The Battle of the Star Realm came to a grand conclusion with Xiao Yan’s return. This battle undoubtedly propelled Xiao Yan and the Falling Star Pavilion to the peak of their reputation in the Central Plains. With one’s own strength, he fought three semi-sages, two of whom he killed and one of whom he injured, ultimately causing a Soul Clan Dou Saint to personally intervene before the last semi-sage escaped with grave injuries! Such a record would move anyone. In the eyes of many, semi-sage experts are almost mythical figures, but now, these seemingly unattainable masters were directly slain by Xiao Yan, leaving everyone in awe. From this point on, no force in the Central Plains would dare to underestimate this newly risen power. Compared to the great victory of the Falling Star Pavilion, the Underworld River Alliance faced an utterly desolate end. The only semi-sage of the Heavenly Demon Sect was also felled by Xiao Yan. Many accompanying experts met their end within the Star Realm. It was clear that the days of the Underworld River Alliance would be extremely difficult. After losing such a peak expert as the Old Demon of the Heavenly Demon Sect, they could no longer contend with the Falling Star Pavilion. Under this panic, many sects that had originally joined the Underworld River Alliance began to live in constant fear, some even hurriedly withdrawing and severing ties. This further exacerbated the dire situation of the Underworld River Alliance, and its downfall was just a matter of time. While the Central Plains buzzed with news of the Star Realm battle, the Falling Star Pavilion remained surprisingly calm. In the past few days, they had been cleaning up the aftermath. Though the Underworld River Alliance’s large-scale invasion did cause some losses, these losses paled in comparison to those of the invaders.
After three days of calm, the retaliation of the Falling Star Pavilion officially began under the watchful eyes of countless observers. Facing the counterattack led by Xiao Yan and Elder Alchemist, who both wielded the power of Saint-class fighters, the Underworld River Alliance crumbled completely. They couldn’t even mount a meaningful resistance. The Falling Star Pavilion directly seized the headquarters of the Underworld River Alliance, which was also the base of the Heavenly Demon Sect. When Xiao Yan casually struck down the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, everyone knew that this once fearsome sect of the Central Plains was finished.
Under the counterattack of the Falling Star Pavilion, the Underworld River Alliance didn’t even last a day, and its members scattered. Those smaller sects that had previously relied on the Underworld River Alliance’s name turned their coats, refusing to aid fleeing disciples and even attacking them to show their enmity toward the now fallen alliance.
The Falling Star Pavilion paid no heed to these opportunists. After capturing the main base of the Underworld River Alliance, their forces spread out, targeting the stronger factions like the Ice River Valley and the Wind Lightning Pavilion, which had played a significant role in the assault on the Falling Star Pavilion. These were the arms of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and they would not be spared.
This time, Xiao Yan and Elder Alchemist were clearly setting an example, making a statement.
At the Wind Lightning Pavilion, Xiao Yan floated in the air, looking over the mountain peaks engulfed in flames and chaos with a detached gaze. Leading a division of the Falling Star Pavilion, he had wiped out several subordinates of the Underworld River Alliance along the way. At this moment, he felt no pity, for he knew that if he had not emerged in time, the situation of the Falling Star Pavilion would have been far worse at the hands of the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Hall of Souls.
Now was not a time for mercy. In the harsh world of the Central Plains, only strength and firmness ensured survival.
“Xiao Yan, our Wind Lightning Pavilion has a good relationship with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. If you dare to destroy our pavilion, they will not let you go easily!” The Thunder Grandmaster, spewing blood from being struck by a Saint-class expert of the Falling Star Pavilion, glared at Xiao Yan and roared in anger.
“The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan… I will settle my scores with them in due time.” Xiao Yan looked indifferently at the Thunder Grandmaster. When he first came to the Wind Lightning Mountains years ago, the latter was an insurmountable figure who could easily kill him with one hand. Now, their roles had completely reversed.
“Our Falling Star Pavilion lost twenty-eight strongmen at your hands. When you killed them, you should have known you would meet your end.”
Xiao Yan lowered his head slightly and slowly extended his palm towards the Thunder Grandmaster. Seeing this, the Thunder Grandmaster paled, instantly unleashing his “Three Thousand Thunder Moves” to the extreme, creating numerous afterimages in the sky.
“Three Thousand Thunder Moves, huh…?” Xiao Yan smiled faintly, his hand still gently pressing down.
*Bang!*
As his hand closed, the space around him collapsed. A faraway afterimage suddenly solidified, splattering blood and flesh. The Thunder Grandmaster was crushed into a mass of pulp without even a scream.
Withdrawing his hand, Xiao Yan glanced at the bloody mess and then surveyed the surroundings. Soon, a Falling Star Pavilion elder rushed over and respectfully said, “Young Master, regarding the Han family you asked about, we have received information. For some reason, they seem to have been frequently oppressed by the Wind Lightning Pavilion over the years. Their influence has dwindled to less than ten percent, and now they are just a second-rate family in North Sky City, living rather miserably.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback, then fell silent, a hint of regret in his eyes. He guessed that the Han family’s plight was likely due to their association with him. Over the years, engrossed in training, he had forgotten the troubles his presence might have caused them.
“Have people been sent to assist them?” Xiao Yan sighed. He was not one to forget a favor. If not for Han Xue’s rescue when he first arrived in the Central Plains, he might have perished in the desert. Although he later helped the Hans deal with the Hong family’s oppression in North Sky City, the Hans had suffered greatly because of him.
“Elder Qian and two others have already gone,” the elder replied respectfully.
Xiao Yan nodded, gazing toward the northern horizon, his hands clasped behind his back, silent.
In North Sky City, at the Han mansion—
*Bang!*
The Han family watched in shock as three elderly figures appeared, their aura overwhelming. With a casual wave of their sleeves, they sent the several powerful intruders from the Wind Lightning Pavilion flying and vomiting blood.
“I am Han Chi, the head of the Han family. May I ask what business brings you here, elders?” the middle-aged man with graying hair carefully approached and asked respectfully.
Beside him stood two slender women. The one on the left had long silver hair and a shapely, aloof demeanor. The one on the right was slightly younger, with a clear and elegant face, also exuding a distinguished air. These were naturally Han Yue and Han Xue, the first acquaintances Xiao Yan had made when he first arrived in the Central Plains.
“Hello, there is no need for formality, young master. We are from the Falling Star Pavilion. We come by the orders of Young Master and wish to know if the Han family is interested in becoming the new ‘Wind Lightning Pavilion’ in the Northern Region?” The white-haired elder asked with a smile.
“Falling Star Pavilion?” The Hans were taken aback.
“It’s him,” Han Xue muttered, her body trembling slightly.
“Xiao Yan,” Han Xue beside her echoed sharply.
The name resounded loudly throughout the Central Plains.
“From now on, there will be no Wind Lightning Pavilion in the Northern Region. If the Han family is interested, they can take its place. We will do our utmost to help,” the elder from the Falling Star Pavilion said with a smile.
Hearing this, Han Chi trembled with excitement. If the Han family could ally with the Falling Star Pavilion, even the Wind Lightning Pavilion would not be a threat, let alone other families.
“Don’t worry, Master Han. This comes directly from Young Master’s mouth, it is true,” the elder assured.
“Has he come?” Han Xue bit her lip, her eyes fixing on the elder, and spoke softly.
The elder hesitated, then shook his head. His keen eye could see the affection in the woman’s eyes for the young master. Handing over two jade bottles, he said, “Young Master requested me to give these to the two young ladies. He wished to thank Miss Han Xue for saving his life all those years ago.”
Staring at the bottles, Han Xue’s bright eyes dimmed slightly. She silently accepted the bottles, retreating without a word. Seeing this, Han Yue sighed and wrapped her arm around Han Xue’s waist. She knew her sister had feelings for Xiao Yan, but the latter was now too dazzling.
Lowering her head, Han Yue saw a stubbornness on Han Xue’s face. Even at this point, the stubborn girl was unwilling to give up. Sighing inwardly, she thought such a man was not one they could easily win over.
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