Chapter 847: United Suppression

After the disciplinary outcome regarding Fang Ao was announced, it undoubtedly caused a huge stir among the Four Pavilions. No one had expected Fang Ao to so blatantly disregard the rules by directly attempting to assassinate Zhou Yuan in secret.

Many people inwardly felt a great deal of disdain for this, yet dared not openly show it due to the might of the Fire Pavilion. However, whenever Fire Pavilion members encountered those from the other three pavilions, especially the Wind and Wood Pavilions, they would sense the contempt in their eyes. This left them feeling stifled and unable to retort.

After all, such underhanded tactics were truly despicable.

Therefore, they could only curse Fang Ao mercilessly in their hearts to vent their frustration.

Inside the Fire Pavilion's master building, Lu Xiao sat impassively at the head. Below him were Zhu Lian and the other deputy pavilion masters of the Fire Pavilion. The atmosphere was exceptionally oppressive, and everyone's expressions were exceedingly grim because an elder from the Heaven Spirit Sect had previously arrived, bearing the decree of Sect Master Xuankun, and had severely reprimanded all of them.

Their miscalculation this time had caused Sect Master Xuankun to suffer a setback in his confrontation with Xi Jing, even nearly costing him a position on the Elder Council.

"This incident was my mistake," Lu Xiao slowly spoke after a long silence.

Zhu Lian hastily said, "Pavilion Master, this has nothing to do with you. It's all because that scoundrel Zhou Yuan was too cunning, hiding so much of his strength."

They had initially thought that even if Fang Ao's assassination attempt failed, it wouldn't be difficult for him to escape. But no one expected Zhou Yuan's strength to have improved so much in just over a month, instantly killing Fang Ao with a single move.

Moreover, even when Governor Xiguang intervened, he couldn't decisively deal with Zhou Yuan and almost put himself in jeopardy instead.

If Sect Master Xuankun hadn't stepped forward and directly pinned all the blame on Fang Ao, even Zhu Lian himself would likely have been implicated this time.

"With his current foundation of twenty million Genesis Qi stars, only the three of us pavilion masters in the entire Four Pavilions can suppress him," Lu Xiao said, taking a deep breath, his eyes slightly shadowed. Zhou Yuan's rapid progress truly astonished him.

"We all underestimated him... If I'm not mistaken, that fellow's Divine Dwelling is probably a mutated Nine Divine Dwelling."

The expressions of the other deputy pavilion masters subtly changed upon hearing this. A mutated Nine Divine Dwelling was quite rare, seldom seen even on the Divine Dwelling Rankings of the Hunyuan Heaven. No wonder Zhou Yuan could achieve such an astonishing foundation in the mid-Divine Dwelling stage. They had only speculated that Zhou Yuan might possess a mutated Seven Divine Dwelling, but now, it seemed they had still severely underestimated him.

"Although he now possesses a foundation of twenty million Genesis Qi stars, it would still not be difficult for me to suppress him."

"However, the prerequisite is that we cannot allow him to make significant further improvements before the Pavilion Chief Selection arrives."

"Therefore, for next month's Heaven Flame Ritual..."

Cold light flickered in Lu Xiao's eyes: "We must completely cut off the Wind Pavilion from gaining any benefits from it!"

This Heaven Flame Ritual was originally supposed to be distributed by quota, with the Fire Pavilion claiming forty percent. However, the elder who came earlier conveyed a decree stating that this Heaven Flame Ritual would become a free-for-all contest.

This meant that this year's Heaven Flame Ritual would be unexpectedly intense.

No one in the Fire Pavilion, including Lu Xiao, dared to underestimate the threat posed by Zhou Yuan anymore. They had no doubt that if they relaxed even slightly, Zhou Yuan would undoubtedly gain immense benefits from the Heaven Flame Ritual. If his strength were to surge again, he might truly pose a threat to Lu Xiao in the Pavilion Chief Selection.

And the elder who conveyed the decree earlier had also subtly cautioned them about this point.

"Zhu Lian, capturing Heavenly Sunflame during the Heaven Flame Ritual requires using soul power as a net. When it comes to soul cultivation, you are considered the strongest in our Fire Pavilion, so we will center our efforts around you for this Heaven Flame Ritual," Lu Xiao said, looking at Zhu Lian.

Heavenly Sunflame can burn Genesis Qi, so its capture requires soul power. While Lu Xiao's combat power is the strongest, his soul cultivation is not as strong as Zhu Lian's, which means his role in the Heaven Flame Ritual might be less effective than Zhu Lian's.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lian immediately responded, "Pavilion Master, rest assured, the overall strength of our Fire Pavilion far surpasses that of the Wind Pavilion. We are sure to be the biggest winners in the Heaven Flame Ritual."

While Zhu Lian might not have the courage to fight Zhou Yuan with Genesis Qi now, he had no fear of the opponent if it came to a soul-power contest. After all, his soul cultivation among the younger generation of the Heaven Spirit Sect was considered top-tier.

And in the Heaven Flame Ritual, what matters is not Genesis Qi cultivation, but soul cultivation!

Lu Xiao shook his head. "You're wrong," he said. "This time, our goal isn't for the Fire Pavilion to be the biggest winner..."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Our goal is to ensure the Wind Pavilion gains nothing! We must prevent Zhou Yuan from using this opportunity to increase his strength!"

Zhu Lian was startled and hesitantly said, "But with the Fire Pavilion's strength, even if we can firmly suppress the Wind Pavilion, I still think they will eventually manage to acquire some Heavenly Sunflame. After all, we can't directly blockade them."

"If the Fire Pavilion alone cannot do it, then we'll team up with others."

Lu Xiao said coldly, "I have already informed Han Yuan. The Mountain Pavilion will also join forces to completely block the Wind Pavilion, preventing them from getting much Heavenly Sunflame."

"The Mountain Pavilion will also make a move?"

Lu Xiao lowered his eyelids slightly. "To be safe," he said, "I will also go and see Mu Liu of the Wood Pavilion today. If the Wood Pavilion is willing to join forces with us now, I guarantee they will receive thirty percent of the Heavenly Sunflame quota."

"Thirty percent?" Zhu Lian was startled. If that were the case, the Fire Pavilion would have to pay a heavy price, as the Wood Pavilion usually only received twenty percent of the Heavenly Sunflame.

It seemed Lu Xiao was truly going all out to deal with Zhou Yuan this time.

"Mu Liu and we don't usually get along well," a deputy pavilion master asked. "Will he agree to join forces with us?"

Lu Xiao calmly said, "They don't need to truly ally with us. They just need to hold their ground and block off some Heavenly Sunflame. Additionally, when we're blockading the Wind Pavilion, they just need to stand by and watch."

"Mu Liu doesn't have much connection with Zhou Yuan. He wouldn't necessarily refuse such a large benefit for Zhou Yuan, would he?"

The others exchanged glances. This was an attempt to completely isolate the Wind Pavilion.

Zhu Lian's eyes gleamed. "If that's the case, then we should be able to achieve a complete blockade, ensuring the Wind Pavilion gains nothing at all from this Heaven Flame Ritual!"

Zhou Yuan's soul cultivation was said to have also reached the Transcendent Stage, the same as his own. However, in the face of such combined strength, even the strongest individual soul had its limits!

This time, they would surely make Zhou Yuan experience what it meant to be powerless!

Lu Xiao nodded slightly. As long as Zhou Yuan was suppressed during this Heaven Flame Ritual, he would have absolute certainty of thoroughly suppressing him and claiming the position of Pavilion Chief in the upcoming Pavilion Chief Selection.

And once the position of Pavilion Chief was in his grasp, he could immediately reverse all previous disadvantages.

Lu Xiao looked up, his gaze icy as he looked towards Wind Island.

"Zhou Yuan," he murmured, "Elder Xi Jing thinks she can secure an opportunity for you to narrow the gap between us, but I can only tell you, you are far too naive!"