Deep within the ancient clan's mountains, several figures floated in midair, their gazes fixed upon the space above the mountain range. Their eyes seemed to penetrate through that space, as though gazing upon the very figure who once ruled the central plains with might and power—each expression marked by a mixture of complexity and emotion. "Are you certain you don't need someone to accompany you?" Gu Yuan asked once more. Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head. With his current strength, in that tomb on that day, aside from Xiao Xuan, no one would be able to harm him. Seeing Xiao Yan firmly determined, Gu Yuan fell silent and waved his hand broadly. Instantly, energy surged throughout the heavens and earth, whispering like a rushing tide. Then, the previously empty space suddenly trembled violently, and a dark rift began to be forcibly torn open—within it, an ancient and wild aura radiated outwards. "Xiao Yan, hurry and return quickly!" Gu Yuan called out, his voice steady as the rift widened. "Understood." Xiao Yan nodded, making no further delay. He gently touched the shoulder of Xun'er beside him, then moved swiftly, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing into the rift. As Xiao Yan vanished into the spatial rift, Gu Yu's hand swept through the void, and the rift gradually faded away. He glanced at Xun'er, whose face was etched with concern, and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, he'll be fine." At his words, Xun'er gently nodded. ... The Heavenly Tomb was shrouded in a hazy mist, solitude and silence forming the only prevailing tone of this realm. Suddenly, the space began to warp, and a figure stepped into view, his gaze sweeping over the environment—familiar yet subtly changed. He sighed softly. When he had last come here, he had only reached the level of a Battle Sovereign. Now, however, he had ascended to the pinnacle of strength on this continent. With a deep sigh, Xiao Yan swept his gaze around, and the vast soul force radiated outward, spreading swiftly. With a single flap of his back bones, he transformed into a gust of wind and thunder, swiftly racing toward the deepest part of the Heavenly Tomb. What had once seemed dangerous to him back then—the Heavenly Tomb's gale—now posed no threat at all. Within the Tomb, countless energy entities abounded, some of which were particularly powerful. Yet even these, upon sensing the overwhelming pressure emanating from the figure soaring overhead, could not help but express astonishment, hesitating to intervene and merely watching as the figure vanished in a matter of moments. Thanks to Xiao Yan's current speed and the unimpeded path, he reached the heart of the Tomb in barely an hour—something that had taken several months during their first visit. ... Deep within the ruins, in a scattered area of rocks, a figure clad in crimson armor sat cross-legged upon a towering stone pillar. Beside him, a blood-smeared blade exuded a strong scent of freshness. Throughout the surrounding rocky grove, numerous energy beings were present, yet whenever they glanced at the crimson figure, their expressions conveyed a determined intent to surround and attack—none dared to speak or move, fearing to disturb him. When the energy bodies emitted sharp glares, the figure clad in blood-red armor also opened his eyes, furrowing his brows as he gazed toward the direction of the voice. With a cold exhalation, the blood-bladed sword at his side automatically launched forward, transforming into a streak of blood light and shooting straight toward the source of the sound. "Shhh!" The blood light plunged into the dense mist, yet before anyone could praise it, it instantly reversed course, striking a resonant clang as the sword embedded deeply into the stone pillar beneath the blood-clad figure, its hilt also fully sunk into the stone. "Hah! Blood-Blade Saint, after all these years, don't you treat a long-time friend any differently?" As the Blood-Blade Saint's expression shifted, a light laugh suddenly echoed. Then, a slender figure stepped through the void, appearing slowly before him. The somewhat familiar young face caused the Blood-Blade Saint to pause in surprise. "A human?" "Delicious blood and flesh!" "The energy bodies surrounding him instantly had their eyes glow crimson, filled with intense passion and greed. Some bolder ones even couldn't help but quietly advance. 'You... are that young lad from the Xiao clan back then?' Blood-Blade Sage gazed at the youthful figure, his eyes suddenly widening dramatically, his face radiating disbelief. Back then, Xiao Yan had only reached the level of Battle Sovereign, and under his strength, he had offered no resistance at all. Yet now, upon seeing him again, the Sage sensed an overwhelming sense of danger emanating from Xiao Yan—so profound that he realized Xiao Yan's current strength now far surpassed his own. 'Get out of the way! Is this Xiao clan heir someone you dare to touch?" "Stunned for a moment, the Blood-Scythe Saint suddenly saw the energy forms gathering around Xiao Yan. At once, his expression grew cold. With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, he sent the energy forms flying. Then he quickly rose, approaching Xiao Yan with courtesy, saying, 'I'm sure young sir is here to see Master Xiao Xuan, right? Hehe—there are still a few tricky ones ahead. Allow me to guide you, so as not to delay your journey. Would that be agreeable?' 'Hehe, that would be most kind of you,' Xiao Yan replied, not declining the Saint's hospitality. He could sense the presence of many powerful beings deep within, though he wasn't particularly afraid. Still, he didn't wish to waste time on this matter. 'Hehe, it's nothing at all,' the Blood-Scythe Saint smiled. 'Young sir is a junior of Master Xiao Xuan. In this Heavenly Tomb, anyone who dares to confront you will meet only a certain fate.' Then, with a swift gesture, the Saint floated upward and moved swiftly toward the deeper reaches. Following closely behind, Xiao Yan quickly caught up. Deep within the Heavenly Tomb, there were numerous powerful energy entities, some even capable of matching the might of Supreme Battle Saints. These beings had sensed the arrival of Xiao Yan as he ventured deeper, but when they attempted to encircle him and feed on his flesh and blood, they were startled and swiftly retreated upon hearing a single, calm remark from the Blood-Blade Saint. "He is a junior of Xiao Xuan's..." That simple statement sent the energy entities—equivalent to regional rulers within the Tomb—into a state of shock, each of them turning and fleeing as fast as possible. As seasoned survivors of the Tomb, they all knew well who truly held the supreme authority within it. When the blood-clawed sage was still a thousand paces away from the tomb, he dared not advance, merely spoke a word to Xiao Yan before bowing low and retreating slowly, his face throughout filled with profound reverence. Xiao Yan gazed at the distant tomb and felt a deep sense of admiration—this ancestor of the Xiao clan truly was a great figure of his age. Not only had he been a dominant force in life, but even now, with only his residual spirit remaining, he still held the stature of a legendary hero. It was no wonder that even figures as accomplished as Gu Yuan expressed deep admiration when mentioning his name. Approaching the tomb, Xiao Yan gently knelt on both knees and bowed his head before softly saying, "Xiao Yan, descendant, pays homage to the ancestor." "Never mind, little one..." As soon as Xiao Yan's words settled, a gentle smile brushed against his ear. He looked up and saw a figure leaning against the tombstone, black hair flowing freely over his shoulders, exuding a striking ease. The warm smile on his face was as refreshing as a spring breeze. This figure, none other than Xiao Xuan, the one Xiao Yan had met back then. "Six-star Stellar Saint, mid-stage, a soul at the peak of the Heavenly Realm, along with several rare flames—such as the Pure Lotus Spirit Flame, the Clear Lotus Flame, and others..." With his eyes, deep and vast as the night sky, he scanned over Xiao Yan. In that single gaze, he saw through him completely—inside and out. Then, he offered a subtle smile and nodded slowly. "Little one, you've done wonderfully." If Xiao Chen had been there to hear Xiao Xuan's praise, he would surely have been taken aback. Indeed, in the entire history of the Xiao Clan, no one had ever received such commendation from Xiao Xuan before. Xiao Yan smiled and looked at Xiao Xuan. Though Xiao Xuan's frame was not particularly imposing, his slender figure seemed capable of standing against the very heavens, giving one a profound sense of stability. "Tell me about the events over the years," Xiao Xuan said, sitting cross-legged with a gentle smile.