Chapter 315: Change in the Northwest
Inside the Pill Tower, Xiao Ze had just spoken with Xun'er and learned that the Hall of Souls might be planning something against him in the near future.
Therefore, he decided to stay in the Pill Tower for a while, improving his alchemy skills or focusing on his training.
However, things don't always go as planned. Shortly after Xiao Ze secluded himself to meditate, Xuan Kong Zi sent someone to notify him of an urgent matter.
Full of doubts, Xiao Ze headed to the huge black tower to meet with Xuan Kong Zi.
"President Xuan Kong Zi," greeted Xiao Ze with a bow. Xuan Kong Zi, seeing him, handed him a report.
"There have been changes in the structure of the northwest continent. The Yun Lan sect, located in the Jia Ma Empire, has suddenly resurfaced and has swept through the surrounding empires. Now they are gathering forces with the intention of moving against the Black-Corner Region."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ze reviewed the report, frowning. Although the Black-Corner Region didn't matter much to him, within it was the Jia Nan Academy, under whose protection was his Xiao family.
"If the nest falls, how can the eggs remain intact?" thought Xiao Ze.
According to the report, the resurgence of the Yun Lan sect was quite suspicious. After the former sect master, Yun Shan, reappeared, he acquired immense power and swept through the neighboring empires. The Yun Lan sect's influence spread quickly to dozens of empires. Those who didn't want to submit were eliminated, and those who accepted were absorbed by the sect or became subordinate forces.
Xuan Kong Zi, seeing Xiao Ze's frown, sighed lightly and apologized. "You had asked me before to keep an eye on the situation in the northwest, but due to the conflict with the Hall of Souls, we had to stop our surveillance. Only recently, after the Hall of Souls withdrew, did the Pill Tower regain control of the Pill Domain and reestablish contact with the northwest continent."
"That's why the changes in the northwest have only just reached us," explained Xuan Kong Zi.
Xiao Ze shook his head. "Receiving the information now is enough. It's not too late."
Xiao Ze understood that the Pill Tower had not deliberately stopped monitoring the northwest; the problem lay in the Yun Lan sect's rapid rise and the difficulty of communication due to the distance.
"President, I want to return to the northwest continent," said Xiao Ze without hesitation.
"Of course. Your family and the Jia Nan Academy, which trained you, are in the northwest. I can't force you to stay in the Pill Tower," responded Xuan Kong Zi, nodding.
"But you must be careful. The Hall of Souls will not remain quiet after you killed their Sovereign. And the sudden rise of the Yun Lan sect is very suspicious. A sect that remained hidden in an empire suddenly gains immense power and sweeps through neighboring empires. There's something strange behind all this. If you need help, the Pill Tower will be here to support you."
Xuan Kong Zi's sincere words moved Xiao Ze. Despite the Pill Tower recovering from the Hall of Souls' infiltration, Xuan Kong Zi was still willing to offer his help.
"Thank you, President. But for now, I don't think it's necessary. I already have three Sovereigns to handle the situation in the northwest," said Xiao Ze, based on his analysis of the information.
Although the Yun Lan sect seemed extremely powerful and had swept through neighboring empires, the strongest power in those countries was only at the Sovereign level. Even with the Hall of Souls' help, they shouldn't be too strong.
Three Sovereigns should be enough to handle the situation in the northwest. Moreover, Xiao Ze wasn't defenseless; he had a spatial talisman given by the Spirit Saint.
"If you have a plan, I won't stop you. Here is a spatial talisman. If you find yourself in trouble, break it, and I will send help," said Xuan Kong Zi, handing him the talisman.
After respectfully bidding farewell, Xiao Ze returned to the elders' tower and called Medusa and Qing Lin, who were training.
"There has been a problem in the northwest. The Yun Lan sect has resurfaced and is sweeping through the neighboring empires, targeting the Black-Corner Region," said Xiao Ze, handing the report to Medusa.
Qing Lin, having no ties to the northwest, showed no concern. But Medusa, whose Snake-People Empire was near the Jia Ma Empire, was alarmed upon reading the report.
"Xiao Ze, please let me return to the northwest to find out what has happened to the Snake-People Empire," pleaded Medusa.
"You don't need to ask. I also need to return to the northwest, as the next target of the Yun Lan sect is the Black-Corner Region, where the Jia Nan Academy is," said Xiao Ze seriously.
"So, Xiao Ze, are we leaving now?" asked Qing Lin, ready to follow Xiao Ze.
"Yes, let's prepare and leave immediately."
After quickly preparing, the three headed towards the northwest. Dressed in black cloaks and concealing their presence with illusory energy, they moved cautiously, aware that the Hall of Souls still held power in the Holy Pill City.
They used a spatial tunnel heading northwest, one of the eight spatial connections that facilitated travel from the Holy Pill City to various parts of Zhongzhou.
The journey to the northwest would take nearly two months just within the spatial tunnel. During this time, the three focused on training, aware of the unstable situation in the northwest and the need to be prepared.
The northwest continent was in turmoil due to the sudden rise of the Yun Lan sect, which bewildered established forces, allowing the sect to expand rapidly.
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