Outside the Black Angle Region. On a mountain path, dozens of figures dressed in black robes advanced silently. After a while, they halted at the entrance of a mountain fortress at the end of the path. "Who are you? This is the mountain gate of our Magician Blade Sect. Any strangers—move aside immediately!" As the group of unusual figures paused before the gate, the dozen guards stationed outside raised their ghost-headed spears, their eyes flashing with fierce determination, and barked out sharply. "Is this the Black Angle Region?" A calm, elderly voice, emanating from the leader of the group in black robes, spoke quietly. "Hmph. Since you know it's the Black Angle Region, why aren't you moving already? This gate isn't open to everyone!" A sturdy man who appeared to be a junior commander at the gate snorted, his tone cold. "It seems correct..." Hearing this, the leader smiled slightly and slowly raised his head. Beneath his black robe, a composed face revealed itself—his hands, like dry bones, slid out from his sleeves. With a calm voice, he said, "Eliminate them all. None shall remain." "Yes!" At his words, the dozens of figures behind him immediately responded in a low, unified tone. "Wheee!" As the elder spoke, the guards at the mountain gate immediately heightened their alertness, and within moments, a sharp siren sound burst forth from his mouth. "Dare you intrude upon my Magician's Blade Sect? You seek to—" The siren sounded, yet before the man could finish his cold command, a dark silhouette suddenly expanded in his eyes. In the next instant, his body exploded into a shower of blood mist, and even the mountain gate behind him was reduced to fine powder. "Attack!" A sudden, resonant roar echoed across the mountain peak, followed immediately by a rush of wind as hundreds and thousands of figures surged forth from the mountain gate, their great swords gleaming with a sharp, cold luster under the sunlight. "You've truly got the nerve to disturb my Magician Sword Sect!" A figure stepped forward among the crowd, holding his great sword. Yet, as the powerful aura emanating from him—equal to that of a Dueling Emperor-level warrior—began to surge, the leading black-robed warrior had already materialized before him like a ghost, his sleeves gently sweeping out. In the stunned silence of the onlookers, the once-renowned Dueling Emperor-level warrior in the Black Corner Region was instantly vaporized into blood mist. "Eliminate all of them. Also, send word to the other units to engage—within one day, I wish only my forces remain in this Black Corner Region." With a single sleeve motion that obliterated the leader of the Magician Sword Sect, the black-robed commander spoke calmly. "Understood." Hearing his words, the数十 black silhouettes also responded with roars. In the next instant, a surge of celestial martial energy erupted, black chains slicing through the sky, and battles began to unfold silently. ... Today marks another joyful occasion for the Cana College—the arrival of a new batch of freshmen and the promotion of upper-year students into the inner academy. To celebrate, the college held a formal ceremony, throughout which the atmosphere buzzed with joy and enthusiasm. On the ceremony grounds, the crowd was so dense that voices merged into a continuous, soaring tide. At the center of the square, several large battle platforms stood, each alive with bursts of martial energy and figures moving in dynamic interplay, engaging in intense, spirited matches. Occasionally, victors stood tall and proud, drawing admiring glances from numerous young girls whose eyes sparkled with appreciation. Throughout the entire college, a vibrant energy characteristic of youth pulsed and thrived. At the heart of those several platforms stood two towering sculpted statues—one aged, the other youthful and refined. The latter appeared to be about the same age as the trainees, which somewhat puzzled the newer students who had only recently joined the academy. "Sister, those two statues—one is the legendary dean, but who is the other? It doesn't seem very prominent," several energetic young girls gathered around a tall woman, asking with curiosity. "That is the most outstanding figure in Cahan Academy. Do you know the Xianmen and Xiao men? These were founded by this senior. The reason you've been able to pass through the Blackhorn Domain so smoothly is precisely due to the reputation of the Xiao men. In the past, many new students used to perish in the Blackhorn Domain—how fierce it is, you've surely experienced firsthand," the tall woman said, her gaze briefly lingering on the grand statue before smiling. "It sounds pretty impressive, doesn't it? Hehe, so where is this senior brother now?" asked a young girl with a cheerful smile. "He's already left the Canaan Academy. The last time I heard from a senior elder, he had gone to the Central Region—the place renowned for its abundance of powerful individuals. So, don't bother dreaming about him anymore..." "Do you think that's what she meant?" "Hmph." "..." On the elevated platform, Su Qian watched the lively scene below, a faint smile playing on his weathered face. Then, he raised his head and gazed at the two statues in the square, shaking his head slightly. How many decades had it been since they last saw each other? "I wonder how Xiao Yan is doing these days. With his talent and abilities, and the achievements he's made—perhaps he's not far behind now..." Su Qian murmured to himself. Over the years, the Gan Nan Academy has certainly attracted many gifted young talents, yet when compared to those of his youth, they still fell short. "Senior Su Qian." Suddenly, a voice broke in behind him as he was speaking. He turned around, smiling at the unexpected greeting. Behind him stood three figures—two women and one man. One of the women wore a mentor's robe, which, though slightly formal and roomy, could not conceal her graceful figure, especially her rare, long, and sensuous legs, which drew many admiring glances. The other woman dressed in a red dress, a whip wrapped around her willowy waist, looked lively and charming. Yet, some students dared not look at her too closely—after all, who in the academy didn't know the formidable reputation of Hu Jia, the female mage known for her fierce demeanor? Once she sets her eyes on you, life becomes quite difficult. By their side stood another man, his expression calm and composed, carrying a massive, heavy sword over his shoulder. As soon as he stepped into battle, a suffocating aura surged forward, pressing upon all present. Together, these three were among the most outstanding figures at the Cangnan Academy. Should Xiao Yan have been there, he would have instantly recognized these three familiar faces—Xiao Yu, Hu Jia, and Wu Hao. Now, they formed the core strength of the Academy. Xiao Yu had reached the Douzong level two years ago, while Hu Jia and Wu Hao had already reached the pinnacle of the Douzong stage, poised only a step away from becoming Douzun. "Pfft, I can already match a Sovereign this year," Hu Jia said. "Back ten years ago, he dared challenge a Sovereign himself," said Xiao Yu, smiling gently, her eyes fixed on the statue, filled with complex emotions. "Just keep talking in his favor," Hu Jia said, now a bit disgruntled. "He's grown so much, yet still just like back then." Su Qian smiled softly, looking at the gradually filling seats of mentors and elders around him, and then slowly stood up. With his rise, the once bustling plaza fell into quiet, a steady stream of eyes now resting upon him—Su Qian was undoubtedly the driving force behind Cana College. As for Meng Tian Chi, the hands-off administrator simply wasn't up to the task. Even some mentors had nearly forgotten his name. "Each..." Su Qian stood up, gazing at the young, even稚嫩 faces before him, and a warm, gentle smile broke upon his lips. Yet, as he had just begun to speak, his brow furrowed suddenly, his gaze piercing through the throng of people toward the horizon, where a fierce gust of wind carried with it a scent of blood and battle fury. "Wu Hao." After years of leading the academy, Su Qian remained as steady as a mountain, speaking calmly. "The enforcement team, the senior elders—take up your positions and remain alert!" Wu Hao rose immediately, his form slowly ascending into the air, and issued a firm command. Upon hearing his voice, a series of gusts of wind swept across the dais and throughout the academy, swiftly bringing numerous figures into view around the plaza, their eyes fixed intently on the sky. The sudden development surprised the students, though under the calm reassurance of their instructors, they remained composed and quiet. Under everyone's watchful attention, the gusting wind grew louder and louder. A moment later, a host of dark silhouettes emerged from the horizon, flickering briefly before solidifying in the sky above. "Today is a joyous occasion at our Gan'an Academy—unfortunately, we're unable to welcome guests. I hope you can understand and forgive us," Su Qian said, frowning as he observed the figures in the sky. He immediately sensed a strong scent of blood emanating from them, and his heart sank—he had sensed that the good come, and the bad arrive. "Joyous?" Hearing Su Qian's words, the leading figure couldn't help but offer a gentle smile. He slowly lifted his cloak to reveal a weathered face. He glanced at Su Qian below, his voice calm and steady. "Can we evacuate everyone from Black Angle Region within one hour?" "Friend," Su Qian replied, "that's not a jest—how could you be so casual about it?" "Everyone's faces turned serious at once. Su Qian spoke in a low, steady tone—had he not sensed the strength of this person clearly, he would have already launched into anger. 'If they're not sufficient, then we'll have to eliminate them all. Though they're all children, there's no choice...' said the cloaked elder calmly. As the Hounuo finished speaking, a surging wave of lethal aura instantly spread across the sky!