<h4>Chapter 714: Chapter 719: The Grand Gathering of Heavenly Secrets (1)</h4>


    After Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun left, the one who found it hardest to let go was Song Ge. Ever since he joined the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, he spent every day with Zhou Jun, and the two of them had a great rtionship. Moreover, unlike Ling Chen, he was a man of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and had to abide by its rules. With Zhou Jun gone, he feared there would be few chances to see him again. So, witnessing his friend being treated unfairly was undoubtedly the most distressing for him.


    Ling Chen patted Song Ge’s shoulder andforted him, "Big Brother Song, don’t overthink it. What’s done is done; we can only look on the bright side."


    "I know, it’s just that... sigh, forget it. The more I talk about it, the angrier I get. Ling, it’s gettingte, and you should rest. I won’t disturb you any further." With that, Song Ge stepped out and left the room.


    ...


    The next day.


    Ling Chen woke up early in the morning, ready to see Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun off. But upon reaching Zhou Jun’s room, he only saw several members of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion cleaning out the room. He hastened to the door and peeked inside, only to find that the room’s contents had been cleared out.


    Seeing this, Ling Chen stopped a young man who wasing out and asked, "Where is Zhou Jun?"


    The other man took a look at Ling Chen and said, "Don’t you know? They left the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilionst night."


    Last night?


    Ling Chen was startled, not expecting Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun to leave without saying goodbye. After a moment of thought, he understood. Zhou Jun had caused quite a scandal, losing all face; it made sense that Zhou Qi would not wait until daylight to leave.


    At that thought, Ling Chen sighed. He had wanted to see them off, but now it appeared he would have to seek Zhou Jun out in the future. Fortunately, he still had Zhou Jun’s contact information, so he wasn’t worried about not being able to find him.


    As Ling Chen was leaving, he ran into Song Ge, who, like him, hade to send off Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun. Hearing that the two had already left the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion early, Song Ge’s mood seemed somewhat downcast.


    "Big Brother Song, don’t be too sad. There will always be a chance to meet in the future. I still have things to do, so let’s not chat now. I’lle find you when I return tonight."


    After separating from Song Ge, Ling Chen went straight to Qiu Yong and others’ room and called everyone together. Yesterday, Elder Du had instructed him to bring the eight entrics with him.


    Walking towards the Yangxin Pavilion, Wei Jiahao excitedly said, "I’ve long heard Big Brother mention the Yangxin Pavilion of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, saying it’s the most mysterious ce. Who would have thought we’d get the chance to see it today?"


    Qiu Yong smiled and nodded, "I never expected it either. I heard entry to the Yangxin Pavilion is forbidden to outsiders, and even members of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion have no right to enter unless they have the Pavilion Master’s permission. We’re fortunate to have a chance to broaden our horizons thanks to Ling Cheng."


    Listening to everyone’s conversation, the smile on Ling Chen’s face seemed somewhat strained. Their visit to the Yangxin Pavilion wasn’t for sightseeing, but to witness his contest. If anything were to happen to him during the contest, with Qiu Yong and the others as witnesses, the me would not fall on the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. It must be said, Elder Du really knows how to consider the Pavilion’s interests.


    Upon arriving at the Yangxin Pavilion, Ling Chen led Qiu Yong and the others directly to Elder Du’s residence.


    Coincidentally, just as they arrived, Elder Du and Yang Tao came out of the house, Elder Du holding a wine gourd, seemingly ready to set off for the grand event.


    "Elder Du!" Ling Chen quickened his pace, greeted Elder Du with a fist and palm salute, and then greeted ’Big Brother Yang’.


    Qiu Yong and the others hurried to catch up, with respectful salutes. Beforeing, Ling Chen had briefed them about Elder Du’s status, so everyone was careful not to make a faux pas.


    Elder Du nodded and said, "There’s no need to be so formal with me; this old man doesn’t care for such worldly courtesy. Ling Chen, it’s about time, let’s hurry up and get going. We don’t want to bete and miss the drawing for the lots."


    Thereupon, the group followed behind Elder Du and Yang Tao, making their way to the valley of the Yangxin Pavilion.


    Upon entering the valley, Ling Chen immediately noticed that today’s setup was very different from yesterday. When he came yesterday, the valley was empty with only a few decrepit houses, but today, there were many disciples of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, all fully armed, stationed in various parts of the valley.


    On the slopes on both sides of the valley, there were dozens of gs nted, each bearing the unique broken sword emblem of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.


    The deeper they went, the livelier it became; almost everyone with status in the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion hade.


    Moreover, there was a fighting ring set up at the very depths of the valley. The ring was square, with a diameter of twenty meters, very spacious, and on both sides, there were racks of weapons, all kinds—swords, spears, halberds, and more—each emitting a chilling gleam, razor-sharp.


    Following behind Elder Du, Ling Chen and Qiu Yong smoothly made their way into the valley.


    At this moment, the area surrounding the ring was crowded, mostly with people from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and Yangxin Pavilion. Ling Chen noticed that on a hillside not far from the ring, a tform had been erected, with over a dozen people sitting on it, including Huang Zheng and Liang Tian. The others were all around seventy or eighty years old, presumably the elders and reclusive experts of the Yangxin Pavilion.


    As a master of the Heavenly List, Elder Du’s arrival immediately drew everyone’s attention, with people respectfully saluting and then moving to the sides to make way.


    "All right!" Elder Du turned his head back and said to Yang Tao and Ling Chen, "You guys stay here; I’ll go up and greet those old fellows. Ling Chen, be carefulter, and if you have any questions, ask Yang Tao; he’ll tell you what to do."


    "Yes."


    Watching Elder Du leave, Yuan Yun asked curiously, "Ling Cheng, what did Elder Du mean by being careful?"


    "It’s nothing." Ling Chen replied evasively, "Third Brother, it’s not often wee here; let’s go around and look first."


    No sooner had his voice faded than a sarcastic voice reached them, "Yo! Isn’t this Ling Chen, the number one on the Neer List? When did you join our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?"


    Ling Chen turned his head, following the voice, and saw Tong Nan walking towards him with Song Yi and Liang Zheng.


    Seeing the sneering look on Tong Nan’s face, Ling Chen’s eyebrows twitched, and a cold harshness shed through his pupils, reminiscent of Mo Che.


    Approaching, Song Yi looked at Ling Chen’s left and right and asked with a half-smile, "Ling Chen, aren’t you usually seen running around with that kid Zhou Jun? Howe we only see you today and not him?"


    Sure enough!


    Ling Chen narrowed his eyes; he had always suspected that Zhou Jun’s incident might have been engineered by Tong Nan and his cohorts. Now, it seemed highly likely that they were the masterminds behind it.