The sun shone brightly, and the sky was clear of clouds. Beams of light, carrying high temperatures, continuously poured down. Under this scorching weather, even the trees lining the road seemed to droop listlessly.
On the wide road, a caravan galloped on horseback, kicking up a plume of dust that rose into the sky.
"Quick, go inform the Family Head! Something's happened, something big has happened!"
As the caravan sped towards the city gates, a middle-aged man leaped from a carriage and urgently addressed the group waiting at the entrance.
Upon seeing the badge on the middle-aged man's person, those who heard the commotion within the city changed their expressions.
This was because it was a badge only qualified to be worn by an elder of the Han Family!
The Han Family and the Hong Family were the two largest families in Tian Bei City.
Seeing someone of such status in such a hurry, everyone was curious as to what had occurred.
This doubt did not trouble them for long.
The very next day at noon, the mystery was solved.
Interestingly, the news did not come from the Han Family. Instead, it originated from their rival, the Hong Family.
The night before last, Hong Chen, whom the Hong Family had placed great hopes on, had provoked a powerful enemy on his way home and died on the spot.
Immediately after, Elder Yang Lei, one of the Four Great Elders of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, arrived and was instantly captured.
Yesterday afternoon, the Pavilion Master of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, Heavenly Thunder Child Fei Tian, personally intervened. However, his attempt to steal a chicken resulted in losing the rice used to lure it. Not only did he fail to reclaim the situation, but he also leaked the Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body.
These events, one after another, instantly ignited the atmosphere in Tian Bei City, with people everywhere discussing them animatedly.
"Brother, is your news reliable?"
"Absolutely! Let me tell you, this morning a disciple from the Wind and Lightning Pavilion went to the Hong Family to demand an explanation. Coincidentally, he's my cousin's cousin. We were eating together an hour ago, and he told me himself. Could it be false?"
"And then what?"
"What happened next is even less of a secret. The two powerful individuals who suppressed the Northern Pavilion Master and Elder Yang Lei spoke then, ordering the Wind and Lightning Pavilion to relocate within three days, or face the consequences. The Han Family's caravan happened to be nearby and overheard this, which is why they were so rushed yesterday."
"So that's how it is! But the Wind and Lightning Pavilion is powerful, and behind them, they have a Thunder Venerable. I doubt they'll compromise so easily, will they?"
"That's where you're mistaken. Those two mysterious powerhouses are also Dou Zun level. There are rumors that they are from the same clan as the Demon Snake Xia Mang, though one of them seems to be in a rather unusual state. The specifics are unknown."
"It seems we can only wait for the results in three days, no, two days. This time, we might have the chance to witness a battle at the Dou Zun level!"
In a luxurious restaurant in Tian Bei City, a group of diners were gathered, discussing with great enthusiasm.
They didn't notice that at a table by the window, a white-robed youth was listening with suppressed amusement.
From the same clan as the Demon Snake Xia Mang? Their imaginations are truly boundless.
After listening for a while longer, just as Chen Xiao was about to leave and return to his room to rest, a silver silhouette slowly appeared at the top of the restaurant stairs and began to descend to the second floor.
As this silver silhouette appeared, the second floor suddenly became much quieter, and numerous astonished gazes were cast in her direction.
Her skin was as fair as snow, and she was dressed in a silver robe. She was tall and well-proportioned, with flowing lines that exuded both strength and elegance.
What drew the most attention was her radiant silver hair, which cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall.
Under everyone's gaze, she surveyed the room, finally locking her eyes on the youth by the window. She smiled sweetly and then gracefully walked closer.
"Disciple of the Purple Firmament Pavilion, Han Yue, greets the Pavilion Master."
Upon reaching him, Han Yue ignored the scrutinizing gazes around her and bowed.
Not only the diners on the second floor, but even Chen Xiao, the person in question, was now filled with confusion.
"The Pavilion Master doesn't often stay at the Pavilion, so you might not know. After I left the Academy last month, I spent a few days training in the Black-Corner Region. It was then that I joined the Purple Firmament Pavilion. Actually, it's not just me; most of the top ten on the Strong Ranking from our batch have joined the Purple Firmament Pavilion."
Noticing Chen Xiao's expression, Han Yue immediately explained considerately.
Hearing her explanation, Chen Xiao finally understood.
When he had last returned to the Purple Firmament Pavilion, he had also heard Hai Bo Dong mention that since Jia Nan Academy and the Purple Firmament Pavilion had initiated their school-enterprise cooperation, students from Jia Nan Academy who went to train in the Black-Corner Region would generally join the Purple Firmament Pavilion, obtaining the status of ordinary disciples.
With the protection of the Purple Firmament Pavilion, they were equivalent to having an additional layer of protection in the Black-Corner Region.
Although the people in the Black-Corner Region were unreasonable and their customs were poor, under normal circumstances, no one dared to openly oppose them.
This alone was enough to attract the Academy students.
Chen Xiao hadn't paid much attention when he heard this, nor had he inquired further about which students had joined, which was why he was a little confused by Han Yue's self-introduction just now.
"So that's how it is. Since you're one of us, please sit down and talk."
Upon hearing this, Han Yue hesitated, feeling that it was too casual and might be impolite.
After all, she had heard the rumors in Tian Bei City. As a member of the Han Family, she knew more and had some suspicions.
"It's fine, please sit. I am also a student of Jia Nan Academy. By reckoning, you are my junior. I saw you from afar when dealing with the Fallen Heart Flame." Chen Xiao smiled slightly.
What he said was the truth. It wasn't that he had deliberately paid attention to Han Yue; it was simply because her silver hair made her stand out like a shining beacon in the crowd, making it hard not to notice her.
Hearing Chen Xiao say this, Han Yue finally sat down as requested, though her posture was very upright.
It was evident that she was still somewhat nervous.
Chen Xiao didn't mind and said with a smile, "How did you know I came to Tian Bei City?"
"To be honest, Pavilion Master, I guessed. Yesterday, my Han Family's merchant caravan rushed back to the family, saying they heard someone in the Ten Thousand Snake Gorge declare war on the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, and even mentioned the Purple Firmament Pavilion. At that time, I suspected it was the Pavilion Master who had arrived, so I had people pay more attention. After all, Tian Bei City is not small in scale within the Northern Heaven Desert, and it's not that far from the Ten Thousand Snake Gorge. There's a high probability that the Pavilion Master would stop here."
Han Yue did not conceal anything, truthfully recounting her thought process.
Before, when she was at the Academy, she only needed to cultivate diligently and manage the academy faction she had established. She didn't need to concern herself too much with external powers.
But now, having graduated and returned to her family, she needed to start considering matters from the family's perspective.
In Tian Bei, a behemoth like the Wind and Lightning Pavilion was a matter that affected the entire region.
If the Purple Firmament Pavilion were to replace it, the power structure of Tian Bei would undergo a complete reshuffle.
The Hong Family was an example of this.
With the death of Hong Chen, whom they valued the most, the Hong Family would not immediately decline, but the effort they had invested would be wasted. Cultivating another like him would not be easy, giving the Han Family time to catch up. With their strength waning and ours waxing, perhaps in three to five years, the Han Family could completely surpass the Hong Family.
Therefore, if she hadn't known about Chen Xiao's arrival in Tian Bei City, it would have been one thing. But now that she knew, whether from the family's standpoint or as an individual disciple of the Purple Firmament Pavilion, it was only natural for Han Yue to come and pay her respects.
"You are quite meticulous and bold. Knowing that I've clashed with the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, you still dare to associate yourself with me."
Understanding why Han Yue had appeared, Chen Xiao praised her with a hint of teasing.
He did not dislike this behavior. In life, one would always face many opportunities, and being able to seize them was a skill.
Just like now, the Han Family could not really help Chen Xiao. However, Han Yue's appearance before the battle, declaring her allegiance, would be remembered by Chen Xiao regardless of the outcome. The Han Family of Tian Bei City was the first force in the Central State to pledge allegiance to the Purple Firmament Pavilion.
"I'm just glad the Pavilion Master doesn't blame me. I came here presumptuously today mainly to invite the Pavilion Master to stay at my Han Family residence, to fulfill our duties as hosts. Although the Han Family is not large, it's better than an inn or a restaurant." Han Yue smiled charmingly as she extended the invitation.
Chen Xiao pondered for a moment and then shook his head slightly.
Seeing Han Yue's smile falter, he then chuckled, "Don't overthink it. It has nothing to do with the Han Family. It's mainly because I want to travel alone. Over the years, I've been to many places, but most of the time I had company. Now that I have a rare opportunity to travel alone, I must savor it. After all, in a little while, Xian'er and the others will be back."
Of course, Chen Xiao did not mean that he preferred to be alone. He also cherished the enviable days spent with Little Fairy Doctor and the others.
Hearing Chen Xiao say this, Han Yue finally relaxed.
"If that's the case, then I won't force the Pavilion Master. This is all the information our Han Family could gather about the Wind and Lightning Pavilion. I hope it can be of some help to the Pavilion Master."
Saying this, Han Yue produced a notebook and handed it over.
Chen Xiao took it and flipped through it. The pages were filled with densely packed, neat handwriting, detailing the many powerhouses of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion.
At the very front, without a doubt, was Thunder Venerable.
Thunder Venerable: Peak Three-Star Dou Zun
Dou Skills: Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body, Three Thousand Lightning Movement...
From his strength to the Dou Skills he possessed, including some past achievements, everything was clearly recorded.
Following Thunder Venerable were the Pavilion Masters of the four Wind and Lightning Pavilions, as well as elders at the Dou Zong level, such as those from the Northern Pavilion, like Feng Yun Lei Dian.
Of course, this was surely only the information that others had revealed publicly, meant for reference and to gain a general understanding.
"You've been very thoughtful. Seeing you today, I've suddenly remembered something. I've already chosen Qifeng Mountain as the location for the Purple Firmament Pavilion. Regardless of whether the Wind and Lightning Pavilion is willing to move, even if they are, they will surely leave behind a mess, and reconstruction will be unavoidable. If the Han Family is willing, before the Purple Firmament Pavilion's personnel arrive, you can handle this matter. When the people from the Northwest arrive, you can settle the accounts for the resources consumed. What do you say?"
After finishing reading the information on Thunder Venerable, Chen Xiao put the notebook into his storage ring and looked up to speak.
Han Yue was stunned for a moment, then excitedly stood up and agreed.
"Willing, of course, we're willing! Thank you, Pavilion Master. The Han Family will not disappoint you!"
"Good, then you can go back and prepare. Come to Qifeng Mountain in two days and start the work directly."
"Yes!"
Han Yue bowed and then quickly departed.
People who have just graduated from the Academy are always so full of drive.
Watching Han Yue's hurried departing back, Chen Xiao smiled and looked out at the sky.
For some reason, he felt a pang of longing for the Little Dragon Person.
After being on Dragon Island for so long, Zi Yan must have grown quite a bit, right?
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