Ran Qi’s confident words fell.

All around, people were nodding again and again, actually believing this reason without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi instead froze for a moment.

Since he had come to take part in the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb event with his true identity as Xiao Yi, his identity as Yi Xiao naturally couldn’t show up.

Just now he had just casually made up an excuse.

He hadn’t expected Ran Qi to be the first to believe it, and even help him smooth it over.

And the Martial Artists of the other forces believed it even more without hesitation.

Very clearly, even Xiao Yi himself hadn’t expected how high the fame and prestige of the Yi Xiao identity had risen by now.

Judging from the feats that had spread about Yi Xiao over the past half year, saying he did things without measure? Arrogant and conceited? Anyone who heard that would probably just take it as a joke.

Well, forget it then. Xiao Yi shrugged.

Since someone was helping him find excuses and everyone believed it, he couldn’t be bothered to say more.

The fifteen people swept their gaze over the eighteen Prohibitions in front of them.

Not long after, the fifteen each chose a Prohibition, slowly stepped forward, and entered within it.

Whoosh...

The power of the Prohibition suddenly went berserk.

From the outside, it didn’t seem to have changed.

But the fifteen people including Xiao Yi all changed expression at the same time.

In their eyes, there was clearly reflected an Illusion of a Cave Mansion.

Xiao Yi gazed into the distance—there, a gigantic Cave Mansion seemed to lie across the heavens and earth.

Xiao Yi couldn’t put this feeling into words.

Perhaps, the first feeling was shock.

Yes, only the word "shock" could express his current mood.

That massive Cave Mansion stretched so far you couldn’t see the end at a glance, like a pitch‑black giant beast born amid the curtain of stars.

So vast—Xiao Yi simply couldn’t imagine it.

Compared to this magnificent Cave Mansion in front of him, those so‑called Cave Mansion Forbidden Lands of the Eighteen Mansions weren’t worth mentioning at all.

After a moment, the fifteen people all withdrew their gaze.

The Prohibition power on their bodies flickered, then condensed on their arms.

This Prohibition was the passage to enter the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, and also the one and only "key."

The Ancient Emperor’s Tomb had existed for countless years.

Only on specific days every fifteen years would it emerge.

Other than that, no matter how sky‑defying the methods of a Martial Artist, they could forget about forcing it to appear.

Throughout the history of the Flame Dragon Continent, countless brilliant Martial Artists had appeared.

But there had never been a case of someone forcing the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb to emerge.

"Alright." At this moment, Ao Donglou spoke loudly, "Those holding the fifteen slots may, using their own Emperor Tomb Prohibitions, enter the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb at any time."

"All followers, you can now begin choosing which slot holder you wish to follow into the Emperor Tomb."

On site, the elders of the various forces hurriedly began giving instructions.

"Within the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, although there are countless opportunities, above all else, safety comes first."

"Yes."

One Heavenly Talent after another answered solemnly.

It was no wonder the powerhouses of all the great forces present were so grave; the inside of the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb probably could no longer be described with the single word "dangerous."

It was practically nine deaths and one life.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

One Heavenly Talent after another flashed out, choosing the slot holder they would follow.

After a while, every Heavenly Talent had made their choice and was standing behind their chosen slot holder.

However, the scene suddenly turned a bit strange.

"Uh, this..." Xiao Yi looked at the group of Heavenly Talents behind him, his face full of helplessness.

Ao Donglou, the Five Great Academy Elders, and the other powerhouses all twitched at the corners of their mouths as well.

Among the hundreds of Heavenly Talents present, aside from the Five Great Academy’s own Disciples who were following behind their own Chief, nearly all the Heavenly Talents from the other forces had actually ended up standing behind Xiao Yi.

This situation was a bit surprising, yet also within reason.

Inside the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, dangers lay everywhere; it could be called nine deaths and one life.

Naturally, everyone wanted to follow behind someone strong enough.

And as one of the famed twin brothers of the Central Region, Xiao Yi was of course everyone’s first choice.

Although in recent days it had only been Yi Xiao making a huge ruckus at the Heavenly Hidden Academy and shaking the land with his reputation...

Half a year ago, the strength Xiao Yi had displayed in slaughtering all the Sword Cultivators under heaven had likewise shocked everyone.

Xiao Yi had vanished for half a year; who knew to what terrifying level this Sword Dao Demons had grown by now?

"Idiots." Just then, Guu Feifan barked coldly.

"The twin brothers are amazing, and their strength is great."

"But the opportunities within a Cave Mansion are ultimately limited. If everyone follows him, how many can actually obtain an opportunity?"

"Are you really just going in for a walk, to broaden your horizons and call it a day?"

As Guu Feifan’s words fell...

One Heavenly Talent after another came to their senses.

They all looked at each other and could only re‑choose.

Before long, the group of Heavenly Talents finished making their choices.

Behind Ao Yinfeng stood twenty Heavenly Talents from First-class force.

Behind Ye Liu were Heu Youu, Xue Bai, and a few Heavenly Talents from First-class force.

Behind Xiao Yi stood Guu Lianxing, Gongsun Huowu, and the others.

"Lianxing, you’ll be safer following Brother Xiao Yi." Ye Liu said without hesitation.

"I know." Guu Lianxing nodded repeatedly. "If it were just you alone, Brother Ye, that’d be one thing."

"But you’re bringing along that bunch of idiots like Xue Bai who’ll only drag you down."

"I still feel safer following Young Master Xiao Yi." Guu Lianxing covered her mouth and laughed.

Xiao Yi rolled his eyes at her. "Miss Lianxing, you just think that rather than dragging that brat Ye Liu down, you might as well drag me down instead, right?"

Guu Lianxing smiled. "As long as Young Master Xiao Yi understands, why say it out loud?"

Inside the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, crises abounded.

With Guu Lianxing’s strength, following Ye Liu would instead drag him down, and when danger appeared, might even distract him.

So she had chosen to follow Xiao Yi without hesitation.

"Brother Xiao Yi, I’ll be counting on you." Ye Liu said seriously.

"Don’t worry." Xiao Yi nodded.

Behind each of the fifteen people stood about twenty Heavenly Talents.

Now that everything was prepared, all that was left was for the fifteen to begin entering.

"Enter." Ye Liu and Ran Qi were the first to bark lowly.

The Emperor Tomb Prohibition on their arms surged.

Whoosh... whoosh...

Ye Liu, Ran Qi, and the Heavenly Talents behind them vanished from where they stood.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

Team after team disappeared into thin air.

Just as Xiao Yi was about to enter, Ao Donglou suddenly flashed over.

"Xiao Yixiao, hold on." Ao Donglou flashed over, hesitated a moment.

"Palace Master Ao, is something the matter?" Xiao Yi feigned a puzzled look.

In truth, he had already guessed Ao Donglou’s purpose.

"Mm." Ao Donglou nodded and said hesitantly, "Xiao Yixiao, I don’t know if you’ve ever heard Yi Xiao mention to you this old man’s friendship with him?"

"And also, that he once agreed to this old man..."

"I know." Xiao Yi smiled and cut him off. "That brat Yi Xiao mentioned this to me."

"Rest assured, if I encounter Ao Yinfeng within the main area, I’ll help look after him."

"In that case, I must thank you, Xiao Yixiao." Ao Donglou hastily cupped his fists in thanks.

Xiao Yi nodded, then gave a low shout, "Enter."

The Prohibition power on his arm surged.

The group vanished from where they stood.

When the group reappeared...

Xiao Yi took stock of his surroundings and frowned slightly.

All around them was actually within a Fire Sea.

...

Third Chapter.