"Now—"
Xiao Yan put away the Ten Thousand Soul Banner and looked calmly at Nihility Devouring Flame.
"Do you think I'm lying to you?"
Nihility Devouring Flame fell silent.
It looked at Xiao Yan, at this fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth, and a storm raged in its heart.
Late-stage Eight-Star Dou Sheng, yet he'd slain a Peak Dou Sheng...
How was that possible?!
But the facts were right before it. It had no choice but to believe them.
"Y-you... who exactly are you?"
Nihility Devouring Flame's voice trembled, its eyes full of wariness and fear.
"Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan."
Xiao Yan spoke calmly.
"Now, answer my question—"
He paused, his gaze cold as frost.
"Submit, or perish?"
Dead silence settled over the great hall.
Nihility Devouring Flame stared fixedly at Xiao Yan, its flames flickering violently as it clearly waged an intense inner struggle.
Submit?
It had roamed the continent for countless ages and had never bowed to anyone.
Perish?
Hun Tiandi's fate was right before its eyes. It might be confident, but it wasn't arrogant.
Even a Peak Dou Sheng like Hun Tiandi hadn't been a match for this youth. What chance did it, a Heavenly Flame, have?
After a long while—
Nihility Devouring Flame finally lowered its head.
The mass of dark-blue flames slowly drew in, transforming into the figure of an old man. He bowed and knelt before Xiao Yan.
"Nihility Devouring Flame... pays respects to Master."
Its voice was hoarse and low, filled with endless reluctance and helplessness, yet it didn't dare disobey in the slightest.
Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction.
"He who knows the times is a wise man."
"From today onward, you will follow me."
"I won't treat you unfairly."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan didn't hesitate. With a thought, the Flame