Outside, Sha Ge, Wu Feng, Mo Di, Jiao Shan, Jiao Hai, and the others were ashen-faced, their gazes toward him tinged with a flicker of fear.

Earlier, while they had been outside, it was as if Sha Ge’s group had just survived a life-or-death struggle. Because they were close to the chamber, when that savage, devouring aura erupted from within, the primary souls of these few individuals shook violently, threatening to surge out of their altars.

Even the power latent within their flesh and blood surged like a tidal wave, their divine might flowing like streams yearning to rejoin the great ocean.

Sha Ge and the others struggled desperately, exerting Herculean effort just to stabilize their primary souls and quell the powerful flux within their [Ti] bodies.

Naturally, they knew who was the architect of this event.

“You all?” Shi Yan said, surprised, looking at the pale faces and beaded cold sweat on Sha Ge’s group. He paused, “It wasn’t because of me, was it?”

Sha Ge and the others offered wry smiles and nodded.

“Shi Yan, just now… was that the sanguinary Art of Devouring? It was terrifying!” Wu Feng said with caution.

“My soul and divine power became uncontrollable, almost melding into the secret chamber. It was a nightmarish horror,” Mo Di admitted, still shaken.

“The people from the Thousand Illusions Sect, Shattered Palace, and Heavenly Water Palace are waiting for you,” Sha Ge said, his expression sobering. After a moment of thought, he cautioned, “The Thousand Illusions Sect, Shattered Palace, and Heavenly Water Palace are immensely powerful factions in the universe. We are significantly weaker in comparison. In fact, the only reason we haven't been harassed by the God Race all these years is due to our alliance with them. These three factions form the backbone of this alliance because among them resides… experts who have reached Immortality.”

“True Immortality, not like that Starfire group who only stepped into the half-step,” Mo Di added.

Shi Yan’s expression shifted slightly, and he nodded internally.

“My grandfather also possesses the Immortal Intent, similar to Starfire—only a pseudo-Immortal. Otherwise, the God Race of our Black River Star Domain wouldn't dare act so excessively,” Mo Di continued.

Mo Di’s grandfather, the Black Wind Old Monster, was the true overlord of the Black River Star Domain, commanding legions of disciples, with all factions paying him deference. Yet, even such a figure had only managed to get one foot into Immortality, not attaining true Immortal status. The gulf between pseudo-Immortal and True Immortal was vast, far more complex than just adding a mere prefix of "pseudo."

Up to this moment, the only True Immortal Shi Yan had encountered was the Saint Ancestor of the Sky Demon Race, the Azure Dragon.

And only one at that.

With Immortal experts residing in the Thousand Illusions Sect, Shattered Palace, and Heavenly Water Palace, they truly qualified as top-tier forces. These three factions held a significant, non-negligible power bloc within the Star Sea. If he could win them over, it would be tremendously beneficial to his grand design.

“I’ll go now,” Shi Yan nodded, addressing Sha Ge’s group. “Rest assured, I will naturally help you resolve the Star Domain crisis. You traveled thousands of miles to the Mayar Star Domain to assist me; I will certainly repay that favor and contribute my strength.”

Sha Ge’s group managed weak smiles and nodded softly.

A flash of electric light streaked by.

Shi Yan suddenly materialized within the great hall. He swept his gaze over the assembled figures, smiled slightly, and directly selected a seat.

In the center of the hall were rows of chairs occupied by twelve individuals—representatives sent by various factions. Only those capable of observing the battle between him and Heige were qualified to sit; they were the faction leaders, while the disciples and retainers they brought were ineligible.

Gu Ling and Cecilia only had standing room at the rear edge outside the hall; they lacked the qualification to be seated.

Mu Wei, Jiao Mu, and Bai Yefeng, as representatives of their own star domains, were also afforded the honor of a seat.

However, these seats clearly indicated a hierarchy of status.

Gu Lian of the Thousand Illusions Sect, Xing Ming of the Shattered Palace, and Layna of the Heavenly Water Palace occupied the high table, second only to the [Chairman’s] seat. The representatives from Mu Wei’s and other factions sat on the lower tier.

The [Chairman’s] seat remained empty. The very moment Shi Yan arrived, the position he chose was that chief seat, placing him even above Gu Lian, Xing Ming, and Layna, without any pretense of modesty.

Gu Lian, Xing Ming, Layna, and the others present narrowed their eyes, displaying a strange look in their expressions, as if they felt… he was unqualified.

The elders had deliberately left the chief seat open, intending to test him. If he had already ascended to the status of the Sovereign Head of the Sanguine lineage, he would naturally be qualified to sit there. If not, in their eyes, Shi Yan had merely accepted the Sanguine inheritance and was still just a junior, not yet deserving of the high platform.

Gu Lian and the others squinted, their expressions inscrutable. No one spoke first.

The moment Shi Yan arrived, the previously clamorous hall fell abruptly silent. All the mighty figures quieted simultaneously, staring at him with peculiar expressions.

“Truly arrogant.”

A low voice drifted from a corner behind Xing Ming of the Shattered Palace. It came from Xing Ming’s nephew, Xing Yu, whose cultivation was at the Second Heaven of the Void God realm.

Xing Yu possessed considerable talent and was highly favored by the Shattered Palace Master. He was very young, having cultivated for a short time, yet he had already reached the Second Heaven of the Void God. If Xing Yu had been a bit older and broken through to the Third Heaven, he certainly would have secured a spot on the last expedition to the Ancient Continent.

The Thousand Illusions Sect, Shattered Palace, and Heavenly Water Palace were constantly interacting, and their younger generations often engaged in the mutual exchange and sparring of profound truths at trial meets. Consequently, the younger members of these three factions were quite familiar with one another.

At one such trial meet, Xing Yu first laid eyes on Cecilia and was stunned by her celestial beauty. He became utterly infatuated with her charming elegance. For a time, Xing Yu persistently pursued Cecilia, only to be firmly rejected by her.

Yet, Xing Yu was not one to be discouraged. Every time he encountered Cecilia, he would find some way to get close, showering her with attention, hoping to win the beauty’s favor.

His pursuit of Cecilia was an open secret among the Thousand Illusions Sect, Shattered Palace, and Heavenly Water Palace. The Shattered Palace faction even tacitly approved, believing that if he could successfully court and bond with Cecilia, it would help secure an alliance with Layna, which would benefit the Shattered Palace.

Because of this, in recent years, Xing Yu became increasingly zealous, relentlessly pestering Cecilia, much to her annoyance. Many whispered that one of the main reasons Cecilia insisted on entering the dangerous Ancient Continent was precisely to evade Xing Yu’s relentless pursuit.

Xing Yu took no shame in this; rather, he wore it as a badge of honor, frequently boasting to others, claiming that persistent sincerity could move mountains, and that Cecilia actually held some affection for him but was too shy as a maiden to admit it—adopting the swagger of a man who had already claimed her.

However, after Cecilia returned from the Ancient Continent, she explicitly announced that Xing Yu was a disgusting fly, that he only inspired nausea, making it crystal clear that she held absolutely no favorable feelings for him.

All of Xing Yu’s previous boasts instantly became a joke among the three factions. Whenever someone encountered him, they would mock him, causing Xing Yu to lose face repeatedly. He would retaliate by calling Cecilia a harlot and even slanderously claiming she was utterly licentious with countless male companions.

Xing Yu never understood why Cecilia was so determined to sever ties with him, even going so far as to publicly humiliate him to make everyone understand. It was only when he saw the look in Cecilia’s eyes when she regarded Shi Yan—that deep affection, that infatuation—that Xing Yu finally found the reason. He knew something must have transpired between Cecilia and Shi Yan during the Ancient Continent journey. Naturally, he became consumed by resentment, instantly transferring all his hatred onto Shi Yan.

Thus, seeing Shi Yan arrogantly take the chief seat, and observing the older generation remain silent with strange expressions, Xing Yu had a sudden flash of insight. He chose precisely the right moment to utter that line: “Truly arrogant.”

This single sentence voiced the thoughts of many, articulating what many elders were hesitant to say aloud. Even Xing Ming secretly rejoiced, praising the young man’s quick thinking, knowing who should speak, and when, was crucial.

Xing Ming narrowed his eyes and smiled, chiding, “Shi Yan is the future Sovereign Head of the Sanguine lineage; his status is sufficient for him to occupy the chief seat. Stop talking nonsense, boy.”

Having been around Xing Ming for years, Xing Yu was savvy enough to see through his intention. He scoffed, feigning ignorance, “Uncle, you even said he is only the future Sovereign Head—that’s still far from certain, isn’t it? Before he actually assumes that position within the Sanguine lineage, he is just a junior. What right does he have to sit in the chief seat?”

As Xing Yu’s voice rose toward the end, he glared far across at Shi Yan, a hint of triumph flashing in his eyes, while subtly glancing toward Cecilia.

Cecilia’s exquisitely beautiful face flushed with anger. She let out a cold snort, muttering under her breath, “That bastard is intentionally causing trouble! Really despicable, so irritating.”

Gu Ling’s bright eyes sparkled. She let out a soft, controlled laugh and whispered, “Xing Yu is indeed despicable, but what he said isn’t entirely wrong. That Shi Yan… is clearly a junior, just like us. Even if he belongs to the Sanguine lineage, he’d be lucky to have a seat, not the chief one. Why should he take the lead?”

“He, he will be the Lord of Sanguine in the future; naturally, he is qualified,” Cecilia argued weakly, admitting the reason sounded unconvincing even to herself.

“I think Xing Yu is quite right this time.”

Gu Ling pursed her lips and murmured softly, “Look at those old guys; none of them speak up, clearly agreeing that Shi Yan’s qualifications are shallow. Those elders place immense value on status and position. The only reason they haven’t taken the chief seat themselves is because they feel their own status doesn’t surpass everyone else by a wide enough margin, leaving the position vacant. That Shi Yan is either pathologically arrogant or just a clueless fool who can’t read the room—yet he boldly claims the chief seat. He truly has nerve!”

In the hall, the venerable old experts maintained their strange silence, tacitly allowing Xing Yu to clamor and condemn Shi Yan for his presumptuousness.

Xing Ming, after his initial sharp rebuke, made no further move. It was clear that Xing Yu stepping forward aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. The older generation held status and position in the highest regard; unless a person’s cultivation, identity, and status overwhelmingly surpassed their own, they would be extremely displeased if that person occupied the chief seat.

If the ones who arrived today had been the leaders of the Sanguine lineage—Xuan He, Frielite, and the others—they wouldn't have uttered a single dissenting sound sitting there.

But Shi Yan, in their eyes, was simply not worthy.

So, they allowed Xing Yu to continue his tirade, each frowning in silence, their gazes flickering over Shi Yan, seemingly waiting for him to voluntarily vacate the main seat.

ps: Just two chapters today, I’m so frustrated. I was ready to unleash a torrent of writing early this morning, and then a call came: “Brother, your friend is visiting Yangzhou, you know the drill.” And so, I was miserably dragged from home into endless arrangements for hotels, lunches, drinks, and conversation. Truly, the tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease. I am not master of my own time. ~ (To be continued)