The arrival of Yao Chen and his companions undoubtedly brought an unprecedented sense of vitality and excitement to Xing Yun Pavilion. Even the disciples and some of the elders, who had only known the Pavilion's Master through legend, were filled with curiosity. Over the years, the Pavilion had been largely nurtured and shaped by Feng Master, yet he had consistently kept the position of Master vacant, never intending to claim it himself. He firmly believed that Yao Master would eventually return to Xing Yun Pavilion, and thus, this seat had always been reserved for him. On this very day, his expectation came true. Therefore, the very day after settling matters concerning Xiao Yan, Feng Master convened all the Pavilion's disciples and officially announced the Master's return. This development undoubtedly shook Xingyin Pavilion to its core. In the past, Feng Zheng's leadership had been the norm; now, the true leader has changed, and the younger disciples naturally found it somewhat unfamiliar. Fortunately, this sense of discomfort did not last long—it was soon replaced by a distinct, fresh excitement. Even the younger disciples, just beginning their careers, were well acquainted with the reputation of the Medicinal Master. Senior elders, in particular, were filled with exhilaration. With greater experience, they fully understood the towering prestige the late Master Yao once enjoyed across Zhongzhou Continent. In terms of renown and seniority, even the three leading figures of Dan Tower might have had to slightly yield. With such a distinguished figure at the helm, how could Xingyin Pavilion fail to grow stronger? For this situation, the old medic could only shake his head with a smile. Yet this time, he didn't hesitate to accept. Having lived through these years of events, he now understood that unless a person's strength was truly formidable—unstoppable by human effort—there would always be a significant gap between an individual and a powerful faction. Back then, he had been too carefree, and that had allowed the Spirit Pavilion to strike at him when the opportunity arose. Now that everything had been set for a fresh start, he naturally didn't want such setbacks to happen again. Moreover, in the future, even if Xiao Yan were to fight for his father, he would surely have to face the Spirit Pavilion head-on, and at that point, he would certainly need some backing support. Xiao Yan's willingness to risk his life and rescue him had completely shifted the old medic's focus onto this disciple. Now, it was only fitting that he begin making preparations for him well in advance. And seeing that the Medicine Elder had not again offered excuses to delay, Feng the Venerable felt a great relief. In his heart, he always believed that the Starfall Pavilion belonged to the Medicine Elder, and over the years, he had merely assisted in its management. Now that the Elder had returned, the handover would naturally have to take place. Their relationship had long since become one of life and death. For the sake of the Medicine Elder, Feng had tirelessly searched for so many years—what could a pavilion’s leadership truly be, compared to that? Moreover, he well understood the Medicine Elder’s temperament—he was not particularly skilled in administrative matters, so when the time came, it would surely be he who would have to shoulder all the burdens... As for the decision to close the mountain gate, there was no opposition from anyone. Though this realm may not match the Dan Realm in stature, its territory is far from small, and staying here for a year or two poses no issue at all. Moreover, the energy here is particularly rich, yielding better cultivation results than in the outside world. With the mountain gate sealed, Xiao Yi and the others naturally chose to remain. Xiao Yan had not yet awakened, so she absolutely could not leave first. The decision for Xiao Yi and her companions to stay also received no objections. Among them, each one is considered a first-tier strength contender in the Zhongzhou region. Their continued presence would undoubtedly strengthen the defense of the Starfall Pavilion significantly. With the gate closed, time quietly flowed through the green hills and clear waters. In the span of a few months, two months had passed. Over the past two months, everything has been remarkably calm. The anticipated retaliation from the Spirit Pavilion has not materialized. Wind Master has dispatched envoys to investigate, and while the Central Region remains as vibrant as ever, there has been no significant move from the Spirit Pavilion—indeed, not a single word has been reported about the destruction of its branch pavilions. Clearly, the Spirit Pavilion has been actively suppressing the news. Both Master Yao and Wind Master find this development somewhat surprising. Given the Spirit Pavilion's usual tenacity, it is unlikely they would have remained passive for so long without taking action. It seems that some unforeseen circumstances have currently hindered their efforts, compelling them to temporarily set aside this matter. Nevertheless, the fact that the Spirit Pavilion has not yet come to trouble the Star-Plunging Pavilion is a great relief to both Master Yao and Wind Master. The Star-Plunging Pavilion is no mere match for the Spirit Pavilion today. Should hostilities break out now, the Pavilion would inevitably suffer severe damage, and even face a complete collapse—something that is far from impossible. The Soul Hall granted them a period of recuperation, and the medicine elders naturally made no waste of it, constantly seeking ways to strengthen the power of the Xingyin Pavilion during their rest and recovery... As for Feng's efforts to recruit her, Xiao Yi remained neutral—after all, Yao Lao was Xiao Yan's teacher, and now he himself was the Master of Xingyun Pavilion. Shouldn't Xiao Yan eventually become its next Master as well? If so, taking on the title of Elder would then be entirely reasonable. Regarding Tianhuo Master, after some hesitation, he also agreed to Feng's invitation. With no other destination in sight, securing a place to settle down would be a welcome relief. Ziyan, by nature, was always lively and spontaneous—her acceptance of Feng's offer was simply a matter of the moment. And once she joined, Xiong Zhan, under her pressure, would naturally have no choice but to assent. The arrival of these new reinforcements brought genuine joy to Feng and the elders of Xingyun Pavilion. Three Masters of Battle Rank were coming in one go—what a significant addition! Simply by this, Xingyun Pavilion's strength would surely be able to truly claim the top spot among the Four Pavilions. Yet they had forgotten that should the old physician fully recover his peak strength, leveraging his influence, not only would the Four Palaces grow strong, but even across the entire Zhongzhou region, the Xingyin Pavilion would surely emerge as a formidable force. … Time flows like water, seasons change, and between the emerald hills, a touch of yellow-green has gradually emerged. Six months have passed unnoticed, yet Xiao Yan still remains unconscious. Although everyone can sense that his condition within his body is steadily improving, he shows no signs of awakening. Even Master Yao, who has been overseeing the situation, finds himself at a loss—this is something that can only rely on Xiao Yan himself. During this period, the rear mountains have been designated as a sacred sanctuary of Xin Yun Pavilion. Only Wind Master and a few others are permitted to enter; even the senior elders of Xin Yun Pavilion are barred from stepping foot there. This has sparked curiosity among all the pavilion's disciples. However, after extensive inquiries, they learn only that within the stone tower, a young man named Xiao Yan is in seclusion, recuperating. Every citizen of the Gamma Empire knows that the true power behind the empire today no longer rests with the royal family, but with a coalition—known as the "Innate Alliance." "Innate," as in Xiao Yan's "Innate." Every person in the Gamma Empire is aware that the founder of this current empire's absolute dominance is a man named Xiao Yan. He personally ended the era of Yunlan Sect and then forged a new age—the Age of the Innate Alliance! In the hearts of the younger generation of the Gamma Empire, this name stands as a symbol of honor and perseverance, for all know that this man who achieved the impossible was once regarded as a mere waste. At this moment, atop the heavily fortified hall, a woman dressed in rich brocade stood with her hands behind her back. Her figure was exceptionally graceful; even with her slightly loose gown, the alluring curves that stirred the heart could not be concealed. Soft moonlight poured from the sky, illuminating her face so beautifully that one could hardly breathe. From first glance, her beauty carried an almost ethereal, enchanting radiance—her full lips slightly parted, her graceful lines captivating all who saw her. Yet, beneath her delicate brows, there lingered a subtle aura of authority, born of years of high office, blending elegance with dignity, and instantly elevating her charm to its peak. The stunning woman gently clasped her hands, a complex expression flickering across her graceful, alluring eyes. "Mother..." A surprisingly稚嫩 voice, even carrying a hint of infantile softness, suddenly echoed from behind her. Upon hearing it, the cold composure on the woman's face instantly melted away, replaced by a beauty that even Xiao Yan had never witnessed before. She quickly turned, facing the direction of the voice. The child's delicate, porcelain-like cheeks gave her the appearance of a finely crafted porcelain doll, so charming that one couldn't help but hold her close. Her dark, lively eyes, glistening under the moonlight, seemed especially cunning. As the woman looked at her, the child's garments subtly shifted, and then a small, seven-colored serpent emerged from within, coiling itself around the child's pale, soft shoulders, hissing softly with each flick of its tongue. In appearance, it was exactly like the seven-colored Heaven-Eating Python from long ago!