The enormous Cloud-Void Steering Ship soared swiftly through the skies. A faint light barrier enveloped its vast frame, shielding those within from the violent gales stirred by its rapid advance. Not even the wildest winds could disturb the calm and stability of the journey inside.
At the very front of the ship, Xiao Hua stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze lingered for a moment in the direction of the now-distant Inner Academy before slowly withdrawing. Though he said nothing, a faint sense of desolation welled up within him—parting from a place once familiar was never easy.
"Xiao Hua, is there a particular route we must take to reach the Central Plains?"
Standing beside him, the Little Fairy Doctor seemed to sense the faint melancholy in his heart. Her soft voice broke the silence, and her beautiful eyes gently regarded the downcast figure before her, seeking to lift the heaviness that lingered in the air.
Xiao Hua's thoughts returned to the present at her words. He cast his gaze into the distance and replied, "To reach the Central Plains, we must first arrive at a city known as Horizon City. From there, we can make use of a spatial Wormhole to enter the Central Plains."
"Wormhole? Is it similar to the spatial tunnels you often create?" The unfamiliar term left the Little Fairy Doctor momentarily bewildered.
Still, she quickly pieced the idea together—perhaps it was something akin to the spatial tunnels Xiao Hua used to traverse the Inner Academy and the vast forest surrounding it.
Seeing the confusion in her expression, Xiao Hua chuckled lightly and nodded. "It's quite similar. However, wormholes are unique to the Central Plains."
"They are formed by elite Dou Zun experts who wield powerful spatial force, connecting two distant locations. For example, the journey from the Black-Corner Region to the Central Plains would normally take even an elite Dou Zong half a year. But with a wormhole, that same distance can be crossed within a month."
He paused, then added with a slight shake of the head, "Of course, such convenience doesn't come without its burdens. Creating a wormhole is extremely difficult, and it requires constant maintenance. Moreover, only someone at the Dou Zong level or higher can handle the upkeep. Because of this, wormholes are exceedingly rare outside of regions like the Central Plains."
The Little Fairy Doctor was left speechless. A structure so intricate that even a Dou Zong could only serve as its caretaker? The Central Plains truly possessed wonders unlike anything she had imagined.
In that moment, she couldn't help but feel like a rustic maiden stepping into a grand, unfamiliar city for the first time—amazed, and just a little out of place.
…
Horizon City lay nestled within the Tianqing Mountain Range, tens of thousands of kilometers from the Black-Corner Region. As the only city within a vast radius that housed a wormhole leading to the Central Plains, its prosperity was unrivaled—flourishing beyond compare.
Even with the incredible speed of the Cloud-Void Steering Ship, it would still take several days to reach the Tianqing Mountain Range from the Black-Corner Region.
Yet, Xiao Hua's group had little choice in the matter. The distance between the Inner Academy and Horizon City was simply too great to traverse by relying on their own strength alone.
Fortunately, the Cloud-Void Steering Ship was exceptionally swift. It required no constant infusion of Dou Qi, for it absorbed the natural energies from its surroundings, allowing it to glide forward without pause or hindrance.
Over the course of several days in flight, the Little Fairy Doctor gradually deepened her understanding of the Central Plains through her conversations with Xiao Hua.
She had rarely asked much from Han Yue, and as for Tian Huo Zun-zhe—he had not set foot in the Central Plains for countless years. Naturally, this peaceful journey offered her the perfect opportunity to absorb knowledge at her own pace.
Naturally, only now could she deepen her understanding of the Central Plains in a quiet and peaceful manner.
"Even so, the Central Plains is just too vast…" Zi Yan muttered with a faint sigh as she listened quietly from the side.
Situated at the very heart of the Dou Qi Continent, the Central Plains spanned an unimaginable distance. Its sheer size had prompted countless powerful factions and massive cities to construct so-called Wormholes—a means of reducing the immense time and effort needed for travel.
Those capable of establishing such spatial gateways were typically peak experts or ancestors of powerful factions. Thus, a wormhole would already have an owner the moment it came into existence.
It was exceedingly rare for a wormhole to be open to public use. Even the most formidable of factions dared not establish one for public access without great consideration. That said, a few clans still chose to do so—some might call it foolish, but the reasoning was simple.
The wealth a wormhole could generate each year was nothing short of astronomical—more than enough to sustain an entire clan.
As such, the emergence of a wormhole inevitably stirred the greed and envy of countless factions. Yet aside from the truly powerful clans and sects, most could only gaze from afar, their hearts filled with longing.
After all, no matter how enticing a wormhole might be, not just anyone could invite an elite Dou Zun to devote such time and effort to construct one.
Thus, a Wormhole came to symbolize more than just convenience—it represented wealth, strength, and a certain measure of status within the Central Plains. Clans that possessed one were often renowned powers, standing proudly among the elite.
Of course, there were exceptions—some clans merely inherited the remnants of their ancestors' legacies and basked in borrowed glory.
"That's only natural," Tian Huo Zun-zhe chuckled lightly as he poured himself a cup of wine from his gourd. "That's why the Central Plains is known as a land brimming with hidden dragons and crouching tigers."
He took a sip, then added with a faint smirk, "And naturally, it holds countless hidden opportunities. For the younger generation, there's no better place to temper themselves and rise to greatness."
"Even so, the Central Plains is truly unlike the North-West Region. Not even the strongest faction in the Black-Corner or North-West Regions has ever possessed a wormhole."
The Little Fairy Doctor couldn't help but part her soft lips in astonishment. The more she learned about these spatial gateways, the more incredible they seemed.
"Connecting two distant points in space requires incredibly precise control over spatial strength. It's something only elite Dou Zuns are capable of," Tian Huo Zun-zhe said with a nod.
Though he himself stood at the peak of the Dou Zun class and could accomplish such a feat, he added with a calm tone, "Still, depending on the distance, even for someone like me, it is a taxing endeavor—one that demands tremendous effort and careful execution."
"Regardless, wormholes are merely one of the many features unique to the Central Plains," Xiao Hua said calmly, shifting the topic away from the earlier discussion. "What truly demands our attention are the powerful factions on the vast Central Plains."
"I've only heard of the Wind-Lightning Pavilion," the Little Fairy Doctor murmured, narrowing her delicate eyes. "I'm curious to know which factions could rival or even surpass those bastards."
"In the Central Plains, the factions are many and their influence immense," Xiao Hua replied after a brief pause. "Setting aside the Magical Beast tribes—of which I know little—the human powers are broadly categorized into: One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Four Pavilions."
"Hm… This 'One Tower' and 'One Hall' must refer to the Pill Tower and the Hall of Souls, right?" Little Fairy Doctor rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she posed the question.
"That's correct," Xiao Hua nodded gently. He wasn't surprised that Little Fairy Doctor have heard of them. "Those two are extremely prominent within the Central Plains."
"The Hall of Souls is shrouded in mystery. It's said that even meeting one of their members is an impossible feat for most… though sadly, I'm not included in that 'most,'" Xiao Hua remarked with a faint shrug and a wry smile.
The Little Fairy Doctor smiled softly at his light jest. In a gentle voice, she added, "I've heard that very few even know where their branches are located—let alone their true headquarters. And yet, they still manage to stand on equal footing with the Pill Tower…"
"That alone speaks volumes about the terrifying depth of their hidden strength," Tian Huo Zun-zhe interjected, his expression solemn. He had already heard from Su Qian about the enmity between Xiao Hua and the Hall of Souls.
Little Fairy Doctor fell silent for a moment, the unease in her heart stirring. But she quickly pushed it aside and changed the subject. "Then, what about the Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Four Pavilions?"
"The Two Sects refer to the Profound Sky Sect and the Flower Sect," Xiao Hua replied calmly. "Both hold significant power within the Central Plains. Their strength is formidable, and experts within their ranks are as plentiful as clouds. Though they may fall slightly short compared to the Pill Tower and Hall of Souls, they are still forces that cannot be taken lightly."
Xiao Hua paused for a moment, his gaze turning solemn as he looked toward the Little Fairy Doctor. His voice was steady and resolute. "As for the Three Valleys—they are Sound Valley, Burning Flame Valley… and the Ice River Valley."
"Ice River Valley…" The Little Fairy Doctor's eyes narrowed sharply at the mention of the final name.
She had heard unsettling rumors about them from Xun Er—their obsession with collecting unique physiques, and the secret method they used to transfer the soul of one of their experts into such a body. Through this, they could inherit certain innate abilities of the physique.
"We'll need to stay especially wary of that faction," Xiao Hua said darkly, a shadow flickering across his expression as thoughts of the Ice River Valley's unnatural ambitions passed through his mind.
"Still, as long as Lady Little Fairy Doctor refrains from revealing her unique constitution, they are unlikely to take notice," Tian Huo Zun-zhe reminded gently, offering a measure of reassurance. "So long as they remain unaware, there's no reason for them to act."
Moreover, with Tian Huo Zun-zhe's presence alone, they would not dare to act rashly. No matter how deep the Ice River Valley's foundation ran, he doubted they had the luxury of dispatching a peak expert capable of matching him without consequence.
"That's true," Xiao Hua nodded with a faint smile, though deep within his heart, a cold and suffocating killing intent surged toward the Ice River Valley.
"Anyway," he exhaled lightly, pushing aside those dark thoughts and regaining his composure before continuing, "the last group is the Four Pavilions: Falling Star Pavilion, Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion, Yellow Spring Pavilion, and Wind-Lightning Pavilion."
"Due to their positions across the Central Plains, they are often referred to as the 'Square Pavilions'—as their territories roughly form a square formation. Their strength is comparable, and each of them holds immense power. Even among top-tier factions, they are considered elites."
"Hmph. Though one of them will soon vanish for attacking Sister Li Mei and the others," Zi Yan said coldly. A bone-chilling killing intent surged from her, fierce and unrestrained.
Everyone exchanged faint smiles at her words. Naturally, they understood the hidden meaning—before long, the Four Pavilions would be reduced to three. And when that happened, the so-called 'Square Pavilion' would collapse into a 'Triangle Pavilion.'
"By the way," Zi Yan suddenly looked up, curiosity flickering in her bright eyes, "I haven't heard anything about the ancient clans—like the one Sister Xun Er belongs to. Are they not located in the Central Plains?"
"Ke ke, the Central Plains is far from simple on the surface," Xiao Hua chuckled in amusement. "The so-called One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions is merely a general classification. In truth, some of the most powerful forces remain hidden even deeper than these factions."
"And those are the Eight Ancient Clans," he added calmly.
Zi Yan tilted her head thoughtfully before asking, her eyes filled with great interest, "Other than Elder Sister Xun Er's Gu Clan and your Xiao Clan, which other clans belong to these Eight Ancient Clans?"
"What? Your Xiao Clan is one of the Eight Ancient Clans?" Tian Huo Zun-zhe was taken aback, genuine surprise flashing across his face. He had never imagined that someone from one of the Eight Ancient Clans would be standing so close beside him.
"A fallen ancient clan, Old Yao," Xiao Hua corrected him with a faint shake of his head. His tone was calm, yet carried a trace of disappointment. "Aside from the Xiao Clan and the Gu Clan, the remaining six are: the Hun Clan, Yan Clan, Yao Clan, Lei Clan, Shi Clan, and Ling Clan."
"The reason the Xiao Clan is regarded as a fallen ancient clan… is because the Dou Di bloodline that once flowed within us has been wasted—eroded and scattered by the passing of merciless time."
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Tian Huo Zun-zhe, whose expression remained frozen with astonishment, still coming to terms with Xiao Hua's background.
"The bloodline of a Dou Di may be powerful, but it is not eternal," Xiao Hua said calmly, his gaze distant. "Eventually, it will wither. To preserve its vitality, another Dou Di must rise to replenish it with new life and energy…"
"Unfortunately, ever since the fall of the Xiao Clan's Dou Di, no one has stepped forth to ascend that peak again. As a result, the so-called Dou Di bloodline within the Xiao Clan has long since faded into nothingness. Even after all these years, Xun'er has never sensed the slightest trace of that bloodline in my body."
He shrugged lightly, as though he had long come to terms with this truth. "I've been aware of it for quite some time now."
"…Still, the Hun Clan, huh…" Little Fairy Doctor furrowed her delicate brows, deep in thought. After a moment of silence, she asked softly, "Is the Hall of Souls related to the Hun Clan?"
"Perhaps," Xiao Hua replied with a faint smile, feigning ignorance. "Xun'er never spoke of such things. But even among the Eight Ancient Clans, the Hun Clan is by far the most mysterious and the most unsettling—eerily similar to the Hall of Souls…"
He paused, then shook his head. "It's exactly because of this that I've always doubted the claim that the Pill Tower and Hall of Souls are truly evenly matched."
"If the Hun Clan is truly backing the Hall of Souls," Tian Huo Zun-zhe said with a solemn nod, "then it's no surprise the Pill Tower holds some apprehension toward them, despite being sworn enemies."
"Regardless, I doubt we'll encounter the Hun Clan so soon." Xiao Hua waved his hand casually, offering a faint smile to ease the tension. "The ancient clans constantly monitor one another's movements and strength. They won't act recklessly."
After all, if news of his existence were to reach them, the other clans might suspect he holds one of the eight fragments of the Tou She Ancient God's Jade—the one possessed by the Xiao Clan. If that were the case, they would certainly act to prevent the Hun Clan from obtaining a second fragment.
Little Fairy Doctor and the others nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved. At the very least, the shadow of the Hun Clan did not loom too close—for now.
A faint smile curved on Xiao Hua's lips as he thought to himself—compared to the North-West Region, the Central Plains was far more fascinating. Though his entry into this land was accompanied by grim news, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation at the thought of crossing paths with the many formidable experts who called this place home.
Here, experts were as numerous as the clouds, and the countless factions tangled like an intricate web. It was precisely this kind of chaotic, powerful world that suited him. The strong walked their own paths, and only through relentless trials and fierce combat could one truly grasp the essence of strength. This was the life he sought. Aside from the bitter news concerning Xin Yu, he felt no regret in coming here.
A thrill stirred in his chest. It had been far too long since he'd experienced a proper battle. Most of his recent encounters had ended far too quickly—far too easily. Now, he could only hope that the so-called experts of the Central Plains would not disappoint him.
Noticing the flicker of excitement and the fierce smile playing on Xiao Hua's usually composed face, Little Fairy Doctor gave a soft sigh and shook her head. Despite his calm and tranquil exterior, she knew all too well that her husband harbored the soul of a battle maniac.
Just then, her gaze shifted toward the horizon. She gently pointed toward a cluster of towering mountains that had risen in the distance and said with soft voice, "Everyone, it seems we've arrived at the Tianqing Mountain Range. We're getting close to Horizon City."
The Cloud-Void Steering Ship pressed forward, gliding across the vast plains before gradually entering a sprawling mountain range blanketed in lush greenery. Towering ancient trees—many reaching over a thousand feet in height—rose proudly from the earth, their presence both awe-inspiring and serene.
A faint spiritual aura lingered in the air, gently brushing against their senses. It was clear that the land veins beneath these mountains were rich and active, infusing the region with abundant natural energy. Such a place was undoubtedly ideal for cultivation.
However, Xiao Hua's group did not pause to linger. The Cloud-Void Steering Ship soared steadily onward, cutting across the mountain peaks. Soon, wide and well-connected roads came into view, winding gracefully through the terrain. From above, they could already see numerous figures moving to and fro along the main roads—practitioners, merchants, and travelers alike.
Even from this distance, Xiao Hua could catch the hum of voices rising from the ground. With his exceptionally sharp senses, he picked up fragments of lively chatter, the name of the city being called out with excitement—Horizon City.
His gaze locked on the city slowly coming into full view. A toothy grin formed on his face as he muttered with anticipation, "So we've finally arrived… I only hope we won't be kept waiting for too long."
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