Space rippled faintly. Above the ancient city that had stood unchanged outside the Xiao Realm for a thousand years, a black-robed youth stepped out of a black hole, followed by two old men.
"Whew!" Xiao Yan drew a deep breath, taking in this world so utterly different from the Xiao Realm.
This was a truly complete world-the Dou Qi Continent!
This was a world belonging to Dou Qi. There was no dazzling, elaborate magic here, only Dou Qi cultivated to its very pinnacle!
People came and went through the ancient city. As the hub connecting the Xiao Clan to the outside world, Xuan Emperor City flourished. Experts from other ancient clans and figures from many great factions could often be seen trading in its streets and markets.
Yet no amount of prosperity here could stir Xiao Yan's heart. He looked into the distance and asked Elder Wen and Elder Wu beside him, "Do you two elders know where the Starfall Pavilion is?"
"The Starfall Pavilion?" The two Half-Saints exchanged a glance and smiled. "The Starfall Pavilion has quite a resounding reputation in the Central Plains. After all, it stands at the head of the Four Pavilions.
"Besides, its pavilion master not only possesses the cultivation of a Peak Dou Zun, but is also widely regarded as the continent's foremost alchemist.
"One could say that unless a ninth-rank alchemist appears, no one can surpass him.
"However... neither of us has been there."
"What should we do, then?" Xiao Yan frowned slightly. Half-Saints could open spatial passages or even cross space in a single leap, but only if they knew their destination's location.
"Rest assured, young master. Though the Starfall Pavilion's location is hidden, experts gather like clouds in Xuan Emperor City. We need only ask around."
Elder Wen smiled as he spoke.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. A short while later, having obtained the information, the three tore open space and stepped straight inside.
"Holy shit, who was that kid?"
"The guardian beside him actually tore space apart. That takes at least Dou Zun strength, doesn't it?"
"He might be the holy son of some ancient clan-perhaps even the Xiao Clan."
Most people who could come to Xuan Emperor City either possessed considerable strength or powerful backing. Even so, a youth whose backing was powerful enough to have Dou Zun serve as his guards was a rare sight indeed.
Had they known that the two guardians beside Xiao Yan were Half-Saints, who knew what they would have thought?
The Starfall Pavilion lay within the Heavenly Star Mountain Range and had its peculiarities. Without the special method of entry, even a Dou Zun expert could not enter.
Of the Four Pavilions in the Central Plains, the Starfall Pavilion kept the lowest profile, yet few dared provoke it, for it had an immensely renowned alchemist: Venerable Yao, Yao Chen!
Not only was this alchemist a Peak Dou Zun himself, but his alchemy was also extraordinary, and he seemed poised to become the foremost alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent.
Crack! The previously tranquil space above the Heavenly Star Mountain Range split open, and Wen and Wu, the Two Saints, emerged with Xiao Yan.
"So this is the Starfall Pavilion?" Xiao Yan swept his gaze across the sea of forest within the mountains.
"Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan has come to the Starfall Pavilion to visit Venerable Yao. I hope Venerable Yao will come out to meet me." Xiao Yan channeled his Dou Qi, and his voice resounded throughout the Heavenly Star Mountain Range.
A moment later, space rippled, and a young man stepped out.
The young man had handsome features and wore a brocade robe embroidered with a medicinal cauldron and seven moon-shaped ripples.
He was none other than a seventh-rank alchemist.
"I am Han Feng, Venerable Yao's direct disciple. May I ask what business a prodigy of the Xiao Clan has with my master?" The young man's manner was reasonably courteous.
The Xiao Clan was the strongest clan on the continent. When one of its members came to visit the Starfall Pavilion, the pavilion had to receive him.
As for Xiao Yan's exalted status as the Emperor's Son, it had never been made public on the Dou Qi Continent.
"You're that villain?" Xiao Yan frowned slightly. According to the plot, this Han Feng was certainly no good.
"You aren't qualified to speak with me yet. Have your teacher come out. I have important matters to discuss."
Xiao Yan sneered. He had been a troublemaker since childhood, and the moment he heard Han Feng's name, he wanted to pick a fight.
Han Feng's previously courteous expression froze abruptly, and he said coldly, "Though you are an esteemed member of the Xiao Clan, surely it is inappropriate to behave so rudely in our Starfall Pavilion.
"If not for your status as a member of the Xiao Clan, how would a mere Dou Emperor warrant a reception from me?"
"Insolence! What are you barking about? How dare you speak to our young master that way!" Xiao Wu, standing beside Xiao Yan, gave a cold snort, his voice making space tremble.
Saint Wen was learned and wise; Saint Wu was hot-tempered and adept at battle.
"Pfft!" The tremendous pressure injured Han Feng outright. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning pale.
Xiao Wu paid it no mind, fully revealing his Half-Saint cultivation.
"Venerable Yao, our clan's prodigy has come to visit you in person, yet you still refuse to come out? Could it be that a prodigy of the Xiao Clan isn't worthy of meeting a mere Dou Zun like you?"
His voice carried dense, powerful Dou Qi. The Starfall Grand Array, which even a Dou Zun would struggle to breach, was broken by that single roar, revealing the Star Realm within.
Such was the terrifying might of a Half-Saint!
Although Half-Saint cultivation afforded some standing in the Xiao Clan, it did not permit much arrogance there. Now that the hot-tempered Xiao Wu had finally gotten a chance to go out, he naturally intended to put on a proper show.
As part of the Starfall Grand Array broke open, two figures finally flew out.
They were two old men who looked well advanced in years, yet brimmed with vigor.
They were none other than the two leaders of the Starfall Pavilion: Venerable Yao, Yao Chen, and Venerable Feng, Feng Xian.
"Saints of the Xiao Clan, if you have come to visit, why did you injure my disciple?" Yao Chen stepped forward, his expression grave as he looked at Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu beside Xiao Yan.
With his Peak Dou Zun strength, he could naturally discern their cultivation.
On the Dou Qi Continent, Half-Saints could already barely squeeze into the ranks of its pinnacle experts.
Of course, what astonished him even more was the black-robed youth behind them.
The youth looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, yet he was already a Peak Dou Emperor, while these two Half-Saints attended him like guards.
If that was the case, just how lofty was this youth's standing in the Xiao Clan?
"Enough nonsense. Our young master wishes to see you, yet you dare drag your feet. Do you think nothing of our Xiao Clan?" Xiao Wu sneered.
"Uncle Wu, be a little more courteous to Master Yao." Xiao Yan stopped the hot-tempered Xiao Wu, then bowed respectfully to Venerable Yao. "Elder Yao, this junior is Xiao Yan. I have long admired your great name and have come expressly to become your disciple and learn from you."
"Become my disciple?" Yao Chen paused briefly, then shook his head. "Young prodigy of the Xiao Clan, Dou Sheng gather like clouds in your clan, and Dou Zun fall like rain. Aside from some modest skill in alchemy, what could I possibly teach you?"
"Elder Yao, your alchemy has reached a realm of divine mastery. You deserve to be called the continent's foremost alchemist. It would be my honor to learn alchemy from you," Xiao Yan said with a smile.
"Heh, although my alchemy is passable, there is always someone beyond someone else on the Dou Qi Continent. With your family background, young friend, I imagine even finding a ninth-rank alchemist as your teacher would not be difficult?"
Yao Chen glanced at the two Half-Saints behind Xiao Yan.
He could barely be considered to have touched the continent's pinnacle with one hand, but this was his first time seeing a young master with two Half-Saints as his guardians.
"Perhaps. But you have something here that no other alchemist can teach me." Looking at Yao Chen, Xiao Yan smiled and enunciated each word. "That is... the Flame Mantra!"
At those words, Yao Chen's previously composed expression changed in an instant!
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