The stone platform was colossal—an expanse of snow-white rock that soared nearly a hundred meters into the air. More than a dozen monumental pillars braced its weight, like titans holding up the sky itself; from a distance, the sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Around the platform, space warped and shuddered. Chaotic energy roiled, and slender, black fissures crawled outward from the shimmering void. A silver glow pulsed at the platform's heart as one figure after another spilled from a wormhole: Zhongzhou's famed teleportation point.
Ya Fei lifted her gaze, eyes bright with ambition. "So this is the Central Region—worthy indeed of the Dou Qi Continent's core. Even the teleportation hub is magnificent." She brushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear and added, half to herself, "I've decided—my next auction house will stand right here."
Ye Feng chuckled. "Then you have my support."
Together with Xiao Yixian, Ye Xinlan, the two Amethyst Winged Lion Kings (large and small), and Zi Yan, they descended the wide stairs. Halfway down, market gossip drifted to their ears: Xingyun Pavilion has paid a king's ransom for news of Xiao Yan and Yao Chen.
Ya Fei's breakthrough to Dou Zong in the Tianshan Blood Pool had long since sent ripples through the region. Afterward, Feng Qing'er returned to Wind-Lightning Pavilion, while Mu Qingluan carried word back to Xingyun Pavilion—and evidently to Venerable Feng himself.
---
Sky-Shattering Clash
Bang!
A thunderous roar split the heavens. Four combatants streaked through the air in a blur of power: Medicine King Han Feng, Su Qian of Canaan Academy, Venerable Feng, and an unknown expert whose face lay hidden beneath a black veil. Wind-attribute Qi whipped about her; even masked, her graceful silhouette betrayed a warrior's poise.
Han Feng and Su Qian could not withstand Venerable Feng's onslaught and were driven back in succession. The mysterious woman, however, matched the Wind Venerable blow for blow—until she vanished in a sudden burst of speed.
Wind Extreme · Meteoric Kill!
The technique pierced Venerable Feng's chest clean through. Blood misted the air.
"Hmph. So much for the famed Wind Venerable," the woman said coolly. She spared him no finishing strike, instead stepping into the void and melting from sight.
"Is Venerable Feng really going to die?"
"Who was that masked woman—and why target him?"
"Could she be from the Spirit Palace?"
The crowd buzzed. Zhongzhou thrived on danger; battles like this erupted hourly, and countless fighters perished each day. A cloaked Dou Zun in black naturally drew whispers of the enigmatic Spirit Palace.
"It's tragic," someone murmured. "The Wind Venerable spent his life hunting for Yao Chen, yet still found nothing. His dedication deserves respect."
---
A black-robed figure shouldered through the onlookers and knelt beside the fallen Venerable Feng. After a quick inspection—and a grim frown—he spirited the wounded man into a dim back alley.
"Teacher… can he be saved?" the hidden man asked softly.
A familiar voice answered from the depths of a ring: "No."
Venerable Feng's eyes widened. "Yao Chen?"
The aged alchemist emerged with a sorrowful smile. "Old friend, it's been too long."
"I finally found you," Venerable Feng rasped, coughing blood. "But why… why like this?"
"I trusted Han Feng—my mistake." Yao Chen's face clouded.
The Wind Venerable's breathing hitched. "Han Feng said… the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill you gave me— you didn't know whether it would help. You used me… as an experiment. Is that true?"
Yao Chen flinched. Only Xiao Yan and Han Feng had ever heard that secret.
"Tell me… the truth," Venerable Feng demanded, voice cracking. "Don't let me die blind."
Yao Chen hesitated. The masked woman's strike had shattered his friend's heart; any remedy should have been impossible. Yet something felt… off.
Blood spilled from Venerable Feng's lips. He laughed weakly. "Ha… I'm stubborn to the end. Still, Xingyun Pavilion… will live on with you back." The name Xingyun Pavilion struck Yao Chen like a blade of ice, dredging up memories of bygone camaraderie.
At last, Yao Chen sighed. "Han Feng spoke true. I didn't know the pill's full effects. I feared side-effects."
"What—!" Fury surged through Venerable Feng; he spat a scarlet plume. "Then what Mu Qingluan told me… was real!"
"Indeed, it was." Ye Feng's calm voice rippled beside them.
Space wavered. Ye Feng, Mu Qingluan, Zi Yan, Ya Fei, the twin Lion Kings, Ye Xinlan—and the veiled woman who had struck down Venerable Feng—all emerged from the void.
Xiao Yan tensed. "You!"
Mu Qingluan hurried forward. "Master, please—save my teacher!"
Ye Feng raised a hand. A radiant crabapple blossom bloomed above his palm; ten resplendent gold halos ringed his feet.
Sixth Divine Skill: Embrace of the Goddess of Life.
An emerald avatar, thrice the height of a man, swept the dying Venerable Feng into a gentle embrace. Miraculously, his ebbing vitality steadied—then surged. Flesh knit, bone fused, life returned.
Moments later, his wound was whole.
"Strange… there's something inside you." Ye Feng narrowed his eyes, gesturing sharply. A strand of dark-white filaments slid from Venerable Feng's chest, writhing in the air.
Yao Chen's face drained of color. "Bone Chilling Flame…"
Ye Feng's gaze hardened as it settled on the old alchemist. "So you did tamper with the pill he swallowed."
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