As that profound, subtly chilly aura emanated from deep within the Wàn Xiē Gate, combat in both the sky and on the ground gradually ceased. The powerful warriors on both sides stared in astonishment toward the source of the aura, their expressions filled with bewilderment—few, if any, knew the origins of this aura's bearer. Even among the stronger fighters at the Duō Huáng level, their faces grew noticeably grim, as they realized the aura's magnitude surpassed their own, nearly rivaling that of Xiao Yi Xian and Xie Biyan. The emergence of such a pivotal figure at this moment was enough to decisively shift the course of the battle. High in the distant sky, two figures suddenly halted in mid-air. The battle between Xiao Yixian and Xi Bo Yan also paused slightly at this moment. After their fierce earlier clash, both of them had slightly labored breaths, their powerful qi swirling around them and causing the space itself to tremble. Xiao Yixian's gaze swept toward the source of that immense energy, her eyes narrowing slightly. In her mind, she murmured, "He's finally going to make his appearance, is he?" As Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi's eyes met, a thick, concentrated black mist surged suddenly from deep within the Wàn Xiē Gate, swiftly rising like a demonic spirit soaring through the clouds. In just a few flashes, it arrived directly above the battlefield, the mist gradually contracting until it settled into a formless black silhouette. "Master Bu will certainly step in—there's no issue with that. But as for the compensation afterward, you should know that, right?" The black mist occasionally rose from the surface of the shadow figure, and his slightly low, cold voice echoed across the sky. The Iron Protector glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, speaking calmly. "I'm afraid you won't get the chance!" Xiao Yi Xian scoffed. "Is that so?" The Iron Protector returned a cold smile, then his voice grew cold as he addressed Xi Ci Biyan. "Hold her steady. Once I've captured the soul of this Toxic Sect master completely, I'll come for her!" With those words, the Iron Protector suddenly moved his hand, and two black chains swirling around him burst forth, shooting across the sky with astonishing speed—so swift that it left the onlookers dazzled. Plunged! Plunged! The two chains shot out, and numerous Toxic Sect masters, startled, quickly darted aside. Yet the black chains seemed imbued with intelligence, spiraling through the sky in strange, graceful motions before piercing straight through the chests of two Battle King-level warriors. The black chains swayed slowly, finally lifting the two corpses who had been wide-eyed and filled with terror, and as the misty vapors curled along the chains, they forcibly extracted two ethereal soul bodies directly from the inner essences of the two Battle Kings, swallowing them whole. The lifeless bodies were then tossed aside at will. "Indeed, the souls of ordinary warriors are not as refined as those of alchemists. If it weren't for the people from the central plains—those of the 'Herbal Tower'—who had slaughtered them in great numbers, the mission would have been completed much sooner..." After drawing in the souls, the iron guardian shook his head, expressing clear regret. While he spoke thus, the toxic sect masters were all struck dumb by his astonishing display, retreating in haste. The strength of a Battle King was simply beyond their comprehension. Even if they all surged forward together, they could only fall one after another, becoming mere corpses on the chains. Xiao Yan stared at the iron protector floating in the sky, his expression slightly somber. Listening to Jie's title for him, it seemed this man held the same rank as the wu protector. However, though their levels were equal, Xiao Yan, with his keen spiritual perception, could sense that the iron protector's strength was slightly weaker than that of the wu protector. Of course, regardless of how much weaker, he was still a genuine Douzong-level master. And given the strange tactics employed by the Huns' Hall, defeating him would prove quite challenging. Seeing Xiao Yan, who still dared to be stubborn at this crucial moment, Scorpion Mountain's ire surged even further. He sneered at him and then raised his voice respectfully, saying, "Master Tie, this man is from the Poison Sect. He is quite skilled and has already defeated two of our Supreme Sovereign-level warriors from the Ten Thousand Scorpions Sect. I beg you to intervene and capture him!" "Rockspar先生, hurry and escape!" The senior warriors from the Poison Sect, witnessing Scorpion Mountain's actions, quickly urged. "Indeed, the Ten Thousand Scorpions Sect is showing signs of decline—how could they even manage to defeat a mere one-star Supreme Sovereign-level young warrior?" Master Tie glanced at Xiao Yan calmly before adding with a mocking tone. Hearing Master Tie's words, Scorpion Mountain's face turned first pale, then flushed with anger, yet unable to respond due to the strength of his opponent. He thus redirected his fury toward Xiao Yan, his gaze filled with an unmistakable venom. After delivering a mocking remark, the Iron Guardian said no more, merely glanced casually at Xiao Yan, then flicked his finger. The dark chains swirling around him instantly burst forth with sudden force. The chains surged as shadows from the heavens, their clanking sounds like the blades of a death god's sickle, haunting and life-taking. Xiao Yan's figure retreated swiftly, enveloped in silver light, as he stored his heavy staff within his storage amulet. With each step, he executed an unusual gait, narrowly evading the chain attacks every time. In the sky, numerous elite warriors watched in astonishment as Xiao Yan held his own against a Dou-Zong-level powerhouse for so long. The Scorpion Mountain's face grew increasingly grim as he opened his mouth in surprise. As the pursuit continued without success, the Iron Monastery's attendant grew increasingly frustrated. He had not expected Xiao Yan to be so agile—under his relentless assault, even a typical peak Dou-Huang-level warrior would have struggled, yet this young man managed to dodge with ease. "Hah! Good lad! I truly underestimated you. You're no ordinary fighter—after all, you've defeated two Dou-Huang-level warriors." "At the height of his fury, the Iron Protector coldly laughed, shifting his hand seal. Black mist swirled around him, and then a series of rustling sounds erupted—suddenly, roughly seven or eight chains burst forth from within his body, spiraling upward and weaving through the sky, forming an all-encompassing net that relentlessly pursued and pursued Xiang Yan, who was desperately trying to evade. "I don't think you'll be able to escape much longer!" With that cold, deadly tone, the black chains formed a dense, impenetrable lattice, sealing off every possible retreat for Xiang Yan. With no choice but to endure, Xiang Yan had to withstand the onslaught. How a Battle Emperor could possibly endure the assault of a Battle Sovereign was, naturally, a matter of course. Knowing that escape was impossible, Xiang Yan ceased his futile struggles, frowning slightly as the black chains rapidly expanded within his field of vision. "Oh...," the stronger cultivators of the Poison Sect breathed in relief as they saw Xiao Yan facing certain defeat. Yet, they could do nothing—when the Dao Sect cultivator appeared, their morale plummeted. They all knew that even though Xiao Yi was a Dao Sect cultivator, she still struggled to hold her own against two opponents. Should she fall, the fate of the Poison Sect would be sealed. Observing Xiao Yan's dire situation, the face of Xie Mountain darkened with fierce determination—almost foreseeing the grim scene of his final demise. Amidst countless eyes filled with varied thoughts, the black chain surged forward with sudden force. Yet, just as it was about to strike Xiao Yan, the space where he stood suddenly warped. As the space twisted, the chain—originally following a perfectly smooth trajectory—diverted from its path, grazing Xiao Yan's body before shooting off at high speed. A sudden scene immediately caused a stir throughout the hall. After a moment of astonishment, the Iron Monastic roared, "I wonder which Dao Cong has been quietly watching from the sidelines—please refrain from interfering, or else..." "Or else what, then?" A figure slowly materialized before Xiao Yan, his voice calm and cold.