*Smack!* In the sky, Yao Tian’s body stiffened, his eyes filled with disbelief. At this moment, a blood-red palm print was extremely glaring on his face, and blood was slowly trickling down from the corner of his mouth.
The entire sky fell into an eerie silence at this moment. Stunned gazes were fixated on this scene, then shifted to Xiao Yan, who was standing far away with a slight smile curling at the corners of his lips. A chill rose in their hearts. Ancient races placed the utmost importance on their dignity. Xiao Yan had dared to slap Yao Tian in front of so many people. Such humiliation was even more infuriating than death.
“You… you dared to hit me!” After a brief silence, Yao Tian finally came back to his senses from the shock. His eyes instantly turned bloodshot. He looked madly and ferociously at the soul replica in front of him. A brown flame, akin to the earth, surged out fiercely from within his body. It then condensed into the form of a giant turtle amidst a deafening roar, only this turtle was covered in sharp fire spikes and had sharp teeth like knives in its monstrous mouth.
“Gui Ling Di Huo, ranked 13th on the Different Flames List. I never expected such a different flame to be in your hands…” Looking at the huge flame turtle forming above Yao Tian’s head, surprise flashed across the face of Xiao Yan’s soul replica. Sure enough, there were also different flames in the Yao Clan.
“Die for me,” roared Yao Tian, his expression becoming even more ferocious as the fiery spirit formed. The huge fiery spirit charged forward with its four hooves, swinging its massive tail, filled with sharp fire needles, ruthlessly toward Xiao Yan’s head. The sound of the wind whistled through the air.
“Trickery.” Seeing this, Xiao Yan’s soul replica scoffed coldly. In a flash, a near-thousand-yard-long immense fire dragon appeared in the sky. With a casual swing of the dragon’s tail, it slammed onto the fiery spirit. The latter’s flames instantly dimmed, and after letting out a mournful cry, it shot backwards, vanishing into Yao Tian’s body.
*Spit!*
The fiery spirit was shattered, and Yao Tian’s face turned pale before he spat out a mouthful of blood. Gui Ling Di Huo was only ranked 13th, while Xiao Yan’s different flame, having fused with five different flames, could rival the top six different flames on the list. Moreover, with Xiao Yan’s vastly superior soul power over Yao Tian, defeating him was incredibly easy.
“Damn you,” roared Yao Wan Gui, who had also recovered from the shock. Seeing the severely wounded Yao Tian, his expression changed. With a roar, he appeared in front of the soul replica in a flash. Clenching his hand, the space before him collapsed.
*Xishhh*.
Confronted with Yao Wan Gui’s attack, Xiao Yan did not engage in a direct confrontation. Instead, his body exploded, dispersing into streams of soul force that entered Xiao Yan’s main body.
“Xiao Yan, you’re looking for death!” His fist meeting empty air, Yao Wan Gui raised his head, eyeing Xiao Yan with a dark expression. Rage burned in his heart as he moved again, reappearing before Xiao Yan and unleashing a powerful punch.
“Hmph, old fool, if you think you can dominate here, you’re sorely mistaken,” said Zi Yan, her expression grim, as she saw Yao Wan Gui attack again. Stepping forward to block in front of Xiao Yan, she clenched her fists and unleashed a dazzling golden dragon that crashed heavily into Yao Wan Gui’s attack.
*Peng*.
The clash between two Four-Star Dou Sheng powerhouses was overwhelmingly terrifying. Where their fists met, the space instantly crumbled, transforming into a void of blackness within a hundred meters.
The wave of power swept out, and Yao Wan Gui was thrown back in the sky, taking several steps before steadying himself. Glaring at Zi Yan, he growled, “An Azure Void Ancient Dragon?”
Zi Yan took a few steps back but held her ground. She was fearless in head-on confrontations. Her Azure Void Ancient Dragon’s body was invincible, and she possessed the even more formidable Dragon Pheasant physique. Although they were of the same rank, there was a possibility that Zi Yan could subdue him.
“Old man, trying to get overconfident, eh?” said Zi Yan coolly, dusting off her hands.
“What…” Fuming, Yao Wan Gui’s face turned grim. Just as he was about to shout, Yao Ling, who had remained silent, held him back, subtly shaking his head.
“Elder Wan Gui, these are just youthful conflicts. Interfering with them would be rather beneath your status,” said Xun Er, smiling slightly. “I suggest everyone takes a step back. Your goal isn’t to fight here, is it? Why waste energy needlessly?”
“And what? Does the ancient race wish to side with this fellow?” snarled Yao Wan Gui, sneering at Xun Er’s words.
“Yao Wan Gui, my lady is simply stating the facts. You should not be too entangled in the matter,” intervened the blue-robed elder behind Xun Er calmly.
“Humph!” Seeing who spoke, Yao Wan Gui waved his sleeve, glaring at the elder. He recognized Gu Nan Hai, who was no weaker than him, maybe even stronger. If they helped Xiao Yan, and adding Zi Yan by his side, they would suffer greatly. Thus, he could only huff coldly and turn his gaze to Xiao Yan and Yao Lao. “You two, don’t be too pleased. Our Yao Clan is humble, but don’t think you can toy around with us without facing the consequences.”
Xiao Yan chuckled, choosing not to respond.
“Yao Wan Gui, it’s a tragedy that the Yao Clan is under your control. One day, I will visit the Yao Clan. I have no regrets, but I must inscribe my parents’ names on the Family Ancestral Tablet,” declared Yao Lao, staring hard at Yao Wan Gui.
“There are no mediocracies on the Family Ancestral Tablet. Not only are your deadbeat parents unfit to be inscribed, but you yourself don’t have the qualifications either. Let go of that wish early,” ridiculed Yao Wan Gui.
“You old bastard, do you really think you’ll escape today?” growled Xiao Yan, his voice filled with bone-chilling intent. Seeing his father, Yao Lao, being insulted, his anger reached its peak.
Zi Yan’s eyes glinted dangerously, her gaze fixed on Yao Wan Gui. If he disrespected them further, she would strike immediately.
“Old scoundrel, dare to curse me?!” Yao Wan Gui’s face went rigid. Before he could vent, Zi Yan’s fierce look cut him off. Their situation had worsened, as much as he might delay Zi Yan, Xiao Yan’s displayed terrifying strength meant exterminating Yao Tian and Yao Ling posed no problem. However, if something happened, they would be punished.
Swallowing his rage, Yao Wan Gui glared at Xiao Yan and Yao Lao, then waved his sleeves, leading Yao Tian and Yao Ling far away.
As Yao Wan Gui and company left, the onlookers released soft sighs of relief, shocked at the sight of Xiao Yan and his team overpowering the Yao Clan—a revered primordial race. When the trio retreated, Yao Lao’s posture relaxed, his color returning to normal. Patting Xiao Yan on the shoulder, he let out a warm, relieved sigh. Back then, he’d protected Xiao Yan from harm; now, however, the roles had quietly switched. It brought complex emotions.
“Teacher, once I subjugate the Heavenly Lotus Demonic Flame, I’ll follow you to the Yao Clan!” whispered Xiao Yan, concerned about Yao Lao going alone.
“Alright,” nodded Yao Lao, smiling appreciatively.
This chaotic episode ended with Yao Wan Gui’s retreat. Xiao Yan and his team’s display of strength caught the attention of many. Zi Yan, in particular, showed power comparable to the great ancient races and the Soul Clan. As the chaos subsided, focus returned to the distant broken dimensional rift. The milky-white glow pouring down fluidly, turning the desert into a sea of milk-white lava. Occasionally, bubbles emerged, releasing searing hot currents.
*Bam, bam!*
After another three hours, the fissure expanded to tens of meters, mysterious sounds echoing faintly. The expansion halted when it nearly reached a hundred meters, and a milky-white circle formed in the rift. All the powerhouses immediately opened their eyes, sensing the temperature rise a hundredfold.
Xun Er also opened her eyes, gazing at Xiao Yan, softly saying, “It’s time…”
Her words carried a magical quality. Sharp gusts filled the air as powerful figures sped toward them from afar, crashing into the milky-white circle.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan stood up, his dark eyes blazing with heat! The Heavenly Lotus Demonic Flame—finally, the awaited day had arrived!
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