“With a piercing sound, Fatian was launched like a cannonball straight into the pavilion. The immense force he exerted caused the pavilion to tear open with the same piercing sound it burst apart into many pieces, scattering into the sky like leaves twirling gracefully down, As shockingly ruthless as Xiao Yan’s action was spectators of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion were astonished into silence momentarily and failed to shout rebuke.
“”Junior! How bold of you!”” Upon the tent’s bursting its occupant initially startled by Xiao Yan’s actions quickly regained composure. A furious roar laced heavily with murderous aura erupted in the skies.
At present in Bone Spirit Mountains, hordes of observers filled every corner and many sensed spectacle approaching earlier when spotting Xiao Yan’s entourage with killing intent blazing. Once the roars started erupting, figures zipped through the skies toward that peak in an instant the surroundings were alive with spectators appearing en mass.
Their sight shifting toward the torn tent upon the peak, all gasped and expressed great disbelief as Wind and Thunder Pavilion was an indisputably dominating group in Central Plains and secured exclusive claim upon one mountain peak. Therefore, for Xiao Yan to go so openly against the group astonished the observers mightily.
Xiao Yan, undeterred by the sudden onlookers kept sight steadfast on Fatian and there stood the Thunder Lord, a previous acquaintance, face twisted with anger. At the time, he was clutching Fatian’s robe. Nearby, two men clad in beast-furs silently watched the spectacle.
“”Pfah!””Fatian gasped once again in Thunder Lord’s hand while spewing blood, his eyes showing sheer disbelief. Xiao Yan’s strength had indisputably ascended to Dou Zun realm but was the same youth once fleeing wildly under Thunder Lord’s pursuit. Now having surpassed him shocked him deeply and hard to accept!
Junior Xiao, truly bold indeed! I let you go years ago in consideration of your then patron, today you dare appear righteously on my very own doorstep!” the Thunder Lord’s facial expression deepened as hands lowered Fatian slowly while his thunderous voice was filled to the brim with murderous intent. His long dominance as Wind and Thunder Pavilion made swallowing such an affront humiliatingly. While outwardly calm, his interior trembled with shock; he well knew Xiao Yan’s skill once a fledgling at Battle Sect realm only a small pest in his sight back then. Only years ago, that youth struggled mightily to rise. But the impossible happened now this fledgling had leapt past Dou Zun ranks rapidly. He, as a fellow Dou Zun, realized fully what a leap this truly marked. Fatian himself hovers on Battle Sect pinnacle, however many might never even break through this line with the right opportunity thus the sudden encounter with Xiao Yan sent him reeling inwardly as well.
“Lord Lei, you are exaggerating, we should remember it his disciples’ incompetence was at issue, nothing concerning restraint on your part.”
As Xiao Yan smiled the former insurmountable figure held no aura of awe anymore. Watching such change in junior Lei Zun’s brows quivered while fury deepened: quot;You remain as tongue-pointed after years… leave at once, I might just let past bygones rest considering Master Wind’s grace.”
“You truly joke now! Lord Lei, could we similarly act freely upon your disciples before everyone? All because of your restraint?” Xiao Yan’s tone provoked chuckles throughout the audience gathered.
Clasping hands firmly to fists the fury of Lei Zun shifted to maniacally laughing. “Indeed, so you arrived all prepared then! I’d be quite entertained watching this fresh Dou Zun handle a challenge!”
“No fanfare; merely reacquiring Master Star Fall Camp,” Xiao Yan murmured stepping forth while deep purple flames ignited gently along his arms heating the very air around him.
“Then let us evaluate your worth!” The Thunder Lord laughed darkly with electricity sparking through his silhouette like living thunder snakes dancing. He bore resemblance to an incarnation of Godly Thunder amidst the roaring sky. The gathering of viewers upon nearby peaks ignited once sensing brewing clashes between two men at Dou Zun caliber, anticipation palpable.
“Indeed cheeky this Xiao Yan to even dare rival The Thunder Lord.”
“Surely they’re seeking retribution considering previous attacks by Wind and Thunder upon us, it was but a matter of time before retaliation came swifter than expected.”
“It isn’t easy facing off here—besides Lei himself see those two beast-clad ones near him? They’re Chieftans of Ground Tigers and Lunar Wolves—minor allies serving Yāo Phoenix; you believe they’ll passively watch such a duel?” Three masters reaching Two-star Dou Zun peak—how firm their grip upon this mountain is.”
“But… the name Xiao Yan is oddly familiar.”
“How could it not—you forgot our recent Pill Alliance Champion and famed alchemist! No one knew where such an individual escaped to these months, quite an unexpected show indeed.”
The sudden surge in curious stares was irrelevant for Xiao Yan who focused entirely as dark purple fire blazed high on his form, former fears of Dou Zun pressure dissipated; nothing now intimidated.
“Well junior”, spoke finally the one elder in tiger-clad garments nearby. “The situation stemmed purely from misunderstanding; both Star Falls’ companions here bear blame from reckless Fatian’s rash attack. Given his defeat today by your hands I believe we might settle all grudges if you consider the ground tigers and lunar wolves—would you not halt proceedings amicably?”
As this voice rose, the crackling electricity across Lei Zun’s frame momentarily dimming. “Since Lord of Tigris speaks honor shall be observed,” rumbles floated vaguely from him.
“You speak so warmly Lord Elder, so Thunder Lord do as said!”
Smiling subtly, Xiao waved a guiding arm as Star Fall allies stepped aside creating passage downward off-mountain.
Instantaneously darkness veiled Lei Zun’s once calmed eyes whereas elder tiger-cladder likewise froze his previous smile.
“Indeed you dare push to extremes?” the feline figure rasped dark tones creeping back.
“Wind and Thunder disgracing my companions today openly? Do You meanfully suggest I retreat meekly, my shame eternally burned?”” His grin fell while shadowy glares pierced from dark eyes.
The sudden surge of pressure sent Lei Zun and companions momentarily faltering shifting to frigid hostility.
“A true prodigy standing defiant though encircled by Three Dou Zun! Truly befitting of his laurels.”
That sudden shift startled many as murmurs of acclaim stirred through crowds.
“You might be revered among humans, boy!” growled Tiger Clad figure “but know here, in Dominion of Beasts, men like you don’t dictate justice.”
“This ends with you either going back to where you started—or have the consequences explained!” An elder marked by silvery white hair chimed in. With those words, an immense pressure blasted from himself alongside his fellow beast-elder toward Xiao Yan who remained steady though this compressed field shook the surrounding experts who promptly dodged hastily back. Three Dou Zun masters, looming over all their might pressing like an actual physical burden onto Xiao Yan’s gathering.
Yet, Xiao Yan exhaled slowly, unfazed under their looming pressure. Two more purposeful steps, fingers extended unbroken toward the trail’s mouth downward. A voice, deep echoing with an internal thunder reached every onlooker:
“Final call. Depart or leave through death.”
Came his icy order. A ripple from the gathered crowd’s direction surged immediately following that pronouncement—three massive auras suddenly erupted from his ranks in an irresistible display repelling all that had advanced toward them.
Backpedaling thunderously amidst their own shock with stunned gazes:
”Four Dou Zun?!”
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