<h4>Chapter 723: Chapter 728: The Mysterious Xu Ming</h4>


    Su He summoned Ling Chen to attend the grand event at the Yangxin Pavilion, naturally he wouldn’t do so without saying anything and simply have hime over for nothing; that would merely be a waste of time.


    Su He was very clear, he knew that Ling Chen’s opponents were all masters from the Earthly List, so he informed him in advance of the matters to pay attention to. For instance, how to maintain a certain distance from the Earthly List experts, preventing them from using their Hua Realm techniques to harm him, and how to cope with potential crises. All these details were thoroughly exined. If it were not for Su He tutoring him with all he might, even if Ling Chen could defeat Tong Nan by employing all means, he would still have to pay a hefty price.


    After descending from the arena, before Ling Chen could walk to his seat, Su Mei had already rushed over, clutching Ling Chen’s hands urgently and asking, "Where is my grandfather?"


    "This..." Ling Chen hesitated, his face showing uncertainty as he looked at Su Mei, unsure of how to broach the subject.


    Seeing that Ling Chen was not speaking, Su Mei couldn’t help urging him, "Just say it, where exactly is he?"


    Ling Chen sighed softly and said helplessly, "Miss Su, it’s not that I’m unwilling to tell you, but... Elder Su instructed me not to disclose his whereabouts to anyone. So, I’m very sorry."


    "You..." Su Mei furrowed her brows, her dissatisfaction evident as she said, "We are friends, aren’t you able to tell me? He’s my grandfather, I have the right to know where he is. Ling Chen, please, for the sake of our friendship, I beg you to tell me."


    Ling Chen responded with a bitter smile, "Miss Su, it’s really not that I don’t want to tell you, but to tell you the truth, Elder Su repeatedly warned me before I came here. Moreover, he also said that even if I told you of his whereabouts, you wouldn’t be able to see him. The moment he finds out someone from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is nearby, he would immediately leave. By then, it wouldn’t just be you who can’t see him, even I wouldn’t have the chance to meet him again. Miss Su, please do me a favor and don’t make it difficult for me."


    Hearing this, Su Mei still wanted to speak. But before she could, an elder nearby said, "Pavilion Master, since Elder Su does not wish to be found, you shouldn’t press the matter. Besides, if Elder Su had wanted to return, he would havee back to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion long ago, how could there be no word from him for over a decade?"


    "But..." Su Mei was still rather unreconciled.


    "Alright then." After thinking it over, Su Mei changed her tune, "If my grandfather doesn’t want to see us, then I won’t force him. However, Ling Chen, can you do me a favor and ry a few words to my grandfather for me?"


    Ling Chen nodded, "That’s no problem."


    "Let’s leave it at this then," the old man next to Su Mei said, "Pavilion Master, Mr. Ling has just finished his martial arts match and must be tired, it’s best to let him rest earlier."


    "That’s fine," Although Su Mei had innumerable questions for Ling Chen, out of consideration for the many people present, she had to suppress the excitement in her heart and said, "You rest well for now, I wille find you tonight."


    Watching Su Mei leave, Ling Chen then returned to Qiu Yong and the others.


    "Ling Cheng, how could you just rush up there without saying a word? You had us worried to death," Xia Yue scolded, looking at Ling Chen.


    Ling Chen, feeling a bit embarrassed, touched his nose and said, "Sister Five, I was wrong this time. I didn’t tell you all because I was afraid you would stop me and not allow me to participate."


    Qiu Yong asked, "Ling Cheng, what is going on? When did you be a disciple of the Yangxin Pavilion, and who is this Elder Su? How did he be your master? I’ve never heard you mention him before."


    "Elder Su’s full name is Su He. He was once the Old Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the current Pavilion Master’s grandfather. After Elder Su retired, he stayed at the Yangxin Pavilion to nurture talents for the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Later, for some unknown reason, Elder Su suddenly left the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and vanished into seclusion. For many years, there has been no news of Elder Su, and everyone in the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is specting whether Elder Su knew his end was near and thus left the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion," exined Xu Ming.


    Hearing Xu Ming’s words, Ling Chen curiously asked, "Why would everyone think that way?"


    "Elder Su held very high prestige within the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. To tell you the truth, because the current Pavilion Master is a woman andcks knowledge in martial arts, it would be difficult for her to control the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion without support. Furthermore, the Yangxin Pavilion is filled with powerful elders. To make them obediently follow orders, do you think Su Mei can aplish that alone? The reason Su Mei is able to sit securely in the position of Pavilion Master with so many people’s support isrgely due to Elder Su’s presence. No one knows when Elder Su might return, so with Elder Su looming above everyone, no one dares to make reckless moves."


    "So that’s how it is." Ling Chen suddenly understood and was surprised to realize how high Elder Su’s status was within the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Even after leaving for over a decade, the people here still held him in awe.


    Tsk tsk!


    His own luck was indeed not bad; by a fluke, he had garnered Su He’s favor. Now with this—status, his standing in the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion would only rise; no one would dare to look down on him.


    In deep thought, he heard the referee above the arena say, "Alright! Today’s martial artspetition ends here, and the next round of matches will take ce in two days. Please prepare ordingly. Absence from thepetition will be considered an automatic forfeiture."


    "Ling Cheng, let’s go!"


    "Wait!" Speaking, Ling Chen looked up at Du Kang in the stands, and seeing him approaching with Yang Tao, he quickly greeted them, cupping his fists and saying, "Elder Du, thank you for your help earlier."


    Du Kang waved his hand, "You needn’t thank me, I merely spoke the truth. You did well, I thought you might not even make it past the first round. However, while you may have won today’s match, the day after tomorrow’spetition will be even more perilous, so be careful."


    "Yes, I understand."


    ...


    Leaving the Yangxin Pavilion, Ling Chen and Qiu Yong among others returned to their rooms and discussed the recentpetition. Seizing the opportunity, Ling Chen also revealed his goals. Only then did everyone realize that Ling Chen intended to win the Nine Elements Pill through this method.


    "You do have a chance to win the Nine Elements Pill this way, but..." Xu Ming shook his head and said, "I’ve known about this major event at the Yangxin Pavilion for decades, and the reason I didn’t tell you before is that I didn’t want you to participate—it’s too dangerous."


    Hearing this, Ling Chen looked curiously at Xu Ming, "Second Brother, you seem to know quite a lot about the Yangxin Pavilion and the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion."


    Once these words were spoken, everyone’s gaze fell on Xu Ming. Not just Ling Chen, they all were eager to know the reason. However, upon mentioning this matter, Xu Ming immediately shut his mouth and said nothing as if he didn’t want to answer Ling Chen’s question.


    Seeing this, the others felt it inappropriate to press further, so they shifted the topic and talked about the uing martial artspetition instead.