The Contest for Lightning-struck Wood, Han Yue's Heart

Xiao Chen's sudden intervention, along with the effortless method by which he neutralized a Dou Zong's attack, instantly plunged the bustling street into an eerie silence.

Every gaze, filled with uncertainty and suspicion, focused on the abruptly appearing figure in green robes. A Dou Zong? Such a young Dou Zong?

The elder from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion who had attacked narrowed his eyes, his expression turning incomparably grave. As a three-star Dou Zong, he could not see through this young man at all! The method Xiao Chen had used to dissolve his attack was even more unheard of—it was as if, with a mere thought, his attack had dispersed on its own!

"Who might Your Excellency be? Why are you interfering in the affairs of my Wind and Thunder Pavilion?" the elder asked in a low voice, his tone carrying a trace of wariness. In the Central Plains, any force capable of nurturing such a young Dou Zong was anything but ordinary.

The arrogant young man from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion also changed expression. No longer daring to act rashly, he retreated behind the elder.

Xiao Chen ignored the elder's question. His gaze remained fixed on the arm-thick piece of Lightning-struck Wood, charred black all over yet faintly threaded with flowing silver lightning patterns. At close range, that weak Chaos Aura resonating with the Chaos Flame became even clearer.

"This Lightning-struck Wood is of some use to me." Only then did Xiao Chen raise his eyes toward the people from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, his tone calm. "Name your price."

His attitude was entirely one of equality, even carrying a faint air of looking down on them, as though he were speaking to a roadside vendor. He paid no heed whatsoever to the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's name.

The elder's face darkened, anger rising in his heart, but unable to gauge Xiao Chen's background, he did not dare lash out lightly. "Your Excellency, my Wind and Thunder Pavilion set eyes on this item first..."

"What I set eyes on is mine." Xiao Chen cut him off. His words were simple and direct, yet carried an unquestionable dominance. With a flick of his finger, a Jade Bottle flew toward the still-shaken mercenaries. "There is a Dou Spirit Pill inside. It is enough to compensate you for the trouble of finding this item. Are you willing to trade?"

A Dou Spirit Pill! A Peak Fifth-grade Pill capable of raising a Dou Wang expert's strength by one star! For mercenaries who lived with their lives on the line, it was simply a windfall from heaven! It was countless times more precious than this piece of rotten wood, whose value they had not even been sure of!

The scar-faced mercenary leader caught the Jade Bottle and inspected it briefly. He was instantly overjoyed and hurriedly bowed. "We are! We are! Thank you, my lord! The Lightning-struck Wood is yours!" Without the slightest hesitation, he offered the Lightning-struck Wood with both hands.

Xiao Chen accepted it casually and, without even looking at it, stored it in his storage ring.

Throughout the entire process, he had completely ignored the people from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, as if they did not exist.

The Wind and Thunder Pavilion elder's expression turned utterly gloomy. This was no different from fiercely slapping the Wind and Thunder Pavilion across the face before the entire city! If they withdrew now, where would the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's dignity remain?

"Your Excellency truly does not take my Wind and Thunder Pavilion seriously!" The elder stepped forward, fully unleashing the aura of a three-star Dou Zong. Lightning Dou Qi coiled around his body like silver serpents, creating a terrifying display. "Leave behind the Lightning-struck Wood and apologize to this old man. Otherwise, today, I will let you witness the might of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion!"

In the end, he could not swallow this humiliation and intended to test Xiao Chen through battle. He refused to believe that someone so young could be stronger than a three-star Dou Zong who had cultivated for nearly a century!

The surrounding crowd retreated once more, afraid of being caught in the crossfire. Quite a few looked at Xiao Chen with pity. Offending the Wind and Thunder Pavilion meant no good outcome in Tianbei City.

Yet before the elder's full-force pressure, not even the corner of Xiao Chen's robes stirred. He frowned slightly, as though finding the man somewhat noisy.

"Scram."

He spoke only one word.

As that word left his mouth, an invisible, intangible Soul Strike that seemed to contain the might of heaven and earth crashed toward the Wind and Thunder Pavilion elder like raging waves!

"Pfft—!"

The elder's body shook violently as though struck by a massive blow, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. The lightning Dou Qi around him instantly scattered. His face turned pale as paper, and his eyes filled with boundless fear and horror!

"He... Heavenly Soul Realm?! You..." He pointed at Xiao Chen, his voice trembling, unable to form even a complete sentence. Staggering backward, he was hastily supported by the young man.

Heavenly Soul Realm!

Those four words were like a curse, making everyone present who understood their significance suck in a cold breath! Anyone possessing a Heavenly Soul Realm was either a Dou Zun expert or a Seventh-grade Alchemy Grandmaster or above! No matter which one, neither was an existence the Wind and Thunder Pavilion could afford to offend lightly!

The young man from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion was also dumbstruck. Supporting the elder, he no longer dared display even a shred of arrogance.

Xiao Chen could not be bothered to deal with them further and turned to leave.

"Young Master, please wait."

At that moment, a clear, cool, pleasing voice, like pearls falling upon a jade plate, sounded from behind him.

Xiao Chen paused and turned around.

A woman in a moon-white dress slowly stepped out from the crowd. She was tall and graceful, with peerless delicate features and skin fairer than snow. Her temperament was as cool as a solitary moon hanging in the sky, making others afraid to profane her. Most eye-catching of all was her silver hair, cascading like the Milky Way and lending her an added touch of mystery and nobility.

Her aura was restrained, but Xiao Chen could tell that although she was young, her cultivation had already reached the peak of the Dou Huang realm, only a step away from becoming a Dou Zong! Her talent was truly astonishing!

"That is the Han Family's eldest young lady, Han Yue!"

"Why is she here too?"

Someone in the crowd recognized her and began murmuring.

The Han Family was another major force in Tianbei City, capable of standing against the Wind and Thunder Pavilion.

Han Yue walked up to Xiao Chen. A trace of curiosity and scrutiny appeared in her cool eyes as she gave a slight bow. "This young woman is Han Yue. Greetings, Young Master. I saw that Young Master's abilities were extraordinary just now, and your Soul Power vast as the sea. I felt great admiration and thus dared to disturb you."

Her manner was neither humble nor overbearing, and her etiquette was impeccable, making her naturally likable.

Xiao Chen looked at her calmly. "What is it?"

Han Yue smiled faintly, like ice and snow beginning to melt, beautiful enough to take one's breath away. "Young Master has just arrived in Tianbei City and likely needs somewhere to stay. My Han Family has some holdings in this city. If Young Master does not mind, you may visit my Han Family as a guest. This young woman may then fulfill a little of her duty as host, as thanks for Young Master having... indirectly helped my Han Family out of a difficult situation just now."

Meaningfully, she glanced at the bedraggled people from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion. The Wind and Thunder Pavilion's humiliation was naturally good news for the Han Family.

At her words, Xiao Chen's heart stirred slightly. He did indeed need a place to stay temporarily and to learn more about the Central Plains. As a local power, the Han Family was undoubtedly a fine choice. Moreover, Han Yue possessed both exceptional talent and character. Befriending her might save him considerable trouble.

He looked at Han Yue's lovely, unworldly face and those clear yet intelligent eyes. After a brief pause, he nodded.

"Fine."

Seeing Xiao Chen agree, an imperceptible flash of delight passed through Han Yue's eyes. She stepped aside and made way. "Young Master, this way."

Xiao Chen said nothing further and strode ahead. Han Yue followed half a step behind him with elegant poise.

The two departed side by side, leaving behind a sea of shocked and gossiping gazes.

The Wind and Thunder Pavilion elder watched their departing backs, his expression shifting repeatedly before finally becoming a helpless sigh. He left in a sorry state with his men. Faced with someone suspected of being a Dou Zun or a Seventh-grade Alchemy Grandmaster, the Wind and Thunder Pavilion could only choose to endure for now.

That piece of Lightning-struck Wood containing a trace of Chaos Aura, along with the Han Family's eldest young lady who was as cool as the moon, seemed to have opened an unusual new prelude to Xiao Chen's journey through the Central Plains.

Walking beside Xiao Chen, Han Yue sensed the unfathomable aura of the man beside her and studied his tranquil profile. Ripples could not help but rise in the lake of her usually cool heart.

Xiao Chen... is it? She silently repeated the name she had just learned, and a trace of curiosity quietly took root.