Battle Through the Heavens: Purple Heaven Thunder Emperor

Chapter 486 Why don't you come with me?

Nalan Yanran, wielding her battle qi, hovered above the outer edge of the Fenglei Mountains, her beautiful eyes filled with undisguised shock.

Looking out, the mountains are majestic and stretch endlessly. The rich energy of heaven and earth has almost turned into a tangible mist, flowing slowly through the forest and refracting a seven-colored halo.

The energy concentration here is many times stronger than that of the Flower Sect!

With each breath, a surge of energy spontaneously flowed into her body, nourishing her meridians and making her feel completely comfortable, as if every pore was cheering.

Within the mountains, ancient trees reach for the sky, and occasionally powerful flying magical beasts soar across the horizon, emitting clear and melodious cries.

"Is this... the Wind and Thunder Mountain Range where the Purple Cloud Palace is located?"

Nalan Yanran murmured softly, her tone tinged with a hint of daze, "If the outer perimeter is already like this, I wonder how magnificent the main mountain, Leishan, must be?"

Not long ago, she was away training. When she returned to the Flower Sect, she learned that the sect had been attacked by the Heavenly Nether Sect. Fortunately, she was able to escape danger with the help of the Golden Dragon. Her teacher, Yun Yun, had been taken to the Purple Cloud Palace by her master.

Missing her teacher, she decided to visit Zixiao Palace. She had only heard of Zixiao Palace before, but had never visited it in person.

Composing herself, Nalan Yanran followed the rules she had learned and flew towards Zixiao City, the entrance to the Fenglei Mountains.

Zixiao Palace has established a rule that anyone wishing to visit Zixiao Palace must first go to Zixiao City and then be introduced by a disciple of Zixiao Palace.

As the undisputed holy land of the northern region of Zhongzhou, no one dares to violate this rule.

She was Yun Yun's personal disciple, and thus had a close relationship with Zixiao Palace, making her practically a disciple of Zixiao Palace. However, since this was her first time officially visiting, she did not want to break the rules because of her special status.

As they flew, Nalan Yanran grew increasingly alarmed.

The closer one gets to Zixiao City, the more flying magical beasts and figures riding on the light of battle qi appear in the sky, like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea, converging on that majestic city.

These figures varied in strength, ranging from Dou Wang and Dou Huang to Dou Zong and even Dou Zun. They were all in a hurry, yet they were orderly.

"This Zixiao City has only been built for a few short years, yet it has already achieved such a prosperous scene—"

Looking at the massive city stretching out before her like a colossal beast, its walls towering high, and the endless stream of people, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but marvel, "This scale and grandeur are in no way inferior to those ancient, majestic cities in Zhongzhou that have stood for thousands of years!"

All of this grand occasion is due to just one person.

The person who cultivated alongside her in that remote northwestern region of the Gama Empire more than a decade ago.

Who could have imagined that in just over a decade, he would be able to build such a vast empire on his own in the Central Continent, a place teeming with powerful figures and deeply entrenched forces, and that his prestige would shake the entire continent!

No wonder my teacher always reveals an undisguised pride whenever she mentions Mr.

Nalan Yanran sighed inwardly, her thoughts a jumble of emotions.

In the blink of an eye, the imposing city gate of Zixiao City was already close at hand.

Nalan Yanran activated her escape technique and, like an ordinary visitor, followed the flow of people into the city.

The city streets are wide and paved with hard bluestone, large enough to accommodate a dozen or so carriages side by side.

Shops lined both sides of the street, their banners fluttering, selling all kinds of elixirs, weapons, martial arts scrolls, and rare treasures from all over the continent. The sounds of hawking and discussion filled the air, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

The energy concentration in the air was several times higher than that of the surrounding mountains, indicating that a powerful spirit-gathering formation had been set up in the city.

As Nalan Yanran soaked in the vibrancy of this newly built city, she followed the road signs and prepared to head to the city lord's mansion in the city center to report for duty.

However, as she crossed an intersection, her gaze was drawn to a striking building in the distance.

It was a towering pavilion, elegant and grand in design, seemingly constructed from some kind of purple crystal, shimmering with a noble and mysterious luster under the sunlight.

Above the main entrance of the pavilion hangs a huge plaque with five gilded characters written in a vigorous and elegant style: "Zixiao Auction House!"

"Purple Cloud Auction House —"

Nalan Yanran's heart stirred. She had heard her teacher Yun Yun mention that the Zixiao Palace now had a vast commercial network, especially the Zixiao Auction House, which was spread throughout the major cities of the Northern Region. And the person in charge of this commercial empire was an old friend of hers.

Thinking of that charming and graceful figure, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but turn her footing and walk towards that magnificent pavilion.

Upon entering the auction house's spacious, bright, and luxuriously carpeted first-floor lobby, one is immediately struck by the presence of beautiful women...

A maid dressed in uniform came forward, her attitude respectful yet warm.

"Welcome to Zixiao Auction House, esteemed guest. How may I help you?" the maid asked with a smile.

Just as Nalan Yanran was about to explain her purpose, a slightly uncertain female voice came from beside her: "Miss Nalan?"

Nalan Yanran turned around and saw a young woman dressed in a manager's uniform, with a capable demeanor, looking at her with some surprise.

The woman was beautiful, with a hint of shrewdness in her eyes. Nalan Yanran felt that she looked somewhat familiar, but for a moment she couldn't remember where she had seen her before.

"You are—" Nalan Yanran hesitated.

The woman in charge immediately put on a slight smile and walked over: "Greetings, Miss Nalan! My name is Sixteen. I have been working for Miss Yafei since Wutan City."

"Utan City —"

Hearing that familiar yet distant name, that city that changed the fate of so many of them, their eyes held a complex mix of emotions.

"Is Miss Nalan here to see my young lady?"

Seeing that Nalan Yanran didn't seem to be there to participate in the auction or buy items, Sixteen asked with a smile.

Having once hosted Xiao Bai at the Mittel Auction House in Wutan City, she was well aware of the complicated relationship between the Miss Nalan and the Xiao family.

Nalan Yanran nodded silently and admitted, "I heard that Sister Yafei was here, and since I happened to be passing by, I thought I'd come and see an old friend."

"plz follow me!"

Sixteen's smile widened, and he gestured for her to follow. "Miss would be overjoyed to know you've arrived!"

Led by Sixteen, Nalan Yanran walked through the bustling hall and went straight to the top floor of the auction house.

The environment on the top floor was completely different from the hustle and bustle below, appearing exceptionally quiet and elegant.

Sixteen led Nalan Yanran to a carved wooden door and gently knocked on it.

"Come in."

A languid yet magnetic mature female voice came from inside the door.

Sixteen pushed open the door and turned to Nalan Yanran, saying, "Miss Nalan, please."

Nalan Yanran stepped into the room.

This was a spacious study, not decorated in the extravagant style she had imagined, but rather exuding a sense of simplicity and tranquility.

The most eye-catching feature is the tall bookshelves surrounding the room, densely packed with all kinds of books.

However, when Nalan Yanran's gaze swept over the spines of those books, she couldn't help but be stunned.

"On the Attributes of Battle Qi", "On Flight Techniques at the Battle King Realm", "Miscellaneous Talks on Battle Emperor Cultivation", "Insights on Breaking Through Realms Below Battle Venerable" —

What came into view was not the business strategy and accounting management books and materials she had expected, but almost all of them were classics, cultivation techniques and some powerful people's cultivation insights notes!

Behind a rosewood desk by the window, a graceful figure sat upright, holding an ancient scroll in her hands, reading intently.

She wore a tight-fitting red cheongsam that perfectly accentuated her voluptuous and graceful curves. From the side, her face was charming and her skin was as white as snow. Who else could she be but Consort Ya?

However, at this moment, Ya Fei had lost some of the alluring charm that captivated everyone on the auction stage back then, but her brows now held a touch of calmness and scholarly air.

"Sister Yafei, what's wrong with you—"

Nalan Yanran looked at the scroll in Ya Fei's hand, which was clearly a book containing some kind of cultivation insight, and then looked at the bookshelves around her that had nothing to do with commerce. She was greatly surprised.

This was quite different from the image of Ya Fei in her memory, who ran the Mittel Auction House with great success and controlled everything with a smile.

Upon hearing Nalan Yanran's voice, Ya Fei finally looked up from her book.

When she saw Nalan Yanran standing at the door, a clear look of surprise and joy flashed in her captivating peach blossom eyes.

She put down the bamboo scroll, a captivating smile blooming on her alluring face: "Yanran? What a rare guest! What brings you here?"

She pointed to the table and chairs opposite her, indicating that she shouldn't be shy.

After Nalan Yanran sat down, her gaze still couldn't help but drift towards the bookshelves. With a hint of doubt, she repeated her earlier question: "Sister Yafei, why do you have so many cultivation manuals here?"

Upon hearing this, Ya Fei's charming smile faded slightly. She pursed her rosy lips but did not answer immediately.

She reached out and poured Nalan Yanran a cup of fragrant spiritual tea, but the scene of her leaving the Wuliang Palace last time involuntarily floated into her mind.

At that time, she had finally managed to meet that guy once, and she was full of hope that he would say something else. But aside from business, he only said in a flat tone through telepathy: "When you have nothing to do, read more books related to cultivation. Don't give up on cultivation. It doesn't matter if your cultivation progresses slowly, as long as you keep improving."

She felt inexplicably angry at that moment.

They finally managed to meet, but all they talked about was business and this cold, aloof cultivation level!

She didn't respond in a huff, and turned and left the Wuliang Palace.

However, not long afterward, the Merit Hall, which was in charge of rewards and punishments at Zixiao Palace, sent someone to deliver an eighth-grade Nirvana Pill!

This elixir has miraculous effects on cleansing the marrow and improving aptitude, and is priceless!

She knew in her heart that although she had made great contributions to the commercial expansion of Zixiao Palace over the years, she was far from being worthy of being rewarded with an eighth-grade elixir.

The origin of this elixir is self-evident.

Holding that warm, smooth pill, Ya Fei's feelings were extremely complicated.

There was grievance and helplessness, but more than anything, there was an indescribable bittersweet feeling—and a touch of warmth from being cared for.

From then on, although she still stubbornly refused to go to the main peak of Zixiao Palace and was unwilling to take the initiative to see that person, she began to subconsciously collect various cultivation manuals and notes on the insights of powerful people.

In my spare time, I no longer just do accounting and business planning, but I pick up these books and read them quietly.

With the accumulation of various resources and occasional practice, her cultivation level unknowingly reached the Douhuang level.

Consort Ya would naturally not reveal these thoughts to Nalan Yanran.

She simply smiled faintly and said vaguely, "I was just browsing because I had nothing else to do. I can't let my cultivation fall too far behind yours and embarrass the people of the Jia Ma Empire, can I?"

Nalan Yanran was incredibly intelligent. Seeing the momentary dimming in her eyes before she forced herself to remain calm, and recalling the vague rumors about her and her husband, she had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.

She stopped asking questions and instead chatted with Yafei about their experiences over the years since they parted ways.

As the two women talked, they inevitably recalled their experiences in the Jia Ma Empire, from Wutan City to the capital, from the Nalan family to the Yunlan Sect, and then to the various changes that followed, all of which brought them to tears.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the study door, and Steward Sixteen returned.

"Miss."

Sixteen entered and bowed to Ya Fei, reporting, "The medicinal herbs you instructed us to collect are ready, but—we've already announced our willingness to pay a high price or exchange them for other rare items for the two ninth-tier main ingredients, the 'Purple Sun Fire Lotus' and the 'Pure World Glazed Flower,' but to this day—we still haven't heard anything."

Upon hearing this, Ya Fei slightly furrowed her exquisitely drawn eyebrows and asked, "What about the Dan Tower? Is there no news either?"

Sixteen shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness: "There's still no news from the Pill Tower."

Nalan Yanran, who was standing to the side, was in a state of shock as she listened to their conversation!

Ninth-grade medicinal herbs?!

Although she was not an expert in alchemy, she clearly understood what ninth-grade medicinal herbs meant!

Those are top-grade medicinal materials for refining the legendary ninth-grade elixir!

Each one is a rare treasure, something you can only come across once in a lifetime!

Who on earth has such a grand scheme that they need to use ninth-grade medicinal herbs?

Moreover, judging from Ya Fei's serious attitude, she clearly takes this matter very seriously.

"Sister Yafei, this is—who needs ninth-grade medicinal herbs? Could it be for refining a ninth-grade pill?"

Unable to contain her curiosity, Nalan Yanran asked.

When Ya Fei heard her question, she did not answer it directly.

She merely turned her head slightly, her captivating peach blossom eyes gazing through the bright window towards the depths of the Fenglei Mountains, towards the main peak shrouded in clouds and mist.

His eyes held a complex mix of emotions that were hard to describe: concern, resentment, and perhaps—a hint of barely perceptible pride.

Nalan Yanran followed her gaze and, combined with Ya Fei's silent attitude, seemed to understand instantly!

"It's you, sir?!"

Nalan Yanran covered her red lips, unable to help but exclaim in surprise, her eyes filled with disbelief and shock.

The gentleman can actually refine ninth-grade pills?!

Ya Fei lowered her eyes slightly, withdrawing her gaze from the distance, and her face regained its usual calm and competence.

She neither admitted nor denied it, but simply beckoned to Sixteen, who was standing to the side.

Sixteen immediately understood, took out a dark-colored storage ring with an antique design, and presented it with both hands.

Ya Fei took the ring with her delicate hand, gently stroking its cool surface with her fingertips before pushing it onto the table in front of Nalan Yanran.

"You might as well go to Zixiao Palace too."

Ya Fei's voice was calm and even, "I won't send anyone else. Please, while you're at it, take these medicinal herbs that have already been collected to him."

Nalan Yanran stared blankly at the storage ring in front of her, which contained countless rare medicinal herbs, and then looked up at Consort Ya, whose jade-like face was calm, as if she were just dealing with an ordinary little matter.

Suddenly, Nalan Yanran felt a sense of shared misfortune.

After a moment of silence, Nalan Yanran, as if possessed, spoke up: "Sister Yafei—why don't you come with me?"

Ya Fei's hand holding the teacup paused almost imperceptibly, and she looked up at Nalan Yanran with a strange expression.

I wonder if her teacher would beat this wicked student to death if he heard this!

Ya Fei withdrew her gaze, picked up the scroll she had previously set aside on the table, and pretended to read it.

Her long eyelashes drooped, concealing all the emotions in her eyes, and she said softly, her tone calm and even, "Thank you for your trouble."

These three words, though seemingly casual, clearly expressed her attitude.

Nalan Yanran looked at the woman who was hiding behind the books, and after a moment, she silently picked up the storage ring on the table and carefully put it away.

"In that case, Yanran will take her leave."

""

Nalan Yanran stood up and said softly.

Ya Fei kept her head down, only nodding almost imperceptibly.

Nalan Yanran gave her a deep look, then turned and left the study, which was filled with a scholarly atmosphere but also a faint sense of melancholy.