Since Xiao Yan had chosen the Fire Spirit Clan as his target, he naturally understood that the clan possessed an ancestral figure of immense power. If he wanted to take away the so-called guardian divine flame of the clan, that ancestor would certainly intervene. In fact, from the very beginning, Xiao Yan's target had been that very person. He wanted to make a name for himself in the Great Thousand World, to firmly establish his standing—and the best way to do that was to defeat another Saint-grade Heavenly Sovereign. The Fire Spirit Clan alone simply wasn't enough to impress him.
That was why Xiao Yan had deliberately released his aura earlier—to draw out the Flame Ancestor of the Fire Spirit Clan.
"It's the Ancestor! The Ancestor has come out of seclusion!" The remaining members of the Fire Spirit Clan sensed the terrifying presence descending upon them, and their faces immediately lit up with joy. Even though the Grand Elders present had already reached the level of Heavenly Sovereigns, in their hearts, that ancestor still held godlike status. In their minds, as long as the Ancestor made a move, he would certainly drive away this arrogant intruder!
Under countless watching gazes, a red-haired man floated into the skies above the Fire Spirit Continent. He didn't appear to be very old, but that was merely his external appearance. Those who were familiar with him knew this man had lived for tens of thousands of years—a true ancient monster.
The Flame Ancestor cast a glance at the Grand Elders whose faces were still pale and drawn, and his brows creased slightly. "What happened? How did you provoke an opponent of this caliber?"
"Ancestor, it was all because of this mysterious brat. He suddenly appeared and demanded the divine flame that our clan guards. When we refused, he tried to seize it by force. We intended to fight him to the death, but we did not expect that the situation would escalate to the point of disturbing your seclusion. This is our fault!" the clan leader hurriedly explained with panic.
"You think this old man is senile?" the Flame Ancestor snorted coldly. "You clearly overestimated yourselves and initiated a duel you couldn't win. Now you want to shift the blame entirely to someone else? You dare act and not take responsibility? Looks like you no longer wish to be the clan leader."
His tone remained calm, but the pressure radiating from him made the clan leader's knees buckle, forcing him to kneel on the spot.
"Ancestor, regardless of the clan leader's error, that divine flame is the cornerstone of our clan's survival. It is the symbol of our heritage—it cannot be handed over to an outsider!" a Grand Elder couldn't help but plead.
"I'm well aware of that. Otherwise, I wouldn't have appeared today," the Flame Ancestor said with a shake of his head. His gaze turned to Xiao Yan across the sky, a glimmer of astonishment surfacing in his eyes. "To think that the current Great Thousand World has produced such a young Saint-grade Heavenly Sovereign… Truly, the waves behind overtake the ones before."
"What?" The moment the Flame Ancestor revealed Xiao Yan's cultivation level, everyone present was shocked. With their standing, they knew what it meant to be a Saint-grade Heavenly Sovereign. No wonder they'd been routed so quickly—this guy was actually on the same level as their own Ancestor. But why had no one heard of him before?
"Tsk, tsk… Truly worthy of being the famed Fire Spirit Clan. I beat up your juniors and you send out the old ones. Your foundation runs deeper than I thought," Xiao Yan chuckled. Though the words sounded like praise, the sarcasm beneath was impossible to miss. Yet the Fire Spirit Clan could only grit their teeth in silence.
"I'm aware of the duel, and it's true that we were at fault first," the Flame Ancestor admitted. "But that divine flame is too crucial to our clan. Even if we must lose face, we cannot allow it to be handed over. I must stop you."
"Understandable," Xiao Yan smiled. "But I've also said, if you're unwilling to hand it over, I'll take it by my own means."
"Then let us fight!" The Flame Ancestor stomped his foot. Instantly, a massive rift in space tore open, enveloping both him and Xiao Yan. This rift connected to a long-abandoned lower realm. He was all too aware of how destructive a battle between two Saint-grade Heavenly Sovereigns could be. If they fought here, the Fire Spirit Continent behind him would likely be reduced to ashes.
As the two vanished into the rift, a crimson halberd materialized in the Flame Ancestor's hand. The halberd shimmered like molten lava, surging with an uncontrollable, violent energy. Coiled around the shaft was a sculpted ancient flame dragon, so vivid it looked as if it might burst to life. This was undoubtedly an extraordinary Saint Artifact, one of exceptionally high grade.
"That's the Ancient Flame Dragon Halberd! To think Ancestor would summon our clan's sacred artifact from the get-go. Looks like that brat's in for it now!" one of the watching Grand Elders exclaimed in awe.
That halberd was none other than the Fire Spirit Clan's ancestral Saint Artifact. In terms of importance, it was on par with their guardian divine flame. With such a weapon in hand, their Ancestor could probably go toe-to-toe with even a mid-stage Saint-grade Heavenly Sovereign.
"A Saint Artifact forged from the bones of an ancient Flame Dragon? Interesting…" Xiao Yan chuckled. "In that case, allow me to show you my weapon as well."
He casually raised a hand, and a crimson light surged forth, rapidly condensing into a blood-red demonic sword in his palm.
The moment the sword appeared, the previously scorching air, ignited by the Flame Ancestor's energy, grew cold and ominous. Even the Flame Ancestor could clearly sense that his Ancient Flame Dragon Halberd—unmatched in all his previous battles—was suddenly trembling in fear. The crimson glow it emitted had noticeably dimmed.
This sword was the very one that had once been sealed inside Xiao Yan's body. In the past, he had refrained from using it, uncertain of its origins. But now he knew: it was the mutated form of the Dragon Slayer Sword he had forged with his own hands.
After numerous enhancements—and the absorption of countless dragon blood essences—this blade now vastly surpassed ordinary Saint Artifacts in both grade and ferocity. In fact, it had reached a level that could suppress even the highest-level weapons below Divine-grade.
And the Flame Ancestor's halberd? It was only a quasi-Saint Artifact. Merely from their energy alone, the difference was stark.
What's more, the sword retained its core trait as a Dragon Slayer. Against anything containing draconic bloodlines, it had a natural, overwhelming suppressive effect. Given that the halberd was crafted from the remains of an ancient Flame Dragon, the fear it displayed was no surprise.
This battle, it seemed, was already leaning toward one side from the moment their weapons clashed.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.