Before Starfall Pavilion, a Phoenix Cry Shakes the Heavens

Deep within the Tianxing Mountain Range, the clouds and mist grew ever denser, with faint starlight scattered among them, making the place seem mysterious and ethereal. According to the information obtained in Panshi City, after flying for about two hours, the three of them came upon a vast valley enveloped by strange Spatial Fluctuations.

At the entrance to the valley stood two enormous stone pillars like sharp swords piercing the heavens. Upon them were three bold, sweeping characters imbued with the essence of the stars—Starfall Pavilion! Powerful spatial sealing energy flowed over the inscription, clearly forbidding entry without invitation.

"Visitors, halt! This is the mountain gate of Starfall Pavilion. State your identities and purpose!"

Just as the three approached the valley entrance, several figures emerged from the void and blocked their path. They wore uniform robes patterned with stars, and their auras were sharp and capable. Their leader was a middle-aged man at the peak of the Dou Huang realm, his piercing gaze sweeping over Xiao Chen and the others. When his eyes passed over Xiao Chen, his pupils contracted slightly. With his strength, he could not see through the depths of this Blue-robed Youth at all!

Xiao Chen stepped forward and cupped his hands. "I am Xiao Chen. I have come with my younger brother, Xiao Yan, and our friend Yun Yun to pay a visit to Wind Venerate. Please announce us."

"Xiao Chen? Xiao Yan?" The guard captain's expression changed slightly upon hearing those names. Xiao Yan, champion of the Pill Gathering, was now renowned throughout the Central Plains, while his older brother, Xiao Chen, had killed a Soul Hall Heavenly Venerate with a single finger in Sacred Pill City, his prestige resounding far and wide! The man did not dare slight them, and his tone immediately became far more respectful. "So it is Your Excellency Xiao Chen and the Pill Gathering champion! Please wait a moment. I will report to Wind Venerate at once!"

He took out a Star Token and injected it with Soul Power. The token lit up, and a streak of light shot into the spatial seal deep within the valley.

While they waited, Xiao Yan curiously examined the strange valley, sensing the unique energy connected to the stars. His heart was full of curiosity and anticipation toward the Wind Venerate he had never met and Starfall Pavilion itself. Even Yao Lao's slumbering soul seemed to sense something, sending out a faint ripple.

Yun Yun stood quietly to one side, looking at this legendary sect as faint waves stirred within her heart. Being introduced by Xiao Chen might truly be a fortunate opportunity for her.

Before long, the space at the valley entrance rippled like water, revealing a passage through which they could pass. A clear, smiling voice came from within it.

"Hahaha! Honored guests have arrived, yet I failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me!"

Before the voice had faded, a middle-aged man in green robes appeared at the entrance of the passage. His features were refined, his eyes as warm as jade, yet his aura was as vast as the sea. Standing there, he seemed to have merged with the stars of heaven and earth, naturally becoming the center of the world! He was the master of Starfall Pavilion, Wind Venerate—Feng Xian!

His gaze first fell on Xiao Chen, and a trace of undisguised amazement and gravity flashed through his eyes. He then looked toward Xiao Yan, a warm smile appearing on his face. "So you are that old fellow Yao Chen's disciple, Xiao Yan, champion of this year's Pill Gathering? Truly, heroes emerge in their youth! That old fellow Yao Chen really did take in a fine disciple!"

Only then did his gaze fall upon Yun Yun. He nodded slightly in greeting but asked no further questions.

"This junior, Xiao Yan, greets Wind Venerate!" Xiao Yan hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. He did not dare show the slightest neglect toward this senior who shared a deep friendship with his teacher.

"Xiao Chen greets Wind Venerate." Xiao Chen also cupped his hands in salute, neither arrogant nor humble.

Yun Yun also gave a graceful bow. "Yun Yun greets Wind Venerate."

"No need for such formalities. Please, follow me." Wind Venerate smiled warmly and turned to lead the way.

The three followed Wind Venerate into the Space Passage, and the scene before them suddenly opened up. Inside the valley was not the pavilions and towers they had imagined, but a vast expanse of starry sky! Countless stars floated in the air, emitting gentle light and forming paths of starlight that led to palace complexes suspended deep within the heavens. The rich stellar energy had almost become tangible. Cultivating here would undoubtedly yield twice the result with half the effort!

"What a blessed land!" Xiao Yan could not help exclaiming. Yun Yun's beautiful eyes also shone with wonder.

Wind Venerate smiled. "It is merely a small space created with the Ancient Star Array left behind from ancient times. It is nothing remarkable. Still, Young Friend Xiao Chen, to possess such cultivation at such a young age truly puts Feng to shame."

He directly mentioned Xiao Chen's strength, clearly already aware of what had happened in Sacred Pill City.

Xiao Chen smiled calmly. "Wind Venerate overpraises me. It was merely a fortunate coincidence."

Wind Venerate gave Xiao Chen a deep look but said no more, leading the three into the Main Star Hall, the grandest palace in the depths of the starry sky.

Once host and guests had taken their seats, attendants served Spirit Tea.

Wind Venerate looked toward Xiao Yan, concern in his voice. "Xiao Yan, your teacher... how is he now?" He and Yao Lao had been friends through life and death, and Yao Lao's fate had always weighed heavily on his mind.

Xiao Yan's expression darkened as he briefly explained how Yao Lao's soul had been injured and was now recuperating within the ring.

Wind Venerate's face filled with anger. "Soul Hall! Soul Hall again! Those bastards!" He took a deep breath and suppressed his rage. "Rest assured. Now that you have come to Starfall Pavilion, it is like returning home. Whatever Medicinal Ingredients are needed to repair Yao Chen's soul, just say the word. Starfall Pavilion will do everything in its power!"

"Thank you, Wind Venerate!" Xiao Yan said gratefully.

Xiao Chen spoke at this moment. "Wind Venerate, we came this time first because of Brother Yan's teacher, and second, because we wish to inquire about the Soul Infant Fruit."

"The Soul Infant Fruit?" Wind Venerate frowned slightly. "This item is a sacred treasure for repairing souls and is exceedingly rare. Starfall Pavilion has none in its treasury. However... as far as I know, this fruit seems to be connected to the relic of the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix."

"Ancient Heavenly Phoenix?" Xiao Chen's eyes flashed.

"Indeed." Wind Venerate nodded. "The Ancient Heavenly Phoenix was a super Magical Beast race on par with the Ancient Void Dragon. It is said that its relic contains certain Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures with miraculous effects on the soul. The Soul Infant Fruit is one of them. However, the Ancient Sky Phoenix Relic is elusive, and its descendants, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, regard it as forbidden territory. Outsiders have great difficulty approaching it."

The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan! Another powerful Magical Beast clan!

Xiao Yan frowned deeply, feeling that the path to restoring his teacher's soul was still filled with thorns.

Just as they were speaking, a commotion suddenly arose outside the hall, accompanied by a cold, arrogant voice like a Phoenix Cry.

"Wind Venerate! I heard that Xiao Yan, champion of the Pill Gathering, is here? Tell him to come out and see me!"

Before the words had faded, a streak of seven-colored light burst into the hall. When the radiance dispersed, it revealed a graceful yet proud figure.

She was a woman in a colorful dress, extraordinarily beautiful, yet carrying an air of innate arrogance and nobility. Her dark hair was arranged in a phoenix-shaped coiffure, exposing a long, snow-white neck. Her skin was fair, and her curvaceous figure was breathtaking. Most eye-catching were her phoenix eyes, which carried an aloof indifference as they shifted. Her aura had clearly reached the Dou Zong realm!

Several elderly men with formidable auras followed behind her, clearly her guards.

"Feng Qing'er?" Wind Venerate frowned slightly, seemingly displeased by her intrusion, but he did not act.

When Xiao Yan saw her, his pupils contracted slightly as well. He recognized her. She was Feng Qing'er, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan prodigy he had encountered once in the Pill Region and clashed with over her mount, a Seven-Colored Spirit Crane possessing Heaven Demon Phoenix bloodline. Had someone not intervened then, they might have come to blows. He had not expected to meet her here!

Feng Qing'er's gaze was sharp as lightning, locking directly onto Xiao Yan with undisguised chill and scrutiny. "Xiao Yan, it really is you! I have yet to settle accounts with you for injuring my Spirit Crane, yet you dared come to Starfall Pavilion?"

Xiao Yan's face darkened as he rose to his feet. "Feng Qing'er, you know perfectly well who was right and who was wrong that day! Your mount attacked first. I merely defended myself!"

"Defended yourself?" Feng Qing'er sneered, cold light flashing in her phoenix eyes. "Something belonging to the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan is not something you can injure! Since we have met today, I shall settle both old and new debts at once!"

Seven-colored Dou Qi began to rise around her, and powerful pressure spread through the hall. She actually intended to make a move within Starfall Pavilion's main hall!

Wind Venerate's expression sank. "Miss Feng Qing'er, this is Starfall Pavilion. Please conduct yourself with restraint!"

Yet Feng Qing'er showed no fear, saying arrogantly, "Wind Venerate, this is a private grudge between him and me. It has nothing to do with Starfall Pavilion! Could it be that Starfall Pavilion intends to make an enemy of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan for an outsider?" She directly invoked the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan's name to exert pressure.

Wind Venerate's expression shifted. The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan was extremely powerful and truly not an enemy to be lightly provoked.

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, fury rising in his eyes. This Feng Qing'er had gone too far!

Just as the tension reached a breaking point, a calm voice rang out, shattering the deadlock.

"Is the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan really so impressive?"

Everyone turned toward the speaker and saw Xiao Chen, who had been quietly sipping tea, slowly set down his cup and calmly look at Feng Qing'er.

"And who are you?" Feng Qing'er turned her gaze toward Xiao Chen. Sensing his unfathomable aura, her heart tightened slightly, but her arrogance remained. "When the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan conducts its affairs, it is not for others to point fingers!"

Xiao Chen slowly rose to his feet, stepped in front of Xiao Yan, and shielded him behind his back. Looking at Feng Qing'er, his gaze was indifferent.

"I am his brother."

"If you want to lay a hand on my little brother..."

A cold curve lifted at the corner of Xiao Chen's lips.

"Ask me first."

An invisible, majestic aura descended explosively into the starry hall like an awakened ancient dragon! It was not directed at everyone, but precisely pressed down upon Feng Qing'er and the guards behind her!

Feng Qing'er's delicate body trembled violently, and her face instantly turned pale. Under that aura, she felt like a lone boat in a raging storm, as though even the Bloodline Power within her had frozen! The several Dou Zong elders behind her let out muffled groans and staggered backward, their eyes filled with horror!

Who... was this man?! How could his strength be so terrifying?!

A gleam flashed in Wind Venerate's eyes, but he did not intervene. He was quite happy to see Xiao Chen suppress the arrogant airs of this young girl from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan.

Xiao Chen looked indifferently at Feng Qing'er, who was forcing herself to endure, and spoke slowly.

"I will give you two choices."

"First, apologize immediately, then get out of Starfall Pavilion."

"Second, I will personally 'send' you out."

His words were calm, yet carried an unquestionable dominance and resolve!

Feng Qing'er stared fixedly at Xiao Chen. Her proud nature made it difficult for her to bow her head, but the trembling from the depths of her soul told her that this man would absolutely do as he said!

The atmosphere within the hall instantly tightened to its limit!