While the people in the Heavenly Sword Sect were talking about Xiao Yan, the other three sects in the Qingtuo Mountain were also discussing what had happened in the Ancient Ruins a few months ago.
The headquarters of the Spirit Refining Sect.
Inside the magnificent hall filled with golden light, Chen Zhen, the sect master of the Spirit Refining Sect, sat at the head of the table. Below him were the various leaders of the Spirit Refining Sect. Apart from Chen Zhen, the Spirit Refining Sect master, the elders and deacons sitting below the stage held the most power and were naturally involved in all major events within the sect.
" Elder Zhao, what are your thoughts on the matter of the Ancient Ruins?"
Chen Zhen sat upright in the head seat, his gaze sweeping over the elders in the room. Finally, his gaze settled on an elderly man in silver robes whose seat was closest to his.
The old man was dressed in a purple robe, sitting upright with his eyes slightly closed. His aura was completely concealed, making him almost imperceptible. At first glance, the old man exuded an imposing and domineering aura, making people hesitant to linger their gaze on him.
Upon hearing Chen Zhen's words, the old man slowly opened his half-closed eyes, then leisurely stood up, his brows furrowing slightly as if he were considering how to speak.
After a few strokes of his short beard, the silver-robed elder raised his gaze, looked at Chen Zhen seated at the head of the table, and respectfully cupped his hands, saying:
"Reporting to the Sect Master, this Xiao Yan is unpredictable and we know far too little about him. It's difficult for me to comment on him. Moreover, among those who returned alive from the Ancient Ruins, besides those who didn't enter the core area, only Zhuo Lin, the eldest son of the Zhuo Clan, and Bai Ying, the head of the Bai Clan. Therefore, regarding what exactly happened inside, we only know about the two major families under the Heavenly Sword Sect. Judging from our perspective at this point would be unwise."
Upon hearing this, the other elders in the room couldn't help but frown. The old man's words were a direct attack on Chen Zhen!
As the sect leader, Chen Zhen's words were almost irrefutable within the sect. However, now, this purple-robed elder's words were likely to bring him trouble!
However, just when everyone thought Chen Zhen would be furious, he smiled slightly and nodded in agreement, much to the surprise of everyone present.
"Indeed, what the Grand Elder thinks is exactly what I'm thinking."
Upon hearing Chen Zhen's words, the Dou Di experts in the hall raised their eyebrows and exchanged glances. A murmur of whispers immediately filled the hall, and all eyes turned to the Grand Elder with surprise, curiosity, and suspicion.
Almost everyone in the Western Region knew that Chen Zhen was arrogant and never took anyone seriously. However, when facing their newly appointed Grand Elder, he seemed to have restrained himself considerably. At least, he wasn't as fierce and domineering as before.
Indeed, this purple-robed elder was the newly appointed Grand Elder of the Spirit Refining Sect just a few months ago. His appointment, and even his appearance, surprised everyone in the Spirit Refining Sect Spirit Refining Sect, because before he became the Grand Elder, no one in the sect had ever seen him. His sudden appointment caused a great uproar within the Spirit Refining Sect.
However, this time the turmoil was quickly suppressed by the original Grand Elder's personal intervention. Although everyone harbored resentment, after several months of gradual adaptation, they have now reluctantly accepted the Grand Elder.
To their surprise, not only was the original Grand Elder extremely courteous to this purple-robed elder, but even the sect leader of their own sect was so kind to her, which truly puzzled them.
Who exactly is this newly appointed Grand Elder? And what is his/her identity?
Naturally, no one would tell them this answer.
Seeing the whispers among the crowd below the stage, Chen Zhen, sitting at the head of the table, sneered inwardly. The reason he asked this question was simply to let these disgruntled fellows below the stage understand just how much of a status the current Grand Elder held in his Spirit Refining Sect!
If those present an hour ago were full of complaints about this newly appointed elder, now that Chen Zhen has spoken out, they'd probably be too busy currying favor with the purple-robed elder to even think about it!
"Hmph..."
With a mocking smile, Chen Zhen then exchanged a few more words with the purple-robed elder before casually dismissing everyone present. The meeting in the main hall thus came to an end.
Looking at the hall doors that were finally closed heavily, Chen Zhen slowly stood up from his seat, put his hands behind his back, and walked down the platform with light steps to the side of the purple-robed old man.
"Hehe, junior brother, from this moment on, you are the only Grand Elder of the Spirit Refining Sect."
"Hehe, I still have to thank you, Senior Brother. If it weren't for your advice that they might still be useful, I probably would have already attacked them!"
Upon hearing Chen Zhen's words, the purple-robed elder stood up, respectfully cupped his hands to Chen Zhen, and laughed coldly.
"Hmph, although these guys have formed their own factions, as long as they remain within the Spirit Refining Sect, they will always be our lackeys. The saying 'the rabbit is killed once the hunt is over' doesn't apply yet."
Chen Zhen narrowed his eyes, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
He was naturally aware of what those people were thinking, but for the sake of the future of the Spirit Refining Sect, he had to endure it no matter what. Once the time was right, those people would become useless pawns in his hands and be ruthlessly crushed by him!
After exchanging a few more words of laughter, their bodies twisted slightly, turning into blurry images, and finally vanished completely from the hall.
Meanwhile, inside the Battle Martial Sect, Wu Jitian had also dismissed everyone in the main hall. Arriving at the hall's entrance, Wu Jitian looked up at the sky, a solemn expression on his fleshy face.
"Hmph, it seems the Western Region are no longer as peaceful as they used to be. Before, at least on the surface things were calm, and the undercurrents in the interior were tolerable. But now, a real storm is brewing, and the Western Region are about to change."
He murmured something to himself, Wu Jitian his gaze slowly descended, finally settling on the distant south, where the Xilin Mountain Range were located, and also where the Ancient Ruins were found.
There, because of one person, a man in black robes, a young man, dozens of Dou Di powerhouses died because of him. Such a thing is probably unparalleled in the entire Western Region...
However, what everyone thought was impossible has now become a reality.
The headquarters of the Withered Leaf Sect.
The dimly lit hall was utterly silent.
The empty hall was devoid of any lights. The withered yellow beams and pillars stood precariously in the hall, like rotten wood. Even the air was filled with a pungent, rotten smell.
The depths of the main hall were even darker and more gloomy, appearing completely black. If one were to walk here, even Dou Di powerhouse would likely feel a shiver run down their spine.
It's hard to believe that such a gloomy place could be the flagship of a sect. This place looks like it has been abandoned for many years, or perhaps it has been neglected since it was built, leading to its current state of disrepair. It's truly heartbreaking.
Could such a place really be a sect's council hall? Probably no one would believe it.
And in this place filled with gloom, desolation, sorrow, and fear, at the very depths of this great hall, there was finally a small space surrounded by light.
A soft, milky-white light emanated from the air, illuminating the small space without being glaring.
Within this space, an old man dressed in a hemp robe, with a gloomy face, sat cross-legged.
At this moment, a tiny, rice-grain-sized, milky-white fluorescent light emanated from a large ball of light in front of the old man, gradually flowing into the Soul Bead in his mind, becoming a part of his power, from between his eyebrows.
After a long while, the old man, whose eyes had been tightly closed, slowly opened them. A cold glint flashed deep within his eyes, which were surrounded by dark green light. Then, with swift movements, he put the milky white ball of light in front of him into his Storage Ring, before speaking in a detached tone:
"Since you're already here, why just stand by and watch? Come out and greet them."
"Hehehehe, why hide it from the sect leader? Haven't I seen plenty of little things like you?"
A strange laugh echoed through the hall. In the pitch-black hall, a thick cloud of black mist swept past the old man like a ghost. In an instant, a bizarrely shaped black mask could be seen from within the exposed black mist.
The mask resembled some kind of magical beast, and its expression looked quite ferocious and terrifying.
This mask is just like the one Xiao Yan obtained from the Third Hall Master of the Ghost Hall, and this black mist, needless to say, is naturally from someone in the Ghost Hall.
The old man referred to as the sect leader was none other than Withered Leaf Sect Ye Luotian.
"Hmph, as the saying goes, no one visits a temple without a reason. You've come to see me at a time like this, probably not just to spout nonsense."
Ye Luotian scanned the dark space before him. Although the hall was pitch black, everything seemed perfectly clear to him. The darkness could not impede the eyesight of Dou Di expert.
"Hehehehe, what business do I have with you? Does the sect leader really not know?"
" Xiao Yan?"
A strange laugh came from the darkness, followed by Ye Luotian's indifferent voice.
"As expected of the sect leader, he understands me perfectly, hehehehe..."
"Hmph, the only person you care about so much right now in the entire Western Region is probably him."
Just as a fawning laugh echoed from within the black mist, Ye Luotian spoke again with a cold expression, leaving no room for compromise in his words. He had no goodwill towards these monstrous things.
"I'm sure the sect leader has already heard about what happened three months ago."
"You mean Xiao Yan's incident at the Ancient Ruins? So many Dou Di, do you really think they died because of him?"
Ye Luotian made no move. His gaze, which had been scanning left and right, paused as if he were tired. He stared blankly at the void in front of him, and his words contained a hint of contempt.
No matter how much Half-Emperor acts, it's impossible for him to kill Dou Di expert. Not only would he not believe it, but anyone else would too.
"Yes, if it were anyone else, I really wouldn't believe it, but if it's Xiao Yan... Sect Master, this matter has even alarmed the Grand Hall Master. We don't want the Four Great Sects to work together and be unable to deal with a Half-Emperor. If the higher-ups blame us then..."
"Could it be that he, a Half-Emperor, could actually unleash power sufficient to kill Dou Di expert? How is that possible!?"
Ye Luotian was shocked. The fact that even the higher-ups in the Ghost Hall took it seriously meant that what happened in the Ancient Ruins was not to be underestimated.
"I said, it might not be possible for others, but he is Xiao Yan, which means we must be extremely careful in everything we do!"
Voices echoed again from the dark clouds, but this time they sounded much more solemn than before.
"Who exactly is he that he could move you all so deeply?"
Ye Luotian frowned, his heart filled with curiosity. Why would this mysterious and strange super power care so much about a mere Half-Emperor? Anyone would be curious about this.
"Sect Master, I told you long ago that there are some things you'd rather not know. My Ghost Hall has brought you to where you are today, and it can also leave you with no tomorrow!"
A cold voice came from within the black mist, causing Ye Luotian's heart to sink. Dealing with these guys was like walking a shortcut on a knife's edge; he had to go along with them, but he also had to be wary.
As this thought arose in his mind, Ye Luotian fell silent, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more eerie.
One month later.
Xilin Mountain Range.
Xiao Yan, who was sitting cross-legged on the mountaintop like a statue, suddenly moved. His body, which had been silent for a month, suddenly began to move.
The moment his eyes opened, his hands moved in unison, unleashing a series of intricate hand seals that rapidly coalesced into chaotic afterimages before Xiao Yan. Then, at a certain moment, golden light suddenly surged from the depths of Xiao Yan's eyes.
" Strength Elephant Art! Activate!"
With a thunderous shout, Xiao Yan Xiao Yan moved, his body instantly standing up. At the same time, he stomped heavily on the nearly collapsing mountain peak beneath him, and in an Xiao Yan, his body shot out, leaping into the air.
His eyes quickly locked onto a mountain peak below. Xiao Yan, who was in mid-air, clenched his right hand tightly, making a creaking sound. Then, as he landed, he slammed his fist down hard onto the mountain peak!
Xiao Yan didn't use any Dou Qi to deliver this punch, yet its power was terrifying!
With a single punch, the invisible void before Xiao Yan was instantly crushed and collapsed, turning into endless darkness. Within the space, an invisible fist imprint was rapidly descending, and in the blink of an eye, it slammed heavily onto the mountain peak.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion resounded, and the mountain peak where Xiao Yan had been sitting collapsed. At this moment, the surrounding mountains trembled violently, and birds and beasts scattered in terror. The terrifying power even frightened the magical beasts in the mountains!
Above the void, Xiao Yan looked down at the mountain peak that had collapsed into ruins, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes. Then, a surge of even more intense and ecstatic joy welled up in his heart.
"So this is the Strength Elephant Art? Its power is truly extraordinary! Compared to my Vajra Glazed Body, this Strength Elephant Art is obviously much stronger! It truly lives up to its reputation as Spirit Class Dou Technique!"