"You're finally out. We're ready to strike back against the Wind Lightning Pavilion."
As Xiao Hua rose from the lake and landed on the central island, Ming Cheng's voice rang out from the side. Standing with him were Little Fairy Doctor and the others, clearly waiting for his return.
"Apologies for the delay," Xiao Hua replied with a hint of embarrassment. "It took longer than expected to absorb and refine those strands of Black Demon Lightning."
"No need to apologize," Little Fairy Doctor stepped forward, her voice gentle as a breeze. "We know well how difficult it is to refine the Black Demon Lightning. Even Ban Sheng-class experts would tread carefully around it."
She stood beside Xiao Hua like a devoted companion, her serene smile softening the air around her.
Ming Cheng, watching the scene, couldn't help but shake his head slightly. Just days ago, he had witnessed the terrifying might of her Abyssal Calamity Ghostflame—yet here she was, as gentle as spring bloom before Xiao Hua.
"Anyway," he said, shifting the topic, "you should catch up on what's been happening while you were in seclusion. I doubt you kept up with anything beyond that ninth trial."
Xiao Hua gave a slight nod, his gaze calm. Indeed, once he had begun his closed-door cultivation, he had cut himself off completely from the outside world, intent on overcoming the final stages of the trial. News of the world had no place in his heart during that time.
"First, Xin Yu has returned to the Moonlit Chaos Mansion to oversee the situation there. According to her, multiple forces have launched attacks, but all attempts ended in failure. The moment she arrived, those enemies were swiftly silenced and suppressed by her alone."
"Moonlit Chaos Mansion…"
Xiao Hua murmured thoughtfully, thinking of the faction Ming Cheng and the others had raised high enough to rival the Four Pavilions. Yet, he knew this balance of power would soon shift further once the world came to know of the newfound strength of Ming Cheng, Li Mei, and Xin Yu.
"I can understand why they would launch attacks… but I'm surprised they still failed. Was there truly someone capable enough to repel such forces in their absence?"
He had expected small factions to seize the opportunity, especially after the news of Ming Cheng and the others being trapped within the Stormcoil Mountain Range. The logic was simple: with the pillars of the faction gone, the mansion would be vulnerable.
Yet, according to Xin Yu's report, five lower-rank Dou Zong experts had been part of the assault. Even with such combined strength, they failed to gain the upper hand.
This raised a question in Xiao Hua's heart—was there someone among the disciples capable of such a feat?
Whoever it was, they were no ordinary people. One day, they were bound to leave behind even greater marks in the Central Plains.
"There are three elders in the Moonlit Chaos Mansion who have reached the three-star and four-star Dou Zong realm," Ming Cheng replied calmly.
"Besides, our direct disciples are there as well, so we've had little to worry about," Li Mei added with a soft, amused smile.
"Direct disciples?" Xiao Hua's eyes widened, both surprised and impressed. "Sister Li Mei and Brother Ming Cheng… you've both taken in disciples?"
Li Mei let out a gentle laugh, her slender hand rising to cover her lips. The elegant curve of her smile carried a graceful charm that was hard to ignore. "It was meant to be a surprise, but given the circumstances, we had no choice but to break the egg early."
"Each of us has chosen a disciple," Ming Cheng followed with a small shake of his head. "We took them in not long after establishing the faction. Though they've only just reached the Dou Huang class, their combat strength and experience are already enough to contend with ordinary Dou Zong."
"That's truly remarkable," Xiao Hua said with a nod, pride blooming in his heart. As expected of his sworn siblings—their ability to nurture talent was nothing short of extraordinary.
"It's all thanks to the treasures and resources you left us before we parted," Li Mei replied warmly. She shook her head slightly and added, "Without those, it would have been nearly impossible for them to reach Dou Huang so quickly."
"Though, Wei Jie and Mei Ling do grumble from time to time," Ming Cheng said with a light chuckle. "Their disciples ended up far more suited for battle than for alchemy."
"In any case, with Sister Xin Yu's return, the Moonlit Chaos Mansion has regained its stability. There's no longer any need for concern," Li Mei concluded, gently drawing the topic to a close.
"Since Sister Li Mei has said so, I won't concern myself with the Moonlit Chaos Mansion any longer," Xiao Hua nodded. A wave of relief washed over his heart—knowing the mansion was in good hands lifted a burden from his shoulders.
He fell silent for a moment, taking a deep breath before sweeping his gaze across the group. His tone turned cold and resolute. "Now then… what do we know about the Wind Lightning Pavilion—or more precisely, Lei Zun-zhe?"
Ming Cheng's expression sharpened. Folding his arms, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully before responding. "According to Xin Yu, Lei Zun-zhe has left for the Northern Wind Lightning Pavilion. Apparently, a significant disturbance broke out there."
"It seems someone took advantage of the chaos and managed to steal several treasures from the pavilion," Ming Cheng continued, his voice darkening slightly. "Among them was their most heavily guarded technique—the 'Three Thousand Lightning Movement.' All of it happened while he was too preoccupied chasing after us."
"That's… incredible." Little Fairy Doctor's eyes widened in shock as she instinctively drew in a sharp breath. "To infiltrate the Wind Lightning Pavilion and steal even their core technique—without being detected…"
Even in Lei Zun-zhe's absence, the Wind Lightning Pavilion remained one of the top-tier forces of the Central Plains, guarded by multiple Dou Zong experts. For someone to break into such a stronghold unnoticed was beyond extraordinary.
This was not mere boldness—it was a feat that bordered on the unbelievable.
"This is the Central Plains. I wouldn't be surprised if there are countless strange techniques and rare treasures capable of such feats," Li Mei said with a helpless smile, gently shaking her head. While the incident was remarkable, it wasn't entirely beyond belief in a land where miracles and danger walked hand in hand.
"Regardless…" Tian Huo Zun-zhe interjected, steering the conversation back to the core issue. "Hall Master Ming Cheng, do we know the location of the Wind Lightning Northern Pavilion?"
"The Northern Pavilion is situated atop Qifeng Mountain, a place quite distant from here," Ming Cheng replied, his tone calm. Then, with a light smile, he turned his gaze toward Xiao Hua. "But with Little Brother's ability to manipulate space, we could reach it in less than a month."
Xiao Hua offered no words, only returning a nod accompanied by a confident smile. His mastery over spatial strength allowed for precise and wide-range travel. And with access to Wormholes, distance was rarely a true obstacle.
However, Li Mei's expression turned slightly solemn as she spoke next. "Still, we received something… troubling. Not from Xin Yu—but from Xun'er."
Ming Cheng's gaze grew serious, clearly understanding what she referred to. He turned toward Xiao Hua, his eyes steady and grave.
"If Tian Huo Zun-zhe is unable to assist… how confident are you in facing a Ban Sheng expert on your own?"
Xiao Hua narrowed his eyes, his heart stirring faintly at the weight behind Ming Cheng's question. Naturally, he understood the hidden meaning within those words.
At present, Tian Huo Zun-zhe had successfully broken through to the initial Ban Sheng realm after refining the Phoenix Core Elemental Pill. Though the process was arduous and time-consuming, he had ultimately managed to absorb the pill's powerful medicinal essence.
Perhaps it was more fitting now to call him Saint Tian Huo.
If someone like him will be occupied, it could only mean one thing—there was a Ban Sheng-level expert pursuing them.
'A Ban Sheng…'
Xiao Hua's thoughts grew solemn. 'That likely means the Hall of Souls has discovered something about me…'
Of course, it didn't mean a Ban Sheng would be personally scouring the land in search of him. Such experts wouldn't act rashly unless necessary—they would dispatch their subordinates to do the groundwork. Even so, the presence of such a high-ranking figure suggested that a confrontation was no longer a distant possibility.
He folded his arms and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, mind racing through the various trump cards he still held in reserve. After a moment of silent calculation, he finally lifted his gaze, a faint confidence emerging in his voice.
"If it were before, it would have been difficult," he admitted. "But now… as long as I don't face two Ban Sheng experts at once, anyone who dares to try and kill me will pay a heavy price."
Ming Cheng and Li Mei smiled faintly at Xiao Hua's words. They held no doubts—whether it was Xun Er's message or Xiao Hua's confidence, both were trustworthy. Their younger sister and brother were far from ordinary.
Naturally, if Xiao Hua spoke with such certainty, it meant the situation, while serious, might not be as dire as it seemed.
"Even so, we cannot lower our guard," Little Fairy Doctor said with a composed smile, gently tucking her hair behind her ear. "We're dealing with a long-established faction—and there's a possibility the Hall of Souls may interfere."
"That's right. We must settle this debt swiftly, before the situation spirals beyond our control," Saint Tian Huo added, rubbing his chin in thought, clearly in agreement with her assessment.
Xiao Hua and the others nodded in unison, offering no objection. No matter how powerful they had become, they were well aware that they had not yet reached the level where they could face every threat in the world head-on.
Caution was still their greatest ally.
"Then let's depart! I can't wait to leave this god-forsaken place and fight those fools in the Central Plains!" Zi Yan exclaimed, throwing her arms into the air with a wide, excited grin. It was clear that she had grown restless during the lengthy discussion.
Everyone shook their heads in amusement, but none voiced any objections. They, too, were preparing themselves for the coming storm. And truth be told, none could deny the anticipation building within them—especially Xiao Hua and Saint Tian Huo, both eager to test the depths of their newly refined strength.
…
The Wind Lightning Pavilion was divided into four branches, each stationed in one of the four directions of the northern region of the Central Plains—North, South, East, and West.
The northern, southern, and western branches acted as supporting forces, while the eastern pavilion was the core and strongest among them. Yet even the other three branches were powerful enough to be ranked among the top-tier factions in the Central Plains on their own.
When united, the combined force of all four pavilions stood at the pinnacle of the northern region's power—earning them the title of "giant" within the Central Plains.
...
The Wind Lightning Eastern Pavilion was located within the Wind Lightning Mountain Range, near the border of the northern region of the Central Plains. This mountain range was a place of peculiar natural phenomena.
Perhaps due to its extreme elevation, the sound of rolling thunder echoed constantly through the skies. The weather was wildly unpredictable—clear skies could darken in an instant, giving way to roaring storms and flashes of lightning.
The entire Wind Lightning Mountain Range was under the full control of the Eastern Pavilion. This region was essentially their backyard—an untouchable stronghold. Weaker factions didn't dare to set foot within its borders.
During this particular period, the Wind Lightning Mountain Range was especially lively. Countless experts from all directions had gathered at Lightning Mountain, the heart of the range. Towering above it stood the headquarters of the Wind Lightning Pavilion—the Eastern Pavilion itself.
The name of the Wind Lightning Eastern Pavilion carried immense weight throughout the Central Plains. As the main pillar of the Wind Lightning Pavilion, this place was guarded by numerous experts and layered with powerful defenses.
Since its founding, it had weathered many storms—internal upheavals and external sieges alike. And yet, it had never once fallen. Its fearsome reputation had been forged through countless battles with rival factions, each one further cementing its place among the giants of the Central Plains.
...
In the skies beyond the mountain range, streaks of radiant light flashed across the horizon like shooting stars. One after another, these streaks descended and revealed themselves to be a group of figures, landing atop a nearby mountain peak.
As they cast their gaze downward, they were momentarily stunned by the sight below—rivers of people flowed like ants across the landscape, gathering beneath the looming Lightning Mountain.
This group was none other than Xiao Hua and his companions. They had pushed themselves to the limit over the past few weeks, using every possible means to hasten their journey. Rest was rare, urgency driving them forward with unwavering determination.
"Who would've thought Lei Zun-zhe would already leave and heads to the Eastern Pavilion just as we were heading toward the Northern one…"
Xiao Hua's words drew tired smiles from the others—they all shared the same exasperation at the unexpected twist.
Originally, the group had set their sights on the Wind Lightning Northern Pavilion atop Qifeng Mountain. But along the journey, they received unexpected news: Lei Zun-zhe had already departed the Northern Pavilion and was now at the Eastern Pavilion.
As a result, what was supposed to be a few weeks of travel had stretched into a month, redirecting their path toward the Wind Lightning Eastern Pavilion instead.
"What was it again? That something-Grand-Meeting?" Zi Yan muttered with a sigh, her eyes drifting lazily over the throng of people gathering below.
"It's the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting, Zi Yan," Little Fairy Doctor corrected her gently. Then, with a hint of curiosity, she turned toward Xiao Hua.
"It's strange though… the Moonlit Chaos Mansion wasn't invited. Didn't Elder Sister Xin Yu mention that Wind Lightning Pavilion disciples had repeatedly attacked their members—only to return with bruised faces and casualties?"
"It's simply because our force is still new in their eyes," Ming Cheng was the one to respond, not Xiao Hua. "Even if our disciples have defeated countless of theirs, none of us can deny that, compared to the long-established factions, we're still seen as fledglings."
He raised his head, eyes narrowing as he gazed toward the Wind Lightning Pavilion in the distance. "It's no surprise they have yet to acknowledge us as a true powerhouse."
Li Mei stepped forward, raising two slender fingers with a serene expression. "There are only two reasons they even know of our existence. First, because the event that happened with us and Wind Lightning Pavilion due to Lei Zun-zhe. And second, because Mei Ling and Wei Jie hold the status of eighth-tier alchemists."
"With eighth-tier alchemists among our ranks, it's only natural the Moonlit Chaos Mansion has drawn attention," Saint Tian Huo murmured, nodding thoughtfully as realization dawned on him.
While it did surprise him to learn that Xiao Hua's other sworn siblings—whom he had yet to meet—were not only eighth-tier alchemists but also founding members of the Moonlit Chaos Mansion, his reaction remained relatively calm.
Surprising, yes—but far from overwhelming.
After all, nothing quite compared to the shock of witnessing Xiao Hua, at such a young age, refining multiple Tier 9 Treasure Pills and attaining the rank of ninth-tier alchemist.
In comparison to that monstrous level of talent, almost anything else seemed... tame.
"They're currently in closed-door retreat, attempting to break through the barrier between the Spiritual State and the Heavenly State," Li Mei said with a soft chuckle, a gentle smile on her lips. "Once they emerge, they plan to refine Tier 9 Treasure Pills and officially become ninth-tier alchemists."
"If only Brother Wei Jie and Sister Mei Ling hadn't gone into seclusion… we might have had two more joining us," Zi Yan sighed, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"Personally, I'd prefer they remain where they are," Ming Cheng shook his head and let out a deep sigh. "In a situation like this, having fewer people is actually better. A large group would only draw more attention."
Xiao Hua nodded, fully understanding his reasoning. "Indeed. It's best that Brother Wei Jie and Sister Mei Ling head to the Moonlit Chaos Mansion and support Sister Xin Yu with the internal affairs."
Even though he could open a spatial tunnel for retreat, sustaining one large enough for many people placed a heavy burden on his Dou Qi reserves. In the worst-case scenario, escape might become difficult. The current group was already close to the limit of what he could manage under pressure, especially if he was forced into battle at his weakest.
"Regardless," Xiao Hua said, shaking his head as he turned to the group, "the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting won't begin for a few more hours. Let's use the time to recover and bring ourselves to peak condition."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, distributing numerous healing and recovery pills to everyone. Then, with a thought, he handed out three Phoenix Elemental Core Pills—one each to Ming Cheng, Li Mei, and Little Fairy Doctor.
Everyone settled into their respective spots and swallowed the pills. With their eyes closed, they focused fully on refining the medicinal essence, replenishing their exhausted Dou Qi and bringing their conditions to their peak.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hua remained standing, his gaze sharp and observant as he watched the steady stream of people flowing into Lightning Mountain, entering the Wind Lightning Eastern Pavilion.
Though he had consumed several pills himself, there was no need for him to focus on refining them. His five Primordial Flames and Heavenly Lightnings automatically processed the medicinal essence, transforming it into the purest Dou Qi that flowed smoothly into his vast and reinforced meridians.
This same principle applied to Ming Cheng and Li Mei as well. The two stood watch at separate vantage points, keeping a close eye on the surroundings to prevent any potential ambushes while the others cultivated.
As he maintained his vigil, he quietly stirred the System awake and immediately performed twenty-three Gacha draws upon noticing his large reserve of ACP.
Three of the draws granted him enormous ACP rewards. Without hesitation, he used them to upgrade the ACP Rate twice—bringing it to 350 ACP per 12 hours—before leaving his remaining balance at approximately 36,000 ACP.
"Even so… is this the Wind Lightning Strength? It's quite dense," Xiao Hua murmured.
Closing the System interface with a thought, he exhaled gently and swept his gaze across the surroundings. The energy permeating Lightning Mountain was unlike anything he had encountered before. Having never comes into contact with Wind Lightning Strength, his curiosity was naturally piqued.
'Still… it's nothing compared to the uniqueness of Heavenly Flames or other divine treasures,' he mused inwardly, his interest gradually fading as the novelty wore off.
Just then, his gaze locked onto a distant aura—a formidable presence imbued with a potent concentration of Wind Lightning Strength. The level of power it radiated was comparable to that of Qin Tian or Qing Hai.
Naturally, Xiao Hua didn't need to guess. Only one person could possess such unique aura.
His eyes narrowed, and a chilling glint flashed through them.
"Lei Zun-zhe… no matter what, I'll make sure you repay the debt you owe Brother Ming Cheng."
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