Chapter 103: The Three-Year Pact Has Arrived

(Half a year, you make me waste half a year? Joke—I'll just breeze through it—it's exhilarating! No more idle talk, the story starts now!)

Half a year later

Xiao Yan emerged from the pass, a flash of teal‑blue flame flickering in his eyes, "Looks like there's still half a month until the three‑year pact…"

Thinking of that, Xiao Yan couldn't help but furrow his brow; he truly had no interest in that thirteen‑year‑old girl who was still at the Dou Qi stage back then, but since she came to publicly break off the marriage and insult the Xiao family, he didn't mind giving her a lesson and simultaneously fulfilling the Xiao family's goal. With his second brother present, the Xiao family of Wu Tan City is likely to become history.

Xiao Li had been waiting for Xiao Yan to emerge, and during that time he had been testing recruitment with Hai Lao and other Fighting Emperors; now that he guessed Xiao Yan was about to emerge, he took a short break.

"Little Yan, let's go; we'll accompany you to the Jia Ma Empire."

Behind Xiao Li stood Su Mei, Tie Wu, and their entourage.

Xiao Yan gave a faint smile; even several Fighting Emperors, let alone the top Yun Lan Sect of the Jia Ma Empire, were no different.

For some reason—perhaps the boy's pride—Xiao Yan still recalled the line Na Lan Yanran had said back then about the Fighting Emperor's direct transmission.

But now, the Fighting Emperor is merely a subordinate of Xiao Li, and he himself will certainly surpass the Fighting Emperor's realm and step into a higher domain.

"I trouble you all."

…

On the capital side, atop the Yun Lan Sect

Yun Leng's expression hardened as he looked at several well‑connected elders; for a moment he was indecisive.

"Elders, I have uncovered that a man named Xiao Yan is the murderer who annihilated the Mo Family, but…"

An elder below, seeing Yun Leng's hesitation, replied puzzled, "If the Grand Elder has a decision, say so; since he has offended our Yun Lan Sect, we cannot let him go."

"The name Xiao Yan sounds familiar…"

Seeing this, Yun Leng said, "This Xiao Yan is the one who made the three‑year pact with the young sect leader; in half a month the day of performance arrives. I have invited you all to ask whether we should capture the thief now or wait until after the pact fulfills."

"Better to wait until after the pact; otherwise, if word spreads, people will think Yanran was scared of Xiao Yan."

"Exactly, and if the young sect leader personally defeats the criminal who destroyed the Mo Family, his reputation will soar."

Amid the clamor, Yun Leng's eyes held a hint of worry: if Xiao Yan could slay that Mo Cheng fellow, was his strength that of a high‑rank Dou Spirit?

But then Yun Leng shook his head; unlikely, since Xiao Yan seemed the same age as Na Lan Yanran, how could he be a Dou Spirit? None of the elders mentioned this, probably thinking the same.

Finally, Yun Leng made the decision, "After the pact, seize the thief Xiao Yan, regardless of life or death!"

The Mo Family provides the Yun Lan Sect with considerable benefits each year, and the elders have each received some; even without the Mo Family's annihilation, the Yun Lan Sect's failure to capture the thief would affect those tangible gains enough to anger the elders.

The young sect leader's broken engagement is quite well‑known, after all he is the future pinnacle figure of the Jia Ma Empire, and the populace loves such drama.

The Jia Ma Royalty, the Alchemist Guild, and the major families were also invited by the Yun Lan Sect to witness the ceremony.

Everyone rode day and night; in just a week they arrived at the foot of the Yun Lan Sect's mountain, thanks to their formidable strength.

The troops at the mountain base cleared the way because of this, and whether these people would let the Yun Lan Sect pass, or whether the sect would cause trouble, was not for the imperial army to consider; perhaps the royalty even hoped a few notorious bandits would slip in to give the Yun Lan Sect some trouble.

At this time Xiao Ding, still holding a post, had already returned to the royal court; Jia Xing Tian brought him and two princesses to join the festivities, and this special treatment naturally aroused others' curiosity.

"That must be the Xiao Ding who rose to fame these past two years," Fama asked curiously.

Jia Xing Tian smiled and nodded; Xiao Ding was now a four‑star Dou Spirit, and in his eyes, the upcoming Na Lan Yanran could not live up to the title of Jia Ma Empire's top prodigy—such a title should belong to Xiao Ding.

Unfortunately, although Jia Xing Tian learned that Xiao Ding has two younger brothers of equally extraordinary talent, Xiao Ding refuses to let them come to the royal court, as if they are studying at Canaan Academy.

Thinking of this, Jia Xing Tian felt a bit disappointed—what a pity—but today is the day Xiao Ding's third brother comes to fulfill the pact; he should appear soon.

"The Xiao family has arrived!!!"

Mid‑mountain, a shout rang through the Yun Lan Sect, the mountain fell silent, and all eyes turned to the steps.

A chaotic clatter of footsteps arrived, unmistakably loud in the pin‑drop silence.

"The Xiao family sent quite a few people."

"Hehe, just the Great Dou Master family, a bunch of Dou practitioners, not even as good as our ordinary disciples."

"Hahaha."

On the stage, many Yun Lan Sect elders exchanged thoughts, their faces laced with sarcasm.

The next moment, the footsteps abruptly stopped, as if displeased with this manner of entrance.

A deafening whoosh rang out, a crimson light flashed first, followed by bursts of multicolored light; ten pairs of Dou Qi wings rose, their fierce aura overturning the dust on the steps, seemingly clearing a path for the entrants.

As sand fell from the sky, a black‑clad figure bearing a mysterious heavy ruler appeared; his gaunt face was expressionless, showing no fear despite the mountain of strongmen, and he calmly uttered eight words.

"Xiao family, Xiao Yan, come to fulfill the pact!"

The voice rang powerfully, startling everyone in the hall.

"Dou, Fighting King!"

"Still ten! Is this the bitter‑cold disciple Xiao Yan you speak of?"

"Rumors on the streets aren't reliable; looking at this, Na Lan Yanran does indeed…"

Not only these people; the big shots in the seats also wore shocked faces.

"No, that's Hai Bo Dong!" Fama suddenly pointed at a figure in the air, his bark‑like face brimming with excitement.

"Indeed, I didn't expect him to be alive." Jia Xing Tian's face showed both excitement and worry; if Hai Bo Dong is alive, the Mitel Family's strength will far surpass the Mu Family and Na Lan Family.

"Teng Shan, yes, Mitel's Teng Shan!"

Jia Xing Tian snapped his head around, scanning the crowd for Teng Shan's figure, and finally spotted him on the other side.

Mitel Teng Shan was already weeping.

Xiao Li calmly led a large group onto the viewing platform; though the platform was crowded, a sizable empty area was instinctively left for Xiao Li and his party to sit safely.

A strong killing aura surrounded Xiao Li; he said nothing, nor did those behind him. Without Hai Bo Dong as a familiar face, Jia Xing Tian and the others wouldn't know how to inquire.

Finally we've arrived here; this plot embodies my original purpose for writing this book—just three words: convenient, exhilarating!

(End of Chapter)