Wan Huaishan wore a solemn expression as he asked, "Ran'er, what power did you obtain?"
At his words, everyone's eyes gathered on Nan Xunran.
He extended his index finger and pointed at the stretch of vegetation left ravaged and scarred by the Red Flame Shadow Boar Beast King.
Light flashed at his fingertip, fluttering like fireflies and illuminating everything in its path.
The earth began to tremble violently, and countless clumps of soil and rocks rolled upward.
Tender green shoots sprang from the ground in an instant, growing wildly at a speed visible to the naked eye as thick tree trunks rose from the earth.
Butterflies appeared out of thin air, fluttering through the newborn woods.
Then he gently clenched his right hand, and that flourishing vitality froze in an instant.
The vegetation withered at an incredible speed, turning a scorched yellow before finally crumbling into ash and scattering through the air.
The butterflies, too, seemed to be gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand. After struggling a few times, they fell straight to the ground, lifeless.
Nan Xunran stood tall, his black robes fluttering gently in the breeze.
His gaze swept calmly over everyone as he said slowly, "Mastery of Life and Death."
Under his gaze, a chill ran through them, and they involuntarily lowered their heads.
Wan Huaishan continued, "Ran'er, are there any restrictions?"
Nan Xunran's expression remained indifferent as he slowly shook his head.
Then he spoke again. "As long as my cultivation is sufficient, even the Sacred Domain can be destroyed with a raise of my hand."
Those simple words weighed on everyone's hearts like a giant boulder.
This meant that once Nan Xunran reached a certain realm, he could, if he wished, even wipe out this world and create an entirely new one.
The ancestors of the great clans wore grave expressions.
Their gazes fell in unison on the Yin Clan ancestor, whose face was visibly contorted.
They could not help sneering inwardly. From the look of him, one might think he was afraid others would not know how intensely he wanted to kill Nan Xunran.
Judging by the ability Nan Xunran had displayed, if he was not killed before he truly matured, there would surely be endless trouble in the future.
But they would not act rashly.
The Nan Clan had always been mysterious, and no one knew just how many old monsters were hidden within it.
If they acted rashly, never mind succeeding in killing Nan Xunran—they themselves would likely be the first to be wiped out.
The Nan Clan was already powerful. Now, even with the addition of the exceptionally gifted Nan Xunran, there was really not much difference.
A head-on conflict with the Nan Clan would not be wise.
As for the Yin Clan ancestor, since he was foolish enough to court death, they were naturally happy to watch coldly from the sidelines.
If the Yin Clan fell to ruin because of this, that might well be a good thing for them.
After all, with one fewer great clan, their respective interests would be better protected.
Nan Xunran suddenly felt a fierce wave of killing intent surge toward him, but a mere instant later, it vanished without a trace.
He turned toward the source of that presence. The Yin Clan ancestor was standing there quietly.
Wan Huaishan, standing beside him, had also keenly sensed the killing intent. He looked at the Yin Clan ancestor, his gaze icy.
He thought to himself, A piece of trash who can't even rein in his killing intent managed to become a great clan's ancestor?
He turned, just about to discuss how to deal with the Yin Clan ancestor with Nan Xunran, only to see a faint smile on Nan Xunran's lips and unmistakable interest in his eyes.
Wan Huaishan stopped himself from speaking. It looked like Ran'er intended to handle the matter himself.
"Ran'er, let's return to the Nan Clan first."
Nan Xunran nodded in agreement. The Divine Son Token at his waist was growing slightly warm, clearly because his father was urging him to hurry back.
With a wave of Wan Huaishan's hand, a massive flying boat abruptly appeared in midair.
Several enormous flags hung from both sides of the flying boat, snapping in the wind, each bearing the words "Red Plume."
"Let's go."
Then he turned his gaze to Pei Zimo and the others behind him and said slowly, "You come to the Nan Clan with us too. The teleportation array has been damaged."
When Pei Zimo heard this, he immediately cried out in excitement, "Woohoo, that's great! I've never been to my lord's home before!"
Behind him, Yan Lingxue and the others stood rooted to the spot when they heard this.
The teleportation array was damaged, and the valley master was away. How were they supposed to get back?
Wan Huaishan already had one foot on the flying boat when he suddenly seemed to remember something.
He spun around and said to Yan Lingxue and the others, "I nearly forgot about you. Your valley master is at the Nan Clan. Get aboard."
With that, he stepped onto the flying boat.
Yan Lingxue and the others were stunned at first, but quickly came to their senses and hurried to follow.
The massive flying boat began to tremble slightly. Powerful energy fluctuations spread in every direction, and then it sped off toward the Nan Clan.
Inside the flying boat
Nan Xunran had only just stepped inside when, in an instant, a strange sensation suddenly struck him.
His vision abruptly went dark, and a wave of dizziness so intense it was almost unbearable washed over him.
He frowned slightly and had to stop, raising a hand in an attempt to ease the sudden discomfort.
But before he could do anything, everything before him suddenly began to blur.
All he could see was Pei Zimo and the others rushing toward him with anxious expressions, seemingly shouting something.
His consciousness grew hazier and hazier, and his body seemed to lose all its strength as he sank involuntarily downward.
"My lord!"
"Ran'er!"
"Divine Son Xunran!"