The sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky, its rays of intense heat continuously pouring down. Even the trees lining the roadside seemed to droop listlessly under the scorching weather.
On the wide road, a caravan galloped forward, kicking up plumes of dust that billowed into the sky.
"Quick, go inform the Family Head! Something's happened, something big!"
As the caravan reached the city gates, a middle-aged man leaped from a horse-drawn carriage and urgently addressed the group waiting at the entrance.
Upon seeing the insignia on the middle-aged man's person, those who heard the commotion within the city changed their expressions.
This was because it was an insignia only eligible for Han Family stewards to wear!
The Han Family and the Hong Family were the two largest families in Tian Bei City.
To have someone of such status in such a hurry, everyone was curious as to what had transpired.
This doubt did not trouble them for long.
By noon the next day, the mystery was solved.
Interestingly, the news did not originate from the Han Family, but rather 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 Thunder Northern Pavilion, pursued and was instantly captured.
Yesterday afternoon, the Pavilion Master of the Wind Thunder Northern Pavilion, Fei Tian, personally intervened. However, his attempt to steal a chicken resulted in losing the rice, not only failing to reclaim the situation but also revealing the Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body.
These events, one after another, instantly ignited the atmosphere in Tian Bei City, with people everywhere engaging in heated discussions.
"Brother, is that news reliable?"
"Absolutely! Let me tell you, this morning a disciple from the Wind Thunder Northern 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. How could it be fake?"
"And then what happened?"
"What happened next is even less of a secret. Those two powerful individuals who suppressed the Northern Pavilion Master and Elder Yang Lei spoke then, ordering the Wind Thunder Northern 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 hurried yesterday."
"So that's how it is! But the Wind Thunder Northern Pavilion is powerful, and behind them is a Thunder Venerable. They probably won't compromise so easily, right?"
"You guys don't know this, but those two mysterious powerful individuals are also of the Dou Zun level. There are rumors that they are from the Demon Snake Xia Mang's clan, although one of them seems to be in a somewhat 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 Demon Snake Xia Mang's clan, their imagination is truly quite rich.
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 stairs and began to ascend to the second floor.
With the appearance of this silver silhouette, the second floor instantly became much quieter, with many admiring glances cast her way.
Her skin was as fair as snow, and she wore a silver-robed dress. She was tall and well-proportioned, with smooth lines that exuded both strength and elegance.
Most striking 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.
"Purple Firmament Pavilion disciple, 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 involved, was now filled with questions.
"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 year have joined the Purple Firmament Pavilion."
Noticing Chen Xiao's expression, Han Yue immediately explained considerately.
Hearing her explanation, Chen Xiao finally understood.
The last time he 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 a school-enterprise cooperation, students from Jia Nan Academy who went to the Black-Corner Region for training 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 extra protective charm within 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 it back then, nor had he asked in detail which students had joined, which was why he was a bit 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 disrespectful.
After all, she had heard the rumors from Tian Bei City. As a member of the Han Family, she knew more and had some suspicions in her heart.
"It's fine, sit down. I'm also a student of Jia Nan Academy. In fact, you're my junior. I saw you from afar when I was 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, but simply because her silver hair was like a shining light bulb in the crowd, making it hard not to notice.
Hearing Chen Xiao say this, Han Yue finally sat down as requested, though her body was held very straight.
It was evident that she was still a bit nervous.
Chen Xiao didn't mind and chuckled, "How did you know I came to Tian Bei City?"
"To be honest, Pavilion Master, I guessed. Yesterday, my Han Family's caravan rushed back to the family, saying they heard someone declare war on the Wind Thunder Northern Pavilion in Myriad Snake Gorge, and even mentioned the Purple Firmament Pavilion. I suspected then that the Pavilion Master had arrived, so I had people pay more attention. After all, Tian Bei City is not small in the Northern Heaven Desert, and it's not that far from Myriad Snake Gorge. The probability of the Pavilion Master stopping here is quite high."
Han Yue did not hide anything, truthfully recounting her thought process.
In the past, at the Academy, she only needed to cultivate diligently and manage the student 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 Thunder Northern Pavilion would have repercussions for every move.
If the Purple Firmament Pavilion were to replace it, the power structure of Tian Bei would undergo a reshuffle.
The Hong Family was an example of this.
With the death of their most valued Hong Chen, although the Hong Family would not immediately decline, the effort they had invested was in vain. Cultivating another successor 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 that Chen Xiao had come to 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 perfectly reasonable for Han Yue to come and pay her respects.
"You are quite meticulous and also bold, knowing that I've clashed with the Wind and Lightning Pavilion and still daring to associate 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 couldn't help Chen Xiao much, but Han Yue's appearance before the battle, declaring her allegiance, regardless of the outcome, would be remembered by Chen Xiao. 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 glad the Pavilion Master doesn't blame me. I came here today presumptuously mainly to invite the Pavilion Master to stay at my Han Family residence as a host. Although the Han Family isn't large, it's better than an inn or a restaurant," Han Yue said with a graceful smile, extending the invitation.
Chen Xiao pondered for a moment and then gently shook his head.
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 finally have the chance 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 enjoyed the enviable days spent with the Little Fairy Doctor and the others.
Hearing Chen Xiao say this, Han Yue finally felt relieved.
"If that's the case, then I won't insist. This is all the intelligence our Han Family could gather about the Wind and Lightning Pavilion. I hope it can help you," Han Yue said, taking out a notebook and handing it over.
Chen Xiao took it and flipped through it. The pages were filled with densely written, elegant characters, detailing the many powerful figures of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion.
At the very forefront, naturally, was the Thunder Venerable.
Thunder Venerable: Peak Three-Star Dou Zun
Dou Skills: Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body, Three Thousand Lightning Movement...
From his strength to his Dou Skills, including some of his past achievements, everything was clearly recorded.
After the Thunder Venerable were the Pavilion Masters of the Four Wind and Lightning Pavilions, and some elders of the Dou Zong level, such as those from the Northern Pavilion's Wind, Thunder, Lightning, and Electricity divisions.
Of course, this was all publicly displayed information, only for reference to get a general understanding.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Seeing you today, I suddenly remembered something. I've already chosen Qifeng Mountain as the location for the Purple Firmament Pavilion. Regardless of whether the Wind Thunder Northern Pavilion is willing to comply and 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. Once the people from the Northwest arrive, you can settle the accounts for the resources consumed, how about it?"
After finishing reading the intelligence on the Thunder Venerable, Chen Xiao put the notebook into his storage ring and looked up as he spoke.
Han Yue was taken aback, then excitedly stood up and agreed.
"Willing, of course, we're willing! Thank you, Pavilion Master. The Han Family will definitely not disappoint you!"
"Good, then you can go back and prepare. Bring your people to Qifeng Mountain in two days to start the work."
"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 retreating figure, Chen Xiao smiled and looked towards the sky outside the window.
For some reason, he missed the Little Dragon Person.
After being on Dragon Island for so long, Zi Yan must have grown quite a bit by now, right?
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