At the point where Xiao Yan's gaze fell, a man dressed in black was smiling warmly as he conversed with several powerful figures from unknown factions. His long black hair flowed loosely behind him, exuding a carefree and elegant grace. His face was as smooth and pale as jade, giving off an exceptionally refined and pleasant impression. Such individuals typically leave a favorable first impression—yet when such a person belonged to the Huan Palace, Xiao Yan felt an undercurrent of danger. Previously, when the Tian Yao Huang clan had challenged him, this man had remained silent, neither speaking nor showing any signs of betrayal, so Xiao Yan had not noticed him at all. Now, only after Xun'er identified him, did Xiao Yan feel a sharp rise in his alertness. He had long been acquainted with the Huan Palace's people, knowing their unpredictable nature and their tendency to be anything but predictable. This man, though outwardly amiable, was precisely that kind of amiable presence—his very kindness seemed to amplify the threat. There's a well-known saying: "A dog that bites doesn't bark." This black-robed man clearly fits that category. Moreover, merely from Xun'er's earlier statement that he is one of the most likely candidates to become the next clan leader among the Hu Clan—something no other young Hu Clan members, even strong ones like Hún Yá, have ever received—it's evident that this man is far from easy to deal with. As Xiao Yan observed the black-robed man, the latter seemed to sense his presence and turned his gaze directly to Xiao Yan, smiling gently. Xiao Yan's eyes slightly narrowed at that seemingly friendly smile, then turned to Xun'er and gave a subtle nod, speaking softly, "A very dangerous one." "This man is named Hounyu—the name sounds feminine, yet he is truly a man. According to the information we've gathered, the Houn clan, an ancient race, is known for its fiercely competitive nature. Often, the defeated face tragic fates. As it turns out, Hounyu has never suffered a single defeat since birth—every rival has ultimately fallen beneath his feet. Moreover, he possesses the divine lineage of the Houn clan. Xun'er's voice carries an unusual weight, suggesting that this Hounyu is indeed a formidable opponent. 'Divine lineage,' indeed... Xiao Yan's eyelids fluttered slightly. It made sense—such a lineage clearly indicates exceptional potential. With just a touch of wisdom and a few sensible decisions, his future would be boundless. Hounyu is unlike other members of the Houn clan. While others immediately launch attacks, seeking to seize your soul, Hounyu appears amiable on the surface, yet his core is deeply calculating and ruthless." "Gu Qingyang also interjected, speaking with evident caution. Xiao Yan nodded slowly, already marking this Hounyu as a potential threat. People like this—should the opportunity arise, Xiao Yan would be the first to eliminate him. With their differing positions, they are destined to be adversaries. Thus, harboring a sense of intent to strike is essential. As the saying goes, 'better to act first and avoid being overwhelmed later.' Xiao Yan fully understood this principle. 'Shall we once again launch a large-scale assault into the beast tide?' Xiao Yan glanced around. At present, at least a thousand people had gathered on the plaza, each radiating strong vitality, clearly representing powerful factions. Such a force was truly formidable. 'Yes. Once these gathered factions are consolidated, we will launch a unified assault into the beast tide. Otherwise, no single faction here could successfully penetrate the tide, given its overwhelming scale.' Xun nodded, saying, "Then we'll gather together. With more people, we'll surely be safer." Hearing this, Xiao Yan also gave a gentle nod. Just as he was about to speak, a clear voice suddenly rang out on the plaza. He turned to follow the sound, and there stood the man named Hunyu. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure all of you are aware of our current situation. Our shared goal is the ancient Bodhi Tree deep within the Primordial Wilderness. As for whether we'll encounter disagreements once we reach it—well, that's still far off for us right now. At present, no single force among us is strong enough to withstand the wave of beasts." On the stone platform, Hunyu's voice was clear and resonant, carrying an undeniable authority that commanded respect. One might not need to know his background or political acumen to recognize that Hunyu himself was truly impressive in appearance. "Our only chance lies in all of us uniting to form a single alliance, like a single arrow driven straight into the surging tide of beasts. Only by combining our collective strength can we tear through the defensive line—otherwise, the Bodhi ancient tree stands no chance. Our alliance holds no hierarchy; there will be no instance of one commanding another. Therefore, everyone may rest assured that no one will be exploited here—only supported. Of course, if any of you find this untrustworthy, you are welcome to remain. I shall not insist. However, in that case, you may well depart empty-handed. Hearing these words from Hunyu, a quiet stillness spread throughout the gathering. After a moment, several individuals finally nodded in agreement. Regardless, Hunyu's point was sound: no single power can withstand the tide on its own. To reach the heart of the storm, unity and joint effort are the only paths forward." "Brother Hounyu is absolutely right. This time, the Celestial Phoenix Clan shall join you and venture forth together." As some began to feel inspired, the man with vibrant jade-colored eyes from the Celestial Phoenix Clan spoke softly. "Heh, then thank you so much, Brother Jiu-Feng..." Hounyu smiled slightly and bowed respectfully to the man with the jade eyes. "Exactly. Staying here would yield nothing—why not venture out together instead?" The man's words immediately resonated with many, prompting several to respond enthusiastically, and as the enthusiasm spread, more and more people nodded in agreement. "That man doesn't seem to be the type to conserve energy, does he?" Xiang Yan glanced at the man with the jade eyes without drawing attention to himself, saying. "Hehe, that fellow is called Jiu Feng. He's quite well-known within the魔兽 realm and has already been officially designated as the next leader of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan. His vivid, colorful eyes are a result of the cultivation technique he's mastered—most of his combat techniques revolve around these dual eyes, making them quite rare and difficult to counter." Gu Qingyang glanced at the man with the colorful eyes and smiled. Xiao Yan nodded slightly. Now it made sense why he held such a respected position within the Heavenly Phoenix Clan—he had already been named the next clan leader, and indeed, he wasn't someone to be underestimated. "Since everyone agrees, let's set off now. It's precisely noon—the time when the fierce beasts are most relaxed..." Seeing that the majority had agreed to join forces against the beast surge, the Hún Yù smiled gently, a gentle curve appearing on her fair, porcelain-like face. "We're also ready to set off," Xun'er said softly. "Be careful when the beast surge comes. Even if everyone gathers here, fewer than one-tenth will succeed in making it through. The Soul Crystal and the Nine Phoenixes themselves are well aware of this—they only wish to leverage the strength of these people to push deeper into the surge. Once the moment comes, they will break through with their own power, while the rest will likely become the beasts' meal. These people still haven't fully appreciated the true strength of the Primordial Wilderness." While Xiao Yan was struck by the terrifying nature of the beast tide, the people on the plaza began to take action. One after another, figures soared into the sky, eventually forming a dense mass—like a vast cloud—hovering in the air. "Let's go," said Xiao Yan, nodding at the gathering force. Seeing the main group preparing to move, he didn't hesitate, and slowly ascended into the sky. The others swiftly followed, forming a sizable circle together. "Everyone, we're off!" High above, the Hún Yù glanced subtly at Xiao Yan and his companions, then at the scattered figures below, and without further concern, burst into laughter. With a smile, he took the lead, flying swiftly toward the northern horizon. Behind him, the dense ranks of people surged forward, creating a steady roar of wind as they swiftly followed. Xiao Yan and his companions blended into the large group, neither advancing to the forefront nor seeking prominence. Initially, the faster they expended their strength, the sooner they would perish. The dense crowd, like a gathering storm cloud, surged swiftly across the sky, covering a hundred li in less than ten minutes. When the main force soared over a lush mountain range, an endless expanse of black plains unfolded before everyone's eyes. Xiao Yan's gaze pierced through the throngs of people and settled on the expanse of black plain. At that moment, he drew a sharp breath—cold air rushing into his lungs. Before him, endless black clouds rolled across the horizon. On the ground, massive, fierce beasts filled the scene, densely packed like a vast ocean of blood, stretching all the way to the horizon, their furious roars and thunderous cries echoing continuously, like thunder shaking the very heavens. "This is indeed the beast surge of the Primordial Wilderness—no wonder it's so terrifying," Xiao Yan murmured, exhaling. It made sense now why Xun'er had said they couldn't even make headway despite gathering so many strong warriors; compared to this overwhelming surge, they were merely a single grain of sand in an endless sea. Xiao Yan's eyes then swept beyond the endless tide of beasts, gazing toward the distant, dark region.