Chapter 284: What? Did You Say He's the Disciple of the Wind Venerate from Starfall Pavilion?
The Eastern Pavilion of the Wind Lightning Pavilion was a name of great weight—even across the entirety of Central Plains. As the headquarters of Wind Lightning Pavilion, it was a haven for experts and defended like a fortress. Through countless storms over the years, it had never fallen. Its current status was forged through bloody power struggles over time.
It was located within the Wind Lightning Mountains, on the northern edge of the region. The geography here was peculiar—perhaps due to the high altitude, the skies were perpetually filled with rolling thunder and shifting weather. One moment it might be sunny, the next a thunderstorm could descend from the heavens.
On the Thunder Throne within the Eastern Pavilion sat a tall man who appeared to be in his mid-forties, with a streak of silver in his beard. He wore a silver robe covered in intricate lightning patterns that seemed to flow like living things. A faint oppressive aura of thunder radiated from his form.
Below him stood a man clad in silver, whose youthful face was offset by silver-streaked hair and tired eyes. Most striking of all were his twin silver pupils—a rare trait indeed.
"Fei Tian, explain yourself. Lately, the Wind Lightning Pavilion's reputation has been utterly disgraced thanks to your Northern Pavilion."
The Thunder Venerate's voice boomed like thunder, carrying overwhelming pressure. Even Fei Tian, now a peak Dou Zong, felt its oppressive weight.
"Pavilion Master, according to my investigation, this Xiao Yuan is backed by no ordinary force."
Fei Tian wasn't intimidated by Xiao Yuan's power—but by what might be behind him.
After the deaths of the three elders, he had rushed to Tianbei City and investigated everything in secret.
"Oh? You mean Starfall Pavilion? There are rumors he's the disciple of the Wind Venerate? Hah! All these years, I've never once heard of the Wind Venerate having such a disciple. As for the claim that he's a tier-seven alchemist? Pure fantasy. The Wind Venerate doesn't even practice alchemy. How could he have trained a tier-seven alchemist?"
The Thunder Venerate sneered.
"There's more. Before returning, I attended an auction hosted by the Han Clan. I bought several pills allegedly refined by Xiao Yuan. I had our Pavilion's alchemists inspect them—they're definitely tier-seven, and of excellent quality. With such skill at his age, he must have had guidance from a tier-eight alchemist. Also, during my investigation, I learned that Xiao Yuan controls a strange dark-golden flame. The only Heavenly Flames that color are the No. 4 Golden Emperor Burning Flame and No. 7 Nine Nether Golden Flame. Only such ranked flames could provide his level of battle power."
Fei Tian continued seriously.
"If he truly subdued one of those flames, it's nearly impossible he did it alone. He must have had help. Also, some witnesses in Tianbei said he used a secret technique that drastically boosted his strength. Based on their descriptions, I suspect it's the Threefold Flame Mantra from Burning Flame Valley. He also has another method to reach eight-star Dou Zong level temporarily. And his resistance to lightning-based attacks is frightening. Even I would struggle to break the Nine Heavens Thunder Prison if faced with the same odds. That kid's power may rival mine."
He paused before adding, "Which is why I didn't act. I came back to report. He's twenty years old, already a Dou Zong, a tier-seven alchemist, and cloaked in mystery. Starfall Pavilion alone is troublesome—but if he's also tied to Burning Flame Valley or the Pill Tower? That's serious."
Had Xiao Yuan merely defeated the Northern Pavilion's elders and failed to pursue further, Fei Tian might've taken a shot himself. But Xiao Yuan not only broke their formation—he killed everyone, including those who'd mastered Three Thousand Thunder Movement.
With that kind of power, even if his secret technique only elevated him to eight-star Dou Zong, the addition of a top-tier Heavenly Flame made him incredibly dangerous.
Not to mention the Dou Zong woman at his side, who overwhelmed Hong Tianxiao.
Even if Fei Tian used Three Thousand Lightning Illusions, a victory was far from guaranteed.
"But all this is still speculation—not evidence."
The Thunder Venerate shook his head.
"Fine. I'll contact the Wind Venerate. As for Burning Flame Valley and the Pill Tower... let's pretend we don't know for now."
After some thought, the Thunder Venerate chose caution.
The Wind Venerate had been renowned for years. Though publicly he only had one disciple from the Sky Phoenix Tribe, it wasn't impossible that he'd taken in another secretly.
The real concern was Xiao Yuan's connection to the Pill Tower.
A regular Dou Zong meant nothing.
But a young tier-seven alchemist, wielding a top-ranked Heavenly Flame, and potentially tied to the Pill Tower's Three Giants—all peak Dou Venerates? That was another matter entirely.
Wind Lightning Pavilion, as one of the "Four Corners" among the Four Corners, Three Valleys, Two Sects, One Hall, and One Tower, still wasn't in the same league as the Pill Tower.
If Xiao Yuan really was tied to the Pill Tower, even the Thunder Venerate wouldn't dare touch him.
"Guess Fei Tian's hesitation makes sense now."
Reluctantly, he retrieved his spatial communication jade slip.
Meanwhile, in a tavern at the edge of the Northern Region:
"Have you heard? The Han Clan in Tianbei is all the rage lately. First, their patriarch Han Chi broke through to Dou Zong, then he married off his two beautiful daughters to a youth named Xiao Yuan. They say he's a tier-seven alchemist—and the Wind Venerate's personal disciple from Starfall Pavilion!"
In the main hall, a few men chatted over food and drink.
"What?! A tier-seven alchemist? The Han Clan's about to hit the jackpot!"
Some less-informed travelers exclaimed in awe.
"Heh, that's not quite right," another said, laughing. "You must be new to the Northern Region, huh? Those are just rumors you picked up."
"Oh? You know the real story?"
The first speaker turned, intrigued.
"Of course. I passed through Tianbei City just two weeks ago. Heard it all firsthand."
Clearly, the man enjoyed holding the floor.
"Please, tell us more!"
Voices echoed around the hall.
Lately, the name Xiao Yuan had spread throughout the region—and even across Central Plains.
"Alright, here's the deal. This all started with two families—Han and Hong…"
He launched into a dramatic tale: Hong Chen joining Wind Lightning Pavilion and using his influence to pressure the Han Clan into a forced marriage, Xiao Yuan descending like a god to destroy the Hong Clan, killing Shen Yun, and then slaying three more Dou Zongs, twenty-three Dou Huangs, and forty-six Dou Wangs—tearing through the Northern Pavilion.
Then came Fei Tian's silence, Han Chi's breakthrough to Dou Zong, and the double engagement to Xiao Yuan, now known as the rumored young master of Starfall Pavilion, a tier-seven alchemist with overwhelming power. Not to mention the auction held by the Han Clan, where multiple tier-seven pills were sold—confirming Xiao Yuan's identity.
"Is it true he's a tier-seven alchemist and the Wind Venerate's disciple?"
A breeze swept through as a green-robed elder appeared in the corner.
He looked unremarkable at first glance, but there was an effortless grace about him. His aura felt mysterious and ethereal. Even with age, there was a trace of elegance on his face—he must've been dashing in his youth. His energy fluctuated strangely, as if he couldn't be fully seen or understood.
Everyone went quiet. This man's presence screamed: powerful expert.
"Senior, you must be curious too. Xiao Yuan's still in Tianbei. With your strength, meeting him shouldn't be difficult."
The storyteller cupped his hands respectfully.
"So... this Xiao Yuan is really the Wind Venerate's disciple? I thought the Venerate only had one student—and she was from the Sky Phoenix Tribe?"
The elder asked curiously.
"That's unclear. But even if not a formal disciple, they must be close. Otherwise, saying that publicly would risk great danger. But now that you mention it, Xiao Yuan did claim to be the disciple of the Starfall Pavilion's master—and everyone knows that's the Wind Venerate."
The man frowned, uncertain.
"What did you just say? He claimed to be the disciple of Starfall Pavilion's master?"
The green-robed elder's eyes gleamed. In a flash, he appeared before the speaker. His Dou Qi surged involuntarily, silencing the entire tavern. Several people trembled under the pressure.
He was likely peak Dou Zong—maybe even half-step Dou Venerate!
"Senior…"
The man closest to him struggled to breathe under the weight.
The elder realized his mistake and quickly retracted his aura.
"You're certain he said he was the Starfall Pavilion Master's disciple?"
"Yes, senior. I heard it myself at the auction. He also said his alchemy came from the Pill Tower."
The man quickly replied, finally gasping for air.
"Disciple of the Pavilion Master… trained by the Pill Tower… a tier-seven alchemist…"
The elder murmured, eyes shining with excitement.
Yao Chen had once studied at the Pill Tower!
This young man, Xiao Yuan, might carry traces of his presence!
With that thought, a spatial rift tore open behind him. The elder stepped in, tossing a scroll behind him.
"Thanks for the info. This is a high-grade Xuan-level cultivation and battle technique. Take it as thanks."
Then he vanished.
"Good heavens! He was a Dou Venerate!"
Gasps filled the tavern.
Dou Venerate—legendary beings! Many in the room, even Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs, had never seen one before.
It was thrilling.
The man who had shared Xiao Yuan's story was ecstatic. A mere rogue Dou Wang, rewarded just for what he knew—with a high-grade Xuan-level technique, wind-element aligned!
A single gift from a Dou Venerate could benefit him for years.
Han Clan.
Xiao Yuan was still cultivating.
He had made many pills for the auction, which helped his own Dou Qi refine further. With Han Yue and Han Xue busy with engagement preparations, he'd been focusing on Dou Qi and technique training.
Even better—after deep study, he had found an entry point into the obscure lightning-script of Three Thousand Lightning Illusions.
His talent for techniques was terrifying. Without the "key," he had still managed to discover a breakthrough method.
This was partly thanks to his earlier practice with the Xuan-rank Ice Illusion Body technique.
Both were clones—one illusory through Dou Qi, the other formed from soul remnants into a shadow-body.
There was overlap. And now, after diligent study, Xiao Yuan was confident: within a month, he could form the Three Thousand Lightning Illusion!
Whoosh!
A green breeze blew through the courtyard. The figure of the green-robed elder slowly took shape.
At the same time, while deep in his cultivation, Xiao Yuan sensed his wind-attribute Dou Qi begin to tremble faintly.
Technique resonance?
He blinked in surprise—then smiled.
(END CHAPTER)
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