Chapter 1003: Uninvited Arrival

Three figures walked abreast in front, their footsteps silent. Yet, each step felt like a heavy stomp on everyone's heart, causing their internal organs to tremble violently. The overwhelming aura made the elders and palace masters, whose power was just below that of a Realm King, clench their hearts and instinctively tense their spirits.

Their arrival drastically changed the atmosphere in the Sacred Hall Plaza. This was not merely because they hailed from the Flame God Realm, a place already known for its hostility and ancient feuds. The three leading figures were, in fact, the three great Sect Masters who commanded the Flame God Realm and were renowned throughout the Snow Song Realm.

The moment they arrived, Yun Che's gaze fixed on the three individuals, for two of them radiated an aura he was extremely familiar with.

The man in the center was the tallest, with a fair, beardless face that made him appear remarkably young. He exuded the calmest and most peaceful aura. His central position subtly hinted that his status was higher than the other two.

Flame God Realm, Vermilion Bird Sect Master — Yan Wancang!

The man on the right had a calm, unremarkable face. From him radiated a flame aura that Yun Che recognized intimately.

The aura of Phoenix Flames!

Flame God Realm, Phoenix Sect Master — Yan Juehai!

The man on the left, however, was a stark contrast to the quiet composure of Yan Wancang and Yan Juehai. His long hair, like flames, stood on end, and fiery light swirled around his body. Wherever he moved, the air, and even space itself, seemed to distort. His eyes glowed with sun-like fire, and his entire being resembled a walking volcano on the verge of eruption. Anyone whose gaze swept over him instantly felt a terrifying burning sensation in their soul.

Yun Che was also extremely familiar with the scorching aura he emitted.

Flame God Realm, Golden Crow Sect Master — Huo Rulie!

The Flame God Realm had no Great Realm King. These three individuals were the strongest practitioners in the Flame God Realm in the current era and led its three most powerful sects.

Therefore, their status and position in the Flame God Realm were entirely equivalent to that of three Realm Kings!

Yet now, they had come uninvited, personally arriving at the Snow Song Realm, with all three Sect Masters present! Even the disciples with the lowest status and cultivation present sensed something highly unusual.

Behind the three Sect Masters, a young person followed each. From their auras, it was clear that one belonged to the Vermilion Bird Sect, one to the Phoenix Sect, and one to the Golden Crow Sect. They followed closely behind, their gazes straight ahead, their faces calm but with a hint of arrogance.

However, this arrogance gradually vanished without a trace as they drew closer to Mu Xuanyin. Although they still maintained the demeanor expected of top disciples from the Flame God Realm, under Mu Xuanyin's immense pressure, they were all completely tensed up.

Standing before Mu Xuanyin's seat, Yan Wancang stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said solemnly, "Yan Wancang, Yan Juehai, and Huo Rulie of the Flame God Realm pay respects to the Snow Song Realm King. It is truly fortunate to witness your grace once again. Our visit this time is extremely presumptuous; please forgive us."

Yan Juehai and Huo Rulie also cupped their hands in a respectful salute. During this process, Yun Che's gaze fell on Huo Rulie. Yan Wancang and Yan Juehai both had solemn expressions, showing no hostility; instead, they seemed to be seeking something. Only Huo Rulie, though also bowing, clearly emanated a murderous aura from his eyes.

And Huo Rulie was precisely the one who had ambushed Mu Bingyun a thousand years ago!

Even with the esteemed three Sect Masters of the Flame God Realm personally present, Mu Xuanyin remained seated. Her exquisite, icy countenance was covered with a chilling majesty that felt like falling into an ice hell. "Presumptuous? Hmph, you still know what presumptuous means!?" she scoffed. "Not only did you come uninvited, but you dared to barge directly into the Sacred Hall. Even your informants are much more clever than before... The Flame God Realm is truly becoming more 'accomplished'!"

The three young people behind the Sect Masters froze as if encased in ice, unable to move. This was their first time in the Snow Song Realm and their first time seeing the legendary Snow Song Realm King. Since they were accompanying the three Sect Masters, they were certainly not ordinary individuals. Yet, they could never have imagined that the Snow Song Realm King's aura would be so terrifying.

They weren't just standing there; they distinctly felt as if an indescribably terrifying chill had nailed them from body to soul, rendering them utterly immobile.

Even the combined pressure of the three Sect Masters was far inferior.

The three of them thoroughly understood at this moment why the three Sect Masters, despite the Snow Song Realm's strength being far inferior to the Flame God Realm's, were so wary of the Snow Song Realm King.

The dignified three Sect Masters of the Flame God Realm, individuals who held absolute sway in their realm, were met with sarcasm and scolding as "guests." In the Flame God Realm, this would undoubtedly be an affront to heavenly authority. But Yan Wancang showed no anger; instead, he chuckled and cupped his hands, saying, "We three know our visit is indeed presumptuous, but it was out of desperation. After I was rejected by the Snow Song Realm King several months ago, I was unwilling to give up and sought every opportunity to meet her. It was only a few days ago that I learned of your sect's grand assembly, which forced us to resort to this last measure."

"Today, we three have come personally, bringing only three young disciples," he continued. "This is simply to convey our sincerity to the Snow Song Realm King. We humbly ask you to consider our sincerity and effort, and grant me a moment of your time."

"Zhuo'er, Mingxuan, Poyun, step forward and greet the Snow Song Realm King," Phoenix Sect Master Yan Juehai admonished.

Yan Wancang's words immediately made Yun Che understand their purpose.

On his first day in the Snow Song Realm, after leaving the Frozen Cloud Hall, a sound transmission had resonated throughout the entire Ice Phoenix Realm. Mu Bingyun had said at the time that this transmission was from Yan Wancang, the Vermilion Bird Sect Master, whose purpose was to personally meet the Snow Song Realm King and ask for her help in hunting the Ancient Horned Dragon in the Blazing God Dragon's Burial Hell.

From Yan Wancang's recent words, it seemed Mu Xuanyin hadn't even acknowledged him back then.

The Ancient Horned Dragon's molting period occurred once every thousand years, and missing it meant waiting another millennium. As this period approached, the three Sect Masters of the Flame God Realm naturally grew more anxious, knowing that without Mu Xuanyin's power, they absolutely could not deal with the Ancient Horned Dragon.

Therefore, upon learning of today's Grand Assembly of the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect, they "forced" their way in, knowing that Mu Xuanyin would certainly be present.

The fact that there were only six of them was indeed a display of sincerity, meant to appease the Snow Song Realm King's anger over their "forced entry."

This was not their first time experiencing how terrifying Mu Xuanyin could be when angered.

"Yan Zhuo, disciple of the Vermilion Bird Sect, greets the Snow Song Realm King."

"Yan Mingxuan, disciple of the Phoenix Sect, greets the Snow Song Realm King."

"Huo Poyun, disciple of the Golden Crow Sect, greets the Snow Song Realm King."

The three young disciples all knelt on one knee. When the elders and palace masters on both sides turned their attention to the three youths, their expressions subtly changed.

As expected, those who accompanied the three Sect Masters were no ordinary juniors. No one in the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect recognized these three, as they were too young; their life auras indicated none of them were over thirty years old. Yet, their cultivation levels and the flame auras emanating from them were astonishingly powerful.

Especially the one named Yan Zhuo, who radiated Vermilion Bird flame aura. His life aura was definitely under thirty years old, yet his cultivation level was astonishingly at the late Divine Tribulation Realm!

The Flame God Realm was indeed the Flame God Realm, the elders and palace masters all sighed inwardly.

Although both the Flame God Realm and the Snow Song Realm were classified as mid-realm star regions, their overall strength differed greatly.

Setting aside the Snow Song Realm King, Ice Phoenix Sect Master Mu Xuanyin, any single one of the Vermilion Bird Sect, Phoenix Sect, or Golden Crow Sect far surpassed the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect in terms of disciple, mid-level, and high-level strength.

Unlike the Snow Song Realm, where only the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect stood out prominently, the Flame God Realm was home to numerous sects. In addition to the three leading sects, there were nearly ten other sects, such as the Blazing Glass Sect, Yangsha Island, and the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, whose overall strength was by no means inferior to the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect.

Historically, the Flame God Realm had always been among the upper tier of mid-realm star regions, while the Snow Song Realm was in the lower tier. The one who completely changed this history was the current Snow Song Realm King, Mu Xuanyin.

The appearance of a supreme powerhouse at the Divine Master Realm instantly caused the Snow Song Realm's status to soar. It leaped to become an upper-tier star region among the mid-realm star regions, even subtly surpassing the Flame God Realm. Previously, people from the Snow Song Realm would generally be treated indifferently when visiting other mid-realm star regions, but now, upon hearing the name of the Snow Song Realm, they were met with heightened reverence.

Mu Xuanyin was feared by all in the Snow Song Realm, but the depth of their respect for her was equally unprecedented. Because she alone completely changed the Snow Song Realm's standing in the God Realm, she was truly a supreme, god-like existence within it.

If not for Mu Xuanyin's existence, how could the dignified three Sect Masters of the Flame God Realm have personally come together, only to remain polite even when met with a cold expression, absolutely not daring to lose their temper?

Mu Xuanyin's gaze swept over the three young Flame God Realm disciples, and she said indifferently, "Hmph, Yan Wancang, Yan Juehai, these two young ones here should be your descendants, right?"

Seeing that the anger in Mu Xuanyin's tone seemed to have subsided a little, Yan Wancang's heart settled slightly, and he smiled. "Precisely. Zhuo'er is my youngest son, born twenty-three years ago. Mingxuan is Sect Master Yan's grandson, and Poyun is Sect Master Huo's newly accepted direct disciple. Bringing them to visit the Snow Song Realm this time is also to broaden their horizons."

Twenty-three years ago... The Ice Phoenix elders all gasped sharply.

This meant... this junior named Yan Zhuo, whose cultivation was at the eighth level of the Divine Tribulation Realm...

...was only twenty-three years old!!

Yun Che's gaze immediately fell on Yan Zhuo, feeling quite shocked and envious. But then, as if sensing something, he looked at Huo Rulie.

Mu Xuanyin had only asked about Yan Zhuo and Yan Mingxuan, pointedly omitting Huo Poyun, whom Huo Rulie brought. It seemed she was certain that Huo Poyun absolutely could not be Huo Rulie's descendant. And indeed, Yan Zhuo and Yan Mingxuan were the descendants of Yan Wancang and Yan Juehai, respectively, while Huo Poyun was a direct disciple.

At this moment, Huo Rulie's hands were not only clenched tightly but were clearly trembling.

Yun Che frowned, recalling some words Mu Bingyun had said previously, and seemed lost in thought.

"Hmph, truly worthy of being your son, Yan Wancang. Such aptitude, I fear, is unparalleled in the entire Flame God Realm. It seems your Vermilion Bird Sect's Young Sect Master will likely be replaced," Mu Xuanyin said expressionlessly.

"Hahaha, thank you, Snow Song Realm King, for praising my son," Yan Wancang laughed heartily and said, "Zhuo'er, quickly step forward and present the congratulatory gift."

"Yes, Father," Yan Zhuo responded, stepping forward and holding up a box that appeared to be made of wood, yet was entirely crimson and subtly emitted a fiery aura.

Yan Wancang said, "Although our visit today was out of desperation, we were still presumptuous in coming uninvited. Moreover, we heard that the Snow Song Realm King recently acquired a direct disciple..." He glanced at Yun Che from the corner of his eye. "This humble gift is to express our apologies and to congratulate the Snow Song Realm King on obtaining a direct disciple. Please accept it."

"Oh?" Mu Xuanyin's crescent-like brows slightly raised, and she said faintly, "Che'er, take it."

"...Yes."

Yun Che stepped forward, took the crimson box from Yan Zhuo's hands, and presented it to Mu Xuanyin.

Mu Xuanyin did not take it, nor did she even look to see what was inside. She said coldly, "It's yours."