Chapter 1590: Change Emerges (Part 1)

Heavenly Tribulation is a punishment from the heavens for cultivators. Every cultivator pales at the mere mention of it, fearing it like a tiger!

Even someone of Luo Qingchen's strength would turn pale at the news of an approaching Heavenly Tribulation, requiring extensive preparation before daring to confront it.

Yet, this individual... they had expected him to use some formidable technique, but who would have thought... he simply shouted a few words, uttered a few threats... and scared it away!

Is that even possible?

When did lightning become so easy to handle?

"Is it recorded?"

"It's recorded, but... can we... really learn this?" The elder behind him asked, his voice close to tears.

"No, we can't..." Luo Qingchen shook his head.

It was foreseeable that anyone who dared to run up and talk nonsense to the lightning would likely be instantly pulverized.

This wasn't merely a provocation; it was an outright offense against heavenly might!

Yet, despite such an offense, the young man in the air was completely unscathed, passing the trial with ease... Could he be the heavens' illegitimate child instead of Sword Saint Xingmeng's?

"Good, I bluffed my way through..."

Zhang Xuan, still in the air, let out a long breath.

He had encountered Heavenly Tribulations so many times that they were now afraid of him. Otherwise, if it had actually struck, unable to absorb it, he would have faced considerable trouble.

His body swayed, and he returned to his original spot, smiling slightly at Luo Xuanqing. "Alright, the Heavenly Tribulation is over. Shall we continue?"

Luo Xuanqing's scalp tingled.

Continue what?!

You scared away the Heavenly Tribulation with just two sentences; I'm merely a mortal. Continuing with you... wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

"No, let's just forget it..." He quickly shook his head.

He had made a firm decision: from this day forward, he would rather die than compete with this guy; he was nothing short of a monster, an anomaly!

"Then... Brother Luo, would you mind taking me to see the little princess?"

Seeing that he wouldn't compete, Zhang Xuan felt a slight disappointment but quickly adjusted his mood, looking at him with an expectant expression.

The closer he got, the more his longing grew; even he was not as composed as before.

"You'll naturally see her at the engagement tomorrow; there's no need to rush for just one day..." Luo Xuanqing waved his hand.

"Alright then!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head in resignation.

"Do you truly wish to see her?" Luo Xuanqing smiled faintly, seeing his dejected expression.

The more eager Zhang Xuan was to see her, the more it indicated his sister's importance in his heart, which Luo Xuanqing was happy to observe.

"Of course..." Zhang Xuan nodded eagerly.

"If you truly want to see her, I don't mind letting you meet discreetly, but the meeting cannot be too long..."

Luo Xuanqing looked at him.

In truth, his reason for seeking Zhang Xuan out was to arrange a meeting for the two who longed for each other, and also to gauge Zhang Xuan's attitude.

Now that he had seen Zhang Xuan's attitude, confirming his deep affection for his sister, there was no longer any point in being difficult.

Although meeting privately before the engagement went against certain customs, rules were rigid while people were adaptable. Even if discovered, the clan elders would likely just attribute it to youthful impulsiveness and wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

What's more, this individual was not only the Zhang Clan's young prodigy and clan head, but also the Hall Master of the Saint Son Hall and Master Yang's senior disciple!

"Really?"

Zhang Xuan leaped up in excitement.

"Mm," Luo Xuanqing hummed. "Wait here a moment; I'll go make the arrangements..."

Zhang Xuan quickly nodded, just as he was about to express his gratitude, when an elder from the Zhang Clan's retinue hurried over. "Patriarch..."

"What is it?"

Seeing the elder's grave expression, Zhang Xuan frowned.

"A message came from the clan: Palace Master Zhao Ya of the Glacier Palace and Hall Master Wei Ruyan of the Poison Hall have gone missing..."

The elder quickly reported.

"Missing?"

His scalp instantly tingled, and Zhang Xuan abruptly stood up, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean? What happened?"

"I don't know either... It seems there was a battle, and then they vanished without a trace. People from the Zhang Clan have already gone to investigate..." The elder reported, flustered.

"With Zhao Ya's activated physique, her strength isn't inferior to a Great Saint expert. When Wei Ruyan unleashes her poison arts, toxic gas fills the sky; even acting Hall Master Ren Qingyuan would have trouble apprehending her... Missing? Without even time to send a message?"

His fists clenched, Zhang Xuan found it hard to believe.

Back when Zhao Ya was imprisoned by You Ruoxin, she still managed to send a distress signal. Who could possibly make them disappear without even a single message?

"Your subordinate doesn't know!" The elder shook his head.

"Do you know where the battle took place? I'll go investigate right now!" Zhang Xuan said, taking a deep breath.

Knowing that the Zhang Clan's information was certainly accurate, and that something must have happened to Zhao Ya and Wei Ruyan, he no longer hesitated.

To discover what truly happened, he had to go himself. Waiting for their investigation, he didn't know how long it would take, and if things went badly, the people might already be in serious trouble before any findings.

"It was not far from the Empire Alliance. Palace Master Zhao and Hall Master Wei had just finished handling some matters there and hadn't had time to return when the incident occurred..."

The elder quickly nodded.

"Not far from the Empire Alliance? Good!"

Knowing the exact location, Zhang Xuan no longer hesitated. He turned to Luo Xuanqing, his face filled with apology. "Brother Luo..."

"You go and see what happened first. If you need anything, just say the word!"

Knowing that Zhang Xuan's matter was more urgent, Luo Xuanqing nodded.

"Alright!"

Gratefully cupping his fists, Zhang Xuan went to the courtyard, took out the Level-9 formation flags his mother had given him, and quickly set up a teleportation formation.

"Xuan'er, I'll go with you!"

Sword Saint Meng seemed to have learned what had transpired and hurriedly came forward. "Master Yang and your father are here; it's good to have someone to assist you in case anything unexpected happens over there!"

It was just a welcoming ceremony. The gifts were ready, Sword Saint Xing was present, and Master Yang, the witness, was also there. There shouldn't be any issues.

"Alright!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Although his cultivation had reached Saint 9-dan, activating the formation still required more power than he possessed. With her accompanying him, they could travel faster.

"Let's go!"

Having made their decision, the two said no more. Sword Saint Meng rapidly infused her power, and the formation flickered.

*Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The two vanished from their original spot simultaneously.

The next moment, they reappeared near the Empire Alliance.

"Eighth Elder just said it was in that direction..."

Glancing around to confirm their bearings, Sword Saint Meng pointed.

The two flew quickly. Before long, they arrived at a mountain range. Half of the mountain had been shorn off by immense power, and all its vegetation was completely destroyed, indicating that an earth-shattering battle had taken place there not long ago.

Zhang Xuan's fists clenched.

The pits were filled with ice, clearly left behind by Zhao Ya.

Nearby, much of the vegetation was dark and yellowish, clearly poisoned to death, which seemed to be Wei Ruyan's doing.

He had assumed they were defeated individually, but to think they were attacked while together... Who could possibly have done this?

What force could be so powerful?

Forget the Zhang and Luo Clans; even the Master Teacher Pavilion would find it difficult to abduct the two so silently!

"Could it be... that Spirit Tribe Sovereign?"

His pupils suddenly constricted.