"Wu-star Combat Saint?" The sudden surge of overwhelming aura from the plaza instantly stirred astonishment in many of the stronger cultivators, whose gazes upon the young figure now carried a subtle sense of reverence. Such prowess was truly among the elite even within the ancient drug lineage. "Master Xiao Yan of the Heavenly City truly lives up to his reputation..." The various sects and power houses exchanged glances, each reading a sense of gravity and quiet admiration in the other's eyes. It was no wonder the Heavenly City Alliance had grown increasingly cohesive over the years—having a core figure like Xiao Yan as its pillar, it could hardly remain as fragile as the other, more temporary alliances. As Xiao Yan's aura surged, Yao Wan Gui's expression grew increasingly grim. He hadn't expected that in just a few short years, Xiao Yan not only had caught up with him but had now completely passed him by—now facing a Five-Star Stellar Saint, he felt utterly outmatched. Yao Wan Gui's face shifted between expressions of worry and frustration; the aura surrounding him pressed down upon him like a mountain, creating immense pressure. He had no doubt that in a direct confrontation, he would be defeated by Xiao Yan within ten rounds. "Whoosh—whoosh!" The aura of the Five-Star Battle Saint surged, immediately startling several medicinal clan elders atop this massive mountain. Instantly, gusts of wind broke through the sky, and one after another, figures materialized above the plaza, gazing down at the sea of blood spreading beneath. They were first stunned, then filled with outrage. Regardless of what had transpired, these were their own clan members—being treated this way right at their doorstep was indeed a serious blow to the dignity of the medicinal clan. "Master Wan Gui, what's going on?" With their eyes fixed on the gathering elders, the gaze naturally turned to Wan Gui. "Master Wan Gui, you've come just in time! This Xiao Yan has been brazen—daring to strike hard at our own clan members within the medicinal clan. We must swiftly capture him. Otherwise, before all these guests, we shall lose face!" Seeing the figures gathering in the sky, Wan Gui was overjoyed and immediately urged. "Xiao Yan? The Xiao Yan from the Xiao Clan?" Hearing the sound of Yao Wan Gui's drink, the medicinal clan elders floating in the sky instantly exclaimed, clearly familiar with the name Xiao Yan. Their gaze immediately turned to the latter, especially when they observed the terrifying aura emanating from his body—deepening their astonishment. "Xiao Yan, your clan has always maintained a decent relationship with ours. Today's actions, however, seem rather excessive," said an elder dressed in yellow robes, his expression slightly stern. "He who respects others is respected in return; he who disrespects others is disrespected.…" Xiao Yan smiled calmly, remaining undisturbed by the multitude of medicinal elders hovering above. His eyes remained fixed on Yao Wan Gui, the cold smile on his lips growing more pronounced. "Yao Wan Gui, sometimes, words shouldn't be spoken at random." "Xiao Yan, what else do you expect from me?!" "Seeing this, Yao Wangui's face grew cold, and he spoke sharply, his gaze equally sharp and piercing. Although Xiao Yan had been ruthless in his treatment of the clan members earlier, he had spared their lives, which led Yao Wangui to believe that Xiao Yan still held the clan in some regard. Now, with more support, Xiao Yan's confidence had been renewed. "I shall apologize to my master," Xiao Yan said with a smile. Xiao Yan slowly shook his head. The herbal clan members were all arrogant and condescending, while the ancient clan people were remarkably composed and refined. Xiao Yan disliked this kind of mocking provocation, and if he wished to eliminate it entirely, the only way was to impress silence upon those individuals—by making them shut up. To deal with such complacent, easily flustered people, only the most forceful measures would suffice! He would have to strike until they were silent. "If you'd rather not, then I shall take the lead." Xiao Yan's gentle voice caused a noticeable shift in the expressions of Yao Wan Gui and the elders above. Yet before they could speak, Xiao Yan had already surged forward, his form transforming into a beam of light, charging directly at Yao Wan Gui. "Xiao Yan, don't be so bold!" "Upon witnessing this scene, the numerous elders of the Medicine Clan all erupted in unified shouts of outrage. Yet before they could intervene, a sudden beam of rosy light burst forth from within Xiao Yan's body, eventually solidifying into a floating flame infant suspended in the sky. As the flame infant opened its mouth, a terrifying wave of rosy fire surged outward. The sheer destructive power radiating from it caused the elders to recoil in shock, many of whom were well-versed in such matters, now gasping in astonishment. 'Pure Lotus Demon Fire?' "As Xiao Yan launched his attack on Yao Wan Gui, a deep, resonant voice suddenly echoed across the sky. Instantly, the crowd was amazed to see a vast surge of fiery clouds bursting forth from the peak of the mountain, with a red-haired elder swiftly charging toward them. 'It's Elder Wan Huo!' The spectators gasped in astonishment, never expecting such a senior figure to be summoned. 'Six-Star Battle Saint?' As the red-haired elder appeared, Xiao Yan's brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at Yao Wan Gui, whose face now showed a mix of excitement and fierce determination, and his expression grew even colder. His attack remained unyielding; sharp gusts of wind sliced through the air, striking directly at Yao Wan Gui. 'Young upstart! I fear you won't make it!' Seeing Xiao Yan press his advantage relentlessly, Yao Wan Gui grew furious. His inner energy roared forth, and with hands tinged yellow, he generated an eerie wind, charging straight at Xiao Yan with a powerful strike: 'The Withering and Flourishing Palm!' Faced with Yao Wan Gui's resistance, Xiao Yan slightly lifted his eyes, curved his fingers, and then swiftly and lightning-fast pointed them, directly pressing hard onto the former's palm. "Boom!" At the moment of contact, the sharp gust of wind on Yao Wan Gui's palm instantly dissipated, and a piercing pain surged through his hand—so severe that a gushing wound of blood formed, the force of the wind lifting him bodily off his feet. His feet slammed backward in a series of rapid steps, retreating hundreds of paces, leaving deep furrows on the plaza. When he finally stabilized himself, he coughed out a thick stream of blood, looking disheveled. "By the heavens, I've slain you!" With just one move, Yao Wan Gui's eyes turned blood-red with fury. He roared angrily, stomped his foot on the ground, and in an instant appeared before Xiao Yan, his sleeves flung out with a sharp motion, sending a thick wave of white powder drifting outward and completely enveloping Xiao Yan. "Shhh—" A fine white mist as soon as it touched the ground erupted with hissing sounds, instantly dissolving the hard stone slabs—clearly a potent toxin. "Puff!" The toxic powder was scattered, yet before Drug Wan Gui could gather any sharpness in his eyes, an arm veiled in rosy flame suddenly surged forth from the powder, moving with lightning speed to grasp his neck. "Xiao Yan!" The red-haired elder who had rushed forward roared, his voice laced with fury. He had never expected Xiao Yan to pay any attention to his words. With a firm clench of his palm, red martial energy swiftly coalesced into a colossal flame spear, stretching over a hundred paces in length. With a swift flick of his arm, the spear shot toward Xiao Yan at an astonishing speed. "Puff!" Xiao Yan planted his foot firmly on the ground, and a towering column of molten lava surged upward, directly shattering the spear upon impact. Yet, as Xiao Yan launched his attack, the elder with the fiery hair finally moved forward, his form shifting and appearing just a short distance ahead of Xiao Yan. Upon seeing Xiao Yan grasp Medic Wang Gui by the throat, the elder's eyes widened with shock and fury. Without a word, he launched a palm strike toward Xiao Yan. As the palm swept out, it began to grow faint, taking on an almost ethereal quality, and a powerful spatial ripple surged forth, radiating like tangible waves. Xiao Yan stared at Wang Gui, who was now panicking and trying to retreat swiftly, his expression cold and composed. With a glance at the red-haired elder, he emitted a cold exhalation, bent his fingers slightly, and a dark silhouette appeared beside him. Under the collective gaze of the onlookers, he raised both palms and, with a forceful motion, met the elder's strike head-on. "Clang!" The two palms met, and at once a powerful, intangible gale surged forth, instantly spreading cracks across the solid plaza. Then, as the wind trembled, the two figures each retreated two steps.