Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Deep, resonant sounds of bodily rupture echoed continuously throughout the vast manor, as if the very presence of the sound were a death-dealing scythe—each time it rang out, one disciple from Yunlan Sect would vanish into ash, without exception. Disciples of Yunlan Sect flowed like a tidal wave toward the innermost part of the manor. Those behind, due to limited visibility, remained unaware of the unfolding events and thus only continued to crowd forward. However, as the pressure of the crowd gradually reached a certain threshold, the sickly blade of Death quietly descended. With an increasing number of Yunlan disciples mysteriously burning through their bodies, a wave of fear soon spread throughout the entire area. Driven by this fear, their momentum sharply diminished, and eventually, they could no longer endure, beginning to retreat in panic. Just moments before, the steady, tide-like surge of white figures had now turned into a disorganized scramble, fleeing in terror, afraid that the strange phenomenon of body-burning might suddenly strike them. Thus, amid this eerie phenomenon of bodily incineration, the Yunlan Sect's overwhelming offensive began to crumble. Faces across the entire assembly bore identical expressions of terror and astonishment—this intangible, colorless force, capable of proving fatal, was even more insidious than a sharp blade, gradually eroding the very courage of its victims. Only when the Yunlan Sect disciples fled the outermost perimeter of the manor like survivors from a siege did the strange phenomenon of bodily combustion gradually subside. Yet by then, the sect had suffered devastating losses: at least half of those who had experienced the terrifying incineration had been transformed into scattered ashes. As the Yunlan disciples retreated in a steady tide, the manor was strewn with a thick layer of pale, powdery residue—so abundant that it piled up to a thickness of nearly an inch. With the gentle breeze, the powder danced in the air, casting the heavens in a perpetual haze of fear and strangeness, profoundly unsettling. Throughout the estate, both inside and out, everything had grown eerily still under such strange circumstances. In less than ten minutes, half of the disciples from Yunlan Sect had turned into fine powders and ashes. This sight—whether witnessed by the Mitel族 people, Yunlan Sect disciples, or the onlookers outside—left everyone shivering, as though plunged into the depths of a profound abyss. To them, it was truly terrifying. The disciples of Yunlan Sect who had retreated outside the manor stared in horror and fear at Xiao Yan hovering in the air above. Their expressions were as if they had witnessed a bloodthirsty demon. The severity of the attacks they had endured earlier left an indelible impression on their minds. This figure, now resembling a demon, would frequently appear in their thoughts, bringing them constant fear. Within the manor, the members of the Mittel family stared at the powdery residue spread across the ground outside the courtyard, their own throats suddenly dry, exchanging glances filled with awe. Just moments ago, the disciples from Yunlan Sect who had previously overwhelmed them with little resistance had suddenly erupted like fireworks—crashing and splintering in a flurry—nearly half of them eliminated in a single burst. Only now did they truly grasp that, in the eyes of true masters, human lives were indeed mere straw. "Heh, this fellow isn't the gentle, soft-hearted youth he used to be anymore... But for him, that might actually be a good thing." Regarding Xiao Yan's relentless wave of executions, Xiao Ding showed no resistance at all—on the contrary, he felt a quiet sense of satisfaction. He smiled softly and said slowly, his voice carrying a touch of warmth and an unspoken, gentle sigh. Yafei stared in astonishment at the soldiers riding horses, clad in black armor. A touch of surprise crossed her face, and then she raised her brows, smiling lightly. "That Tianye's indeed quite capable. When the Mitel family faced great adversity earlier, they were nowhere to be seen. Now that Xiao Yan has returned and the situation has shifted dramatically, it's only a matter of time before they step in—how swiftly they've turned the tide is truly impressive." Xiao Ding smiled calmly. "By sending troops now, we naturally wish to win favor with our third brother. But if she can extend goodwill, that would be even better. The Mitel family will surely reap many benefits from a strong relationship with the imperial house. Most importantly, we all share the Yunlan Sect as a common adversary." "Yafu nodded, her gaze fixed on the surging tide of steel. There, a clear path had opened up, and a sturdy horse emerged slowly from it. Upon the horse, a woman clad in purple and black brocade, wearing a phoenix crown, stood tall. With her elegant, poised eyes, a quiet dignity shone—clearly the future empress, Tian Ye, who had gradually come to lead the royal house of Jima. "The Yunlan Sect defies the laws and gathers its forces to invade the imperial capital—every single one of them is to be taken!" Tian Ye coldly scanned the Yunlan Sect disciples, tightly encircled and surrounded, then raised her slender hand and commanded. Seeing that these Cloud岚 Sect disciples had not put up much resistance, Tian Ye quietly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. These people all possessed solid abilities—should they resist, it would surely bring about a good deal of trouble. As she settled the current issue, her gaze subtly swept across the estate. When her eyes fell upon the powdery residue on the ground, her hand in her sleeve tightened instantly. She had witnessed the strange self-burning that had suddenly occurred here earlier, and thus, her current expression was slightly uneasy. Such power was truly overwhelming—were the true masters all this formidable? That explained why her grandfather had always remained patient and restrained until he was absolutely certain of his ability to handle the Cloud Mountains. Raising her gaze to the black-robed young man in the air, Tian Ye smiled gently, her features radiant. With a soft voice from her full lips, she said: "Hmm, should I call you Mr. Yan Xiao, or Mr. Xiao Yan?" Xiao Yan glanced at the woman, who bore a touch of familiarity, and slightly furrowed his brow, momentarily unable to recall her identity. "This is Princess Yao Ye—have you seen her before?" As Xiao Yan frowned, the gentle smile of the Yafu slowly reached him, bringing him a sudden clarity. Watching the Yafu emerge steadily from the manor, Yao Ye offered her a warm smile, then dismounted, warmly taking her hand and saying, "Sister Yafu, I'm sorry I didn't come earlier. The time required to mobilize our troops was quite substantial." Surprised by Yao Ye's sudden warmth and enthusiasm, Yafu showed no sign of being taken aback. With a smile, she knew that the imperial court was now making great efforts to strengthen ties with Xiao Yan. However, due to past events, Xiao Yan held little favor toward other factions within the empire. Thus, this astute woman had chosen to extend goodwill toward her, in order to establish a connection with Xiao Yan. "Ah, so it's Princess Yao Ye..." With a gentle smile prompted by Lady Ya, Xiao Yan didn't seem overly enthusiastic, merely lifting his gaze toward the chaotic battlefield above and softly saying, "Right now, there's no time to catch up with the Princess. I'll deal with these people first, and then we can talk more thoroughly later." Unfazed by Xiao Yan's slightly reserved tone, the future Empress of the Jima Empire warmly nodded in agreement. After casually sending Princess Yao Ye on her way, Xiao Yan's emerald-colored fire wings surged powerfully, and he suddenly shot forward into the midst of the turbulent battlefield above. The battlefield in the sky had already been strained due to the sheer number of opponents, with several Cloud Ridge Sect's Dou Wang-level warriors struggling to defend themselves, barely managing to parry attacks without being able to mount a strong counteroffensive. With Xiao Yan—such a formidable presence—now joining the fray, the situation instantly shifted decisively in his favor. "Psst—" A blurry silhouette streaked across the sky, and within just a few minutes, nearly four Grand King-level warriors had been severely wounded, plummeting from the heavens, their blood spraying out like crimson mist that drifted gently in the air. As the sight of Cloud Lake Sect's Grand King warriors steadily retreating unfolded, the entire city fell silent, everyone staring at one another, clearly realizing that Cloud Lake Sect now had no chance of recovery. At the very instant when Xiao Yan's aura surged, even Yun Shan, who was meditating closed-eyed atop the distant Yunlan Mountain, and the white-robed woman within the imperial pavilion, suddenly opened their eyes, both filled with shock and disbelief. "How is this possible?!"