Starting with the Sword Ancestor System: Xiao Yan, Your Harem is Mine!

288: Embers Reborn, the Guide to the Southern RegionAlthough the calamity of the Yan Realm had subsided for seven days, the scene of world-ending destruction and despair from that day was still seared into the hearts of every surviving Yan Clan member. The original site of the Ancestral Land Fire Altar, which once spewed dark red karma fire, was now only a smooth, massive pit, thousands of feet deep and dozens of miles wide. At the bottom of the pit, a faint but incredibly pure crimson flame was slowly recovering its vitality, nurtured by the Origin Qi of several Yan Clan Grand Elders taking turns, like a newborn infant—tender yet containing infinite potential.

While the Yan Shen Hall was not directly destroyed, the heavy and murderous aura emanating from Clan Chief Yan Jin made the atmosphere of the entire hall as oppressive as a lead block. Yan Jin himself was seated on a prayer mat below the main seat, rather than his usual Clan Chief throne. His aura was still weak, and his Five-Star Dou Sheng Late Stage Realm was subtly unstable. His body was wrapped in an unrelenting residue of scorching desolation and Nirvana aftereffects—wounds left by forcibly connecting to the Rampaging Karma Fire and subsequently enduring the peripheral cleansing of the Power of Gui Xu. Yet, his spine was held straight, and when his gaze swept over the people in the hall, while it lacked the fiery dominance of the past, it held a profound depth and determination forged by tribulation.

Inside the hall, besides the core Yan Clan Elders, Li Ao, Gu Xun’er, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, Elder Gu Hai, and the Gu Clan Reclusive Elder who had just secretly arrived in the Yan Realm—Gu Ting, a Four-Star Dou Sheng Late Stage expert—were also present. Gu Ting had silver hair and beard, a lean face, and an aura contained like an ancient abyss. When his eyes opened and closed, there was a faint hint of thunder, marking him as a peer of Gu Yuan and a figure of great respect. His decision to lead the team personally demonstrated the Gu Clan’s seriousness regarding this matter.

“Everyone,” Yan Jin spoke, his voice hoarse but clear, “The Yan Clan’s survival this time is entirely due to Hall Master Li Ao risking his life to save us, the strong assistance of the Gu Clan and Medicine Clan, and the full support of our peers from the Ruins Hall. This kindness, everyone in the Yan Clan will engrave in their hearts and never forget.”

He stood up and solemnly bowed to Li Ao, Gu Xun’er, Gu Ting, and the others. Behind him, all the Yan Clan Elders, including Law Enforcement Elder of the Yan Clan Yan Sha, who was still heavily injured but managed to support himself and attend, bowed deeply in unison.

Li Ao’s complexion remained pale, the few strands of white hair at his temples particularly jarring, and his aura was only at the level of an Early Stage One-Star Dou Sheng, and unstable at that. He raised a hand to gently support them. “Clan Chief Yan Jin and all Elders need not be so courteous. We are one Alliance, and mutual aid is only proper. What I did was merely fulfilling my duty.”

Gu Xun’er also said softly, “Clan Chief Yan Jin, please do not stand on ceremony. The Hun Clan is the common enemy of all our Ancient Clans. The calamity that struck the Yan Clan today might fall upon another clan tomorrow. Working together is the right path.”

Elder Gu Ting nodded slightly, his voice peaceful yet carrying undeniable power. “Clan Chief Gu Yuan stated that after this battle, the Gu Clan, Yan Clan, Medicine Clan, and Ruins Hall have formed a true Life-and-Death Alliance. Since the covenant is established, we shall advance and retreat together.”

Yan Jin straightened up, a fire burning deep within his weary eyes. “Elder Gu Ting speaks truly. Following the matter of Huo Zhi, our clan has undergone a thorough internal cleansing. We have uncovered twenty-seven individuals implicated with her, including three Elders, nine Deacons, and the rest being Disciples and servants. They have all been imprisoned in the Yan Prison for strict interrogation. Huo Zhi herself suffered severe trauma to her Soul from the Restriction within her body, and her memory is chaotic and fragmented, but she has confessed to some channels and secret codes used for contacting the Hun Clan, as well as the location of a secret stronghold outside the Yan Realm. The relevant intelligence has been compiled into a dossier and will be shared with our allies immediately.”