The Parent Flag of the Ancestral Star was now secured!

"The Heavenly Deity Stellar River's last bastion of hope, and he crushed it with a single sword!"

Shen Nanyin's eyes appeared dreamy as she gazed at the young man in white. His carefree and relaxed demeanor was like a captivating poison.

Even though he was much smaller in stature than her, it no longer mattered.

At this moment, Shi Feifei had become

Drenched

Feifei, and she could understand why. Because truth be told, she wasn't far off herself.

There was some trembling; they had experienced it firsthand, most profoundly.

Compared to them, although the others were not as obsessed, they felt even more frustrated.

"Yun Xiao!" After handing over the Parent Flag, Zu Xi bowed respectfully and said solemnly, "No matter what happens in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm or the Harmony Divine Palace, your extraordinary talent commands my utmost respect. In the Ancestor Immortal Grotto competition, our Heavenly Deity Stellar River needs you to take the lead!"

He himself was a leader, born into greatness and dignity, but now he had to step aside.

Mu Xihe, Qin Feng, and others were pale-faced as they looked at Yun Xiao, not daring to utter a single word of dissent.

The 300 people behind them looked at each other, shock still lingering in their eyes.

From the details on their faces, it was clear that their previous hostility was now being replaced by profound respect.

In short, they were convinced!

"Me, taking the lead in the Ancestor Immortal Grotto? Do you all agree?" Yun Xiao asked calmly.

"The task of defending the dignity of the Heavenly Deity Stellar River naturally falls to the most capable! Your strength is exceptional, and anyone who disagrees is short-sighted and does not wish for the Heavenly Deity Stellar River to stand proud and formidable," Zu Xi declared solemnly.

After his defeat, he first handed over the Parent Flag, then supported Yun Xiao… These actions garnered quite some praise and saved him from a terrible fall.

In contrast, figures like the five Young Dragon Lords, Xiao Ming, Bloodweaver, and Tang Zhenyan had fallen from grace.

Even Zhao Canglan had been crippled.

After this battle, Zu Xi maintained his reputation and was unharmed, which was the best possible outcome.

"The Ancestor Immortal Grotto is a contest of peak talents across the 18 Stellar Rivers. Now, with the five Young Dragon Lords, Xiao Ming, Zhao Canglan, and others losing their chance to compete, there may not be ten participants for the Ancestor Immortal Grotto altogether, nearly all of them are here… I believe no one present would question your combat or leadership abilities!"

What he referred to as leadership was actually an understatement.

Yun Xiao's journey in the Grand Assembly Arena, from having nothing to dominating the Heavenly Deity Stellar River region, demonstrated not just his ruthless methods but also a kind of capability!

With such divine prowess and commanding presence combined, Zu Xi was convinced!

Not only was he convinced, but his wife Mu Xihe also nodded. Setting aside her personal grievances, she softly said, "In the many Grand Assemblies of Myriad Sects, the Heavenly Deity Stellar River has almost always ranked among the bottom three due to disunity. I believe that with Yun Xiao here, our situation will undergo a drastic transformation, just like it did in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm."

Upon hearing Mu Xihe's words, the spirits of the 300 people behind her immediately brightened.

What did it matter if Yun Xiao was strong and overwhelmed them?

As long as they regarded him as one of their own, it was like finding a new village beyond the dark willows and blooming flowers!

Suddenly, their mood greatly improved!

"As far as swordplay goes, you're a cut above me. With you taking the lead, I'm convinced," Qin Feng said, with no opposition from the other disciples of the Northmaple Sword Sect.

These sects never really took the plight of the celestial slaves seriously, having no prejudice against good or evil. Even though they knew that the Southern Divine Dragon would be relentless against the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, what did that have to do with them?

Seeing that the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm maintained its identity within the Heavenly Deity Alliance, according to the rules, the Southern Divine Dragon, not being part of the Heavenly Deity Alliance, had no reason to attack them without facing combined sanctions from the alliance!

"I agree."

"Same here!"

Li Xuan and Wang Chen, the two young leaders of the Myriad Mystic Sea and Canaan Cathedral also spoke out, causing quite a stir.

Although this was just grandstanding by the younger generation, it could also be the precursor to a major shift in the dynamics of the Heavenly Deity Stellar River!

Now, it all depended on whether Yun Xiao had the ability to expand his influence from the new generation to the entire Heavenly Deity Stellar River, and truly leverage his blade to shift the stellar dynamics!

The Southern Divine Dragon Realm was sure to be relentless!

The Heavenly Devil Divine Altar, Grieving Spirit Valley, and Thunderflame God Star would definitely follow suit!

The stance of the Elysian Immortal Palace and Nine Yin Soul Sea was currently unclear.

Apart from that, the choices of the Ancestral Land, Northmaple Sword Sect, Myriad Sigil Mystic Sea, and Canaan Cathedral within the Heavenly Deity Alliance were crucial.

Yun Xiao had significant past conflicts with Zu Wei and the Mu brothers. Now, however, Zu Wei seemed to have forgotten her humiliation, and the troubles of the Mu brothers seemed less significant. So, the choice of the Ancestral Land was still up in the air!

At the very least, Zu Xi and Mu Xihe truly showed a sense of awe towards Yun Xiao.

Seeing that these 300 peerless talents had a decent sense of the bigger picture and clear minds, Yun Xiao felt reassured.

Although Zu Wei initially approached Yun Xiao with ill intent, only intending to use him as a counterbalance against the Dragon Devil Clan, he had already annihilated the Dragon Devil Clan. So, it was all water under the bridge!

Yun Xiao bowed respectfully and said, "Alright, then. Once we enter the Ancestor Immortal Grotto, as long as you're willing to follow my lead, I will do my best to protect you all and elevate the entire Heavenly Deity Stellar River!"

His words were simple, yet carried a direct and vigorous force, giving Zu Xi and the others a sense of security.

"No problem! The greater good of the Heavenly Deity Stellar River takes precedence!" Zu Xi smiled and nodded in agreement.

His statement also subtly hinted at ignoring the conflicts between the Harmony Divine Palace and Southern Divine Dragon Realm.

The Ancestral Land was the sort to always prioritize the greater good, showing their broader vision in a way.

Of course, this was predicated on Yun Xiao's being worthy of leading them.

If Yun Xiao were of no use, unable to influence the general situation of the Heavenly Deity Stellar River, no one would respect him!

"Once the Grand Assembly Arena battle ends, do all Fifth Baptism Realm or above disciples across the 18 Stellar Rivers of the Samsara Galaxy directly enter the Ancestor Immortal Grotto?" Yun Xiao asked.

"That's correct. I heard that Long Hao and Long Kun are not dead but are severely injured. If they haven't recovered to eighty percent by then, according to the rules, they also can't enter the Ancestor Immortal Grotto. At that time, it seems likely only you and we five will represent the Heavenly Deity Stellar River," Zu Xi explained.

Mu Xihe added, "There's also a Fifth Baptism Realm disciple from the Nine Yin Soul Sea, but she hasn't joined us."

"Right." Yun Xiao's forces had helped him conquer the Nine Yin Star, but he hadn’t encountered that Fifth Baptism Realm disciple. She had probably stepped away to avoid direct confrontation with Yun Xiao, opting out voluntarily.

But she would also enter the Ancestor Immortal Grotto!

"I have one on my side too," Yun Xiao said.

He wasn’t in the Fifth Baptism Realm yet and wasn't sure if he could enter the Ancestor Immortal Grotto yet; he'd have to go back and consult the Three Divas.

"Could it be Feng Yao?" Mu Xihe asked, somewhat astounded.

"Yes." Yun Xiao nodded.

"She's actually in the Fifth Baptism Realm? No wonder Xiao Ming and the others couldn’t defeat her," Mu Xihe remarked.

They hadn't participated in the battle of the Extreme Yin Star, but they were very clear about the details.

"Alright, see you then."

Since the conversation was settled, Yun Xiao saw no need for further small talk.

"See you then," Zu Xi and the others bowed as they replied.

Yun Xiao was about to leave when he suddenly remembered someone and turned back to Zu Xi and Mu Xihe.

Considering Yun Xiao's infamous reputation, Mu Xihe and Zu Xi were a bit nervous about his sudden action.

They were worried Yun Xiao might try to pull something on them.

Mu Zixiao and Mu Zhilu had essentially fallen victim to Yun Xiao, and now Zu Wei seemed to harbor an enduring obsession with him.

"Err, you..." Zu Xi started to speak.

However, Yun Xiao interrupted with a serious tone, "I would like to inquire about someone, a disciple of the Ancestral Land."

"Oh," Zu Xi exhaled in relief, asking softly, "Who do you wish to inquire about?"