Chapter 991: Arriving at the Heaven Eye Mountain Range
Near the lush greenery at the end of the mountain range, a skinny figure slowly walked out of the dim forest. Following the appearance of this figure, a foul, b.l.o.o.d.y taste was slowly emitted. The Magical Beast that sniffed this blood stench within a radius of five kilometer hurriedly withdrew, appearing as though they had suffered a shock.
Walking through this mountain range had consumed nearly twenty days of Xiao Yan"s time. He had also camped in the wild for twenty days. Although it was quite tough, the vast forest was indeed a good place to hone a person. Currently, Xiao Yan"s appearance was somewhat miserable with the blood of various Magical Beasts messily scattered over his clothes and his hair. He looked just like a barbarian. The earlier dangerous feeling about him had basically disappeared at this moment. However, when his dark-black eyes were raised, a sensitive person would be able to sense that the feeling of danger did not actually disappear. Instead, it was hidden within Xiao Yan"s bones…
The appearance of a person who looked inconspicuous on the surface but emitted a dangerous feeling from their bones was truly dangerous because they attempt a fatal blow when someone least expected it.
Xiao Yan stood on the edge of the mountain range and looked at the large path under the mountain peak. Upon seeing the noisy crowd of people coming and going on the road, Xiao Yan involuntarily felt absentminded. Training was indeed a lonely and dull thing. If one wanted to become an expert that other people respected in their eyes, the hard work one would have to put in and loneliness one would have to endure was something that an ordinary person had difficulty imagining.
This logic was something that Xiao Yan understood ever since he left Wu Tan City back then. Now, his understanding of this logic was much deeper than before because he had experienced such a feeling during his years of training.
Xiao Yan exhaled a deep breath. His finger rubbed the spot between his brows. Due to his training during this period becoming like a habit, the avatar within his Spiritual Sea was constantly receiving the refinement of the Fallen Heart Flame. Although this was a large burden on Xiao Yan, it was fortunate that he was an alchemist, skilled in how to reduce tiredness. Hence, he was able to get used to this exhaustion.
"The energy tide of the Heaven Eye Mountain Range should be about to begin. However, it is fortunate that this place is not far from that location. With my speed, I should be able to reach it within half a day…" Xiao Yan took out a map from his Storage Ring and studied it carefully. After which, his gaze looked to the northern sky as he muttered to himself. His back shook and a pair of jade-green fire wings slowly extended out.
Xiao Yan had become a lot more careful after learning that his bone wings belonged to that so-called Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe. The strength of the Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe was definitely stronger than the Wind Lightning Pavilion. He did not wish to invite such trouble at this moment. Hence, he would only use the bone wings at critical times. Although his speed would be greatly reduced as a result, he could only endure it to protect this little life of his. After all, who would have know back then that that d.a.m.n Magical Beast corpse would invite so much trouble…
Xiao Yan"s toes pressed on the ground after the fire wings were spread. He immediately rose, and with a "swoosh" sound, he transformed into a jade-green fire figure that rushed toward the northern sky…
The Heaven Eye Mountain Range was quite well-known in the entire northern region of the Central Plains. The most important reason was because of the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool that appeared once every three years. The miraculous effect possessed a great allure to most people. This was definitely why a majority of the people were here. Most of them were of the younger generation because of the miraculous effect of transforming one"s bones and aiding in one"s breakthrough, which the blood pool possessed, had an even greater effect on the younger generation.
Of course, in order to groom some outstanding young people from within one"s faction, some of the large factions paid attention to the Mountain Blood Pool. There was an extremely great gap between the Dou Huang and Dou Zong cla.s.s. In the Central Plains, an expert Dou Huang could indeed be called a strong person. However, only by becoming an elite Dou Zong would one truly receive the treatment of being a strong person.
If Dou Huangs were considered the core strength of a clan, a Dou Zong was considered their top strength. As long as a clan possessed an elite Dou Zong, its reputation and influence would naturally far exceed another clan in possession of ten Dou Huangs without a single Dou Zong. This was the influence of a Dou Zong!
From this, one could tell just how big the gap between a Dou Huang and a Dou Zong was.
Of course, if a clan possessed a Dou Zun, this clan would definitely become one with great authority even if this Dou Zun never bothered about the matters within the clan. Even a large faction like the Wind Lightning Pavilion must treat that clan with great courtesy.
The Dou Zun cla.s.s were considered the truly top experts even in the Central Plains region.
Within the Jia Ma Empire or the Black-Corner Region, one could be considered part of a top tier faction as long as one possessed a Dou Huang or a Dou Zong. However, such a top tier faction could barely be considered to have entered the second tier within the Central Plains. This was the gap between them…
As for Dou Sheng…
A faction which possessed an expert that existed in the legends was already considered an extraordinary existence. The fights between ordinary factions appeared like child"s play in their eyes… in the eyes of an elite Dou Sheng, such a fight would instantly collapse with the wave of a hand…
Of course, that level was really too far from Xiao Yan and the others. Currently, Xiao Yan"s only thought was to allow himself to breakthrough the Dou Huang cla.s.s and advance into the Dou Zong cla.s.s. Only by advancing to the Dou Zong cla.s.s would Xiao Yan have the qualifications to meet Xun Er. That mysterious Gu clan behind her was not placed within the so-called One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions. However, Xiao Yan was certain that the Gu clan definitely possessed a strength that was not weaker than Pill Tower or the "Hall of Souls." If he wanted to successfully take Xun Er away from this clan, he must take out a strength that caused them to be unable to refute him. The first precondition of this was for him to advance to the Dou Zong cla.s.s!
Although Xiao Yan was currently a nine star Dou Huang and his strength had improved from the twenty days of tough training in the forest, there was still quite a big gap to break away from the Dou Huang cla.s.s. A nine star Dou Huang might only have a one star gap with a Dou Zong, but this one star was enough to cause a countless number of outstanding individuals to stop at this level forever, all the way until they die…
That"s why he miraculous effects of the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool, aiding one"s breakthrough, were endlessly magnified. It caused many young experts within the northern region of the Central Plains along with factions like the Wind Lightning Pavilion to swarm over to this Heaven Eye Mountain Range without fearing death. All that they were after was one of the ten names…
Logically speaking, such a precious Heaven Mountain Blood Pool ought to have attracted numerous powerful factions to possess it. However, not a single faction had successfully managed to occupy it even until this day. Even a faction like the Wind Lightning Pavilion did not have the ability to do so despite possessing such thoughts. After all, this Heaven Mountain Blood Pool had too great of an implication. One would be common energy if one were to occupy it by oneself. Moreover, the Wind Lightning Pavilion was not without enemies. The four pavilions did not see eye to eye with one another. All of them wished to suppress the others. Naturally, it was impossible for them to simply watch the pool being solely occupied by one party. Hence, the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool remained ownerless due to it affecting many factions.
Of course, if one were to really talk about an owner, the native Magical Beasts in the Heaven Eye Mountain Range could barely be considered owners. Unfortunately, the humans would not give up because of this. The allure of the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool was enough to cause the humans to pounce forward without fearing death…
Xiao Yan continued to travel without resting for five hours before an enormous mountain range, covered by a dense fog, slowly appeared within his eyesight.
The Heaven Eye Mountain Range was the largest and tallest mountain range that Xiao Yan had ever seen. Even the Magical Beast Mountain Range within the Jia Ma Empire could not compare with it. Dense fog covered most of the mountain range, causing one to have difficulty seeing just what was present there. Moreover, the fog seemed to contain an extremely mighty energy. Even Xiao Yan involuntarily felt his heart become worried under this large amount of energy. No wonder no one dared to fly in from the sky. The route in the sky was one with a dead end.
Xiao Yan stood high above in the air and looked down at the entry points of the mountain range below. His head involuntarily turned a little numb when he saw the dense dark-black sea of people below. Although Xiao Yan knew that the allure of this Heaven Mountain Blood Pool was definitely quite great, he still felt shocked upon seeing such a great sea of people. The level of difficulty in obtaining the miserable ten spots from these people was really extraordinary…
Xiao Yan bitterly laughed. He chose a deserted place before landing. After which, he leaped down the mountain peak and appeared on a treetop in the Heaven Eye Mountain Range within a couple of flashes. His gaze swept around and discovered that quite a number of people were sitting cross-legged in the treetops around him.
The Heaven Eye Mountain Range was covered by a cloud all year long. Moreover, there were many powerful Magical Beast within it. Hence, there were only three safe entry points. The location where Xiao Yan was at was one of them. However, that entrance was occupied by a sea of people.
Xiao Yan was sighing in the face of this vast scene when the clear, loud cry of a crane suddenly resounded from the distant sky. Immediately, it attracted all the gazes around it.
Xiao Yan"s eyes also looked over. He could see a multicolored enormous crane flapping its wings as it swiftly flew toward the Heaven Eye Mountain Range. Sunlight landed on the multicolored feathers, reflecting a brilliant l.u.s.ter that was unusually gorgeous.
"The Seven Colored Soul Crane? Isn"t this the ride of the Miss Feng from the Wind Lightning Pavilion?"
Numerous startled voices immediately sounded when everyone saw the ma.s.sive colorful crane.
Xiao Yan was startled upon hearing this. He frowned immediately. It was the Wind Lightning Pavilion again…
Chapter 992: Miss Feng
The enormous colorful crane flapped its wings. In the blink of an eye, it carried a wild wind as it appeared around the Heaven Eye Mountain Range. In an instant, almost all the gazes of those present turned to the sky without any prior agreement. The name of Miss Feng from the Wind Lightning Pavilion was quite well-known in the northern region of the Central Plains. Many people knew that this woman"s training talent was extraordinary, and she had been taken as the last disciple of the eastern pavilion chief of the Wind Lightning Pavilion. It was rumored that she had the highest chance to become the eastern pavilion head among the younger generation.
The strength of the Wind Lightning Pavilion could be considered among the top even in the Central Plains. Whoever could control the faction would definitely find their status soar. Moreover, quite a number of people involuntarily felt envious of this Miss Feng. Such a level was something that an ordinary person would have difficulty achieving even if one worked hard their entire life.
Xiao Yan also sat down cross-legged in a treetop. His eyes were narrowed as he stared at the enormous colorful crane in the sky from a distance. He was faintly able to see a delicate and moving figure at the head of the crane.
"I wonder if that Fei Tian has followed them. If that old fellow also came, there will be some trouble this time around." Xiao Yan"s eyes slowly swept over the enormous colorful crane as he muttered to himself in his heart.
The enormous colorful crane gradually descended from the sky while Xiao Yan was mumbling. Finally, it stopped at a spot a hundred meters from the ground. With Xiao Yan"s eyesight, he was clearly able to see everything from this distance.
The first thing that was imprinted into his eyes was the moving figure in a fluttering dress, standing on the head of the crane. This lady was wearing a colorful dress, and seemed to emit the aura of a distinguished person at a distant glance. Her face was a little thin and oval in shape. This, along with her purplish-brown gem-like eyes, caused this Miss Feng to appear like the princess of an empire, looking both beautiful and holy. She did not fit well into the scene that was filled with people.
However, the only imperfection of this holiness was the icy indifference that kept one at a distance, giving her the feeling of being unapproachable.
However, a jade must have some flaws in order to reveal its preciousness. This cold indifference did not cause Miss Feng to lose points on her appearance. Her demeanor and beauty were both top quality. Even Xiao Yan softly praised them within his heart. Immediately after that, however, his gaze swiftly turned away and paused on the two old figures behind the lady.
These two old figures looked as though they would fall from a mere breeze. However, Xiao Yan"s expression became much more solemn when his gaze swept over these two. Although these two could not compare with Fei Tian, they were quite stronger than the three Elders from the Wind Lightning Pavilion who had attacked him together back then. Their strengths seemed to be at least that of a six star Dou Zong.
Xiao Yan"s gaze carried a solemness as it swept over the two old figures. He slowly exhaled a breath in his heart. It was fortunate that they were not that old demon Fei Tian. Although two six star Dou Zongs were troublesome to deal with, Xiao Yan would still rather choose them over Fei Tian…
After all, Xiao Yan had to rely on some luck and wittiness in order to flee from the hands of that old demon, who had an incredible strength and was unbelievably fast.
"Is that Miss Feng from the Wind Lightning Pavilion? She really lives up to her reputation, and possesses a n.o.bility similar to a phoenix…"
"Unexpectedly, even she has been attracted by this Heaven Mountain Blood Pool. Looks like she will be among the ten names this time around."
"Hei, that is not for certain. There is an unknown number of hidden talent and experts within the Central Plains. One cannot simply rely on one"s outer appearance and background in order to obtain those ten spots. If an overly strong person was to enter, that person would definitely stir an energy tide. At that time, he would merely be seeking hards.h.i.+p. Hence, the only right path is to rely on one"s strength within this Heaven Eye Mountain Range. At that time, the powerful guards within the sect are of little use."
"……"
A thought pa.s.sed through Xiao Yan"s mind as he heard the private conversations around him. Putting it this way, the Heaven Eye Mountain Range was able to restrict a strong person from entering? Therefore, it was likely that Fei Tian would not be able to enter given his strength… Xiao Yan completely put down the worry in his heart when he thought of this. He was indeed extremely afraid of that old demon.
"However, given my eyesight, I am unable to see the exact strength of this Miss Feng. It is likely that she possesses some mysterious item that hides her aura. Nevertheless, I am not afraid of her. As long as she does not come and find trouble with me, I will also be too lazy to find trouble with her…" Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his eyes as he softly muttered.
Xiao Yan withdrew his eyes and turned them to the entrance of the Heaven Eye Mountain Range. That place was filled with many people. However, there were few people entering the mountain range at this moment. Everyone knew that there were many Magical Beasts within the Heaven Eye Mountain Range. There was no lack of frightening strong beasts among them. It was likely that one was simply delivering oneself to them by entering at this moment. Hence, many people were waiting for the start of the energy tide. Only at that time would the Magical Beasts in the mountain range be much more tamed after being suppressed by the tidal strength. That time would be the safest moment to enter the mountain range.
"It is likely that the energy tide will begin in the next few days. At that time, the number of people swarming into the mountain range will reach a frightening amount. However, there is no telling just how many people will be able to successfully reach the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool… for now, all that I can do is wait quietly…."
Xiao Yan sighed softly within his heart. He once again withdrew his gaze, shut his eyes, and recuperated.
……
"Elder Mu, are there anyone from the other three pavilions who have come to the Heaven Eye Mountain Range." The colorful-clothed lady on the enormous crane swept her eyes indifferently over the people below. After which, she opened her mouth and posed a question. Her voice was clear, but it faintly emitted a cold indifference.
"Hee hee, how is it possible for them not to come? The Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion"s Sky Fountain Sword Tang Ying, the Yellow Spring Pavilion"s w.a.n.g Chen, and the Falling Star Pavilion"s Mu Qing Luan. The most outstanding young people from each sect have all been dispatched. They have already reached the peak of the Dou Huang cla.s.s. If they could soak once in the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool, it would not be long before they breakthrough to the Dou Zong cla.s.s. Who would give up such an opportunity?" A green-robed, old man laughed in a strange manner from behind the colorful-dressed lady.
The lady nodded gently upon hearing this. A faint smile surfaced on her somewhat cold and indifferent face as she replied, "Looks like the fight for the Blood Pool this time around is going to be a heated one."
"Young miss, the chief has asked you to be a little careful this time around. The Heaven Mountain Blood Pool has attracted quite a number of young experts from the northern region this time around. Other than those three earlier, there are some other people who also possess the qualification to fight with the few of you. Therefore, it is best to be a little cautious when doing things." That other red-robed Elder slowly reminded.
"For example that person called Xiao Yan?" The colorful-clothed lady lifted the corner of her mouth into a slight arc as she spoke in a soft somewhat chilly voice.
"This person is a great enemy that cannot be underestimated. We met with the northern pavilion head, Fei Tian, along the way here. That Xiao Yan is actually escaped from his hands. It is likely that one could not even find five people in the same generation who could show such an ability. Young miss should also have some understanding of the strength of the northern pavilion"s chief. Hence, it is only naturally for you to know just how difficult it is to escape from the chief"s hands. The matters related to Xiao Yan have been spread all over the Wind Lightning Pavilion recently. Young miss should have also heard of him…" the red-robed Elder spoke in a solemn voice.
"I have naturally heard of him. How could someone, who could break the Nine Heavenly Lightning Prison Formation that the three northern pavilion Elders set up with a large group, be an unknown person… however, I wonder if he could achieve this by just relying on his strength? The Heaven Eye Mountain Range is suppressed by the energy tide. If one"s energy surpa.s.ses the limit, one would definitely attract the energy tide over. Hence, one must rely on one"s own strength within the mountain range. It is not possible to achieve anything by using another person"s strength." The colorful-clothed young miss pulled aside a thread of black hair from her forehead with her delicate hand as she softly spoke. Her purplish-brown eyes flickered around.
"Tsk tsk, old fellow. Why are you saying such words that diminish yourself and praise others? That little fellow might have some ability, but from the way I see it, the entire situation was due to that powerful spiritual body. This little advantage will completely vanish within the Heaven Eye Mountain Range. It is just as well if young miss meets him. She can just kill him if she does so. At that time, we can even gain a favor from the northern pavilion chief if we hand that brat over." The green-robed, old man by the side laughed, "The pavilion chief has also said that young miss will have difficulty finding an opponent with her strength. Even if she meets some experts of the Dou Zong cla.s.s, she would be able to fight them. Hence, you should not underestimate young miss."
The red-robed old man involuntarily frowned when he heard this. He was just about to speak when the colorful-clothed lady in front of him gently shook her snow-white wrist. She slowly said, "Elder Huo, please be rea.s.sured that I know my limits and will do my best to be careful."
"The old me is only giving a reminder. Moreover, it is not certain if that Xiao Yan will come. Although this brat escaped the northern pavilion chief earlier, it is likely that he will still feel some fear within his heart." The red-robed, old man laughed.
The colorful-clothed lady slightly smiled. However, her smile revealed a coldness that was difficult to hide. Her eyes swept over the area below before slowly shutting her eyes. The thing she needed to do now was to wait for the start of the energy tide. After which, she would use the fastest speed to arrive at the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool. Since the other three pavilions had also sent out those three fellows, the fight this time around would be quite interesting. It would likely not disappoint her. Moreover, the person called Xiao Yan, who had been mentioned earlier, was placed in the back of her mind. Although Xiao Yan had stirred a storm of commotion by killing Chen Yun and forcefully breaking the Nine Heavenly Lightning Prison Formation, these matters were attributed to the powerful spiritual body on him. There had been a lot of doubt about Xiao Yan"s strength…
Such doubt was also possessed by her.
The remaining time pa.s.sed during this monotonous wait. After such a wait continued for nearly three days, the energy in this place suddenly became turbulent…
The instant the energy in his surroundings changed, Xiao Yan, who had been seated on the top of a tree, finally opened his slightly shut eyes. An unusual expression flashed across his eyes.
"Is it finally about to begin…"