A figure stretching a thousand zhang stood firm, as if embodying heaven and earth. Beneath this form, every energy entity within the Heavenly Tomb trembled, overwhelmed by an irresistible pressure that threatened to shatter their very bodies. In the sky, Xiao Xuan’s body finally dissolved into pure ethereality, his ancient eyes filled with contentment as they faded. After Xiao Xuan’s form vanished, the towering figure remained on one knee between heaven and earth, only gradually shrinking over time, until it finally settled into its normal size and stood quietly in the sky. "Ancestral...” Xiao Yin gazed at the place where Xiao Xuan had vanished, softly murmuring the words. Then, he extended his palm and gently closed his fingers toward the empty space. As his palm pressed down, an invisible luminous point—something utterly imperceptible to ordinary people—materialized in his hand. This was Xiao Xuan’s life imprint. Only when a soul had reached the Emperor’s Realm could such an imprint be perceived. Otherwise, even if Xiao Yin himself had attained the late stage of Nine-Star Battle Saint, he would be unable to sense this subtle and profound presence. In a certain sense, Xiao Xuan today is essentially soulless—this once-dominant, supreme warrior of the Qi Continent has completely vanished from this world. Yet for Xiao Xuan, whose soul has already ascended to the Emperor's realm, this is not the case. This life imprint may yet bestow new life upon him, but such a feat—though possible—remains beyond the reach of even an Emperor-level soul. Perhaps only when he truly attains the legendary Emperor of Qi realm will he be able to achieve it. Nevertheless, no matter what, this represents a hope—though distant, it keeps the flame of the heart burning. Gently, the intangible life imprint rises within his palm and gradually enters the center of his brow, where it is guarded by his soul power as vast and boundless as the heavens and earth. Perhaps long into the future, this elder, who has sacrificed everything for the Xiao clan, will once again appear in the world. Secure the imprint of life, Xiang Yan also exhaled gently, lowered his head, and glanced at this world of the Heavenly Tomb. Though only two months had passed here—less than a month in the Central Plains—within the Tomb, he had lived nearly two years. It took him two years to fully refine and integrate the soul of the Heavenly Tomb. Fortunately, time within the Tomb had shifted; otherwise, when he finally emerged after two years, the outside world would have undergone unimaginable changes. "Imperial Realm soul..." With a slight grip of his palm, Xiang Yan looked out far into the distance, and a peculiar sense surged within him—feeling as though the entire space of the Heavenly Tomb was now under his command. "Boom!" Xiao Yan extended his palm and, with a gentle grasp toward the empty space, the stone mountain located ten thousand zhang away suddenly exploded into a cascade of powdery fragments. His spiritual power, flowing with the turning of his mind, reached every corner of Tian Mu. This reach was now vastly superior to that of his former self—by countless measures. As a result, wherever his spiritual presence extended, his attacks could be transmitted over vast distances and launched instantly. The Emperor's spiritual realm stood just one step away from the Heavenly Realm's peak of perfection—one being the sky, the other the earth. Between them, there was no comparison whatsoever. Only by truly experiencing the might of the Emperor's realm could one comprehend why this celestial barrier, even with a lifetime of effort, remained impassable. For between them—there was one a god, and the other, a mortal! "Perhaps it's time we departed..." Xiao Yan hung suspended in the heavens, Xiao Xuan having already faded away. The Heavenly Tomb now held no reasons for him to stay. Yet, due to the fusion and absorption of the Heavenly Tomb's soul, Xiao Yan sensed an absolute command over this space. Even should he one day leave the ancient realm, he could effortlessly establish spatial gateways into the Heavenly Tomb anywhere. And should others wish to tear through the space rift to enter the Tomb, they would have to gain his permission. In this sense, Xiao Yan had become the true master of the Heavenly Tomb—whom entered, whom departed, all depended on him. This unexpected gift did indeed surprise him. Though, with his current strength, the potent energy of the Heavenly Tomb no longer offered significant advantages, the time difference from the Zhongzhou realm proved highly appealing. It would greatly enhance his cultivation efficiency—benefiting not only him but also his affiliated domains. "Actually, we've saved ourselves the trouble of building it from scratch..." Xiao Yin smiled, quite satisfied with this complimentary gift. After all, if he had had to construct the space himself, he wouldn't have possessed such extraordinary abilities—those were truly the hallmark of a Supreme Emperor-level warrior. Gathering his emotions, Xiao Yin gently swept his fingers through the air before him, and instantly a crack in the space appeared. He glanced once more at the area, then stepped forward. The space subtly rippled and vanished, leaving only the countless sets of eyes watching in awe. "By the side, Yanjin also spoke up. Since Xiao Yan entered the Heavenly Tomb, he had not emerged at all, and now, with the time agreed upon with the Spirit Clan drawing near, it seemed increasingly urgent." "The Heavenly Tomb has now closed, and the spatial passages here have been completely sealed off. When I tried to test the opening of the passages, I was met with a force that pushed me right back—this sensation is as if the Heavenly Tomb now has a master of its own... " Ancient Yuan's brows were furrowed, and his words sent the others into astonishment. The Heavenly Tomb had only one master—the powerful Battle Emperor who founded it. For years, it had remained ownerless. Though they had once harbored the intention of refining and absorbing that Battle Emperor, they had all failed in the end. A space created by a Battle Emperor was far beyond their grasp. Thus, even with their strong composure, hearing Ancient Yuan's words left them deeply incredulous—yet they knew, with certainty, that Ancient Yuan's perception could not have been mistaken." "As for Brother Xiao Yan..." Xun'er, standing beside Gu Yuan, had a slightly pale complexion. She didn't particularly care about whether or not the Tian Mu had a master, but... Xiao Yan was still inside! If Gu Yuan couldn't open the spatial passage, how could Xiao Yan possibly return? "I'll try again." Gu Yuan's expression was slightly gloomy. With his current strength, even if a mysterious master truly emerged within the Tian Mu, he could not be completely blocked from entering. As soon as he spoke, Gu Yuan changed his hand seal, and at once the celestial energies throughout the realm surged violently, swiftly coalescing into a colossal energy hand stretching a thousand zhang across the sky. This immense hand then plunged downward, grasping firmly at the rippling space. The vast shadow it cast completely concealed the surrounding mountain ranges. The Energy Great Palm moved with incredible speed, appearing almost instantly at the location of that space. Yet, as it was about to strike the space, the intensity of the space's ripple suddenly intensified, and then a wave surged forth from within, rapidly spreading out and colliding powerfully with the Great Palm—effectively dispersing Gu Yuan's attack. "Not far from the ancient Yuan's position, the three immortals of the ancient clan also suddenly grew serious. With a low cry, numerous ancient clan warriors surged forth from the surrounding mountains, their qi flowing and swiftly gathering together. "Who exactly are you? This is the ancient clan. We merely intend to escort you to safety—nothing more!" The array was now fully established, yet Ancient Dao's expression remained grave as he spoke loudly. As soon as his words fell, a ripple in the space suddenly unfolded into a spatial passage, and then, slowly, a figure emerged, stepping out under the intense gaze of the many ancient clan warriors. "Hmm... Escorting someone? This seems rather grand for such a simple task," the figure remarked, taking in the newly formed array in the sky and the vast ranks of ancient clan warriors standing ready. "Xiao Yan?" The others, upon seeing the figure step out of the passage, all stared in astonishment. "Previously, a senior master fought the clan chief. Now, this is..." Gu Dao exhaled gently, waved his hand to ease the crowd, and smiled at Xiao Yan. However, before he finished speaking, he noticed a sudden shock spreading across Gu Yuan's face, causing his voice to falter instantly. "The one who came before—was it you?" Gu Yuan fixed his gaze firmly on Xiao Yan, his heart surging with waves of astonishment. Upon hearing this, everyone present—including Xun'er, Yanjin, and Lei Ying—stared in stunned silence. But as Xiao Yan continued speaking, that sense of disbelief deepened even further.