54: Zhongzhou Prologue: The Calm Before the Storm

After his journey to the Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Chen's prestige in Jia Nan Academy reached its peak. His Late Spirit Realm soul cultivation, combined with the profound Soul Emperor Canon, brought about earth-shattering changes in his strength. Now, even without relying on any Dou Qi, his soul power alone was enough to contend with high-level Dou Zong without falling into a disadvantage. The name "soul sword" was no longer limited to the Inner Academy; it had even begun to spread in the Outer Academy and certain parts of the Black-Corner Region.

Xiao Chen did not rush for success due to his rapid increase in strength. He deeply understood the importance of a solid foundation. With the help of Instructor Ruolin and Elder Mu She, he chose an extremely secluded energy spring in the Inner Academy's back mountain to cultivate in seclusion, fully consolidating his Late Spirit Realm cultivation and delving deeper into the Soul Emperor Canon.

As a Heaven-tier low-level soul cultivation technique, the Soul Emperor Canon was vast and profound, far surpassing the Spirit Nurturing Art. It not only contained more efficient soul cultivation methods but also recorded several astonishingly powerful soul combat techniques, such as the offensive and defensive Soul Emperor Bell, the Illusory Prison which could create large-scale illusions and erode one's mind, and the most profound 'Instant Eternity' (this technique placed an immense burden on the soul, and Xiao Chen could currently only barely touch its surface), which could temporarily affect the local flow of time. At the same time, the canon also mentioned techniques for initially combining soul power with the Power of Space, laying the foundation for future engagement with the Power of Space.

During his seclusion, Xiao Chen did not completely cut himself off from the outside world. He used the system to synthesize some elixirs that had miraculous effects on nourishing the soul, which he then discreetly sold in batches through Ya Fei's Mittel Auction House channels in the Black-Corner Region. This allowed him to acquire vast amounts of gold coins and rare medicinal ingredients, accumulating ample funds and resources for his future journey. His energy pool was also steadily accumulating, gradually approaching [5000 / 10000].

However, the tree desires tranquility, but the wind does not cease. The Soul Hall's defeat in the Heavenly Tomb, especially Xiao Chen's astonishing potential and his connection to Xiao Xuan, caused this massive dark organization to list him as a key "target of interest." Around Jia Nan Academy, Soul Hall spies became increasingly active, and even several Inner Academy students mysteriously disappeared, with subsequent investigations subtly pointing towards the Soul Hall. Although the academy's high-level officials strengthened their defenses, they found it difficult to guard against the elusive Soul Hall.

One day, Xiao Chen concluded the first phase of his seclusion and was about to go spar with Zi Yan to test his newly comprehended Soul Emperor Bell, when Instructor Ruolin approached him with a solemn expression.

"Xiao Chen, news has come from the Central Plains." Instructor Ruolin handed him a jade slip, "It's an invitation from the Pill Tower."

"Pill Tower?" Xiao Chen was startled. The Pill Tower was a sacred place in the hearts of Alchemists in the Central Plains and even the entire continent. Its strength and influence were no less than that of the Soul Hall. How could they have noticed him?

After reading the information in the jade slip, Xiao Chen understood the reason. It turned out that his performance in the Inner Academy's alchemy competition and in the Heavenly Tomb, especially his unique Soul Heart Flame and soul alchemy techniques, had somehow reached the ears of an elder in the Pill Tower. This elder was extremely interested in Xiao Chen's method of alchemy, which did not rely on traditional fire-attribute Dou Qi, believing it might open up new directions for alchemy. Therefore, he specifically extended an invitation, hoping that Xiao Chen would come to the Pill Tower for exchange and study.

This was undoubtedly a huge opportunity! The Pill Tower gathered the continent's top Alchemists and soul cultivators. The ancient texts, resources, and understanding of the Dao of Soul there were far beyond what Jia Nan Academy could offer. If he could enter the Pill Tower, not only would his alchemy and soul cultivation undergo a qualitative leap, but he could also use the Pill Tower's influence to a certain extent to deter the Soul Hall, buying himself time to grow.

But opportunity often comes with risks. The Central Plains was the Soul Hall's stronghold, and this trip was akin to walking into a tiger's den. Moreover, the Pill Tower itself was not monolithic, with various factions. Whether his special abilities would bring fortune or disaster was yet unknown.

Xiao Chen did not hesitate for too long. While risks existed, the path of a strong individual was inherently an uphill battle. He had to go to the Central Plains! And he had to enter the Pill Tower!

He informed Instructor Ruolin and Elder Mu She of his decision. Although his two mentors were worried, they knew that a fledgling eagle must eventually spread its wings and fly high, so they repeatedly urged him to be careful in all matters. When Hai Bodong learned of it, he offered to escort Xiao Chen for a period if needed, but Xiao Chen politely declined. He could not always rely on others' protection.

When Zi Yan learned that Xiao Chen was leaving, she was sulky for several days. Finally, she gave Xiao Chen a dragon scale she had condensed with her own essence power, claiming it could save his life at a critical moment, and "threatened" Xiao Chen to return early to take her to the Central Plains for "delicious food." Lin Xiuyai, Liu Qing, and other acquaintances also came to see him off, offering some information and tokens about the Central Plains.

Xiao Chen used his remaining time to synthesize a large number of elixirs for healing, recovery, detoxification, and even disguise, and raised his energy pool reserves above the safety line. He also made a special trip to Peace Town to secretly send a portion of elixirs and gold coins back to the Xiao Family in Wutan City through Ya Fei's channels, ensuring that the family would have enough resources to develop after his departure.

All preparations were complete. One morning, without alarming too many people, Xiao Chen quietly left Jia Nan Academy. He did not use the academy's large spatial wormhole, as that would make him too conspicuous. Instead, he chose a relatively hidden, small wormhole controlled by a neutral force in the Black-Corner Region. Although the journey would be more circuitous, it would maximize his avoidance of the Soul Hall's eyes and ears.

Standing at the entrance of the spatial wormhole, feeling the spatial fluctuations emanating from within, Xiao Chen took a deep breath. His gaze was firm and profound. Jia Nan Academy was the cradle of his growth, and the Central Plains would be the stage where he would truly rise and face the storm.

The threat of the Soul Hall, the opportunity of the Pill Tower, the last wish of the Xiao Clan ancestors, and the secrets of his own system and transmigration... all these clues seemed to point towards the Central Plains.

The spatial light flickered, and Xiao Chen's figure disappeared into the wormhole.

A new chapter officially begins! The vast world of the Central Plains awaits his arrival. And the Soul Hall's hunting net may have already quietly spread. What awaits Xiao Chen will be an even more magnificent and perilous journey.

Hopefully, the above content meets your expectations for the story's development. What challenges will Xiao Chen face in the Central Plains? Can he establish himself in the Pill Tower? How will the direct conflict with the Soul Hall unfold? If you are particularly interested in a specific direction, we can explore it further.