Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Despite the same position, among the ten inspectors in the Profound Nether Mansion, there were naturally levels of seniority among them. Since Qi Tian Ming was older than Bihai Mingfeng, he addressed Qi Tian Ming as senior uncle in the Profound Nether Mansion just like how he addressed elders in the Coupling Celestial Sect. Moreover, Qi Tian Ming was one of the top three strongest inspectors in the Profound Nether Mansion. With this, he did not feel unwilling to address Qi Tian Ming as senior uncle.
Qi Tian Ming nodded at Bihai Mingfeng before he turned to say to Duan Ling Tian, “This is the third Sect Leader of the Coupling Celestial Sect. He’s also one of the ten inspectors in the Profound Nether Mansion. He’s not even 1,000 years old but has reached the peak of a Celestial King. He’s the most likely candidate in the Profound Nether Mansion to become a Celestial Lord next. Previously, he had led his people from the Coupling Celestial Sect to the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm when the entrance opened. You must have seen him at that time, right?”
“Yes, Old Qi. I met Inspector Bihai at the entrance of the lower realm of Southern Heaven Ancient Realm.” Duan Ling Tian nodded before he looked at Bihai Mingfeng and greeted Bihai Mingfeng with a smile and slight nod.
“No wonder I thought you looked familiar. You’re Duan Ling Tian who ranked second in the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm!” Bihai Mingfeng was slightly taken aback. He finally discovered why he had found the person next to Qi Tian Ming so familiar.
“Yes, it’s me.” Duan Ling Tian nodded.
“Since the two of you are old acquaintances, I won’t bother to make any introductions. Inspector Bihai, I need to bring Duan Ling Tian to settle some matters so I’ll excuse myself. Come over and have a drink with me when you’re free.” Qi Tian Ming bade farewell to Bihai Mingfeng and left with Duan Ling Tian.
Although Bihai Mingfeng was a junior and weaker than Qi Tian Ming, Bihai Mingfeng was incredibly young compared to him. In terms of innate talent and comprehension skills, there was no doubt that Bihai Mingfeng surpassed him. Like he had said earlier, Bihai Mingfeng was very likely to become the next Celestial Lord in the Profound Nether Mansion. For all these reasons, he did not put on the air of a senior in front of Bihai Mingfeng and treated Bihai Mingfeng like his peers.
“Alright,” Bihai Mingfeng replied. His eyebrows were knitted together as he watched the duo leave. He wondered inwardly, ‘Why did Inspector Qi bring Duan Ling Tian to the Profound Nether Mansion? Is he planning to accept Duan Ling Tian as a direct disciple because of Duan Ling Tian’s innate talent and comprehension skills? However, that’s against the rules, right?’
The Profound Nether Mansion did not restrict their inspectors from accepting direct disciples. However, the inspectors were forbidden from bringing their direct disciples to the Profound Nether Mansion if their direct disciples were not from the Profound Nether Mansion to begin with. If they wanted to bring their disciples into the Profound Nether Mansion, their disciples would have to pass a test. Since the Profound Nether Mansion would recruit new disciples from the Three Sects and Two Clans from time to time, the inspectors’ disciples could join the new candidates to take the test.
‘It’s still quite a while before the test for the candidates from the Three Sects and Two Clans would be held… I wonder why Inspector Qi brought Duan Ling Tian back to the mansion?’ Bihai Mingfeng could not figure out the reason even after half a day had gone by. He eventually stopped dwelling on the matter and continued on with his business.
Little did Bihai Mingfeng know, Qi Tian Ming was bringing Duan Ling Tian to a secluded and almost forgotten place in the Profound Nether Mansion’s estate; it was the Imperial Tutor Pavilion.
Very few from the younger generation in the Profound Nether Mansion knew about the Imperial Tutor Pavilion since the elders in the Profound Nether Mansion rarely mentioned it. After all, even the most outstanding among the younger generation was not qualified to enter the Imperial Tutor Pavilion or become the Imperial Tutor. Moreover, not every elder in the Profound Nether Mansion knew about the matter as well.
The Profound Nether Mansion’s estate was made up of three floating islands. The outer islands of the three huge islands were where many small islands were located. The small islands hovered around the huge islands like the stars that surrounded the moon. The three huge islands were lined up together, and the inner parts of the islands were considered the main estate of the Profound Nether Mansion.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Qi Tian Ming brought Duan Ling Tian with him as he flew into one of three main islands in the estate.
Due to the clouds and distance earlier, Duan Ling Tian did not have a good look at the three main islands. He could have investigated with his Divine Consciousness. However, considering he was at the Profound Nether Mansion’s estate, he did not think it was a good idea. It was likely that as soon as he extended his Divine Consciousness, the patrolling elders and disciples would surround him immediately.
When Duan Ling Tian was approaching the huge island, he saw many magnificent pavilions. A few of these pavilions looked like colossal beasts crouching on the islands. They looked incredibly intimidating, and the longer he looked at them, a sense of danger that grew increasingly intense rose in his heart as well.
“Old Qi, the pavilions undoubtedly looked intimidating at first glance. However, why is it that I feel a sense of danger the longer I look at it? Am I imagining the feeling?”
Qi Tian Ming shook his head and said, “These pavilions have many ancient Formations, and most of these Formations are Killing Formations. If the Killing Formations in these pavilions are triggered, those who are weaker than Celestial Lords would definitely die. This means, even I will die if I were to trigger the Killing Formations…”
“The Formations are so powerful?” Duan Ling Tian was slightly taken aback. He asked again, “Who’s in charge of all these powerful and ancient Killing Formations?”
“The pavilion masters of these pavilions are in charge of the Formations in their respective pavilions. There are only ten pavilions in the Profound Nether Mansion’s estate that have these powerful Killing Formations. There are four pavilions on this island, and the other two islands have three of such pavilions each. The fourth pavilion on this island that contains the ancient and powerful Formations is the Imperial Tutor Pavilion. These ten pavilions are collectively known as the Ten Holy Pavilions of the Profound Nether Mansion. However, most people in the Profound Nether Mansions think there are only nine of such pavilions in Profound Nether Mansion despite the name because the Imperial Tutor Pavilion is hidden by a Fog Formation. Those who are weaker than Celestial Lords won’t be able to find the Imperial Tutor Pavilion unless they’ve already known about the location. It’s only these three pavilions that fill you with a sense of danger, right?” Qi Tian Ming asked at the end of his sentence.
Duan Ling Tian focused his senses and discovered, indeed, it was only those three pavilions that filled him with a sense of danger. “Yes, you’re right.”
“Come on, let’s go. I’ll take you to the Imperial Tutor Pavilion.” Qi Tian Ming brought Duan Ling Tian to the inner part of the island.
“Old Qi, based on what I know, the mansion master has the highest position and authority in the Profound Nether Mansion. The vice mansion masters are ranked above inspectors like you, right? Then, what about the Pavilions Masters of the Nine Holy Pavilions? Are they weaker than the inspectors even though they have control over the pavilions’ Killing Formations, right?” Duan Ling Tian asked.
“You’re wrong. Indeed, the mansion master has the highest rank and authority in the Profound Nether Mansion. However, the vice mansion masters’ positions are no different from an empty title. Their strength is roughly on par with the inspectors of the Profound Nether Mansion. However, since they are descendants of the founding fathers of the Profound Nether Mansion, they’re given the titles of vice mansion masters,” Qi Tian Ming shook his head and said, “The Pavilion Masters of the Nine Holy Pavilions in the Profound Nether Mansion are mostly our mansion master’s elders. The weakest among them is a One Basic Celestial Lord. Do you think it’s possible for them to be weaker than the inspectors?”
Duan Ling Tian was inwardly shocked. The weakest among the pavilion masters was a One Basic Celestial Lord?
“Although the pavilion masters are the mansion master’s elders, in terms of strength and capabilities, only a few of them are comparable to the mansion master, and only one of them is stronger than the mansion master.” After he finished saying these words, he looked at Duan Ling Tian meaningfully as he said, “Try and guess who’s the strongest pavilion master?”
“Is it the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion?” Duan Ling Tian speculated.
“You’re right. It’s the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion!” Qi Tian Ming nodded. “Rumor has it that the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion is the oldest in the Profound Nether Mansion. Nobody has seen him fight, but the mansion master treats him with the utmost respect. Someone once asked the mansion master if the mansion master could defeat the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion… The mansion master had replied that he wouldn’t even dare to make a move against the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion. Moreover, he even said if the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion wanted him dead, he would willingly surrender his life!” A hint of reverence could be seen in his eyes as he spoke. After a pause, he said, “For this reason, although the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion is rarely seen, those who know of him revere him.”
“Old Qi, does this mean you haven’t met the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion before?” Duan Ling Tian was surprised.
“That’s right,” Qi Tian Ming smiled wryly, “It’s not only me, but even the other nine inspectors and the two vice mansion masters haven’t met the Pavilion Master of the Imperial Tutor Pavilion before. I’m afraid only the Mansion Master of the Profound Nether Mansion and the other pavilion masters have met him.”