Journey to Starfall, Encountering an Old Acquaintance

The aftermath of the Pill Gathering still echoed through Sacred Pill City, and the names of the Xiao brothers, Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan, had already resounded across the Central Plains. However, neither brother was one to settle for the status quo. Sacred Pill City was wonderful, but it was not a place to linger long.

Three days later, Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan bade farewell to the Han Family and the Alchemist Tower. Though Han Yue was reluctant to part with him, she knew that an eagle was meant to soar through the nine heavens. She merely prepared Xiao Chen with plenty of supplies he might need on the road. The affection in her cool eyes was nearly overflowing. Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and the others also came to see them off, each wearing a different expression. Tang Huo'er even emphasized once more that when Xiao Chen had the time, they would surely have a battle.

On behalf of the Alchemist Tower, Xuan Kongzi gave Xiao Chen a guest elder token. Though it carried no real authority, it represented the Alchemist Tower's friendship and would make traveling through the Central Plains much more convenient. At the same time, he told Xiao Chen more detailed information about Starfall Pavilion and the Soul Infant Fruit.

Once everything was ready, the brothers did not use a space vessel. Instead, Xiao Chen directly wielded the Power of Space and took Xiao Yan through a long-distance traversal. This method once again left certain forces watching from the shadows deeply alarmed.

The Space Passage was a bizarre kaleidoscope of light. It was not Xiao Yan's first time experiencing it, yet he was still awed by his brother's effortless control over space.

"Brother, are we going straight to Starfall Pavilion?" Xiao Yan asked.

Xiao Chen nodded, then shook his head. "Starfall Pavilion is located in a rather hidden place and is protected by a spatial seal. Barging in directly would be disrespectful. We'll first head to the outer Tianxing Mountain Range. There's a city there that receives visitors for Starfall Pavilion."

After roughly half a day, the distorted scenery of space gradually stabilized, and a light appeared ahead. The two stepped forward and found themselves in the sky above a vast mountain range, its peaks rolling endlessly beneath swirling clouds and mist.

Ancient trees towered throughout the mountains, while massive flying magical beasts occasionally swept through the skies, radiating powerful auras. The natural energy here was not gathered into a sea as it was in Sacred Pill City, but it was still extremely dense and carried a cool, starlike quality.

"This is the Tianxing Mountain Range." Xiao Chen sensed the aura of the area and pointed into the depths of the mountains. "Starfall Pavilion's gate should be in that direction. Let's first head to Panshi City at the foot of the mountains and ask around."

The two concealed their auras and flew toward a huge city built against the mountains at the range's outskirts, appearing no different from ordinary travelers.

Panshi City was not small. With the Tianxing Mountain Range at its back, it saw countless mercenaries and adventurers coming and going, making it quite prosperous and lively. The guards at the gates were strict, inspecting those entering and leaving.

Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan paid the entrance fee and entered the city. Shops lined both sides of the streets, selling mostly items related to stars, ores, and magical beasts. The place had a distinctive character.

Xiao Yan curiously observed his surroundings. Though he was now the Pill Gathering champion whose name had shaken the Central Plains, he remained cautious and curious in this unfamiliar place.

"Let's find somewhere to stay first and ask whether Starfall Pavilion has been recruiting disciples recently, or whether there is another way to meet Wind Venerate," Xiao Chen said. Although his strength was formidable, they had come seeking cooperation and a transaction, not to provoke anyone. Proper courtesy could not be neglected.

Just as the two were preparing to find an inn, a commotion and sounds of fighting suddenly erupted from the street ahead, accompanied by a woman's sharp cry.

"Get lost! Keep pestering me, and don't blame me for being rude!"

That voice... sounded somewhat familiar?

Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance, then headed toward the source of the sound.

At the corner of the street, three shifty-looking men with Dou Wang-level auras were surrounding a woman, their faces bearing ill-intentioned smiles. She wore a light purple dress, her figure graceful and her face breathtakingly beautiful. Yet she possessed the poised and noble bearing of someone long accustomed to a high position. At that moment, however, her autumn-water eyes contained fury and a trace of helplessness that was difficult to detect. The aura radiating from her body was unmistakably at the Dou Huang level!

Yet, despite being harassed by three Dou Wangs, she seemed to have some concerns and had not attacked with her full strength.

"Sect Master Yun Yun?" Once Xiao Yan saw the woman's face, he could not help crying out. The woman surrounded by the men was none other than Yun Yun, the sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect!

Why was she here? And from the looks of it... she seemed to be in trouble?

The three Dou Wangs clearly had some discernment and could tell that Yun Yun was no ordinary person, but they appeared very confident. The leader leered. "Little lady, you've got quite a temper. Panshi City isn't a place for you to run wild. Be sensible and come have a drink with us brothers to apologize. Then we'll call this matter settled."

Yun Yun trembled with anger, her jade hand clenched tightly as Dou Qi began gathering around her. After leaving the Jia Ma Empire, she had traveled and trained her way to the Central Plains. Having heard that the Tianxing Mountain Range held many opportunities, she had come to try her luck. She had never expected to be accosted by these thugs the moment she entered the city. She did not wish to reveal all her strength lightly and invite greater trouble, but neither did she wish to suffer such humiliation.

Just as she was about to attack regardless of the consequences, a calm voice filled with unquestionable majesty rang out.

"Leave within three breaths."

"Otherwise, die."

The voice was not loud, yet it entered the ears of everyone present with perfect clarity, carrying an icy killing intent.

The three Dou Wangs froze and turned toward the voice. A Blue-robed Youth and a black-robed young man had appeared nearby at some point. The one who had spoken was the Blue-robed Youth.

"Where did this suicidal brat come from? You dare meddle in the affairs of our Blood Wolf Gang?" The leading Dou Wang's expression darkened as he shouted harshly.

Before his words had even faded, however, he felt an indescribably terrifying pressure descend upon them like a towering mountain!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The three Dou Wangs did not even have time to scream before their knees buckled beneath that vast pressure, forcing them to kneel on the ground. Blood seeped from their seven orifices, and their eyes filled with boundless terror and horror. They felt their very souls trembling, as if they would shatter the next instant!

Xiao Chen did not even spare them a glance. His gaze settled upon the somewhat stunned Yun Yun, and he gave a slight nod. "Sect Master Yun Yun, I trust you've been well."

Yun Yun looked at the three Dou Wangs, who had instantly lost all ability to resist and were kneeling on the ground like dead dogs, then looked back at Xiao Chen. Her beautiful eyes were filled with complicated shock. She had known Xiao Chen's strength was terrifying, but she had never imagined it had reached such a level. With pressure alone, he had rendered three Dou Wangs utterly incapable of resistance!

"Th-thank you, Your Excellency Xiao Chen, for coming to my aid." Yun Yun suppressed the turmoil in her heart and bowed slightly. Her gaze inadvertently swept across Xiao Yan beside Xiao Chen, becoming even more complicated. The youth whom she had once needed to protect in secret had now grown to a point where she had to regard him seriously.

Xiao Yan also stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Sect Master Yun Yun."

Xiao Yan's feelings toward Yun Yun were complicated. There was the resolution of past grudges, gratitude for the help she had once given him in secret, and an inexpressible... regret.

"You... know each other?" Upon hearing how they addressed one another, the kneeling Blood Wolf Gang leader was so frightened that his soul nearly fled his body. To be called "Your Excellency" and to command such respect from a Dou Huang... just who was this blue-robed young man?!

Only then did Xiao Chen turn his gaze toward the three men, his eyes indifferent. "Blood Wolf Gang? Never heard of it. It seems you've chosen death."

"No! Spare us, my lord! We were blind and failed to recognize your greatness! We didn't know it was you! Please spare our worthless lives!" The three Dou Wangs were terrified out of their wits and desperately kowtowed in plea.

Xiao Chen could not be bothered to argue with such minor characters. With a sweep of his sleeve, a fierce gust of wind surged out and sent the three flying dozens of yards away like trash. They slammed heavily into a distant wall, their fate unknown.

"I cleared away a few flies. My apologies for the spectacle, Sect Master Yun Yun," Xiao Chen said in his usual calm tone.

Yun Yun looked at Xiao Chen's manner of casually holding the lives and deaths of others in his hands, and her heart could not help trembling. It was completely different from the domineering, cold feeling he had given off back at the Misty Cloud Sect, yet it made him seem even more unfathomable.

"You are too kind, Your Excellency. It is Yun Yun who should thank you for resolving my predicament." Yun Yun thanked him again, then hesitated before asking, "May I ask why you two have come to the Tianxing Mountain Range?"

"We intend to go to Starfall Pavilion," Xiao Chen replied without concealing anything.

"Starfall Pavilion?" A hint of surprise flashed through Yun Yun's beautiful eyes. "That is one of the foremost factions in the Central Plains. I have heard that its pavilion master, Wind Venerate, possesses unfathomable strength. Do you two have prior ties with Starfall Pavilion?"

"There is some connection." Xiao Chen nodded, then asked, "And why has Sect Master Yun Yun come here?"

Yun Yun sighed, a trace of bitterness and resolve appearing on her exquisite face. "The Misty Cloud Sect no longer exists. I am now alone, and I came to the Central Plains only to train and seek a chance to break through. I heard that an ancient ruin might appear deep within the Tianxing Mountain Range, so I came to try my luck."

She was now a Dou Huang, but in a place like the Central Plains, that still amounted to little. Whether she wished to rebuild the Misty Cloud Sect—or rather, establish it anew in another form—or simply pursue a stronger path, she urgently needed to improve her strength.

Xiao Chen looked at Yun Yun. Her character was not bad, and her talent was acceptable. She had merely been bound by the burden of the Misty Cloud Sect for too long. Now that she had put down that burden, perhaps she could encounter a new opportunity.

"An ancient ruin..." Xiao Chen pondered for a moment. "If Sect Master Yun Yun has no clear destination for now, why not accompany us to Starfall Pavilion? Wind Venerate is an upright man. Perhaps he can offer you some protection and guidance. Besides, Starfall Pavilion is well-informed and may know more about the ruins."

He did this partly out of consideration for their past connection, and partly because he felt Yun Yun might be worth helping. After all, one more friend was always better than one more enemy, especially here in the Central Plains.

Yun Yun was slightly stunned upon hearing this. Looking into Xiao Chen's calm and sincere(?) eyes, warmth rose in her heart. She had no family or friends to rely on and was struggling through the Central Plains alone. If she could gain the protection of a force like Starfall Pavilion, it was naturally more than she could ask for.

"In that case... I will trouble Your Excellency Xiao Chen." Yun Yun gave a graceful bow and agreed. Deep within her beautiful eyes, a trace of gratitude quietly passed.

Xiao Yan watched from the side, his heart filled with emotion. The world was unpredictable. Who could have imagined that two sides once opposed with drawn weapons would now travel together?

Thus, the party heading to Starfall Pavilion gained one more member.

The three wasted no more time. After asking for the direction to Starfall Pavilion's reception point, they left Panshi City and sped toward the depths of the Tianxing Mountain Range, toward the sect hidden among the stars.

And Yun Yun's addition seemed to lend this journey to Starfall Pavilion a few different shades of color.