Published: February 26, 2025
"Disciple pays respects to the palace master," Tan Yun said as he deeply bowed to Fang Zixi.
"There's no need for formalities," Fang Zixi replied.
“Please, no formalities,” Fang Zixi replied, starting to introduce the two core disciples to Tan Yun.
Through Fang Zixi's introduction, Tan Yun learned that one was named Fang Tianyou and the other Fang Tiancheng. They were brothers and ranked second among the core disciples of the Human Race Star Domain!
“Tan Yun, Tianyou and Tiancheng are my clansmen,” Fang Zixi said, “Once we enter the Ancient Fire Prison, these brothers will ensure your safety.”
Hearing this, Tan Yun nodded to show he understood and clasped his fists at the two, saying, “Thank you in advance, brothers.”
“There’s no need for courtesy, Holy Son Tan,” Fang Tianyou and Fang Tiancheng smiled.
“Tianyou, Tiancheng,” Fang Zixi said solemnly, “Remember to protect Tan Yun at all costs, understand?”
“Rest assured, palace master. We swear to protect Tan Yun with our lives,” the brothers declared emphatically.
“Good, I believe in you!” Fang Zixi smiled with satisfaction.
…
At the same time, in the Human Race Star Domain, on Chu Xiao Star.
In the vice palace master's hall, the elder supreme of elite disciples in the Human Race Star Domain and the elder supreme of core disciples stood respectfully in front of Chu Xiaotian.
“This time, our Human Race Star Domain has obtained forty thousand slots to enter the Ancient Fire Prison.”
“This vice palace master has decided to allocate ten thousand slots each to the Inner Sect disciples and elite disciples, and twenty thousand to core disciples.”
The two replied respectfully, “We will follow your arrangements.”
“Hmm.” After nodding, Chu Xiaotian looked at the elder supreme of core disciples, Kong Sheng, with a dark gaze, “Today, someone saw that the palace master summoned core disciples Fang Tianyou and Fang Tiancheng to Dominion Star.”
“It wasn't long before Tan Yun and Dao Kun also went to see the palace master.”
“It’s clear that the palace master wants Tianyou and Tiancheng to protect Tan Yun in the Ancient Fire Prison.”
“Do you know how to act?”
Kong Sheng thought for a moment and replied respectfully, “Vice palace master, please rest assured. My son Kong Wu is the strongest among our core disciples. Even if both Tianyou and Tiancheng were to attack together, they would not be his match.”
“I will arrange for my son and some trusted core disciples to kill Tan Yun in the Ancient Fire Prison.”
“Good!” Chu Xiaotian stood up and patted Kong Sheng on the shoulder, “Remember, as long as Tan Yun is dead, I will promote you to saint elder!”
“Thud!” Kong Sheng excitedly knelt before Chu Xiaotian and bowed, saying, “Vice palace master, don’t worry, Tan Yun is as good as dead this time!”
…
In the Beast Clan Star Domain, in the Nine-headed Ancestor Dragon Hall.
Outside, the bright moon hung high, and the night was clear, but inside, the Nine-headed Ancestor Dragon’s expression was dark as ink.
Lion Bile clasped his fists and said, “Vice palace master, you can rest assured. This journey to the Ancient Fire Prison will be Tan Yun’s death sentence.”
“My nephew, Lion Hong, is ranked first among the core disciples of the Heavenly Gate Divine Palace.”
“My nephew will definitely kill Tan Yun!”
“Moreover, our Beast Clan Star Domain has thirty thousand core disciples entering the Ancient Fire Prison. The weakest among them is at the seventh level of ancestral emperor realm; any one of them could easily crush Tan Yun!”
Upon hearing this, the Nine-headed Ancestor Dragon nodded, “Hearing you say this, I can rest assured!”
…
The next day, in the morning.
In the Human Race Star Domain, on Dominion Star, at the Star Domain Dojo.
The disciples from the three major star domains heading to the Ancient Fire Prison stood in neat rows.
From the Four Arts Star Domain, the disciples heading to the Ancient Fire Prison included ten thousand elite disciples at the ancestral king realm and nineteen thousand nine hundred ninety-nine core disciples at the ancestral emperor realm. Dao Kun did not allow the Inner Sect disciples of the Four Arts Star Domain to participate because he was aware that due to Tan Yun winning the four arts contest, coupled with the slaughter of thirty Inner Sect disciples from the Human Race Star Domain and the killing of Chu Xiaotian’s youngest son, Chu Heng, he had thoroughly offended the Human Race Star Domain.