Hongjing Xu, with a swift flick of his hands, finally released the spear that was rapidly melting. Turning in agony, he tried desperately to escape, but he couldn’t break free from Li Yuan’s foot. All he could do was let out continuous howls of pain.

However, Li Yuan seemed indifferent to his struggles. With a pull, the spear was instantly reduced to a molten state under the flames.

Li Yuan casually molded the metal into a sphere and then placed it on top of Hongjing Xu’s head.

The molten metal immediately flowed through Hongjing Xu’s seven orifices into his brain.

Hongjing Xu opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound, his mouth full of molten metal.

He thrashed wildly, using all his strength to resist.

White smoke emerged from his head, and his neck and chest turned completely red, cooked, exuding the mixed aroma of metal and flesh.

But Li Yuan simply stood there with his hands behind his back, a foot on Hongjing Xu, looking down at him with an expression as if watching a little bug, until he finally collapsed, becoming a deformed, grotesque metal-headed figure.

Li Yuan lifted his foot and continued to walk forward.

The barbarians of the Hongjing Clan were terrified; none dared to advance.

With every step Li Yuan took, they retreated one step.

Suddenly, the youth from the Zhenyan Clan became engulfed in flames, which surged intensely, reflecting the increasingly frightful expressions of the barbarians.

"Great Barbarian King, Zhenyan Yuan!!"

"Great Barbarian King, Zhenyan Yuan!!"

"Great Barbarian King, Zhenyan Yuan!!"

The barbarians of the Zhenyan Clan shouted with excitement and roared.

Li Yuan looked at the barbarians of the Hongjing Clan and said, "I come from the fire, but you were born of it.

Henceforth, there shall be only the Great Barbarian King of the Nine Flames Clan!"

"Only the Great Barbarian King!"

"Only the Great Barbarian King!"

The Zhenyan Clan followed with another roar.

The barbarians of the Hongjing Clan stared blankly at the flames and the figure within it, barely visible, and then at the fallen Hongjing Xu, all falling silent...

Li Yuan ascended, raising his hands as flames burst around him, forming a flaming sphere like the sun upon the land, majestic and radiant.

A voice of thundering authority spread far and wide.

"Seeing the Barbarian King, why do you not bow?"

Splat...

Suddenly, a barbarian from the Hongjing Clan dropped his weapon.

Splat, splat, splat...

More and more barbarians from the Hongjing Clan began to drop their weapons.

Then, each barbarian prostrated on the ground, bowing to the burning fire in the sky, as if worshipping their clan’s Holy Fire.

"Children, tell me, where is the clan nearest to us located?"

"We... shall bring them home."

"Fire is your home!"

"And I, the Great Barbarian King, am the fire!"

A voice filled with enchanting dominance echoed.

The newly surrendered barbarians rose in a daze.

Zhenyan Xiong silently looked up at the sky’s fire, suddenly knowing what he must do.

Carrying a spear, he walked to the side of the barbarians of the Hongjing Clan, loudly proclaiming, "The Great Barbarian King descends to make us submit, come, let us bring all clans under the Great Barbarian King!

From now on, our Nine Clans shall be as one!"

He raised his arm, shouting, "The Barbarian King descends, the Nine Clans as one!"

"The Barbarian King descends, the Nine Clans as one!"

"The Barbarian King descends, the Nine Clans as one!"

The barbarians of the Zhenyan Clan joined in the shouting.

And the barbarians of the Hongjing Clan, gripping their weapons, eyes glowing red, also joined in the chant.

Soon after, the group departed from Lu Yin City with great fanfare, leaving a few barbarians to look after the home of the Great Barbarian King.

...

...

To the west of Cloud Mountain Path and Sword Mountain,

The largest city is none other than — Chuyun City.

This Chuyun City is a dazzling jewel on the barren land above the clouds, boasting picturesque scenery and a locality of outstanding people, with trade routes open and convenient.

It also channels water from the frozen tundra to the west, constructing pavilions and terraces reminiscent of the Central Plains, each season displaying its beauty, which was the original domain of the largest family clans on Cloud Mountain Path.

However, this treasured land has now become the dwelling of the Ice Barbarians.

Perhaps due to its excessive luxury, the barbarians, unwilling to compromise with each other, have seen the two strongest families among the Nine Flames, "Tongrong" and "Xuefang," divide the city into two, each taking their share.

The remaining family clan leaders, consumed with envy, have come to join the revelry...

At this moment, a gentle cold breeze ushers in the evening.

Thick clouds, crimson and as ponderous as iron, weigh upon the towering mountains and buildings below.

The late wind begins, and the clouds race like galloping herds.

In the gaps of their race, the blood-red twilight casts down a cold tinge...

But contrary to this bleak and severe evening scene, the Star-Picking Restaurant in Chuyun City buzzes with life.

The clan leaders of "Tongrong, Xuefang, White Deer, Hongjing, and Wanghuo" are at this moment embracing beauties, feasting heartily on meat, and gulping down wine, while watching the dancing of delicate and charming maidens in the open area.

And when a particular dancer captivates them with an exceptional, enchanting move, these clan leaders, just as they would reach for a piece of meat, grab the dancer without the slightest courtesy, tearing off her skirt on the spot, and bow her to the ground.

The dancers are mere mortals, yet these clan leaders are all Fifth Grade, wielding enormous strength, with no sense of mercy. While they enjoy themselves, the dancers suffer as if punished by dismemberment.

Nonetheless, these clan leaders don’t think twice about it, seeing these women as their personal property.

Amidst their revelry, they laugh heartily.

"Come, come, let’s drink."

"Haha, cheers! The wine here is superb, we should have come out sooner!"