"Boom!" Within the void space, the massive form of the previous incarnation of the Three Thousand Scorching Flames was rapidly expanding. Beneath the dragon scales, vast streams of deep purple and black flames, each stretching hundreds of zhang, surged forth in an overwhelming wave, sweeping across a small section of the void space within a single blink. And clearly, the eruption was far from complete. Such a large-scale flame explosion even caused a subtle change in the expression on Xuan Kongzi's face. He sensed that the Three Thousand Scorching Flames was now releasing all the flames it had absorbed over the years. As Xuan Kongzi pondered, the dragon's section of body suddenly exploded with a tremendous force, unleashing a fearsome wave of deep purple and black flame that surged through the void space like a thunderous blaze. The intense heat instantly transformed the entire star realm into a vast sea of fire. This roaring tide of purple and black flame split and diverted as it approached within a few zhang of Xiao Yan and the core flame of the Three Thousand Yan Fire, leaving a clear expanse behind before continuing on its course. "Hill, take them and move first!" As the temperature within the realm grew increasingly overwhelming, Xuan Kongzi's expression grew steadily more serious. Over the years, the Three Thousand Yan Fire had absorbed and accumulated immense flame power, and the intensity of its eruption was truly formidable. Even he, in such a setting, could not afford to linger too long—any stronger aura would struggle to withstand the relentless heat radiating from the core flame. Hearing this, Qiu Ling also nodded seriously, lifting her sleeve and sending a gust of wind that carried Cao Ying and the other two instantly toward the star realm exit. "Master, there's Xiao Yan too!" Cao Ying exclaimed as she was forcibly pulled away. Xuangongzi frowned, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yan, now immersed in the deep indigo flames. The flames, as if conscious, seemed to avoid him, though the intense heat would eventually prove unbearable for even a Douzun-level cultivator. "We'll have to carry him forcibly," Xuangongzi decided after a moment's hesitation. Though doing so might cause some injury to Xiao Yan, it was unavoidable—given Xiao Yan's strength, he could not withstand the heat much longer. A thought flashed through his mind, and Xuankong Zi moved instantly, darting toward Xiao Yan. As he materialized above Xiao Yan, just as he was about to act, a surge of golden light burst forth, delivering a powerful punch straight toward his head. The sudden assault caused Xuankong Zi's brow to furrow. With a sweep of his sleeve, he met the golden figure's impact, sending it recoiling. A glance revealed that it was Xiao Yan's puppet—his own puppet—holding off the multitude of Dan Lightning strikes. "Damn it..." Clearly, the Heavenly Demon Puppet had taken him for an enemy. Without Xiao Yan's command, the puppet's inherently low intelligence stubbornly adhered to its duty of protecting Xiao Yan. Any action that threatened him would be interpreted as an attack. Though a Heavenly Demon Puppet still couldn't withstand Xuankongzi, the previous strike had cost him his final chance, as the massive dragon body hovering in the void suddenly split once more, exploding with a loud *pop*... Not long after the Qinghua Elder finished speaking, a shimmering emerald flame suddenly surged within Xiao Yan's body, spreading out like a protective dome, gradually enveloping his entire form. "An unusual fire...?" Seeing this, Xuan Kongzi's mind finally eased. Gazing at the towering, unbroken wave of deep purple and black flames rushing forward—its path stretching endlessly—he no longer hesitated. Clearly, Xiao Yan had a plan. Xuan Kongzi felt a growing sense of confidence in him. Over the past period, the young man had not appeared to be impetuous. "Ah, youngster. Since you've made your choice, then may the best be yours..." With a gentle sigh, Xuan Kongzi turned and swiftly moved toward the star realm exit. As he passed, his eyes caught the two elite soul palace warriors who had managed to enter the top ten. Unlike the elders such as Mu Gu, these two lacked precious spatial scroll tablets, leaving them with only the option to flee quietly. "Hmph." "Due to the disturbances from the Hall of Souls, Xuankongzi is currently seething with anger. Upon spotting these two suspicious figures, he coldly exhaled, swept his sleeve, and a powerful surge of force erupted forth, enveloping them instantly and hurling them directly into the deep purple-black sea of flames behind. 'Ah!' The two unfortunate Hall of Souls warriors cried out as they plunged into the fire, their inner qi violently surging to resist. Yet within just a few seconds, their qi was completely consumed by the flames, and their bodies turned to ash within moments, drifting down like scattered embers. 'That's quite ruthless,' the elder Qinghua remarked, immediately giving Xuankongzi a solid thumbs-up. However, as soon as he finished speaking, he felt a searing heat spreading through his entire body, prompting him to shriek and immediately press forward, desperately racing toward the exit of the star realm. Xuan Kongzi turned back and gazed upon the vast purple-black sea of flames that spread across the entire stellar expanse. Within this sea of fire, a circle of green light swayed like a leaf floating in the ocean, gently rippling, yet uncertain whether it would eventually collapse. "Ah, young one," he sighed, "now it will truly depend on your fate..." With a deep breath, he watched the continuous waves of fire surge once more, then moved swiftly, darting toward the stellar expanse's exit, and in a final flash, vanished beyond it. As the last figure burst out of the expanse, the once-vacant space fell utterly silent. The deep purple and black flames now enveloped every corner of the stellar realm, their intense heat distorting the very fabric of space... In the holy city of Sheng Dan, remnants of ruins could still be seen—clear evidence that the city had endured a fierce and significant battle earlier. In Dantai's sky, the silver spatial gate rippled and then a series of figures burst out, looking extremely disheveled, with vivid, scorching purple-black flames spewing forth from within, leaving onlookers stunned. The two in dark robes also grew pale, urgently speaking. "The core of the Three Thousand Yan Flame has now fully erupted, releasing all the flame energy it has absorbed over the years. The stellar realm is now likely submerged under a vast sea of fire. We must strengthen our seals significantly—otherwise, should the realm collapse, the entire Sacred Dan City will be utterly destroyed," said Xuan Kongzi solemnly. "He is currently engaged in a soul battle against the primordial flame of the Three Thousand Yan-Yan Fires, clearly aiming to refine and absorb it. If I forcibly take him away now, I'm certain he will suffer significant injury." Xuan Kongzi sighed. "Some injury is better than dying there." Xuan Yi remained furious. Xiao Yan was a disciple of Yao Chen; should Yao Chen eventually escape and learn that Xiao Yan perished within the Dan Tower's Stellar Realm, given his nature, he would certainly sever all ties with the Dan Tower—possibly even coming to demand reparation. "Calm down a bit, Xiao Yan may have been in a soul battle at the time, yet he was still aware of the changes outside. Since he hasn't withdrawn voluntarily, he must have his own plans. He's not a hasty or impetuous person," said Tian Lei, offering reassurance beside him. Xuan Kongzi smiled wistfully and said, "Don't worry. That young man possesses several unusual fires. Even if the Three Thousand Yan Flame truly erupts fully, he won't be able to withstand it in the short term. Once the star realm has calmed down a bit, I'll go in again and bring him out. I hope, when I go in, I won't find just a pile of ashes. You know how drugen is—when he's angry, he'll do anything."