Two sets of eyes locked onto each other, within their pupils, flames danced and flowed. In the space between them, the very air seemed to grow increasingly hot. "Poof!" After a moment of silent gaze, a sudden burst of flame erupted spontaneously between them, its wave of heat instantly reducing the nearby tables and chairs to ash. As the flame surged, Xiao Yan's body trembled slightly, a serious expression crossing his face—this woman's unique fire, clearly, was no ordinary affair. "What's going on?" The small healer and others quickly approached Xiao Yan, following his line of sight, pausing on the group of strangers, and asked softly. "There's nothing really..." Xiao Yan shook his head, gazing deeply at the red-dressed woman. Though he had long coveted the strange flames, he was far from foolish—he was certain she was the one the Yeold had spoken of, the member of the Yan Clan. Though he was quite unfamiliar with this race, being able to stand alongside the Gu Clan and the Hun Clan suggested that they were no ordinary force. He wouldn't risk alienating them simply for the flames. "Let's go." The wine tavern's upper floor was crowded with people; Xiao Yan didn't wish to linger any longer. He turned and stepped out toward the entrance, followed by the younger physician and others, who hesitated slightly before joining him. "Fire Child, how did it go?" As he watched Xiao Yan and the others depart, the man in the white robe smiled gently. "Such a powerful hetero-fire..." the red-robed woman named Huo Zhi murmured, her calm, still eyes like a quiet pond gently rippling, "If given the chance, I'd love to face him directly and see how my eighth-ranked Red Lotus Hetero-Fire on the Hetero-Fire Ranking compares with his hetero-fire..." "The Xiao clan were once closest to the Gu clan, but that was during their period of strength. Friendship between clans always rests upon comparable foundations of strength. In recent years, if it weren't for some elder members of the Gu clan opposing them, even the tomb of Xiao Xuan here would have been forcibly dismantled... "The man with a lightly composed expression smiled, saying, "Even the Gu clan cannot withstand the tomb of a peak-level Combat Saint." "Only the more progressive faction, really—no need to overturn everyone at once." The white-robed man shook his head, stretched lazily, and smiled, saying, "What interests me most is the Celestial Mausoleum, which opens once every twenty years. Though it lies within the ancient realm, according to the original agreement, members of the eight clans are all entitled to enter—and Xiao Xuan's tomb is among them. I wonder if anyone this time will truly reach the very end." "Ah, I wonder whether the members of the other clans have also arrived. By common sense, they wouldn't miss such a significant event." The man with broad brows nodded in agreement. "Never mind them. If they don't come, we'll have fewer competitors anyway. Let's go," said the white-robed man, giving a slight sigh, then stood up and walked toward the outer hall. The others followed at a steady pace. "...It seems the situation is even more complicated than we originally learned. Among these eight Grand Commanders, nearly all harbor hostility toward you. As for Lin Xiu today, if it weren't for the ancient clan elders stepping in, I doubt he would have hesitated to launch an attack against you..." While making her way back to the guest chamber, the young physician frowned slightly. "It's quite normal to encounter difficulties. If everything were going smoothly within the ancient clan, I'd actually find that rather unusual." Xiao Yan smiled, not particularly concerned about the so-called eight Grand Commanders. Though Lin Xiu held the rank of Sixth-Prestige Battle Sovereign, he posed little threat to Xiao Yan. Among the eight, the only one who slightly stirred his caution was the one who had yet to make an appearance—the Grand Commander himself. "I'm not particularly worried about these eight commanders—my real concern lies with the so-called Four Grand Commanders. They are truly the outstanding talents of the younger generation of the ancient clan. Based on their potential, they are the most likely to become the Black Annihilation King. You must know that every Black Annihilation King must at least reach the half-Saint level..." Xiao Yixian said, her tone serious. "Half-Saint level..." Xiao Yan paused slightly, his dark eyes filled with gravity. Thus, the Four Grand Commanders truly present the most formidable challenge—facing opponents of such prodigious talent is no small pressure. "It's either blessing or disaster—disaster is inevitable. Even if I explain all this, it won't do any good. If trouble truly arises, then it's simply unavoidable. And regardless of whether it's for the reputation of the Starfall Pavilion or my own Xiao family, certain things will ultimately have to be faced." Xiao Yan shook his head. Though these four generals might indeed be formidable, they were not enough to make him retreat. Over the years, he had encountered countless figures—among his peers, none had ever managed to make him yield without fighting! Even if they were the true prodigies of the Ancient Clan, that still wouldn't suffice. "Hmm?" The thought passed through his mind, and at the same moment, the fist clenched tightly within his sleeve. Then, in an instant, his step halted as if sensing something approaching. He suddenly lifted his gaze, his eyes fixed on the end of the forest path ahead—where three figures in black robes stood at ease, exuding a growing sense of danger. When Xiao Yan first noticed these three, the others, including Xiao Yixian, also became aware, instantly activating their ki flow. "You must be Xiao Yan from the Xiao Clan?" "The figure at the forefront among the three black-robed figures had his robe gently trembling, and a slightly soft, yet not aged, laughter slowly emerged—clearly indicating that the person himself was no old master. "Who are you?" Xiao Yan frowned slightly. "Hmm, I thought you would remember us well," the leading black-robed figure replied with a smile. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression grew more serious as he carefully scanned the three figures, a sense of familiarity gradually rising within him, causing his face to grow stern at once. "Are you from the Spirit Palace?" "Compared to 'Spirit Palace,' I'd rather you call me 'Spirit Clan,'" the black-robed figure chuckled, though in his voice there was an unmistakable undercurrent of cold and solemnity. Xiao Yan's face remained cold, his gaze sharp and unwavering upon the three figures, as his internal qi surged rapidly. He had not expected to encounter representatives from the Spirit Palace here!" "There's no need to act so dramatic. The task assigned to me wasn't meant for me to take on, so I have no intention of getting involved. I've simply come here to see what the Xiao clan has become—once they had crushed my spirit lineage so thoroughly back then." The black-robed figure smiled. "If you're going to watch, then go on!" The young physician sneered, grasped her jade hands, and gathered a vast surge of qi into a long whip of compressed energy. With a firm shake, the whip surged through space, striking the black-robed figure with force. "Unhandy!" At the sight of the young physician taking action, the other two figures also issued sharp commands. Their sleeves fluttered, and a crisp, rustling sound echoed as two dark chains slithered out like venomous serpents, colliding powerfully with the qi whip. "Thud!" "The two clashed, and a terrifying gust of wind surged forth, instantly reducing the surrounding trees to powder..." "I come not to confront you directly, but merely to follow protocol and urge you—should you oppose our Hu Family, you will face no favorable outcome." The leading figure in black robes smiled calmly, slightly lifting his head. Beneath his dark cloak, a pale, slender young face emerged, now glowing with a cold, sharp smile. "Rest assured, you'll eventually have to swallow that yourself," Xiang Yin said, his voice steady. "Heh, I'd indeed like to see that day. But I suspect your final fate won't differ much from Xiao Xuan's..." The man in black chuckled, and as he did, his form began to grow increasingly ethereal. A moment later, he vanished completely, strangely and utterly. "Remember my name, Houn崖—among those who severely wounded your ancestor Xiao Xuan and ultimately led to his demise, one was my own ancestor. Therefore, this time, the one who ends you may very well be me. This is fate, something you cannot escape. Hehe." As the three figures in black robes vanished, a soft, lingering laugh gradually emerged from the space, eventually resonating throughout the entire area. Xiao Yan remained expressionless, drawing his gaze back from where the three had disappeared, and silently walked toward the pavilion. Yet no one noticed that his hand within his sleeve had clenched tightly, and the fierce gleam in his dark eyes had intensified. "Houn崖, then? If so, then the debt owed by your ancestor shall now be settled by you. In the Ancient Realm, there lies the tomb of the ancestor Xiao Xuan. Then let this very place become your resting place on this journey." The Xiao Yi Xian and the others watched Xiao Yan's silhouette. Though the latter remained silent and composed, they could sense a subtle, seeping cold intensity radiating from his form—clearly, the man named Hun Chai had truly awakened the killing resolve within Xiao Yan.