"What's going on?" the elderly physician, seeing Xiao Yan react so dramatically, was also taken aback and quickly asked. Xiao Yan's eyes flickered slightly as he passed the scroll to the physician, who took it with a furrowed brow. He knew well the connection between Xiao Yan and the Nine-Youth Earth-Mortar Snake Clan, and most importantly, the current Cailei was still in seclusion within the Nine-Youth Yellow Spring of that clan. The unusual changes described in the scroll likely had something to do with Cailei—hence Xiao Yan's intense reaction. "The Heavens' Divine Phoenix Clan... what are they up to again?" the physician murmured, frowning. Xiao Yan gradually settled the powerful aura that had surged forth. There had been a significant rift between him and the Heavenly Fiery Phoenix Clan. To resolve the troubles of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan, he had even forcibly seized the junior clan leader of the Phoenix Clan and two Dou Sheng-level warriors, using them as leverage to ensure the Phoenix Clan remained cautious. Though this action successfully addressed the crisis of the Ancient Dragon Clan, it had completely alienated the Phoenix Clan. Yet, Xiao Yan did not fear this estrangement at all—especially now that his own strength had greatly grown, making him utterly unafraid. What did puzzle him slightly, however, was why the Heavenly Fiery Phoenix Clan was now seeking trouble with the Ji You Earth-Underground Serpent Clan at this very moment. "There's no need to involve the Alliance in this matter. The Celestial Phoenix Clan is no ordinary force, and the Alliance is only just stabilizing. If we're to go to war with them now, it will inevitably bring about unnecessary complications. Not to mention the Hu Dun Temple, which is watching from the shadows." Xiao Yan pondered. "I'll take Xiao Yixian and Qinglin to visit the Beast Realm." "Only the three of you?" Master Yao's brow furrowed slightly. The Celestial Phoenix Clan isn't one to be taken lightly, and the Beast Realm is indeed their stronghold. Though Xiao Yan has greatly strengthened his power, going deep into the realm alone might still be a bit risky. "Don't worry," Xiao Yan smiled. With his current strength, what part of the Qi Continent could he not reach? "What about bringing Master Xiao Chen along?" Master Yao still seemed a bit hesitant. "The Alliance is currently at a crossroads. Master Dantai has grown distant, his presence hard to find. The Alliance headquarters must have a strong, capable leader in place. If I depart, I shall only rely on Master Xiao Chen." Xiang Yin shook his head, gazing at the elder's concerned expression, and smiled. "Don't worry, Teacher. With my current strength, even if I face a Six-Star Battle Saint, I may not be able to defeat him, but I will certainly be able to escape. Moreover, the chieftain of the Dayu Phoenix Clan hasn't reached that level yet." Seeing Xiang Yin's determination, Master Yao couldn't press further and simply said, "Then, when do you plan to set off?" "The sooner, the better. Originally, I was a bit uneasy about Caoling's prolonged period of meditation. Now, this is the perfect opportunity to visit." Xiang Yin smiled. Upon hearing this, Master Yao sighed and added, "Be careful." Xiao Yan nodded, said nothing further, and with a single movement of his body, transformed into a streak of rainbow light, swiftly leaving the deep mountains. He quickly located the two young women—Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin—and the three of them together pierced through the space, racing at full speed toward the heart of the Beast Realm. The realm has been exceptionally lively recently, with the two main protagonists being the Tian Yao Huang Clan, one of the three major clans, and the Jiyou Di Ming Mang Clan, the other. Previously, no one could have imagined that the Tian Yao Huang Clan would dispatch a large contingent of its strongest warriors directly to besiege the headquarters of the Jiyou Di Ming Mang Clan, surrounding them so tightly that the tension between the two clans reached a peak—so intense that it was clear this conflict would not be a mere skirmish like those seen among other clans. As a result, throughout the period when the Tian Yao Huang Clan's army encircled the Jiyou Di Ming Mang Clan, countless observers have been closely monitoring the evolving situation. The headquarters of the Chilly Earth-Deep Python Clan today is filled with a palpable sense of urgency. Countless strong members of the clan are gazing with cold, sharp eyes toward the sky beyond the earth's veins, where figures crowd densely, their vast wings forming clouds that blanket the land. "Master Mo, this isn't exactly simple. The current chieftain of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan, Phoenix Tian, has personally led the army here. This old man is at the late stage of Five-Star Battle Saint rank—within our Nine-Yuan Earth-Subterranean Python Clan, who can match him?" A gray-robed elder with a somewhat stern expression frowned. "People—our Nine-Deep Earth-Dwelling Python Clan will never surrender any. Once we do, others will think we've been intimidated by the Celestial Phoenix Clan. As equals among the three great clans, we cannot afford to lose face! No one is to speak of this again!" The robust figure turned around, his face radiating an aura of quiet authority—none other than the current chieftain of the Nine-Deep Earth-Dwelling Python Clan, the immortal demon, Yao Ming. Hearing Yao Ming's resolute words, the elders who had been seeking reconciliation could only suppress their words, murmuring, "But today is the final deadline set by the Celestial Phoenix Clan. If we don't surrender people, then…." Though they didn't finish their thoughts, every elder felt a subtle weight settle upon their hearts. The chieftain of the Celestial Phoenix Clan, Huang Tian, possessed a formidable power at the late stage of Five-Star Battle Saint—something even Yao Ming could not match. "Master Mo, have you dispatched the message?" Yao Ming paused briefly before speaking firmly. "It has already been sent." "Heard this, the elder in black nodded, then hesitated, asking, 'Will Master Xiao Yan truly come?' The news of the Tianfu Alliance's decisive victory over the Huan Palace has already spread throughout Zhongzhou, and even within the Beishu Realm, many have heard of it. Naturally, the story of Master Xiao Yan defeating the Huan Palace's master has also gained wider circulation. Thus, many elders are holding out hope for him—though they cannot be certain that he will defeat the Tian Yao Huan Clan's Huan Tian, they are confident that at the very least, his arrival will make the Huan Clan less arrogant and assertive. 'Now, we shall simply wait and see. He will come,' said Yao Ming, smiling, his gaze fixed on the distant sky, speaking with unwavering certainty. 'Yao Ming, the three-day deadline has now passed. Shall we hand over the prisoners or go to war? Have you made your decision?' However, as Yao Ming's gaze was just lifting, a calm yet powerful voice—carrying an unmistakable weight of authority—resounded like thunder throughout every member of the Jiuyou Di Minglong Clan." Hearing this voice, the elders atop the mountain all grew visibly displeased. Yao Ming's expression darkened; with a swift movement, he ascended into the sky, his gaze turning toward beyond the mountain range. There, the vast sky was aglow as the great Phoenix vibrated its massive wings, spanning hundreds of zhang in span. Upon the phoenix's head, a figure dressed in purple and golden robes stood with hands folded, his eyes—shining with golden hue and an aura of unmatched dignity—directly fixed upon Yao Ming. "Master of the Phoenix Clan, the one who has been cultivating in the Nine Tombs and the Underworld is Xiao Yan's wife. Should you harm her, Xiao Yan will not rest easily," Yao Ming said solemnly. "Hmm. A most resolute refusal to yield," the man in purple and gold robes replied, a faint shade of mockery flickering in his eyes. "Xiao Yan seized my son, threatened my clan, and now bears the very wings of the Phoenix within him. Thus, he has already become an enemy of our Heavenly Phoenix Clan. Do you truly believe I will still care about his willingness to compromise?" "Yao Ming's brows were furrowed—this old man clearly intended to seize Cai Lin today." "Here's your final minute to consider. Give me your last reply..." Huang Tian gazed at Yao Ming calmly, speaking slowly. As soon as he finished, he slowly closed his eyes, and with that, the atmosphere throughout the realm instantly grew profoundly heavy. The minute passed swiftly under the tense pressure, yet Yao Ming remained gloomy, showing no sign of handing over the captive. When the final second arrived, Huang Tian reopened his eyes, and within his golden pupils, a cold, sharp chill now surged. "If Xiao Yan dares seize my son as leverage, then I shall return the favor—by seizing his woman first."