While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Chapter 220 Old Friends in the Northwest

Above the azure sky, occasional spatial fluctuations rippled, from which faint voices could be heard.

"Chen Xiao, isn't the Wind and Thunder East Pavilion the main pavilion? Why don't we move the Purple Cloud Pavilion here?"

Zixiao Pavilion was named by Zi Yan, taking a homophone from her name and Chen Xiao's name. Therefore, this girl is a true veteran of the game's launch.

"These are all temporary places to stay. There's not much difference between the East Pavilion and the North Pavilion. I chose to settle in Tianbei mainly because there's a historical site there. Being close to the site makes it easier to investigate."

When facing Zi Yan, Chen Xiao rarely hid anything and directly told her his plans.

Whether it's Qifeng Mountain chosen for Zixiao Pavilion or Fangshe Gorge chosen for the Snake-People Clan, they are both just transitional locations.

In the future, with sufficient strength, they can open up small worlds, which is the kind of grandeur a major power should have. The snake-people can also relocate to the beast realm, which is most suitable for their survival.

"Relics? Looking for ancient relics? That's my specialty!"

Zi Yan's interest was immediately piqued; the Ancient Dragon of the Void's talent in spatial manipulation was well-known.

"Alright, just keep an eye out from now on. There's no rush. There's no sign of the ruins appearing yet. Even if you're an ancient dragon, finding them won't be easy."

"Hehe, as long as I'm sure there are ruins in Tianbei, I'll definitely be able to find them!" Ziyan said confidently.

Without knowing the approximate location, given the vastness of the Dou Qi Continent, searching for a relic is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Once you have a general direction, the difficulty drops dramatically.

"You're not thinking of hiring someone from Dragon Island, are you?"

"That's one way, there's strength in numbers, but it won't work for now. I escaped this time, hehe."

Zi Yan smiled mischievously, and the smile on her beautiful face created an indescribable contrast, making Chen Xiao take another look at her.

"You have no idea, ever since I returned to Dragon Island, those awful guys have been feeding me disgusting and awful stuff every day. All I do is cultivate, and I'm about to suffocate. So, after this general advancement, I secretly ran away when they weren't looking."

"Did no one notice you left?"

"Well, they probably know. I tried to run away a few times when I was a Dou Zong, but I was always caught and brought back. This time, I didn't encounter any obstacles along the way."

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, once again realizing that this girl had really grown up a lot.

If it were a child from the past, he probably wouldn't have thought that it was the elders of Dragon Island who released the sea, allowing him to return to Zhongzhou without any hindrance.

"Let's not talk about me anymore. Where are Sister Cailin and Sister Xian'er? Why are you alone this time?"

"Cai Lin and Yao Yao are still in the Northwest, Xian'er has gone to receive her inheritance, and Qing Lin is traveling in the Central Plains. They can return at any time—"

Without much thought, Chen Xiao told Zi Yan everything that had happened after she left, including her return to the Northwest, the birth of Yao Yao, and the arrangements for this trip to Zhongzhou.

"Then let's hurry up. After we finish this looting, let's open a space wormhole and bring Sister Cailin over. I haven't even met Yaoyao yet. She was born a Dou Zong powerhouse, which is simply unbelievable. Moreover, I remember that Sister Cailin and you were only Dou Zong and Dou Huang at the time. If it were two Dou Zun, like you and me now, would we be born as Dou Zun?"

Zi Yan became more and more enthusiastic as she spoke, not caring whether her words were likely to cause misunderstandings.

In any case, her curiosity was truly piqued.

"This is different. Cai Lin's situation was special; she had just evolved into the Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python at that time."

"I'm also an Ancient Void Dragon, no less powerful than the Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python. Don't tell me you have no interest; you've seen me so many times. Sister Cailin said that if someone sees you naked, you either kill them or make them take responsibility!"

Zi Yan stood with her hands on her hips and chest puffed out, exuding confidence and even more directness than Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao was speechless. He now knew what Cai Lin and Zi Yan had been talking about in private.

"What Cai Lin said is not wrong. Let's not worry about it. We'll discuss this later."

Unable to refute Zi Yan's words, Chen Xiao could only wait and see.

Admittedly, Da Ziyan is very attractive, with a beautiful face, a great figure, and an impressive background. Chen Xiao feels very comfortable around her.

But the image of the Little Dragon Man is deeply ingrained in my mind, and it cannot be erased in a short time.

"We've arrived at Fenglei East Pavilion!"

Zi Yan was thinking things through without paying much attention, and her attention was quickly drawn to Lei Shan, who came into view.

With serious business at hand, their familiar understanding returned.

They exchanged a glance, and Zi Yan closed her eyes to sense the surroundings. Soon, she got the result and pointed in the direction with her jade finger.

"The treasure trove is over there!"

Without hesitation, the two ignored the slightly chaotic crowd below and headed straight for the treasure vault.

Not much time has passed since the fall of Lei Zun Zhe, and the news has not yet spread throughout Zhongzhou.

However, with the fall of Lei Zunhe and so many high-ranking members of the Fenglei Pavilion, the Fenglei East Pavilion must be able to know the situation through the Soul Thunder Tablet. This is why disciples within sight are constantly fleeing towards the foot of Thunder Mountain.

After winding their way through the corridor, Chen Xiao and Zi Yan arrived at an underground passage. At the end of the passage was a heavy stone door carved with numerous stone sculptures.

"It's fortunate that there's a restriction in place, otherwise, after so much time, the treasure vault would definitely have been emptied by those disciples." Upon arriving at the stone gate, Zi Yan sensed the surroundings and said with satisfaction.

Chen Xiao wasn't surprised. The treasure vault was a crucial location, and it would be strange if it weren't properly protected.

"It's up to you now."

"Simple!"

Zi Yan smiled smugly, stretched out her jade hand, and gently made a slash in the space in front of her.

After a while, a spatial rift, only half a meter wide and about ten feet high, appeared.

Without hesitation, Zi Yan strode inside.

Chen Xiao followed closely behind. For a moment, his vision blurred, and when it cleared again, he realized that the two of them were already in the treasure vault.

The barrier outside the door was useless!

"I didn't expect the Wind and Thunder Pavilion to have such a rich foundation; there must be many good things in this treasure vault!"

Looking around, the treasure vault is filled with rows of bookshelves and stone platforms.

The bookshelves were filled with neatly arranged scrolls and notes of various colors.

On those stone platforms, there were mahogany boxes stretching as far as the eye could see, and even a few familiar silver scrolls could be seen placed in the deepest part.

Chen Xiao casually opened one of the bottles at hand, inside which was a fine mutton-fat jade bottle with a label on it.

"A fifth-grade elixir, the Restoration Pill."

This is a life-saving medicine specifically used to heal some serious injuries. It is mild and will not cause any damage to the already injured body.

Although the quality of the Restoration Pill is a bit low for Chen Xiao and Zi Yan now, the fact that this pill is placed closest to the entrance of the treasure vault is enough to say everything!

"They actually have a Transformation Pill? Does the Wind and Thunder Pavilion have magical beasts?"

While Chen Xiao was casually looking around, Zi Yan wasn't idle either. She walked over a hundred meters ahead and took out a jade bottle from a wooden box carved with dragons and phoenixes.

Upon seeing the pills inside, Zi Yan couldn't help but show surprise.

She had once taken a Transformation Pill and knew how precious it was.

"That Feng Qing'er seems to have a mount, perhaps it was prepared for her. Anyway, since Lei Zun Zhe has fallen, no one can say for sure. Let's not look at it for now, let's take it all with us and sort it out slowly when we get back. We still need to go to the West Pavilion and the South Pavilion."

Normally, most forces wouldn't commit such a taboo as stealing someone else's spoils, but the world is a strange place, and it's easier to grab the loot sooner rather than later.

Zi Yan nodded slightly, raised her jade hand, and immediately put all the wooden boxes into her storage ring.

After returning to Dragon Island, she had witnessed many grand scenes, and the treasure trove of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion was no longer enough to excite her.

Chen Xiao chuckled and collected all the scrolls and notes on the bookshelf, as well as the numerous materials piled up in the distance, into his storage ring.

These techniques and combat skills were enough to support the operation of the pavilion, but Chen Xiao wasn't very interested in them.

After all, he had already acquired the most precious fighting techniques of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, the Three Thousand Thunder Movement and the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body.

Most of the remaining ones are unlikely to be of this quality; we can examine them more closely later.

"Walk."

Half a month later.

Thanks to the fact that Chen Xiao and Lei Zun Zhe were both paying attention during their fight, Qifeng Mountain was not greatly affected, and even the protective formation of Fenglei North Pavilion, the Nine Heavens Thunder Prison Formation, was preserved intact.

After the Han family cleaned up the area and Zi Yan personally directed the renovation, the entire Qifeng Mountain has begun to change its appearance, and the shadow of Fenglei North Pavilion is becoming less and less.

At this moment, on the highest level of the Nare Tower, Venerable Heavenly Fire was giving a report while holding a list in his hand.

"Reporting to the Pavilion Master, the remnants of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion have been organized and all have been incorporated into the treasury. Among them is a complete scroll of the Three Thousand Thunder Illusionary Body, and eight incomplete scrolls."

"Twenty-eight volumes, three thousand scrolls of thunderous power."

"Two advanced Earth-rank cultivation techniques of the Lightning attribute, and one advanced Earth-rank cultivation technique of the Water attribute—"

"Six volumes of high-level Earth-rank combat techniques"

"Twenty-one pills of grade seven or higher!"

"Six seventh-tier magic cores!"

From cultivation techniques and combat skills to various materials and magic cores, Venerable Heavenly Fire spent a full ten minutes reporting before he finished.

These are only the items brought back from the treasure vaults of the Four Pavilions of Wind and Thunder, and do not include the storage rings of the elders who perished that day.

Even so, taking it out would be enough to move the various forces in Zhongzhou.

"Well done, Tianhuo. Before Elder Hai arrives in Zhongzhou, you will be in charge of the affairs of Zixiao Pavilion. We can hand them over then."

"Yes!" Venerable Heavenly Fire bowed in response.

However, it stopped just as it was about to retreat.

"Sect Master, there's one more small matter. In the past half month, news of Venerable Lei's demise has spread throughout the Central Continent, greatly enhancing the reputation of both the Sect Master and the Purple Cloud Pavilion. Knowing that the Purple Cloud Pavilion intends to recruit disciples and elders, we've had a constant stream of inquiries these past few days. As for ordinary people, I've followed the Sect Master's instructions and told them to come back in six months."

However, the identities of some of them were somewhat different.

Tell me more.

Venerable Tianhuo nodded and said, "Two of them have the strength of a Dou Zong. One is called Ganhou and the other is called Dunxiong. They said they had met the Pavilion Master before and now that their travels are over, they have come to seek refuge with him."

"Dried monkey—bear-shaped mound—"

Chen Xiao thought carefully for a long time before he realized that these were the two henchmen of the Poisonous Scorpion Dragon Beast from Falling God Gorge!

Seeing that these two magical beasts were quite sensible and probably had nowhere to go after leaving Luoshen Gorge, Chen Xiao told them they could go to Zixiao Pavilion.

"I remember now, that's right. We're short-staffed right now, so let's keep them here. We'll decide on their specific roles once the Northwest Zixiao Pavilion personnel arrive."

Venerable Tianhuo nodded and noted it down, then continued, "The other two are from the Northwest. One is named Yun Yun, and the other is named Nalan Yanran. The Pavilion Master will definitely know their identities; they were the former Sect Master and Young Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao was taken aback.

He truly hadn't expected Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran to come and seek refuge with Zixiao Pavilion.

However, if you calculate the time carefully, it has been more than two months since the destruction of the Yunlan Sect. If the master and disciple left the Northwest, they would have reached the Central Plains by now.

Perhaps it was after arriving in Zhongzhou that they heard people talking about Zixiao Pavilion, and then they heard Chen Xiao's name, which led them to make such a decision.

After all, Chen Xiao and Yun Yun had met once many years ago, so they had some interaction.

Arriving in the unfamiliar Central Plains, the Purple Cloud Pavilion, founded by people from the same Jia Ma Empire, was clearly more advantageous than those forces they knew nothing about.

"Isn't the Yunlan Sect the strongest sect in the Jia Ma Empire? How come even its sect leader has run away?"

Zi Yan, standing to the side, was filled with surprise. She had been to the Jia Ma Empire before and knew a little about the Yunlan Sect.

The reason she asked this question now was because Chen Xiao hadn't mentioned the destruction of the Yunlan Sect to her.

After all, this matter has little to do with them.

"The Yunlan Sect is gone; Xiao Yan led his men back to destroy it."

"I see. So, shall we accept this master and disciple pair?" Zi Yan gave a light "oh," not paying much attention.

After a moment's consideration, Chen Xiao replied, "Let's meet and see how it goes before making a decision."

Whether or not Chen Xiao accepts Yun Yun and her apprentice doesn't really affect him much, but relatively speaking, Zixiao Pavilion isn't the best place for them.

Venerable Tianhuo acknowledged and withdrew. A short while later, he returned with two women.

The woman dressed in blue and white, with an even more exquisite figure, was Yun Yun, who had met Chen Xiao once before.

Following behind her was a young woman with a somewhat gloomy expression, who was undoubtedly Nalan Yanran, the one who brought up the saying "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river".

Chen Xiao and Zi Yan had also met at the Xiao family.

Compared to the proud and arrogant Miss Nalan in my memory, Nalan Yanran now has no trace of arrogance, and her eyes always carry an indelible sense of regret.

Perhaps she also thought that if she hadn't gone to the Xiao family to break off the engagement and provoked Xiao Yan, there wouldn't have been so many problems afterward, and the Yunlan Sect wouldn't have been destroyed because of it.

"Yun Yun greets Pavilion Master."

After Venerable Tianhuo stepped aside, Yunyun was the first to bow.

Nalan Yan then realized what was happening and followed suit with a bow, her proud head bowed deeply.

"Sect Master Yun, there's no need for formalities. Tianhuo has already told me your purpose. As fellow people from the Northwest and both from the Jia Ma Empire, I naturally welcome you to join the Zixiao Pavilion."

"However, I do have a suggestion. In Zhongzhou, there is a sect called the Flower Sect. You should have heard the saying 'One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions' when you came to Zhongzhou. The Flower Sect is one of the two sects."

"The Flower Sect is special. They are relatively low-key and only recruit female disciples. Compared to the Purple Cloud Pavilion, the Flower Sect is actually more suitable for you. Moreover, there is an opportunity within the Flower Sect. If you let things take their course, it will most likely fall into your lap. Of course, opportunities attract attention, and after you obtain the opportunity, it will likely also trigger some struggles. You need to be mentally prepared."

"This is my suggestion. You can go to the Flower Sect or stay in the Purple Cloud Pavilion. The choice is up to you."

The Flower Sect's opportunity was special and would take a long time, so it was destined to be out of reach for Chen Xiao.

Out of consideration for their past acquaintance, Chen Xiao pointed it out.

But as I said before, the decision rests with Yunyun.

Upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, both Zi Yan and Venerable Tianhuo assumed that Yun Yun would choose to go to the Flower Sect without hesitation.

After all, given Chen Xiao's current strength, the fact that he can still call it an opportunity must mean the benefits are considerable.

However, Yun Yun only hesitated for a moment before giving them an answer they hadn't expected.

Yun Yun gave a wry smile and shook her head, saying, "You can just call me Yun Yun, Pavilion Master. Yunlan Sect is a thing of the past. Yanran and I wish to stay in Zixiao Pavilion. Please grant our request."

Chen Xiao glanced at Yun Yun, but wasn't too surprised by the decision.

Yun Yun's personality is not suited to taking charge; she is better suited to finding a strong patron to lean on and then quietly cultivating. This is no exaggeration.

If Chen Xiao hadn't pointed out that this opportunity would cause trouble, she would most likely still have gone to the Flower Sect. But knowing that it would cause trouble, it's not surprising that she chose to avoid it.

After all, Yun Yun has just experienced the destruction of the Yunlan Sect, and is currently in her lowest emotional state.

Moreover, Chen Xiao knew what kind of trouble the opportunity from the Flower Sect would bring. Now that Xiao Yan was no longer there to help, even if Yun Yun obtained it, it might not be a good thing. She would have a hard time getting past Hua Jin and the Demon Flower Evil Lord.

So, from God's perspective, Yunyun's decision was a lucky accident.

"Alright, then you may stay at Zixiao Pavilion."