That's my damn flame!

The voice was not particularly loud, yet it circled above the Flame Realm like a sinister wind seeping up from the depths of the netherworld, carrying a chill that made souls tremble.

The languor vanished from the Fire Fairy's face in an instant. Flames churned in her narrow phoenix eyes as she stared fixedly at a spot in the void.

Gu Dao stepped forward at once, his gaunt frame barring the way before everyone. His aura was as unfathomable as an abyss, as vast as the sea. Immense Dou Qi circulated around him as he and the Fire Fairy took positions on either side, ready to support each other.

Anyone who could put two Seven-Star Dou Saints on guard at once was no ordinary visitor.

A spatial rift slowly tore open, and a figure stepped out.

The newcomer had a withered face, high cheekbones, sunken eyes, and skin of an unhealthy grayish pallor. He wore a black robe, and a chilling, sinister aura radiated from his entire body.

"Hun Yan." Gu Dao's voice sank, as though his mouth were full of grit.

At that name, the faces of the Yan Clan's Dou Sheng elders changed drastically. Even the Fire Fairy, who had remained unruffled all this time, tightened her fingers slightly around her cuff.

Shen Luo's heart jolted.

Hun Yan! Hun Yan, one of the Four Demon Saints of the Soul Clan!

He rapidly searched his memories for everything he knew about this man.

The Four Demon Saints of the Soul Clan were the clan's strongest fighting force apart from Hun Tiandi and nihility devouring flame. All four were peerless experts at the Seven-Star Dou Saint level.

A figure of such stature had actually come to the Flame Realm.

This doesn't make sense. Did my transmigration cause a butterfly effect?

Behind Hun Yan, another young figure emerged from the spatial rift.

He wore black, with long hair and a face as pale as jade.

"Gu Dao, Fire Spirit, it's been many years, yet you're as impressive as ever." Hun Yan's voice was dry and hoarse, like two dead leaves rubbing together. He slowly surveyed the sky above the Flame Realm, two black flames flickering in his sunken eyes. "What, am I not welcome?"

"Hun Yan, your Soul Clan came uninvited, and you still ask whether we welcome you?"

The Fire Fairy sneered. Flames abruptly surged around her, casting flickering light and shadow over her elegant, regal face.

"You're joking, little sister Fire Spirit."

Hun Yan forced a smile onto his withered face, uglier than a grimace.

"The Emperor Clan tournament is an old tradition of the Ancient Eight Clans. The Soul Clan is also an Emperor Clan. Our younger generation didn't take part in the last few tournaments, but now that we have the time, naturally we've come to see the outstanding talents of the other clans."

His words were courteous, but his tone held not a trace of courtesy. Instead, it carried the arrogance of someone looking down from on high.

"Gu Dao, your Gu Clan has certainly come out in force this time." Hun Yan ignored the Fire Fairy and turned toward Gu Dao, lightly rubbing his withered fingers together.

"The Gu Clan's bloodline is as strong as ever!"

Gu Dao's expression remained unchanged as he replied calmly, "Hun Yan, since you're here, follow the rules."

With that, Gu Dao snorted coldly and departed with the Gu Clan's people!

The Fire Fairy looked at the young man behind Hun Yan, her expression grave!

It was said that the Soul Clan had two people with divine-grade bloodlines. This young man was probably one of them!

"This junior, Hun Yu, pays his respects to Senior Fire Spirit!" The black-clad youth cupped his hands in greeting, his manner proper and his voice gentle.

"I've long heard of Brother Huo Xuan of the Yan Clan. Seeing you today, you truly have an extraordinary bearing."

Huo Xuan frowned deeply and said nothing!

"Hun Yan, since you've come to the Flame Realm, you must abide by its rules." The Fire Fairy suddenly spoke, her voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

The people of the other clans exchanged glances, silent as cicadas in winter.

The Soul Clan had remained hidden for a thousand years, merely establishing a Soul Hall to stir up storms in the Central Plains. Their sudden appearance today likely boded ill.

Everyone followed the Fire Fairy toward the Yan Clan's great hall. Shen Luo stayed at the rear of the group, his expression finally darkening.

What he feared most was the plot no longer following the original story's course, greatly diminishing his advantage as a transmigrator.

"Looks like I can't just lie low and build up my strength. I'll have to stir up some trouble for the Soul Clan!"

He looked up toward the Yan Clan's great hall, where the Fire Fairy's elegant figure was slowly moving ahead.

The Soul Clan's appearance today had made the atmosphere of the entire tournament exceedingly strange. The people of the ancient Emperor Clans felt as though a stone weighed on their hearts, leaving them unable to breathe.

A thousand years ago, the Soul Clan had killed Xiao Xuan, destroyed the Xiao Realm, and wiped out the Xiao Clan. Even the Gu Clan had not dared challenge them!

Now they had begun moving across the continent again. How could anyone not be afraid?

Shen Luo drew a deep breath, his gaze profound.

Soul Clan, oh, Soul Clan. Since you refuse to play by the usual rules, I'll just have to find a way to cause you some trouble.

The Yan Clan's square.

The Fire Fairy sat at the head, while the other Emperor Clans sat in two rows.

The Gu Clan and the Soul Clan occupied one row, and the other Emperor Clans occupied the other.

With the ringing of a bell, the Emperor Clan tournament officially began.

Shen Luo sat at the very back and swept his gaze around.

Dozens of the Yan Clan's Dou Sheng elders were scattered around the square's perimeter, their expressions solemn.

They sat cross-legged in what seemed like a haphazard arrangement, but in truth, they were maintaining some ancient formation.

The simultaneous arrival of two Late-Stage Seven-Star Dou Saints from the Gu Clan and the Soul Clan forced them to be cautious.

The Soul Clan, in particular, with its ever-coldblooded cruelty, filled them with apprehension.

For this tournament, the Yan Clan had raised its standards, bringing in quite a few powerful Dou Sheng elders to oversee it.

"First match: Yao Ling of the Yao Clan against Huo Zhi of the Yan Clan!"

As the announcement from a Four-Star Dou Sheng elder of the Yan Clan rang out, two young women with alluring figures slowly stepped onto the square.

The square contained its own space, forming a realm unto itself.

Yao Ling wore a pale green dress, her long blue hair enchanting. A faint medicinal fragrance lingered around her. Her features were delicate, and her hands slender and fair, with alchemical flames faintly flickering at her fingertips.

Huo Zhi wore a fiery red combat outfit that showed off every curve of her figure. Her long scarlet hair was tied in a high ponytail, and she radiated a bold, martial air.

"Huo Zhi, One-Star Dou Zong."

Huo Zhi cupped her hands, her clear voice carrying the straightforward vigor characteristic of the Yan Clan.

"Yao Ling, One-Star Dou Zong."

Yao Ling smiled faintly and raised her delicate hand, condensing a palm-sized Fire Lotus above it.

"Please."

Before the word had finished ringing out, Huo Zhi moved.

Her figure flashed like scarlet lightning as she closed in on Yao Ling in an instant, her right fist blasting forward wrapped in blazing flames.

Unhurried, Yao Ling lightly pushed off the ground, drifting backward like willow fluff on the wind. At the same time, the emerald Fire Lotus left her palm and abruptly exploded in midair, turning into a skyful of fiery rain that showered down.

Numerous high-level Dou Techniques of the Emperor Clans began blooming across the square, leaving Shen Luo marveling from the sidelines.

An Emperor Clan really is an Emperor Clan. With such an ancient heritage, they're far more formidable than that wandering cultivator master of mine.

"Good!" Seated at the head, the Fire Fairy watched the two exchange blows and nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.

Hun Yan's withered face, however, showed no expression. The black flames in his sunken eyes flickered calmly, as though he cared nothing for the outcome.

The black-clad youth behind him, Hun Yu, kept his gaze on the square, a gentle smile on his lips. Yet Shen Luo noticed that Hun Yu's eyes were not focused on Yao Ling or Huo Zhi. Instead, they remained fixed on the Fire Fairy.

Shen Luo inwardly grew wary.

This Hun Yu is probably scheming to get his hands on the Fire Fairy.

You bastard, are those dog eyes of yours blind?

That's my damn flame!

Mine!