Chapter 170: Aftermath!
Gu Realm.
After Gu Nanhai brought Gu Qingyang and the others back to the Gu Realm, they were immediately summoned to the Gu clan's main discussion hall by the clan's upper echelons.
Within the hall, where the atmosphere was heavy and solemn, a great many of the Gu clan's elders had all hurried over. At the head seat, Gu Yuan sat quietly above, listening to Gu Nanhai's report.
Even upon hearing that the Hun clan had disregarded the imperial clan pact and deployed experts above five-star Dou Sheng, his reaction was minimal. His expression remained as calm as ever.
To Gu Yuan's left sat three white-haired, white-bearded elders with furrowed brows. They were precisely the Gu clan's Three Immortals, who stood equal in fame to the Hun clan's Four Demon Saints—seven-star Dou Sheng experts.
After them sat elders of the six-star and five-star Dou Sheng levels.
And to Gu Yuan's right, aside from a grim-faced, black-clad, burly man, Gu Xun'er was also prominently present.
That burly man was none other than the Gu clan's second strongest expert, the Black Annihilation King—Gu Lie, an early-stage eight-star Dou Sheng.
At this moment, after listening to Gu Nanhai's full report, the sound of wine cups shattering rang out in rapid succession throughout the great hall. Numerous elders raised their heads in fury.
"What is the Hun clan trying to do?!"
"To openly violate our imperial clan pact that five-star Dou Shengs and above are not to take action! Do they not hold us, the other imperial clans, in their eyes at all?! Do they not hold my Gu clan in their eyes at all?!"
"Clan Leader, this matter absolutely cannot be let go just like this! We should join forces with the other five clans and go demand an accounting from the Hun clan! Otherwise, this time it's a six-star Dou Sheng—next time, it'll be a seven-star Dou Sheng taking action!"
"Indeed!"
"..."
Within the great hall, explosive voices rang out one after another beside everyone's ears. Many hot-tempered elders spoke with faces full of fury. Even more elders sat there with furrowed brows—clearly, the Hun clan's actions had already stirred their deep dissatisfaction.
And Gu Xun'er, upon hearing the news about Yun Yi, had a strange gleam flicker through her calm eyes. A fury she could not control surged uncontrollably within her heart.
However, upon hearing that the other party was already a nine-star Dou Zun, no matter how furious she was, a sense of defeat inevitably flashed through her heart.
Listening to the arguments around his ears, Gu Yuan furrowed his brow and spoke gravely: "The Nihility Devouring Flame is already a nine-star Dou Sheng, its strength greatly increased. As for the matter of holding the Hun clan accountable—I will need to discuss it with the leaders of the other clans."
As expected, upon hearing the Nihility Devouring Flame's strength, the many furious elders also sobered up. The current situation was no longer the time they had once believed—when the Gu clan was number one under heaven.
Now, with the Hun clan, after the Nihility Devouring Flame's breakthrough to nine-star Dou Sheng, coupled with a Hun Tiandi whose recovery from injury was unknown—the Hun clan's strength now surpassed the Gu clan's by a margin.
Though many elders were still unwilling to admit this point.
"The Hun clan's matter can be set aside for now, but the Soul Hall's situation absolutely cannot be ignored," Gu Lie spoke at this moment, looking at the crowd in the great hall. "Now that the Pill Tower has suffered heavy damage, the Soul Hall stands dominant and unchallenged in the Central Plains. The Soul Hall is the Hun clan's eyes and ears in the outside world. We absolutely cannot allow it to develop and grow unchecked."
"The Black Annihilation Army has been in the Eastern Region for long enough. It can also go to the Central Plains for some tempering. No need to send too many—let Gu Lin take Qingyang and the others. Together with the Pill Tower, curb the Soul Hall's expansion!" Gu Dao nodded and expressed his opinion.
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
"..."
With the agreement of Gu Lie and the Gu clan's Three Immortals, this matter was thus settled. Any elders with differing opinions could not go against the will of these few.
Just then, Gu Lie suddenly looked at Gu Nanhai and asked: "I've already heard of the Soul Hall's Young Hall Master and his fearsome prowess. But this Jiang Yun—the one who can contend against him... who is he? What power does he hail from?"
Gu Lie's question immediately drew the attention of the many elders within the great hall. Though Yun Yi was utterly despicable, everyone had to admit that his natural talent was indeed terrifying.
Aside from Gu Xun'er, who had yet to fully mature, there was likely no one among the Gu clan's younger generation who could match him. Then where had this Jiang Yun, who could contend against him, popped out from?
Hearing Gu Lie's inquiry, Gu Nanhai was momentarily stunned. Shaking his head with some bewilderment, he had only just learned of Jiang Yun's existence himself and had absolutely no information on him.
Just then, Gu Qingyang suddenly spoke up: "I know of this person, Jiang Yun. The last time I went to the Northwest Continent, I had a brief encounter with him. He seems to have some connection to the Ancient Dragon Clan. Regarding him, I already reported to the Elder Council last time!"
As he spoke, Gu Qingyang's gaze turned toward one elder among the many.
Noticing everyone's stares, that elder's face also flushed red.
Seeing this scene, everyone immediately withdrew their gazes. They already understood the outcome of that matter. No doubt, it was simply that the other party was considered some native born from the Northwest Continent—not worthy of the proud Gu clan's attention.
Which was why no one had known of this person's existence.
Having figured this out, Gu Lie immediately changed the subject. After all, this was truly how the Gu clan had been before, wasn't it? He couldn't exactly reprimand the other party in public!
"Since he has ties to the Ancient Dragon Clan, then Qingyang, when you head to the Central Plains this time, make more contact with him. The Ancient Dragon Clan has always been mysterious. Even our clan does not know their true depths. Now, with the Hun clan eyeing us like a tiger watching its prey, having one more friend is always a good thing!"
"Qingyang understands!" Gu Qingyang nodded, then returned to the ranks and remained silent.
Seeing that no one else spoke for a moment, Gu Yuan spoke: "Proceed according to Gu Lie's plan. I will later go and see Yan Jin, Lei Ying, and the others to discuss how to demand an explanation from Hun Tiandi."
"Dismissed!"
As his voice fell, everyone immediately rose, bid their farewells, and departed.
And after everyone had left, only Gu Xun'er and her father, Gu Yuan, remained within the great hall.
At this moment, Gu Xun'er looked at Gu Yuan and said, "Father, Xun'er also wishes to accompany the Black Annihilation Army to the Central Plains!"
Glancing at his daughter and seeing the ripples within her eyes, Gu Yuan said calmly, "You may. Once you break through to Dou Zun, I will allow you to go to the Central Plains to temper yourself!"
"Thank you, Father!" Hearing this, Gu Xun'er nodded with burning determination. At this moment, she had already broken through to Dou Zong. She was confident she could break through to Dou Zun within three years.
Three years—that was not very long. She still had a chance to catch up to Yun Yi and wipe away her shame with her own hands.
Within a secluded, quiet area of Holy Pill City, a stream wound its way through the forest, finally transforming into a silver waterfall that cascaded down into the clear lake below.
At the very center of the lake, a figure sat cross-legged atop the water's surface, utterly motionless. The ripples spreading across the water would automatically dissipate upon entering a ten-meter radius around his body. Around him, it was as if a field of absolute stillness existed—a rather peculiar and wondrous sight.
"Weng!"
This absolute stillness persisted for roughly half a day before the figure slowly opened his long-closed eyes. A faint fiery glint flickered through his dark pupils. Then, he lowered his head and gazed at the purplish-black flame in his palm, a strange light flashing through his eyes.
This figure was naturally Jiang Yun. Ever since the great battle at Holy Pill City, Jiang Yun had begun absorbing the Three Thousand Burning Flame. With Zhu Feng, a Taixu Ancient Dragon, assisting him, and the Saint Demon Flame's natural suppressive advantage over it, Jiang Yun had easily subdued and absorbed the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Through this, his cultivation had broken through to the level of a One-Transition Dou Zun!
He had also, during this period, comprehended the fundamental laws of the Nine Dragons Lightning Flame and the Three Thousand Burning Flame, gaining tremendous insights.
"Within the Star Region, there is still a vast amount of flame that the Three Thousand Burning Flame shed and left behind. After absorbing it, I should be able to advance another level. After that, I should make a trip to the Beast Domain. There must be no mistake regarding Zi Yan's Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!"
After breaking through in cultivation, Jiang Yun carefully pondered for a moment and immediately began planning his subsequent arrangements.
"Jiang Yun, you've come out of seclusion!"
Having made up his mind, he immediately rose and flew outward. In the next instant, a familiar smiling voice suddenly rang out. Xiao Yi Xian stood quietly in the distance, watching him with a serene expression.
Jiang Yun smiled and asked, "Has the Pill Tower had any problems during this time? What's the current situation like out there?"
"Mm." After musing for a moment, Xiao Yi Xian said softly, "The Pill Tower's condition is very poor. Right now, the Pill Tower's prestige in the Central Plains has greatly diminished. The Small Pill Tower lost three elders in a single battle. The Pill Tower Ancestor seems to intend to fill the three vacancies with the three great heads of the Pill Tower. It seems the Pill Tower is planning to reselect its three great heads!"
Hearing this, Jiang Yun was momentarily taken aback. Then, shaking his head with certainty, he said, "It may be true that the Small Pill Tower intends to supplement its elder ranks. But a reselection of the Pill Tower's three great heads—that is absolutely impossible. At the very least, they wouldn't reselect all three at once."
Nodding, Xiao Yi Xian continued, "As for the Soul Hall—it seems to have gone quiet during this period, returning to its former, calm state."
Jiang Yun nodded. This time, had it not been for the dual impetus from both him and Yun Yi, the Soul Hall would certainly still be lying low and would absolutely never have launched such a massive war against the Pill Tower.
Now that the Hun clan had pulled such a stunt, their relations with the other six great imperial clans were bound to grow even more tense—particularly with the Gu clan. The Gu clan was now undoubtedly exceptionally wary of the Hun clan.
Though it might not lead to an all-out war between the two clans just yet, over time, as grievances accumulated day by day, covert clashes between them would certainly not be few.
Once a few critical events occurred, and Jiang Yun and Yun Yi once again pushed from behind the scenes, it would absolutely be able to detonate the conflicts that had been buried beforehand.
"Right!" Just then, Xiao Yi Xian seemed to recall something. Looking at Jiang Yun, she said softly, "While you were in seclusion, some people from the Gu clan seemed to want to come pay you a visit. But I turned them all away!"
"They're still in the Pill Tower?" Jiang Yun nodded, not particularly concerned. No doubt it was just the socially awkward Gu Qingyang wanting to come and drink some chicken soup for the soul.
"No. The Gu clan members left the Pill Tower on the third day," Xiao Yi Xian shook her head, looking into Jiang Yun's eyes as she spoke quietly.
"I'm going to go see President Xuan Kongzi. There's a small favor I need the Pill Tower's help with." Jiang Yun nodded to indicate he understood. Then, after giving this brief word, he turned and flew swiftly toward the central Pill Tower.
Watching Jiang Yun's departing back, Xiao Yi Xian sighed inwardly. Raising her hand, she pressed it against her chest. There, a jade-green seed rested quietly within a pure-white valley.
She thought of Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and Medusa—all three of them rapidly advancing in strength. The three of them seemed to have already found their own paths to the Saint realm.
Yet she herself seemed to have fallen behind. She was still only a six-star Dou Zong. She had no idea when she would break through to Dou Zun. Dou Sheng was even more distant, completely out of sight.
Not only was she unable to help Jiang Yun—as time went on, she might even become a burden to him. Her only method to rapidly increase her cultivation now was to sense the Bodhi Ancient Tree and receive a hearty, satisfying heaven-sent boost.
Thinking this, Xiao Yi Xian's gaze gradually firmed with resolve. She turned and walked back inside. She absolutely would not let herself fall too far behind everyone else.
Having an unimpeded path all the way, Jiang Yun arrived at the Pill Tower President's office and met with Xuan Kongzi.
Compared to before, Xuan Kongzi appeared considerably more haggard and despondent. It seemed as though a pent-up, stifled frustration was lodged within his heart. His entire demeanor seemed utterly listless and dejected.
Jiang Yun stepped forward and stated the purpose of his visit.
"You want to enter the Star Region?" Xuan Kongzi forcibly roused his spirits and looked at Jiang Yun in surprise.
"Within the Star Region are several hundred years' worth of flame left behind by the Three Thousand Burning Flame. I was fortunate enough to refine half of the Three Thousand Burning Flame. If these flames are not collected, hidden dangers will inevitably remain. After all, the current Star Region has already been damaged and broken!"
As he spoke, Jiang Yun raised his right hand. A purplish-black flame blazed up. At its center, a tiny dragon was dancing and soaring.
"I understand," Xuan Kongzi said, nodding as he looked at the flame in Jiang Yun's palm. Then, he continued, "However, before that, there is a senior who said he very much wishes to meet you!"
"Who is it?" Jiang Yun raised an eyebrow and asked with some curiosity.
"It is Senior Shen Nong!" Xuan Kongzi's tone carried no small hint of envy. Shen Nong's fame and seniority in the alchemy world were immensely great. A thousand years ago, he was already a grand senior of the alchemy world.
He could be called a living fossil of the alchemy world. It could be said that he had refined more pills than the rice an ordinary person would eat in a lifetime.
For such an existence to wish to meet Jiang Yun—how could Xuan Kongzi not envy him? He was not only one of the three great heads of the Pill Tower but also an eighth-tier, nine-color alchemist. He, too, desperately yearned to advance further.
"That senior hasn't left yet?" This time, it was Jiang Yun's turn to be surprised. He hadn't expected this grand senior, who roamed the world and whose whereabouts were as elusive as a divine dragon's, to still be staying at the Pill Tower.
"In order to prevent the Hun clan from returning, the Ancestor and Senior Shen Nong are both temporarily residing in the Small Pill Tower. In a moment, we will go in together to pay respects to the seniors. It will do you no harm!" Xuan Kongzi looked at Jiang Yun with a face full of goodwill, clearly treating him as an outstanding junior.
"Alright!"
"The Hun clan has acted so recklessly this time—I fear they will stir up even greater waves in the future!"
In a place resembling an earthly paradise, the Pill Tower Ancestor and Shen Nong—two of the exceedingly rare six-star Dou Shengs in this world—sat quietly cross-legged beneath a giant tree, conversing.
Gazing at the Pill Tower Ancestor's youthful, tender face, which was now etched full of wrinkles, Shen Nong sighed: "A thousand years ago, in that great war, the Xiao clan was annihilated. At the same time, the Hun clan also suffered grievous damage. For the thousand years that followed, they adopted a strategy of resting and recuperating. Judging by the current situation, the Hun clan has already recovered its strength. Hun Tiandi's injuries are likely already healed!"
"The Hun clan... a truly dangerous clan. If there is anyone in this world who can still block the Hun clan, it is only the Gu clan!" The Pill Tower Ancestor's face was full of worry as he nodded.
"The Gu clan..." Shen Nong hesitated for a moment but still did not voice whatever he was thinking. They were both old monsters who had lived for several thousand years. They clearly understood the entanglements between the Hun clan, the Gu clan, and the Xiao clan back then. In their view, compared to Xiao Xuan and Hun Tiandi, Gu Yuan was somewhat... somewhat too conservative!
Of course, there was nothing wrong with that. As the leader of a clan, Gu Yuan was qualified. If peace had continued, there would naturally be no problem. But the Hun clan clearly was no longer content with peace.
"Enough about them. With the Gu clan around, the Hun clan still won't act completely without restraint. Although your Pill Tower suffered severe damage this time, it also has quite a few promising seedlings!"
Shen Nong shook his head. Looking at the Pill Tower Ancestor, he spoke with a face full of gratified approval. As a grand senior of the alchemy world, he still wished to see the alchemy world thriving and flourishing.
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