A magnificent blaze of flame, spreading out like a fiery sunset from the void space, surged upward, radiating an unbearable heat that rose throughout the heavens, causing the sea of blood on the ground to evaporate swiftly. After all those battles, within the League, Xiao Yan's standing was unquestionable—though perhaps slightly lacking in age and experience when compared to others, everyone knew that it was precisely those seemingly slender shoulders that had carried the entire League through. In many members' hearts, that figure was seen as one who would never falter! This was their deep, almost religious devotion to Xiao Yan. During such a time of despair, this fervor spread like a virus, infecting even those who did not belong to the Tianfu League. Now, facing their own despair, they desperately needed a solid pillar to rely upon. Above, the fiery curtain spread out, encompassing millions of humans. As the flame expanded, the silhouettes within grew increasingly distinct. Soon, the flames subsided, and a figure clad in black robes clearly emerged upon the vast expanse of sky. "Indeed, it's Xiao Yan..." Near the headquarters of the Alliance, a large gathering of people stood together—clearly belonging to the same faction. Among them, a sturdy man raised his head, his gaze blazing toward the figure in the sky, his voice filled with genuine excitement. "Brother Liu, is it really him?" asked a beautiful woman standing behind the man, her voice trembling with disbelief. Who could have imagined that, in just a few decades, their once-ordinary junior from the Gan Nan Academy had now reached the very pinnacle of this continent? "Ha ha, Liu Fei, it absolutely can't be wrong. Oh, this guy—what a terror! Back in the academy days, he used to be just about as much of a rival as I was..." The man in question was none other than Liu Qing, the famed "Master of the Long Spear" at Canan Academy. Liu Fei lightly bit her lower lip, gazing upward at the figure in the sky, revered by countless as a divine being, her expression somewhat complex. Who could have imagined that someone who once had conflicts with her in the inner courtyard would now rise to such a stature? In other parts of the alliance, many familiar eyes were fixed upon that celestial figure, filled with quiet admiration. "Divine Sovereign..." The Soul Emperor stood upon the Blood Lotus, his blood-colored eyes also surging with intense waves of emotion. After a moment, he could no longer contain himself, murmuring softly, "How is this possible? How is this possible?!'" As he finished speaking, his face suddenly hardened into a fierce expression, and his voice erupted into a thunderous roar, echoing across the sky like rolling thunder. It was no surprise that the Soul Emperor reacted so dramatically. To reach this moment, he had sacrificed countless efforts—yet, just as he achieved it, he found not only himself, but others as well, standing at the same level. How could he accept that easily? Especially considering that just one year ago, this very person had been nothing more than a mere insect, easily crushed by his mere gesture—now, that imbalance within him reached its peak. "Heh, this realm isn't the only one where someone has ascended to the Battle Emperor rank..." As the flames faded, a young man in black robes stepped forward. He looked up at the somewhat flustered Hún Tiān Emperor, a gentle smile playing on his lips. The once deep black eyes now shimmered with vibrant hues, appearing both calm and profound. On his forehead, a flame seal glowed in rich, colorful tones, radiating a distinct resonance. Under this resonance, even the flow of magma deep within the earth accelerated noticeably. "The Soul Heavenly Emperor, after all, was no ordinary figure. Following the initial shock, the fluctuations within his blood-red eyes gradually subsided. With a slightly gloomy expression, he carefully studied Xiao Yan before speaking coldly. "I've merely managed to secure the ancient emperor's lineage," Xiao Yan replied with a smile. "Damn Void Devouring Flame!" The Soul Heavenly Emperor's face twitched involuntarily, his heart boiling with fury. He knew all about the ancient emperor's lineage—yet Void Devouring Flame had kept it from him! Xiao Yan glanced at him with a calm expression, then swept his gaze across the nearly shattered land. Finally, he extended his hand, and a brilliant glow descended upon Zhu Kun, who had been kicked off the sky by the Soul Heavenly Emperor. Under the radiance of that light, the severe wounds on Zhu Kun's body swiftly began to heal. The injury healed, and Zhúkūn's massive form swiftly transformed into that of a human, though his face remained slightly pale. He offered a weary smile to Xiāo Yīn, saying, "You've finally made it out. If you'd been any later, everyone here would have been slaughtered by that man..." "Master Zhúkūn, please rest for a while," Xiāo Yīn said gently. "Hmm." Although Xiao Yan's voice was calm, Zhu Kun could sense an underlying pressure—almost transcending the heavens. Under that weight, even he had to bow his head, and thus nodded, saying, "We will defend against the Hu Clan's army. It's up to you to handle the Hu Emperor. Only a Battle Emperor can possibly meet the challenge..." Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over the lower ranks. Upon seeing the numerous casualties among the allied forces, he slightly pressed his lips. It seemed clear that the Hu Emperor intended to eliminate them completely. "A rather ruthless approach," Xiao Yan murmured. "To achieve the final step of his Imperial-grade embryonic pill, he has orchestrated such widespread slaughter." The Hu Emperor sneered, fixing his eyes on Xiao Yan. "This is our decisive battle today. If you fail, not a single member of the allied forces will survive!" "You fall, Spirit Clan, and I will wipe you out completely," Xiao Yan said calmly. He had long harbored deep resentment toward the Spirit Clan. Should the opportunity arise, he would never act as a mere hypocrite—he would strike and eliminate them without hesitation. "Hah! Very well! Then today, let me see whether it is the Spirit Clan that perishes, or your allied forces!" The Spirit Emperor roared with laughter, his blood energy surging forth in torrents, instantly transforming into an endless sea of blood. The power radiating from within this sea of blood was so overwhelming it instilled terror in all who witnessed it. "Spirit Clan warriors—retreat a thousand li!" The Emperor's voice, cold and commanding, echoed through the battlefield. Upon hearing the command, the Spirit Clan's elite warriors swiftly stepped back. A clash between two Battle Emperors alone could level mountains and destroy continents; should they be caught in the midst, even a Battle Saint at the peak of his strength would surely perish on the spot. Everyone knew that the true turning point of this war rested upon the outcome of the duel between Xiao Yan and the Spirit Emperor—either one's defeat would determine the final fate of both sides. "Xiao Yan, today is the day the Emperor crowns himself as the Sovereign. You must make this battle truly intense!" The Emperor of the Soul Sky, with his eyes blazing crimson, stood amidst the sea of blood. Though his methods were often ruthless, he was no ordinary ruler—he was a true strategist and a true conqueror. In this battle, one of them must fall. This fight must be fought to the very limit! "I'll be right here, to the very end!" Xiao Yan's eyes burned with fiery intensity. This battle would be the most magnificent in the history of the Qi Continent for a thousand years. Regardless of the outcome, it would be remembered for ages. As the sky above grew suddenly empty and vast, everyone held their breath. Though they had not yet touched each other, the sheer power radiating between them pressed down upon all like a mountain. "Hush-hush!" The sea of blood surged and expanded, filling the heavens. The crimson in the Emperor of the Soul Sky's eyes grew even more vivid. After this tense standoff, he suddenly took a decisive step forward. "Boom!" As he took this step, the entire sky trembled, and the vast sea of blood surged wildly, transforming into a colossal wave stretching tens of thousands of feet, crashing down upon Xiao Yan with tremendous force. Beneath this towering wave, Xiao Yan appeared tiny—no larger than a speck of dust. The luminous glow in his eyes fixed upon the awe-inspiring wave, whose energy was sufficient to shatter even a nine-star Battle Saint's soul. The heavens trembled, blood rain mingled with molten lava, pouring down from the sky like a deluge and engulfing the entire Central Region. Though the offensive was stalled, the Soul Emperor remained unsurprised. If a Supreme Battle Emperor were so easily defeated, he would not have pursued this goal with such unwavering determination for a thousand years. Nevertheless, his expression had grown noticeably serious. The fact that Xiao Yan had so effortlessly withstood his attacks indicated that the opponent had truly entered that realm—not merely temporarily advancing through external means. As the boundless blood cloud contracted, the sky itself collapsed, dark spatial fissures spreading across it at a terrifying pace. In the next instant, the blood cloud suddenly expanded, unleashing countless blood lightning bolts—each as massive as mountain ranges—raining down upon Xiao Yan with the force of a deluge. The power contained within each bolt was so immense that it left Gu Yuan and the others stunned. Gazing at the relentless downpour of blood lightning, Xiao Yan's eyes grew serious. The lightning carried an overwhelming ferocity and resentment; should any of them strike him, the fury and malice would seep into his body, inevitably shattering his consciousness. "Moo!" "A brilliant flame surged rapidly from Xiao Yan's body, eventually forming a towering flame giant standing amidst the heavens outside his form. With a single opening of its massive mouth, the sky instantly fell silent, and an exceptionally splendid flame erupted, spewing forth like a blazing cloud, colliding with the countless blood lightning. 'Boom! Boom!'" The brilliant flames and blood lightning clashed fiercely in the sky, sending the entire land trembling and splitting open into vast cracks under the intense energy surges. Watching the back-and-forth assault of blood lightning and flame, everyone's hearts raced—such a powerful confrontation could hardly be described in words; any single strike landing upon the alliance's headquarters would likely result in countless casualties. "Who holds the greater advantage between these two?" Lei Ying was also struck by the intensity of the battle and asked beside Gu Yuan. Hearing this, Gu Yuan was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a wry smile, saying, "I've never seen two Dao Emperor-level warriors fight face to face before. As for who will ultimately prevail, it's truly hard to say. Still... still, Lord Hun is the clan chief of the Hun Clan, and the Hun Clan has previously produced Dao Emperor-level warriors as well. In terms of their mastery of certain abilities, they might just be slightly stronger than Xiao Yan... " "Of course, there's no need to worry excessively. Xiao Yan has also inherited the teachings of the Tu She Emperor. He might very well have some decisive advantage up his sleeve." Hearing these words, everyone could only nod with a smile, remaining tense and focused on the extraordinary battle unfolding before them—there was simply no room for them to intervene. Blood thunder shook the heavens, and bloodlight filled the skies. Lord Hun, gazing at Xiao Yan, who remained unyielding despite his relentless attacks, saw a growing shade of displeasure in his eyes. Such a stalemate was far from what he had hoped for. "Xiao Yan, don't think that merely attaining Dao Emperor status makes you capable of challenging me!" Deeply inhaling, the spirit Emperor's expression suddenly grew profoundly serious. At that moment, the sweeping blood lightning began to wane. Under the stunned gazes of onlookers, the Emperor opened his mouth, and a powerful suction surged forth—transforming the blood clouds that had blanketed the Central Plains into brilliant streaks of blood light, which poured in like a deluge, filling his mouth. The thick clouds, composed of the essence of countless individuals, were now entirely consumed in a single breath by the Emperor. With the blood clouds that had enveloped the Central Plains for half a year now gone, the warm sunlight once again poured down. Gazing at the now bright and somewhat blinding sun, many people felt stirred and excited. Only when they truly sensed the atmosphere of an impending apocalypse did they realize how precious the ordinary things had been. Of course, they now understood that their excitement was still premature—the battle that now shaped the destiny of the Continent of Qi had only just reached its peak! "Crack! Crack!" As the surging blood cloud was devoured by the Spirit Emperor in a single breath, his body suddenly expanded, transforming within moments into a colossal blood-colored giant stretching tens of thousands of feet tall. Bloodlight rapidly coalesced across his form, eventually solidifying into a layer of blood-armor that fully enveloped his immense stature. The blood giant stood firm, its presence casting the entire sky into shadow. Under the sheer visual impact, no one could doubt that a single punch from the Spirit Emperor would instantly reduce the surrounding area of several thousand miles into a deep chasm. "Hah! Xiao Yan, what chance do you have of unleashing the full power of my Blood Emperor form?" The Spirit Emperor's vast blood-eyes fixed upon Xiao Yan. Now, with every breath he exhaled, there was a surge of wind and thunder, sending powerful ripples through the very energies of the Central Province. "The Body of a Battle Emperor..." Gazing at the celestial Emperor towering ten thousand li high, the faces of Gu Yuan and his companions grew pale. As fellow ancient races, they naturally knew that a Battle Emperor could absorb the heavens and earth into his very body—when he moved, even a simple gesture could shatter the heavens, wielding power so formidable it was terrifying. This immense form, however, was not merely energy—it was solid, tangible flesh. Imagine countless such bodies, each one vast, their combined presence creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. This very ability was known as "The Body of a Battle Emperor," a power only attainable when one reached the rank of Battle Emperor. Thus, when Gu Yuan and his companions witnessed this sight, they were deeply startled. Yet even as they remained stunned, Xiao Yan in the sky remained calm, gazing steadily at the colossal figure, smiling upward. With fluid hand gestures, the earth cracked once more, and an endless surge of molten lava was drawn upward, transforming into roaring streams of crimson flame that poured into Xiao Yan's body. And as the surging crimson flames poured into Xiao Yan's body, his form rapidly expanded under the intense gaze of countless spectators, vibrant flames roaring forth from every pore of his skin, coiling into serpentine dragons that spiraled around him. "Indeed, he has some talent," remarked the Hún Tian Emperor, his eyes flashing with astonishment. Then, with a cold smile, he declared, "I shall see just how the Blood Emperor's body compares to yours—the Flame Emperor's—whichever proves superior!" With that, the Hún Tian Emperor planted his foot and, with the winds, thunder, and lightning swirling around him, delivered a straight, powerful punch toward Xiao Yan. The sky cracked under the force, an endless deluge of blood-colored energy rushing toward Xiao Yan with terrifying intensity. "Hmph!" "Upon seeing the Huatian Emperor launch a direct assault, Xiao Yan emitted a cold snort and did not retreat. Instead, he swung his fist forth, and the magnificent, swirling fire dragon coiling around him surged along the force of the punch, delivering a powerful blow. 'Boom!' The blood and the fire dragon collided with tremendous force, sending shockwaves that instantly pulverized numerous peaks beneath, forcing countless people to scramble for shelter. The sheer destructive power of the two titans' clash was overwhelming. 'Be careful!' Gu Yuan and the others promptly reinforced their defensive shield, bolstered by the fire barrier previously established by Xiao Yan, thus avoiding the devastating gusts. 'Boom, boom, boom!' The towering forms of Xiao Yan and the Huatian Emperor, each stretching over ten thousand feet, retreated several steps through the void. With each step, thousands of feet of space shattered into darkness. Yet as soon as the two retreated, they surged forth again. This battle was not extraordinarily dazzling, but rather an overwhelming clash of sheer power—so intense that it was hard to imagine the visual impact when two titanic beings, each measured in ten thousand li, engaged in direct combat. With every impact, the winds surged and thunder flashed, as if the very heavens and earth were trembling in response to the intensity of the clash. The confrontation between these two titans clearly caused immense destruction across the Central Plains. The ground shook violently, deep fissures spreading like chasms, nearly splitting the region in two. All living beings stood in awe, trembling under the weight of the battle—mere ripples from the clash were sufficient to instantly obliterate even a Supreme Battle Saint. Gǔ Yuán and the others watched in pale astonishment, their eyes fixed upon the sky where space continuously collapsed and then reformed, repeating this cycle without end—so relentless that it sent shivers down their spines. This battle lasted nearly half a day, its thunderous roar spreading throughout the Central Plains and resonating across the entire continent of Qi. As a result, several powerful beings beyond the Central Plains sensed the disturbance and began moving toward it. However, just as they were about to enter the Central Plains' territory, the fierce gusts of wind rushing toward them sent them gasping, some even spitting blood and retreating. Those who had previously appeared composed now pale with fear, unable to advance further. Gazing at the massive figure that had plummeted to the ground, Gu Yuan and the others were instantly filled with joy, for the one who had landed was none other than the Spirit Emperor—appearing to have gained the upper hand in their fierce clash! Xiao Yan also gradually suppressed the surging qi and blood within his body, smiling, "And it seems you're starting to tire?" The Hún Tian Di's face grew deeply somber. He understood his own condition—he had discovered, after their direct confrontation, that although his strength was equally impressive, perhaps due to the aid of medicinal elixirs, he fell short of Xiao Yan in terms of sustained vitality. Moreover, Xiao Yan's Emperor of Battle body, reinforced by numerous condensed divine flames, possessed an even more formidable power. Even his own Blood Emperor body now appeared somewhat inferior. If this trend continued, he himself might indeed be the one to fall. Such an outcome was absolutely unacceptable! "Don't be too optimistic yet," the Hún Tian Di said, his gaze sweeping over the central plains below, a fierce gleam of determination flashing in his eyes. "Xiao Yan, I didn't intend to reach this point. It's all your doing. Today, I shall use this entire central region as your funeral pyre!" The sound of the divine resonance settled, and the Heavenly Emperor raised his hand, sending a brilliant streak of blood light shooting down, directly plunging into the earth. Then, the crowd was stunned to see countless blood streaks rapidly spreading out from the point of impact—like veins coursing through the heart of Zhongzhou! Xiao Yan watched in growing astonishment, from his elevated vantage point, able to observe how these blood lines surged at an astonishing speed, swiftly enveloping the entire Zhongzhou region. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" As he was still in awe, the Zhongzhou land suddenly began to tremble violently, with massive streaks of blood surging upward from various points across the land, reaching into the sky. "The places where these streaks are rising... they seem to be exactly where the Hún Clan originally set up their Spirit-Siphoning, Life-Extinguishing Array!" Ancient Yuan suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the locations where the light streaks emerged. "The layout of these great formations, when connected together..." At this moment, Zhu Kun suddenly recalled something, his face instantly turning pale with shock. "When these positions are linked, they form an array! An array of such immense scale..." Inan and the others were stunned. An array spanning the entire Central Province? Could anyone truly accomplish such a feat? "Xiao Yan, our Huan Clan has planned for a thousand years. Even in the worst circumstances, we have always been prepared. Even if you succeed in becoming a Battle Emperor, today, you will still surely perish!" Xiao Yan's gaze darkened slightly as he looked upward at the eerie array shimmering with bloodlight—there, he truly sensed a hint of danger. "No wonder you're the Emperor of the Soul. Even in this situation today, you foresaw it all..." Xiao Yan said in a low voice. The array clearly required intricate preparations, yet back then, he had failed to recognize the true significance of the so-called Phasing the Spirit and Life Array. "Making the worst-case scenario our standard—this has been the reason our Soul lineage has endured thus far," the Emperor of the Soul said with a proud smile, his expression then growing gloomy. With a sweep of his sleeve, a rift opened behind him, and then a rushing sound of water began to rise. Suddenly, the crowd was stunned to see waves of blood surge forth from the rift, flooding completely into the supposed Imperial-Slaying Array. "Xiao Yan, with the blood of millions of my people flowing to ignite this battle, it is no small feat that you have fallen within this array—your prowess has not gone in vain," said the emperor, as a surging tide of blood poured into the array. Suddenly, an eerie luminescence flickered within the array, the blood light becoming intensely concentrated, and under the watchful gaze of countless onlookers, it solidified into a colossal, translucent blood-blade radiating an endless scent of blood. The spirit emperor's expression remained calm. With a change of hand seal, the blood blade flashed, and immediately, the thousands of spirit clan warriors who had surged out from several thousand zhang away were severed at the head, their bodies rapidly withering as blood sprayed forth, eventually turning into fine powder and vanishing into the heavens and earth. As it absorbed the blood of these spirit clan warriors, the blood blade grew increasingly solid and vivid. "Xiao Yan—this is it!" The spirit emperor, his gaze blazing with fervor, suddenly expelled a surge of pure spirit blood. When this blood landed upon the blade, a resonant hum of blade energy surged forth, intensifying the sense of peril that had settled deep within Xiao Yan's heart. The heavens grew still, every observer fixed upon the scene above. From the blade, they sensed an aura of terror unlike anything they had ever encountered—this move might very well seriously injure Xiao Yan. "The Blade of the Emperor-Killing Ghost Blood... It seems the legend is truly real." Gu Yuan's face paled at that moment. While others might not recognize it, he had clear memories of it—on the ancestral records of his ancient clan, he had seen numerous references to this so-called Blade of the Emperor-Killing Ghost Blood! Indeed, it had once cut down a powerful Duke-Class Emperor, causing a shock across the continent. Now, after tens of thousands of years, he was finally able to witness this legendary weapon in person! "Oh no..." Gu Yuan clenched his fists, his pale face murmuring in concern. Xiao Yan stared at the Soul Emperor, suddenly changing his hand seal. Then, as he opened his mouth, a brilliant, splendid glow burst forth, swelling and expanding with the wind until it transformed into a vast square plaza floating in the sky. "An Odd Fire Plaza?" Seeing something familiar, Gu Yuan and the others were momentarily stunned. It was indeed the Odd Fire Plaza taken from the ancient emperor's abode—though the odd fires within were merely specimens, lacking in power. Could Xiao Yan now rely on this to withstand the Soul Emperor's Imperial Array? The Odd Fire Plaza hovered in the sky. As Xiao Yan moved, he appeared directly above the plaza. At that moment, the radiant fire seal at the center of his brow began to pulse vigorously, sending out an indescribable surge of intent that rapidly spread across the entire continent at an astonishingly swift pace. "With the name of Emperor Xiao Yan, I command all the fires of the world—listen to my command!" Xiao Yan's eyes widened suddenly, and resplendent flames surged forth from within him, carrying a commanding presence that echoed throughout every corner of the Continent of Qi. "Rank twenty-third on the List of Unique Flames—Xuan Huang Fire—now returns to its place!" The vibrant flames swirled around Xiao Yan, as if he were a sovereign emperor of the flame. As the command fell, a deep yellow flame erupted suddenly from a mountain located dozens of thousand miles away from the Central Region, shooting out like a jet, then arcing through the sky like a meteor, traversing space in a brief instant to land precisely upon a stone pillar in the Central Region. "Boom!" As the deep yellow flame entered the pillar, the Xuan Huang Fire rising from its surface surged dramatically, expanding into a towering column that soared skyward.