After nearly ten exchanges, the elder suddenly seized an opportunity and slammed a fist into Qi Xian’s chest. Qi Xian was sent flying, spitting a mouthful of blood before crashing heavily to the ground.

Qi Xian clutched his chest, his expression ugly. As the top expert of the Thirteen Nations Alliance, a Tier Six First Layer Martial Venerable, Qi Xian knew he was no match for the Profound Mystery Sect as a whole, but he never imagined that any random person from the sect could defeat him.

Now, fighting Gale, he had been defeated in less than ten moves. His heart filled with despair, the blow to his pride immense.

What?

Qi Xian was actually defeated!

And so quickly, so utterly.

All the surrounding Martial Artists from the Thirteen Nations Alliance were stunned, unable to believe their eyes.

Qi Xian had always been the number one expert of the Thirteen Nations Alliance. Even though they knew the elder and his group were from the Profound Mystery Sect, everyone had desperately hoped that Qi Xian could defeat his opponent and bring honor to the Thirteen Nations Alliance. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The outcome, however, was a heavy blow to them all.

"Qi Xian, are you alright?"

Zhu Tianlan hurried to Qi Xian’s side, asking nervously.

"I’m fine." Qi Xian shook his head and stood up, clutching his chest. But his eyes were filled with dejection; the exchange had clearly dealt him a massive blow.

Ye Xuan shook his head slightly. ’In terms of cultivation, Elder Gale from the Profound Mystery Sect isn’t that much higher than Qi Xian. He should be a Tier Six Second Layer Martial Venerable.’

’But the saber technique Qi Xian just used was only an Earth Grade one, while Elder Gale’s Fist Skill is Celestial Grade. Add to that the huge gap in their Cultivation Techniques, and it’s no wonder Qi Xian couldn’t last ten moves against him.’

While Ye Xuan was thinking this, Chairman Zhu Tianlan had already stood up. He stared coldly at the group from the Profound Mystery Sect and said in a frigid tone, "If I’m not mistaken, you must be experts from the Profound Mystery Sect, correct? The Thirteen Nations Alliance has never had any disputes with your sect, yet you come to our territory to cause trouble and even kill our Martial Artists. Aren’t you going to offer an explanation?"

"Oh? Another one steps up. Huh, and a Fifth Grade Soul Refiner, at that." Gale was initially dismissive of Zhu Tianlan, but upon sensing the Soul Power fluctuations from him, his expression flickered. He quickly concealed it, however, and sneered, "I, Gale, have never needed to explain myself. If you know what’s good for you, get out of my way. Hand over that Ye Xuan, and everyone can walk away unharmed."

Originally, they had planned to plunder various resources from the Thirteen Nations Alliance, but after hearing that Ye Xuan might possess an Earth Fire, Gale immediately changed his mind.

For him personally, the allure of an Earth Fire was far greater than any of the Spirit Medicines obtained in the Floating Light Secret Realm.

Seeing that the other party was clearly after him, Ye Xuan stepped forward with a cold smile. "I am Ye Xuan. On what business have you sought me out?"

Gale’s gaze immediately fell upon Ye Xuan, sizing him up without restraint. At first glance, he was shocked by Ye Xuan’s age. ’How could this Ye Xuan be so young? He looks like he isn’t even twenty.’ He couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Liang.

The other experts from the Profound Mystery Sect did the same, clearly doubting Ye Xuan’s identity.

Zhou Liang knew what Gale and the others were thinking and quickly said, "Elder Gale, he is indeed Ye Xuan."

’It really is him.’

Gale and the others were even more astonished. They had assumed that for Ye Xuan to defeat Luan Hong in Soul Refining, he must be at least twenty-four or twenty-five. They never expected him to be a youth who wasn’t even twenty.

’This is too shocking. If what Zhou Liang said is true, then this Ye Xuan’s talent in Soul Refining might even surpass that of the Profound Mystery Sect’s own number one genius.’

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Gale said coldly, "I hear you stole the Earth Fire from our Profound Mystery Sect’s Luan Hong. Hand it over."

What? Earth Fire?

Zhu Tianlan and the others all looked over in astonishment.

’So that’s what this is about.’ Ye Xuan immediately understood why they had come straight for him. ’Luan Hong must have told Zhou Liang his suspicions, and Zhou Liang then relayed them to this group.’

Ye Xuan sneered. "Let’s not even discuss whether I have an Earth Fire or not. Even if I did, on what grounds are you telling me to hand it over?"

"On what grounds?"

Gale couldn’t help but burst out laughing, his expression turning savage. "And they call you a genius. On what grounds do *you think*?"

"Sirs, you must be mistaken. How could Ye Xuan possibly have an Earth Fire?" Kuchen hurriedly stepped forward and said.

"’Whether he has it or not is simple to find out. Just have the boy hand over his Storage Ring, suppress his Profound Power, and let me inspect his body carefully,’ Gale said with a sneer."

"You are being far too arrogant! This is the territory of the Thirteen Nations Alliance. Do you not fear the judgment of the Profound Domain?" Chu Yunfei said angrily. "For powerful experts of the great Profound Mystery Sect to act so wantonly in our Thirteen Nations Alliance... don’t forget there’s a Continental Peace Treaty."

"Peace Treaty?" Gale scoffed, a trace of impatience already creeping into his heart. He sneered, "A Tier Five Third Layer Martial Sect. You seem to be quite the expert in the Thirteen Nations Alliance, don’t you? Have you never heard that might makes right? Yes, the Profound Domain did issue a Continental Peace Treaty, but you’d need someone to actually make it to the Profound Domain to file a complaint. Believe it or not, my Profound Mystery Sect can ensure that none of you ever step foot outside the borders of the Thirteen Nations Alliance!"

Gale stared coldly at everyone present, the contempt in his eyes completely undisguised.

"Haha, that’s right! Go on, if you have the guts, go report our Profound Mystery Sect to the Profound Domain. The only problem is, I’m afraid some people might not even reach the Profound Domain in this lifetime."

"A bunch of country bumpkins. You think you’re safe just because you’ve heard of the Continental Peace Treaty?"

"Hahaha."

The men from the Profound Mystery Sect all burst into disdainful laughter.

"You..."

Chu Yunfei and the others were livid, their faces flushed with anger, but they were rendered speechless.

It was infuriating. They wished they could teach the men from the Profound Mystery Sect a harsh lesson, but everyone knew that what Gale and his men said was true. With the Profound Mystery Sect’s power, they could easily prevent any Martial Artist from the Thirteen Nations Alliance from ever reaching the Profound Domain.

"Besides, what could you do even if you did reach the Profound Domain? Our Profound Mystery Sect’s Core Disciple, Luan Hong, died in your Thirteen Nations Alliance. I now suspect this Ye Xuan is the murderer. Do you think the Profound Domain meddles when a sect seeks vengeance for its disciples?" Gale sneered.

Kuchen retorted angrily, "It was clearly your Profound Mystery Sect’s disciples who entered our Thirteen Nations Alliance to plunder resources! You have the gall to say that?"

Gale chuckled coldly. "My Profound Mystery Sect’s disciples merely entered your Thirteen Nations Alliance by accident. A simple coincidence. Besides, even if our disciples were plundering resources, does that give you the right to kill them?"

Dongfang Yanyu said in a heavy voice, "Luan Hong and his group died at the hands of the Demon King in the Floating Light Secret Realm. It had nothing to do with us."

"Just because you say it had nothing to do with you, that makes it true? Enough nonsense. Have the boy hand over his Storage Ring and let me inspect it immediately. Otherwise, don’t blame us for what happens next."

A fierce glint flashed in Gale’s eyes. He was gradually losing his patience.

"Master Dongfang Yanyu, since Luan Hong’s death has nothing to do with Ye Xuan, just have him hand over the Storage Ring."

"Ye Xuan, you’re innocent anyway. What’s the harm in handing over your Storage Ring for them to inspect?"

"Yeah, once they know you didn’t kill Luan Hong, they won’t have any excuse."

"Chairman Dongfang Yanyu, why are you protecting that Ye Xuan so fiercely? Could it be that Luan Hong’s death really is related to him? Is it appropriate to put the entire Thirteen Nations Alliance in danger for a single disciple?"

Jiang Zheng and the others from the Fire Crow Kingdom chimed in with cold shouts, their tone extremely hostile.

The Fire Crow Kingdom and the Liuyun Kingdom had always been at odds, warring with each other for years, but neither could gain the upper hand. Now that Chairman Xuu Xin Hua of the Fire Crow Kingdom was dead, the balance of power had tipped. Jiang Zheng would be more than happy to see the Profound Mystery Sect kill all the experts from the Liuyun Kingdom.

"Jiang Zheng, what bullshit are you spouting?" Kuchen couldn’t help but roar in anger. Even at a time like this, Jiang Zheng was still trying to kick them while they were down. ’Doesn’t he realize that what Gale said is just an excuse?’

"It seems you’re unwilling to hand it over. In that case, I’ll just have to take it myself."

Gale couldn’t be bothered with the standoff any longer. With a cold glint in his eye, he suddenly reached out a large hand, grabbing fiercely toward Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan’s eyes turned cold, and he was about to make a move when Chu Yunfei, Dongfang Yanyu, Kuchen, and the others all instantly moved to block in front of him.

"Courting death!" Gale sneered, his claw-like grasp changing into a palm as he swept it out lightly.

BOOM! A sharp blast of palm wind instantly struck the three of them. Terrifying Profound Power swept out, and Chu Yunfei and the other two grunted in unison as they were forced backward.

The gap between a Tier Five Martial Sect and a Tier Six Martial Venerable was simply too vast. Even with the three of them combined, they were no match for a single one of Gale’s moves.

"Come here."

After knocking back Dongfang Yanyu and the other two with one palm strike, Gale sneered and reached for Ye Xuan again. The fierce palm wind was like a towering mountain, enveloping Ye Xuan completely.

But before Gale’s palm could land, a black shadow appeared in front of Ye Xuan. It was a black awl, shimmering with a brilliant light, that blocked Gale’s attack.

"Hm?" Gale’s brow furrowed coldly as he looked over. He saw Chairman Zhu Tianlan, his eyes sharp, activating his martial spirit. The awl was none other than his famous Profound Treasure.

"You don’t seem to be an expert from this boy’s kingdom, do you? What, do you intend to stop me too?" Gale said coldly.

Zhu Tianlan’s expression was indifferent. "That’s right. I am not a Soul Refiner from the Liuyun Kingdom. But I *am* a Soul Refiner of the Thirteen Nations Alliance. This Ye Xuan is a disciple of the Thirteen Nations Alliance, so I have an obligation to act."

"Haha, an obligation to act? What ridiculous logic." Gale laughed with disdain, his gaze turning icy. "Today, I only want what the boy has. Don’t bring disaster upon yourself. Back off obediently, and I might consider letting this slide. But if you dare to obstruct me again, I’ll kill you all."