Hearing Sheng Yuan’s words, Lin Xiao was slightly taken aback. It seemed the news of a new Martial Emperor had already spread to this place, showing how well-informed these Martial Emperor factions were.
Even Ling Xiao was momentarily surprised, nodding as he said, “That’s me.”
Seeing Ling Xiao confirm it himself, Sheng Yuan was still somewhat astonished, letting out a long sigh, “To reach the Martial Emperor realm at such a young age, Ling Emperor, you’ve truly set a precedent in the Southeast Region. The younger generation is truly remarkable!”
“You’re too kind, senior,” Ling Xiao replied politely.
Sheng Yuan gave a wry smile, “Heh, strength rules all. Calling me ‘senior’ is far too generous, Ling Emperor. No need for such formality. If I may be so bold, just call me Brother Sheng.”
“Hey, since you put it that way, Brother Sheng, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Ling Xiao chuckled. Having just broken through to Martial Emperor, he was still adjusting to his new status.
After all, the other party was far older than him.
Sheng Yuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xiao and the others. When he sensed that Lin Xiao and Ling Hu were only at the seventh-tier Martial Venerable realm, he paused in surprise.
This level of cultivation caught him off guard. Every youth attending the Southeast Region Youth Summit was typically above the ninth-tier Martial Venerable realm. A seventh-tier Martial Venerable was a first for him.
But considering Ling Xiao was a new Martial Emperor with no established foundation, it made sense to bring two seventh-tier Martial Venerables to gain some experience.
Unbeknownst to Sheng Yuan, Lin Xiao wasn’t part of the Ling family’s group but the Purple family’s, merely travelling with them, leading to the misunderstanding.
If he knew Lin Xiao was with the Purple family, he’d likely be even more shocked, given the Purple family’s status as a longstanding Martial Emperor faction.
“Please, everyone, come inside,” Sheng Yuan said courteously, glancing at a middle-aged man beside him, “Elder Sheng Yu, please escort them to the Prodigy Tower.”
The middle-aged man stepped forward, bowing politely, “Purple Emperor, Ling Emperor, everyone, this way, please!”
Lin Xiao and the others nodded, following the middle-aged man into Grand Era City.
Lin Xiao marvelled inwardly. Martial Emperor factions were indeed different, even receiving personal escorts upon entry, a treatment others didn’t get.
As they walked down the main street, shouts and calls filled the air. Martial Lords were a common sight, and Martial Venerables were countless.
Grand Era City was truly brimming with powerhouses.
After walking for some time, the group was led to an opulent, grand tavern.
The tavern stood five stories tall, adorned with lavish decor and an imposing air.
Yet, the interior was quiet, with few people staying or dining within. Noticing the group’s confusion, the middle-aged man smiled and explained, “This Prodigy Tower is a branch of the Myriad Pavilion, one of the four great chambers, specifically used to host the factions attending the summit. There are several Prodigy Tower branches in Grand Era City, as well as other chamber taverns, all reserved for major factions participating in the summit, so this tavern won’t have many occupants.”
The group nodded in understanding. So, it was exclusively provided for them, free of charge.
It seemed the four great chambers were savvy in business. A few days’ revenue was negligible for such vast organisations.
By offering taverns to Martial Emperor factions, they could build closer ties with them.
At the very least, it left a good impression on the Martial Emperors.
And the Sheng family, by escorting them, fulfilled their duties as hosts.
The middle-aged Martial Lord then led Lin Xiao’s group into the tavern, where a lean, bearded elder approached with a warm smile.
“Welcome, Purple Emperor and Ling Emperor, to the Myriad Pavilion’s Prodigy Tower,” the elder said, clasping his hands with a beaming smile.
“Pavilion Master Shi?” Lin Xiao was surprised to see the elder.
This bearded elder was none other than Shi Jindou, the pavilion master of the Myriad Pavilion’s branch in the Cao family’s Fourth City.
During the Yuan Spirit Pool secret realm, Shi Jindou had saved them, then disappeared.
Lin Xiao hadn’t expected to see him here in Grand Era City, at the Myriad Pavilion’s Prodigy Tower.
This was likely no coincidence, but rather a deliberate arrangement by the Myriad Pavilion, knowing they were coming.
“You know each other?” Seeing Lin Xiao’s reaction, Purple Emperor was slightly surprised.
Lin Xiao nodded, “When Purple Spirit, Ling Hu, and I were being hunted by the three great families in the Yuan Spirit Pool secret realm, it was Pavilion Master Shi who intervened, allowing us to escape.”
“I see,” Purple Emperor nodded in understanding. “Since he’s a benefactor to Purple Spirit, he’s a friend of the Purple family. If Pavilion Master Shi ever needs assistance, the Purple family will do everything in our power to help.”
“Heh, my Ling family feels the same,” Ling Xiao added with a warm smile.
“I’m not worthy. I’m merely a humble branch pavilion master of the Myriad Pavilion. But, speaking of assistance, there is indeed one matter,” Shi Jindou said with a smile. “Please, everyone, come inside.”
“Purple Emperor, Ling Emperor, Pavilion Master Shi, I’ll take my leave now,” the Sheng family’s middle-aged man said, clasping his hands before departing.
Purple Emperor and Ling Xiao nodded, following Shi Jindou into the tavern and up to a luxurious private room on the top floor.
Inside, an array of exquisite dishes was served one after another.
“Pavilion Master Shi, what’s the matter you need help with?” Purple Emperor was the first to speak.
As a seasoned Martial Emperor, he could tell Shi Jindou had deliberately arranged this meeting, or they wouldn’t have crossed paths in this tavern.
Given that Shi Jindou had saved Lin Xiao and the others, as long as the request wasn’t excessive, he would agree.
“It’s like this. The four great chambers are highly competitive with each other. For this youth summit, we’ve decided to have a little private wager among ourselves,” Shi Jindou explained. “The wager is the exclusive trade rights to one thousand cities under Martial Emperor factions. Each chamber puts up two hundred fifty cities, and only one will win. Whoever comes out on top claims the trade rights to all one thousand cities.”
“One thousand?” Lin Xiao and the others gasped.
Even the bets among the Martial Emperor factions amounted to just twenty cities per faction, totalling seven hundred ten cities across thirty-seven factions.
Yet the four chambers, with just four factions, were wagering one thousand cities. What audacity!
Though it was only trade rights, not the cities themselves like the Martial Emperor factions’ bets, each chamber risking two hundred fifty cities was staggering. Losing would mean immense losses.
Only the term “filthy rich” could describe the four great chambers.
One could imagine that the winner would rapidly expand their trade network, potentially surpassing the other three chambers in the long run.
Of course, such a wager meant the four chambers must have immense confidence, or they wouldn’t risk so much.
“The rules are simple. Each of the four chambers selects disciples and pairs them with a team from any family. In the end, we compare the highest-ranking individual from each side, and the chamber with the highest-ranking youth wins,” Shi Jindou said, looking at Purple Emperor. “Thus, I’d like to choose the Purple family’s team. As long as you agree, Purple Emperor, and sign a document, it’s settled.”
“That simple?” Purple Emperor was slightly taken aback.
Though the wager involved the Purple family’s team, they didn’t need to do anything extra.
Their team only needed to compete according to the summit’s rules, and the final ranking depended on the youths’ own abilities.
Even if they didn’t win, they’d lose nothing. “Well, it’s that simple, but…” Shi Jindou’s face showed a hint of awkwardness.
