After all—
The founding patriarch, Heavenly Fortune Emperor, had once said: if the Heavenly Mandate Mirror was lost, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion would perish!
Now that the Heavenly Mandate Mirror had shattered, it meant the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion had encountered a great crisis.
He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the surging emotions in his heart before saying in a deep voice, "Elders, say no more!"
"Master paid with his life to conduct the divination. Since he issued this order before his death, he must have had his reasons."
"We need only obey."
"Any who refuse to comply shall be killed without mercy!"
"Yes!"
The elders in the great hall answered in unison. No one tried to persuade him any further.
Meanwhile.
Purple Star Domain, Chen Clan Ancestral Land.
Ancestor Chen Haotian was sitting in his cave abode, happily steeping a pot of ten-thousand-year Dao Enlightenment Tea as he leisurely contemplated divine abilities.
Suddenly—
The Dao-Comprehension Heavenly Net jade token at his waist lit up, and a message arrived out of thin air.
It was an urgent report sent by a Chen Family clansman traveling outside.
Chen Haotian opened it with casual disinterest.
Then—
"Pfft!"
A mouthful of Dao Enlightenment Tea sprayed straight out, splattering all over the table.
"What the hell?!"
He shot to his feet, his eyes wide as saucers, his face utterly ghost-struck.
"The... Heavenly Secrets Pavilion... announced its submission to the Chen Family?"
"All members, surrendering unconditionally?"
"What the hell is this supposed to mean?!"
Chen Haotian paced around in circles, unable to make heads or tails of it no matter how hard he thought.
The Chen Family and the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion had nothing to do with each other. For countless years, there had been no contact whatsoever between them.
Those people from