Three days passed quickly in the waiting. During these three days, Xiao Yan and his companions did not venture out again, nor did Lin Xiu and his group reappear before them. It was likely that they had been chastised by Elder Guxun. However, Xiao Yan and the others knew well that this temporary avoidance would not solve their troubles. Of course, Xiao Yan was not too worried about such troubles. Ever since the Soul Hall person named Hunya appeared, Xiao Yan’s attention had almost entirely shifted to this man. From some of the things that Hunya mentioned, Xiao Yan could tell that this person must have some status within the Soul Clan. After all, he had such a powerful ancestor, which meant he must also have a substantial background within the clan. Otherwise, he would not always be guarded by two individuals who were at the level of Seven-Star Dou Zuns. Such strong individuals held the rank of Celestial Reverend even within the Soul Hall, and ordinary people could not easily command them.
Hunya also revealed the mystery of Ancestor Xiao Xuan’s downfall, seemingly due to being surrounded and attacked by many strong individuals. One of these attackers was an ancestor of Hunya. These matters were from far too long ago to be verified, but since this man had so boldly declared his enmity, it was only natural to pin it on him. Despite his initial encounter, Xiao Yan had not fully assessed Hunya’s true strength. He must have special abilities to conceal his power. However, Xiao Yan guessed that this man’s strength would certainly not be weak. The vague sense of danger he felt was not something an ordinary person could elicit.
Even though Xiao Yan was somewhat wary of this man, it did not diminish his resolve to kill him. As long as this man remained at the Dou Zun level, Xiao Yan now had the qualifications to make him regret his actions.
On the dawn of the third day, when the morning light bathed the Ancient Sacred City, the city became exceptionally lively. Today was the day the ancient world’s gateway would open. For this mystical place that almost formed its own space, most people were filled with intense curiosity. The immense skill required to create such a space was not something many in this world possessed.
As the bustling sounds arose from the city, Xiao Yan and his companions were already prepared to depart. After leaving the chambers, they exited the estate and followed the crowd, heading swiftly towards the city center.
In the heart of the Ancient Sacred City lay a vast, crystal-clear lake. The depths of the lake were so profound that one could barely see to the end. The eerie sensation gave one a feeling of bone-chilling dread.
The area around the lake was now teeming with people. Even the buildings nearby were filled with many figures, and numerous gazes were focused on the clear waters of the lake. On the surface, armoured individuals stood alert, holding spears, emanating a powerful aura that deterred anyone from stepping into the lake.
“Everyone, the ancient world will soon open. The territory inside is vast, and if you wander around recklessly, you might get lost. If you accidentally enter a spatial rift, you may perish in the void. Therefore, I implore everyone to refrain from wandering aimlessly after entry,” shouted Elder Guxun, whom Xiao Yan and his group had met yesterday, from the center of the lake.
“After entering the ancient world, someone will receive you and escort you to the center of the ancient world, the Sacred Mountains… Also, there are descendants of the ancient race within the world. Please do not disturb them. Otherwise, you may be blacklisted by our ancient race. Have you all understood?”
Some polite responses echoed back from the crowd outside the lake.
“Descendants of the ancient race?” This term made Xiao Yan slightly puzzled.
“They are the lowest yet most important layer of the ancient race. After countless years of reproduction, the number of their descendants within the ancient world is quite considerable. All of them possess the bloodline of the Dou Emperor, albeit in negligible amounts. Of course, there can be unexpected or mutated events that cause their bloodline’s power to increase. When such descendants are discovered, their value skyrocket, and they become true members of the ancient race, enjoying immense respect,” explained the Venerable Heavenly Fire.
“Infinite fresh blood… No wonder the ancient race has remained strong for so long,” remarked Xiao Yan, nodding. With such a large number of descendants, it was no wonder that young geniuses of the ancient race kept emerging. Each one was an extraordinary genius picked from among hundreds or thousands.
The Venerable Heavenly Fire nodded, smiling.
As the two conversed, ripples suddenly began to appear on the calm lake. Then, everyone felt an extremely terrifying spatial fluctuation spreading from the space above the lake.
“Whoosh!”
When this fearsome spatial fluctuation reached its peak, a brilliant column of light suddenly shot out from the bottom of the lake, connecting with the energy barrier of the city.
“Rumble!”
At the moment of connection, the space above the lake emitted a thunderous sound, and under the stunned gazes, the space slowly tore open, revealing a black gateway leading to an unknown depth.
“The gateway to the ancient world is now open. Please, enter!” announced Elder Guxun, smiling broadly.
As soon as Elder Guxun spoke, figures around began to move, and soon, they appeared in front of the gateway, curious and bold, stepping in first. They felt safe around the ancient race and trusted them not to harm them.
With the first person leading the way, the crowd gradually stirred, and soon, more and more people began entering through the gateway. The gateway, like a bottomless pit, absorbed the incoming crowd without any fluctuations.
“Let’s go…”
Seeing that the gateway showed no signs of abnormality, Xiao Yan smiled and stepped forward, treading on the water, leading the way. His companions, including Little Healer Immortal, closely followed.
Around the gateway, the Black Annihilation Army provided heavy protection. Xiao Yan immediately spotted Lingquan and Lin Xiu, the second and third commanders, from the previous encounter. He did not see the third commander Yang Hao, who was likely recovering from his injuries. Xiao Yan’s blow had been quite severe.
Seeing Xiao Yan and his group approach, Lin Xiu’s eyes narrowed, glancing at the busy Elder Guxun, and then took a step to the left, blocking Xiao Yan’s path.
However, as if he had not seen Lin Xiu’s obstruction, Xiao Yan continued to walk along his original path, and the two bodies collided lightly.
“Bang!”
At the moment of collision, a faint, low sound was heard, and the water under their feet rippled violently. Both men controlled their force perfectly, so the fierce clash did not attract much attention.
“Boom!”
Xiao Yan’s expression remained unchanged as his shoulder vibrated strangely, and waves of force, swift as lightning, continuously struck Lin Xiu’s shoulder.
“Humph!”
Another hard clash, Lin Xiu’s face changed slightly. The force emanating from Xiao Yan was terrifyingly hot, but it also harbored a bitter cold. The entwined energies instantly numbed his shoulders, and a muffled groan escaped his throat. He stepped back on the water, retreating three steps, and the last step plunged his ankle into the water.
Clearly, this confrontation had not brought any benefit to the second commander of the Black Annihilation Army!
Xiao Yan glanced indifferently at Lin Xiu’s sullen face, said nothing, and continued walking toward the gateway.
“Xiao Yan, don’t be arrogant. Someone in the ancient world will deal with you! I’ll wait for you to crawl out like a dead dog!”
Xiao Yan’s disregard infuriated Lin Xiu. Just as Xiao Yan was about to enter the gateway, Lin Xiu gritted his teeth and his sinister voice reached Xiao Yan’s ears.
“Unnecessary worry, second commander. You should take care of yourself first.”
Xiao Yan paused, smiled lightly, and then walked straight into the gateway, disappearing in the rippling space.
“Hmph!”
As Xiao Yan disappeared, Lin Xiu let out another muffled groan. A trace of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, drawing shocked gazes from Lingquan and the Black Annihilation Army.
“Bastard!”
Lin Xiu’s face darkened, and his right arm erupted with Dou Qi. Clenching his fist, a mix of purple-brown and bone-white flames shot from his palm and into the lake, creating a thick white fog and hissing sounds.
This flame was the same that had invaded his body during the earlier clash. However, he did not want to show weakness in front of Xiao Yan and thus endured it. But this forced endurance had actually caused some damage within his body.
“Xiao Yan, I underestimated you! But, you, a wretched member of a discarded race, have no right to act arrogantly in my ancient race!”
“Someone in the ancient world will deal with you. I’ll wait here for you to crawl out like a dead dog!”
“Miss, you are not someone a base person like you can match!”
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