Chapter 116

Regarding the imperial family's move, the Yun Lan Sect did not react overly strongly.

Apart from some young disciples in the sect who, at the start, were a bit indignant and occasionally went to the army camp to cause trouble, the senior figures within the sect kept silent about this matter.

Because they also knew that beside the sleeping couch, how could others be allowed to snore; the imperial household is full of suspicion.

As for this, they had long grown accustomed to it; as long as the Yun Lan Sect did not collapse for a day, the legion at the mountain's base would never dare to make the slightest move.

Standing at the mountain's base, Xiao Yan raised his head and stared at the ancient stone steps, not knowing how many ages they had existed, then he slowly began to walk up...

At the end of the endless stone steps, clouds and mist swirled; beyond the mist lay a vast plaza.

The plaza was entirely paved with uniform giant stones, giving it an ancient and grand atmosphere.

At the center of the plaza stood a massive stone tablet, towering upright.

Upon the stone tablet were recorded the names of all past sect masters of the Yun Lan Sect and those who had rendered great service to the sect.

Surveying the plaza, at this moment nearly a thousand people sat cross-legged upon it.

These people sat in a semicircle, and without exception, they all wore moon-white robes.

At the cuffs, cloud-colored long swords swayed with the wind, like living things, faintly harboring traces of weak sword intent.

At the upper end of the plaza, however, arose some lofty stone terraces; the terraces rose step by step, roughly the higher one went, the older the occupants.

On the highest stone terrace sat a dignified and noble lady—none other than Yun Yun, whom Lin Feng had not seen for a long time.

Below her were more than a dozen white-robed elders sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, cultivating their spirits.

Though these elders showed no outward peculiarity, their robes were as stiff as steel, unmoving no matter how the wind blew, revealing that these elders were not ordinary!

Beneath those white-robed elders lay a solitary stone step where a woman in moon-colored robes sat, eyes slightly closed; as a gentle breeze brushed past, her robes clung to her delicate form, revealing her perfect curves, and the camera turned to her serene, beautiful face—indeed, it was Nalan Yanran!

Although nearly a thousand people filled the plaza, it was utterly silent, save for the wind's wail, with not a single other sound.

Occasionally, a somewhat strong gust swept across the plaza; instantly, the white robes fluttered like clouds falling from the heavens, a sight that, at a glance, was quite awe-inspiring.

Suddenly, a sound of tearing wind rang from midair, and immediately a figure appeared atop the lofty treetop.

On the treetops around the plaza, many figures stood out abruptly—not only Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, and Jia Xingtian, but also other Dou Huang experts.

Even Mu Chen, Nalan Jie, and the heads and juniors of several other families were present.

However, at this moment the president of the Alchemist Guild, Fa Ma, seemed to be in a somewhat bad mood, his aged face showing a hint of darkness.

Thinking back to yesterday, when he had finished hosting the Alchemist Conference and returned home in high spirits.

As a result, that evening, as usual, he went to inspect the guild's treasury and discovered that a large quantity of various precious medicinal ingredients and high-level formulas had vanished without a trace.

Seeing that scene, even with his Dou Huang strength, his soul almost fled from fright.

More than half a year ago, their Alchemist Guild had just been robbed once.

That time it was a Dou Zong; he couldn't defeat him, and besides, the thief had only taken a single volume of a sixth-tier formula, so it was let go.

This time, however, not only do we not know who stole it, but all the high-grade items in the storehouse were completely cleaned out.

What on earth is going on?

Are they treating our Alchemist Guild like a buffet?

Now he recalls it, his chest still feels a faint ache.

But out of concern for the Alchemist Guild's reputation, he could only order a news blockade and secretly investigate the culprit.

If he manages to find out who stole it, he would, even at the cost of his old life, make the perpetrator pay the price!

As Fa Ma was recalling his unpleasant experience, Xiao Yan also slowly ascended the steps to reach the plaza.

After Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran finished their mutual introductions, Yun Yun also rose and said, "Xiao Yan, I am Yun Yun, sect master of the Yun Lan Sect. Since your elders are not present for this three-year agreement, I will preside over it alone. This match is meant for exchange, to touch upon..."

"Life and death, each to their own fate."

Xiao Yan's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Yun Yun's words.

Upon hearing that, Nalan Yanran slightly lifted her gaze, fixed on the black-robed youth, then gave a faint nod, her voice icy: "As you wish."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the surrounding Yun Lan Sect disciples, as well as the radical faction led by Elder Yun Leng, all had their faces darken.

But seeing their own sect master present this time, they could only forcibly suppress their remarks and glare hatefully at the youth below.

Seeing the two below, Yun Yun's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness as she lightly said, "Do as you wish. Since that's the case, after this battle, regardless of who wins or loses, all your past grudges will be settled today; after today, neither side may take any retaliatory action over this matter."

Anyway, after she returned from the Magic Beast Mountain Range, she had Elder Gu He refine some pills to raise one's Dou Qi level.

After giving those pills to her disciple, she then tossed him into the Magic Beast Mountain Range for training.

With the aid of two three-pattern Qing Ling Dan and a Zi Xin Po Zhi Dan, plus Elder Gu He's secret medicine,

her disciple, upon returning from the Magic Beast Mountain Range, not only saw his combat experience greatly increase, but his Dou Qi level reached the peak of a Great Dou Master, nearly half a foot into the Dou Ling realm.

Even Xiao Yan, despite having the guidance and help of his alchemist teacher,

but given the short time, she does not believe he can defeat Nalan Yanran.

When the time comes, after Xiao Yan loses, let Yanran release him to go down the mountain.

This way, they would not only win this match but also demonstrate the broad-mindedness of the Yun Lan Sect.

"Alright!"

Seeing Yun Yun say that, Xiao Yan nodded and replied.

Anyway, he possesses an Earth Tier combat skill, so his chance of losing is not great.

Moreover, this rule is not disadvantageous to him.

Even if he loses or wins, the Yun Lan Sect has already spoken these words publicly, so it would be awkward to take revenge on the Xiao family.

At the same time, he slowly gripped the handle of the ruler, then suddenly drew it, the Xuan Chi ruler bringing forth an oppressive wind sound as it pointed obliquely at the ground.

A faint crimson Dou Qi swirled around his body, his gaze locked on Nalan Yanran: "Three-year agreement, I have arrived as promised; today, let us settle our past grudges— the shame you inflicted on my Xiao family back then... today... please return it..."

A jade hand extended; upon the jade finger, an emerald-colored storage ring flashed, and a slender cyan longsword appeared, its blade tilted, sunlight scattering upon it, reflecting a chilling sheen.

Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes lifted slightly; she sighed with a hint of regret, then said softly: "My marriage is my own decision; even though three years have passed, I still do not think I was wrong back then—I have the right to choose my own destiny. Perhaps at the time, due to some improper conduct, but if time could turn back, I believe I would still choose this."

"Improper conduct..."

Xiao Yan gave a light chuckle and sneered.

Back then, the other party's actions caused his father to lose all face, and he was nearly driven from the patriarch's position by several Elders.

Now, a light remark like that, you want to shove your overbearing actions away?

That seems too simple, doesn't it?

His expression gradually returned to indifference, and Xiao Yan's grip on the ruler's handle grew tighter.

Moments later, he stomped forward with his foot; where his foot landed, the hard bluestone slab spread several cracks from the sole.

Surging scarlet Dou Qi, mixed with variegated flames, burst violently from the surface of Xiao Yan's body.

Feeling the aura of a four-star Great Dou Master emanating from Xiao Yan's body, a flicker of relief crossed Nalan Yanran's eyes.

I never expected that the boy who once suffered endless scorn and mockery in the Xiao Family would grow to this point.

If it weren't for her teacher forcibly throwing her into the Magic Beast Mountain Range for training, plus those medicinal pills, she might truly have been in danger.

Her jade hand tightly gripped the pale cyan longsword, with a light cyan wind swirl rolling and drifting along the blade.

Within the wind swirl, sharp wind blades extended and retracted, occasionally shooting out to leave a moderate gouge on the hard bluestone slab.

The sword blade gradually rose, pointing far at Xiao Yan; its sharp edge, reflecting sunlight, gleamed with a chilling light.

As their Dou Qi rose, the atmosphere over the vast plaza instantly condensed; the surroundings fell silent again, and all eyes were fixed on the two of them.

Many people wanted to know just how far the once-useless boy could go after three years of training.

Moreover, they wanted to know what strength the successor of this colossal power within the Jia Ma Empire possessed.

This would also make it easier for them to pick sides.

"Fight! Nalan Yanran! It's been three years!"

Under the gaze of everyone in the plaza, Xiao Yan roared angrily, charging forward like a furious magic beast.

The Profound Heavy Ruler, lightly touching the ground, left a long trail of sparks and deep marks on the bluestone along the way.

"After dragging on for so long, we're finally going to fight."

Zi Yan, mixed among the junior seats of those forces, seeing movement below, took a big bite of the sixth-grade medicinal herbs she had "borrowed" yesterday, and muttered.

Nalan Yanran calmly gazed at the black silhouette rushing straight at her; her cultivation technique belongs to the wind attribute, so speed and agile body technique are her fortes.

Coupled with her prior training, she naturally knows when to make a move.

As Xiao Yan was about to close within ten meters of her, Nalan Yanran finally made a move.

She tapped the ground with her toes, her body drifting like a leaf in a gale, flickering and swaying.

In an instant, she crossed paths with the black figure violently rushing toward her.

At the moment of crossing, Nalan Yanran's longsword naturally slashed horizontally.

Aided by the impact of her body technique, several tiny wind blades had already shot from her sword, slicing toward Xiao Yan's neck.

His charging figure suddenly halted, and he hastily lifted the huge black ruler in his hand a little.