Chapter 1186: The Strong Rule Supreme

Headquarters of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Deep within the pavilion.

Lu Shuyao sat alone, her face dark and brooding, clutching a jade slip that had severed its connection.

"How dare he!"

"Just a mere sixth-rank Heaven-tier cultivator, yet he dares to betray me? There will be no place for you in the East Sea!"

Her beautiful face flushed with anger, Lu Shuyao's expression turned vicious, resembling a venomous beauty. Her chest heaved for several breaths, unable to calm down!

However, she was no ordinary person.

Even though she was seething with rage, she quickly regained her composure.

After staring at the jade slip for a few moments, a trace of suspicion gradually appeared in her eyes.

"Pei Songhe has always been obedient. This time, he actually dared to flee with the Enlightenment Tea. It's truly strange. With his vision, he wouldn't do something so foolish as to abandon the root for the sake of a small gain."

"What exactly happened..."

As she murmured to herself, a respectful voice sounded from outside the door.

"Reporting to the young lady!"

"Miss Xinlan has arrived by flying ship, and..."

The hesitant words were not yet finished when Lu Shuyao raised her eyes.

"And what else?"

The voice outside the door became even more tense.

"And... Pei Songhe has returned with her."

As soon as the words fell, Lu Shuyao's delicate brows furrowed.

So.

Pei Songhe's betrayal was to follow Lu Xinlan?

No wonder Pei Songhe had spoken those words to sever ties.

But upon closer thought, Lu Shuyao became even more puzzled.

In terms of resources and status.

This younger sister of hers couldn't compare to her.

Why would Pei Songhe, that old fox, be willing to pledge such loyalty to her?

The more she thought about it, the more suspicious it became.

Lu Shuyao's cold gaze fixed on the door.

"Besides Pei Songhe, who else is accompanying Lu Xinlan? Are there any powerful experts among her retainers?"

The critical question was asked, and the voice outside immediately responded loudly.

"Reporting to the young lady!"

"Besides Pei Songhe, there are four other experts accompanying her. According to our investigation, they all have cultivation levels above the fifth rank. Among them, an old man is likely not far behind Pei Songhe, also at the sixth rank!"

Lu Shuyao was momentarily stunned, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

She hadn't expected.

That while managing the branch on Sunshine Island, Lu Xinlan could still recruit such experts, even managing to bring in a sixth-rank cultivator as a retainer. This was truly unexpected.

After a brief moment of surprise, a faint smile appeared on Lu Shuyao's face.

"Hmph."

"Good! She does have some tricks up her sleeve, managing to find such a presence on an outer island. I wonder what kind of promises she made to even lure Pei Songhe into betraying me. Truly, my good sister!"

"This makes things a bit more interesting. Now I have the motivation to compete with her!"

The trusted subordinate outside the door bowed respectfully, quickly offering flattery.

"The young lady is sure to achieve a great victory and take control of the grand enterprise!"

Lu Shuyao nodded slightly, her red lips curving into a confident arc.

"Of course."

"Lu Xinlan does have some skills, but relying on just a few fifth and sixth-rank retainers to compete for the grand enterprise is far too naive."

"Such reliance can't stir up any waves. Neither she nor that scoundrel Pei Songhe can comprehend the foundation I have. The gap between us is something they can't even imagine."

"Since she wants to compete, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

Slowly rising to her feet, Lu Shuyao confidently strode forward.

"Go and make the arrangements. I will immediately request an audience with the five grand elders."

The trusted subordinate outside the door quickly departed.

Lu Shuyao gracefully stepped out, her maids lifting the long train of her dress as her magnificent figure headed towards the main hall of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

In just a few moments.

Before the towering and solemn main hall.

Lu Shuyao bowed her head in respect.

"Reporting to the five grand elders, Shuyao has an important matter to discuss."

The tightly closed ancient doors, several zhang tall, remained motionless, only an ancient voice emanating from within.

"Enter."

The deep voice, as if weathered by countless ages, resonated with a solemn silence, causing the surrounding guards and servants to bow their heads in reverence.

Only Lu Shuyao remained composed, stepping forward with steady steps.

Entering the main hall, she walked several hundred steps forward.

In the shadows, five figures sat high above, their auras almost imperceptible, their eyes coldly gazing down at Lu Shuyao as she steadily approached, showing no emotion whatsoever.

These five grand elders possessed profound cultivation and held an extremely revered status, considered the foundation of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. Even the previous pavilion master would not dare to show any disrespect in their presence.

Lu Shuyao felt immense pressure, bowing deeply with utmost respect.

"Reporting to the five grand elders."

"The time for the training competition has arrived. According to the agreement from years past, my sister Xinlan and I will compete to determine the winner based on our achievements and the strength of our retainers."

"Shuyao has come to humbly request your guidance, and I hope the five grand elders will give their instructions."

Her words were spoken with utmost propriety, merely stating the objective facts without revealing any hint of joy or overstepping any boundaries.

Even so, Lu Shuyao continued to bow her head in silence, not daring to utter another word.

The few moments of waiting felt like an eternity.

The pressure on Lu Shuyao grew heavier, as if a mountain were pressing down on her. She breathed carefully, her body in a bowing posture, not daring to straighten up without permission.

After a long while.

From the high seats in the hall, several ancient voices finally spoke in succession.

"So it shall be."

"Our East Sea branch has always followed ancestral traditions. The training competition is only natural."

"The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion belongs to the capable. It is only right to determine the successor through the competition!"

"Indeed..."

As the deep voices echoed.

A profound and mystical resonance filled the air, causing tens of thousands of high-ranking members and disciples to bow in reverence. The words of the five grand elders transformed into a dense force of the Great Dao, resonating through thousands of halls.

Lu Shuyao bowed respectfully once more before daring to obediently withdraw.

Only after she stepped out of the main hall did the doors close once again.

After passing through several courtyards.

Lu Shuyao finally dared to let out a long breath, her beautiful eyes filled with a confident smile.

"As expected."

"The five grand elders also agree with this competition. In all matters, the strong rule supreme. This is an eternal truth. In terms of absolute strength, I will never lose to anyone!"

Hearing her quiet sigh, her trusted subordinates and several maids quickly bowed in respect.

"The young lady is destined for greatness!"

Lu Shuyao nodded indifferently, immediately suppressing her joy and leaving, her temperament truly extraordinary.

As she passed through several halls and courtyards.

The elders and disciples she encountered all bowed in reverence. Even before the competition had begun, almost everyone had already concluded that this young lady, born into nobility, with her terrifying resources and connections, was destined to become the next master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Within a few hours.

The news of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion's competition spread throughout Black Island, becoming a hot topic among all the major factions.

In a hidden location, several old monsters gathered, stirred by the news.

"The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion's competition is imminent. It will surely be a grand event unseen in millions of years!"

"Without a doubt, the victor will be Lu Shuyao!"

"This girl, though young, is deeply cunning and possesses terrifying resources and connections. How could the position of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion master fall into anyone else's hands?"

"Should we not offer our congratulations to this girl in advance?"

"Not so fast. Let's wait until the competition concludes in three days before presenting our gifts!"

The entire Black Island was abuzz with discussions. Even before the competition began, betting pools were everywhere, with few placing their bets on Lu Xinlan. Meanwhile, congratulatory gifts for Lu Shuyao were already being prepared in secret.

Almost everyone knew in their hearts that the outcome was already decided!