Staring quietly at the ashes drifting away with the wind, Xiao Yan gently brushed his hands, yet his heart remained utterly still. He knew that two years ago, Fan Lu had already harbored a death intent toward him. By his nature, he detested enemies who held deep resentment and bitterness—those who remained alive were a constant source of annoyance. When Fan Lu had narrowly escaped back then, that had been a stroke of luck. But this time, such fortune had vanished entirely. "Now, it will be Han Feng's turn..." The emerald flame wings behind him slowly vibrated. Xiao Yan turned his gaze toward the northern sky, where the territory of the so-called "Black Alliance" lay. There, his "senior" was ruling with ease, enjoying the comforts of a landlord. "You've certainly been comfortable these past two years... but it won't be long now..." Reflecting on the nearly unbearable suffering he had endured beneath the earth during those years, a cold, solemn smile began to spread across his face. A magnificent emerald flame shimmered behind him as Xiao Yan's figure swiftly descended toward the ground, and within mere moments, the thunderous sounds of battle erupted throughout the mountain stronghold. Standing in the air, Xiao Yan surveyed the entire arena from above. Intense combat was unfolding across various parts of the stronghold, with the most fierce clashes naturally centered at the two battle circles in the middle—the protagonists there were Lin Yan, Zi Yan, and two other Black Alliance Grand Master-level warriors. Xiao Yan's gaze lingered on the battlefield where the two combatants were engaged for a moment before shifting away, confident in the outcome. While Lin Yan managed only a draw against another Supreme King-level warrior, the situation with Zi Yan was far more decisive. Though the young girl appeared endearing, the force generated by her punches was formidable—so powerful that even Supreme King-level warriors hesitated to overlook it. Once her attacks made contact, injuries were inevitable, ranging from severe muscle damage to broken limbs. As a result, the Supreme King warrior facing her could only constantly dodge and weave, barely able to keep up, completely outmatched. It seemed only a matter of time before he would be decisively defeated by Zi Yan. Once that warrior fell, Zi Yan would be free to lend her support to Lin Yan. Thus, the current battlefield had already taken a firm shape and was no longer something Xiao Yan needed to worry about. The focus shifted to the bustling, intense battlefield outside the mountain fortress, yet Xiao Yan's brow furrowed slightly. This time, not only did the Black Alliance command a numerical advantage, but their troops also appeared notably strong—despite the strength of Xiao Li's subordinates, they struggled to gain the upper hand. In several of the Black Alliance's coordinated assaults, Xiao Li's forces suffered significant casualties. Though Xiao Li himself maintained momentum thanks to his powerful Du Wang-level combatants, the relentless influx of Black Alliance reinforcements gradually encircled him. The massive assault was like a meat grinder, with continuous casualties on both sides, their cries of battle and screams merging into a thunderous roar that reached the clouds, even beyond the mountain ranges. "Don't believe him! The Master is a Duke-level powerhouse—how could he fall at the hands of this young, inexperienced boy?" Just as some of the Black Alliance troops were growing uneasy, a loud cry suddenly rang out, followed by a chorus of voices. From the way they referred to Fan Lu, it seemed clear that all of them were from the Blood Sect. As the Blood Sect members vocally protested, the Black Alliance troops gradually fell silent, their gaze sharpening once more toward the mountain stronghold, their weapons raised with growing eagerness. Observing the Black Alliance's response, Xiao Yan's expression grew serious. His wings fluttered behind him, and when he reappeared, he had settled atop a wooden stake at the outermost edge of the stronghold. With a simple hand motion, a gentle, undulating flame rose into the air, and his voice, devoid of emotion, echoed steadily throughout the area. "If you don't want to lose your lives, leave now. Return to Han Feng and tell him that I, Xiao Yan, have already secured Fan Lu's life. From now on, it will be his turn." "Xiao Yan?" "He's the very one who defeated the medicinal emperor Han Feng back then?" Hearing the name萧炎 report himself, the vast horde of Black Alliance troops erupted in waves of astonishment. Today, the name萧炎 is nearly synonymous throughout the Black Spire Region. The impressive achievements he achieved two years ago had even left the seasoned, constantly on-the-edge-of-death fighters of the Black Spire Region deeply impressed. Yet, as this name of considerable weight was finally spoken, the troops who had been eager to advance once again saw their momentum dampened, standing in quiet contemplation, hesitating to charge forward. "Don't listen to him babbling! Back then, Xiao Yan was already slain by the exotic flames of the Galen Academy—how could he still be alive? Everyone, hurry and destroy the stronghold now. The Alliance's rewards upon our return will be substantial!" Just when the Black Alliance's troops were hesitating, a loud, inciting roar erupted once again. Hearing the master's generous rewards, those who had initially been uncertain immediately took deep, labored breaths—clearly aware of how substantial Han Feng's rewards truly were. "Kill!" Under the irresistible allure of such substantial profits, the Black Alliance's seasoned fighters, who had long considered killing a routine matter, finally could no longer contain themselves. Waves of figures surged forward, pouring into the mountain fortress, accompanied by the sounds of battle. "You're all setting yourselves up for certain death!" Observing the troops who still refused to heed his counsel, Xiao Yan finally stopped speaking, merely giving a cold smile, then slowly closed his eyes. At that moment, the invisible flames on his palms began to emit subtle, undetectable surges of energy. A sea of figures surged toward the fortress, yet as they approached within fifty meters of it, they suddenly froze—faces flushed crimson, white mist rising even from their heads. Not long after the first deep, resonant voice echoed, a series of voices followed one after another. Each time a voice rang out, one of the black alliance troops charging forward with fierce martial aura would suddenly transform into a blazing figure, only to explode in a loud "boom," scattering into ash across the ground. As this almost eerie, deep-throated explosion repeated—around twenty or thirty times—those charging with murderous intent and grim determination finally began to feel fear. Their eyes grew wide, scanning wildly in all directions, dreading that the next to be consumed by flames might be themselves or someone close by. "This kid...this move is absolutely terrifying..." Xiao Li inhaled a deep breath of cool air. Even he, who had been watching closely, felt a chill at the sudden, unannounced way Xiao Yan had eliminated his opponents. Noticing the intense gaze of the crowd, Xiao Yan slowly opened his calm, dark eyes, his gaze sweeping over the black alliance troops, who stood like wooden posts, a faint cold gleam passing through his gaze. "Boom!" Another low voice echoed, and a figure clad in crimson robes was mysteriously consumed by flames. It wasn't until now that some observers began to realize that the ones being burned were all from the Blood Sect—those who had previously stirred the most agitation and incited the crowd. Xiao Yan's face remained calm, unbothered by the psychological pressure the eerie deaths had created. With a cold, steady gaze, he slowly scanned the crowd. Each time his gaze lingered at a spot for several seconds, one person would be consumed by fire. Under the relentless drumbeat of death, everyone's hearts pounded with growing urgency. Eventually, some could no longer endure the oppressive wait for their own demise, and in a burst of wild cries, they turned and fled desperately toward the forest. When the first person turned and fled in panic, the chain reaction swiftly spread across the entire mountain wilderness. As a result, the black alliance forces who had previously been eager to destroy the mountain stronghold due to substantial profits began to suffer a major collapse. No one could remain composed in the face of this strange human pyres—this effect of the Heart of the Fallen Flame suppressing the inner fire was simply unstoppable, appearing utterly miraculous to those unaware of the inner workings. Watching the large corps scrambling and fleeing into the forest in disarray, Xiao Yan slowly exhaled, allowing his intangible flame to gradually fade. Turning to face Xiao Li, who now stood on the stronghold's wall, wide-eyed and stunned, Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile—his earlier reserve had completely melted away. And as they saw Xiao Yan's smile, the people on the wall, who had been trembling all along, gradually regained their composure. Upon witnessing the black alliance forces already in full retreat, cheers erupted throughout the mountain fortress, resonating like thunder.