Chapter 747: The Opening of the Hall of Heavenly Secrets

Lian Baiping's words confirmed the location of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion to Ji Yuan. Frankly, although this mountain range was rarely visited, it was far from what Ji Yuan had imagined for the Heavenly Secret Grotto-Heaven. It lacked the majestic grandeur of Jiufeng Mountain and the exquisite beauty of Yuhuai Mountain. In a mountain-filled region like the Southern Wilderness Continent, it seemed rather unremarkable.

"Mr. Ji, this is one of the entrances to the Heavenly Secret Grotto-Heaven, which shifts according to the hexagrams. While our Heavenly Secret Pavilion doesn't claim to be supreme in cultivation, we are among the best in the current cultivation world when it comes to controlling grotto-heavens. Our treasured item, the Heavenly Secret Wheel, can reorient the cosmos within a grotto-heaven and reposition its entrance within a considerable area of the grotto-heaven world, though it can be a bit troublesome at times."

Ji Yuan was quite surprised. While a grotto-heaven entrance wasn't entirely unchangeable, it was an extremely crucial point and the core of the grotto-heaven's grand formation. It was impressive that the Heavenly Secret Pavilion could change it so frequently.

"Since it's so much trouble, why go to all this effort? Previously, your Heavenly Secret Pavilion publicly stated that there were only three entrances, controlled by the Heavenly Secret Wheel. I didn't expect you to also be deceptive. It truly shows how influential Mr. Ji is."

Jiang Xueling remarked this from the side, and Lian Baiping merely stroked his beard and smiled.

"As it's said, heavenly secrets must not be revealed. If they are, it should be to a celestial being!"

As the Elder with the Long Beard from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, Lian Baiping's flattery was quite exceptional. Ji Yuan merely grinned, not being particularly fond of such compliments. After a moment of calculation, Lian Baiping spoke again.

"Alright, everyone, preparations within the grotto-heaven are complete. Let's enter."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the mist over the mountain began to spread outward. Although the mist appeared thin, the area it enveloped grew increasingly vast, becoming denser from its center. Soon, a considerable region outside the mountain was also completely covered in white mist, enclosing the Sky Swallowing Beast within it.

At this moment, light emanated from a certain point within the mountain. This light formed a circular, subtly rotating giant Bagua, which continued to expand until it was wide enough for the Sky Swallowing Beast to pass through.

Without needing a reminder from Lian Baiping, Jiang Xueling had already gestured for the Sky Swallowing Beast to swim forward.

This time, unlike his previous trip to Jiufeng Mountain, Ji Yuan didn't experience the strong sensation of passing through a mountain-protecting grand formation. It was as if he had simply ridden the Sky Swallowing Beast through a gateway and arrived directly at the other side, which was also shrouded in mist, feeling almost indistinguishable from the outside.

The Bagua gate vanished directly behind them, and the mist rapidly dissipated at the same time. The environment before them was vastly different from the mountain range they had just left. What appeared was a vast, boundless expanse of water, and immediately thereafter, a flying boat came into view.

The flying boat was entirely flat, without oars or sails, and appeared to be constructed from green bamboo. Dozens of people stood upon it; most seemed quite aged, with the youngest appearing to be in their fifties or sixties. All sported long beards, some entirely white, others gray.

Lian Baiping had already flown from the Sky Swallowing Beast to the flat boat, landing beside the elder with the long beard at the very front. He whispered some things into the elder's ear. Upon hearing them, the elder's face showed both surprise and delight, and he then solemnly turned to face Ji Yuan.

"Xuanjizi of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, leading the stewards of the Seven Paths and Thirteen Islands of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, pays respects to Mr. Ji!"

"Greetings, Mr. Ji!"

The elder with the long beard possessed an exceptionally loud, almost deafening voice. As he spoke, he led everyone in bowing deeply to Ji Yuan.

The "paying respects to Mr. Ji" was not merely a verbal greeting. All the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators on the flat boat performed a grand prostration, bowing so low their hands reached their knees, which startled Ji Yuan, Ju Yuanzi, Jiang Xueling, and some disciples of the Weimei Sect.

Lian Baiping did the same; even though he had grown quite familiar with Ji Yuan during their journey, he still performed the grand ceremony alongside his fellow cultivators.

Feeling a bit awkward, Ji Yuan quickly returned a solemn bow.

"Ji Yuan greets all fellow Daoists of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. It is my honor to visit. Please, there's no need for such elaborate formalities."

Xuanjizi led the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators to rise, then took a step forward on the flying boat.

"Mr. Ji, fellow Daoists, please come aboard the boat. The Sky Swallowing Beast is severely injured and utterly exhausted this time, so let it rest in the water. We have already set up a spirit-gathering formation in the nearby waters to aid in its recovery. With no demonic disturbances in the grotto-heaven, it can safely comprehend its insights. As for the subsequent Daoists from the Weimei Sect who arrive in the Southern Wilderness Continent, we will also receive them, so they won't need to venture into the great mountains of the Southern Wilderness."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion had arranged everything meticulously, and naturally, no one had any objections. After leaving more than half of the Weimei Sect disciples to attend to the Sky Swallowing Beast, Ji Yuan and the others boarded the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators' flat boat. The scarred Sky Swallowing Beast, Little San, then slowly descended, sinking into the water amidst the rising emerald waves.

Soon, the flat boat flew towards the distant horizon where the water met the sky. The state of the Heavenly Secret Grotto-Heaven was still somewhat beyond Ji Yuan's expectations. No land was visible in any direction across the vast water. The flat boat was incredibly fast, flying for quite some time before a cluster of buildings appeared, still standing isolated on the calm, waveless surface of the water.

Although these buildings featured carved railings and intricate masonry, they resembled waterside architecture seemingly built a foot above the water's surface. While normal along a small river, in such an boundless expanse of water, these structures appeared somewhat incongruous. One could only conclude that this body of water was indeed unlikely to experience large waves.

Of course, although only this waterside pavilion-like structure was visible, it had been mentioned earlier that there were also thirteen islands. It was presumed there would be islands further in the distance, but it remained unclear if the Heavenly Secret Grotto-Heaven contained any land.

The cluster of waterside buildings was magnificent and certainly grand in scale, but the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators did not intend to give everyone a leisurely tour. They merely arranged places for cultivation and lodging for Ji Yuan, Ju Yuanzi, Jiang Xueling, and others. Then, a group of Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators led Ji Yuan to the Heavenly Secret Hall, leaving Ju Yuanzi and the Weimei Sect cultivators alone on a pavilion rooftop to drink tea and enjoy fruit.

Ju Yuanzi and Jiang Xueling sat opposite each other at a table, while the other Weimei Sect disciples occupied several separate tables. Both watched as the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators and Ji Yuan's group departed into the distance. Several long-bearded elders accompanied Ji Yuan, and behind them, two neat rows of Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators of considerable seniority followed.

"Fellow Daoist Ju, why do the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Daoists act as if they are juniors meeting an ancestor when they see Mr. Ji? I've heard that Mr. Ji has long resided at the foot of Niukui Mountain in Jizhou, Dazhen, and shares a deep friendship with your Yuhuai Mountain. Could you enlighten me, Xueling?"

Ju Yuanzi knew more about Ji Yuan, but at this moment, he was equally baffled.

"Although my Yuhuai Mountain has a very close relationship with Mr. Ji, our understanding of him is far from complete. Mr. Ji's magical powers are profound, and his origins are mysterious. Before we even knew of his existence, he was already living in Ning'an County, and perhaps had been residing in Niukui Mountain for an unknown period... It's possible that Mr. Ji truly has some connection with the Heavenly Secret Pavilion."

Jiang Xueling mused thoughtfully and said nothing further.

Meanwhile, accompanied by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators, Ji Yuan soon reached the so-called Heavenly Secret Hall. However, Ji Yuan and the others were no longer above the waterside pavilion; they had arrived at the foot of a solitary, high mountain with a flat top.

From Ji Yuan's perception, reaching this point involved passing through at least six or seven formations. The last one even shifted their location, transporting them away from the seemingly boundless waters to an unknown patch of land. Looking back now, the waterside pavilion was no longer visible.

The mountain was not high, but its steps numbered in the thousands. The Heavenly Secret Hall was a grand structure with white walls and black tiles. The area outside the main gate was entirely empty, with no guards. All the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators stopped outside the stone steps of the hall's platform. Xuanjizi faced the hall and announced loudly.

"Disciples of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, prostrate yourselves!"

As the resounding voice faded, all Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators bowed down towards the Heavenly Secret Hall as if on a pilgrimage. Regardless of their seniority, their movements were identical: first, a deep bow, then a full prostration to the ground.

"Second prostration, third prostration..."

Ji Yuan, standing to the side, felt a bit awkward. If he were to join the bowing, he hadn't been invited, and he wasn't accustomed to kneeling. If he didn't, everyone else was either bowing or prostrating, while he simply stood.

Fortunately, this awkward moment didn't last long. After Xuanjizi stood up, he gestured to Ji Yuan and said,

"Mr. Ji, please open the door."

Ji Yuan frowned, looking to his left, right, and all around. All the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators, including Lian Baiping, stood with hands clasped in a gesture of respect, looking at him with awe, none of them making a move.

"Me? Open the door?"

Ji Yuan pointed to himself, seeking confirmation, and Xuanjizi nodded slowly.

"Please, sir, go and open the door!"

"Please, sir, go and open the door!"

All the disciples of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion also echoed the request in unison. While their voices held no coercion, their extremely serious demeanor put some pressure on Ji Yuan. He couldn't help but look up at the main gate of the Heavenly Secret Hall, pondering various possibilities.

Throughout this, none of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators urged him; they merely stood respectfully to the side. Ji Yuan gradually relaxed his brows. Why should he trouble himself? Everything would become clear after the door was opened. Even if he, Ji Yuan, couldn't open the door, what harm would there be?

"Alright."

With a faint affirmative, Ji Yuan stepped forward and ascended the final grand hall steps. Unlike the bowing and reverent posture of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators, Ji Yuan walked up the stairs with his head held high and chest out, merely holding a sense of respect in his heart.

Upon reaching the vermillion great gate of the Heavenly Secret Hall, Ji Yuan still perceived nothing particularly special. Though two zhang tall, there was no divine light or profound magic visible. Yet, no sooner had he thought this than he noticed that a painting, or more precisely, a human figure, suddenly appeared on each of the two grand doors.

The figure on the left wore a golden helmet and golden armor, with flowing ribbons, standing solemnly as tall as the door. The figure on the right was also armored, holding a talisman in his left hand and a jade gui in his right, with a black-armored turtle beneath his feet.

As Ji Yuan frowned while observing the two portraits, the "figures" within the paintings, upon seeing him, subtly stepped back and bowed in salute.

'Door gods? This is the first time I've ever seen door gods in my life...'

As Ji Yuan thought this, he glanced back at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivators below the steps. He saw them all gazing at him with reverence—some with surprise, some with delight, and some even with slightly open mouths.

'What in the world? Is it that significant? Is there something unusual about this door that makes it difficult to approach? Or do these two door gods not readily permit entry?'

After a jumble of thoughts, Ji Yuan knew the Heavenly Secret Pavilion members wouldn't harm him, so he dismissed all worries. He first cupped his hands in greeting to the two door gods on the gate, then gently pushed the great doors with both hands.

"Creak, creak, creak..."

The door hinges creaked. As Ji Yuan's hands applied force, he merely pushed open a small gap, and then the two large doors slowly swung open on their own. Streams of black and white energy flowed out from within, continuously swirling around the area.

"It's open... it's opened..."

Lian Baiping stammered out the words, while Xuanjizi, despite being mentally prepared, was still speechless.