Chapter 835: Calculations

As Yi Qiushui had said, about an hour later, the seven people she had notified, including Ye Bingling, gathered at the Pavilion Master's Building. Zhou Yuan met them. Leading the group were Vice Pavilion Master Ye Bingling, along with familiar commanders such as Xiao Hong and Lu Mingyue. However, the last person surprised Zhou Yuan, as it was Shang Xiaoling, who had only recently joined the Wind Pavilion.

Shang Xiaoling was somewhat petite with a beautiful face, but a scar between her right eyebrow and eye gave her a fierce edge. She was a woman of few words, but Zhou Yuan understood that for a woman to rise to her current level as a rogue cultivator, her experiences must have been far more perilous than a man's.

"Don't underestimate her. When it comes to real life-or-death combat, Xiao Hong and the others might not be able to beat Shang Xiaoling," Yi Qiushui quickly said when she saw Zhou Yuan's gaze lingering on Shang Xiaoling.

Zhou Yuan smiled at Shang Xiaoling; he was merely surprised, not doubting her strength.

"Yi Qiushui has probably already told you why I've gathered you here," Zhou Yuan said, turning his gaze to the seven people before him with a smile. "I plan to take on a mission to hunt a Heaven Incinerating Beast – a heavily injured one, of course."

"However, even a heavily injured Heaven Incinerating Beast would be difficult for me to handle alone, so I need your help."

"The mission is somewhat dangerous, of course. If you truly don't wish to go, I won't force you."

Ye Bingling, as usual, was direct: "When do we leave?"

Zhou Yuan was caught off guard and about to say something, but Ye Bingling rolled her eyes at him. "Don't be so long-winded. Since everyone came, they naturally have no objections. Besides, it's just a heavily injured Heaven Incinerating Beast; it's nothing significant." Zhou Yuan smiled helplessly. He knew that things weren't as simple as Ye Bingling made them sound; a heavily injured Heaven Incinerating Beast was indeed significant. After all, even a heavily injured Heaven Sun stage expert was a whole major cultivation realm above their Divine Dwelling stage.

Nevertheless, Zhou Yuan was still somewhat gratified to learn of their willingness. He had truly gained complete control of the Wind Pavilion, and most importantly, he had captured their hearts.

Although this loyalty stemmed from the benefits he provided to all Wind Pavilion members, Zhou Yuan wasn't overly sentimental. In this world, benefits were the most stable chains. Without true bonds forged through life-and-death experiences, talking about mere friendship often felt tiresome.

"Since that's the case, I won't waste words being overly polite. For this mission, regardless of success or failure, I will cover the cost of high-quality Wind Mother Runes for your cultivation from now on," Zhou Yuan said with a smile.

At these words, the seven individuals immediately showed pleasant surprise; even Ye Bingling's beautiful eyes lit up. The usually quiet Shang Xiaoling even swallowed softly. As a rogue cultivator, she used to risk her life for even the smallest cultivation resources; she had never seen such a generous gesture from Zhou Yuan.

Moreover, the most crucial point was that high-quality Wind Mother Runes couldn't be bought externally; only Zhou Yuan possessed them.

"Heh heh, if the Pavilion Master's generosity gets out, those who didn't participate in this mission will probably regret it so much they'll pound the ground!" Xiao Hong said gleefully.

The others nodded in agreement, all smiling.

Seeing everyone's satisfaction, Zhou Yuan also smiled and said, "Since there are no objections, please go back and prepare. We will depart in three days."

He left three days open because he also needed to make necessary preparations for hunting the Heaven Incinerating Beast.

"Yes!" The seven replied in unison.

Three days passed quickly. On the third day, after Zhou Yuan rendezvoused with Ye Bingling, Xiao Hong, and Shang Xiaoling, the group immediately left Wind Island.

Soon after Zhou Yuan and his team departed. On Fire Island, inside the Pavilion Master's Building, Lu Xiao sat expressionlessly at the head of the room. Below him were Fang Ao, Zhu Lian, and other Vice Pavilion Masters of the Fire Pavilion.

"Boss, did you call us here for something?" Fang Ao asked casually.

Lu Xiao chuckled faintly. "Weren't you annoyed with Zhou Yuan for a long time? Well, now an opportunity has arisen, hasn't it?"

A fierce glint flashed in Fang Ao's eyes as he said with delight, "What opportunity?"

Lu Xiao flicked his finger, sending a mission scroll flying from beside him. "The news I've received is that Zhou Yuan, along with Ye Bingling and the others, has left the Heaven Abyss Realm. Their objective is to hunt a heavily injured Heaven Incinerating Beast." Their Heaven Spirit Sect had eyes and ears throughout the Heaven Abyss Realm; even at the mission assignment station, they had their people, so it wasn't difficult for him to know Zhou Yuan's movements.

Fang Ao took the mission scroll and quickly scanned it, saying with some surprise, "This kid really has guts, daring to target a Heaven Incinerating Beast? What's he trying to do?"

"What he's trying to do isn't important. What's important is that he's given us the best opportunity." Lu Xiao lightly tapped the table with his finger, saying indifferently, "Inside the Heaven Abyss Realm, we couldn't touch him. But once they leave, the Heaven Abyss Territory is inherently full of hidden dangers. And they're going to hunt a Heaven Incinerating Beast—who's to say they won't just die in the beast's mouth?"

Fang Ao understood, grinning cruelly. "Boss, do you mean we should intercept them during their mission?"

Lu Xiao nodded gently. "It's best to capture them alive. Zhu Lian has a way to glimpse memories; perhaps then we can find the core item he uses to refine the Four-Origin Rune."

Fang Ao parted his lips, revealing menacing white teeth, his eyes filled with malice. "Alright, I'll break his arms and legs, then throw him to Zhu Lian to deal with."

"I've wanted to kill that brat for a long time!"

Lu Xiao nodded slightly. Although such an attack on the Wind Pavilion Master was somewhat against the rules, the Heaven Abyss Territory was currently thriving, with their Heaven Spirit Sect at its peak. As long as they handled it cleanly, it shouldn't cause too much trouble. A Wind Pavilion Master, in the Heaven Abyss Realm, truly wasn't considered much in the grand scheme of things.

Originally, Lu Xiao hadn't intended to use such external methods, but the Four-Origin Rune had dealt too great a blow to their Fire Pavilion. In the long run, it could even destroy the foundation of their Fire Pavilion, so Lu Xiao was already impatient and couldn't wait another four months.

Now that Zhou Yuan had foolishly given him such a good opportunity, he naturally didn't need to be polite anymore.

Lu Xiao said, "Originally, I planned to go myself, but as the Fire Pavilion Master, I'm quite conspicuous, so I must remain in the Fire Pavilion to attract attention."

"A mere Wind Pavilion Master hardly requires your personal involvement, Boss," Fang Ao said carelessly. He sneered, "This time, I'll make sure that kid understands that not every stray dog or cat is qualified to bounce around in front of our Fire Pavilion!"

Lu Xiao saw his attitude and warned, "Don't be careless. That kid managed to defeat Chen Beifeng with only a mid-stage Divine Dwelling cultivation, which is rather peculiar."

Fang Ao slightly curled his lip but still nodded.

Lu Xiao sighed helplessly at Fang Ao's demeanor, but considering Fang Ao's strength, he didn't say anything more. In his view, among the current Four Pavilions, apart from himself, Han Yuan, and Mu Liu, Fang Ao's strength was likely the greatest among the rest.

Chen Beifeng, whom Zhou Yuan had defeated, was nothing compared to Fang Ao.

"Go gather your men," he waved his hand and said.

Fang Ao nodded and turned to leave impatiently, the murderous glint in his eyes extremely chilling.

Lu Xiao watched Fang Ao and Zhu Lian leave, then let out a soft sigh of relief. He narrowed his eyes, gazing into the distance, and said faintly, "Zhou Yuan, Zhou Yuan, since you refuse my toast, don't blame me."

"Don't worry, once I obtain the method for refining the Four-Origin Rune, I will certainly ensure it is widely passed down."