The Star River Imperial Clan's arrival surprised no one. Instead, many began to worry for Lu Ren.
After all, Lu Ren had only just driven back the Deathflame Evil Scion. The Nine Evil Deathflames on his body had not even gone out, and his fighting strength was likely reduced to a tenth of what it had been.
Everyone turned toward the warship—the vessel that marked the Star River Imperial Clan's identity.
Soon, an old man stepped out onto its deck and said evenly, "Who was so bold as to kill a Battle Body of the Star River Imperial Clan?"
Lu Ren made no attempt to hide it. "I did."
The old man stared at Lu Ren. The flames on him looked familiar. "Those flames are Nine Evil Deathflames. You fought the Deathflame Evil Scion? What happened here?"
Nan Zonghou flew forward and cupped his hands. "Star Lodge Ancestor, it's been a long time!"
The Star Lodge Ancestor stared at Nan Zonghou in surprise. "You? I didn't expect you to reach the seventh step too. What happened here?"
The Star Lodge Ancestor was at the Mid-Stage Seventh-Step Supreme, one minor realm above Nan Zonghou. At their level, even a single minor realm was enough to overwhelm an opponent.
So Nan Zonghou remained deeply respectful toward him.
Nan Zonghou pointed at the Evil Coffin below. "That coffin seals the Deathflame Evil Ancestor's corpse. The Deathflame Evil Scion sent people to take it away. We couldn't stop them. If this senior hadn't stepped in and driven him back, the consequences would have been unthinkable!"
"The Deathflame Evil Ancestor?"
The Star Lodge Ancestor fixed his gaze on the Evil Coffin, then looked at Lu Ren. "Whatever else you did, you killed a Battle Body of my Star River Imperial Clan. You owe us an