Chapter 125: The Flying Pavilion of Jade

The honor of jointly slaying a Spirit-Refining stage Immortal Master belonged solely to Xu Xuan and another, becoming the only cause for pride and solace after the disciples of the two sects had been utterly annihilated. Though the Star Feather Mountain lineage was swallowed by darkness today, a faint glimmer of dawn soon emerged.

At this moment, the first light of dawn spread its gentle crimson glow across the horizon, as if heralding new hope.

“I suggest we split into two groups and flee,” Xu Xuan said, his gaze briefly sweeping over the disciples of both sects as he discussed with Nie Han.

With Senior Brother Yun deceased, Xu Xuan had naturally become the authoritative figure among the disciples of the Wind Feather Sect, despite not being a direct disciple.

“Agreed. Our disciples from both sects will divide into two teams,” Nie Han nodded in agreement.

Although they had escaped immediate peril, misfortune could still strike if they encountered the pursuing Spirit-Refining Immortal Masters. Splitting up would increase their chances of survival.

Nie Han quickly led Sword Sect disciples Zhong Hong and Bai Pan in a different direction.

Before leaving, Zhong Hong glanced back with reluctance and said to Yu Qin, “Junior Sister, I will come for you.”

Yu Qin, faced with his burning gaze, turned her side away in irritation. When they were on the mountain, Zhong Hong had persistently pestered her, even resorting to physical advances. Even the kind and innocent Yu Qin gradually found herself growing weary of him.

The three from the Sword Sect departed, leaving five from the Wind Feather Immortal Sect: Xu Xuan, Le Feng, Yang Xiaoqian, Yu Qin, and an inner disciple surnamed Wei who was at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement and left little impression.

“Junior Brother Xu, now that the sect is destroyed, where should we go?” Le Feng asked, somewhat lost.

“We have only two choices: leave Huanglong City or seek refuge with the Zhang family,” Xu Xuan replied, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

Huanglong City was dominated by the Eastern family’s overwhelming power, making survival difficult unless they allied with the Zhang family, the only force capable of opposing the Easterns.

“The Zhang family has long opposed the Easterns; the enemy of my enemy is my friend, that much is true. But with our cultivation levels, I doubt the Zhangs would regard us highly,” Le Feng frowned.

Leaving Huanglong City would be clean but harsh, for it was their homeland filled with deep emotions.

Joining the Zhang family might enable them to leverage its strength to crush the Eastern clan.

“I happen to know the heir of the Zhang family; joining them won’t be difficult, but…” Xu Xuan paused, his expression faltering slightly.

He had a streak of pride and ambition. Just days ago, he had refused an invitation from the Zhang family’s eldest daughter. Now, with his sect destroyed, joining their family felt like submitting to others.

“I didn’t expect you to have this connection, but you seem troubled,” Le Feng said, puzzled.

“Don’t worry. The Zhang family would be glad to gain more enemies against the Easterns,” Xu Xuan smiled faintly, though hesitantly added, “As for me, I might leave Huanglong City.”

The group of five sped away, growing ever farther from Star Feather Mountain, seemingly out of danger.

Yet, before half an incense stick’s time had passed, a ripple of spiritual energy stirred ahead in the void.

In the distance, a floating tower appeared, slowly approaching Star Feather Mountain.

Their faces changed sharply—it was clearly a large flying artifact, only controllable by an Immortal Master of at least the Spirit-Refining stage.

“Could it be reinforcements from the Eastern family?”

Yang Xiaoqian and the others paled with apprehension.

Suddenly, two figures shot out from the floating tower, riding their artifacts at tremendous speed. They were unmistakably Spirit-Refining Immortal Masters, fierce and unyielding, heading straight for them. The crushing pressure of their divine senses made everyone’s hearts race and faces turn pale.

“This is bad! Our luck is terrible—we’ve run into reinforcements from the Eastern family,” Le Feng gritted his teeth, already preparing for a fight to the death.

Xu Xuan felt a chill. Facing two Spirit-Refining Immortal Masters simultaneously, even with Nie Han present, there was no chance of victory.

In mere breaths, the two Immortal Masters had arrived.

“Hahaha, these fledglings... clearly deserters from Star Feather Mountain,” a burly man in a golden-spotted beast robe laughed heartily.

“Hmm!” The other elder in a magical robe fixed his gaze on a young man from the Wind Feather Sect and softly uttered, “It’s him...”

Xu Xuan quickly recognized the elder as the Hu family elder who had escorted him out of Huanglong City before—an official of the Zhang Tianling Tower, a name deeply ingrained in his memory.

“To the death!” Le Feng’s face hardened with resolve as he began channeling his power.

The others prepared for a mutual destruction scenario.

“Stop!” Xu Xuan shouted sharply, halting their collective fury. He stepped forward, slightly bowing with clasped fists. “So it is you, Senior.”

“Heh, Xu Xuan, it’s good you’re alive. The young master was very worried about your safety, even the eldest miss made an exception and sent the family’s ‘Jade Qiong Flying Pavilion’,” the elder said kindly, treating Xu Xuan with great respect.

Le Feng and the others were stunned, unsure what was going on. But then they recalled Xu Xuan’s earlier mention of knowing the Zhang family’s young master.

“This is Elder Hu from the Zhang family...” Xu Xuan introduced briefly.

“You’re Xu Xuan?” The burly man beside Elder Hu stared at him wide-eyed.

“This is the young master’s third uncle, Zhang Tiankui,” Elder Hu respectfully introduced with a slight bow, eyes filled with reverence.

Zhang Tiankui—the third uncle of the Zhang family! Xu Xuan was moved. Judging by his aura, his cultivation surpassed that of the Wind Feather Sect’s Palm Sovereign and the Starfire Sword King—likely a powerful Spirit-Refining stage master.

“Greetings, Uncle,” Xu Xuan bowed slightly, neither servile nor arrogant.

Behind him, Le Feng and the others dared not breathe loudly, shocked to be facing such high-ranking Zhang family figures.

Zhang Tiankui appraised Xu Xuan and praised, “Not bad. Only those who pass Yu Han’s discerning eye are no ordinary young talents. If not for her and Feng’s recommendation, I wouldn’t have come out with you.”

Xu Xuan was surprised; as a minor sect cultivator, he never expected the Zhang family’s young master and eldest miss to take an interest in him.

“You’re safe, that’s good. Let’s board the ‘Jade Qiong Flying Pavilion’ together. The eldest miss is waiting upstairs,” Elder Hu urged.

As he finished speaking, the exquisite pavilion swiftly arrived nearby.

Before it stood an extraordinarily beautiful young lady, delicate and radiant as if carved from flawless jade porcelain. Her brows were perfectly arched like a painting, eyes gentle as autumn rain, exquisite beyond compare. She wore a flowing azure robe, her skirt fluttering softly in the breeze, exuding a noble and refined grace.

As the most beautiful maiden in Huanglong, her presence before the Jade Pavilion stunned the Wind Feather sect members. Le Feng was momentarily dazed before regaining composure, while the inner disciple Wei was utterly entranced, unable to look away.

Compared to her, Yang Xiaoqian’s bright beauty paled in comparison, both in appearance and demeanor.

“Xu Xuan, we finally found you,” Zhang Yuhan said, a delighted smile blooming on her elegant face.

The group ascended the Jade Qiong Flying Pavilion together.

Once aboard, Xu Xuan subtly sensed the power of a refining formation within. Such a large flying artifact was enormous, far beyond the control of one or two Spirit-Refining Immortal Masters alone. It relied on the refining formation’s power, constantly consuming the spiritual energy stored in spirit stones.

They sat in a tasteful parlor inside. Zhang Tiankui naturally took the seat of honor, followed by Zhang Yuhan, then Elder Hu and the others.

Le Feng and company felt both honored and overwhelmed, though all credit went to Xu Xuan. As mere minor sect disciples, they would never have had such privilege.

Zhang Yuhan mainly conversed with Xu Xuan, while the others refrained from asking questions.

As elders, Zhang Tiankui and Elder Hu soon departed, leaving the younger generation to talk.

“I deeply regret the destruction of your sect. The Eastern family’s scheme was long-planned and sudden—our Zhang family was powerless to intervene,” Zhang Yuhan spoke for a while, then smiled gently at Xu Xuan, “Now, may I ask your intentions? Do you and your companions wish to join the Zhang family?”

This offer stirred excitement among Le Feng and the others—they had not expected such an invitation.

Xu Xuan paused briefly before replying, “I hope these senior brothers and sisters will join the Zhang family, but I have other plans and may leave Huanglong City.”

“Xu Xuan, won’t you reconsider?” Zhang Yuhan’s rare playful and mischievous expression emerged, revealing her understanding of him.

“Yuhan, he’s just a deserter from a small sect. Why be so polite?” a hawk-nosed youth in fine robes entered the room with a disdainful look.

The Wind Feather sect disciples grew awkward.

“Cousin! Xu Xuan is a friend of mine and Feng’s, a distinguished guest of the Zhang family. How can you be so rude?” Zhang Yuhan frowned, displeased.

The hawk-nosed youth smiled sheepishly and sat down quietly, no longer resisting.

“That’s my cousin, Lin Hui. He’s sharp-tongued; don’t take it personally,” Zhang Yuhan explained with a smile.

Xu Xuan glanced at Lin Hui, about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, already at the eighth stage of Qi Refinement, comparable in talent to Senior Brother Yun.

“Yuhan, I’m not being sharp-tongued—that’s the truth,” Lin Hui retorted, flustered. He snorted coldly and stared at Xu Xuan. “Xu Xuan, I heard about you from the young master. A foundation at the ninth stage of Body Refinement? With such credentials, you’re so full of yourself. I, Lin, intend to humble that pride.”

Xu Xuan ignored him entirely.

“Aren’t you strong in body cultivation? Our Zhang family has a guest cultivator specializing in body refinement, a disappearing branch of cultivation known as ‘Physical Cultivators.’ Even he would show you some respect,” Lin Hui sneered.

Physical cultivators?

Xu Xuan’s expression flickered with curiosity. The remnants of his past life’s suspicions were confirmed—physical cultivation existed in later eras but gradually declined and was forgotten.

As an ancient physical cultivator himself, he was naturally intrigued by their later counterparts and even wished to meet them.