Chapter Twenty-One: Opening the Pavilion of Hidden Treasures

"Are you Hong Yang?" Lin Feng could never have imagined that this delicate young gentleman was the most mysterious figure at the Grand Alchemy Gathering.

"Yes, brother, you've asked three times already," Hong Yang said, clutching his head in despair. "What's so special about this name anyway?"

"Why didn't you come to collect your prize that day?" Lin Feng asked, puzzled.

"I was busy, couldn't get away," Hong Yang replied casually. "Besides, the Three Treasures Agarwood Powder isn't much use to me. If you want it, I'll give it to you."

With that, Hong Yang picked up two hundred-pound boulders, one in each hand, tossing them into the air and playing with them as if they weighed nothing.

Lin Feng was left speechless in shock. What was Hong Yang's background, to disdain even the Three Treasures Agarwood Powder?

"Hey, your pet is quite interesting," Hong Yang said, eyeing Lin Feng's companion. "How about we make a deal? I'll trade you a Thunder Talisman and the Three Treasures Agarwood Powder for it. What do you say?"

Beneath an old willow tree, the black horse was sprawled on its back, white belly exposed, legs in the air and snoring blissfully.

"No deal!" Lin Feng refused outright. The Thunder Talisman and Agarwood Powder were valuable, but not nearly as much as a young Sky Wolf. Besides, after caring for it these past days, he'd grown attached.

"You don't want such a good deal?" Hong Yang sighed. "Forget it, then. If you change your mind, come find me. I really like that little fellow."

Hong Yang walked over to the black horse, teased it a little, then waved to Lin Feng. "Alright, that's enough chatting. Tomorrow is the Grand Opening of the Pavilion. See you then. I hope the Pavilion of Hidden Treasures won't disappoint me."

Lin Feng stood there dumbfounded until Hong Yang disappeared from view. "Let's go, Black Horse! Sleep any more and I'll sell you!"

Leaving the martial house, Lin Feng glanced at the room next door, thought a moment, then stepped into the Treasure Exchange room...

By the time he left Mr. Fei's place, dusk had settled. The last rays of sunset warmed his face, soothing and tranquil.

That night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Familiar yet distant memories floated before his eyes: on the day Old Master Huo pulled him from the heap of beggars, he had gripped Lin Feng's hand tightly before leaving. "Xiao Feng, you must go... Pavilion of Hidden Treasures... exchange for a... Feng Shui... Gathering Elixir... to restore your dantian!"

"Grandpa Huo, please help me fulfill my wish from heaven..."

Lost in thought, it wasn’t until the latter half of the night that Lin Feng finally drifted off. He wondered how many disciples tonight would be too excited to sleep.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Rapid knocking jolted Lin Feng awake. The black horse ran from its nest, baring its teeth and growling.

"Lin! Hurry, go get a spot!" Du Song's voice was urgent and excited.

"A spot for what?" Lin Feng opened the door, bleary-eyed and frowning.

Du Song grabbed him and dragged him along. "I heard there are a lot of people qualified this time, so they're splitting us into two batches for the review. If you're late, you'll be in the second batch!"

Lin Feng was startled. "What? That won't do!"

After a few steps, Lin Feng doubled back, grabbed his pack, shut the horse inside, and then sprinted toward the mountaintop.

Many had already caught wind of this inside information. When they reached the mountaintop plaza, it was packed shoulder to shoulder, most just curious onlookers. Few were truly qualified to compete for the Pavilion of Hidden Treasures.

The disciples stood on the plaza in all manner of attire, most looking bright and spirited. For this triennial event, everyone was brimming with enthusiasm.

"Brother Lin! Brother Du!" Du Song tugged Lin Feng through the crowd. As they looked around, Helian Ruxue's clear voice rang out from ahead.

Lin Feng and Du Song answered, fighting through the swelling crowd to meet Helian Ruxue. Groups clustered everywhere, talking excitedly about the Pavilion, faces alight with anticipation.

"You’re so late! Any later and there wouldn't be a place to stand!" Helian Ruxue glanced around, shaking her head with a gentle smile.

Du Song blurted, "If I hadn’t knocked, he’d still be sleeping!"

Lin Feng shot him an annoyed look, cheeks flushed, but the dim light hid it.

Suddenly, the already crowded throng stirred restlessly, shoving and separating into two sides.

"Make way! Make way! Don’t you see the young master coming?" Four youths in white barged through, forging a path.

The Corpse Prince, Nangong Ke, fanned himself with an iron fan, leading Jiang Baifeng, his face smug and full of pride as he strode up from below.

"Well well, isn't that Sister Helian and Brother Lin? Such refined company, oh, and you—what’s your name again, Du something," Nangong Ke stopped theatrically before them, mocking loudly, "I hear the three of you are inseparable lately. Strange! Since ancient times, two women have served one husband, but never two men one wife. Have you ever heard of such?"

The crowd, silent for a moment, erupted in laughter. Many pointed and doubled over with mirth.

"Nangong Ke, what are you saying!" Du Song flushed red, fists raised, but Lin Feng held him back.

Helian Ruxue’s beautiful eyes blazed with fury, glaring at Nangong Ke’s repulsive face in silence.

"Ah! Boring. Everyone should compose themselves and await the elders. These useless ones don’t even have the courage to defend themselves. If our Blossom Sect is full of such, the leader would die of anger," Nangong Ke rambled on, strutting to the prime spot where sycophants had already cleared space for him.

"Why did you stop me?" Du Song raged at Lin Feng.

"Arguing with the dead, don’t you find it tedious?" Lin Feng’s face was calm, coldly watching the group of degenerates.

"Dead? They’re alive and well, how are they dead?" Du Song protested.

Lin Feng snorted, turning away, eyes filled with disdain and coldness.

Helian Ruxue steadied herself, chest still heaving, but her voice was calm. "Ignore them. It only brings ridicule."

The three fell silent, gazes cast into the distance.

"Sunrise!" someone shouted, and Tianmen Peak fell quiet.

Lin Feng looked east, where the first ray of sunlight pierced the darkness, painting the clouds red, shyly rising. Under countless gazes, the newborn sun slowly ascended, its radiant light dispelling the endless night.

"So beautiful," he murmured, the gloom in his heart swept away, emotions surging.

Ten years ago, as a prodigy struggling in cultivation, he never imagined he could fall so low in a single day, unable to rise again...

A month ago, when the Manjusha completed its first refinement, he wept with joy...

Now, standing atop Tianmen Peak watching the sunrise, the Pavilion of Hidden Treasures beckoned, his dreams on the brink of fulfillment. How could he not be overwhelmed?

Life, oh life, always brings disappointment, and then unexpected joy...

"Brother Lin! Brother Lin!" Calls roused him from his reverie. Helian Ruxue watched him with puzzled eyes, Du Song sulked with arms crossed, but the crowd had already moved toward the plaza's center.

"Is it starting?" Lin Feng asked quietly.

Helian Ruxue nodded. "Let’s go. The Sect Leader and the hall masters have arrived."

In the plaza's center, Zhuoran stood radiant and dignified. He wore the gilded robes signifying his status as outer sect leader, crowned with a purple-gold enamel coronet. His presence drew every eye.

Beside him stood four law hall masters, including the gray-robed elder who once punished Lin Feng.

"It's him!" A flash of icy light flickered in Lin Feng's eyes.

Zhuoran smiled, stepping forward and announcing, "Fellow disciples, today marks the grand opening of the Pavilion of Hidden Treasures, the most significant event for our sect in three years. I trust your years of diligent cultivation will be rewarded, and our teachings flourish to set the world right!"

He paused, then continued, "This year, more are qualified than ever before. After consultations with our elders, we have set these rules."

He waited as tension rippled through the crowd, everyone listening intently. Satisfied, his voice rose, "Those with over two thousand contribution points enter first. Those with one to two thousand enter second. If numbers exceed capacity, admission will be sorted by points."

Zhuoran smiled mysteriously at the disciples. Their expressions were indeed priceless.

Had they known, who would have queued in the night?

"Now, the four hall masters will review your qualifications. Those approved, please stand here."

Zhuoran stepped aside, smiling. How many would qualify to enter the Pavilion this year? The anticipation was immense.

Few truly had the strength to compete; most were just there to watch. Last time, only fourteen entered. Would this year surpass that?

The first to present his green jade token was Luo Shangqing. With someone leading, several excited disciples stepped forward and passed inspection.

The Corpse Prince Nangong Ke and his group naturally passed as well, gathering beside Zhuoran, heads held high, arrogance unabashed.

After half an hour, thirty-four disciples had passed. Zhuoran and the hall masters were jubilant; this was their key performance indicator.

Lin Feng looked to the center. With most qualified already through, the hall masters’ table was empty. He smiled, "Sister, Song, it’s our turn."

The three exchanged glances, barely able to hide their excitement.

A hall master took Helian Ruxue’s jade token and announced loudly, "Approved!"

Du Song followed, grinning, handing over his token. The hall master frowned but, upon glancing at the token, his eyes widened in shock. After a moment, he composed himself and declared, "Approved!"

Du Song, delighted, swaggered to Zhuoran’s side, raising his brows at Nangong Ke.

"Hmph!" The Corpse Prince sneered and turned away.

Lin Feng strolled slowly to the gray-robed hall master, hands behind his back, not revealing his token.

"You? Hmph! You have no qualification, stop making trouble, move aside!" The elder recognized him. Had it not been for Zhuoran’s presence, he would have driven Lin Feng away.

"No qualification? Open your eyes and look at this!" Lin Feng sneered, flicking a green jade token from his sleeve and holding it before the elder.

The hall master glanced at it and was stunned, his expression shifting wildly, mouth agape, eyes wide.

The vast plaza fell silent. The other hall masters and Zhuoran all turned to see what numbers Lin Feng’s token displayed, but the angle was poor—they saw nothing.