At the summit of Eastern Xuan Academy's Five Peaks.
The once-clear sky now seemed veiled beneath a heavy layer of gloom.
The academy's disciples had long sensed that something was amiss. The normally bustling training grounds had fallen silent, and the ringing sounds of recitation had vanished, replaced by hushed discussions.
"Did you feel it? The atmosphere is strange today. It feels like something huge is about to happen," said a disciple in green, lowering his voice to his companions.
"Yeah. I've felt restless since this morning. I can't even calm my mind enough to cultivate," another disciple agreed, his eyes full of worry. "I heard some senior brothers saw all the elders heading to the Council Hall early this morning. They still haven't come out. Something major must be happening."
"Could it be... related to the Nangong Family?" A voice spoke up, voicing the guess everyone least wanted to face.
"Don't say that..."
Just as the entire academy was gripped by unease, a glaring crimson streak suddenly appeared on the horizon.
It was a sea of burning clouds, as though a gash had been torn open in the heavens, rolling and surging toward Eastern Xuan Academy. Countless streaks of light flickered within the fire clouds, like heavenly soldiers and generals descending with the force to destroy heaven and earth.
"What is that?!" A sharp-eyed disciple was the first to spot the anomaly in the distance. He pointed at the fire clouds in terror, his voice shrill.
"It's people from the Nangong Family."
An elder suddenly appeared above the academy, his expression calm as he signaled for everyone not to panic. "That is the Nangong Family's emblem—the Blazing Sky Fire Cloud Banner."
"Everyone, return to your respective main peaks! Eastern Xuan Academy has its own way of handling today's matter!"
The elder's words exploded beside everyone's ears like thunder.
"It's Elder Lin, the master of our Nine Flames Peak! Elder Lin is mighty!"
"I have Elder Lin's treasured collection of illustrations here, high-definition and watermark-free! Ten spirit stones each, fair to old and young alike! Interested buyers, come quickly—first come, first served!"
"Me, me, me! Give me one..."
Elder Lin, floating in the air, staggered and nearly fell.
"Get back already!" Elder Lin roared irritably.
These little brats were truly lawless! How could they distribute them without letting him review them first?!
The Blazing Sky Fire Clouds drew ever closer, their oppressive aura growing stronger by the moment. It was like an invisible mountain, leaving people unable to breathe.
Upon sensing that terrifying pressure, the academy's Mountain-Protecting Array activated automatically. Curtains of pale golden light rose one after another, intertwining into a massive barrier that shone with divine radiance and enveloped all of Eastern Xuan Academy.
The two forces had yet to collide, yet they were already faintly wrestling against one another. The friction of Spiritual Power gilded the world with a golden edge.
At last, the Blazing Sky Fire Clouds descended.
Like a falling meteor, they crashed fiercely into Eastern Xuan Academy's Mountain-Protecting Array with a deafening roar!
Rumble—!
The violent tremors spread through every corner of the academy as though the earth itself were being torn apart.
Some of the weaker disciples groaned under the shockwaves and hurriedly released Spiritual Power to protect themselves.
The Mountain-Protecting Array shook violently, yet its radiance remained steady, fully deserving its reputation as the treasure that guarded the mountain!
The fire clouds slowly dispersed, revealing the sight within.
It was an enormous Flame Warship, forged entirely from Crimson Gold Divine Iron. Its hull was covered in intricate flame runes, radiating a scorching aura that made hearts quail. Compared to Nangong Yan's previous warship, it was several times more magnificent, and its size was the difference between heaven and earth.
A gigantic banner hung high from the warship's mast—it was the Nangong Family's Blazing Sky Fire Cloud Banner. It snapped wildly in the gale, ostentatious and domineering.
Several hundred Nangong Family guards stood upon the warship, clad in fiery red armor. Every one of them possessed a powerful aura and cold eyes, like asuras from hell, enough to make one shudder.
At the very front of the warship stood a young man clad in a Purple Gold War Robe.
His features were handsome, purple flames blazing fiercely around him as he exuded the aura of a king and tyrant.
He was none other than the Nangong Family's Young Master, Nangong Huo!
Nangong Huo stood with his hands behind his back, his icy gaze sweeping over Eastern Xuan Academy below like an eagle surveying its own territory, his eyes filled with contempt and fury.
"Eastern Xuan Academy, where is your Academy Lord? Come out and see me!" Nangong Huo's voice exploded between heaven and earth like thunder, carrying an unquestionable majesty that made the entire academy hum.
His voice rolled forth like a tidal wave, reaching every corner of Eastern Xuan Academy. Most who heard it felt their hearts jolt, as though an invisible sharp sword had pierced them, making even their souls tremble.
At the summit of Xuanqing Peak, within Purple Bamboo Pavilion.
Xuanyuan Che slowly set down the book in his hands and looked toward the enormous Flame Warship on the horizon. The corner of his lips curved slightly, revealing an amused smile.
"The main culprit has finally arrived!" he murmured softly, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
After glancing at Mu Qingxue behind him, who was in seclusion comprehending the Guixu Sword Intent, Xuanyuan Che rose and dusted off his clothes.
"Her talent isn't bad. My efforts in nurturing her weren't wasted."
"Let's first see how my bargain-bin master handles this."
Within Eastern Xuan Academy's Council Hall, the atmosphere was somewhat grave.
Lu Xuanchen sat in the seat of honor, his expression as still as water, but his gaze was like a sharp sword as he stared fixedly at the Flame Warship outside the hall.
Inside the hall, several Supreme Elders and the elders of each peak had gathered together. Their expressions were solemn, their brows tightly furrowed.
Naturally, they had heard Nangong Huo's voice as well. The pressure and killing intent contained within it made it clear that this matter would not end peacefully.
"Academy Lord, the Nangong Family has come with great momentum. Nangong Huo has descended in person; he is likely a tough opponent," an elder said anxiously.
"Indeed. Nangong Yan and Nangong Lie were killed, and the Nangong Family will never let this go. Now that Nangong Huo has come personally, he has most likely come to demand an explanation. This situation will be difficult to resolve," another elder said.
"Why are you panicking?!" Lu Xuanchen suddenly slammed his hand onto the table, producing a thunderous boom that cut off the discussion. His gaze swept over everyone as he said in a deep voice, "Eastern Xuan Academy has stood in the Eastern Wasteland Domain for tens of thousands of years. The Nangong Family is merely based in the Central Continent and possesses richer resources, but they are no top-tier force of the Central Continent.
"Do you think this Academy Lord is as ignorant as you? The moment you hear 'Central Continent,' you become worried sick. What exactly are you panicking about? I'm asking you!
"Our academy is, at the very least, the overlord of the Eastern Wasteland. How could we fear a mere Nangong Family? When soldiers come, generals block them; when water comes, earth dams it. Whatever they want, we will accompany them to the end!"
Lu Xuanchen's words were sonorous and forceful, each one striking the ground with a resounding impact. They carried an unquestionable authority that made the few elders who had wavered feel ashamed, their hearts gradually settling.
"What the Academy Lord says is right! Eastern Xuan Academy will never submit to any force!" It was the Nether Abyss Peak Lord, one of the four great Supreme Elders, known for his fiery temper.
"That's right! If the Nangong Family dares invade, we will give everything we have and fight them to the bitter end!" Everyone voiced their agreement, their emotions surging and morale soaring.
Lu Xuanchen rose to his feet and looked beyond the hall. "Come, everyone. Follow me and meet this Young Master of the Nangong Family!"
With that, Lu Xuanchen took the lead out of the Council Hall, the elders following close behind with resolute expressions.
The group stepped through the air and flew toward the Flame Warship.
Before long, Lu Xuanchen led Eastern Xuan Academy's upper echelons to the front of the Flame Warship, facing Nangong Huo from afar.
The two sides, with several Saint Realm experts among them, confronted one another across the air!
The atmosphere was taut as a drawn bow; a single spark would be enough to trigger an eruption.
Standing above the academy, Lu Xuanchen cupped his hands from afar and said, "I am Lu Xuanchen, Academy Lord of Eastern Xuan Academy. May I ask why Young Master Nangong has honored Eastern Xuan Academy with his presence today?"
His tone was calm as water, neither servile nor overbearing.
Nangong Huo's gaze turned cold, and the fury in his heart intensified.
"Why?" Nangong Huo's lips curved slightly into a cold smile, his voice piercing as ice. "Prefect Lu, are you playing dumb with me? The Nangong Family's Ninth Elder, Nangong Lie, and my blood brother, Nangong Yan, both died within the territory of your Eastern Xuan Academy. How do you explain this?"
Nangong Huo's words went straight to the heart of the matter, mercilessly laying bare the root of the conflict between the two sides.
The atmosphere instantly became perilous beyond measure.
Lu Xuanchen smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Young Master Nangong is mistaken. Elder Nangong Lie and Young Master Yan did indeed perish within Eastern Xuan Academy's territory."
"However, this matter was not the fault of Eastern Xuan Academy. Rather, they..."
"Brought it upon themselves."
"Brought it upon themselves?" Nangong Huo seemed to have heard the greatest joke in the world. He threw back his head and laughed, his laughter full of mockery and anger. "What a fine 'brought it upon themselves'! Prefect Lu, then tell me—how did members of my Nangong Family bring it upon themselves? Did they seek death themselves?!"
Nangong Huo's laughter came to an abrupt halt, and his eyes instantly became incomparably sharp. A terrifying pressure erupted from him like a mountain flood and a tsunami, Spiritual Power raging as it bore down fiercely upon the Mountain-Protecting Array below.
"Today, if you cannot give this young master an explanation, then do not blame my Nangong Family for flattening your Eastern Xuan Academy!"
Nangong Huo's voice, carrying chilling killing intent, echoed between heaven and earth.
Behind him, several elders above the Saint Realm stood in a row.
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