Xiang Shaoyun was finally out of the volcanic crater. He had stayed in the crater for 13 months in total—a long period of time. Now, he was already a 17-year-old young man. Back when he first joined the Martial Hall Palace, he was still only 15 years old. Two years had passed, and he had grown considerably since then.
His height had grown, and his physical body was much sturdier than before. His temperament had improved greatly as well. All those were the results of his hard work in cultivation.
From a weak and frail scholar, he had transformed into a peak seventh-stage Transformation Realm expert, a level high enough to accord him some sort of status as he wandered the world of cultivation.
Xiang Shaoyun did not go far from the Flame Mountain. He found a water source nearby and quickly washed up. After putting on a new set of clothes, he looked handsome and elegant enough to cause a maiden's heart to flutter at his sight.
"Finally, I see the sun again. This is such a refreshing feeling," said Xiang Shaoyun as he spread his arms and bathed under the sunlight.
Life in a lava pool for more than a year was incredibly dull. That period of time helped him further appreciate how beautiful the outside world was. Concurrently, Yun Flame was also transmitting a feeling of joy toward him. It could also sense the outside world, and it placed it in a great mood. Out here, it was able to absorb the power of extreme yang contained in the sunlight, which would only help it grow faster.
"Looks like you like the outside world as well. In the future, you will have the chance to witness even more wondrous sights," said Xiang Shaoyun.
He then sank into thought, pondering his next steps. He had to first look for Mo Mo and see if she was still waiting for him or if she had left. After that, he had to consider if he should bring Long Hui on his adventures. Leaving Long Hui in the Cloud Margin Pavilion to help gather news was an option as well. And after he was done with all that, he would continue doing whatever it took to grow stronger.
Xiang Shaoyun took a detour around the Flame Mountain and returned to the fringe of the mountain. When he arrived at the place where he separated with Mo Mo, he found that she was no longer there. Somewhat disappointed, he muttered, "Looks like even she thinks I am dead."
Nevertheless, Xiang Shaoyun wasn't overly bothered. Mo Mo still wasn't important enough for him to go all melancholic over her.
"I'll think of my next step after a trip to Cloud Margin City," Xiang Shaoyun decided after giving it some thought.
But before that, he had to look for Long Hui and have a proper chat with him. Although Long Hui was now under Xiang Shaoyun's control, he was still able to act as before and think freely. The only difference was that he now had to obey Xiang Shaoyun's command.
Xiang Shaoyun returned back to the vicinity of the Flame Mountain. He would encounter the occasional cultivator on his way, but they mostly ignored him. Everyone assumed that he was yet another young man here to temper himself.
Along the way, he managed to overhear a lot of people talking about the fire on Flame Mountain suddenly extinguishing. When he heard that, he felt somewhat smug as he thought inwardly, Sorry guys, the millennium earthcore fire is already mine!
After he arrived at a random remote corner, he summoned Long Hui.
Long Hui and Xiao Wenbo were both only here on a Cloud Margin Pavilion mission to watch over the area and to not allow any Kings to harvest the millennium earthcore fire. Normally, they would remain hidden. Regular Transformation Realm cultivators would not even realize that the two were there.
It did not take Long Hui long to arrive beside Xiang Shaoyun. With an unhappy look, he stared at Xiang Shaoyun and asked, "Are you the one who did that to me?"
Xiang Shaoyun gazed at Long Hui and smiled. "Surprised?"
"Die!" Long Hui suddenly attacked.
But the moment he thought of attacking, Xiang Shaoyun was notified. He immediately chanted the Nether Dragon Soul Curse's mantra. Numerous incorporeal symbols drifted toward Long Hui, and before he could even get near Xiang Shaoyun, he felt like his head was going to explode.
"Ahhhh!"
He clasped at his head and wailed. The terrible pain he was experiencing caused him to instantly collapse where he stood. Just like that, a sixth-stage Skysoar Realm King was tortured to the point he was rolling around on the ground. It was quite a sorry sight. Xiang Shaoyun felt no pity whatsoever. He only stopped when Long Hui started begging for mercy.
"If you dare think of harming me again, you will immediately explode and die," said Xiang Shaoyun indifferently.
"Y-yes, I-I won't dare to try that ever again," said Long Hui, fear covering his face.
After that experience, he was truly afraid of Xiang Shaoyun. The torturing of one's soul was a kind of torture nobody could resist.
"Get up. Call me young master in the future. I am your master, and my every word is the law for you. Disobedience is not an option," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Yes, young master," Long Hui stumbled back up and said deferentially.
"Ok. Let's start with you. Tell me about yourself," Xiang Shaoyun said.
Thus, Long Hui told Xiang Shaoyun about himself, including his position in the Cloud Margin Pavilion. After listening to him, Xiang Shaoyun was overjoyed as he thought, A high-level elder of Cloud Margin Pavilion? Sixth-stage Skysoar Realm cultivator? Not bad at all.
"Will there be a problem if I want you to leave with me immediately?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"There won't be a problem, but I need to report my departure to the pavilion," Long Hui said.
"I'm returning to Cloud Margin City anyway. Let's go back together, then," said Xiang Shaoyun. He added, "Oh, why don't you take me for a stroll at Cloud Margin Pavilion? You should have enough authority for that, right?"
"Yes, but only the outer pavilion. Only those with an official position in the pavilion can enter the inner pavilion," said Long Hui.
"Just show me around first," Xiang Shaoyun said.
Long Hui then left Xiao Wenbo a message before heading toward the Cloud Margin Pavilion with Xiang Shaoyun. The Cloud Margin Pavilion was located at a mountainous area outside the suburbs of Cloud Margin City.
This was a place with imposing mountains, lush forest, and rare plants growing everywhere. In fact, it was incredibly scenic. Numerous buildings were constructed on the mountain ridges. Shrouded among clouds, the buildings looked spectacularly imposing and wondrous.
Just the pedestrians alone made up no fewer than 10,000 people. Each of them were dressed in martial outfits, looking healthy and spirited, displaying the might of the Cloud Margin Pavilion.
This was how a tier-3 organization looked. Its size was not something regular organizations could compare with. In the eyes of the people here, this was an absolutely magnificent organization.
At present, Xiang Shaoyun had just arrived at the outer pavilion with Long Hui. He was only here to take a stroll, but surprisingly, he actually stumbled upon someone he knew. Moreover, that person seemed to have encountered some sort of trouble which caused the person to fume.