Xiao Yan, visible within Wu's eyes, bore a stern and fierce expression, with faint traces of blood on his lips. His clothes were torn and disheveled, appearing somewhat awkward—clearly wounded by the previous surge of fiery storm. Yet, compared to Tian She's trio, these injuries were negligible. Wu's body stiffened under the intense tone of voice, his face growing pale. He could clearly sense a powerful force building within the palm pressed against the back of his neck. As soon as Xiao Yan's resolve to kill ignited, Wu would likely fall beneath his hands. Xiao Yan wiped the trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze steady and emotionless upon the Wu Protector before him—the guardian of the Huan Palace who had once displayed formidable strength at Yunlanshan in the Gamma Empire, and who had personally captured the Ye Elder right before his eyes. After years had passed, the Wu Protector now found himself in the most humiliating position, captured at last by Xiao Yan's hands. "Ah!" As the intangible flame made contact with Wu Huifa's body, the latter instantly emitted a piercing, agonized cry. The unique soul-burning effect of Yunxian Heart Flame—now utterly ineffective due to the absence of the mysterious black mist that once protected him—was nothing short of the most excruciating punishment for Wu Huifa. The cries echoed across the sky and resonated throughout Yecheng, causing countless listeners to silently swallow their breath. Yet, Xiao Yan paid no heed to Wu Huifa's cries, his gaze cold and unyielding as he watched the latter grow increasingly frail within the flames. Only when Wu Huifa's soul was on the verge of dissolving did Xiao Yan gently flick his fingers, drawing the flame into his own body. At that moment, Wu Huifa hung his head low, his breath shallow and his spirit trembling with intense, searing pain, causing his body to subtly convulse. "Was it painful?" Xiao Yan gazed at the utterly frail Wu Fu, yet his grip on the Fu's neck grew increasingly firm. The youthful face flushed with renewed fury: "The sufferings Master Yu endured at the Soul Palace are likely far less than a fraction of what I am about to inflict. Indeed, even if I leave you soulless, it is entirely justified!" Wu Fu's body convulsed violently. Under the intense scorching of Yun Luo's flame, he had lost all strength to speak. Though he tried to utter words, none came forth. In his heart, he felt only regret—regret not for having seized and brought Yao Chen back, but for having failed to crush Xiao Yan with a single palm strike back then. At that time, in Wu Fu's eyes, Xiao Yan had been nothing more than a mere insect, easily vanquished by a single blow. Yet, alas, there was no remedy for past mistakes. The seeds sown then had finally blossomed into the fruits he now bore. "Crack! Crack!" A crisp wave of applause suddenly rang out in the sky. Xiao Yan turned his gaze toward the sound and spotted Tian Huo Zhunshi beaming with a smile, while across from him, Tian Shuang Zi wore a gloomy expression. "I didn't expect it at all... this time, even I have missed the mark," Tian Shuang Zi said, his eyes fixed steadily on Xiao Yan, his voice calm and measured. Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and his mind stirred—immediately, the earth spirit automaton darted forward, shielding him. Now, his condition was gradually weakening. Should a stronger opponent arise, the situation might indeed become unpredictable. "Need not intimidate the young ones. Today, you won't be able to move." The Heavenly Fire Patriarch raised his gaze, then turned his eyes toward Xiao Yan, saying, "You go rest a while. This one I'll handle." Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his gaze alert and fixed on Tian Shuangzi. His current state no longer suited him for combat; should this old man strike him, he would likely not last five exchanges. "Rest? Really think my Huiren Sect members are easy to capture?" As Xiao Yan was just retreating, a calm voice rose steadily across the sky, resonating like thunder, startling countless onlookers. As that calm voice resonated, the cold barrier enveloping the lands surrounding Yecheng suddenly surged violently, then was violently torn apart, allowing a surging tide of black mist to flood in, swirling majestically across the sky. After a moment, the mist gradually lightened, revealing ten figures—each of them radiating strong energy. Particularly striking was the figure at the forefront: an elderly man with blue hair, dressed in a black robe. Though no energy emanated from his body, the very fabric of space around him trembled and rippled as he appeared. At the very moment this group appeared, Xiao Yan's retreating posture suddenly stiffened, and his face instantly darkened. He hadn't expected the Hu Dun's representatives to arrive precisely now... The Tian Huo Patriarch's expression also subtly changed at that moment, his gaze fixed firmly on the blue-haired elder. While others might not have sensed his presence, he could clearly perceive it. "This man's strength surpasses even Tian Shuangzi's. He has likely reached the level of a Two-Star Battle Sovereign. Today, things are growing increasingly unfavorable." Compared to the somber expressions of Xiao Yan and Tian Fire Master, Tian Shuangzi now bore a bright smile. Glancing at Tian Fire Master's face, he felt a sense of relief and ease, then bowed slightly toward the blue-haired elder, smiling, "Heh, I didn't expect to be so surprised to see you, Elder of Qinghai—how fortunate it is that you've been summoned here today..." "Tian Shuangzi, it's been a while. I hope you're well," replied the blue-haired elder, bowing in return with a gentle smile. "It was merely an urgent message. I was already on a mission with my team, so I came over out of curiosity." "Elder of Qinghai, act swiftly and capture Xiao Yan—He is specifically designated by the Hall Master to be taken." When the Qinghai elders arrived, the guard previously held by Xiao Yan suddenly regained strength, gasping and shouting with a hoarse voice, struggling to utter the words from deep within his throat. Xiao Yan's eyes grew cold, and an intangible flame surged forth, instantly enveloping all of Wu Huafa. From his meditation scroll, he retrieved a jade bottle, thrusting it into Wu Huafa's hands amidst the latter's piercing cries. With a simple swipe of his fingers across the bottle's mouth, he sealed it with a thin layer of flame. After completing these actions, Xiao Yan tossed the jade bottle back into his scroll, his gaze steadily fixed upon Qinghai and the others at a distance. Seeing Xiao Yan seal Wu Huafa right before his eyes, Qinghai's cloudy eyes narrowed slightly, his expression filled with mild astonishment, and he asked, "Are you indeed the Xiao Yan I've heard of?" To this question, Xiao Yan said nothing. Instead, he shifted his foot and stepped to the back of the Earth Spirit Puppet. "Hehe, I didn't expect... after being spotted by the Spirit Palace, you still dare to act so boldly—your courage is truly impressive." Seeing that Xiao Yan remained silent, Qinghai merely smiled, shook her head lazily, and said, "Release that one. You'll come with me to the Spirit Palace as well." Upon hearing Qinghai's words, Tian Huo Zen Master's expression darkened, and as he prepared to move, Tian Shuangzi appeared instantly beside him, gently pulling him forward. "Get out of my way!" Tian Huo Zen Master growled, his face stern. "Heh, if you have the ability, I won't mind at all," Tian Shuangzi replied calmly, then turned to Qinghai and said, "Respected Master Qinghai, this man is also one of Xiao Yan's allies. I'll take care of him. You just need to focus on capturing the young man." Qinghai's gaze swept over Tian Huo Zhunzhe, a flicker of astonishment passing through his eyes before he nodded and smiled, saying, "Then it shall be our pleasure. Once I have captured Xiao Yan, I will lend my full support." Tian Xiangzi smiled in return, observing the steadily darkening expression of Tian Huo Zhunzhe, a hint of cold resolve gleaming in his eyes. Turning his gaze from Tian Huo Zhunzhe to the cold-faced Xiao Yan, Qinghai offered a gentle smile, then lightly stepped upon the void with his feet, causing the space before him to rapidly warp and distort. Seeing this, Xiao Yan's face paled slightly, and he retreated with a sudden surge of urgency, his eyes blazing with growing desperation. As soon as Xiao Yan stepped back, the space before him began to twist and ripple, and then Qinghai's form materialized, his withered hands reaching out and grasping him. Instantly, the space around Xiao Yan solidified, pinning him firmly in the sky. For this solidified space, if Xiao Yan were at his peak strength, he could easily break free—but now, after channeling the Heaven Fire Triple Transformation, he was at his most vulnerable. How could he possibly escape? Wound him, and you shall die!