"Xiao Yan? He's the very one who defeated Shen Yun?" In the misty forest, a series of astonished glances were cast toward the young figure standing not far away. Xiao Yan's name had been spreading like wildfire recently, and among the younger generation, few could match the strength of Fei Tian—rarely did a young contender force such a formidable warrior to intervene. Even more astonishing was that Xiao Yan had actually managed to escape Fei Tian's grasp. Fei Tian, a legendary figure known throughout the northern region of Zhongzhou, was widely regarded as nearly invincible. As the various expressions of emotion washed over him from the surrounding observers, Xiao Yan slightly furrowed his brow. With a gentle shake of his arm, the colorful silk ribbon automatically launched back and was neatly folded into the sleeve of the young woman wearing the colorful skirt. "You go your own way, I'll follow mine—don't bother me, and I won't interfere with you either..." Xiao Yan gazed steadily at the woman in colorful robes, speaking slowly. He could sense her strength was considerable, and given that she was the most likely candidate to become the next Master of Fenglei Pavilion, he simply couldn't believe she would be challenged unless there was a decisive reason. For now, his goal was merely to secure one of the ten spots, and their paths didn't cross directly. He certainly didn't want to exhaust himself at the very beginning simply because of her. "Such a bold attitude... I won't interfere with you now. At Tian Shan Blood Pond, I'll be waiting for you. If you're worthy of reaching there, then you and Fenglei Pavilion can settle your differences then." The woman in the colorful robes fixed her gaze on Xiao Yan, smiling gently—her tone carried a subtle chill. "Of course, if you've been defeated before even reaching the Tian Shan Blood Pool, then it only proves that the accomplishments you've made have relied solely on the strength of others." With those words, the woman in the colorful skirt lightly touched the ground with her foot, her figure gliding like a dancing butterfly, swiftly retreating until she vanished into the thick mist. As the woman in the colorful skirt disappeared, Xiao Yan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. He glanced around, then slowly walked in a different direction, eventually vanishing into the mist under the watchful eyes of many. "Too bad they didn't fight—there's no way to know who truly emerged victorious when they actually faced off." Seeing the two simply retreat without engaging, the crowd expressed a sense of disappointment. "Hehe, we're not fighting yet—we just want to conserve our strength. There are many powerful beasts within the Tianmu Mountain Range, and especially dense around the Tianshan Blood Pond. To break through the herd and reach our destination, one would need real skill; otherwise, it's likely just a one-way trip to the grave. But once we arrive, I'm certain there'll be a fierce battle between these two." The murmurs lingered for a while, after which everyone dispersed—some alone, others in groups—heading deeper into the mountains. Due to the thick energy mist inside the range, even the maps offered little guidance, and many had to rely on luck, slowly exploring and testing whether fortune would favor them. As the crowd dispersed, the once-quiet mountain range gradually came alive. An ever-growing number of people had poured into the Tianmu Mountain Range, their collective energy infusing the landscape with vibrant life—typically renowned for its abundance of wild beasts. Yet beneath this lively atmosphere, an undeniable crisis lingered. Yet crises often go hand in hand with rewards: with its rich population of rare beasts and exceptionally potent energy, the mountain range boasts numerous precious natural treasures. Even if one fails to reach the ten-member elite group entering the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pools, a substantial gain is assured. Overall, while the Tianmu Mountain Range is perilous, it can indeed be considered a treasure trove—provided one has sufficient luck and strength, returning with a full load is quite achievable. Standing atop the tree, Xiao Yan swept his gaze and was suddenly struck by the astonishing density of the mist—so thick that he could barely see beyond ten meters. Looking upward, he found himself instinctively shrugging his shoulders as a vast, vibrant tide of five-colored energy continuously surged forth, radiating an unyielding pressure that left him feeling deeply unsettled. And since Fenglei Pavilion has the most clearly defined route, other factions such as Wanjian Pavilion, as well as some slightly weaker ones, must surely also be making preparations. Thus, counting them all, the number likely exceeds ten. That means, from the very beginning, Xiao Yan has fallen behind them significantly. "Having a strong faction backing truly is advantageous... Tianshan Xuetan will appear one day after the surge of energy tides. That means I must reach there within a single day, or else I'll miss the chance to enjoy Tianshan Xuetan altogether..." With a sigh, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then suddenly sat cross-legged, his spiritual perception rapidly spreading out from his brow. Though Xiao Yan didn't know the exact location of that Dayun Mountain Blood Pond, as it lay at the heart of the mountain range, it would naturally require an exceptionally vast and pure concentration of energy to coalesce the peculiar waters within the pond. Thus, the Dayun Mountain Blood Pond would be the region within the entire mountain range with the most potent energy. With this, Xiao Yan's soul perception could use it as a medium to search—by locking onto the area of most concentrated energy and then rushing directly there, he would surely not go astray. As his soul perception rapidly spread out, the traces of energy fluctuations within a ten-li radius clearly reflected back into his mind, and the direction in which the energy flowed gradually came under his grasp. "Northward," Xiao Yan murmured after about half an hour, suddenly opening his eyes and fixing his gaze on the northern horizon. Under his perception, the energy of this mountain range seemed to be subtly converging toward that direction. Once he had settled his position, Xiao Yan leaped from the tree top, landing lightly on the ground, causing a passerby to recoil in surprise and hastily draw out his weapon with a sharp sound. Undeterred by this startled figure, Xiao Yan didn't pause—he stepped lightly on the ground, his form transforming into a shadow, darting swiftly into the thick mist and then racing through the forest at full speed toward the location where energy concentrations were sensed in his soul perception. Along the way, he encountered several individuals locked in fierce battles with wild beasts, yet he made no stop. Moving like a ghost, he passed through them seamlessly. Thanks to his exceptional soul perception, he could detect hidden wild beasts within the mist ahead of others, thus avoiding any obstacles and maintaining an astonishing pace—so swift it was almost breathtaking. After hurrying for nearly an hour at this brisk pace, Xiao Yan's speed gradually slowed down. As he delved deeper into the mountains, the hidden beasts concealed within the thick mist grew stronger. Should he continue advancing without restraint, he would inevitably draw the attention of these creatures. Though Xiao Yan was not afraid, any delay in his progress would not be to his liking. The gaze lingered on the orc for a moment, then shifted to the figure across from it. Anyone who had managed to reach this point at this time was no ordinary individual, and this person was no exception. The figure wore a sleek black martial robe, appearing quite young, with a resolute face. Behind him, he carried a large blue sword, from which a sharp, penetrating sword aura subtly radiated. The surrounding traces suggested that he had already clashed with this six-tier orc, yet his clothing remained neat and undisturbed, clearly indicating he had not been overwhelmed. When Xiao Yan arrived, the black-robed man's expression subtly shifted, and he gently grasped the hilt of his sword on his back before making a slight step forward, then surged forward with sudden force. In response to the man's movement, the six-tier orc roared, charging with its four hooves, fiercely lunging toward him. "Shhh!" The man and the beast swiftly passed each other, their blades intersecting in a flash—lightning-fast, the sword's arc vanishing as soon as it was cast. "Whoa!" The black-robed man remained upright, slowly sheathing his long sword into the hilt at his back, and the massive beast behind him collapsed with a thunderous roar. "Such a swift strike..." Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. With his keen observation, he had only just managed to catch the gesture of the man drawing his sword—now, this man's strength was truly formidable. "Have you enjoyed the spectacle enough?" As Xiao Yan was still marveling, the black-robed man gently lifted his gaze, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, and spoke calmly.