Chapter 179: Body Reacts!?

The soft sedan chair slowly halted at the foot of the mountain. Xiao Yan opened his eyes, gazing at the towering peak piercing the clouds, a celestial stone staircase leading straight up into the clouds, where the famed Yun Lan Sect resided above the mist.

Disciples of the Yun Lan Sect who needed to descend the mountain to purchase goods had to traverse this celestial staircase; those with weak strength struggled even to return.

Gazing at the sect, faintly visible through the clouds, Xiao Yan said calmly, "Announce our arrival. They must know who's come."

No sooner had Xiao Yan finished speaking than the four Dou Ling simultaneously activated their Dou Qi, chanting in unison: "Xiao Clan Young Clan Leader, Xiao Yan, here to visit the Yun Lan Sect!!"

The combined roar of the four Dou Ling rolled like heavenly thunder, echoing across the entire Yun Lan Mountain—even the Yunlan City behind them heard the declaration.

The sound reverberated throughout the sect.

Behind Xiao Yan, Jia Xingtian and the others smiled wryly and shook their heads.

"This kid really doesn't respect the Yun Lan Sect at all."

"Good heavens, how many years has it been since someone dared shout like this at the Yun Lan Sect? I've forgotten who the last one was."

At this moment, some Dou Zhe and Dou Shi disciples climbing the stone staircase toward the sect couldn't help but look down.

"Xiao Clan? Which clan is that? How bold, shouting like this at the Yun Lan Sect!"

"Wait—why does the name Xiao Yan sound so familiar?"

"I remember! Isn't Nalan Yanran's fiancé named Xiao Yan?"

"No way! Didn't they say years ago that Yanran Senior Sister wanted to break off the engagement? It's been years—what happened to that? Why's there no follow-up?"

"I heard Yanran Senior Sister emerged from the Life and Death Gate the day before yesterday, and today the Duel Plaza is packed with over a thousand Senior Brothers and Sisters—even the Grand Elder and Sect Master are there. Could this be about that?"

At that moment, a sense of storm brewing swept over every Yun Lan Sect disciple's heart—they all knew something was about to happen.

Many disciples sensed something unusual and hurried toward the sect.

At the Duel Plaza, nearly a thousand people sat in formation, arranged in a semicircle, all dressed in pale moon-white robes, with cloud-shaped swords embroidered on the sleeves, fluttering like living things, faintly radiating subtle sword intent.

At the top of the plaza, a series of elevated stone platforms rose upward, each tier higher corresponding to older age; on the highest platform, Sect Master Yun Yun sat cross-legged, below her, a dozen white-robed elders sat in meditation, eyes closed.

Though these elders showed no outward distinction, their robes—stiff as steel, unmoving despite the wind—made it clear to all: these elders were no ordinary men.

Below these white-robed elders sat a single stone step, where Nalan Yanran, clad in a moon-white robe and skirt, sat with eyes half-closed. A gentle breeze brushed her robes, clinging to her flawless figure, revealing her perfect curves and serene, beautiful face.

The four Dou Ling's voices naturally reached the plaza.

Grand Elder Yun Leng, seated in the center, frowned deeply. Elder Yun Sha beside him sneered: "Who does he think he is? A minor clan member shouting like this?"

"A family from some remote backwater town actually thinks it's important," added Elder Yun Sha, his gaze equally displeased.

Soon, the sound of wind tearing through air filled the sky, and figures appeared atop the towering treetops. Around the plaza, on the crowns of massive trees, numerous figures stood: Fa Ma, Jia Xingtian, even Nalan Jie and other clan leaders and their juniors—including Mu Zhan, who had previously clashed with Xiao Yan—all here to observe.

These individuals had all received invitations from the Yun Lan Sect to personally witness the duel as witnesses.

Undoubtedly, the Yun Lan Sect had absolute confidence in Nalan Yanran's return from the Life and Death Gate—they believed that while Xiao Yan was skilled in Pill Alchemy, he was not strong in battle.

As the echoes faded, Xiao Yan gave a slight nod, and the four Dou Ling bodyguards finally stepped onto the Yun Lan Mountain's stone steps.

The moment Xiao Yan's body crossed onto Yun Lan Mountain, he suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze turning grave.

"This is!!"

Moments later, Xiao Yan silently withdrew a Soul Token from his space ring—the instant he entered Yun Lan Mountain, he sensed the Soul Token had reacted.

A faint soul-light, visible only to him, extended from the Soul Token, pointing toward a specific direction.

"So it's true—the Soul Palace really is inside the Yun Lan Sect. But why would the Soul Palace be here? Coincidence?" Xiao Yan frowned, sensing something suspicious.

The Soul Palace was a faction. The Yun Lan Sect was a faction. Why would two factions be intertwined? Logically, that was impossible.

Xiao Yan retracted the Soul Token, yet his expression remained intensely grave.

Because it wasn't just the Soul Token that reacted—his body had reacted too.

In that instant, Xiao Yan's heart had pounded violently, his blood surged rapidly, and the Strange Flame within his dantian seemed on the verge of breaking loose!

Xiao Yan knew this feeling—he had almost unconsciously activated the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes!

And that heartbeat—exactly the same sensation he'd felt when he first discovered the Black Jade Pendant tied to the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes!

This was what stunned Xiao Yan most—he couldn't understand why, upon arriving at the Yun Lan Sect, he'd felt that exact sensation again.

"Is it because I cultivated the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes? But wasn't the Founder of this Secret Technique a genius from some Dou Emperor Family? Could it be because of the Soul Palace!!"

Xiao Yan remembered—the cultivation scroll for the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes was kept within the Soul Palace.

Finally, Xiao Yan leaned back in the soft sedan chair, smiling faintly to himself: "Looks like I didn't come here for nothing. Things are getting more interesting."

Time passed second by second. Then, at a certain moment, the creaking of the sedan chair and footsteps suddenly arose quietly beneath the blue stone steps outside the plaza.

The sound subtly altered the atmosphere within the plaza.

All Yun Lan Sect disciples opened their eyes, fixing their gazes on the blue stone steps, where a marvelously crafted, exquisitely luxurious soft sedan chair slowly emerged into view.

On the stone platform, Nalan Yanran also slowly opened her bright eyes, her gaze locking onto the sedan chair.

Unlike before, Xiao Yan now sat with eyes closed, like a noble gentleman.

For some reason, Nalan Yanran's previously calm heart suddenly fluttered erratically.

After all, this duel had been triggered by her failed attempt to break off the engagement—meaning Xiao Yan was still her fiancé.

The footsteps drew nearer, until even the dozen white-robed elders and Yun Yun on the platform opened their eyes, all looking toward the same spot.

When Yun Yun saw Xiao Yan in the sedan chair, her elegant, noble face froze—then went utterly still, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.

Yun Yun had never known Xiao Yan was Yao Yan. Now, thinking it through—Yao Yan = the Alchemist Xiao Yan—she realized: this man used a pseudonym just like her.

Their eyes met. Xiao Yan awkwardly rubbed his nose, speaking to Yun Yun with a hint of guilt: "Hey, long time no see, Yun Zhi."

Instantly, everyone in the plaza widened their eyes—glancing at Xiao Yan, then at the stunned Yun Yun, then at the bewildered Nalan Yanran.

All of them silently drew in a breath—complicated. Extremely complicated.

A triangle isn't just stable—it's complicated! More complicated than the Pythagorean theorem could ever explain!

In the shadows, Ling Ying frowned, sensing this was no simple matter.

This guy really has a destiny filled with romantic luck.

Ling Ying had already decided: when he returned, he'd definitely report Xiao Yan to Xun Er.

(End of chapter)