Among the ancient eight clans, setting aside the Xiao Clan, which had declined first, the Ancient Clan and Hun Clan were undoubtedly the strongest. Beneath them came the Yan Clan and Lei Clan. The power of these two clans' bloodlines had shown no signs of depletion for many years, so they too possessed an abundance of talented individuals. Though they still could not compare with the Ancient Clan and Hun Clan, they far surpassed the Yao Clan, Shi Clan, and Spirit Clan. Perhaps it was precisely because of this that they had not been the first to be destroyed by the Hun Clan.
As the saying went, one picked the softest persimmons to squeeze. Clearly, the Yan Clan and Lei Clan did not fall into that category. Of course, once the softer persimmons had all been crushed, it would sooner or later be their turn...
The Ancient Clan was particularly lively today. The arrival of the Yan and Lei Clans' patriarchs was a major matter even for the Ancient Clan, so the reception was conducted with great ceremony, giving the two patriarchs ample face.
By the time Xiao Yan and Xun Er arrived outside the main hall, it was already crowded with people and exceptionally bustling.
"The man seated at the head on the left is the Yan Clan's patriarch, Yan Jin..."
The two quietly slipped into the hall. From an inconspicuous corner, Xun Er pointed at a middle-aged man seated in the foremost position on the left and spoke softly.
Xiao Yan followed Xun Er's gesture. A middle-aged man in crimson robes sat upright in the high seat. He looked to be around forty, with somewhat rugged features. His brows were crimson, like two wisps of burning flame. What was even more startling were his eyes, which were entirely