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Yan Yue Qi's defiant words echoed, her presence unyielding before the two Sixth-Order Late-Stage patriarchs, Hou Yan and Lang Wang. The Fire Monkey Patriarch, Hou Yan, radiated molten fury, his crimson eyes blazing with indignation. Beside him, the Earth Wolf Patriarch, Lang Wang, exuded primal savagery, his claws glinting with menace. Yet, Yan Yue Qi's icy gaze, laced with a flicker of lightning, dismissed their authority.
Lan An, tossed aside like a ragdoll, steadied himself, his heart pounding. The clash of titans before him was a spectacle of raw power, far beyond his Nascent Soul realm. Sun Crow Void Flame still scorched the air, its golden radiance illuminating the battlefield. The charred remains of Lang Cang smoldered, his tortured form a testament to Yan Yue Qi's cruelty, while Elder Third Hou's annihilation left no trace.
"Insolent woman!" Hou Yan roared, his molten armor glowing hotter. "U Yuan is our domain. You slaughter our elders and think you can leave unscathed?"
Lang Wang's wolfish snarl followed, "Your Yan Clan may be mighty, but here, you're an outsider. Hand over the human brat, and we might spare you!"
Yan Yue Qi's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Spare me? Two overgrown beasts dare speak such nonsense? Kneel, and I might consider leaving your corpses intact."
Her audacity enraged them. Hou Yan's fur ignited, Beast Fire flaring as he summoned a colossal Fire Monkey phantom. "Fire Monkey Heaven-Rending Claw!" he bellowed, a High Heaven-Grade technique. His claws, wreathed in searing flames, tore space, aiming to shred Yan Yue Qi.
Lang Wang howled, transforming into a twenty-zhang Earth Wolf, earth trembling beneath him. "Earth Devouring Storm!" A Mid Heaven-Grade technique unleashed a vortex of sand and stone, merging with Hou Yan's attack, a dual assault of fire and earth.
Lan An's White Moon Soul-Seizing Eye activated, analyzing the onslaught. The combined might of two Sixth-Order Late-Stage beasts rivaled an Early Tribulation Stage cultivator. Yet, Yan Yue Qi stood unfazed, her Sun Crow Void Flame surging.
"Sun Crow Divine Wrath!" she intoned, her voice like a celestial decree. A golden Divine Sun Crow materialized, its wings spanning the sky. With a screech, it unleashed a torrent of golden flames, forming a blazing barrier that incinerated the incoming attacks. The Fire Monkey phantom crumbled, and the Earth Devouring Storm evaporated, leaving only scorched earth.
BOOM
The backlash sent Hou Yan and Lang Wang staggering, their defenses scorched. Yan Yue Qi's eyes glinted with disdain. "Is that all?"
Lan An, watching from a distance, marveled at her dominance. Her Sun Crow Void Flame, nearing maturity, and Late Void Refining cultivation outclassed the patriarchs' combined efforts. His own Purple Heart Burning Void Flame trembled, acknowledging its inferior rank.
"Stay back and observe," Jin Ni transmitted. "Her strength is your goal. Learn from this."
Lan An nodded, using Thousand-Mile Vision to track the battle, his Big Dipper Bow ready but unused—he knew interfering would be futile. Instead, he consumed a Beauty Nurturing Pill, its warmth healing his wounds from the Heavenly Emperor Transformation and prior combat. His Spirit Energy stabilized, though the White Horse Battle Robe remained tattered.
Hou Yan, enraged, roared, "Don't underestimate us!" He summoned a molten spear, a Low Heaven-Grade weapon, thrusting it with Fire Monkey Heaven-Piercing Strike. Lang Wang's claws glowed, earth coalescing into a massive boulder, launched with Earth Shattering Claw.
Yan Yue Qi's hand flicked, Sun Crow Void Flame forming twin Heavenly Fire Hands. They crushed the spear and boulder, space warping under the heat. She advanced, her crimson robe billowing, each step radiating killing intent.
"You dare challenge me?" she sneered, her Divine Sun Crow phantom diving, flames engulfing the patriarchs. Hou Yan's armor melted, his screams echoing as burns seared his flesh. Lang Wang's fur ignited, his earth barriers crumbling.
Lan An's heart raced. Yan Yue Qi's power was a revelation—his path to avenge the Luo Clan against Luo Po Lei seemed distant, but this display fueled his resolve. He glanced at the Spirit Realm Pearl, ensuring Ji Ya and Little Lion's safety, readying Shadow Cloak for a potential escape.
As the patriarchs faltered, a new rift opened. A seductive figure emerged—Hu Yu Yan, her three tails swaying, eyes defiant. "Enough!" she cried. "Yan Yue Qi, cease this slaughter. U Yuan's balance cannot be broken!"
Yan Yue Qi's gaze shifted, unimpressed. "Fox Clan meddling now? Stand aside, or join them in ashes."
Hu Yu Yan's charm faltered against Yan Yue Qi's aura. "The Heavenly Beast Academy won't tolerate this. Withdraw, and we'll negotiate."
"Negotiate?" Yan Yue Qi laughed coldly. "Tell your elders to come themselves. You're not qualified."
Lan An sensed an opportunity. Hu Yu Yan's intervention might buy time. He subtly signaled with White Moon Soul-Seizing Eye, hoping she'd distract further. She caught his glance, nodding imperceptibly, her tails weaving a Charm Technique to stall.
Hou Yan and Lang Wang, battered, seized the moment, retreating to regroup. Yan Yue Qi's flames paused, her focus on Hu Yu Yan. Lan An, using Phantom Charm Wander Step, edged toward a safer vantage, preparing Ten Thousand Forest to trap the patriarchs if needed.