly, Ao Cangsheng had already guessed his intent.
"Luoyun Valley is a power that stands above and outside the Tang Dynasty. All seven kingdoms of the Tang are under Luoyun Valley’s jurisdiction."
"Each year, Luoyun Valley selects Martial Arts talents from the seven kingdoms’ clans—that is the origin of the Tianlong Ranking."
Because of Luoyun Valley’s transcendent status, many cultivators flock to it.
"There are naturally countless benefits there, far greater than what you gained at this Tian Long Ranking banquet."
Seeing Ao Cangsheng remain silent, the old Ge Yi kept talking, his tone full of enticent.
"And if I don’t wish to?"
After a long silence, Ao Cangsheng finally spoke slowly.
"Mm, little brother is a clever man. I trust you won’t do anything foolish."
The old Ge Yi smiled, but there was a hint of chill in that smile.
Ao Cangsheng nodded. "Just as you say, clever n truly shouldn’t do foolish things. But that doesn’t an clever n never do them."
"What do you an by that?"
The old Ge Yi’s face sank, displeasure showing.
"I an that I do not wish to do so."
"Faced with such benefits in front of you, you feel nothing?"
Ge Yi’s expression grew strange.
Ao Cangsheng smiled gently. "How could anyone not be moved? It’s just that so things simply cannot be done if you don’t want to betray your own heart."
"You should know everyone has their own principles. In the face of principle, even when advancing forward, few will break it."
"I am one of those few."
"You truly insist on this?"
The old man Ge Yi’s face changed again. By now it was dark and icy.
"This is my principle. I hope you can understand."
Ao Kangsheng sighed, his words carrying a trace of helplessness.
"You understand this will anger Luoyun Valley. If Luoyun Valley is displeased, I’m afraid you will be even more displeased."
Ge Yi’s gaze was cold, his voice full of threat.
Yet Ao Cangsheng no longer answered Ge Yi’s questions. He rely smiled and said, "Is there anything else you need of , Elder?"
Hearing this, the old Ge Yi naturally understood that Ao Cangsheng was determined to set himself against Luoyun Valley.
He snorted coldly, turned his face aside and said, "Very well, you may go. I hope you will not regret your choice."
As his words fell, Ao Sheng imdiately stood up, bowed, and walked out of the loft.
Watching Ao Cangsheng’s departing back, Ge Yi’s expression suddenly twisted ferociously as he clenched the teacup on the table.
"What wish..."
There was a crisp crack; the delicate teacup was instantly crushed into powder in the old man’s hand.
After leaving the loft, when Ao Kangsheng reappeared in the preparation area, his gaze paused briefly on Baichuan Qiongding.
From his conversation with Elder Ge Yi, Ao Cangsheng had co to understand one thing—that Baichuan Qiongding had already betrayed him, that is, betrayed Master Yi.
From Baichuan Qiongding’s fawning toward the old Ge Yi, this much could clearly be seen.
Of course, the most crucial point was that Elder Ge Yi himself was from Luoyun Valley.
The entire Tang Dynasty was rely one of the many vassals under Luoyun Valley.
Therefore, if Baichuan Qiongding had to choose between Luoyun Valley and Master Yi, he would, without the slightest hesitation, choose the forr.
As for Ao Kangsheng going to the small loft, aside from a handful of experienced figures who could vaguely guess a bit, many people were actually baffled.
Even those old Elders only guessed half right in the end—that Luoyun Valley intended to recruit Ao Kangsheng.
What they did not guess was the other side of it: that it was Ao Cangsheng who refused to join Luoyun Valley.
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