Northern Region of the Central Plains — Qifeng Mountain.
Of course, no actual phoenixes had ever lived or appeared on this mountain. The name was purely self-bestowed by the Fenglei Northern Pavilion and had no real connection to the legendary birds.
At the summit stood a massive silver tower. A silver plaque hung from its highest point, shimmering with arcs of lightning: North Thunder Tower.
This was the cultivation holy land of the Fenglei Northern Pavilion. Only disciples with outstanding performance and contributions were qualified to enter and cultivate inside.
The highest floor of the North Thunder Tower was a spacious hall. At its center sat a silver throne, faint arcs of electricity constantly dancing across its surface. Reclining against the backrest was a figure dressed in silver robes. His pair of silver-gray eyes were particularly striking and peculiar.
This man was none other than Fei Tian — Pavilion Master of the Fenglei Northern Pavilion, an Eight-star Dou Zong.
Below the throne stood three elders, motionless and respectful.
"You're saying Elder Yun's Soul Thunder Tablet shattered?" Fei Tian's eyes flickered with cold lightning as he stared sharply down at the three. His voice was deep and carried an oppressive weight.
"Could it be someone from the Myriad Sword Pavilion?" one elder ventured cautiously.
"Elder Yun accompanied Hong Chen to Tianbei City. The three of you will go to Tianbei City immediately and investigate what happened. No matter who the culprit is—capture them and bring them back first. If they resist… kill them."
Fei Tian spoke indifferently. Though his voice wasn't particularly loud, it carried an extremely strong sense of suppression.
"Yes, Pavilion Master!"
The three elders immediately bowed and assented respectfully. Their figures blurred, transforming into streaks of light that shot out of the hall and vanished in an instant.
"To dare kill someone from my Fenglei Northern Pavilion in the Northern Region… you have chosen the path of death!"
Fei Tian slowly rose to his feet. Lightning continuously swirled and crackled around his body.
…
Meanwhile — the Han Family.
Pretending they had only just learned of the deaths of the Hong Family's high-ranking members, the Han Family seized the perfect opportunity. In one decisive strike, they completely annihilated the entire Hong Family.
The long-standing balance in Tianbei City—where both families had carved up territory and influence—was instantly broken. The Han Family swallowed all of the Hong Family's assets and territory, becoming the sole undisputed overlord of Tianbei City and controlling every resource within its walls.
…
A few days later.
Xiao Jietian sat leisurely in a teahouse, calmly watching the three elders below.
They were none other than the Elders of Wind, Thunder, and Lightning (Dian) from the Fenglei Northern Pavilion—sent to investigate the deaths.
"Big Brother, I've confirmed it. Second Brother tried to snatch someone else's medicinal pill… and was killed for it," Elder Dian reported quietly to Elder Feng.
"Then what are we waiting for? Is the person still here? Let's go capture him! Hmph, to dare kill someone from my Fenglei Northern Pavilion—I'd like to see how bold he really is!" the hot-tempered Elder Lei roared in anger.
Elder Dian hurriedly covered his mouth. "Third Brother—quiet!"
"Mmm mmm mmm~" Elder Lei was instantly muffled.
Elder Dian then carefully recounted everything that had happened in the valley.
Elder Feng's face darkened. This outcome was completely beyond expectation.
"Did Second Brother eat a bear's heart and a leopard's gall? To dare try snatching a pill from a Dou Zun…"
"And the Han Family actually dared to attack the Hong Family. Don't they know the Hong Family is an affiliated force of our Fenglei Northern Pavilion?" Elder Lei grumbled, already missing the annual tributes the Hong Family used to pay.
Now those good things were gone forever.
"Let's return and report to the Pavilion Master first. We'll discuss later," Elder Feng said. He just wanted to leave this troublesome place as quickly as possible.
What if the other party, still angry about Shen Yun, decided to take it out on them? Then they would have no place to cry.
The three exchanged glances and immediately headed toward the city gates.
"Sirs, where are you going in such a hurry?"
Two figures suddenly appeared in the void just outside the city gates, playfully blocking the three rapidly departing elders with faint smiles.
When Elder Dian saw Xiao Jietian's face, his pupils instantly shrank. The man's appearance perfectly matched the description from the intelligence they had gathered.
"Big Brother… that's him. That's the Dou Zun," Elder Dian transmitted urgently to Elder Feng.
Elder Feng's hand trembled slightly. Speak of the devil…
Just as he prepared to speak, Elder Lei beside him shouted loudly:
"Who are you? How dare you block our path? Do you want to die?"
He was already filled with grievance. They had just arrived wanting to show off their might, only to be forced to tuck tail and leave quietly. Now some random youngster dared block their way. Had the reputation of the Fenglei Northern Pavilion fallen so low that even their robes meant nothing anymore?
"Hmph. Die!"
Medusa, standing beside Xiao Jietian, turned ice-cold. Only she was allowed to scold her man—no one else!
Seven-colored energy surged in her palm. With a casual swing, it transformed mid-air into a gigantic python. Its blood-red mouth opened wide and lunged straight toward Elder Lei.
Elder Lei tried to circulate his Dou Qi to resist—but before he could even react, the giant python had already bitten down. His entire body was swallowed in an instant.
He struggled desperately inside, but it was futile. Not even a sound escaped.
Elder Feng and Elder Dian tried to rush forward to save him.
Crack! Pop!
But the moment they moved, two bolts of lightning struck them down, slamming them heavily into the ground and kicking up clouds of dust.
Inside the python's belly, Elder Lei was corroded by the venom of the seven-colored energy in less than three breaths.
When the giant python finally dissipated, nothing remained of Elder Lei except a puddle of black-red blood that splattered onto the ground and stained the surrounding earth.
A Three-star Dou Zong had died so tragically and pathetically.
Elder Feng and Elder Dian lay sprawled on the ground, struggling to lift their heads toward the man and woman in the sky. Their eyes were filled with pure terror.
Just now, both of them had felt the cold touch of death. They hadn't even seen clearly how the other party attacked.
At this moment, their bodies trembled uncontrollably—partly from the lightning strike, partly from sheer fear.
They were now absolutely certain: both people in the sky were Dou Zun, and at least mid-level or higher—because the aura radiating from both was far stronger than even their own Pavilion Master's.
Both of them cursed Shen Yun inwardly for being a brainless idiot. Provoking two Dou Zun—and now dragging them into the grave as well.
They even thought: If we meet him on the road to the Yellow Springs, we'll beat that fool to death again.
"It seems your Fenglei Northern Pavilion is quite united—coming so quickly to avenge your own," Xiao Jietian said with amusement, looking down at the two on the ground.
Blood continuously overflowed from their mouths. They wanted to speak, but couldn't. They only struggled on the ground, mumbling incoherently.
"It seems my guess was correct. Truly so. And now you're still glaring at me so fiercely… then I can't let you live."
Their hearts were screaming wildly: We didn't! We're not! We want to beg for mercy—but we're spitting blood and can't speak!
Feed me peanuts!! Feed me peanuts!!
"Hmm? Still daring to glare?" Xiao Jietian's face hardened. "Then I'll send you to reunite. Be more careful in your next life."
Elder Feng and Elder Dian: Are your eyes broken? Aren't we begging?!
Boom!
Thunder roared across the sky. Two thick bolts of lightning descended from above, striking directly onto Elder Feng and Elder Dian.
Xiao Jietian didn't even glance back. He took Medusa's hand and walked away together.
"Is this what you meant by a 'solution'?" Medusa turned her head, glanced at the deep smoking craters left by the lightning, then clasped Xiao Jietian's hand tighter. She looked at him with a puzzled yet faintly amused expression.