At the very moment the exclamation of outrage rang out, the surge of deep purple and black flames, pouring forth like a volcanic eruption from the spatial rift, suddenly halted. Then, amidst the stunned gazes of onlookers, it swiftly retracted, vanishing in a matter of eyeblinks and rushing back into the rift. A moment of silence passed before someone finally recognized the star player who had been widely celebrated throughout the entire city just a few months ago. Instantly, whispers spread swiftly throughout the city. Under the weight of countless strange glances, even with his usual composure, Xiao Yan felt a bit uneasy. He raised his head, smiled warmly at the three executives who were equally astonished, saying, "Good to see you all well, gentlemen." "Xiao Yan? You—you're actually still alive?" The three executives were utterly stunned, especially Xuan Kongzi, who had personally entered the Stellar Realm. He was most familiar with its harsh conditions and had never stayed there for more than a short time. How could Xiao Yan have remained there for eight months without a single injury? Seeing the three's stunned expressions, Xiao Yan only shrugged, brushing his palm over the spatial crack, which then slowly faded away, and the intense heat lingering in the sky above Shengdan City also gradually subsided. "Your aura..." The three elders of Xuan Kong were no ordinary figures. After their initial shock, they gradually regained composure, carefully scanning Xiao Yan's form, their eyes growing even more astonished. The Xiao Yan now radiated an aura vastly different from the one he had when he first entered the Stellar Realm. "You... you've gathered the Three Thousand Yan Fire flames?" Xuan Kong's eyes flashed with recognition, as if a thought had just struck him. He then gently exhaled, "Ah!" Xiao Yan chuckled, "Haven't you thought of retrieving them, Xuan Elder?" "If you can resolve that threat, I wouldn't mind at all..." Seeing that Xiao Yan had not denied it, Xuankongzi couldn't help but exhale a sigh of relief. He then pursed his lips and remarked, "I truly didn't expect you to be able to tame the Three Thousand Yan Fire Flame. That creature's stubbornness—we've all witnessed it firsthand." Xiao Yan smiled, just as he was about to speak, when suddenly a figure in white flashed into view from afar. Before he could react, she had already reached his side, her cool jade hands tightly gripping his arm. On her delicate, beautiful face, a wave of unmistakable excitement shimmered, her beautiful eyes slightly glistening with tears—so tender and endearing, so heartwarming. "Don't worry, I'm fine." Gazing at the small healer who simply held his arm, said nothing, and stared at him with those rosy, earnest eyes, Xiao Yan's expression softened. He spoke gently. "Hehe, I knew he was fine—my Dragon Seal never fails." The cheerful voice of Zi Yan came through from behind the young physician, though Xiao Yan could still detect a sense of relief and delight in her words. "Master Yao, we've worried you all along." Gently patting the cool jade hand of the young physician, Xiao Yan turned to face the Heavenly Fire Sovereign who had arrived shortly after, offering a warm smile. The Tianhuo Master shook his head with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan, a flicker of astonishment passing through his eyes. He could sense that Xiao Yan's current strength had now reached the level of a Nine-Star Battle Sect Master—when Xiao Yan first entered the Star Realm, he had only been at the level of four stars. Now, within less than a year, he had made such remarkable progress. Having followed Xiao Yan for so long, the Tianhuo Master was well aware of his combat prowess; even at the four-star Battle Sect level, Xiao Yan had been capable of defeating strong opponents like Tian She, who stood at the pinnacle of Battle Sect mastery. Now, having advanced to the nine-star level, Xiao Yan likely had no one in the Battle Sect ranks who could stand against him—some even weaker Battle Masters might find it difficult to secure any advantage against him. "Ah," he sighed, "this young man's cultivation pace is truly astonishing. If this trend continues, achieving the rank of Battle Master may not be all that difficult." The Celestial Fire Master sighed bitterly in his heart, then glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, saying, "The one who has been most worried about you is she. Ever since you've been missing, she's been thinking constantly about entering the Stellar Realm. Had it not been for the obstruction of the three presidents of the Dan Tower, she would have forced her way in already." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan glanced at the now slightly thinner young healer before him, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart. How hard it is to repay a beloved's kindness—how hard it is to repay the loyalty and companionship that has endured through the long journey. When Xiao Yi Xian first followed him from the Yun Empire to the Hei Jiao Region, and then on to the Central Plains, she had never once voiced a complaint. Though Xiao Yan had devoted himself fully to helping her overcome her affliction of the calamitous toxin, it still could not fully erase the depth of their shared journey and companionship. Noticing the shift in Xiao Yan's gaze, it was Little Doctor who now grew slightly anxious, loosening her jade-clasped hands as if a startled deer, and softly said, "Everyone is deeply concerned about you. Please, try to avoid such risky endeavors from now on..." Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, calming his emotions. Surveying the grand setup of the Dan Tower, he chuckled, then bowed respectfully to Xuan Kongzi and the other two, saying, "I'm sorry to have caused you any inconvenience." "As long as you're safe, that's all that matters. During this time, I've been quite busy with Xuan Yi's constant interruptions. And should anything happen to you within my Dan Tower, I'm certain you'll come back to bother me when Yao Chen finally escapes." Xuan Kongzi waved a hand, smiling. "Teacher..." Hearing the name, Xiao Yan's lips slightly tightened, and a cold, determined expression passed over his eyes. Now that he had successfully obtained the Three Thousand Flames of Yan, it was time to free his teacher from the Huns' grasp. Seeing Xiao Yan's suddenly stern and sharp expression, Xuan Yi seemed to know what he was thinking, and spoke softly, "This isn't the right place for a conversation. Let's go inside the Dan Tower first. During your time in the Star Realm, we've gathered some updates regarding Yao Chen's detention." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's heart leapt with sudden excitement, then he suppressed his restlessness and nodded firmly. "...According to the information we've received, when the Hún Palace sent their forces to pursue you, they initially considered transferring Yao Chen. However, due to the events involving the Dan Assembly, those plans were postponed. Over the past half-year since your disappearance, they've had ample time to move Yao Chen from Ming City in the Central and Western Regions." Xuan Kongzi spoke seriously in a conference room of the Dan Tower. "Indeed, he has already been transferred..." Xiao Yan's expression grew more serious, and his fists tightened slightly. "Then, I wonder—where is my teacher currently being held by the Hún Palace?" Xiao Yan stared intently at the three members of the Xuan Kong Sect. The Dan Tower's intelligence capabilities far surpassed what he could achieve on his own by wandering around aimlessly. With their assistance, things would surely go much smoother. "We have some leads, but they're not yet certain," Xuan Yi said calmly. "We'll need a bit more time to track down precise information. However, you needn't worry—based on our current intelligence, we should be able to clarify everything fairly quickly." Xiao Yan nodded gently. At this moment, he could only rely on the Dan Tower's intelligence. "Don't be overly concerned," Xuan Kong added, wishing to ease Xiao Yan's anxiety. "The Huan Sect greatly values Yao Chen; they won't lightly endanger his life unless absolutely necessary." "Thank you, all three of you." "Moreover, if we receive information at that time, we shall have to rely entirely on your strength. Should we intervene, we will inevitably anger the Soul Palace, triggering a full-scale war. Currently, the Dan Tower is no match for the Soul Palace. Therefore..." Xuan Kongsi paused, then spoke softly. "The fact that the Dan Tower can help me locate where my teacher is being held is already sufficient. Should we offer any further assistance, I believe Xiao Yan will feel deeply obliged." As for this point, Xiao Yan was quite content. Xuan Kongsi and the others were key figures of the Dan Tower—every word and action represented the Tower—and the Soul Palace's power was exceptionally formidable. Should a war break out, the implications would be immense. Thus, even Xuan Kongsi and his colleagues would hesitate to formally declare war on the Soul Palace unless absolutely necessary. Xiao Yan smiled and bowed. "Then, I shall first extend my heartfelt thanks to Master Xuan." "For now, you shall rest at the Dan Tower. Once the information is gathered, you may immediately proceed." Xiao Yan nodded gently, then grasped his palm—there, a jade tablet appeared in his hand. It had been the message given to him by Feng the Venerable when he departed, and now it was time to summon him. With all the key figures gathered, once the information was secured, they could directly march to the prison where the Elder of Medicine was held and rescue him. "Master, please rest assured—I will surely come to rescue you soon." Xiao Yan lifted his head, took a deep breath, and in the depths of his dark eyes, a cold, resolute killing intent flashed. The suffering the Soul Palace had inflicted upon the Elder of Medicine—he would repay it a thousandfold! "Crack!" With the surge of determination, Xiao Yan clenched his hands tightly, and the jade tablet shattered instantly.