Gazing upward at the slowly healing rift in the sky, the mountain range remained unusually still. Many ancient clan elders had somber expressions—though the ancient clan had not been utterly crushed as the spirit clan had, they had still lost their ancient jade. In many ways, this encounter with the spirit clan had proven to be a significant setback. The widespread luminous screens gradually withdrew, finally fading into nothingness. Thanks to effective coordination, the mountain range had avoided being reduced to ashes in the battle—an outcome that would have been a considerable loss for the ancient clan. As the screens dissolved, Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly. The spirit clan’s intention had indeed been to exchange his father for the ancient jade. "In fifteen days..." Xiao Yan pressed his lips together, a growing coldness radiating from his eyes. In the sky, Gu Yuan gazed solemnly at the spot where the crack had vanished, remaining silent. Behind him, the three immortals of the Gu Clan exhaled in quiet relief, their breaths heavy with admiration—how the Huan Clan had quietly concealed its strength! Who could have imagined that not only had the Void Devourer recovered from his wounds, but had even ascended to the rank of Nine-Star Battle Saint? Had it not been for the timely intervention of Lei Ying and Yan Jin, today’s battle would have been nothing short of devastating. "The ancient jade of the Lei Clan is missing..." "The ancient jade of the Yan Clan as well..." Hearing their words, the three immortals of the Gu Clan couldn't help but draw in their breath, astonishment flickering in their eyes. The Houn Tian Di had not lied—while launching his attack on the Gu Clan, he was also simultaneously targeting the Lei and Yan Clans. "The ancient jades of both clans were stored in the most secure vaults. How could the Houn Clan muster such strength to send forces to intervene during their full-scale assault?" Gu Dao couldn't help but remark. "According to the latest reports, one of our senior elders suddenly defected, stealing the ancient jade and fleeing—eventually being taken by a Houn Clan master." Lei Ying's face was dark with concern. He hadn't expected such a development to occur even within the Lei Clan. "We have consistently underestimated the Houn Clan," said Yan Jin slowly. The strength displayed by the Houn Clan left even him feeling overwhelmed. "Deep within the hall, the situation had now become such that there was no turning back. With the Huaxin Clan's tactics, it was clear they would offer us no chance for survival." Gu Yuan's expression gradually calmed. He waved his hand, first instructing Gu Dao to settle the scene, then turned and strode toward the hall. As he entered, his voice echoed, "Xiao Yan, come as well." Watching the several figures entering one after another, Xiao Yan also suppressed the turmoil within him and quickly followed. Behind him, Xun'er hesitated slightly before joining them. Seeing this scene, everyone fell silent, sensing subtly that the once-peaceful days might now be gradually fading away... Inside the hall, the guests sat in their designated positions, though the atmosphere remained somewhat subdued. "Ladies and gentlemen, at this moment, there's no need for any more ceremonial words. The Huaxin Clan's capabilities—everyone must surely understand them. I have never underestimated the Huaxin Clan, yet I have never once succeeded in fully uncovering their true strength. This very fact is what makes the Huaxin Clan so formidable." Gazing at the somewhat subdued hall, Gu Yuan sighed and shook his head. "Perhaps the Huaxin Emperor is right. During the great conflict between the Xiao and Huaxin Clans, if I had been more resolute back then, the outcome might have been quite different." Xiao Yan remained silent. He had no clear understanding of what had happened back then, so he could offer little more. The ancient eight clans had never been a unified whole—they had long been engaged in numerous conflicts among themselves, and thus no one had the right to blame the others for failing to save those in peril. Moreover, the suffering caused by the destruction of the Xiao clan was now beginning to be felt by them as well. The latter had been severely wounded back then, and no one could have foreseen that not only did he recover fully, but he also directly advanced into the ninth-star Stellar Saint realm. As a result, the delicate balance between the two sides was completely shattered. Now, both he and the Spirit Emperor stood at the late stage of ninth-star Stellar Saints, with only a slight gap between them—so long as it wasn't a life-or-death confrontation, neither could overcome the other. However, should the Void Devouring Flame be added to the mix, even with his strength, he would be unable to withstand the combined power of the two. Therefore, if the alliance truly wishes to stand a chance against the Spirit Clan, it is the only viable path. The Void Devouring Flame once consumed a Spirit Sovereign, thus endowing it with the abilities of the Spirit Sovereign Clan. In the eyes of the Spirit Clan, therefore, our ancient races are equivalent to their cultivated bloodlines—their very lifeblood. This status, perhaps, is one that none of you would relish. If so, then there is only one course of action left: to eliminate the Spirit Clan entirely. "By the end of it, a sudden, chilling sense of impending doom surged throughout the hall, making the skin on everyone's arms feel cold. 'So, the Elder Gu Yuan means—our alliance, jointly confronting the Spirit Clan?' Lei Ying asked. 'Beyond that, there's no other choice. The strength the Spirit Clan has displayed today is already formidable, and no one can be certain whether these forces represent their very last reserves. This enigmatic clan always seems to keep its true strength hidden, never quite revealing itself...' Gu Yuan spoke slowly. Lei Ying and Yan Jin remained silent. If indeed that were the case, it would be a disaster for both of their clans. Neither of them would willingly see their peoples become the Spirit Clan's primary source of vitality." "Regarding the alliance to counter them, it's certainly feasible. Now, the Huo Clan has secured seven out of their eight ancient jade fragments. If they gain the final one, they'll be able to locate the ancient abode of Tu She, the ancient emperor, and open it. It's said that within that abode lies the secret to ascending to the Battle Emperor rank. Should Huo Tian Emperor attain that, perhaps—indeed—he will truly reach that level, a rank never before achieved in a millennium. That would be exactly as he claims." Inji licked his lips and said, "Then, this entire continent would fall entirely under the Huo Clan's control!" Everyone remained silent. If Huo Tian Emperor truly reached such a level, they would lose all means of resistance. Before even the ancient races, the Battle Emperor would be utterly overwhelming. Indeed, with a mere gesture, he might easily erase all the ancient races. "Then, the final ancient jade fragment—should it be on Xiao Yan, wouldn't it?" Everyone's gaze suddenly turned to Xiao Yan, having heard every word the Hún Tian Di had spoken upon his departure. Yet, though the eyes upon him were steady, Xiao Yan's brow furrowed slightly, and in a low, resolute voice, he said, "I must save my father!" Though his voice was not loud, the determination within it was as unshakable as a mountain. "If Hún Tian Di opens the ancient hall of Tuō Shé Emperor, you should already know what will follow," said Yan Jin, his crimson brows trembling slightly. Xiao Yan remained silent, then shook his head again. He absolutely had to keep the last ancient jade upon his person. His father had been captured by the Spirit Clan for over thirty years, and every time he thought of this, his heart ached like being cut by knives. He knew well that the ancient jade was his father's lifeline—without it in his hands, his father would have likely been eliminated long ago. "Gǔ Yuán exhaled a long breath. "He said. Upon hearing this, Léi Yíng and Yán Jìn both felt a jolt in their bodies—so it would mean that a true war with the Spirit Clan would begin in half a month? Xiao Yīn clenched his fists slightly. A cool jade hand reached out from beside him, grasping his. He glanced at Xún'ér by his side, then turned to Gǔ Yuán, asking, "Uncle Gǔ, do you know of any way to bring back the ancient ancestor of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Xún, from the Heavenly Tomb?" As soon as the name "Xiao Xún" was spoken, Gǔ Yuán and the others in the hall felt their hands tremble. That name—though it had been over several thousand years since—still held deep resonance in their memories. That person had been the only one in all these years who had nearly driven the Spirit Emperor to the brink of death! "Xiao Xún in the Heavenly Tomb," Gǔ Yuán explained, "in a sense, is merely a fragment of his spirit. Due to the unique nature of the Tomb, this fragment has taken on form and developed "Gu Yu sighed lightly, saying, "If we could truly bring Xiao Xuan back to life, then confronting the Spirit Emperor would no longer seem so daunting." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes immediately darkened with disappointment. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke again, "I would like to enter the Heavenly Tomb once more. Would my uncle be able to assist me with that?" Gu Yu was momentarily startled, hesitated slightly, then nodded gently.