A Harrowing Journey

Space Ship streaked across the dark sky like silver streaks of Flowing Light, followed by a series of extremely jarring noises from the outside.

"We've finally arrived!" Looking at the vast plaza formed by reddish rocks in the distance and the sea of people, Ye Zhong couldn't help but exclaim.

"Now that we've reached our destination, we'll take our leave." The three Langya Guards who had been following us said this and then quietly disappeared into the void.

After staring at the spot where the three had disappeared for a while, Ye Zhong couldn't help but smile wryly:

"Xinlan, even Grandpa doesn't know if it was a good thing for you to join Langya Pavilion back then."

In just a few dozen days, Ye Zhong truly experienced what it meant to be a target of envy and criticism.

There were nearly ten waves of assassinations, with the strongest among them reaching the Dou Zun level. Even at the height of their power, the Ye Family never received such treatment.

If it weren't for the escort of three Langya Guards, Ye Zhong estimated that they wouldn't have even reached the outer region of Saint Pill City.

Moreover, the assassins were almost all dressed like members of the Soul Hall, and their aura and methods were almost identical.

Even if Ye Zhong were slow-witted, he could deduce that the other party probably wanted to use this opportunity to frame the Soul Hall, so that Langya Pavilion would fight them to the death.

Knowing the details, Ye Zhong was naturally very worried about his granddaughter's safety. The fact that her return had been so harrowing made one wonder what she had been through during the previous period.

Ye Xinlan shook her head and laughed, completely unconcerned, "Grandpa, you're overthinking it."

"Xinlan has been cultivating in the Langya Pavilion all along. How could an ordinary person possibly infiltrate Langya Pavilion!"

Ye Zhong smiled wryly, knowing his granddaughter only ever reported good news and never bad. He was a shrewd old man, well aware of the unspoken rules of Central Plains. The Langya Pavilion was a large and powerful organization, and there were bound to be areas it couldn't cover; how could it possibly guard against every threat?

He could only wave his hand and say, "After you finish attending the Pill Assembly, hurry back to the Langya Pavilion!"

Once they arrived in Saint Pill City, the environment became somewhat safer. During this crucial period before the Pill Assembly Gathering, powerful members of the Pill Tower were stationed everywhere to protect the area, which greatly reduced the likelihood of assassinations.

Just as Ye Xinlan and her group were preparing to head to the Pill Tower for the assessment, one of the Langya Guard had already returned to the Langya Pavilion ahead of time via Space Jade Slip.

"Deputy Pavilion Master, that's roughly the situation."

"Hmm." Yi Huang's face was expressionless, but the chilling aura in the air was hard to conceal.

"You should go back now!"

"Yes." The Langya Guard bowed and then quickly disappeared.

"What happened? Did something happen to that little girl Xinlan?" At this moment, a slightly lazy voice sounded in Yi Huang's ear.

"Some forces are really... courting death!" Yi Huang murmured.

"However, it might be difficult to find all the culprits in this kind of situation!" Xiao Han revealed himself beside Yi Huang.

The Soul Hall is not the only force in Central Plains that is proficient in soul attacks. On the contrary, the Thunder Force has a considerable number of such forces, and the former is just a typical example.

Not to mention that some sects have hidden methods, which greatly increases the difficulty.

"Choose a few to make an example of!" Yi Huang said succinctly.

"In that case, whatever you say!" Xiao Han shrugged, speaking nonchalantly.

The reason Ye Xinlan wasn't released was precisely because she wasn't strong enough; the successive waves of assassinations were simply impossible to defend against.

Back when the Langya Pavilion wasn't very powerful, it was quite troublesome for Xiao Wu and the others to travel. Only after breaking through to the Dou Zun did this situation improve significantly.

Xiao Han was now beginning to mourn for those few blind forces who had used such a stupid method to provoke a war between the Soul Hall and Langya Pavilion. They deserved to be wiped out.

"Alright!" Seeing Yi Huang's still murderous face, Xiao Han couldn't help but speak up to comfort her:

"Aren't these all part of growing up? Take it easy, that little girl won't get into trouble so easily."

One day later.

Xinlan, whom Xiao Han had mentioned, who was unlikely to get into trouble, looked at the sharp chain that was only three inches away from her with a look of relief, her hands forming a strange hand seal.

The man who controlled the chains was utterly astonished, and even in death he couldn't understand how a teenage girl could have blocked his attack.

Ye Xinlan let out a long sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead. This was the closest she had ever come to death. If she hadn't just mastered the Soul Skill taught to her by Yi Huang, Ye Xinlan, despite her Dou Emperor strength, might have truly perished in this attack.

"Damn it!" A short while later, a figure dressed in a blood-red robe appeared in front of Ye Xinlan with a grim expression. Blood was dripping from the tip of the long sword in his hand.

Using a feint attack to the east while striking from the west, and launching an attack from all sides, this assassination was quite strategic. This Langya Guard couldn't understand why they were so fixated on Ye Xinlan, even causing trouble on Pill Tower's territory. Weren't they afraid of dying?

Then, with lingering regret, he said to Ye Xinlan, "This was our oversight. Once this matter is resolved, we will go to the Hall of Law Enforcement to receive our punishment."

Ye Xinlan shook her head. "This is not your fault, senior. It can only be said that the other party is incredibly audacious."

The opponent's cunning was far beyond imagination; they had even sealed off the entire space beforehand. Otherwise, the Langya Guard would have been able to detect nothing.

The Langya Guard remained silent. Fortunately, he had some ability to protect himself; otherwise, he might have made a terrible mistake!

Before long, the Pill Tower Elder, who had noticed the commotion of the battle, rushed over. When they saw the mess on the ground and the several corpses lying there, their faces darkened, and they cast questioning glances at Ye Xinlan and the others.

Noticing the Langya Guard's attire, he frowned. "This shouldn't be a place for the Langya Guard, should it?"

The Langya Guard is renowned throughout Central Plains; their presence on the territory of other forces is never a good thing!

Pill Tower Elder naturally did not welcome the appearance of such a troublemaker, which was also the reason why the Langya Guard initially wanted to remain hidden in the shadows.

Upon hearing this, the Langya Guard, already Child Flame, seemed to find an outlet. They sneered, "So many assassins have managed to infiltrate your territory! Shouldn't you give Langya Pavilion an explanation?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Pill Tower Elder also looked ugly. The Pill Tower was in the wrong this time, and they couldn't refute him.

"You all go ahead, I'll take care of things here!"

At that moment, a slightly hunched figure appeared before everyone. Upon seeing this, the Elder bowed and then left in silence.

"Greetings, Lord Xuan Kongzi!" The Langya Guard also lowered their guard and bowed respectfully.

Ye Xinlan and Ye Zhong stared at the old man in astonishment. Xuan Kongzi, one of the Pill Tower Three Giants Xuan Kongzi?

"Hmm!" Xuan Kongzi responded indifferently, "This was an oversight on the part of my Pill Tower, and we will give Langya Pavilion an explanation."

The Langya Guard didn't push their luck; the fact that the other party spoke to them so calmly was already a sign of respect for the Langya Pavilion.

Then Xuan Kongzi shifted his gaze to Ye Xinlan, who was taken aback and felt a little uncomfortable.

"Hehe~" Xuan Kongzi smiled slightly.

"This must be Ye Xinlan, the one who made Deputy Pavilion Master Yi Huang personally come to the Pill Tower to request to be accepted as a disciple, right?"

"Xinlan greets Senior Xuan Kongzi!" Ye Xinlan bowed respectfully, afraid of displeasing him.

After a careful examination, Xuan Kongzi exclaimed in surprise, "Not bad!"

"Thank you for the compliment, senior!" Ye Xinlan replied.

Looking at Ye Zhong, whose eyes were filled with excitement, Xuan Kongzi said calmly, "The Ye Family is indeed fortunate to have produced such a descendant. I believe he will not disappoint!"

"I wish you all the best in the assessment!" Xuan Kongzi said calmly.

"It can restore the Ye Family's former prestige."

"Thank you very much, Master Xuan Kongzi!" Ye Zhong trembling slightly, his face filled with excitement.

"With the renowned Langya Guard here, I suppose there's no need for me to interfere here."

"I'll take my leave now!" he said, and slowly walked out of the courtyard gate.

"Respectfully bidding farewell to our senior!"

After leaving, Xuan Kongzi's slightly narrowed eyes widened slightly, a glint of light flashing in them, and he said with great interest:

"The people from the Langya Pavilion have also arrived. Things are getting much more interesting now."