A Guest of the Han Family, Undercurrents Stirring

The Han Family Mansion was located in the heart of Tianbei City. Its architectural style differed greatly from that of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, lacking some of its sharp dominance while possessing more elegance and gravitas. Its high walls and deep courtyards, with visitors constantly passing through its gates, displayed the Han Family's considerable status in Tianbei City.

With the Han Family's eldest young lady personally leading the way, Xiao Chen naturally entered the depths of the mansion without obstruction and was arranged in an independent courtyard with a tranquil environment and luxurious furnishings.

"Young Master Xiao, this place is called Listening Bamboo Pavilion. It is fairly quiet, and I hope you will find it to your liking." Han Yue's voice was cool, but her tone was quite considerate. "If you need anything, simply instruct the servants, or tell me directly."

"Thank you for the trouble, Miss Han." Xiao Chen nodded slightly, quite satisfied with this place to stay.

Han Yue did not linger to disturb him. After a brief introduction, she gave a graceful bow and turned to leave. She was an intelligent woman and understood that too much could be as bad as too little. For their first encounter, leaving a good impression was enough.

After Han Yue left, Xiao Chen waved his hand and set up a simple Space Restriction, cutting off all probing from within and without. Only then did he take out the charred Lightning-struck Wood and examine it carefully.

His Soul Power seeped into it, making that faint trace of Chaos Aura increasingly clear. This was not ordinary lightning energy. It was more like a remnant left behind by some strange lightning containing a trace of Chaos Origin. For the Chaos Flame, which had fused the origins of multiple Heavenly Flames, it truly counted as a fine supplement.

He sat down cross-legged, and a Chaos-Colored Flame rose from his palm, enveloping the Lightning-struck Wood. Under the burning of the Chaos Flame, the charred outer layer rapidly peeled away, revealing wood within that resembled silver-colored crystal. Tiny arcs of Chaos lightning danced inside it, giving off faint crackling sounds.

Like something that had found a delicacy, the Chaos Flame swayed slightly and began to slowly devour and fuse with those arcs of Chaos lightning. The entire process was silent, but Xiao Chen could feel that the essence of the Chaos Flame had become slightly more condensed, and its power had also increased by a small degree.

It seems I'll need to pay more attention to items containing special origin power in the future. Xiao Chen thought. The growth of the Chaos Flame was crucial to the improvement of his strength.

While he calmly refined the Lightning-struck Wood, the atmosphere in the Han Family Meeting Hall was somewhat grave.

The family head, Han Chi, was a middle-aged man with refined features but the aura of a peak Dou Zong. He looked at his daughter Han Yue below, his brow slightly furrowed. "Yue'er, are you certain that Xiao Chen... is at least a peak Dou Zong, perhaps even a Dou Zun? And that he possesses a Heavenly Soul Realm?"

"Father, your daughter saw it with her own eyes. Elder Lei Hong of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, a three-star Dou Zong, had not even the slightest ability to resist before him. Soul pressure alone severely injured him and made him cough up blood. Such strength is absolutely not something an ordinary Dou Zong can possess." Han Yue spoke with certainty, wisdom glinting in her cool eyes. "Moreover, he is far too young. To possess such achievements at his age, behind him there is likely..."

She did not continue, but Han Chi already understood. Such a monstrous genius either carried a heaven-defying inheritance or had an unimaginably powerful force behind him. Either possibility was worth the Han Family's full efforts to befriend him.

"The Wind and Thunder Pavilion suffered a great loss this time. They certainly will not let the matter rest." Han Chi said thoughtfully. "However, if Young Master Xiao is truly as you say, then this may be an opportunity for our Han Family."

He looked at Han Yue, a meaningful glint in his eyes. "Yue'er, you have done very well. You will be fully responsible for dealings with Young Master Xiao. Make certain he feels the sincerity of our Han Family."

"Your daughter understands." Han Yue nodded slightly. Under the lamplight, an imperceptible flush appeared on her fair cheeks. In her mind, that figure in green robes appeared once more—calm and composed, yet in control of everything.

At the same time, within the Wind and Thunder Pavilion.

Elder Lei Hong, his face pale, reported his experience from that day. He exaggerated shamelessly, depicting Xiao Chen as arrogant, overbearing, and utterly contemptuous of others.

"A Heavenly Soul Realm... a young Dou Zun?" The Wind and Thunder Pavilion Master, an old man with an imposing face and a vast aura, tapped his fingers against the armrest of his seat, his eyes flickering. "Investigate! Investigate immediately! I want to know Xiao Chen's background! In Tianbei City, it is not some outsider's turn to run wild!"

A cold light flashed in his eyes. "However, do not act rashly before we uncover his background. Pass down the order: restrain the disciples for the time being. Do not provoke the Han Family, especially that Xiao Chen!"

"Yes, Pavilion Master!" everyone below answered in unison.

The undercurrents of Tianbei City began to quietly surge because of Xiao Chen's arrival.

Over the following days, Xiao Chen remained secluded in Listening Bamboo Pavilion. On one hand, he consolidated his cultivation and familiarized himself with the environment and information of the Central Plains. On the other, he learned more about the major forces of the Central Plains through Han Yue, especially intelligence concerning Soul Hall.

Han Yue came to visit almost every day. Sometimes she brought scrolls containing the latest intelligence on the situation in the Central Plains; at other times, she brought rare Spirit Tea and pastries, claiming that she wanted Xiao Chen to sample the flavors of the Central Plains. Her manner was proper and her conversation refined. She never deliberately tried to flatter him, yet wove her concern into the smallest details, making others feel as though they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Xiao Chen could sense the goodwill and intelligence of the Han Family's eldest young lady, and he was happy to learn about this world through her. The two got along quite well. Han Yue grew increasingly admiring of Xiao Chen's breadth of knowledge and unfathomable strength, while Xiao Chen also formed a rather favorable impression of Han Yue. Her talent and temperament were both exceptional. If she could grow further, her future achievements would be limitless.

On this day, Han Yue came to Listening Bamboo Pavilion once more, but there was a rare solemnity in her expression.

"Young Master Xiao, we have received word that the Alchemist Tower's once-every-five-years Pill Gathering will soon be held in Sacred Pill City. At that time, alchemists from across the entire continent will gather there. It can be called a grand event of the Central Plains," Han Yue said. "In addition, there is another piece of news... Soul Hall seems to be paying close attention to this Pill Gathering as well. It is said that they have dispatched quite a few experts to Sacred Pill City, though their purpose is unknown."

"The Pill Gathering? Soul Hall?" A sharp gleam flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. The Pill Gathering would bring together alchemists from across the world, so there would surely be rare treasures capable of repairing souls. This was crucial to Yao Lao's recovery! And the movements of Soul Hall were an even greater priority for him!

"Sacred Pill City... it seems I need to make a trip there." Xiao Chen had already made his decision.

Looking at Han Yue, who was as lovely as the moon before him, he suddenly said, "Miss Han, I intend to travel to Sacred Pill City. Could the Han Family provide a detailed map, as well as some intelligence concerning the Pill Gathering?"

A flicker of surprise passed through Han Yue's beautiful eyes, followed by understanding. With Young Master Xiao's strength and that unfathomable Soul Power, even if he was not an alchemist, he would surely be interested in the Pill Gathering.

"Of course." Han Yue smiled softly. "Our Han Family happens to have a merchant caravan leaving for Sacred Pill City in a few days. If Young Master Xiao does not mind, you may travel together with our Han Family's caravan. It would be good to have someone to look after one another on the road."

After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Chen nodded in agreement. "That works. Then I'll impose upon you."

With a local guide leading the way, he could avoid quite a bit of trouble.

Seeing Xiao Chen agree, Han Yue felt an inexplicable joy in her heart. She hurriedly said, "I'll go make the arrangements at once! When does Young Master plan to depart?"

"Three days from now."

"Alright!"

After Han Yue left, Xiao Chen gazed in the direction of Sacred Pill City, his eyes deep.

The Alchemist Tower, Soul Hall, the ancient clans... the magnificent tapestry of the Central Plains was slowly unfolding before him. And upon that tapestry, he would leave a bold, brilliant stroke of his own!