Chapter 179: Gathering Storms and the Mysterious Recluse

Chapter 179: Gathering Storms and the Mysterious Recluse

Evergreen Pavilion continued its rapid expansion, purchasing large quantities of spirit herbs and setting up a third production line in the pill refinery.

In addition to the Infusion Pills, a batch of Qi and Blood Pills was also crafted, which Xu Junhe and Kou Ruozhi used to cultivate the Wildland Warriors, as well as other warriors around Iron Mountain County.

The legend of the Wildlands was gradually spreading among the mountain villages and throughout Iron Mountain County.

Later on, some even began chanting slogans about restoring the glory of the Wildlands.

This was the handiwork of Kou Ruozhi, an expert in fomenting rebellion.

"We're not far from having a hundred warriors."

Li Xuan secretly anticipated the feedback he would receive from cultivating the self-created martial arts to the hundred-refinement level. Now, the cultivation of the Wildland Martial Arts was entering a phase of rapid development.

With a sufficient supply of pills, as long as one's talent wasn't too lacking, their cultivation speed would be astonishing.

Su Lingxiu broke through to the minor achievement of the Innate Realm.

Li Xuan's strength had once again increased.

As for the Pill Refiner's Martial Manual, Su Lingxiu had some new insights and extensions, and she believed that it wouldn't be long before a higher-level manual would emerge.

She had also gained some comprehension of the Void Pill Refining Technique, and the only thing stopping her from using it was her insufficient strength.

"The storm is coming!"

Li Xuan stood in the courtyard and sighed.

The manager of the Tianbao Pavilion had been replaced.

He was a peak Grand Master warrior.

Moreover, he told Xu Junhe that the Tianbao Pavilion would need some time to procure the spirit herbs.

He also hinted at the idea of Evergreen Pavilion joining the Tianbao Pavilion, becoming a part of their organization and gaining their support.

There were even attempts to secretly contact and woo the pill refining apprentices.

However, the apprentices were loyal and immediately reported these incidents to Xu Junhe.

Under Kou Ruozhi's influence, these apprentices embraced the noble idea of revitalizing the Wildlands, and they enjoyed generous treatment, never lacking the pills they needed for their cultivation.

How could they possibly join another faction?

Xu Junhe began to slow down the expansion, citing insufficient spirit herbs and pills as the reason for restricting their supply.

The Tianbao Pavilion didn't take further action or show any signs of using force, which was somewhat unexpected.

Meng Shushu returned with a large bag on his back.

He had become diligent, scouring the lands for spirit herbs, especially those of higher grades.

"It would be great if I had a storage bag."

Meng Shushu set down the spirit herbs and sighed.

He finally understood why Xu Yan and Meng Chong coveted storage bags so much. With one, he wouldn't have to carry this bulky bag around, attracting so much attention.

"You've worked hard, Brother Meng."

Su Lingxiu thanked him sincerely.

"It's nothing, nothing! I'm a spirit herb scout, and finding herbs is my specialty."

Meng Shushu waved his hand dismissively.

His strength had increased significantly, and he had broken through to the Grand Completion of the Grand Master stage.

Su Lingxiu taught him how to refine his internal energy into Innate True Qi, and he was already in the process of doing so.

Once he succeeded, his strength would increase even further.

With a bright future ahead, he was filled with fighting spirit.

Suddenly, Li Xuan looked up towards a certain direction.

"They're here."

Su Lingxiu asked in confusion, "Master, who's here?"

"Trouble for the Evergreen Pavilion."

Li Xuan smiled faintly.

Suddenly, Su Lingxiu and Meng Shushu looked up as well.

Over a dozen figures flew through the air, clad in black robes, with long swords at their waists. The leader was actually a Great Grand Master!

The group arrived above the Evergreen Pavilion, scanned the area, and then the leader took out an imperial decree and opened it.

"Evergreen Pavilion, receive the imperial decree. For creating the Infusion Pill and promoting the martial path of our Great Yue Nation, your contributions are significant. Thus, the Evergreen Pavilion is specially rewarded and appointed as the Pill Pavilion of the Great Yue Nation. The master of the pavilion is bestowed the title of 'Lord Evergreen.' Receive the decree!"

After the Great Grand Master finished reading the decree, he looked down with an air of warning in his eyes.

They were giving two options: accept the decree and go to the capital of the Great Yue Nation, where they would be granted noble identities and serve the emperor, or refuse and become prisoners, enslaved within the nation.

"The Great Yue Nation has no right to interfere with the Evergreen Pavilion! Get lost!"

Su Lingxiu's voice was cold and resolute.

"Arrogant! Are you rebelling against the nation?"

The leading Great Grand Master shouted angrily, his aura bursting forth.

"You ask for death!"

Su Lingxiu was furious. She grabbed an iron shovel, and her delicate golden needles burst forth, as she charged towards the enemy.

Although she had only reached the minor achievement of the Innate Realm and was a Pill Refiner, not a combat specialist, the opponent was merely a beginner Great Grand Master.

Su Lingxiu was not the least bit afraid.

This was a good opportunity to gain some combat experience.

With her master around, there was no need to worry about danger.

Boom!

The battle erupted. Su Lingxiu's Wind God Needles were both concealed and swift. The Great Grand Master had underestimated her, and in an instant, a golden needle pierced his arm.

In that moment, he felt his arm go numb, and the muscles around the needle's entry point withered as if they had lost their vitality.

His expression turned ashen.

This girl was not to be underestimated!

Due to a moment of carelessness, his arm had suffered a severe injury, causing his combat strength to plummet. Moreover, the golden needles were tricky and elusive, forcing him to be more cautious. After fighting with Su Lingxiu for a while, he found himself unable to defeat her.

"Attack together!"

The ones who had come with him were all elites from the Celestial Guard, Grand Master warriors.

Over a dozen Grand Masters surrounded Su Lingxiu and Meng Shushu.

Meng Shushu held a pen-like treasure and charged into the fray, shouting, "So what if you're from the Celestial Guard? Who are you trying to scare?"

However, no matter how strong he was, holding off two or three Grand Masters was already his limit.

Down below, Zhou Ying grew anxious.

Just then, a sword light slashed through the air.

Boom!

The majestic sword light directly killed one of the Grand Masters.

The Great Grand Master fighting Su Lingxiu changed his expression and said in a deep voice, "Celestial Guard of the Great Yue Nation, are you going to interfere in the matters of our nation?"

The Great Yue Nation was the strongest of the three nations in the Inner Realm, and there were very few forces in the entire Inner Realm that dared to offend it.

However, a cold voice rang out, "What's so great about the Celestial Guard? Even if you bring the Emperor of Great Yue here, what can he do?"

The Celestial Guard's Great Grand Master's expression changed, and he quickly retreated from the battle, his face gloomy as he looked towards the source of the voice.

"Who dares to interfere in the matters of our Great Yue Nation?"

"Sword Sovereign Cliff, Hu Shan!"

Hu Shan smiled coldly.

Behind him, Hu Hai merely glanced at the Celestial Guard's Great Grand Master, and the latter's heart trembled.

He was a peak Great Grand Master, a powerful figure from Sword Sovereign Cliff!

"Evergreen Pavilion is under the jurisdiction of our Great Yue Nation, and it is the Sword Sovereign Cliff's..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a sword light slashed towards him, instantly cutting him down.

Hu Hai coldly smiled, "The actions of Sword Sovereign Cliff are none of your concern, you mere dog!"

Meng Shushu swallowed hard. This was the power and dominance of Sword Sovereign Cliff.

"Miss Su, do you want to kill them all?"

Hu Shan looked at the remaining members of the Celestial Guard.

Before Su Lingxiu could answer, Hu Shan saw the corpses of the Great Grand Master and the other Grand Masters turn into ashes and scatter in the wind.

In that instant, he seemed to sense the true Heavenly Might!

Su Lingxiu knew that her master had made a move, and she heaved a sigh of relief. Turning to Hu Shan, she asked, "Why are you here?"

Hu Shan chuckled and replied, "I came to buy pills. Young Master Xu has already agreed, and I'm representing Sword Sovereign Cliff."

He then introduced, "This is my father, Hu Hai!"

Sword Sovereign Cliff, Hu Hai, Grand Master!

"Greetings, Grand Master Hu Hai!"

"Miss Su is too kind!" Hu Hai hastily bowed in greeting.

Hu Shan's visit this time was to represent Sword Sovereign Cliff in purchasing pills, and Su Lingxiu readily agreed.

All the pills in stock were sold to Sword Sovereign Cliff.

The father-son duo did not linger, but they hinted that Sword Sovereign Cliff would help deter some troubles for the Evergreen Pavilion, though they ultimately couldn't block them all.

There were just too many powers in the Inner Realm.

With the death of the Celestial Guard, the Great Yue Nation's royalty would definitely not let the matter rest. After all, Iron Mountain County was within Great Yue's territory, giving them a just cause to take action.

Sword Sovereign Cliff going to war with Great Yue Nation was not a decision that Xie Lingfeng could make on his own.

And the Sword Master, Xie Tianheng, was still in seclusion, so they could only deter a portion of Great Yue's threat but not stop them entirely.

Su Lingxiu was not surprised by this. She felt that Xie Lingfeng's support was already sufficient.

With the Evergreen Pavilion amidst turbulent times, Xu Yan and Meng Chong should also return to oversee matters. After all, they couldn't have the master intervene every time, right?

The Hu father and son departed.

Kou Ruozhi fumed, "We must rebel! We must overthrow the emperor of Great Yue Nation!"

Su Lingxiu glanced at him and asked, "Is the Evergreen Pavilion suited for a rebellion?"

Kou Ruozhi paused, deep in thought, then said, "I'll go back to the Wildlands and discuss this with Emperor Qi and Emperor Wu. Being emperors themselves, they should know how to rebel, right? From now on, there will be no more Great Yue Nation, only our Wildlands!"

Rebellion was his forte, but with their meager strength, even his expertise in rebellion couldn't accomplish much.

Su Lingxiu didn't bother to pay him any mind. These matters were none of her concern.

Back in the small courtyard, she massaged her master's shoulders and apologized, "Master, I've caused you trouble."

"It's a minor issue."

Li Xuan sipped his spiritual tea.

A mere Grand Master warrior was nothing. With a single thought, he could control the heavenly spiritual energy and crush them instantly without any effort.

"Master, that's wonderful."

Su Lingxiu was delighted.

Li Xuan patted her hand and said, "But your troubles are probably about to begin."

Su Lingxiu was taken aback.

She had just made a move, exposing herself. Soon, the black-robed man's faction would likely learn of her presence in Iron Mountain County.

After all, she was the founder of the Evergreen Pavilion.

"With Master here, how could your disciple ever be in trouble?"

Su Lingxiu smiled playfully.

...

As Xu Yan had wished, he successfully lured a few Martial Arts Scholars to the Evergreen Pavilion as guests, offering them a chance to research martial arts. He also reached a simple agreement with the Seven Stars Academy.

He would hold an honorary title of Martial Arts Grand Scholar at the academy but would not be bound by any of their rules. It was merely a nominal affiliation.

Xu Yan felt that the Seven Stars Academy was taking advantage of him. In the future, as his strength increased, the academy's reputation would also rise along with it. He didn't like the idea of them benefiting from his hard work.

Bai Yunkong was speechless. You lured away several of our Martial Arts Scholars, and now you feel taken advantage of because of a mere title?

In the end, the Seven Stars Academy agreed to pay Xu Yan an annual salary of 300,000 spirit crystals, and the agreement was formally reached.

The Martial Arts Scholars could follow Xu Yan, but the rules of the Seven Stars Academy remained unchanged. They would not involve themselves in the disputes of the martial world and would not send powerful individuals to aid Xu Yan against other forces.

Unless, of course, Xu Yan truly became a part of the Seven Stars Academy.

If he were to become a member, he would have to abide by the academy's principles.

While the academy itself wouldn't intervene, the Martial Arts Scholars who followed Xu Yan had their own beliefs to protect. Acting to safeguard those beliefs did not violate the academy's principles.

Xu Yan had no objections to this arrangement.

He had never intended to rely on the Seven Stars Academy for support. He had only come to lure away a few Martial Arts Scholars.

These single-minded individuals were pure in their devotion to their beliefs. For the sake of those beliefs, they would willingly risk their lives. Once they arrived at the Evergreen Pavilion and were exposed to true martial arts and pills, they would undoubtedly become obsessed and never want to leave.

Xu Yan felt that the deeper the dark circles under the Martial Arts Scholars' eyes, the purer their devotion. It meant that since their youth, they had dedicated all their time to the study of martial arts, even neglecting rest, hence the dark circles.

Even after reaching the Grand Master or Grand Master stage, those dark circles remained.

"Grand Supervisor Fu once said that within the Seven Stars Academy, there is something that I desire to know. I wonder if it is what I suspect?"

Xu Yan asked Bai Yunkong.

If his guess was correct, what Fu Yuntian referred to as "something he desired to know" was most likely related to the black-robed man's faction.

"The black-robed man is from the Hidden Pavilion, a mysterious force and one of the three most secretive powers in the Inner Realm. They have no fewer than ten peak Grand Masters," Bai Yunkong said in a low voice.

"While peak Grand Masters are rarely seen in the martial world, the Inner Realm is vast, and there are countless powers. The number of peak Grand Masters is actually not that small.

"The Hidden Pavilion's leader is both mysterious and powerful. Even peak Grand Masters would feel a chill in their hearts upon facing him. Even I don't have full confidence in defeating him."

The Inner Realm was expansive, with numerous powers. The top-tier forces each had peak Grand Masters in the double digits, as they had abundant cultivation resources, powerful techniques, and long histories.

Even if they produced a peak Grand Master only once every few decades, the long accumulation of time would result in a significant number.

In the Outer Realm, sightings of peak Grand Masters were rare because at that level, they were at the pinnacle of the Inner Realm. There were few things that could attract their attention.

Most of them focused on perfecting their cultivation and exploring the martial path beyond the Grand Master stage.

Xu Yan was not surprised by the number of peak Grand Masters in the Inner Realm, given the prosperity of the martial world there. However, he was astonished by the unexpected strength of the Hidden Pavilion, the faction to which the black-robed man belonged.

Could the leader of the Hidden Pavilion be that formidable?

Even Bai Yunkong, the head of the Seven Stars Academy, didn't feel confident about defeating them.

Bai Yunkong was the most powerful Inner Realm warrior Xu Yan had encountered so far, and he even felt that Bai Yunkong was stronger than he could perceive.

"Where is the Hidden Pavilion located?"

Xu Yan asked in a low voice.

While the Hidden Pavilion's leader was strong, Xu Yan might not necessarily lose to him at his current stage. But after breaking through to the Through Heaven Realm, he would be able to kill the leader.

At that time, he could directly destroy their base.

He would surely make a huge fortune, right?

"I don't know," Bai Yunkong shook his head. "Among the three mysterious powers, not only my Seven Stars Academy but even the Tianbao Pavilion doesn't know their locations."

The Hidden Pavilion had always been extremely secretive. Even if one were to meet them face-to-face, unless they were wearing their distinctive black robes, no one would suspect that they were members of the Hidden Pavilion.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end