Chapter 257: The Soul Palace's Nine Heavenly Sovereigns Are Tracking Someone!
Qifeng Mountain!
This mountain did not earn its name because phoenixes actually perched upon it, but rather because it was home to the northern branch of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, a dominating force in the northern region of the Central Plains.
The Wind and Thunder Pavilion was divided into four branches: East, West, South, and North, with the East Pavilion as the central branch and the other three as auxiliary branches.
Each branch ruled over its respective region as a hegemon, but if the four branches united, they would form the powerful Wind and Thunder Pavilion of the Central Plains.
However… it was merely so so!
The strongest person in the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, the Thunder Master, was a pitifully weak three star Dou Zun. He couldn't even defeat the Green Snake Master of the Heavenly Snake Mansion. Even the now dead Lion Sky, the head of the Lion Nether Sect who perished at Lu Bu's hands, could easily crush the Thunder Master.
Atop Qifeng Mountain stood a massive silver tower that pierced the clouds. Surrounded by flowing mist and bursts of dazzling silver light, it continuously roared with the sound of thunder.
This silver tower, the Northern Thunder Tower, was the core of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's northern branch. It was a place of aspiration for countless talented disciples, with all of them considering it an honor to train within its walls.
The top floor of the Northern Thunder Tower housed a vast and empty grand hall. Thunderous mist and arcs of electricity filled the air, making it inaccessible to anyone below the level of Dou Zong.
At the center of the grand hall stood a massive silver throne. However, it sat empty. Below the throne, four chairs were positioned in the cardinal directions: east, west, south, and north. Three of these chairs were occupied by elderly men exuding immense Dou Qi that would make anyone tremble with fear.
Tap, tap, tap!
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall. The three elders simultaneously opened their eyes, their expressions turning sour with displeasure.
One of the elders hesitated for a moment, then waved his sleeve. The arcs of electricity retreated, and the thunderous mist parted, creating a clear path.
The next moment, a middle aged man rushed in, his expression filled with panic and fear.
"Elder Feng, you'd better have a good reason for this…" one of the elders said coldly, but before he could finish, the man shouted in terror:
"Three elders, something terrible has happened!"
"Elder Shen Yun's Soul Thunder Tablet has shattered!"
"What did you say?!" The three elders' faces changed drastically as they shot to their feet.
The Wind and Thunder Pavilion's northern branch had four powerful Dou Zong elders: the Wind, Cloud, Thunder, and Lightning Elders. Their strength was second only to the pavilion master, and their reputations were fearsome.
"Hohoho… Someone actually dared to provoke my Wind and Thunder Pavilion in the northern region of the Central Plains," the Wind Elder sneered coldly.
"Since the pavilion master is currently at the East Pavilion and not in the branch, it falls to us three to ensure order. How could we let such an event occur?" Thunder Elder's eyes flashed with lightning.
"Elder Shen Yun accompanied Hong Chen back to Tianbei City. Since that's the case, prepare the troops!" Lightning Elder snarled, his tone vicious:
"Search every corner of Tianbei City. Dig out the culprit! I will personally suppress them under the Thunder Tower to show them the price of offending the Wind and Thunder Pavilion!"
"Yes!" The middle aged man, Elder Feng, shouted enthusiastically, his face red with anger. Anyone daring to provoke the Wind and Thunder Pavilion would surely meet a terrible fate!
Tap, tap, tap!
Suddenly, another series of rapid footsteps echoed. A second middle aged man stumbled in, his face pale and his steps unsteady.
"Elder Feng, do you need me to remind you of your role as an elder in the Wind and Thunder Pavilion?" Lightning Elder's gaze turned cold as he reprimanded, "Such disgraceful behavior before the elders do you have no dignity?"
"Elder, something terrible has happened!" the man exclaimed in terror. "Elder Shen Yun has been killed!"
"Hm?" The three elders and Elder Feng's expressions turned grim. He isn't in charge of the Soul Thunder Tablets how does he know this?
"The news has spread everywhere! The entire northern region of the Central Plains knows!" the man cried.
"The culprit didn't even flee after killing Elder Shen Yun?" Lightning Elder's face darkened. In his view, Shen Yun's death had to be the result of a sneak attack otherwise, there was no way Shen Yun would lose in a fair fight.
"Explain the situation," the Wind Elder commanded, remembering that the panicked man was responsible for gathering intelligence.
"The culprit killed Elder Shen Yun and the Hong Family's ancestor, Hong Tianxiao, in Tianbei City before leaving leisurely," the man explained.
"What?!" The Wind Elder was stunned. "Who is this person, possessing such strength?"
Killing Shen Yun was plausible, but killing both Shen Yun and Hong Tianxiao a five star Dou Zong together with ease? That level of power was extraordinary.
"The culprit's older brother is called Xiao Yan. He claims to be the greatest talent since Tuoshe Ancient Emperor and boasts the potential of becoming a Dou Di!" the man answered.
"What arrogance!" Thunder Elder roared, his lightning Dou Qi erupting violently.
"I'm asking about the person who killed Elder Shen Yun, not his brother!" the Wind Elder huffed.
"We don't know," the man admitted. "What we do know is that the culprit is a young man around 21 or 22 years old, in the Dou Zong realm. He first punched Elder Shen Yun twice, then used a light seal to kill three Hong Family Dou Huangs. Finally, he used the Heaven Nether Shura Hand to obliterate both Hong Tianxiao and Elder Shen Yun."
"What?!" The three elders were aghast. A young Dou Zong in his early twenties, using a technique as infamous as the Heaven Nether Shura Hand?
Could he be a prodigy of the Nether Heaven Sect?
No, that didn't make sense. None of the Nether Heaven Sect's geniuses had an older brother named Xiao Yan.
"Who is this young man?" The three elders exchanged glances, their earlier rage replaced by a solemn and cautious demeanor.
With the pavilion master absent, the three of them were temporarily in charge of the northern branch. Acting recklessly could have dire consequences.
As for Shen Yun's death… they decided to investigate further before taking any action.
Hearing the question, the intelligence elder gave a bitter smile. "We truly don't know his identity. All we know is that his brother, Xiao Yan, has allegedly killed members of the Soul Palace."
"According to the reports, Elder Shen Yun threatened him, saying the Wind and Thunder Pavilion wouldn't let him go. But the young man replied that such words might carry weight if spoken by the Soul Palace's master, Hun Miesheng. The Wind and Thunder Pavilion, he said, wasn't worth mentioning."
Hissss! A collective gasp filled the hall as the three elders' faces twisted in horror. Their wrinkles seemed to stretch taut with fear.
That young man… no, his older brother, Xiao Yan, dared to provoke the Soul Palace?
Who was this Xiao Yan to brazenly speak the name of the Soul Palace's master?
"Elder Wind, this is a serious matter. I suggest we contact the pavilion master immediately," Thunder Elder said gravely.
"I agree!" Lightning Elder, who had previously been ready to fight, now looked deeply unsettled.
"Very well," Wind Elder nodded. "This matter is indeed critical. We must notify the pavilion master without delay."
"Elder Wind, as wise and steady as ever!"
"We could all learn from you, big brother!"
The Wind Elder waved his hand humbly. "You flatter me. I'm merely following the pavilion master's instructions. Nothing more."
"Oh, that's right." Elder Feng stopped the two stewards. "Spread the word have all disciples in the pavilion remain vigilant, activate the first level alert system, and report or send messages immediately if anything happens."
"Yes!" The two stewards replied in unison.
"Brothers," Elder Feng chuckled, "It's been a while since we practiced the Nine Heavens Thunder Prison Formation together. Shall we take some time to train these next few days?"
"Big Brother speaks wisely. It's about time!"
"Ha! Lead the way, brothers! Let's practice the formation together consider it stretching our old bones."
The three elders linked arms, chatting and laughing as they left the hall together.
What's that? Shen Yun? Never heard of him!
"Oh, by the way, Steward Feng, do you know where that person went?"
"Reporting to Elder, it seems he's heading in the direction of the Wind and Thunder East Pavilion," Steward Feng replied.
"Oh... Brothers, practicing the formation is training, and staying here is also training. So how about we... skip the formation?"
"Ha ha... Big Brother Feng is absolutely right. Let's continue training or sleeping. No need to bother with him."
...
The Wind and Thunder East Pavilion was located in the southern area of the northern region of the Central Plains, close to the Dan Domain.
As for why the East Pavilion was in the south... who knows?
Atop the tallest peak of the mountain range stood a towering silver spire that pierced the heavens. Lightning constantly danced around the tower, and the roar of thunder reverberated endlessly. This place was a paradise for those who practiced wind and thunder attributes.
Inside a grand hall, Lei Zunzhe (the Thunder Master), the pavilion masters of the North, West, and South Pavilions, and a young, beautiful woman in a multicolored dress sat in council.
"This time, our Wind and Thunder Pavilion will host the Four Pavilion Conference. You must all prepare thoroughly our reputation as the leader of the four pavilions must not be tarnished," Lei Zunzhe said, his voice rumbling like thunder.
"Understood, Master!" Fei Tian and the three pavilion masters responded gravely.
"Qing'er," Lei Zunzhe's gaze shifted to the young woman seated in the first chair to his left. Though his voice retained its thunderous quality, it softened slightly. "In a few months, the annual Blood Pool of Tianmu Mountain will open. This will be a fine opportunity for you."
"As for the Four Pavilion Conference, you must take the championship and solidify the reputation of our Wind and Thunder Pavilion."
"Master, I understand," Feng Qing'er replied coolly, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile. The ten slots for the Tianmu Mountain Blood Pool were hers to take with ease.
As for the Four Pavilion Conference... Ha, Wang Chen, Tang Ying, and Mu Qingluan? She didn't consider any of them worthy opponents.
"Good. If that's the case..." Lei Zunzhe nodded slightly. At that moment, a bolt of lightning suddenly streaked into the hall, landing before the North Pavilion Master, Fei Tian.
Seeing this, Fei Tian and Lei Zunzhe's expressions darkened, while the South and West Pavilion Masters raised their eyebrows. They exchanged a glance, a glint of schadenfreude in their eyes.
It seemed that something had gone wrong in the North Pavilion.
In the next moment, Fei Tian's expression changed drastically. He jumped up from his seat, his face contorted with a mixture of fear and shock.
"Fei Tian!" Lei Zunzhe's expression sank as he barked, "You are the North Pavilion Master maintain your composure."
"Cloud Elder has been killed!" Fei Tian said gravely, his voice trembling. "The killer is a Dou Zong no older than 21 or 22!"
Hearing this, Feng Qing'er's calm demeanor faltered slightly.
Who?
Someone in the younger generation had surpassed her in cultivation?
How intriguing... A faint smile played at the corners of her lips. She wanted to meet this person and see how strong they truly were.
"If that's all, it doesn't warrant such a display," Lei Zunzhe said, his hands glowing faintly with lightning as they rested on his chair. His voice carried a low, ominous weight.
"Understood!" Fei Tian swallowed hard and continued, "This person claims that his older brother is Xiao Yan, the first genius since the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, with the potential to become a Dou Di!"
"Arrogant!"
At this, everyone in the hall erupted in anger.
"I agree," Fei Tian said, his tone tinged with unease. "But this person also said that his brother has even dared to destroy members of the Soul Palace. When Cloud Elder threatened him, saying that the Wind and Thunder Pavilion would hunt him down, he replied that such words might have weight coming from the Soul Palace's leader, Hun Miesheng, but that the Wind and Thunder Pavilion was nothing."
Lei Zunzhe's previously calm expression twisted into shock. He reached out and grabbed the bolt of lightning in Fei Tian's hand, his movements tense.
The South and West Pavilion Masters, who had been enjoying the spectacle, suddenly leapt from their chairs, their faces mirroring Fei Tian's earlier panic.
The Dou Qi continent had no shortage of arrogant youths, and many had boasted recklessly in their younger years. But such bravado could only go so far tying oneself to the Soul Palace's name was crossing a line.
Anyone daring to trample on the Soul Palace's reputation had to possess real strength. Those who didn't… were already dead, reduced to souls bound by the palace's chains.
As Fei Tian spoke, Feng Qing'er's expression flickered with surprise. After a brief pause, she sneered.
How amusing someone using the Soul Palace as a stepping stone to make a name for themselves?
The Soul Palace was so fearsome that even her clan's full might wouldn't guarantee a decisive victory against it. This person… they were clearly courting death.
How laughable!
She smirked briefly, then closed her eyes. It was no more than the antics of a fool a young upstart flaunting talent without realizing the cost. Someone would eventually teach him to respect true power.
"Master, what should we do?" Fei Tian asked, his expression uneasy.
Lei Zunzhe's face also darkened, his unease growing. He hadn't forgotten the time not long ago when the Nine Heavenly Sovereigns of the Soul Palace had come knocking. Though he hadn't learned the details, it was clear that the Soul Palace had encountered an opponent even they couldn't handle.
And now, someone was openly boasting in such a way. A chilling thought crept into Lei Zunzhe's mind: Could this Xiao Yan be the same person the Nine Heavenly Sovereigns were searching for?
At that moment, Lei Zunzhe felt his scalp tingle. Someone capable of attracting the attention of the Nine Heavenly Sovereigns was not someone the Wind and Thunder Pavilion could afford to provoke.
"Master, surely this isn't necessary?" Feng Qing'er frowned, a hint of derision in her gaze. For a leader of such a powerful force, this level of timidity was laughable.
"Qing'er, do you recall the visit from the Nine Heavenly Sovereigns half a year ago?" Lei Zunzhe asked gravely.
At this, the three pavilion masters' faces turned ashen. Even Feng Qing'er's expression betrayed a trace of shock.
The Nine Heavenly Sovereigns were terrifying eight star Dou Zuns. If this was indeed related to them…
"Ha ha ha... Thunder Master of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion! I've just come from Tianbei City. Might I have the honor of meeting you?"
"Ha ha ha… I've long admired the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's reputation!"
A loud, mocking laugh suddenly echoed from above, cutting through every barrier to reverberate within the grand hall.
Lei Zunzhe, Feng Qing'er, and the three pavilion masters all turned pale. Such terrifying soul power who could this be?
Could it really be the person the Nine Heavenly Sovereigns had been seeking?
(End of Chapter)
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