Three days had passed in the blink of an eye.

At the Nebula Venue in the heart of Black Island, hundreds of thousands of guests had gathered.

The Yunxing Venue was constructed with the Power of the Great Dao, layered with hundreds of tiers of seating. Such a grand structure consumed countless Celestial Crystals and would never be opened unless a rare treasure appeared. It was only for the sake of the Trial Grand Competition that Wanbao Pavilion made an unprecedented exception and opened its doors.

The Master of Wanbao Pavilion was about to be born!

Countless ancient experts emerged upon hearing the news. The VIP seats by the side were fully occupied, filled with overwhelming auras beyond count. Among the tiers of stars where dignitaries sat, the prominent figures from all sides were simply innumerable.

Inside the glazed jade platform at the core of the venue.

The five elders of Wanbao Pavilion sat as steady as mountains, their entire beings radiating unfathomable auras that caused the entire hall to look on with reverence.

Amidst the roaring waves of heated discussion.

Yi Feng walked forward with several others, his mood growing ever more excited.

Just as he stepped out from the left passageway, $2e saw the surrounding starry clouds stretching like a celestial ladder, densely packed with countless figures. A single glance revealed many with extraordinary bearing.

The more Yi Feng looked, the more anticipation grew in his heart. He thought to himself, finally, a grand occasion to witness.

In contrast, $2ei Songhe and Sa Donglai, who were leading the way, appeared somewhat nervous.

It wasn’t until they heard the familiar footsteps of their master that they steadied their hearts and gradually gained confidence, standing quietly by his side.

Countless gazes of various hues kept coming their way, some even terrifying in their divine perception. Though their cultivation seemed like blank sheets of paper, their posture remained upright, serving faithfully by their master’s side.

This unusual scene didn’t arouse much curiosity, only a few ancient experts showed strange expressions.

After a few moments of waiting, $2 broadcast echoed from the right corridor:

“The Young Lady has arrived!”

In an instant, $2ll eyes converged!

Lu Shuyao glided gracefully forward in a floor-length gown, surrounded by eight powerful guardians. Her extraordinary aura and stunning beauty captivated everyone, and the breathtaking spectacle ignited the entire venue!

“As expected of Miss Shuyao, truly the Goddess of the East Sea!”

“Those elders beside her have unfathomable cultivation levels!”

“This Trial Grand Competition’s outcome is already decided!”

“It’s an honor of my lifetime to witness the young lady ascend to the pavilion master’s seat!”

…

The venue suddenly erupted with cheers, the atmosphere completely transformed from before!

Lu Shuyao and her group were the center of attention, already carrying the posture of victors. Even the ancient experts at the sides, regardless of their status, voiced flattery.

The excited shouts only heightened the pressure on Lu Xinlan and the others.

Noticing Yi Feng standing calmly and quietly, they managed to steady their minds.

Taking a closer look, $2aster Yi’s expression remained as calm and still as water, his gaze lightly fixed on the opposing formation, without a single ripple in his eyes. Such composure truly befitted their master.

In truth…

Yi Feng was just standing there, utterly baffled.

He glanced several times but couldn’t figure out what made these newcomers so formidable, winning applause the moment they appeared.

No matter how he looked, they seemed just ordinary.

Sure, there were seven or eight of them—more than his group—but this wasn’t a fight among mortals. Victory couldn’t be decided by numbers alone…

Muttering quietly in his heart, $2i Feng had no choice but to turn his gaze to Pei Songhe.

“Do you know the cultivation background of these people?”

To know oneself and the enemy is to win every battle.

It never hurt to gather some information first!

Pei Songhe was momentarily stunned by the question.

Seeing Yi Feng’s serious expression, he understood the deeper meaning behind his master’s words.

With such cultivation, how could Master Yi not see through these people?

Asking such a question was surely a test for himself!

Pei Songhe hurriedly cupped his fists, his face full of loyalty as he stepped forward to report.

“Reporting, sir.”

“The guest strategists under Miss Lu are all exceptionally formidable figures. The first few have been famous for many years, each a powerhouse on Black Island, all possessing cultivation at six realms or higher!”

“The latter ones are even more terrifying, having reached the seventh realm!”

“As for the one by her side, named Zhang Tonghai, I must admit with some shame that I truly do not know the depth of his cultivation. But his status is extremely high, and all the other guest strategists show him great reverence. He should be the strongest presence here…”

After this earnest explanation, $2ei Songhe had analyzed the opponents in great detail — their cultivation, their techniques, even their personalities — almost as if revealing their innermost secrets.

He spoke for a full several breaths before exhausting all his intelligence.

Cupping his fists again, he forced a conciliatory smile.

“Please forgive me, sir, my knowledge is limited…”

Yi Feng nodded lightly, his eyes reflecting deep thought.

His always calm gaze only strengthened the confidence of those present. After days of interaction, the group had come to see Yi Feng’s cultivation and knowledge as nothing short of divine.

With him present at today’s grand assembly, defeat was simply impossible!

Even if the enemy was stronger and they weaker, their spirits remained unshakable.

While the others appraised Yi Feng, $2he experts beside Lu Shuyao quietly exchanged whispered words.

“Reporting, Miss,”

“Among those people, the strongest on the surface is Pei Songhe. The elder beside him has cultivation at the sixth realm, but only at the initial stage — hardly a threat!”

Their gaze fell on Yi Feng, and a flicker of doubt crossed their eyes.

“That young man is rather strange…”

“He shows no fluctuations, no visible Power of the Great Dao around him. It’s difficult for us to discern his cultivation. He must be concealing his aura with some treasure, or perhaps he cultivates a unique technique.”

“As expected, this person is Lu Xinlan’s trump card, likely possessing cultivation beyond the seventh realm!”

Hearing these cautious words, $2u Shuyao’s red lips curled slightly, her face wearing a natural, confident smile.

“A seventh realm powerhouse? Xinlan’s reliance is only so much? But to have invited such a figure, that alone is no small feat for her.”

Murmuring softly, Lu Shuyao turned her gaze to the elder beside her.

“Old Zhang, if anything happens later, you must personally intervene. Although the chance is slim, this matter is critical. I won’t allow any mistakes.”

“All of this depends on you, Old Zhang.”

Zhang Tonghai nodded calmly.

“With me here, who dares to challenge?”

His voice was low but carried overwhelming authority, immediately drawing respectful salutes from the gathered experts.

“Old Zhang speaks the truth!”

“Indeed, indeed.”

“Heh, in Brother Zhang’s presence, all others are but ants.”

Lu Shuyao’s smile blossomed fully, her eyes shining with delight.

“Good.”

Zhang Tonghai had been in seclusion for tens of thousands of years, but he was a genuine eighth realm master. Rumor had it that even facing ninth realm elites, he could emerge unscathed, making him one of Black Island’s top-tier existences, rarely glimpsed by ordinary people.

Her sect’s ancestral master had some connection with Zhang Tonghai and had promised a hefty reward to secure his assistance — he had agreed to intervene once!

This kind of network and resource utterly crushed the rest of Black Island!

When it came to trump cards, no one was stronger than her!

As for Lu Xinlan, $2he dared to contend with her relying only on a few six-realm novices and an unknown figure?

Preposterous.

Truly overestimating yourself!

From afar, Lu Shuyao cast a few glances, feeling a surge of superiority deep within her heart.

Noticing tens of thousands of eyes converging upon her.

She restrained her pride and feigned magnanimity as she spoke.

“Xinlan, little sister, though we are half-sisters by different mothers, we are still family bound by blood. In all matters, harmony should prevail; there’s no need to fight to the bitter end.”

“If you want to withdraw from the competition, now is still your chance.”

“Otherwise, if you lose later, by the rules, you will be expelled from Wanbao Pavilion, losing even the chance to manage any branch. Since you’ve fallen into the outside world, how could your sister bear to see that happen?”

Her soft voice echoed, drawing waves of admiration!

With a single sentence, she won over many hearts and gained favor among the island’s elite. At the same time, she slyly suppressed Lu Xinlan—her cunning and malice reaching an extreme.

Though she spoke of compassion, her true intention was to crush her opponent utterly!

Lu Xinlan’s eyes flashed with anger, teeth clenched, ready to retort.

But before she could speak—

Pei Songhe stepped forward first, wearing an expression of fierce loyalty and righteous indignation!

“Bah!”

“Lu Shuyao, stop pretending to be all kind and righteous! You’re already showing off before the match even begins—what a big mouth! Did you swallow some chive dumplings or what?”

“And what nonsense about sisters not fighting—do you even deserve to call yourself Xinlan’s blood relative? If that were true, why don’t you just admit defeat?”

“You’re shameless beyond words!”

“Phht!”

A mouthful of thick spit flew far across the hall, leaving the guests wide-eyed in shock.

The atmosphere instantly fell into silence.

Even Lu Shuyao’s cold composure couldn’t withstand such humiliation; her face darkened noticeably, the previously forced look of magnanimity now stuck awkwardly on her expression.

It was clear she was about to crack under the glaring eyes of everyone present!