Side story: On the eve of bloody battle

"What, is everyone waiting for me?" Yan Yuan entered Yan Jin's residence.

Three figures were already sitting quietly inside, the atmosphere was a little heavy. Yan Yuan, who was not exactly silent, took the initiative to break the silence.

Yan Jin smiled slightly and extended his hand to Yan Yuan, saying, "There are only four of us, so there's no question of waiting."

When Yan Jin mentioned this, a deep sadness crept onto the faces of Huo Zhen and Huo Zhi. They recalled many things, remembering the Flame Clan's heyday, when many of their relatives were still alive.

Yan Jin also became slightly serious and said, "There's not much to do today, but since we're going to war with the Extraterritorial Evil Clan, it's still necessary for us to have a small internal gathering."

"First of all, this time we are not fighting for one person or one race, but for the entire continent. Since all four of us are going to war, we must go all out and not tarnish the former glory of the Flame Clan."

Huo Zhen nodded slightly upon hearing this, Huo Zhi seemed thoughtful, and Yan Yuan looked at Yan Jin's face, but he couldn't glean any extra information from it.

After Yan Jin finished speaking, he took out another Storage Ring Storage Ring, on which was an extremely exquisite pattern of rising flames.

"This contains information unique to our clan, usable only by those of the Flame Clan bloodline. No one knows the final outcome of this battle, so I've placed it here. If I don't return after this battle, then you should carefully store it away. Within the Origin Return Manor, our Flame Clan has no selfish motives, but the inheritance of this bloodline must still be maintained!"

Yan Jin's expression was extremely serious when he said this, clearly indicating that he had been preparing for it for a long time.

At this moment, Yan Yuan could no longer hold back. "Clan leader, with your strength, even if war breaks out, you can definitely return safely. Why do you...?"

Yan Jin raised his hand to stop him from continuing, "Of course I hope that no one is missing and that we can reunite after the battle. But all of this is just a precaution. Who knows, we might not win this battle, and the entire continent might fall. At that time, no amount of preparation will be of any use."

Huo Zhi, with her softest heart, couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat when she heard Yan Jin's words, which were clearly a plea for help. "Grandpa Jin, you'll be alright, everyone will be alright."

Only then did Yan Jin reveal a hint of tenderness, taking the initiative to comfort Huo Zhi, saying, "Xiao Zhi, if any of us absolutely has to survive, it must be you, girl..."

Such acts of entrusting one's son to another, as Yan Jin, are not uncommon in the Origin Return Manor these days.

Looking down at the twenty-odd powerful figures who had been resurrected from the Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Le said, "Brothers, our young master has always been very concerned about us old guys. So far, none of us have suffered any injuries. We must not let our master and young master down this time."

The twenty-odd people immediately echoed, "Of course!"

"Hahaha, I'm tired of being waited on hand and foot all the time."

"The environment inside the Heavenly Tomb is vastly different from the outside world. We must show those pampered Imperial Clan princes what true courage is."

Let's go all out!

Beside the excited and agitated Heavenly Tomb undead powerhouses stood Xiao Chen, who had remained silent throughout. He was completely alone, yet he had become thoroughly familiar with these former subordinates of Xiao Xuan. With the great battle approaching, his heart had grown increasingly calm. As the undead powerhouses had said, an overly comfortable life was not suitable for him. In these days, aside from actively befriending the little girl Xiao Qingqing and other members of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Chen had almost no interaction with anyone else.

Over the years, the only thing he's been good at is killing.

He gently gripped his exaggeratedly large axe, a weapon that had been with him for a long time and had naturally acquired a trace of sentience. A fierce aura emanated from it, as if proving to its master that it craved killing and bloodshed.

The Xiao Yi Xian approached Wang Yun with great respect, along with several specially marked Storage Ring.

A sincere plea appeared on Xiao Yi Xian's face. "Senior Wang Yun, I really need to trouble you this time."

Wang Yun ignored the slightly apologetic look on Xiao Yi Xian's face, simply taking the several Storage Ring and carefully checking the materials inside. After finishing, he looked into Xiao Yi Xian's eyes. "I can't guarantee anything else, but once the battle begins, I won't rest until I fall!"

Seeing the look in Wang Yun's eyes, Xiao Yi Xian knew that saying anything at this moment would be superfluous, so she bowed to Wang Yun again with an extremely respectful attitude.

In the flower-lined courtyard belonging to Fairy Hua, Fairy Hua and Fairy Qing, the two fellow disciples, sat facing each other, each with a cup of warm flower tea.

"Junior sister, I've secured a spot. The Origin Return Realm still needs strong individuals to remain!"

Fairy Hua rolled her eyes at Fairy Qing: "So, Senior Sister, you're finally realizing you've wronged me?"

Fairy Qing adopted a wise and dignified tone, saying, "I know what you're thinking. This is no small matter, and your strength alone won't be of much help."

Looking at her senior sister's expression, Fairy Hua couldn't help but laugh. She knew her senior sister too well; she was much more naive than herself. Her current state was just a facade, a sign of her worry about the dangers of going to the battlefield.

"Senior Sister, I have no objection to you following Yao Chen. I supported your alliance. Even when you wanted to abandon the Flower Sect Sect's base, I didn't say a word. So now that things have come to this, I'm even less likely to leave you. Yao Chen is quite strong, but he has too many things to worry about, so it's uncertain whether he can protect you well."

Wei Jiangyuan watched Yao Qingyu busy with her needlework patiently, without saying a word.

After making another mistake, Yao Qingyu pouted angrily, "Speak up! Why aren't you talking? Aren't you usually the most talkative?"

Wei Jiangyuan's face dropped all its mockery, revealing only a sincere smile, "My wife is truly beautiful, I like her very much."

Hearing Wei Jiangyuan say that, Yao Qingyu's initial pretense immediately softened, as much of her resentment at not being able to participate in the battle vanished. She glared at Wei Jiangyuan: "Hmph, you're all talk!"

Wei Jiangyuan pulled her into his arms, gently resting his chin against Yao Qingyu's forehead. Yao Qingyu felt the warmth of Wei Jiangyuan's embrace and obediently snuggled into his arms as well.

Yao Qingyu closed her eyes, carefully sensing the surroundings, and then said in a soft voice, "You must promise me you'll be careful. I will be here praying for you, for our teacher, for our father and mother, and for our senior brothers, hoping you will all return safely!"