Chapter 981: The Nine Heavens Thunder Prison Array

A streak of light tore through the sky like a meteor, appearing in an instant above Northern Sky City. It then transformed into a slender figure. *Boom!*

As the figure appeared, the sky above Northern Sky City also gradually darkened, with dense clouds covering the vast downpour, turning the world below into a curtain of water that enveloped the city.

The torrential rain poured down, hitting the buildings and producing crisp sounds. The entire city was filled with unceasing pitter-patter. Even though the rain came suddenly, few people sought shelter. Instead, they stared at the figure in the sky, their eyes filled with a mixture of heat and anticipation. Many people had not expected that this young man named Xiao Yan would dare to appear despite knowing that Northern Sky City was a dragon’s den and a tiger’s lair.

At this moment, many hearts were secretly filled with admiration. Setting everything else aside, this young man’s courage alone was enough to earn him a thumbs up.

*Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The rain seemed to connect heaven and earth, and suddenly, the sound of air splitting was heard as more than a dozen agile figures flashed across the tall buildings. They gazed coldly at the figure in the sky, and a deep voice echoed through the rain, “Who goes there!”

“Xiao Yan…”

The youth stood with his hands behind his back, unaffected by the droplets that entered the area around him, instantly vanishing into nothingness. From a distance, it looked as if an invisible shield was protecting him. His calm voice carried through the rain.

“By the elder’s order, capture and kill Xiao Yan, move now!”

Upon hearing this, the man in blue at the forefront immediately turned cold and roared.

“Yes!”

As soon as the order was given, over a dozen figures sprang from the surrounding buildings. With a shake of their arms, silver spears appeared, and with another quiver, they pierced through the rain, launching sharp gusts directly at Xiao Yan!

Seeing this, Xiao Yan’s lips curved into a smirk. He bent his hands and summoned a surge of vibrant green flames. The terrifying heat evaporated the rain within a ten-yard radius!

With a series of rapid finger snaps, the green flame split into numerous fire serpents, which surged out overwhelmingly, covering the entire sky!

The speed of the fire serpents, formed from the Heart Lotus Flame, was incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, they appeared before the strong men of the Wind-Thunder Pavilion, their intense heat stunning the latter. Before they could react, the fire snakes darted closer, their fiery tails lashing out and firmly striking the chests of the intruders. The thuds and groans were followed by the figures plunging from the sky and landing on the ground, clutching their chests and moaning incessantly.

Witnessing Xiao Yan easily repel over a dozen Wind-Thunder Pavilion experts, who were at the level of Dou Wang, exclamations of surprise rang through Northern Sky City. Such composed movements, even some Battle Emperor experts did not possess. It seemed that a few days unseen, Xiao Yan had become much stronger.

“Seems that the Wind-Thunder North Pavilion is nothing but talk. These petty figures are not worth mentioning. If the three elders wish to apprehend Xiao Yan, do it yourself.”

After dismissing the Wind-Thunder Pavilion warriors, Xiao Yan’s sharp gaze shot towards the Han residence. His cold voice reverberated through Northern Sky City, even through the dense curtain of rain.

“Since we became the elders of the North Pavilion, you are the first to have made us work together to capture you, my junior.”

A faint voice tinged with a hint of thunder resonated, and as it did, the rain in the sky seemed to be torn apart by an invisible force, revealing three elders stepping through the void.

Gazing at the three elders, Xiao Yan’s pupils slightly constricted. The aura of these three was almost greater than Shen Yun, and he deduced that they were likely at the five-star Battle Sect level, or even the peak of five-star Battle Sect for the one with silvery long eyebrows.

Sending out three five-star Battle Sects right away, and this being only the power of the North Pavilion. If the four pavilions gathered, how powerful would they be? It was clear why the Wind-Thunder Pavilion was a top force in Central Plains; their reputation was no mere facade.

“I presume the three of you must be the so-called Thunder, Lightning, and Wind Elders. I’m truly honored by the Wind-Thunder North Pavilion’s attention.”

Xiao Yan spoke slowly.

“If you can kill Shen Yun, you are naturally no ordinary person. The three of us coming together is reasonable,” the elder with silver brows said, his words carrying a rumbling of thunder, exerting a heavy pressure on all listeners.

“He brought it upon himself, blame no one else,” Xiao Yan retorted coolly.

“You possess the Thousand Thunder Move, and you have killed our Wind-Thunder North Pavilion Elder. This is a crime that cannot be pardoned. But considering you are a junior, surrender and return to the Wind-Thunder North Pavilion. The Pavilion Master might show mercy and spare your life.”

One of the elders, whose robe was adorned with lightning bolts, barked coldly.

“Perhaps once captured, I’ll lose any chance of survival,” Xiao Yan smiled.

“No need for empty talk. Capture him first. The Pavilion Master has said that those who kill our Wind-Thunder Pavilion must pay a price. Capture him, strip his Dou Qi, and imprison him under the Northern Thunder Tower forever. Let others think twice before harming our Wind-Thunder Pavilion!” A green-robed elder, with a flash of malevolence in his eyes, declared.

Hearing this stern and cruel tone, Xiao Yan’s face grew cold. To strip his Dou Qi and imprison him forever—these were horrifying punishments. He waved his hand, summoning the Earth Demon Puppet, which stood hollow-eyed beside him, glaring menacingly at the green-robed elder. “Think you can strip my Dou Qi? Then prove you have the means!”

The appearance of the Earth Demon Puppet caused the three Wind-Thunder Pavilion elders to change countenances. The elder with silvery brows inspected it carefully, nodding, “Indeed, it’s a Battle Sect-level puppet. We at the Wind-Thunder Pavilion don’t even have such a treasure. You have quite the fortune, but it’s not enough to save your life.”

“Not enough, how about this?”

Xiao Yan gently touched the white jade ring, speaking slowly. As his words fell, a torrent of soul power surged through his arm, flooding into his body. With this surge, Xiao Yan’s presence began to rapidly rise, causing shock throughout the city. The overwhelming aura swept the heavens, even causing the heavy rain to stall. When Xiao Yan’s black eyes transformed into cold silver, the expansion of his aura ceased.

“Is this enough?”

Xiao Yan, with his silver eyes, fixed his gaze on the three elders, his voice resonating deeply in their souls.

“Truly as Hong Tianxiao said, you can dramatically increase your strength. This aura is at the peak of seven-star Battle Sect, nearly eight-star. And this power is pure soul force. Surely, you possess a powerful soul, otherwise, you couldn’t reach this level,” the elder with the silver brows closely observed Xiao Yan, his voice somber.

Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed; this old man had keen discernment, spotting the source of his power at a glance. He was even more perceptive than Shen Yun.

“Such power is indeed strong, no wonder you can kill Shen Yun. But today, you may not leave Northern Sky City,” the elder with the silver brows stated nonchalantly.

“Hong Tianxiao, the puppet, handle it,” the elder instructed.

“Ha, Elder Lei, worry not. By the time this battle ends, the puppet will not interfere with your fight,” a figure flashed from a distance, hovering in the sky, Hong Tianxiao.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan furrowed his brow. This old man…

Just as Hong Tianxiao appeared, a figure flashed from the Han residence. However, the moment it appeared, the elder with the silver brows turned grim, warning, “Han Fei, if you intervene, I promise the Han family will be destroyed!”

Upon hearing the chilling threat, the figure paused. Han Fei, fists clenched, eyes filled with struggle.

“Old Sir Han, this is between me and the Wind-Thunder Pavilion. Stay out of it…” Xiao Yan’s detached laughter broke through.

“Brother Xiao Yan, it’s a great honor for the Han family to befriend you,” Han Fei took a deep breath, bowed solemnly, and with a furious gaze, he turned and descended back into the Han residence.

“Wind-Thunder North Pavilion Celestial Gang Hall, form the Nine Heavenly Thunder Prison Formation!”

Driving back Han Fei, the elderly elder with silver brows’ face grew icier. His cold command echoed through the city.

“As ordered!”

As the reply came, respectful voices rose from all directions, and then a buzzing sound filled the air. Bolts of lightning formed an octagon, trapping Xiao Yan within its bounds.

The flashes of lightning suddenly morphed into a bolt shooting skyward, charging into the dense clouds. Soon, blinding silver light rained down, countless bolts striking the earth, forming a prison encasing Xiao Yan.

“Regardless of your background, surrender is your only choice!”

Brilliant lightning slowly flooded from the three elders, forming massive pillars of electricity soaring into the clouds, intensifying the density of the surrounding lightning.

“Otherwise, it’s death!”

The icy command, amplified by the thunder, brimmed with chilling menace, shaking the hearts of all.