Under the steady gaze of countless tense observers, the energy ripple gradually subsided, revealing the seven-colored Sky-Eating Python struck. Now appearing quite devastated, the once-beautiful, smooth scales of the python had been shattered nearly in half by the previous devastating attack. Crimson blood seeped through the broken scales, dripping steadily like a light rain. The massive body gently undulated, releasing Xiang Yan, who remained unharmed. Xiang Yan raised his head, gazing at the dimmed glow in the python's eyes. The blood droplets fell upon his face, slightly warm. "Hmph..." The Sky-Eating Python flicked its tongue toward Xiang Yan, its eyes displaying a distinctly human-like concern. Now a five-stage being, the python had long surpassed human-level intelligence. Had it not been for the soul power suppression exerted by Queen Medusa, it would have been able to speak human words long ago. Since its birth, the Heaven-Eating Python had first seen Xiao Yan, and with their continuous close companionship thereafter, though a beast, it had already developed a familial affection toward Xiao Yan. Clenching his teeth tightly, Xiao Yan gazed at the Python whose scales were shattered all over, especially when he saw the human-like concern in the Python's eyes—his anger nearly overwhelmed his sense of reason. Fortunately, his reason prevailed, and he cast a cold glance toward Yun Ling below. Then, he swiftly retrieved several vials of healing medicine from his storage seal and hurled them onto the Python's body. Upon impact, the vials shattered, and the cool, healing liquid flowed gently along the wounds, easing the Python's pain. "Lucky fellow," Xiao Yan murmured, "the last time this beast saved you—well, what about this time?" With a cold gaze upon the heavily wounded Tian-Devouring Python, Yun Ling raised his hand, and once again a massive energy spiral sphere coalesced within the cloud sea. Energy surged across the sphere's surface, its powerful pressure sweeping the surrounding air into nothingness. "Go to hell!" A grim expression settled upon his face as Yun Ling suddenly thrust both palms forward, sending the colossal energy sphere roaring toward Xiao Yan with a thunderous wind that shook the heavens. Fixing his eyes tightly on the sphere rapidly expanding within his vision, Xiao Yan clenched his teeth, gripping his Xuanzhong Chi-stick tightly, his internal Qi surging wildly. "Hmph, Yun Ling! As the Grand Elder of Yunlan Sect, you've treated a young disciple so brutally—how dare you?" The voice of Haibo Dong's scorn finally echoed as the energy sphere approached Xiao Yan. "Ten Thousand Blossoms, Ice Mirror!" "As the sound of the drink echoed, a massive ice mirror, spanning several zhang of space, suddenly materialized before Xiao Yan. On its surface, countless fine planes were arranged, shimmering under the sunlight as if the mirror had been solidified from rays of sunshine. 'Boom!' The energy spiral sphere struck the ice mirror with tremendous force, and the immense energy was instantly dispersed by the countless fine planes. After the sphere dissipated, though the mirror was battered and scarred, it remained intact until the cloud-like energy diffused throughout the surrounding air. Only then did it crack with a crisp sound, shattering into a cascade of ice crystals that gently drifted downward. 'Hey, you alright?' A figure moved into view, Hai Bo Dong standing before Xiao Yan, facing away, asking. 'I'm fine,' Xiao Yan shook his head, tightly holding the ruler, and spoke softly. "Now we're in trouble. I never expected him to really go all out and activate the 'Cloud Mist Covering the Sun Array'—that's the Cloud岚 Sect's protective stronghold array, and launching it comes with a significant cost. Over the years, it's helped the sect weather countless crises." Hai Bo Dong slowly scanned the clouds below, shaking his head with a sigh. "As long as there are still energy reserves within the Cloud岚 Sect's disciples, we're effectively fighting against nearly a thousand of them. Even a Duke-level warrior wouldn't be able to withstand that pressure fully." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows, his voice low. "Then what should we do?" Hai Bo Dong glanced up at the energy dome enveloping the plaza. "Unless we break through this dome—once it's shattered, I can then carry you away. But right now, I'm too preoccupied with protecting you to focus on anything else." "With that, he glanced at the massive Tian-Tian Python behind Xiao Yan, saying, "That energy shield was constructed by over a hundred Cloud Rain Sect officials. With its Duke-level strength, breaking it will likely take a considerable amount of time—and right now, what we lack most is time..." "I'll go with the Tian-Tian Python to try. Sea Elder will handle the Python's defenses against that creature's attacks!" Xiao Yan paused and then made a decisive decision—there was simply no room for delay. "Ah well, that's the best we can do. The Yun-Yan Covering-the-Sky Array requires a Duke-level master to barely hold it together. Good thing Yun Yun isn't here; otherwise, with her Duke-level prowess leading the array, even a Duke-Grade cultivator would feel intimidated." Though he knew it would be quite challenging for Xiao Yan to break through the energy shield, Sea Bo Dong had no other options at this point. If the shield remained intact, they would have to fight hand-to-hand against nearly a thousand Cloud Rain Sect disciples. To one against a thousand, it is no great feat for a Duke-level warrior. Yet, thanks to the cohesion of the Yunyan Covering the Sun array, and the nearly decade—perhaps even several decades—of seamless coordination cultivated among the nearly thousand Yunlan Sect disciples, their collective strength has been fully concentrated upon Yun Ling, the array's focal point. Thus, the disparity in combat has become overwhelming, and even Hai Bo Dong can only retreat for now. "Oh well, it seems things have truly escalated..." gazing at the two parties poised for a decisive clash, Jia Xingtian sighed and shook his head. "For just one Mu Cheng—how could it have come to this, pitting a Supreme Battle Sovereign and a promising future powerhouse against each other? Is it really worth it?" "It's not even about Mu Cheng himself. He's merely an external office steward, not yet capable of such influence..." Fang Ma shook his head, offering a wry smile. "Yunlan Sect values its reputation, but by now, the situation has indeed gone beyond acceptable. Xiao Yan's initial strike seriously damaged Yunling's prestige. That's why he's now deploying the Sect's protective array—indeed, he's acting out of personal concern." "Ah," Jia Xingtian sighed, his own expression one of quiet resignation. By now, no mediator could possibly make a difference. ... "Boom!" The heavy staff, infused with fierce force, struck the energy shield with great impact, only generating ripples of subtle disturbance—no more than that. Staring solemnly at the unyielding energy shield, Xiao Yan turned to observe the Tian-Tian Serpent's assault—the successive ripples spreading outward indeed carried considerable force. Yet, there was still a vast gap before it could shatter the shield. "Damn it!" Xiao Yan turned back, witnessing the sharp, intense tension building between Hai Bo Dong and Yun Ling, and muttered under his breath. "I won't believe I can't break through this useless thing!" His breathing grew rapid; his eyes blazing red as he gripped his heavy ruler tightly. His inner qi surged powerfully, and he roared, slamming it hard against the impenetrable energy shield. "Boom!" As Xiao Yan's heavy stroke fell, a tremendous sound erupted throughout the arena. People looked up, stunned, witnessing the energy shield crack and spread rapidly across the field. Their astonishment lasted only a moment before their gaze shifted to Xiao Yan himself, who also held the black ruler, his face wide with disbelief. How could an energy shield—normally requiring considerable time even from a Duke-level warrior—to be shattered so casually by a mere stroke of his ruler? How dare you disgrace our Yunlan Sect elders? A man who hides behind his words—prove yourself to me, and appear before all!" His face darkened, and Yun Ling raised his voice, shouting sharply. "Hah! Show yourself, then! While others fear Yunlan Sect, I have not the slightest fear!" Laughter rang out once more. As the laughter faded, the energy shield that had already been on the verge of collapse finally exploded in a thunderous roar, shattering into countless fragments that drifted slowly into nothingness. "Pfft... " "Pfft..." With the shield broken, the massive trees surrounding it were instantly struck—over a hundred Yunlan Sect officials turned pale, then gasped, spitting out thick streams of blood. Ignoring the officials who were now coughing up blood, Yun Ling fixed his gaze firmly on a spot where space had become empty. Suddenly, the air there began to quiver strangely. A moment later, a silhouette emerged slowly. In an instant, a figure dressed in black appeared clearly before everyone's eyes. As the shadow emerged, the faces of the figures on the field—Haibo, Jia Xingtian, Fama, Yun Ling—changed dramatically within moments. "Another Supreme Sovereign-level powerhouse?" Jia Xingtian slowly drew a breath, his voice filled with unmistakable astonishment. "It seems... like reinforcements for Xiao Yan. Indeed, this individual must be backed by a truly powerful force.