In the southern region of the Central Plains lies the Falling Star Pavilion, one of the Four Sides Pavilions.
Among the Four Sides Pavilions, the Falling Star Pavilion has the fewest disciples, but each one possesses impressive cultivation talent.
"Teacher, ahead is the Sky Star Mountains. I heard there's a special method to enter; otherwise, even a Dou Venerate might get lost inside. Will the Falling Star Pavilion really be in there?"
In the forest, a young and beautiful woman looked towards the figure beside her.
"Since everyone is saying so, we must give it a try. Lin Xiu once saved the Misty Cloud Sect and has done me a favor. Moreover, he even took the initiative to lead away the people from the Hall of Souls this time. Regardless of whether it will be useful or not, we should at least do something."
Yun Yun's gaze was filled with determination as she looked ahead. Although it had been half a month since the incident, she had not abandoned the thought of seeking help.
The forest was not quiet; the wind rustled through the leaves, and occasionally, the roar of beasts could be heard.
The two of them had spent a day moving deeper into the forest, but they had yet to see any sign of the sect.
As night fell, Nalan Yanran looked around and finally turned her gaze to the figure against the backdrop of the full moon.
It was still just mountains and trees.
"Teacher, it seems like there is no Falling Star Pavilion here."
Nalan Yanran felt a bit discouraged. The forest was far from peaceful, with Magic Beasts of considerable strength.
During the day, even with careful precautions, they had encountered no fewer than three Fifth Rank Magic Beasts.
Now that night had fallen and they were searching the skies, the target was slightly smaller than during the day, but the danger remained.
"If you don't want to search, go rest for now and don't disturb me."
Yun Yun did not turn around. She flapped her wings and searched the forest, hoping to find something.
From the information she had gathered, the Falling Star Pavilion was supposed to be in this mountain range.
So many people had said it was here, it couldn't be wrong.
Nalan Yanran was momentarily stunned but continued to assist in the search.
Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed by.
"Ah..."
Nalan Yanran let out a startled cry as she narrowly avoided the forceful gust of air that shot past her.
Below, a lion-sized beast, about five or six meters in length, with wings on its back, slowly ascended into the air.
"Humans, you are not allowed to tread here."
The lion Magic Beast glared at them, speaking in human language. Its wheel-sized eyes reflected Yun Yun's figure.
"I'm only looking for the Falling Star Pavilion and have no intention of disturbing the Lion King. Please grant me this favor."
Yun Yun held her sword with her right hand, pointing it diagonally at the ground, with green Dou Qi swirling around her body.
"You won't find it."
The lion slightly shook its head, opening and closing its blood-stained jaws. "I'll give you three breaths to leave, or don't blame me for being impolite."
"I won't leave until I find it."
Yun Yun's gaze was persistent and filled with determination.
"Courtesy before force, so don't blame me."
The lion let out a roar and charged at Yun Yun.
Nalan Yanran joined Yun Yun in attacking. Despite having the peak strength of a Dou King, she was still no match for a Sixth Rank Magic Beast.
...
In the forest below the mountain range.
A figure lay on the rooftop, gazing at the moonlit sky.
He raised one hand and held it before his eyes. In his palm lay a peculiar ancient jade, glimmering faintly.
"Father, where are you? Are you doing well? I've already found a location. After this Four Corners Pavilion meeting, my teacher and Elder Feng will contact them. When the time comes, I will go and find you. I hope to find you in that Hall of Souls."
Xiao Yan muttered to himself. Before arriving at the Central Plains, he had heard his teacher speak of how vast this continent was, but it always remained a vague impression.
Only by coming here in person did he truly realize that even a talent and cultivation speed like Senior Brother Lin Xiu's was not that rare.
Not even matching up to Senior Brother, what kind of genius was he?
He had always thought that becoming a Dou Emperor before twenty was impressive, but now it seemed like nothing more than a frog in a well.
While lost in thought, Xiao Yan suddenly heard a sound and quickly sat up.
"Extreme Wind, Extinguish!"
A sharp shout carried by the night wind passed by his ear.
Swish!
Crystal-colored flame wings sprang from Xiao Yan's back, and his figure soared into the air.
"Is it an illusion? Isn't this Misty Cloud Sect's Dou Technique? How could it appear near Falling Star Pavilion?"
He was a bit astonished.
At this time, several people from Falling Star Pavilion took to the sky, all responsible for patrol duties.
"Did you all just hear that?"
"Yes, it seems like someone is fighting outside."
"Tiger Lions guard the mountains and wilderness; who would dare provoke them? They are Sixth Rank Magic Beasts."
They whispered among themselves.
Suddenly, a shadow covered them.
They looked up and spoke in unison, "Greetings, Young Pavilion Master."
"Yes, the sound earlier was somewhat similar to an old acquaintance of mine. Please open the great formation so I can confirm."
Since everyone had heard it, it wasn't just a figment of his imagination. Xiao Yan wanted to see if Yun Zhi had arrived.
"Understood."
They dared not disobey. After a few hand seals, the Falling Star Pavilion's Starfall Formation opened a gap, allowing the outside scene to come into view.
Under the moonlight, two graceful figures wielding swords, supported by their green wings, were battling with a lion Magic Beast.
"Yun Zhi!"
Although there was a bit of distance, Xiao Yan recognized one of them immediately. "Tiger Lion, stand down. They are my friends, not enemies."
Both sides heard the voice and instinctively stepped back.
"Yun Zhi... Yun Yun, what are you doing here? Did you come specifically to find me?"
Xiao Yan was about to continue, but his gaze suddenly fell on Nalan Yanran, causing him to change his address. His tone trembled slightly.
Yun Zhi? Wasn't she always called Yun Yun by the teacher?
Nalan Yanran, having heard the earlier call, looked at the teacher and Xiao Yan with a hint of suspicion.
He's already a Dou Emperor?
Sensing the aura emanating from Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran felt a surge of complex emotions.
"Xiao Yan, quickly call for help. Lin Xiu and I encountered an attack from a Hall of Souls elder on our way to the Central Plains. To save me and Yanran, he drew the elder away. You must get help to rescue him."
Yun Yun didn't notice the anticipation in Xiao Yan's eyes and instead urgently spoke about Lin Xiu.
She came to find me for Senior Brother...
A hint of disappointment flashed through Xiao Yan's mind, feeling as if he had lost something important. He took a deep breath. "Wait here; I'll contact Elder Feng right away."
Senior Brother has done me a great favor, and now that he is in trouble, it is indeed necessary to help him.
Before Xiao Yan could turn around, a voice came from behind.
"No need to run."
The void split open, and a figure stepped out.
"Disciple greets Elder Feng."
The members of Falling Star Pavilion saw the visitor and bowed respectfully. Over the years, even though Venerable Feng has been overseeing Falling Star Pavilion, he had always required the disciples to address him as Elder rather than Pavilion Master.
"Elder Feng, Senior Brother Lin Xiu is in danger. You have seen him before; he is the one who fought three protectors alone. We need to hurry and assist him."
Xiao Yan said anxiously.
However, Venerable Feng's expression remained indifferent as he shook his head slightly. "It's not necessary. Even if you hurried from Central Plains to the Southern Region, you would have spent quite a bit of time. By the time we get there, it might already be too late."
"We still need to go."
Yun Yun was reluctant, and she looked at Xiao Yan.
"Elder Feng."
Xiao Yan could only muster the courage to speak.
"An Elder of Hall of Souls is equivalent to a Dou Venerate. Do you think Lin Xiu, a Dou Ancestor, can hold out for half a month under a Dou Venerate's hands?"
Venerable Feng looked at him, revealing some hesitation.
The gap between a Dou Ancestor and a Dou Venerate is too vast, and it cannot be bridged by mere Dou Techniques.
"We are currently in the dark. Once we take action, we might alert the enemy. Are you sure you want to go?"
Venerable Feng added as he saw Xiao Yan's silence.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's gaze flickered repeatedly. After a long while, he looked at Yun Yun and said, "If Senior Brother is captured, I will try to find him while rescuing my father."
Yun Yun was silent for a long time before replying in a flat tone, "Thank you."
She then said to Nalan Yanran, "Yanran, let's go."
"Yun Yun, it's too late. Why don't you rest for the night at Falling Star Pavilion?" Xiao Yan called out to her retreating figure.
He saw clearly that, at the moment he made his stance known, a clear sense of disappointment flashed in Yun Yun's eyes.
Yun Yun did not speak or turn back.
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