Chapter 435: A Scare Without Danger
Wooo!
As more people boarded the warships, the low and solemn sound of the horns echoed once again. Black clouds churned, the warships began to tremble, and under countless watching eyes, they transformed into layers of stormy clouds, thundering swiftly toward the exit of the Ancient Realm.
At the heart of the Holy Ancient City, the pristine lake shimmered with ripples under the bright sunlight, scattering beams of dazzling light.
Shhh!
The calm surface suddenly rippled violently. A massive spatial rift tore open in midair, and figures swiftly flashed out from within, landing all around. In an instant, the quiet city grew lively.
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan also emerged from the rift, appearing atop a building. They glanced around briefly. Before the Gu Clan members could approach to greet them, the two shot off toward the city gate at high speed. Strangely, none of the Gu Clan's experts made a move to stop them—they acted as if they hadn't seen anything, silently watching the two figures vanish from sight.
Once they were beyond the Holy Ancient City, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan finally paused.
"Brother, what was that thing you gave Xun'er earlier?"
Xiao Yan had been holding back this question. Now he asked openly.
"Finally asking?" Xiao Yuan chuckled. "It was a key to the Heavenly Tomb."
"A key?"
Xiao Yan was stunned.
"Here, this one's yours."
Xiao Yuan flicked another soul imprint into Xiao Yan's hand.
"This will let the two of you stay linked across space and time—and allow entry into the Heavenly Tomb from anywhere. But don't you mess with Xun'er's bloodline. Even with Brother Xuan around, you won't survive the Gu Clan's wrath."
Xiao Yuan grinned.
"Seriously?"
Xiao Yan infused his soul energy into the imprint, which instantly flew into his brow. He closed his eyes.
Moments later, he looked at Xiao Yuan with joy. "Thank you, Brother!"
With this, he and Xun'er could meet anytime.
Still, he knew he had to train harder. His third brother was far too ahead—he needed to catch up!
"Next stop: Starfall Pavilion."
Xiao Yuan wasn't planning to linger. He checked a map, flicked his sleeve, enveloped Xiao Yan in soul power, and casually tore open a spatial rift. In a flash, they vanished.
With his humanoid Taixu Ancient Dragon bloodline and much-increased strength, Xiao Yuan traveled at full speed. Within just two days, they reached Starfall Pavilion's territory.
Once there, he clearly sensed many more strong presences than before. Several important cities had two to three Dou Zun experts stationed—no small feat even in the entire Central Plains. But with Yao Lao's reputation, gathering such help was easy.
What comforted the two was that there was no sign of chaos—just reinforced defenses. The atmosphere lacked the tight, warlike pressure one would expect from battle.
They didn't stop in any cities and flew straight to Starfall Pavilion. Within an hour, they reached the mountainous region where it was located, then turned into streaks of light and shot into the Pavilion's star realm.
Inside the star realm, the mood was peaceful and calm. Though it was smaller than the Ancient Realm, it was comparable to a city in size—enough to house tens of thousands.
In the vast plazas, countless disciples of Starfall Pavilion trained in perfect formation. Their powerful shouts merged like rolling thunder across the realm.
The realm had changed drastically. Rugged mountains had been reshaped, and new buildings were everywhere. People bustled like ants, adding a lively energy. Powerful auras emanated from peaks at the center, giving the entire realm a fortified, unbreakable feeling.
Shhh!
Suddenly, a streak of light flashed through the tranquil sky, charging straight toward the central peak with terrifying force.
"Who dares trespass in the Star Realm?!"
As the streak appeared, furious voices rang out. Whoosh whoosh—nearly a dozen elderly figures appeared in the sky and roared in unison, "Freeze!"
With their shout, the space around them rapidly solidified. Yet to their shock, the intruder didn't stop—he accelerated! Under countless astonished gazes, the figure tore through the solid space and appeared like a ghost behind them.
"Six months away, and now there's this much security…"
The figure stopped—revealing the white-robed Xiao Yuan and black-clad Xiao Yan.
"You are?"
The elders tensed, especially under Xiao Yan's faint pressure. His quasi-Emperor soul alone sent shivers through their spirits.
That level of soul pressure… only Yao Lao could rival it.
Some even felt Xiao Yuan's soul might surpass Yao Lao's—though none dared believe it.
After all, Yao Lao was now a ninth-tier alchemist capable of crafting treasure-grade pills. He was the reason most of them had joined Starfall Pavilion.
Down below, disciples looked up, murmuring in awe at the sight of the two figures.
"Are they… the Young Pavilion Masters?"
"White-robed one must be Xiao Yuan. So handsome!"
"Don't be silly. Guys like that wouldn't look twice at us."
"I heard they're both champions from the Pill Gathering. One's a small powerhouse in the Pill Tower. I joined Starfall Pavilion for them. Didn't expect to see them for real—hehe!"
"Salute to the Young Pavilion Masters!"
A yellow-robed elder, seemingly the leader, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"No need for formality."
Xiao Yuan smiled and swept his gaze across the star realm. In just half a year, it had changed drastically. With so many strong protectors, even the Soul Hall wouldn't dare invade casually. Judging by what he sensed, Starfall Pavilion was now second only to the Pill Tower and Soul Hall among Central Plains powers.
"Young Pavilion Masters? Since when did I become one?"
Xiao Yan scratched his head in confusion.
"The Pavilion Masters said since we have two Pavilion Masters, having two Young Pavilion Masters makes sense."
The elder explained.
"Fair enough…"
Xiao Yan shrugged. He didn't care for such titles—and he wasn't good with sect management anyway.
"Hehe, you two finally returned!"
Just then, a handsome white-haired figure emerged behind them—Yao Lao.
"Teacher!"
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Pavilion Master!"
The elders greeted him respectfully. Yao Lao rarely appeared, and many saw him as a mysterious legend. After all, he was a Dou Sheng and a ninth-tier alchemist—one of the strongest on the surface of the continent.
Thanks to the two Young Pavilion Masters, they finally got to see the renowned Medicine Saint.
Yao Lao nodded with a smile and waved them off. He scanned Xiao Yan and nodded in approval.
"Not bad. From five-star to nine-star Dou Zun in just six months. Seems you gained much from this journey."
The elders nearby were visibly stunned. That kind of growth was terrifying.
Xiao Yan smiled. Yao Lao could see his depth at a glance, so he just nodded.
Then Yao Lao turned to Xiao Yuan.
"Hmm? From six-star to peak Two-Turn Dou Zun? And your soul… is it at Heavenly Perfection already?"
His eyes widened. He grabbed Xiao Yuan's wrist and probed carefully.
His face lit with shock.
The elders were also stunned.
This Xiao Yuan… might be even scarier than Xiao Yan!
"Just luck and opportunity."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Come, let's talk inside."
Yao Lao shook his head in disbelief but agreed.
"Right."
Xiao Yuan nodded, glanced around, then frowned. "Teacher, Little Doctor Immortal and the others aren't back yet?"
"They returned… but left again."
Yao Lao said.
"Left? Where?"
Xiao Yuan frowned. Surely the Soul Hall hadn't sent Dou Shengs to raid the Jia Ma Empire?
"There was some trouble there. I sent the newly awakened Cai Lin, Little Doctor Immortal, Qinglian, Tian Huo Zun Zhe, and several elders. That lineup should've resolved things by now."
Yao Lao explained.
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan breathed a little easier.
"So what happened exactly?"
Xiao Yuan asked, puzzled. Last he remembered, it was Blood River and Mo Yu who were causing trouble—and they were both dead.
"To be precise, the entire Northwestern Continent is in trouble."
Yao Lao said gravely.
"Originally, there was no major unrest. But a year ago, a sect called Lion Nether Sect suddenly began a massive conquest. Wherever they went, no one could resist. In less than half a year, they took over nearly half the continent."
Yao Lao stood atop a peak, his voice low.
"Lion Nether Sect? Never heard of them. Are they strong?"
Xiao Yan asked, frowning.
"They used to rank top ten in the Northwest—not invincible. But now, their power has skyrocketed, and many mysterious, powerful experts have joined them…"
Yao Lao said calmly.
"Soul Hall?"
Xiao Yuan knew immediately.
"Mm."
Yao Lao nodded. "According to intelligence, many Soul Hall experts have appeared within the Lion Nether Sect."
"Why would Soul Hall stir up war in the Northwest?"
Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.
"To harvest souls. In Central Plains, things are too complicated—even Soul Hall doesn't dare start wars openly. But in places like the Northwest, they can dominate with ease. By stirring up battles behind the scenes, they can collect countless soul bodies!"
Yao Lao frowned, sensing a sinister plot behind Soul Hall's actions.
(END CHAPTER)
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