"Roar! Roar!" A massive flame storm surged across the sky, its terrifying heat drying out and gradually cracking the once-wet earth. Within a thousand zhang of the Peak of the Soul Palace, all but the few Divinity Saint-level warriors dared to step forward. "The Master of the Soul Palace has been defeated..." As the flame storm swept across the heavens, the entire mountain range fell silent. Hit so directly by such a powerful assault, even if the Master of the Soul Palace managed to survive, the outcome would likely be far from favorable. The battle's outcome had already been decided. Upon reflecting on this, many people's eyes grew serious. The Master of the Soul Palace was a renowned peak-tier powerhouse in the Central Plains, famed for his formidable reputation that had made countless factions in the region tremble, thus solidifying the Soul Palace's dominant status. Yet now, this very powerhouse—once known for stirring bloodshed and turmoil across the Central Plains—had been utterly defeated by a young up-and-coming disciple. At the peak of the downfall, numerous strong figures from the Heavenly Palace were filled with astonishment, gazing at the slender figure in the sky with a sense of profound pride. Xiao Yan's high standing within the Heavenly Palace had been earned through countless battles—today's triumph truly embodied the stature of its spiritual leader. Should word of this victory reach the Heavenly Palace, the impact would undoubtedly be immense. Everyone understood the significance of this battle; henceforth, if rankings of power were still to be established across the Central Plains, the Heavenly Palace would surely rank ahead of even the foremost sect. The dominant force of the Central Plains would be the Heavenly Palace Alliance. Compared to the joyful atmosphere from the Tianfu side, the Hún Palace remained quiet and solitary. The powerful figures stared at one another, their spirits slightly disoriented. Just a short while ago, the Hún Palace's renown had spread throughout the Zhongzhōu region—any strong contender who heard their names would have looked wary, even fearful. Yet in just a few years… this once-terrifying hegemon had never before tasted the bitter flavor of defeat. "How will you explain this to your clan?" the Hún Mó elder's expression shifted between gloom and irritation. The sharp glances from the surrounding figures cut deeply. With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, he snapped, "The one who laughs last is truly the victor. If you lack even this patience, then our Hún clan will have vanished from this world long ago." Though Hún Qiān Mò's face was somewhat somber, he maintained his composed demeanor, coldly glancing at the Hún Mó elder and delivering his rebuke. Hearing this, the Spirit Demon elder moved his lips slightly, but then closed them again, his expression full of resentment. Spirit Qianmo's eyes grew cold as he slowly clenched the dry fists in his sleeve: "Then enjoy yourselves. Once my Spirit Clan's plan is activated, the mere Tianfu Alliance will be reduced to ashes within a breath—vanished in an instant." As countless thoughts stirred within the crowd below, the fiery storm above gradually subsided. Then, a figure, completely blackened and thrown out from the midst of the storm, emerged—his body marred with jagged wounds, some even revealing the pulsing organs beneath, his breath so faint it was nearly imperceptible, clearly having suffered severe injuries. "The Master of the Spirit Temple..." Everyone's hearts leapt as they gazed upon him. Such a disheveled state clearly belonged to the Master of the Spirit Temple, who had been struck hard—now clearly devoid of the strength to fight. By now, even some of the Huan Palace's stronger cultivators, who had been holding out hope, were utterly defeated. "Xiao Yan, this grudge—I shall never forget it!" Though his body weakened and he fell toward the ground, the Huan Palace's master struggled to open his blurred eyes, and a hoarse, frail voice slowly emerged, finally reaching Xiao Yan's ears. Above, Xiao Yan gazed impassively at the falling Huan Palace master, his eyes flashing with cold resolve. To uproot the weeds, one must remove the roots. Though the master was now severely wounded, with the Huan Clan's techniques, he might recover within a few months and return to full strength—perhaps even coming back to lead the Huan Palace and cause further trouble. Such a scenario was far from something Xiao Yan wished to see. "Since you have fallen, then let your life remain here!" "A surge of murderous intent surged within him. With a sudden motion, Xiao Yan darted through the crowd's gaze, swiftly moving toward the fallen Hall Master of the Soul Palace, his determined expression clearly signaling his intent to deliver a crushing blow to the fallen opponent." "Xiao Yan, dare you!" The sudden turn of events sent the Soul Palace team aback. They hadn't expected Xiao Yan to be so resolute—not only to secure victory, but to personally engage in killing. "Hmph. Then let my Xiao family's blood debt begin with you!" Unmoved by the shouts, Xiao Yan flashed forward, now standing directly above the Hall Master, and delivered a powerful strike to his forehead. The force of the palm was so intense that if it connected, the latter's head would surely burst like a watermelon. Gazing at the palm wind descending from above, the already severely wounded Hall Master, unable to move at all, could only feel a deepening fear of death. "Xiao Yan," he gasped, "you're setting yourself to die!" Just as Xiao Yan's palm wind was about to strike the celestial dome of the Hall of Souls directly on the daimyo's cranial area, a thunderous roar suddenly boomed in his ears. Instantly, the space beside him warped, and Houn Qiannuo, his face cold and stern, stepped forth, gripping his withered fist and launching it at Xiao Yan with lightning speed—clearly intending to force Xiao Yan to retreat. "Hmph!" Facing Houn Qiannuo's fierce assault, a flash of cold light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. His palm wind remained unyielding. With a subtle mental command, Xiao Yi appeared on his shoulder, her small hands swiftly moving, sending out a cascade of flaming lotus blossoms that immediately collided with Houn Qiannuo's fist. "Thud! Thud!" The hot waves of flame rapidly expanded from the impact, yet Houn Qiannuo's bone-like fist pierced straight through the flames, striking Xiao Yan's chest with the speed of a flash. "Plunged!" "Struck hard, Xiao Yan spat out a fountain of blood right away. Houn Qiemo's punch was intent on killing, but fortunately, the Flame Lotus intervened, so while it injured Xiao Yan, it wasn't fatal. Moreover, as Houn Qiemo's fist connected with Xiao Yan's body, Xiao Yan's palm wind struck the Hall Master of the Houn Palace squarely on the forehead. 'Boom!' The force of Xiao Yan's palm was immense, and the Hall Master, who had no defense, instantly exploded into a cloud of blood and splinters. The residual momentum surged wildly, instantly reducing his body to a pulp. With the attack secured, Xiao Yan didn't pause to check on his wounds, swallowed the blood in his mouth, and launched himself into a swift retreat. "You reckless fool!" As Xiao Yan stepped back, Houn Qiemo had already noticed the Hall Master of the Houn Palace whose body had been shattered. His eyes flared crimson, and a fierce, murderous roar echoed across the sky. Then, he lifted his head sharply, locking gaze with Xiao Yan. With a sweeping hand, he reached out, and the space Xiao Yan had shot through instantly collapsed, sealing him in. "Die!" With the space sealed, Houn Qiemo flashed forward, his face now grim and fierce, standing before Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan stared at Houn Qiemo with a cold, menacing gaze. With a subtle mental effort, the Devastating Fire Lotus automatically coalesced upon the palm of his sleeve. "Houn Qiemo, injuries are inevitable during a match—please don't disrupt the rules." Yet, as Xiao Yan prepared to unleash the Devastating Fire Lotus upon this old creature, the figure in the green robe slowly materialized before him, his voice calm and composed—none other than the Elder of Dan Tower. "Old fellow, are you truly determined to go head-to-head with us, the Houn Clan, from this day forward?" Hun Qianmo stared at the Dan Tower Elder with a stern gaze, speaking each word deliberately. "Hun Qianmo, if you speak threats to me, they will be of no use..." Facing Hun Qianmo's pressure, the Dan Tower Elder smiled gently. Hun Qianmo's dry face trembled slightly—he knew that with the Dan Tower Elder standing in his way, he would be unable to kill Xiao Yan today. His eyes darkened as he fixed them on Xiao Yan, his hoarse voice filled with murderous intent: "Xiao Yan... my people from the Hun Clan are not easily killed. Your fate in the future will be far worse than Xiao Xuan's!" "Thank you for the information," Xiao Yan replied coldly. He had heard such words from the Hun Clan many times before. "Hmph. The next time we meet, your Tian Fu Alliance will surely perish!" Qian Mo swept his sleeve, emitting a cold, sharp laugh, then turned and dashed toward the spot where the Hall Master's body had exploded. Black mist surged from his hands, absorbing the shattered soul of the Hall Master, and as he descended to the ground, his expression remained grave and silent. With a mere movement, he swiftly moved beyond the fallen mountain range, leaving the Hall's elite warriors trailing behind, helpless and humbled.