Hearing the Wind Master's words, Mu Qinglun also leaned in attentively, equally curious about Xiao Yan's background. Though the Wind Master had many friends, she had never seen anyone who held such deep significance for him—someone so personally cherished. Xiao Yan clenched his fists, a faint glint of determination flickering in his eyes. After a moment, he calmed his turbulent emotions, took a deep breath, and spoke slowly: "I'm sure the Wind Master is already aware of the events from my teacher's past." "Back then, when he fell ill, I wasn't even with him. When I finally found out, it was Han Feng who publicly claimed that the elder had suffered a reversal during the process of refining the elixir and had exploded from within. I naturally didn't believe that. I questioned Han Feng several times, and though he was remarkably cunning and managed to evade my inquiries, after several such encounters, he simply vanished from the Central Plains. By then, I began to suspect that there was some connection between his disappearance and Han Feng. Yet, despite searching the Central Plains for years, I've never heard a single word about Han Feng again." The Wind Master fixed his gaze firmly on Xiao Yan, his voice deep and resonant. "This beast! Drugen raised him from an abandoned infant to adulthood, imparting to him all his skills—yet he dares to devour his master? Unworthy creature, his conscience must have been devoured by a dog. Back then, I should have given him a solid slap right away!" Wind Master's face flushed with fury as he roared. "The Starfall Pavilion was founded by me and Yao Chen, though he didn't particularly enjoy such administrative matters, so most of the management fell to me. Even though he has been missing for these years, the position of Pavilion Master remains—because I know, with that old man's capabilities, he won't easily pass away." The Wind Sage waved his hand. Xiao Yan nodded slightly, surprised that his master still held the title of Pavilion Master. "That aside, once I return, I'll issue an arrest warrant. I'm certain Han Feng is still alive. If I have him in my hands, he'll surely suffer beyond his ability to survive or escape!" The Wind Sage said with a cold, resolute tone—clearly, Han Feng's actions had truly enraged him. "Perhaps we won't need to issue an arrest warrant after all..." Xiao Yan shook his head, then flicked his fingers. A jade bottle flashed out from his storage amulet. As his fingers passed over the bottle's mouth, a shimmering, ethereal soul form surged forth immediately. "Xiao Yan, what exactly do you have to do before you'll finally let me go..." Han Feng's soul burst forth from the bottle, roaring in fury. Yet before his roar could fully settle, it cut off abruptly, as a wave of unmistakable shock washed over his face. Staring at the frosty, deadly intensity in the Wind Elder's eyes, Han Feng finally felt fear creep in. He had always harbored a certain sense of apprehension toward the Wind Elder. In a rush, he cried out, "Please don't kill me! It's not my fault! I was forced into this by the people from the Spirit Palace!" A cold glint of杀意 flashed in his eyes, Wind Elder stared at Han Feng with icy resolve. Back then, even when the Soul Palace sought to undermine Yao Chen, it had been exceptionally difficult—after all, Yao was widely connected, with many of the elder generation's stalwarts maintaining strong ties to him. Moreover, as a master alchemist, his mere presence could command immense influence; even the Soul Palace had to seriously consider the weight of his appeal. Yet Yao suddenly vanished without a trace—clearly due to betrayal. And who, besides this beast, Han Feng, could have been the traitor? "Wind Elder, please hold on—we still need Han Feng to guide us to the branch pavilion where Yao Elder is detained. We cannot kill him now," Xue Yan quickly interjected. "What the Huan Pavilion truly seeks may not be merely the old man's soul—perhaps even more valuable to them is his skill in alchemy. I had already sensed, back then, that the Huan Pavilion was quietly advancing a vast, long-term plan, one that required many outstanding alchemists. During the great battle over the ancient sanctuary that shook Zhongzhou, I and Yao Chen faced off against the Huan Pavilion—likely it was then that they first identified him as a key target." The Wind Elder nodded slightly, paused thoughtfully, then added. "The ancient sanctuary?" Xueo was momentarily startled. "It was a long-ago event. That sanctuary was inherited from ancient times and drew nearly half of the cultivators at the Dao Sect level or above across Zhongzhou. The treasures within were truly extraordinary—indeed, the cultivation technique you've been practicing was one that Yao Chen obtained there himself." The Wind Elder sighed and said. Once again startled, Xiao Yan couldn't help but take a shallow breath. It seemed that Burned Decree had been obtained within that supposed ancient sanctuary. "Where is the old man currently being held?" Wind Master coldly glanced at Han Feng before asking. "He is being held in Ming City in the Central Region's Western Province. There is a branch hall of the Spirit Temple there—Yao... Yao Chen is imprisoned there." Han Feng hesitated slightly before responding. "Ming City, I didn't know the Spirit Temple also maintained a branch there." Wind Master furrowed his brows and asked again, "How many senior elders are there at that branch hall?" "Only one." Han Feng glanced at his words, speaking softly. "Really thinking that I don't know a thing about the Spirit Temple?" Wind Master chuckled dryly. "Even the most modest branch hall should have at least two senior elders—both serving as the chief and deputy heads. And considering that Yao Chen, such an important figure, is being held there, having only one senior elder seems rather suspicious. You must still harbor lingering intentions." Hearing the Wind Elder's words, Han Feng's body trembled slightly, while Xiao Yan's expression gradually darkened. Damn it, he had almost been played for a fool by this fool. Two senior elders—this wasn't just a simple addition. Two powerful Dou Zun-level masters. With such a lineup, even wiping out several top-tier forces in the Zhongzhou region would be well within reach. If Xiao Yan hadn't found the Wind Elder and had simply marched blindly with his forces straight to Ming City, he would have surely been a perfect target. "Hold him for now; he might prove useful later," the Wind Elder said coldly, fixing a piercing gaze on the trembling Han Feng before snorting and tossing him toward Xiao Yan. With Han Feng's soul in place, Xiao Yan nodded coldly and gently slipped him into a jade vial. With a simple flick of his wrist, an intangible flame surged in, and immediately, a piercing, agonizing cry rang out once more. His fingers brushed the bottle's mouth, muffled the wailing sound, and then casually placed it into his storage ring. He would simply see if this creature could survive the intense furnace of the falling heart flame—no peaceful death would be granted to such a beast. Hearing this, Xiao Yan hesitated slightly before nodding as well—indeed, the Huan Palace was too powerful to risk stirring up trouble. "I'll first return to Xingyun Pavilion and then begin investigating the Huan Palace. What about you?" the Wind Elder said, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan smiled slightly and did not object. Having reached the level of Dou Zong, he had become increasingly aware of how difficult it was to advance in rank. Though currently he could hold his own against even strong opponents like Fei Tian, the cultivators of the Soul Palace were far stronger than Fei Tian. Thus, he needed to secure the Three Thousand Yan Fire flames as soon as possible—only then might he stand a chance even against a Dou Zun-level cultivator!