The three days passed swiftly during the wait. During this time, Xiao Yan and his companions did not venture out again, nor did Lin Xiu and the others appear before them—likely having been scolded by the ancient elder. Yet Xiao Yan and his group understood that such a course of action would not resolve the underlying issues. Indeed, Xiao Yan was not overly concerned about these matters. Since the arrival of the soul temple's envoy, named Hun Chai, his mind had largely shifted to focus on this individual. From Huan Chai's words, Xiao Yan learned that he must hold a certain status within the soul clan—his illustrious ancestor undoubtedly provided a strong foundation. Otherwise, it would be unlikely that he was accompanied by two powerful cultivators, each at the Seven-Star Battle Sovereign level, constantly on guard. Such cultivators, even within the soul temple itself, would rank among the Deity-level officials, far beyond the reach of ordinary individuals. The Hún Cliffs' lineage also hinted at the enigma surrounding the demise of their ancestor, Xiao Xuan—seemingly overwhelmed by a siege from numerous powerful figures, among whom the Hún Cliffs' ancestor was one. Though these events are so ancient that they cannot be definitively verified, since this individual has brought such grievances upon himself, it is reasonable to place the burden of these grievances on him. At the time, Xiao Yan had not fully grasped the true strength of this person, suggesting he possessed the ability to conceal his capabilities. Nevertheless, based on Xiao Yan's assessment, this person's strength was undoubtedly formidable—something that could only be sensed subtly, a quality ordinary individuals could not convey. Despite this sense of caution, Xiao Yan's determination to eliminate him remained unshaken. As long as this person had not yet reached the level of Battle Sovereign, Xiao Yan now held the very qualification to make him regret his presence. … When the morning light of the third day poured down from the horizon, the ancient holy city became unusually bustling. Today marked the opening of the ancient realm’s gateway—a moment of great significance for this mysterious land that had nearly become a separate dimension. For most people here, the event sparked profound curiosity, as the rare ability to create and open such a dimensional space was possessed by only a few in the world. As the city buzzed with activity, Xiao Yan and his companions prepared themselves, stepping out of their pavilion and leaving the estate, joining the crowd and swiftly heading toward the city center. At the heart of the ancient holy city lay a vast lake, exceptionally clear, yet stretching so far that it seemed to have no end—its profound depth evoking a sense of eerie stillness. Surrounding the lake now, countless figures had gathered, and even the nearby buildings were dotted with people. Numerous eyes were focused on the clear lake, where rows of armored figures stood straight, holding their spears, radiating a powerful aura that made no one dare step near the water. "After entering the Ancient Realm, someone will welcome you and escort you to the heart of the realm—the Sacred Saint Mountains. Additionally, there are native Ancient Clan members within the realm. I kindly ask that you not disturb them; otherwise, they may be added to our Clan's blacklist. Have all of you understood?" Upon hearing Ancient Sen's words, a polite response echoed from outside the lake. "Native Ancient Clan members?" This term caused Xiao Yan to pause slightly. "The native Ancient Clan members form the foundation of our Clan—the most essential yet the most basic tier. Over countless generations of development, their numbers within the Ancient Realm must now be substantial. Though their bodies carry the Bloodline of a Battle Emperor, this is often nearly negligible. However, there are occasional unexpected occurrences or mutations that strengthen their bloodline. Once such individuals are discovered, they immediately gain significant status and are recognized as true members of the Ancient Clan, receiving the highest level of honor and respect." The Heavenly Fire Patriarch smiled and said. "An endless flow of fresh vitality... It's no wonder the ancient clan has remained vibrant for so long." Xiao Yan nodded slightly. With such a vast population of descendants, it's no surprise that the ancient clan consistently produces young prodigies—each one a truly exceptional talent selected from among tens or even hundreds of thousands. The Heavenly Fire Patriarch smiled and nodded in agreement. At the very moment the two realms connected, a thunderous sound erupted across the sky above the lake, and the space gradually tore open under the awe-struck gazes of onlookers. After a while, a vast black portal leading into the unknown emerged, clearly visible within the collective attention. " The portal to the Ancient Realm has opened. Please come through," Ancient Sun smiled gently and spoke with conviction. As soon as his words settled, figures began to move swiftly, gliding into view before the portal. With curiosity, they paused to examine it. Then, the more accomplished among them stepped forward boldly, entering the portal first. They felt confident in the Ancient Clan—there was no fear that the Ancients would do anything to them. Some began moving, and soon the crowd behind them stirred, gradually filing toward the spatial gate. Faced with such a large influx, the gate itself seemed like an endless abyss, absorbing everyone without showing the slightest sign of strain. Upon seeing Xiao Yan and his companions approach, Lin Xiu's eyes slightly narrowed, glanced at the busy Gu Xun elder, and then subtly stepped to the left, just managing to block Xiao Yan's path. Yet, as if completely unaware of this obstruction, Xiao Yan continued along his original route, and the two bodies gently collided. "Pop!" At the moment of impact, a subtle, low sound was heard, and ripples spread out vigorously across the lake surface beneath their feet. However, both parties controlled their force with remarkable precision, so that this forceful collision caused only minimal disturbance. "Boom!" Xiao Yan remained expressionless, his shoulders unnaturally vibrating rapidly, delivering a continuous, lightning-fast series of blows—layer upon layer—onto Lin Xiu's shoulders. "Hmph!" "Once again, the force from Xiao Yan's body struck hard, and Lin Xiu's face turned slightly pale. The power emanating from Xiao Yan was scorching—so intense that within it lay a hidden extreme cold. The two forces intertwined, instantly causing numbness in Lin Xiu's shoulders. A low groan escaped his throat as he stepped back three times on the lake surface, his final step even sinking his foot into the water. Clearly, in this clash, the second commander of the He Yan Army had gained nothing at all. Xiao Yan's utter disregard only drove Lin Xiu to the point of fury, his temples pulsing with veins. As Xiao Yan was about to step into the spatial gateway, Lin Xiu finally gritted his teeth and whispered a low, eerie voice into his ear. "You're overthinking it, Second Commander... But for now, take care of yourself first." Xiao Yan paused slightly, offered a calm, gentle smile, then continued without further hesitation, stepping directly into the spatial gateway and vanishing swiftly amid the rippling waves of space. "Hmph!" As Xiao Yan disappeared, Lin Xiu let out another deep, stifled exhalation. A streak of blood then dripped from his lip, flowing steadily under the stunned gazes of Ling Quan and the black-yin army. "Idiot!" Lin Xiu's face darkened. A surge of ki erupted from his right arm, and with a sudden motion, he spread his palm open—luminous flames of purple-brown tinged with streaks of pale white burst forth from his palm, plunging into the lake and creating a thick, misty vapor with a steady hissing sound. This flame—naturally—the one that had been infiltrated into Lin Xiu's body when they first clashed—had been suppressed by Lin Xiu, who initially refused to show weakness before Xiao Yan. Yet he hadn't anticipated that by holding it in so firmly, the flames had already begun to cause significant damage within his very body. "Xiao Yan, I truly underestimated you! But to thrive within our ancient lineage? It's far too early for a mere descendant of a once-forgotten clan like yours!" "There will always be others in the Ancient Realm who can handle you. I shall wait here—until you crawl out here like a dead dog!" "Miss, someone of your humble standing simply does not belong with me!"