98: Tianxuan City, undercurrent begins to emerge

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the Pill Tower's inner pavilion, before an ancient array specifically used for long-distance teleportation, Xiao Chen, Han Yue, Ye Chong, and over a dozen other top young disciples of the Pill Tower stood solemnly. Xuan Kongzi, Heavenly Thunder Master, and Mysterious Robe, the three grand elders, personally saw them off, their expressions grave.

"The journey to Tianxuan City is long and fraught with peril," Xuan Kongzi's gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on Xiao Chen, and he spoke earnestly, "The Heaven's Pride Grand Assembly gathers monstrous talents from across the Central Plains and even the entire continent. The competition will be far more intense than you can imagine. Remember, guard against arrogance and impatience, and act within your capabilities. Prioritize your own safety above all else."

"We will remember!" everyone responded in unison.

"Depart!" Xuan Kongzi waved his sleeve, and a powerful surge of soul energy poured into the array. The array patterns lit up with dazzling light, and space violently twisted, forming a deep vortex.

Xiao Chen took a deep breath, exchanged glances with Han Yue and the others, and resolutely stepped into the vortex. With a flash of light, their figures vanished.

The long spatial travel felt as if several days and nights had passed. When Xiao Chen finally stood on solid ground again, a vast, ancient, and complex surge of heaven and earth energy, far more immense than that of the Pill Domain, washed over him. The pressure it contained made even him, who had just broken through to the Seven-Star Dou Zong, feel a tremor in his heart.

Before him was a colossal city that defied description. Its walls soared into the clouds, seemingly touching the sky, cast from a dark golden metal and covered with countless profound runes, exuding a chilling energy fluctuation. At the city gates, carriages and horses bustled, and people flowed like a river. The aura of the passersby was generally formidable; Dou Emperors were as numerous as cattle, and Dou Zongs were everywhere. Occasionally, one could even sense a few obscure, profound auras, far surpassing the Dou Zong rank, flashing by.

In the sky, various magnificent flying boats and powerful flying magical beasts traversed continuously and orderly. The entire city exuded a sense of grandeur, antiquity, and unfathomable depth.

This was the core of the Central Plains, Tianxuan City! A super-colossal city jointly controlled by the One Hall, One Tower, and Two Sects, and also the venue for this Heaven's Pride Grand Assembly!

"What a terrifying city..." Ye Chong couldn't help but exclaim. Even though he came from one of the Pill Tower's five great families, he was still awestruck by the magnificence of Tianxuan City.

Han Yue's beautiful eyes also sparkled with wonder, and a hint of solemnity appeared on her usually cool face: "As expected of Tianxuan City; the energy density and the number of powerful cultivators here far exceed the Northern Region."

Xiao Chen's soul perception quietly spread out, and he frowned slightly. He sensed countless powerful auras hidden within Tianxuan City, like dormant giant dragons. What made him even more vigilant was an extremely subtle yet pervasive sense of being watched in the air, as if the entire city was enveloped by some invisible force.

"Everyone, be careful. The waters here are much deeper than we imagined," Xiao Chen reminded in a low voice.

Everyone restrained their auras and followed the crowd into the city. Inside, it was even more prosperous than imagined. The streets were as wide as plazas, lined with shops selling nothing but rare and precious heavenly treasures, divine weapons, and sharp tools. Occasionally, one could even see Earth-tier cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques openly for sale, though the prices were astronomical.

Following the guidance, the Pill Tower group arrived at an area in the west of the city specifically designated for participating factions to reside. Pill Tower advance personnel had already arranged accommodations here, an independent manor with a serene environment and protected by an array.

After settling down, Xiao Chen did not go out to wander but remained in his quiet room to meditate, adapting to the unique energy environment of Tianxuan City, while also elevating his soul perception to its maximum to cautiously probe the surrounding situation.

He keenly noticed that ever since they moved in, some faint, lingering gazes had appeared around the manor. There was curiosity, scrutiny, and even undisguised hostility.

"The people from the Soul Hall... as expected, they've also come," Xiao Chen sneered inwardly. Besides the Soul Hall, he also sensed several other powerful factions with distinct auras stationed nearby, likely the Heavenly Nether Sect, Flower Sect, and other top-tier powers.

In the evening, Han Yue came to Xiao Chen's quiet room.

"Junior Brother Xiao, I just heard some news," Han Yue said with a solemn expression, "The rules for this Heaven's Pride Grand Assembly have changed. It's not a simple arena competition, but rather... a secret realm exploration."

"Secret realm exploration?" Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Han Yue nodded, "It's said to be a newly discovered ancient secret realm called the 'Fallen Saint Space'. The secret realm is full of dangers but contains great opportunities, even legacies left by ancient powerhouses. The Assembly will rank the various factions based on their disciples' performance in the secret realm. And... within the secret realm, killing is not forbidden."

Killing is not forbidden! Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed. This meant that the secret realm would become a bloody battleground for the younger generation of various factions! The Soul Hall, Styx Alliance, and other hostile forces would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to strike lethal blows!

"Furthermore," Han Yue lowered her voice, "I vaguely heard a rumor that the leader dispatched by the Soul Hall this time is not an ordinary Venerable Elder, but a Young Hall Master of the Soul Hall!"

"A Young Hall Master of the Soul Hall?" Xiao Chen's heart jolted. A Young Hall Master of the Soul Hall was the future successor of the Soul Hall, holding a revered status, and their strength would undoubtedly be terrifyingly immense, absolutely among the top existences of the younger generation!

"It seems this Assembly is destined to be anything but peaceful," Xiao Chen's gaze deepened. Within danger also lay opportunity. That Fallen Saint Space might hold clues about Origin Qi or the ancient Xiao Clan.

In the following days, Xiao Chen stayed mostly indoors, fully adjusting his state and familiarizing himself with the new environment. Han Yue, Ye Chong, and others went out to gather more information.

However, the tree desired tranquility, but the wind would not cease.

On this day, Xiao Chen was practicing his axe intent in the courtyard when a sudden premonition of danger arose in his heart! A cold, bone-chilling killing intent, like a poisonous snake, locked onto him!

He abruptly looked up, only to see a figure shrouded in a black robe appear on the manor wall at some unknown time. The figure was blurry, seemingly merged with the shadows, but the aura it emitted sent a shiver down Xiao Chen's soul! Peak Dou Zong (Fighting Sect) Rank! Moreover, its soul fluctuations were bizarre and elusive, clearly indicating a powerhouse skilled in assassination techniques!

"A killer from the Soul Hall?" Xiao Chen's eyes turned cold, and his Dou Qi subtly condensed around him.

The Black-Robed Figure did not make a move, only letting out a hoarse, cold laugh: "Xiao Chen? A little interesting. Your soul is quite delicious... We will meet again very soon."

Before his words finished, the figure vanished like a ghost, as if it had never appeared.

"What a brilliant stealth movement technique!" Xiao Chen's heart tightened. The opponent was clearly here to demonstrate power and probe. The Soul Hall's infiltration had reached such an extent that they dared to casually trespass into the Pill Tower's station!

Just then, Han Yue and Ye Chong rushed over, both looking rather grim.

"Junior Brother Xiao, are you alright?" Han Yue asked with concern, "We just received news that people from the Heavenly Nether Sect and Ice River Valley have arrived, and... they seem to be very close to the Soul Hall."

Ye Chong also said in a deep voice: "I also heard that for this secret realm exploration, forming teams seems to be allowed, but the number of people is limited. Many factions have already started secretly forming alliances."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen remained silent for a moment, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Alliances, huh... Since that's the case, we can't just sit back and do nothing." He looked at Han Yue and Ye Chong, "Senior Sister Han, Brother Ye, here in Tianxuan City, we Pill Tower disciples must stand united."

Han Yue and Ye Chong exchanged glances, both seeing determination in the other's eyes.

"That's right!" Ye Chong clenched his fist, "No matter what Soul Hall or Heavenly Nether Sect, if they want to touch our Pill Tower people, they'll have to ask if we agree first!"

Han Yue also nodded: "I've already contacted disciples from several other friendly factions. Perhaps we can form a small alliance to look out for each other."

Xiao Chen nodded slightly. Individual strength was ultimately limited, and in an environment surrounded by wolves, huddling together for warmth was a necessary means of survival. Of course, true trump cards and strength still needed to be reserved.

As the Assembly approached, the atmosphere in Tianxuan City grew increasingly tense and oppressive. Various factions engaged in overt and covert struggles, with undercurrents surging. Xiao Chen knew that the true test was about to unfold in the mysterious "Fallen Saint Space." And his arrival was bound to throw a heavy stone into these deep waters!

The storm was about to arrive!