Chapter 889 - 887: Hong Xiaoxing Seeking Refuge

Chapter 889: Chapter 887: Hong Xiaoxing Seeking Refuge

Seeing this scene, many revealed looks of envy.

It was a top-tier ultimate treasure. With it in his possession, Xu Yang’s combat prowess would soar even higher. Moreover, he had previously obtained the Third-Grade High-Tier Purple Star Treasured Armor. Undoubtedly, he was the biggest winner at Hong Xiaoxing’s coming-of-age ceremony.

"Miss Hong," Xu Yang greeted.

"I really didn’t expect you to also be an Alchemist," Hong Xiaoxing said, sizing him up, her eyes full of surprise. This was something no one had foreseen.

"I stepped onto the Alchemy Dao by chance. However, since arriving in the Eastern Continent, I’ve rarely practiced Alchemy," Xu Yang said with a faint smile.

Hong Xiaoxing licked her lips and glanced at Hong Yichuan not far away before saying, "Follow me. I’ll give you the Black and White Meteor Tower first.

"When I first told you about it, I never expected you to actually win it."

Xu Yang slowly followed her and mused, "What is the condition I need to agree to for Hongtian Prefecture?"

"I’ll let my father explain it to you in a bit."

Xu Yang raised an eyebrow slightly. He could hear that the lightness in Hong Xiaoxing’s tone had diminished significantly when she said that. He thought, "It seems this won’t be simple."

He didn’t press the matter further and silently followed her deep into Hongtian Prefecture.

A moment later, they arrived at a grand hall. Inside, only Hong Xiaoxing and Hong Yichuan were present; the rest of Hongtian Prefecture’s experts had not shown themselves.

"Greetings, Mr. Hong," Xu Yang said, bowing respectfully.

Hong Yichuan gave a slight nod. With a raise of his hand, a distinctively black-and-white miniature tower appeared in his palm. It had nine levels in total.

"This is the Black and White Meteor Tower, a top-tier ultimate treasure. It has nine levels and contains a Grotto Heaven within. Not only can it stabilize the heaven and earth of a Grotto Heaven, but one can also hide inside it, concealing all traces completely."

Its efficacy was even more astonishing than Xu Yang had anticipated.

SWISH!

The Black and White Meteor Tower floated to a stop in front of Xu Yang. He didn’t take it immediately. Instead, he glanced at Hong Xiaoxing before turning his gaze to Hong Yichuan.

Hong Yichuan’s expression turned solemn as he said in a deep voice, "The condition you need to agree to for Hongtian Prefecture isn’t actually anything major.

"You should know about the Starfall Immortal Ruins, right?"

Xu Yang nodded, his heart stirring. He wondered, "The Starfall Immortal Ruins? Could it be?"

"Since Mr. Xu represents Heaven’s Edge Pavilion, I assume you’ll be entering with their team," Hong Yichuan continued. "When the time comes, I hope you can join forces with Hongtian Ancient City inside the Starfall Immortal Ruins."

Xu Yang paused, probing, "Mr. Hong, allying with Hongtian Ancient City should be a good thing for both myself and Heaven’s Edge Pavilion."

He wondered why such a good thing had felt so off when it was brought up earlier.

Hong Yichuan shook his head slightly and sighed softly. "It’s not that simple.

"This time, Hongtian Ancient City might be targeted. The Grotto Heaven Guard was prepared specifically for this."

Without waiting for Xu Yang to ask, he continued, "Hongtian Ancient City doesn’t have a massive faction in the Upper Realm. For generations, the cultivators of Hongtian Prefecture who ascended to the Upper Realm have chosen to join various other factions.

"Not long ago, our strongest expert in the Upper Realm perished in an accident.

"During this trip to the Starfall Immortal Ruins, we will definitely be targeted, and by more than one top-tier immortal sect."

Xu Yang’s heart skipped a beat.

The Upper Realm...

He immediately understood. With the fall of that strongest expert, Hongtian Prefecture had practically lost its foundation in the Upper Realm. They were now going to be targeted in the Black and White Star Heaven as well. Since Hong Yichuan was so certain of this, there had to be some hidden details that Xu Yang was unaware of. Being targeted by more than one top-tier immortal sect was indeed troublesome.

However, Xu Yang frowned and said, "Mr. Hong, I still need to discuss this matter with the Pavilion Master of Heaven’s Edge Pavilion."

He only represented Heaven’s Edge Pavilion; he couldn’t make decisions on their behalf.

Hearing this, Hong Yichuan smiled. "I’ve already spoken with Cang Feng just now. He said it depends on your willingness."

Xu Yang’s mind reeled. Hong Yichuan absolutely wouldn’t joke about such a major matter. But this issue had far-reaching implications. It would be one thing if it only affected him, but the entire Heaven’s Edge Pavilion was involved.

"Xu Yang, you actually don’t have any other choice," Hong Xiaoxing suddenly spoke up.

Xu Yang glanced sideways at her. The usual lighthearted playfulness on her face was gone, replaced by solemn gravity.

"You’ve offended the Vajra Sect and the Canglan River," she explained. "As for the other major immortal sects, they will all be fighting for themselves inside the Starfall Immortal Ruins. As a genius from the Northern Province, you’ll naturally be targeted by all sides.

"Even if Hongtian Prefecture is targeted, we still have our underlying foundations.

"With you here, Celestial Sword Mountain can actually be won over. Even if they don’t want to form an alliance, we can at least ensure they won’t target us."

Hong Xiaoxing’s analysis was incredibly thorough.

Hong Yichuan added, "Of course, if you are unwilling, the Black and White Meteor Tower will still belong to you.

"However, if you are willing, in addition to the Black and White Meteor Tower, Hongtian Prefecture will provide any other treasures you need to stabilize the space of a Grotto Heaven, free of charge."

Xu Yang revealed a bitter smile.

In truth, there wasn’t much to hesitate about. Even Cang Feng was willing to leave the decision up to him. No matter how much Hongtian Prefecture was targeted, it was still a top-tier immortal sect. He was just one person among them. This was actually a good thing for him. He would no longer be a lone wolf. If it were only Heaven’s Edge Pavilion, they would still face attacks from all sides upon entering, potentially dragging the pavilion down. But with Hongtian Prefecture, they would have the confidence to fight back.

"It is my honor to ally and join forces with Hongtian Prefecture," Xu Yang declared, casting aside his hesitation.

A smile spread across Hong Yichuan’s face. Suddenly, he added, "There is one more thing.

"I wish to speak with the Sect Leader of Black Fire Immortal Mountain."

Xu Yang froze, his eyes full of suspicion. The Starfall Immortal Ruins was a peerless sanctuary of the Eastern Continent; the Northern Province couldn’t even get involved. Why would Hong Yichuan want to speak with the Sect Leader? He couldn’t quite figure it out.

At that moment, Hong Xiaoxing pursed her lips and got straight to the point. "I want to seek asylum.

"Not just in the Black and White Star Heaven, but in the Nine-Moon Ring Heaven—the Upper Realm.

"That Upper Realm expert of Hongtian Prefecture was hunted down and killed by enemies, and there are still other foes remaining.

"Coupled with the instigation of certain factions and experts in the Upper Realm, these moves against Hongtian Prefecture have surfaced. After all, Hongtian Prefecture is a top-tier immortal sect in the Black and White Star Heaven, occupying an astonishing amount of resources. If the other factions can carve us up, it would be a massive boost for them.

"Therefore, after stepping into the Upper Realm, I will need the protection of a powerful faction.

"Originally, my father and I hadn’t considered Black Fire Immortal Mountain, until your rise."

Hong Xiaoxing paused and took a deep breath before continuing, "A Ninth Grade Immortal Foundation, an existence comparable to Di Qinghe, and a Pill Master. Even the Black Fire Immortal Mountain in the Upper Realm will place unparalleled importance on you.

"Your stance plays a crucially important role."

Xu Yang fell silent.

He had never imagined there would be so many hidden layers. He had initially thought it was just a simple partnership. This matter was far more important than allying with Heaven’s Edge Pavilion. Naturally, he couldn’t make decisions on behalf of Black Fire Immortal Mountain, let alone its Upper Realm sect. Hong Yichuan and the sect would have to negotiate personally.

Xu Yang gave a slight nod. With a single thought, he triggered the Array Imprint within his Primordial Spirit Space.

BUZZ!

A strand of profound ripples spread out. Xu Yang immediately felt his Seed Disciple Token trembling. He quickly took it out and tapped it with his finger.

WHOOSH!

An illusory figure rose from it, rapidly solidifying. It was none other than the Sect Leader of Black Fire Immortal Mountain, Tongmin Golden Immortal.

"Xu Yang, what happened? Hmm?" Tongmin Golden Immortal had barely spoken before he sensed something was off. His eyebrows shot up. Forgoing any further questions, he shifted his gaze to Hong Yichuan. "Could you be Mr. Hong of Hongtian Prefecture?"

"Indeed."

Hong Yichuan stood up and offered a respectful bow with cupped fists, his face beaming with a smile. "Tongmin, it was I who asked Xu Yang to summon you."

"Oh?"

Tongmin turned his head and cast a glance at Xu Yang, who wore a helpless expression.

At that moment, Hong Yichuan waved his sleeve. A restriction barrier materialized out of thin air, enveloping him and Tongmin Golden Immortal.

Whatever was said inside was completely inaudible to Xu Yang and Hong Xiaoxing on the outside.

Xu Yang couldn’t help but look at Hong Xiaoxing. "Has the situation for Hongtian Prefecture truly reached such a desperate state?"