The two giant figures, towering like iron towers, were already waiting in the Misty Pavilion. Seeing her return, they rushed forward immediately, voicing their concern in unison, "Is the Young Miss alright?"

Shaking her head, Xia Xinyan replied, "I am fine. The Heaven Mending Pill from the Yang family is indeed a miraculous medicine of the Endless Sea; I am clear now."

The Misty Pavilion covered a vast area, boasting more than a dozen tall structures. Although several had collapsed this time, it would not affect the normal operations of the Misty Pavilion.

Arriving at the Treasure Gathering Tower, the tallest building in the Misty Pavilion, Xia Xinyan settled down on the ninth-floor apex.

Kuluo bowed low, grinding his teeth, "Bei Ming Shang actually dared to injure the Young Miss. How does the Young Miss plan to deal with the Bei Ming family?"

"Do not concern yourself with the Bei Ming family for now."

Xia Xinyan's expression was serene. "My purpose here is solely for the treasure map of the 'Heavenly Gate'; the Bei Ming family is not my target. Bei Ming Shang possesses the cultivation of the Heaven Rank, while my true realm is only at the Third Heaven of the Hundred Calamities. Even using the 'Samsara Martial Soul,' I could only barely contend with him. After this incident, if Bei Ming Shang is wise, he should not dare to trouble our Misty Pavilion. Otherwise, when the Asura King Xiao Hanyi arrives, I will make Bei Ming Shang pay the price!"

"Young Miss, the Heaven Rank expert who came this time… should… should not be from the Mo family. If the Mo family had a Heaven Rank expert, they wouldn't allow the Shi family to bully them," Kuluo hesitated before mumbling uncertainly.

"I know it wasn't the Mo family," unexpectedly, Xia Xinyan nodded in agreement with Kuluo's assessment.

"Then why did the Young Miss attack the Mo family?" Kuluo was startled, his face full of confusion.

"If we don't strike the Mo family, how can we cooperate with the party who truly possesses the treasure map?" Xia Xinyan smiled faintly. "We must find a scapegoat. Otherwise, if the Misty Pavilion suffers such a major incident and we remain silent, won't others truly believe the Misty Pavilion is easy to bully?"

"Is the Young Miss trying to divert everyone's attention?" Kuluo’s eyes lit up as he immediately grasped her true intention.

"Yes. Let everyone focus on the Mo family so we can cooperate with the other party and quietly explore the Heavenly Gate. With Tianyun City in chaos, we can accomplish things sooner," Xia Xinyan nodded, saying lightly. "That Heaven Rank expert who came possesses a strange Martial Soul that can form a mist. Although he didn't truly activate it, I know the characteristics of his Martial Soul. Do you know of any Heaven Rank expert whose Martial Soul is of this type?"

"Chi Xiao!"

Kuluo answered without hesitation, exclaiming, "Chi Xiao is the Heaven Rank expert from the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, who is on good terms with the Zuo family. Could it be that the Zuo family made the move this time? Impossible! Could it be that the other half of the fragmented map is actually in the hands of the Zuo family?"

"It must be him," Xia Xinyan mused for a moment, then suddenly declared, "There is no time to waste. I will personally visit the Zuo family immediately and finalize this matter early to avoid complications."

"Young Miss, perhaps I should go instead?"

"It's fine. Chi Xiao knows he couldn't hold me, so the Zuo family won't act rashly."

Xia Xinyan only stayed in the Misty Pavilion for a quarter of an hour. After ascertaining the identity of the attacker, she immediately left alone and stealthily.

...

The Zuo Family Residence.

Zuo Xu and Chi Xiao were still in a secret chamber discussing matters.

"Tap, tap!"

A crisp knocking sound suddenly came from the wall of the secret chamber.

Zuo Xu paused, moved closer to a bamboo tube set into the wall, and asked, "What is it?"

"A woman wearing a bamboo hat has arrived from the Misty Pavilion, requesting an audience with the Family Head."

"It's that girl!" Chi Xiao immediately cried out in surprise.

Zuo Xu’s expression flickered between gloom and brightness as he paced slowly in the secret chamber. After a long pause, he frowned, "Could the Misty Pavilion already know we were behind it? No, that doesn't seem right either. If they truly knew, why would they attack the Mo family? Strange, so strange."

"You go out and meet her. I won't go out," Chi Xiao hesitated before saying, "See what she wants."

"Mm." In the Zuo family's private reception room, Zuo Xu sat composedly, gazing at the bamboo-hatted Xia Xinyan, and smiled, "May I ask the young lady's name?"

"Xia Xinyan."

"Miss Xia, what brings you to our Zuo family? It seems the Zuo family has no outstanding debts or disputes with the Misty Pavilion recently, correct?"

"Where is Chi Xiao?" Xia Xinyan shook her head and asked casually.

Zuo Xu's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, feigning confusion. "What do you mean, Miss Xia? Chi Xiao has been cultivating in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range. Does Miss Xia know him?"

"We fought just yesterday; the impression is naturally deep," Xia Xinyan said naturally as she sat down and slowly sipped her tea.

Zuo Xu's expression shifted continuously, his smile somewhat strained. "Miss Xia, are you perhaps mistaken? Wasn't it the Mo family who attacked the Misty Pavilion yesterday?"

"Family Head Zuo, I have not come today to settle scores with you." Xia Xinyan's eyes showed a hint of impatience. "On the contrary, I sincerely wish to discuss cooperation."

With that, Xia Xinyan took out the half-piece of dark yellow treasure map from her chest and placed it directly on the table between her and Zuo Xu. She stated calmly, "This half of the map is right here. If Family Head Zuo is a straightforward person, there's no need for concealment. We can combine the two halves immediately, and as soon as we determine the location of the 'Heavenly Gate,' we can set off. Family Head Zuo, let's not waste everyone's time! Right now, everyone is watching the Mo family, which perfectly allows us to take the opportunity to explore the Heavenly Gate. What do you think, Family Head Zuo?"

Xia Xinyan was aggressive, showing no regard for Zuo Xu, the head of a family. Her objective was crystal clear—she had come for the other half of the treasure map!

Zuo Xu could not quite gauge Xia Xinyan's intentions, unsure if she truly sought cooperation or was merely probing before striking against the Zuo family. Given that Xia Xinyan possessed Heaven Rank cultivation, Zuo Xu dared not speak carelessly, his mind flashing with electric thoughts as he calculated rapidly.

"Family Head Zuo, I dislike procrastination in my dealings, nor do I like mixing personal grudges into business. Chi Xiao was quite perceptive; as soon as he sensed I possessed Heaven Rank cultivation, he withdrew. Neither of us was injured, so there is no hatred to speak of. I am here only for the treasure map! I have no intention of assigning blame! Have I made myself clear enough?"

Xia Xinyan slightly knitted her delicate brows, gazing coldly at Zuo Xu, her patience wearing thin.

Zuo Xu's expression was unpredictable. After deep consideration, he vaguely felt that Xia Xinyan did not seem to be there to demand retribution. He pondered again, then bit down hard: "The other half of the map is not in my possession."

"Then whose is it?" Xia Xinyan's eyes brightened.

"It is on Shi Jian."

"Then I have nothing more to discuss with you. I will go find Shi Jian." Xia Xinyan retrieved the half map from the table and stood up simultaneously, saying lightly, "Family Head Zuo, I apologize for the intrusion today. I take my leave."

"I'll go with you!"

Zuo Xu also stood up hastily, thinking to himself: This girl is truly materialistic. The moment she heard I didn't have the map, her attitude changed completely. She truly lives up to being the owner of the Misty Pavilion—a typical, calculating merchant!

"Does it concern you?" Xia Xinyan asked in surprise.

Zuo Xu's expression soured somewhat. He snorted, then replied, "I am allied with Shi Jian! The exploration of the 'Heavenly Gate' is also a matter for my Zuo family. Didn't you say it didn't matter to you?"

"Oh, then let's go together," Xia Xinyan replied casually.

"Wait a moment, I need to call one more person." Zuo Xu managed a strained smile toward Zuo Shi and sheepishly added, "Chi Xiao also needs to come. Uh, you said you wouldn't mind, right?"

"Mm, I don't mind. Having Chi Xiao along is actually safer."

The Shi Family, Shi Yan's private stone tower, the third floor.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Shi Yan's expression was solemn, his breath held steady. He could clearly sense the surrounding Heaven and Earth Qi permeating the air.

Calm, his eyes tightly shut, Shi Yan circulated his essence energy.

After seven full great cycles of circulation, the expression on his face suddenly hardened!

Within his body, the vast essence energy surged forward like a burst dam, rushing violently toward his left arm.

The essence energy, like an untamed wild horse, advanced rapidly through his left arm. His left arm trembled slightly, and sweat appeared on his face.

"Hooar!"

Shi Yan suddenly let out a fierce roar. The rolling essence energy violently surged into his left wrist, rushing straight ahead, frantically heading toward his ring finger.

"Ch-ch-ch!"

The essence energy, sharp as a sword gleam, suddenly erupted from the ring finger of his left hand!

The incredibly fierce essence energy burst forth with dazzling white light, repeatedly impacting the barrier within the Blood-Patterned Ring.

Shi Yan's expression was fierce, his face tinged with an eerie red, his focus concentrated to an unprecedented degree!

"Pop!"

A crisp sound suddenly emanated from within the Blood-Patterned Ring.

The Blood-Patterned Ring instantly blazed with intense rainbow light, its strange radiance scattering like sunlight, illuminating the third floor of the stone tower brilliantly.

A peculiar fluctuation, centered on the stone tower, suddenly rippled outward in all directions.

This chapter is not the Monday update. This is the final week before the book goes on sale. Little Ni begs all the brothers and sisters who like this book to cast their recommendation votes for God of Slaughter. We must push hard this week. As long as we can get on both top lists, I will continue to give three updates this week!

Brothers! Sisters! I beg you! Please give your full support! I beg you!!! X