Qi Xian could see that the leading elder’s Profound Power was immense, not a bit inferior to his own. He was undoubtedly a Tier Six Martial Venerable.

’When did the Thirteen Nations Alliance produce another expert of this caliber besides me?’

Elder Gale of the Profound Mystery Sect completely ignored Qi Xian’s question. Instead, he looked at Zhou Liang, frowned, and asked, "Why are you alone? Where did Luan Hong and the other two go?"

Zhou Liang’s heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled after being rescued by Elder Gale. Hearing the elder’s question, he didn’t dare delay and quickly gave a brief account of how Luan Hong and the others had entered the ancient ruins.

"Elder Gale, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, I followed my agreement with Senior Brother Luan Hong and the others. After they went in, I found a place to hide. I just never imagined that Senior Brother Luan Hong and the others wouldn’t make it out."

The elder shot Zhou Liang a cold glance. "So, you’re saying Luan Hong and the others were killed in those ruins by Soul Refiners from the Thirteen Nations Alliance?"

Hearing the tone in Gale’s voice, Zhou Liang’s heart sank. Although the four of them were all Core Disciples of the Profound Mystery Sect, they weren’t all equal. Luan Hong’s talent was the highest, and he had always been a disciple favored by Elder Gale. ’That must be why the sect sent Elder Gale this time,’ Zhou Liang thought. ’He must be upset that he hasn’t seen Luan Hong.’

But Zhou Liang didn’t dare to lie. He hastily reported, "Senior Brother Luan Hong said that if he didn’t make it out, he must have been killed by Ye Xuan. It’s just... this disciple believes that with Senior Brother Luan Hong’s strength, that’s highly unlikely!"

The elder’s brow furrowed. "What is this nonsense?" he barked. "Who is Ye Xuan? And why do you think it’s unlikely?"

Zhou Liang rushed to explain. "Ye Xuan is a disciple from the Liuyun Kingdom, part of the Thirteen Nations Alliance. His talent is astonishing. At this year’s Floating Light Assembly, he defeated Senior Brother Luan Hong to become the champion..."

Zhou Liang recounted the events in full detail, and the few experts from the Profound Mystery Sect grew more and more alarmed as they listened.

They had never imagined the Thirteen Nations Alliance could have such a genius, someone who could surpass their own Luan Hong in the study of Soul Refining. The Profound Mystery Sect, after all, had established its footing on the Dream Realm Plain through its Soul Refiners, and Luan Hong was considered one of the absolute best among their ranks.

And after hearing what transpired in the Floating Light Secret Realm, the Profound Mystery Sect experts were utterly stunned.

They couldn’t believe a Tier Seven Seven-Colored Lotus had appeared in the Floating Light Secret Realm. Even for them, a Tier Seven Seven-Colored Lotus was a heaven-defying treasure, yet it had been wasted by this trash from the Thirteen Nations Alliance.

Then, they finally understood why Zhou Liang had said it was unlikely. After obtaining one of the Seven-Colored Lotuses, Luan Hong had used it to break through to the Tier Five Martial Sect Realm. Ye Fanxing and the others had also reached Tier Four Peak. With their enhanced strength, combined with their knowledge and treasures, it should have been impossible for anyone from the Thirteen Nations Alliance to kill them. That was why they had dared to enter the ruins so openly.

But Luan Hong and his group likely never expected that once they entered, they would never come out again.

After Zhou Liang finished his story, Gale and his men had a clear picture of the events. However, they still had some lingering doubts. Gale asked coldly, "According to you, this Ye Xuan is only skilled in Soul Refining, and his Martial Dao strength is quite ordinary. So why would Luan Hong tell you that if he were to perish, it must have been Ye Xuan who killed him?"

"Because Senior Brother Luan Hong suspected that the one who took the Earth Fire from the underground cavern during the struggle for the Seven-Colored Lotus was Ye Xuan. He believed Ye Xuan was hiding his true strength."

At Zhou Liang’s words, the expressions on the faces of Gale and his companions changed instantly. "What? What did you just say? Earth Fire? There’s Earth Fire in the Floating Light Secret Realm?"

Gale’s expression grew excited. Though he was an elder of the Profound Mystery Sect, he didn’t possess an Earth Fire of his own. If there truly was Earth Fire in the Floating Light Secret Realm, and if he could obtain it, his power would soar, making him one of the absolute top figures in the Profound Mystery Sect.

"Elder, it was only Senior Brother Luan Hong’s speculation. It has not been confirmed."

Gale waved his hand dismissively. "Speculation is enough," he said coldly.

’I know Luan Hong’s strength and talent well,’ Gale thought. ’He wouldn’t make baseless claims. Since he said there was Earth Fire, then even if it isn’t exactly Earth Fire, there must be some other kind of rare flame. He wouldn’t have said it for no reason.’

’It seems coming to the Thirteen Nations Alliance was the right decision after all.’

With that thought, the conversation among the Profound Mystery Sect members ceased. Under the watchful eyes of all present, the leading elder strode forward with a cold smile. He looked down upon the many experts of the Thirteen Nations Alliance and demanded coldly, "Who is Ye Xuan? Get out here!"

Ever since Gale and his group arrived in the valley, all eyes from the Thirteen Nations Alliance had been fixed on them. While the newcomers were conversing, Zhu Tianlan and the others had been secretly using voice transmission to inform everyone present of the group’s likely origins.

Qi Xian, the number one expert of the Thirteen Nations Alliance, had been furious at being ignored and was on the verge of attacking. But after receiving Zhu Tianlan’s voice transmission, his furious gaze instantly cooled.

He had learned from Zhu Tianlan that these people were likely experts from the Profound Mystery Sect on the Dream Realm Plain. Qi Xian immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Though he was the top expert of the Thirteen Nations Alliance, a Tier Six First Layer Martial Venerable, he knew perfectly well that on the grand scale of the continent, he was nothing.

Before the colossal Profound Mystery Sect of the Dream Realm Plain, he was as fragile as an ant.

It wasn’t just him; the other Martial Artists of the Thirteen Nations Alliance were also well aware of this fact. So, they all suppressed their anger and waited quietly.

What Qi Xian and the others hadn’t expected, however, was that the moment the newcomers finished their discussion, they would call out for Ye Xuan in such a hostile tone.

Ye Xuan himself was taken aback. He furrowed his brow, not having expected these experts from the Profound Mystery Sect to be looking for him the moment they arrived.

Beside him, Dongfang Yanyu and Kuchen shot him worried glances.

The experts from the other kingdoms also turned to look at Ye Xuan, their faces filled with astonishment.

But before Ye Xuan could speak, Qi Xian, who was standing at the forefront, suddenly stepped forward.

Qi Xian had just been ignored by the people from the Profound Mystery Sect, and now they had bypassed him completely to call out Ye Xuan. This blatant disrespect infuriated him. "It seems Your Excellency has yet to tell us who you are," he said coldly.

Gale shot a cold glance at Qi Xian. Zhou Liang immediately explained from the side, "Elder Gale, this is the top expert of the Thirteen Nations Alliance, Qi Xian of the Celestial Gold Kingdom. He’s said to be a Tier Six Martial Venerable."

"Not ’said to be.’ He is indeed a Tier Six Martial Venerable, but merely a trash-tier First Layer one at that," Gale said nonchalantly. The disdain in his voice was so thick even an idiot could hear it.

Rage flared in Qi Xian’s heart. He admitted he couldn’t compare to an expert from the Profound Mystery Sect, but if he didn’t react to such an insult, his reputation as the so-called number one expert would be shot. He would become a complete laughingstock.

"Aren’t you a bit too arrogant?" Qi Xian snorted. A vast wave of Profound Power erupted from him, vast as an ocean. The torrential aura caused the expressions of everyone present to change dramatically.

Even Martial Sect masters like Jiang Zheng were shocked. Qi Xian’s power was terrifying. Though he was only one tier higher than them, that single tier represented a world of difference.

"Arrogant?" Despite Qi Xian’s ocean-like aura, the elder, Gale, just sneered. "That would imply you’re someone worth noticing. Why should I deign to even look at a piece of trash like you?"

"Insolent cur! In that case, I, Qi Xian, must ask for a lesson! Let’s see what strength gives you the right to speak with such arrogance!" Qi Xian roared, his anger finally boiling over. A black battle saber appeared in his hand, and he swept forward like a whirlwind.

The black battle saber split into two in midair, then four, then eight. In the blink of an eye, a dense torrent of saber-shadows surged forth like an overwhelming tide, completely enveloping Gale. The tyrannical momentum caused the surrounding Martial Artists to turn pale with fright.

Yet the elder at the center of the sky-blotting saber-shadows remained perfectly calm. As the attack descended, he even let out a sneer. "The top expert of the Thirteen Nations Alliance... you have the posture, I’ll give you that. But you’re still too weak."

As his voice faded, a black gauntlet suddenly appeared on his hand. He threw a single punch toward the heart of the saber-shadows. BOOM! A deafening explosion rang out as the sky full of shadows shattered. The elder’s fist was like a flood dragon bursting from the sea, instantly pulverizing the attack. An incomparably sharp surge of Profound Power blasted through the remnants and slammed viciously into the battle saber in Qi Xian’s hand.

The hand Qi Xian used to hold his saber trembled, and he was forced back, stumbling several steps.

The elder withdrew his fist and stood tall. "Trash is trash," he said coolly. "Don’t ever think you can be anything more."

The experts behind the elder all roared with laughter. ’This Qi Xian is too used to being the top dog in the Thirteen Nations Alliance. He actually thinks he’s invincible, daring to fight Elder Gale. Is he just looking for a beating?’

While the people from the Profound Mystery Sect laughed, the Martial Artists of the Thirteen Nations Alliance were both shocked and furious.

Qi Xian’s face flushed crimson. With a furious roar, he charged forward again.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A saber-shaped Martial Soul materialized above his head. The formidable power of the Martial Soul surged forth, combining with his Tier Six Venerable-grade Profound Power to form a world-annihilating hurricane that churned violently.

Elder Gale’s gaze grew slightly more serious, but his expression remained as relaxed and confident as ever. He brandished his fists and instantly clashed with Qi Xian.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Violent gusts of energy blasted outwards. Qi Xian attacked with mad ferocity, but no matter what he tried, Elder Gale stood as firm as a mountain. In fact, it was Qi Xian who was repeatedly forced back by the elder’s counterattacks.