"We've actually lost..." On the terrace, Lin Quan and the Fifth Commander stared in wide-eyed astonishment at Yang Hao, struggling amidst the scattered rubble. They exchanged glances, each reading unmistakable shock in the other's eyes. "This young man has grown so strong... How is this possible?" Lin Quan clenched his fists, filled with disbelief. Though he knew that Xiao Yan had now surpassed him, he had never imagined that Xiao Yan could defeat Yang Hao so effortlessly—a five-star Sovereign at the peak of his strength. As a fellow clan member, Linquan had a clear understanding of Yang Hao's strength—his mastery of numerous powerful combat techniques, including the Imperial Seal Technique, which he had refined to the "Earth-Sealing Seal" level. Such prowess made him rare among peers of his rank. Yet, observing the earlier battle, Yang Hao had been completely outmatched by Xiao Yan, whose fierce attacks failed to inflict even a single wound. Clearly, Xiao Yan's true combat capability far surpassed his apparent rank. Hair streamed down from Yang Hao's head like wild, his blood-red, fierce eyes locked onto Xiao Yan on the stage. This match—he had nearly lost completely. How could it be that, with his peak Five-Star Battle Sovereign strength and a host of advanced battle techniques, he had been defeated so miserably by Xiao Yan? "You're a damn fool! I won't accept it!" Anger and humiliation swelled within him. Standing before so many witnesses, his defeat had been so humiliating. If word of this reached the Ancient Realm, he knew he'd face countless derisive comments. With a surge of passion, Yang Hao roared, stomped his foot against the ground, enduring the sharp pain radiating from within, and surged forward like a lightning bolt, charging again at Xiao Yan. Staring impassively at Yang Hao rushing toward him, Xiao Yan remained expressionless. With a sudden step forward, his ghostly figure materialized directly in front of Yang Hao. A sharp gust of wind surged through the air, striking Yang Hao's chest with lightning speed. "Waaah!" Once again struck hard, Yang Hao spat out blood, his body hurling backward, sending tables and chairs along the way into fine dust. "Although Xiao Yan is only a Five-Star Battle Sovereign, he possesses the unique Flame Spirit, and his battle aura naturally far surpasses that of ordinary individuals. Yang Hao's defeat at his hands is entirely expected." Facing this man, a middle-aged man with broad, rugged eyebrows spoke softly. "Moreover, he possesses an exceptionally strong soul. Under his soul perception, any elusive or ghostly movements prove ineffective—Yang Hao simply overestimated himself." The last man, dressed in a white robe and strikingly handsome with a gentle, warm smile that radiated a sense of comfort, added. As he finished speaking, his gaze turned toward the woman beside him. She wore a light red dress, her face partially veiled by a veil. Even so, the contours revealed through the veil were profoundly attractive. Her bright eyes remained calm and still, showing no reaction to the conversation among the three, as though the entire exchange held no interest for her. "Fire Young, don't treat us like we don't exist at all!" Seeing her demeanor, the white-robed man couldn't help but shake his head in resignation and said. "I'm particularly interested in his unique fire." Upon hearing this, the red-robed woman finally lifted her gaze slightly, glancing at Xiao Yan on the stage, her voice cool and melodious. "Hmph..." The white-robed man and the other two exchanged a look of weary patience, about to speak, when the red-robed woman suddenly added, "It seems today's gathering is quite lively. Apparently, the ancient clan members aren't exactly fond of Xiao Yan." ... Inside the pavilion, Yang Hao, covered in blood, stared fiercely at Xiao Yan, his breathing labored as if he were gasping. After a long pause, as if about to surge forth once more in fury, a sharp, cold voice suddenly rang out throughout the tavern. "Yang Hao!" Upon hearing this commanding voice, Yang Hao's body jolted sharply, regaining a surprising measure of composure. He froze in place, his fists clenched tightly. "You've disgraced the ancient clan entirely!" As Yang Hao's form halted, a figure slowly materialized before him, his cold voice sending a flicker of fear across Yang Hao's eyes. "Second brother," the two figures on the pavilion, Lin Quan and his companion, were momentarily stunned upon seeing the figure. Lin Quan's eyes then brightened with surprise, and in a single leap, he appeared beside the figure, bowing respectfully. "Hmph!" The figure glanced at the two, issued a sharp command, then sharply turned his gaze to the slender figure on the stone dais, speaking in a steady tone, "Xiao Yan, you've been quite spirited in your performance." Xiao Yan, standing above the figure, observed him with a lofty gaze. The latter wore a pale silver armor, his body radiating a steady silver glow, a powerful aura spreading out, drawing several onlookers' attention. "It's merely a match and a practice session." Xiao Yan glanced at the man clad in silver armor. From the way Lin Xiu and the others referred to him, he must be the so-called Second Commander. By the aura emanating from him, he appeared to have reached the level of Six-Star Battle Sovereign. Upon hearing this, the man in silver armor narrowed his eyes, then moved swiftly, materializing on the stone platform, and said softly, "I am Lin Xiu, Second Commander of the Hei Yan Army. Since you seem so fond of sparring, why don't you give me a try?" "A series of matches might be needed," Xiao Yan smiled. "But I don't think we'll need that many opponents to face you." Lin Xiu sneered. Today, Yang Hao had been beaten so badly in front of everyone; if he didn't step in now, others might still think the Hei Yan Army was merely showing off. "Then, Xiao Yan, are you ready to take another match?" "If the two commanders insist, then so be it..." Upon facing the relentless pressure from Lin Xiu, Xiao Yan only slightly furrowed his brows before they smoothed out. It was clear that the young talents from the ancient clans harbored a significant reservation toward him. After all, a serious illness demands a strong remedy—so let him administer a few potent ones now! As the tension on the stone platform once again intensified, several people in the pavilion turned their attention back toward the scene. By now, it was evident that there existed some unspoken gaps between Xiao Yan and these young talents from the ancient clans. "Lin Xiu! You're acting like children!" Suddenly, a deep, resounding voice of anger rang out throughout the pavilion. Instantly, a gray-robed figure materialized on the platform, facing Lin Xiu and shouting at him. "Senior Gu Xun." Lin Xiu was momentarily startled, bowing respectfully and speaking formally. "Ridiculous! As the host family, you've treated the guest from the Gu Clan with such disrespect in front of all these people—what kind of dignity is that? Get out of here right now!" The elder known as Gu Xun glared fiercely, shouting in anger. Gazing at Lin Xiu's retreating figure, Gu Xun turned to look at Xiao Yan with a complex expression, softly saying, "The Xiao clan members have finally come back to our ancient clan once again... Young people often act on impulse. Because of the lady's involvement, you'll surely encounter many troubles in the future. I hope you're well prepared." Xiao Yan bowed slightly to Gu Xun but said nothing. Gu Xun studied Xiao Yan deeply before turning and walking off the stage, heading toward the pavilion's outer area. Seeing that what was expected to be a fierce clash had ended so abruptly, many people felt somewhat disappointed, yet could do little else but quietly withdraw their attention, exchanging soft conversations about the intense battle that had just taken place, their eyes continually drifting back to Xiao Yan. As for those glances, Xiao Yan didn't mind. He stepped down from the stone platform, just about to return to his seat, when suddenly he noticed his inner hetero-fire pulsing vigorously. Following that subtle sensation, his gaze swiftly shifted, finally settling on the slightly serene pavilion. There, a red-robed woman draped in a veil was calmly gazing at him. At the center of her brow, a vivid flame mark was slowly blooming. "Hetero-fire…" Gazing at the flame mark on the red-robed woman's brow, Xiao Yan felt a sudden spark of recognition—the rare race mentioned by Yao Lao came to mind. "Is she… the one from the Flame Clan?"