Chapter 77: Impact

When the sun first rose, Xia Xinyan returned to the Ethereal Pavilion.

The two towering giants had been waiting at the Ethereal Pavilion. Seeing her return, they rushed forward anxiously and asked in unison, "Is Miss alright?"

Shaking her head, Xia Xinyan replied, "I'm fine. The Ruyi Pill from the Yang family is indeed a miraculous medicine of the Endless Sea. I'm fine now."

The Ethereal Pavilion covered a vast area, with over a dozen high-rise buildings. Although a few had collapsed this time, it did not affect the normal operation of the Ethereal Pavilion.

Arriving at the highest building in the Ethereal Pavilion, the Treasure Gathering Tower, Xia Xinyan sat down on the ninth floor.

Kuluo, bowing his body, gritted his teeth and said, "How dare Beiming Shang hurt Miss? What do you plan to do about the Beiming family?"

"For now, don't worry about the Beiming family."

Xia Xinyan's expression was calm, "I came here for the treasure map of the Heavenly Gate. The Beiming family is not my target. Beiming Shang has the realm of a Celestial Rank, while my true realm is only at the Third Heaven of a Hundred Tribulations. Even with the use of the 'Reincarnation Martial Soul,' I can barely match him. After this, if Beiming Shang is sensible, he won't dare to do anything to our Ethereal Pavilion. Otherwise, when the Asura King Xiao Han Yi arrives, I will make Beiming Shang pay!"

"Miss, the Celestial Rank expert who came this time should... should not be from the Mo family. If the Mo family had a Celestial Rank expert, they wouldn't let the Shi family bully them." Kuluo hesitated for a moment before stammering.

"I know it's not from the Mo family." To his surprise, Xia Xinyan nodded, agreeing with Kuluo's judgment.

"Then why did you attack the Mo family?" Kuluo was taken aback, his face full of confusion.

"Without attacking the Mo family, how could we cooperate with the one who truly possesses the treasure map?" Xia Xinyan smiled lightly. "We need a scapegoat. Otherwise, if the Ethereal Pavilion remains silent after such a big incident, others would think we are easy to bully."

"Miss, you want to divert everyone's attention?" Kuluo's eyes lit up, immediately understanding her true intentions.

"Yes, let everyone focus on the Mo family. This way, we can cooperate with the other party and quietly explore the Heavenly Gate. With the chaos in the Fallen City, we can accomplish our tasks sooner." Xia Xinyan nodded, speaking calmly. "The Celestial Rank expert who came has a unique martial soul that can form a mist. Although he didn't truly use his martial soul, I know its characteristics. Do you know which Celestial Rank expert has a martial soul like this?"

"Chixiao!"

Kuluo answered without hesitation, surprised. "Chixiao is a Celestial Rank expert from the Cloudy Mist Mountains and is on good terms with the Zuo family. Could it be that the Zuo family acted this time? That's impossible! Could the other half of the map be in the hands of the Zuo family?"

"It can't be wrong." Xia Xinyan pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "We shouldn't delay. I will personally go to the Zuo family and settle this matter as soon as possible to avoid any complications."

"Miss, why don't I go instead?"

"It's fine. Chixiao knows he can't hold me, so the Zuo family won't act rashly."

Xia Xinyan stayed at the Ethereal Pavilion for only a quarter of an hour. After figuring out who the attacker was, she immediately left alone.

...

The Zuo family.

Zuo Xu and Chixiao were still discussing in a secret room.

"Knock knock!"

Suddenly, a clear knocking sound came from the wall of the secret room.

Zuo Xu was taken aback, leaning towards a bamboo tube in the wall and asked, "What's the matter?"

"A woman wearing a hood from the Ethereal Pavilion wants to meet the family head."

"It's that girl!" Chixiao immediately exclaimed in surprise.

Zuo Xu's expression was uncertain, pacing slowly in the secret room. After a while, he frowned and said, "Could the Ethereal Pavilion already know it was us? But that doesn't make sense. If they really knew it was us, why would they attack the Mo family? This is strange."

"Why don't you go out and see her? I won't go." Chixiao hesitated for a moment and then said, "See what she wants."

"Alright."

...

In the Zuo family's secret guest room, Zuo Xu sat calmly, looking at Xia Xinyan, who was wearing a hood, and smiled, "May I know your name, miss?"

"Xia Xinyan."

"Miss Xia, what brings you to our Zuo family? Recently, our family hasn't had any financial disputes with the Ethereal Pavilion, has it?"

"Where is Chixiao?" Xia Xinyan shook her head and asked casually.

Zuo Xu's expression changed slightly but quickly calmed down, puzzled, "Why do you ask, Miss Xia? Chixiao has always been cultivating in the Cloudy Mist Mountains. Do you know him?"

"We fought yesterday, so the impression is quite strong." Xia Xinyan sat down naturally and slowly drank tea.

Zuo Xu's expression kept changing, his smile somewhat forced, "Miss Xia, are you mistaken? The one who attacked the Ethereal Pavilion yesterday was from the Mo family, right?"

"Family Head Zuo, I didn't come here to settle scores today." Xia Xinyan's eyes showed some impatience, "On the contrary, I came to discuss cooperation sincerely."

Saying that, Xia Xinyan took out the half of the dark yellow treasure map from her chest and placed it on the table between her and Zuo Xu, speaking calmly, "This half of the treasure map is here. Family Head Zuo, let's not beat around the bush. Let's combine the two halves of the map and figure out the location of the Heavenly Gate. We can set off immediately. Family Head Zuo, don't waste everyone's time! Everyone is focusing on the Mo family, so we can take the opportunity to explore the Heavenly Gate. What do you think?"

Xia Xinyan was relentless, not treating Zuo Xu, the head of the family, with any respect. Her purpose was very clear—she was here for the other half of the treasure map!

Zuo Xu couldn't quite gauge Xia Xinyan's intentions, unsure if she truly wanted to cooperate or was just testing them to attack the Zuo family.

Since Xia Xinyan had the realm of a Celestial Rank, Zuo Xu didn't dare to speak rashly, his mind racing with thoughts.

"Family Head Zuo, I don't like to waste time. I also don't like to mix personal grudges into business. Chixiao was sensible and immediately withdrew when he discovered I had the realm of a Celestial Rank. Neither of us was hurt, so there's no grudge. I came for the treasure map, not to settle scores. Is that clear enough?"

Xia Xinyan frowned, looking at Zuo Xu coldly, growing increasingly impatient.

Zuo Xu's expression was uncertain, pondering for a long time. He vaguely felt that Xia Xinyan didn't seem to be here to settle scores. After some thought, he gritted his teeth and said, "That half of the map is not in my possession."

"Then who has it?" Xia Xinyan's eyes lit up.

"It's with Shi Jian."

"Then there's nothing to discuss. I'll go find Shi Jian." Xia Xinyan put the half of the treasure map back on the table and stood up, speaking calmly, "Family Head Zuo, I've disturbed you today. Goodbye."

"I'll go with you!"

Zuo Xu also stood up hurriedly, thinking to himself: You are really practical. As soon as you heard I don't have the map, your attitude changed completely. You truly live up to being the head of the Ethereal Pavilion, a typical merchant!

"Is it related to you?" Xia Xinyan was surprised.

Zuo Xu's expression turned sour, huffing, "Shi Jian and I are partners! The exploration of the Heavenly Gate involves my family. Do you think it's not related to me?"

"Oh, then let's go together." Xia Xinyan said casually.

"Wait, I'll call one more person." Zuo Xu forced a smile at Xia Xinyan, "Chixiao will also come. You said you don't mind, right?"

"Sure, I don't mind. Having Chixiao along will be more secure."

...

At the Shi family, in Shi Yan's private stone building, on the third floor.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Shi Yan's expression was solemn, focusing intently, clearly sensing the abundant elemental energy in the air.

Calmly, with his eyes closed, Shi Yan circulated his essence energy.

After seven major cycles, his expression suddenly turned fierce!

The thick essence energy in his body surged like a breached river, suddenly rushing into his left arm.

The essence energy, like a wild horse, surged wildly in his left arm, causing it to tremble slightly, and sweat appeared on his face.

"Roar!"

Shi Yan suddenly roared, the essence energy surging into his left wrist, rushing rapidly towards his ring finger.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

The essence energy, like a sword, burst out from his left ring finger!

The intense essence energy emitted a bright white light, repeatedly impacting the barrier inside the blood-patterned ring.

Shi Yan's expression was fierce, his face turning a strange red, his focus unprecedentedly intense!

"Pop!"

A clear sound suddenly came from the blood-patterned ring.

The blood-patterned ring suddenly emitted a brilliant light, the strange light radiating like sunlight, illuminating the third floor of the stone building brilliantly.

A strange wave of energy, centered on the stone building, suddenly spread out in all directions.

(End of the chapter)