Chapter 416

Hearing Xiao Yan was willing to negotiate, the Thunder Venerable felt a surge of relief and said, "As long as Master Yan agrees to release Qing'er, my Wind Thunder Pavilion will unconditionally gift you the cultivation scroll of the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body."

If Feng Qing'er'er dies, my Wind Thunder Pavilion will surely suffer! Moreover, Xiao Yan has already learned the Three Thousand Lei Dong—he doesn't need the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body anymore.

Xiao Yan smiled, shook his head, and said, "Thunder Venerable, the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body was already yours to lose in our wager. To redeem Feng Qing'er'er's life, you'll need to pay a different price."

Xiao Yan didn't haggle or beat around the bush; he simply waved his hand and tossed a sheet of paper at the Thunder Venerable.

The Thunder Venerable's eyes nearly popped out—he saw nothing but Eight-Pill Medicinal Herbs, even Eight Rank Magic Cores! Are you trying to dig up the very roots of my Wind Thunder Pavilion?!

Seeing the Thunder Venerable's stunned expression, Xiao Yan smiled coolly and said, "I've heard the Wind Thunder Mountain Range is rich in medicinal materials, and your Wind Thunder Pavilion is one of the most powerful factions in the Four Pavilions. I believe exchanging a few medicinal herbs for the life of a Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan prodigy is a fair deal, don't you agree, Thunder Venerable?"

At this, the Thunder Venerable nearly cursed aloud—yes, the quantity was small, but the quality? Far from it!

Over the years, my Wind Thunder Pavilion has seized countless mountain ranges and even plundered ancient ruins discovered in Zhong Zhou—we've amassed a significant collection of precious medicinal herbs and Magic Cores.

But many of the Magic Cores and Eight-Pill Medicinal Herbs have already been traded away, since Eight-Pill Medicinal Herbs can be exchanged for Seven-Grade Elixirs, and Alchemists from the Dan Domain and Dan Tower all buy herbs from us.

Our storage is nearly depleted—yet Xiao Yan waves his hand and demands over a dozen Eight-Pill Main Herbs and three Eight Rank Magic Cores! My Wind Thunder Pavilion may not even have that much, let alone the specific herbs he demands.

Xiao Yan glanced at Feng Qing'er'er and slowly tightened his grip; her voice strained from her throat as she gasped, "Venerable… save me."

The Thunder Venerable clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead. For years he had roamed the outer reaches of Zhong Zhou, renowned throughout the North Domain—everyone gave him respect.

Now Xiao Yan not only stole the Three Thousand Lei Dong but also seized Feng Qing'er'er to blackmail him—this was utter humiliation!

Yet he had no choice.

Forcing down his rage, the Thunder Venerable pulled from his storage ring a silver-white scroll shimmering with lightning and said, "Xiao Yan, this is the cultivation scroll of the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body. Release Qing'er first. My Wind Thunder Pavilion cannot produce all these herbs at once—give me some time."

Xiao Yan shook his head. "Thunder Venerable, the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body was always meant for me. As for your need for time, I'll give you three days. My Yan Alliance will remain in Feng Lei Cheng during this period."

"As for Feng Qing'er'er, rest assured—so long as she doesn't plot against me, I guarantee not a single hair on her head will be harmed."

Xiao Yan gave the Heavenly Flame Venerable a glance; the latter instantly understood and stepped forward, extending his hand for the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body scroll.

With a crunch of his fingers, the Thunder Venerable's fury was unimaginable—if not for Feng Qing'er'er being held by Xiao Yan, he would have died fighting to kill this man, rather than endure such humiliation!

But now, it was no longer his call—he had to accept it, whether he liked it or not.

The Thunder Venerable gritted his teeth and handed the scroll to the Heavenly Flame Venerable.

Taking the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body scroll from the Heavenly Flame Venerable, Xiao Yan released his grip on Feng Qing'er'er's throat, weighed it briefly, then smiled and said, "Thunder Venerable, I, Xiao Yan, am a man of my word. As long as your Wind Thunder Pavilion doesn't do anything foolish, Feng Qing'er'er will be well-fed and well-cared for in the Yan Alliance."

Moments later, the four returned to the Eastern Pavilion of the Wind Thunder Pavilion. Seeing Xiao Yan appear, Qing Lin floated over to his side.

Seeing the Thunder Venerable and Feng Qing'er'er together, the elders of the Wind Thunder Pavilion exchanged uneasy glances.

"Enough fighting," Xiao Yan said coolly, his voice echoing throughout the entire Eastern Pavilion.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Zi Yan reluctantly ceased her assault. Fei Tian was utterly stunned—this little girl, though only a Third-Star Battle Sovereign, possessed absurdly powerful physical strength—he couldn't match her, and she'd even landed a punch on his nose, drawing blood!

All the Wind Thunder Pavilion elders simultaneously turned to the Thunder Venerable, awaiting his command.

Suppressing his rage, the Thunder Venerable waved his hand and declared, "This year's Four Directions Pavilion Assembly is concluded. All participants and spectators must leave Lei Mountain immediately."

"As for the rest—it was merely a misunderstanding. Now that it's resolved, all Wind Thunder Pavilion disciples return to the Eastern Pavilion."

A misunderstanding?!?!

The Huangquan Venerable and the Sword Venerable stared blankly at the ruined Eastern Pavilion—the ground had been melted into a massive crater, the grand pavilion pockmarked with fist craters from Zi Yan, and several buildings had been damaged by the battles of the Battle Sovereigns like the Deep Sea Wyrm.

This Eastern Pavilion bore no resemblance to its former glory—it was half-collapsed!

This was a misunderstanding?!?!

At this moment, many realized: the Wind Thunder Pavilion and the Yan Alliance had reached an agreement.

After all, for major factions, negotiation was the norm; outright annihilation wars were rare.

The Huangquan Venerable and the Sword Venerable exchanged glances, bowed to the Thunder Venerable in midair, then led their disciples away—they clearly had no desire to get involved in this mess.

The Wind Venerable locked his gaze on Xiao Yan and sent a Soul Resonance message: "Xiao Yan, I wish to speak with you."

Xiao Yan turned to glance at the Wind Venerable, pondered briefly, then nodded and replied, "I will remain in Feng Lei Cheng for three days."

Hearing Xiao Yan's reply, the Wind Venerable nodded firmly—he had questions he must ask. He then departed Lei Mountain with Mu Qingluan.

Seeing all spectators and competitors gradually leave, all Wind Thunder Pavilion disciples and elders exchanged uneasy glances and began rescuing the wounded.

The worst off were the Pavilion Masters of the South and West Pavilions—they had rushed to rescue Feng Qing'er'er to aid the Thunder Venerable's escape, only to be slammed into the ground by the Heavenly Flame Venerable's palm, every bone in their bodies shattered.

Had they not been Ninth-Star Battle Sovereigns with extraordinary life force, they would already be dead.

Xiao Yan looked at the Thunder Venerable and smiled. "Thunder Venerable, I, Xiao Yan, am a man of my word. I hope you are too."

Of course, Xiao Yan hoped even more that the Thunder Venerable wouldn't do anything foolish—otherwise, Xiao Yixian would step in.

With that, Xiao Yan strode out of the Eastern Pavilion of the Wind Thunder Pavilion without even binding Feng Qing'er'er.

Feng Qing'er'er watched Xiao Yan's retreating back, her jade hand tightening inside her sleeve—but soon, helplessly, it loosened. The Wind Thunder Pavilion had been defeated. Where could she possibly flee?

Could she escape the Soul Hall Venerable? Could she escape a Soul Hall Venerable who was an Eight-Pill Alchemist?!

With a face full of despair, Feng Qing'er'er followed behind Xiao Yan.

"Qing'er, where are you going?!" The six-star Battle Sovereign old woman cried out urgently.

Feng Qing'er'er didn't answer, didn't even look at her—she simply walked silently.

At this moment, everyone turned to the Thunder Venerable, realizing he made no move to stop her—every heart clenched in shock!

Their Wind Thunder Pavilion had lost. Feng Qing'er'er was a hostage.

"Fei Tian, mobilize the herb storages of the other three pavilions and all our city shops—within three days, I need every single herb on this list." The Thunder Venerable tossed Xiao Yan's white paper to Fei Tian.

Fei Tian looked at the precious medicinal herbs and Eight Rank Magic Cores on the paper—he understood everything.

The Wind Thunder Pavilion had lost. Feng Qing'er'er was a hostage. And these herbs and Magic Cores on the paper? They were the ransom.

"Venerable! Even if Xiao Yan is an Eight-Pill Alchemist… this is outright bullying! This is kidnapping and extortion! If we report this to the Dan Tower—"

"Hmph. He *is* a Dan Tower Alchemist. Do you think the Dan Tower will uphold some so-called justice? This is a conflict between the Yan Alliance and the Wind Thunder Pavilion—the Dan Tower won't interfere." The Thunder Venerable sneered.

Who would have thought that after years of dominance, he'd misjudged so badly? Had you told me you were an Eight-Pill Alchemist, I'd have brought gifts to congratulate your Yan Alliance on its first anniversary!

But I can't blame myself—such a young Eight-Pill Alchemist? Who could have imagined? Such a genius should only come from the Five Great Families of the Dan Domain! What kind of freak is this alchemist, sprung from some backwater village?!

My Wind Thunder Pavilion may be powerless against you—but if you anger both the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan and the Nine Underworld Python Clan…

On the Thunder Sovereign's face appeared a chilling expression; the low murmur he uttered carried such lethal intent that those nearby trembled slightly.

At this moment, Xiao Yan and the others walked boldly into the largest inn in Feng Lei Cheng; the innkeeper, upon seeing the Yan Alliance, immediately cleared the entire establishment to serve only Xiao Yan.

In the spacious luxury guest room, Zi Yan asked curiously, "Xiao Yan, why did you bring back this feathered bird? To eat?"

Beside her, Feng Qing'er'er's face instantly turned pale; she stared in terror at the little girl—was she still doomed to die after all?

Xiao Yan waved his hand and said, "No, she's a hostage. The Feng Lei Pavilion must exchange medicinal materials for her."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan suddenly understood, her eyes flickered—she'd learned another trick. So capturing people could exchange for medicinal materials!

At this, Nalan Yanran rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan and scoffed, "That's kidnapping and extortion."

"This is a mutual transaction—how can you call it extortion? I didn't bind her; she could leave anytime." Xiao Yan denied it.

Nalan Yanran was speechless—she'd dare to leave if she could.

Qing Lin slowly poured Xiao Yan a cup of hot tea; Xiao Yan sat in the chair and said, "Feng Qing'er'er, recount the story of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan again."

Though she didn't know why Xiao Yan wanted her to repeat it, she dared not resist him, so she recounted the split and civil war within the Void Ancient Dragon Clan.

After she finished, everyone in the room was stunned—clearly shocked by this news!

The space of the Void Ancient Dragon's Dragon Island was sealed; ordinary people had no knowledge of it. Only the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan somehow learned of it all.

"Hey, feathered bird, is what you're saying true? Is the Void Ancient Dragon Clan in chaos?" Zi Yan's gaze sharpened, her voice low.

"It should be true. Though I didn't see it myself, our clan's Elders once mentioned this." Feng Qing'er'er said.

Xiao Yan looked at Zi Yan and asked, "Given the Void Ancient Dragon Clan's current state, do you still plan to return?"

"Yes! No matter what, I must find out why my parents abandoned me!" Zi Yan declared firmly.

She had been stranded in the forest outside the Inner Court; as a child, lacking strength, she was constantly bullied by the forest's Beast Kings, living a life of exposure to wind and rain until the Grand Elder brought her back to the Inner Court and ended her pitiful existence.

She wanted to know—why had she been abandoned?

"Return? You're..." Feng Qing'er'er sharply caught certain words.

Xiao Yan smiled, unconcerned that Feng Qing'er'er had learned this, and said, "She is a Void Ancient Dragon who was lost outside."

"Hmph!" Zi Yan tossed her head, gazing haughtily at Feng Qing'er'er.

How brave you are to challenge Xiao Yan—you're braver than the Void Ancient Dragons!

"Void Ancient Dragon!!" Feng Qing'er'er gasped, her legs weakening; she plopped onto the chair, staring in shock at Zi Yan.

This was a Void Ancient Dragon! No wonder her strength was so immense—even Fei Tian, an Eight Star Dou Zong, couldn't touch her.

Xiao Yan glanced at Feng Qing'er'er—her clothes were torn and ragged, and in her startled state, some flesh was exposed. He shook his head and said, "Qing Lin, take her to change clothes. These rags make it look like I did something to her, tarnishing the Yan Alliance's reputation."

"I understand, Young Master Yan."

Soon after Qing Lin led Feng Qing'er'er away, the Heavenly Flame Sovereign appeared through a space wormhole and said, "The Wind Sovereign has arrived."

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened; he told those around him, "You all return to rest. I wish to speak alone with the Wind Sovereign."

The others left the room; even the Heavenly Flame Sovereign did not linger, merely guarding outside. With Xiao Yan's strength, even if the Wind Sovereign suddenly attacked, the Heavenly Flame Sovereign could still arrive in time to rescue.

Naturally, Xiao Yan wasn't afraid of the Wind Sovereign—after all, Xiao Yixian was also in the adjacent guest room, silently guarding him.

Moments later, the door opened, and the Wind Sovereign entered alone.

Inside the room, only Xiao Yan sat in the chair. The Wind Sovereign scrutinized him up and down, his eyes narrowing slightly as he asked gravely, "Young Master Xiao Yan, forgive my directness—I wish to ask: the cultivation method you practice—is it called the Burn Scripture?"

When the Wind Sovereign uttered "Burn Scripture," Xiao Yan's sharp Soul Force clearly sensed his emotional agitation—his eyes carried a glimmer of hope, yet no greed, unlike Han Feng.

Xiao Yan did not conceal it; he nodded and drew the Bone Flame Ring from the Void Space.

Before coming to the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, Xiao Yan had already hidden the Bone Flame Ring.

"Bone Flame Ring! This is the space ring I forged for him!" Seeing the ring, the Wind Sovereign stepped forward eagerly. Even without touching it, he recognized at a glance that this was the Bone Flame Ring.

"Xiao Yan, where did you get this ring? Where is its owner now?!" the Wind Sovereign asked urgently—he had searched for nearly twenty years!

Xiao Yan's Spirit Realm Soul Force knew clearly: the Wind Sovereign's heart was utterly sincere. He sought not the whereabouts of the Burn Scripture, nor the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, but news of the ring's owner.

Grand Elder Su Qian had not been wrong—the Wind Sovereign had indeed been searching for the Medicinal Sovereign's whereabouts all along. From his eyes, Xiao Yan read it clearly: this man was truly the Medicinal Sovereign's sworn brother; his eyes could not lie.

After a few seconds of silence, Xiao Yan tossed the Bone Flame Ring to the Wind Sovereign and said gravely, "This ring was found accidentally by my mother. Once, there was a faint trace of a Soul Body within it—but the Soul Body later dissipated."

Instantly, the Wind Sovereign's Soul Force entered the ring. When he sensed the familiar Soul Force within—and realized the Soul trace had vanished completely—his body staggered, his feet stumbling backward until he collapsed into the chair.

Earlier, Hun Xu Zi had sensed it too and told Xiao Yan: the ring had indeed once held a Soul Body, but the trace was too weak, and it had ultimately perished.

Though the Wind Sovereign was not as powerful as Hun Xu Zi, he could still sense it—he knew Xiao Yan was not lying.

It was hard to imagine how a Dou Zong could be so shaken he could no longer stand.

The Wind Sovereign stared at the ring in his hands, his body trembling uncontrollably; his withered fingers trembled as he clutched the ring, and in an instant, his hair visibly turned white.

The belief that had sustained him all this time shattered completely.

Rumors said the Wind Sovereign had never believed the Medicinal Sovereign was dead, searching desperately for over a decade—while Han Feng had fled to the Black Horn Region precisely to escape the Wind Sovereign.

Just as some refuse to believe a missing person is dead until they see the corpse.

Now, what Xiao Yan brought was not good news—but death.

"Old man, didn't you say your Soul Force was strong—you wouldn't die? Didn't you have Bone Spirit Cold Fire to protect you?"

Drip—a single clear tear fell from the Wind Sovereign's aged eyes; the sound was heartbreakingly sorrowful.

Xiao Yan watched silently beside him—at least the Medicinal Sovereign hadn't been blind; this sworn brother had not been a false friend.

Too bad he could never see it.

The Wind Sovereign slumped back against the chair, eyes tightly shut, tears streaming ceaselessly from his corners, his hands gripping the ring as if trying to grasp the Medicinal Sovereign's hand—unwilling to accept his departure.

Xiao Yan said nothing, sitting quietly beside him, watching the pitiful old man before him.

At this moment, he was not the famed Wind Sovereign of the Dou Qi Continent—he was merely an old man who had lost his most important friend.

The sun slowly sank from midday; the dusk's golden light streamed through the window, falling upon the old man.

His withered hands slowly loosened; the Wind Sovereign opened his eyes. He knew he could never grasp what had already vanished.

"Han Feng has already been killed by me," Xiao Yan said.

"Is that so? With you as his successor, he would surely be at peace." The Wind Sovereign now felt neither joy nor sorrow; the man was already dead, and revenge held no meaning.

Crack—the Wind Sovereign gently placed the storage ring on the table, gripped the armrests of the chair with both hands, and pushed himself up with effort, like an old man on the verge of death.

Finally, he cast one last glance at the storage ring on the table, nodded at Xiao Yan, and shuffled slowly toward the door.

At this moment, in Xiao Yan's eyes, there was no Wind Sovereign—only an old man who could barely walk, with cloudy eyes and a hunched back.

The tenth day!!!

(End of Chapter)