"Blazing Yang Star." Yun Xiao emerged from the cold embrace of the Extreme Yin Star, his Sovereign Sword slicing through the void with furious speed.

It wasn't long before he approached a crimson star, radiating heat that seemed to scorch the very heavens. The Extreme Yin Star was icy, but this Blazing Yang Star burned with an intensity that was near unbearable—a stark contrast of chilling frost and searing flame.

In the Samsara Galaxy, the Blazing Yang Sect was closest to the Harmony Divine Palace, though the distance in reality stretched far greater than at present.

In terms of scale, the influence of the Blazing Yang Sect was roughly half that of the Harmony Divine Palace. But here, due to the rules and shadowy dealings, the Blazing Yang Sect had grown formidable, deemed by the outside world to rank among the top twenty in the Grand Assembly Arena.

Among the 555 celestial sects within the Heavenly Deity Stellar River, such a standing marked the Blazing Yang Sect as among the elite.

Typically, peak sects such as these, when in such proximity, would tacitly agree to avoid direct conflict, instead preying on the weaker factions.

"In years past, the Blazing Yang Star and the Extreme Yin Star kept to themselves..." Yun Xiao mused, a cold laugh escaping him before he propelled himself with his sword toward the fiery heart of the Blazing Yang Star.

▬ι══🪦✧⚰

Within the Blazing Yang Star, the core of this star was a cauldron of magma, where boiling bubbles of fire swept across the land and flame tornadoes danced wildly in a spectacle akin to a fiery hell.

Yet, in this inferno, the gathered celestial prodigies were unaffected, their complexions rosy and demeanor as serene as a gentle breeze, standing around the core.

Among them, the most notable were the young scion of the Blazing Yang Sect, Yang Yang, and the granddaughter of the Great Elder, Liu Liu.

The two stood hand in hand in the midst of the flames, their eyes locked in a tender gaze.

"Congratulations, Brother Yang, and Sister Liu."

Just moments ago, as the Parent Flag descended, Yang Yang seized the moment to propose to Liu Liu amidst the flames—a spectacle of romance.

This gesture instantly made them the center of attention in the Million Starlight Palace, igniting countless cheers from the countless millions of onlookers who witnessed the event.

The sight nearly overwhelmed Liu Liu, her orange locks framing a face flushed with emotion, as she teetered on the brink of fainting from sheer joy.

Amidst a resounding

I do

, the atmosphere reached its zenith, and blessings rained down from the Million Starlight Palace, showering the newly betrothed couple.

At this moment, the Sect Leader of the Blazing Yang Sect, Yang Qingtian, basked in unparalleled glory.

It was then that Yang Yang, as the Star Liege, inscribed the words

Love of Yang and Liu

upon the Blazing Yang Parent Flag—declaring the name of their combined power.

Yang and Liu, like wood to fire, their love ignited a blaze so fierce it could burn the gods themselves!

Yang Yang's bold warmth and Liu Liu's graceful beauty left a lasting impression on the friends of the Samsara Galaxy.

"Liu Liu..." Yang Yang, his fiery red hair a striking contrast, held the slender-waisted girl close. His eyes burned with passion while she, shyly nestled in his embrace, seemed on the verge of melting away like ice before flame.

The two were as fire born from wood, and were it not for the public eye, they might have truly combusted.

"Brother Yang, stop, stop, we are in the Grand Assembly Arena!" Liu Liu gently scolded.

"Right! Brothers, sorry for the delay. According to plan, we prepare for battle! This time, the Blazing Yang Sect will breach the top twenty and make history! Let us elevate our clan's glory!" Yang Yang laughed heartily and declared.

As his words faded, the crowd responded with fervor, their spirits blazing.

In this moment of passion, the Blazing Yang Star Barrier roared to life, trembling with the sound of a fire alarm.

"Our star is being attacked!?"

The disciples of the Blazing Yang Sect scrambled amidst a storm of flames.

The Grand Assembly Arena battle had just begun! Off the back of an engagement, it was time for love and celebration, not war just yet! More importantly, the Blazing Yang Sect were big fish in this celestial pond!

Even the Ancestral Land and Elysian Immortal Palace wouldn't start the game by attempting to swallow such big fish, wasting time!

In the history of the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects, the Blazing Yang Sect had never been attacked at the start.

Both Yang Yang and Liu Liu's faces showed a multitude of expressions.

Below, a youth with orange hair stood out, his demeanor and poise much like Liu Liu's, a striking and elegant figure.

He was Liu Li, also a disciple of the Blazing Yang Sect and the esteemed grandson of the Great Elder.

Seeing the chaos, he chuckled coldly and said to Yang Yang and Liu Liu, "Sister, brother-in-law, it seems some blind dog has come to ruin your special moment."

"Whoever dares to challenge us in public, behead them and sacrifice their blood to the Parent Flag!" Yang Yang declared coldly.

In such a splendid moment, the mood was abruptly spoiled, naturally causing displeasure.

Upon hearing the command, the more than 40 disciples of the Blazing Yang Sect gathered here were roused, their eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty light.

In the Grand Assembly Arena battle, killing usually had no benefit; it could offend others and wasn't worth the political cost.

Yang Yang's decision to kill demonstrated his daring spirit!

"Kill!"

With a thunderous cry, the prodigious talents of the Blazing Yang Sect ascended, racing towards the location indicated by the celestial array’s reaction.

VROOOOM!

Just then, a piercing sword light flew faster than the raging fire tornadoes of the Blazing Yang Star Barrier, charging directly in front of everyone!

The flames parted, and there, a youth in white rode his sword through the air, his divine countenance unmatched, making a stunning entrance.

"Who is this?"

The over 40 disciples of the Blazing Yang Sect had never dreamed that the one coming to challenge them, even before the battle formally began, would be alone.

And they didn't recognize him!

"Any response from other parts of the barrier?" Yang Yang asked with a cold gaze.

"None," Liu Liu paused, "And sneaking in elsewhere wouldn't make sense. This is the shortest route to the Star Nexus."

The Star Barrier covered the entire Taiyi Sourcecore!

"Does anyone recognize this fool?" Liu Li asked, fluttering his folding fan.

After a brief silence, someone excitedly shouted, "Brother Yang! He's that slave from the Extreme Yin Star. I saw him earlier today when I was enjoying the spectacle!"

"Is he the one rumored to have pierced through the 9-Star prodigy with his finger?" Liu Li's eyes widened with intrigue.

"That's him!"

"He looks quite distinctive!"

Suddenly, they were all thrilled, as if watching a monkey, their faces wearing smirks and mocking smiles.

"That slave..."

Yang Yang and Liu Liu exchanged a glance. They had thought there would be some grand drama, but it seemed a fool had stumbled into the tiger's den...

"Liu Li, take him down quickly; don't let the barrier finish him off," Liu Liu said coldly, watching Yun Xiao with a look of disgust.

She recognized that, despite his nauseating presence, he was still a figure of interest. Handing him over to the Young Dragon Lord would surely be a pleasing gift.

"Understood, Sister!" Liu Li, fanning himself and smiling broadly, soared into the sky and pressed towards Yun Xiao.

He was the third strongest there, a twenty-something Early Fourth Baptism Realm prodigy, renowned throughout the Heavenly Deity Stellar River. At this Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects, he might be a supporting character, but in ten years, he was destined to lead the Blazing Yang Sect!

"Hey little eunuch, awake yet?" Liu Li called out with a wave and a chuckle, his tone patronizing as if soothing a small animal.

The youth in white did not respond, merely watching calmly as Liu Li drew closer.

"No words? What's wrong, haven't awakened your intellect, can't understand human speech?" Liu Li laughed joyously.

Yun Xiao glanced at him, then at Yang Yang, Liu Liu, and the other mocking disciples of the Blazing Yang Sect.

"Alright, I'll start with you as my appetizer." Yun Xiao declared.

"Pfft!" Liu Li couldn't contain himself, laughing uproariously mid-air, bending forward and back with mirth. "Eunuch, eunuch... Akh!"

But then, his vision warped, and he was suddenly looking at his own body. His head, held by a hand, swung in the air, his face still laughing, though his neck dripped blood profusely.

His head turned, and finally, he saw who held it—it was that slave!

Yun Xiao looked at him coldly, his gaze akin to observing a ridiculous ant.

To laugh so carelessly close to a foe like Yun Xiao was pure folly—a disregard for one's own head.

His head was in Yun Xiao's hand, while his body had already fallen into the magma below, likely charred to ash by now.

"I just heard, you wanted to sacrifice blood to your flag, to celebrate your love? Let me help."

Yun Xiao glanced at the stunned Yang Yang, Liu Liu, and others. Then, holding Liu Li's head, he aimed it at the Blazing Parent Flag below.

POP!

He cracked the head open like a coconut, and red and white matter poured down onto the flag, a grisly tribute to their engagement.

JustLivingJL's Thoughts