Above the azure sky, spatial fluctuations occasionally rippled, and faint voices could be heard from within.
"Chen Xiao, isn't the East Wind and Lightning Pavilion the main pavilion? Why aren't we moving the Purple Firmament Pavilion here?"
The Purple Firmament Pavilion was named by Zi Yan, using a homophone from her and Chen Xiao's names. Thus, this girl was a genuine founding member.
"It's all just a temporary resting place. There's not much difference between the East and North Pavilions. I chose Tian Bei as the location mainly because there's an ancient ruin there. Being close to the water allows the moon to be seen first; settling there for investigation is much more convenient."
Facing Zi Yan, Chen Xiao rarely held back, directly revealing his plans.
Whether it was Qifeng Mountain, chosen for the Purple Firmament Pavilion, or Myriad Snake Gorge, chosen for the Snake-People Race, they were all still transitional.
Once they had sufficient strength in the future, they could open up a small world, which would be the proper bearing for a major power. The Snake-People Race could also relocate to the Beast Region, the most suitable place for their survival.
"A ruin? Looking for ancient ruins? I'm good at that!"
Zi Yan's interest was immediately piqued. The Void Ancient Dragon's talent in spatial matters needed no further explanation.
"Alright, you can pay more attention to it later. There's no rush. That ruin hasn't shown any signs of emerging yet. Even with your status as a Void Ancient Dragon, finding it won't be that easy."
"Hehe, as long as it's confirmed there's a ruin in Tian Bei, I'll definitely be able to find it!" Zi Yan said confidently.
If the general location wasn't certain, finding a ruin on the vast Dou Qi Continent would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. But with a general direction, the difficulty would instantly decrease.
"You're not thinking of inviting people from Dragon Island, are you?"
"That's also a possibility. Many hands make light work. But not for now. I escaped this time, hehe."
Zi Yan giggled slyly. Such a smile on her exceptionally beautiful face created an indescribable contrast, making Chen Xiao look at her a second time.
"You have no idea, ever since I returned to Dragon Island, I've been force-fed disgusting things by those detestable guys every day. It's nothing but cultivation, cultivation, cultivation, and I'm almost bored to death. So, after this advancement, I secretly ran out when they weren't paying attention."
"No one discovered you left?"
"Uh, they probably know. I snuck out a few times when I was a Dou Zong before, but I was always caught and brought back. This time, I didn't encounter any obstacles on the way out."
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, once again feeling that this girl had truly grown up a lot.
If she still had the childish mindset of the past, she probably wouldn't have realized that it was the Elders of Dragon Island who let her off the hook, allowing her to return to the Central State without any hindrance.
"Never mind me. What about Sister Cai Lin and Sister Xian'er? Why are you alone this time?"
"Cai Lin and Yao Yao are still in the northwest. Xian'er went to receive her inheritance. Qing Lin is traveling in the Central State and can return at any time..."
Without overthinking, Chen Xiao told Zi Yan everything that had happened after she left, including his return to the northwest, Yao Yao's birth, and the arrangements for coming to the Central State this time.
"Then let's hurry! After we're done scavenging this time, we'll open a spatial wormhole and bring Sister Cai Lin over. I haven't even met Yao Yao yet. She was born a Dou Zong expert, which is simply unbelievable. Also, I remember Sister Cai Lin and you were only Dou Zong and Dou Huang back then. If it were two Dou Zuns, like you and me now, would she be born a Dou Zun?"
Zi Yan became more animated as she spoke, not caring if her words could cause misunderstandings.
In any case, her curiosity was truly piqued.
"That's different. Cai Lin's situation is special. Back then, she had just evolved into the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python..."
"I'm also a Void Ancient Dragon, and I'm no worse than a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. Don't tell me you have no intentions. You've looked at me so many times. Sister Cai Lin said that if someone sees you naked, you either kill them or make them responsible!"
Zi Yan put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest, acting righteously and being even more direct than Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao was speechless. He finally understood what Cai Lin had privately discussed with Zi Yan before.
"What Cai Lin said... isn't wrong. Forget it, we'll research this matter later."
Unable to refute Zi Yan's words, Chen Xiao could only try to calm things down for now.
Admittedly, the grown-up Zi Yan was very alluring, possessing both beauty and a good figure, with an impressive background and strength. Chen Xiao felt very at ease when interacting with her.
However, the image of the Little Dragon Person was deeply ingrained in his mind, and it couldn't be removed in a short period.
"East Wind and Lightning Pavilion, we've arrived!"
Zi Yan's thoughts jumped from one thing to another, and she didn't dwell on it. Her attention was quickly drawn to the Thunder Mountain that came into view.
With the main business at hand, their familiar tacit understanding returned.
Exchanging a glance, Zi Yan closed her eyes to sense, and soon obtained a result. Her jade finger pointed in a direction.
"The treasury is over there!"
Without hesitation, the two ignored the somewhat chaotic crowd below and headed straight for the treasury.
Not much time had passed since Thunder Venerable's demise, and the news had not yet spread throughout the Central State.
However, with the deaths of Thunder Venerable and so many high-ranking members of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, the East Wind and Lightning Pavilion would definitely be able to learn of the situation through the Soul Thunder Stele. This was also why disciples were constantly fleeing down Thunder Mountain within their line of sight.
Winding and turning, Chen Xiao and Zi Yan arrived at an underground corridor. At the end of the corridor was a thick stone door carved with numerous stone sculptures.
"Fortunately, there are restrictions. Otherwise, after such a long time, the treasury would have definitely been emptied by those disciples." Arriving before the stone door, Zi Yan sensed it briefly and said with satisfaction.
Chen Xiao was not surprised. The location of the treasury was of utmost importance. It would be strange if there weren't any protective measures.
"I'll leave it to you."
"Simple!"
Zi Yan smiled proudly and lightly sliced the space in front of her with her jade hand.
Instantly, a spatial rift, only half a meter wide and about three meters high, appeared.
Without hesitation, Zi Yan stepped into it.
Chen Xiao followed closely behind. With a blur before his eyes, when his vision cleared again, he found that the two of them were already inside the treasury.
The restriction outside the door was completely useless!
"I didn't expect the Wind and Lightning Pavilion to have such deep foundations. There must be many good things in this treasury!"
Looking around, rows of bookshelves and stone platforms were displayed inside the treasury.
On the bookshelves were neatly arranged scrolls and notebooks of various colors.
On the stone platforms were rosewood boxes that seemed to stretch endlessly, and he could even see several familiar silver scrolls placed in the deepest part.
Chen Xiao casually opened a notebook beside him. Inside was a high-quality mutton fat jade bottle with a label written on its body.
"Fifth-grade elixir, Recovery Pill."
This was a life-saving elixir specifically used to heal serious injuries. Its medicinal properties were mild and would not cause any damage to the injured body.
Although the grade of the Recovery Pill was a bit low for Chen Xiao and Zi Yan at the moment, the fact that it was placed closest to the treasury door was enough to explain everything!
"Huh? They actually have a Transformation Pill? Does the Wind and Lightning Pavilion have magical beasts?"
While Chen Xiao was casually looking around, Zi Yan was not idle. She walked forward a hundred meters and took out a jade bottle from a wooden box carved with dragons and phoenixes.
Seeing the elixir inside, Zi Yan couldn't help but show surprise.
She had taken a Transformation Pill before and knew how precious it was.
"That Feng Qing'er seems to have a mount. Perhaps it was prepared for her. Anyway, Venerable Lei is already dead, so no one can say for sure. Let's stop looking and take everything with us. We can sort it out slowly when we get back. We still need to go to the West and South Pavilions."
Under normal circumstances, ordinary forces would not commit such a taboo as to steal others' spoils. However, the world was vast and full of wonders. It was more convenient to secure the spoils as soon as possible.
Zi Yan nodded slightly, raised her jade hand, and immediately collected all the wooden boxes into her storage ring.
After returning to Dragon Island, she had seen many grand occasions. The treasury of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion was no longer enough to surprise her.
Chen Xiao chuckled and collected all the scrolls, notebooks on the bookshelves, and the various materials piled up in the distance into his storage ring.
These cultivation techniques and Dou Skills were enough to support the operation of a pavilion, but Chen Xiao's interest was not very high.
After all, he had already obtained the most precious Dou Skills of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, Three Thousand Lightning Movement and Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body, in advance.
The remaining ones were unlikely to be of such a high grade, and he could look at them slowly later.
"Let's go."
...
Half a month later.
Thanks to Chen Xiao and Venerable Lei being mindful during their fight, Qifeng Mountain was not significantly affected. Even the protective formation of the Wind Thunder Northern Pavilion, the Nine Heavens Thunder Prison Array, remained intact.
After the cleanup by the Han family members and the modifications personally directed by Zi Yan, Qifeng Mountain had already begun to change its appearance, with the shadow of the Wind Thunder Northern Pavilion becoming less and less prominent.
At this moment, on the highest floor of the Thunder Tower, Heavenly Flame Venerable was holding a list and reporting.
"Reporting to the Pavilion Master, the remnants of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion have been sorted out and all have been moved into the treasury. This includes a complete scroll of Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body and eight incomplete scrolls."
"Twenty-eight scrolls of Three Thousand Lightning Movement."
"Two high-level Earth tier cultivation techniques of the lightning attribute, one high-level Earth tier cultivation technique of the water attribute..."
"Six high-level Earth tier Dou Skills..."
"Twenty-one elixirs of seventh grade and above!"
"Six seventh-tier Magic Cores!"
"..."
From cultivation techniques and Dou Skills to various materials and Magic Cores, Heavenly Flame Venerable took about ten minutes to finish his report.
And these were only the items brought back from the treasuries of the four Wind and Lightning Pavilions, not including the storage rings of the elders who had fallen that day.
However, even so, if these were revealed, it would be enough to move the various forces in the Central State.
"Well done, Heavenly Flame. Before Old Hai arrives in the Central State, you will be in charge of the affairs of the Purple Firmament Pavilion. The handover will be done then."
"Yes!" Heavenly Flame Venerable bowed in response.
However, as he was about to leave, he stopped.
"Pavilion Master, there is a small matter. In the past half month, the news of Venerable Lei's demise has spread throughout the Central State, making both the Pavilion Master and the Purple Firmament Pavilion's reputation soar. Knowing that the Purple Firmament Pavilion intends to recruit disciples and elders, many people have come to inquire these past few days. I have told ordinary people to come back in half a year as the Pavilion Master instructed, but the identities of a few of them are somewhat different."
"Explain in detail."
Heavenly Flame Venerable nodded and said, "Two of them have Dou Zong strength. One is named Gan Hou, and the other is named Dun Xiong. They said they had seen the Pavilion Master before and have now finished their travels and have come specifically to join us."
"Gan Hou... Dun Xiong..."
Chen Xiao recalled carefully. After a long time, he remembered that these were the two subordinates of the Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast from Falling God Ravine that day!
At that time, seeing that these two magical beasts were quite sensible and had nowhere to go after leaving Falling God Ravine, Chen Xiao had told them that they could go to the Purple Firmament Pavilion.
"I remember now, there was indeed such a thing. We are currently short of manpower. Let them stay. Their specific positions will be decided after the personnel for the Northwest Purple Firmament Pavilion are in place."
Heavenly Flame Venerable nodded and made a note, then continued, "The other two are from the northwest. One is named Yun Yun, and the other is named Nalan Yanran. The Pavilion Master must know their identities; they are the former Sect Master and Young Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao was surprised.
Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran…
He truly hadn't expected these two to come seeking refuge at the Purple Firmament Pavilion.
However, if he calculated the time, it had been over two months since the destruction of the Yun Lan Sect. It was about time for this master and disciple to reach the Central State if they had left the northwest.
Perhaps, after arriving in the Central State, they heard people discussing the Purple Firmament Pavilion, and then heard Chen Xiao's name, which led to their decision.
After all, Chen Xiao and Yun Yun had met once many years ago, so they had some connection.
In the unfamiliar Central State, compared to forces they knew nothing about, the Purple Firmament Pavilion, founded by people from the Jia Ma Empire, was clearly more advantageous.
"Wasn't the Yun Lan Sect the strongest sect in the Jia Ma Empire? How did even the Sect Master run away?"
Zi Yan, standing beside him, was full of surprise. She had also been to the Jia Ma Empire before and knew a little about the Yun Lan Sect.
Her asking this now was because Chen Xiao hadn't mentioned the destruction of the Yun Lan Sect to her.
After all, that matter had little to do with them.
"The Yun Lan Sect is gone. Xiao Yan took people back and did it."
"I see. So, are you taking this master and disciple?" Zi Yan let out a soft "oh," not paying much attention.
Chen Xiao pondered for a moment before replying, "Let's meet them and then decide."
Whether he accepted Yun Yun and her disciple or not didn't really affect Chen Xiao. Relatively speaking, the Purple Firmament Pavilion wasn't the best place for them.
Heavenly Flame Honored One acknowledged and retreated. Not long after, he returned with two women.
The one wearing blue and white attire, with a more slender figure, was Yun Yun, whom Chen Xiao had met before.
Following behind her, the young woman with a somewhat gloomy expression was undoubtedly Nalan Yanran, who had uttered the famous line, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river."
Chen Xiao and Zi Yan had also met them at the Xiao Family.
Compared to the proud young lady Nalan from his memory, the current Nalan Yanran showed no trace of arrogance. Her eyes always carried a lingering trace of regret.
Perhaps she had also thought that if she hadn't gone to the Xiao Family to break off the engagement and provoke Xiao Yan back then, there wouldn't have been so many subsequent events, and the Yun Lan Sect wouldn't have been destroyed because of it.
"Yun Yun greets the Pavilion Master."
After Heavenly Flame Honored One retreated to the side, Yun Yun took the lead in bowing.
Nalan Yanran, realizing belatedly, followed suit, her proud head bowed deeply.
"Sect Master Yun, there's no need for such formality. Heavenly Flame has already told me your intentions. As fellow people from the northwest, and both originating from the Jia Ma Empire, I naturally welcome you to join the Purple Firmament Pavilion."
"However, I do have a suggestion. In the Central State, there is a sect called the Flower Sect. The saying 'One Palace, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions'—you must have heard it since arriving in the Central State. The Flower Sect is one of the Two Sects."
"The Flower Sect has a special situation; they are relatively low-key and only recruit female disciples. Compared to the Purple Firmament Pavilion, the Flower Sect is actually more suitable for you. Moreover, within the Flower Sect, there is an opportunity. If things proceed naturally, it will likely fall into your hands. Of course, opportunities attract attention, and after you obtain it, it will likely trigger some conflicts, so you need to be mentally prepared."
"This is my suggestion. You can go to the Flower Sect, or you can stay at the Purple Firmament Pavilion. The choice is yours."
The opportunity at the Flower Sect was special and would take a long time, thus it was destined to have nothing to do with Chen Xiao.
Out of consideration for their past acquaintance, Chen Xiao pointed it out.
But as he said, the decision on how to choose rested with Yun Yun.
Upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, both Zi Yan and Heavenly Flame Honored One thought that Yun Yun would unhesitatingly choose to go to the Flower Sect.
After all, with Chen Xiao's current strength, if he called something an "opportunity," the benefits must be considerable.
However, Yun Yun merely pondered for a moment before giving an answer that surprised them.
Yun Yun gave a wry smile and shook her head, "Pavilion Master, just call me Yun Yun. The Yun Lan Sect is in the past. Yanran and I wish to stay at the Purple Firmament Pavilion. We ask for your approval."
Chen Xiao glanced at Yun Yun, but he wasn't too surprised by this decision.
Yun Yun's nature wasn't suited for leadership; she was more suited to finding a strong tree to lean on and then cultivating quietly. It wasn't an exaggeration.
If Chen Xiao hadn't pointed out that the opportunity would bring trouble, she would have most likely gone to the Flower Sect. Knowing that it would cause trouble and choosing to avoid it wasn't unexpected.
After all, the current Yun Yun had just experienced the destruction of the Yun Lan Sect and was at her lowest emotional point.
Furthermore, Chen Xiao knew what kind of trouble the opportunity at the Flower Sect would attract. Without Xiao Yan's assistance now, even if Yun Yun obtained it, it might not necessarily be a good thing. It would be difficult for her to get past Hua Jin and the Demonic Flower Evil Lord.
Therefore, from an omniscient perspective, Yun Yun's decision was a fortunate coincidence.
"Alright, then you shall stay at the Purple Firmament Pavilion."
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