Chapter 180: The Duel Begins!

"Yun Zhi? Who's that?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, many present exchanged glances; even the disciples seated in meditation, forming the combined sealing array on Guang Chang, couldn't help but feel curious—none of them had a disciple named Yun Zhi.

The ancient elder, Yun Leng, looked upward at Yun Yun; from Yun Yun's panicked gaze, Yun Leng knew Xiao Yan was referring to the Sect Master, Yun Yun.

Yun Leng frowned, thinking to himself: "These two already know each other?"

Nalan Yanran turned to look at Xiao Yan, who was rubbing his nose with a slightly awkward expression, then followed his gaze to her master—and saw that her usually unshakable master now wore an expression of utter fluster.

Nalan Yanran had trained under Yun Yun for eight years and had never seen this look before!

"How could this be? Why does Xiao Yan know my master? And their relationship seems to be more than just acquaintance!" Nalan Yanran's heart trembled.

Hai Bodong, watching from the side, had long known of the connection between Xiao Yan and Yun Yun, and now stroked his beard with a smug smile.

Yun Yun had long returned to Yun Lan Sect; today's duel involving Nalan Yanran naturally drew her presence—Hai Bodong had been waiting for this gossip!

Fully ripe!

"Old Ice, you knew Xiao Yan and Yun Yun knew each other?" Fa Ma glanced at Hai Bodong, who now wore an expression of keen interest.

"I heard they know each other, but what kind of relationship? Only they two know." Hai Bodong smiled slyly.

Of course, most of the disciples present hadn't paid much attention to Xiao Yan's words, for to them, Xiao Yan was already the imagined enemy—envy, jealousy, hatred.

They cursed that their grandfathers weren't Xiao Lin!

Had Xiao Yan not held such a lofty status—as a towering Fifth-Rank Alchemist and Alchemist Grand Meeting Champion—the Yun Lan Sect would have crushed him outright.

Not far from Guang Chang, Gu He and Liu Ling watched Xiao Yan in the soft sedan chair; Gu He said coolly: "That's this year's Alchemist Grand Meeting champion? He possesses a unique flame?"

Liu Ling nodded with a bitter smile: "Yes, and he even forged a Five-Grade Elixir—his Pill Alchemy talent far surpasses mine."

Eighteen years old, fifth-grade, and possesses a unique flame—Liu Ling wasn't the only one stunned; even Gu He himself felt his talent paled in comparison to Xiao Yan's.

"You are Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan, the Alchemist Grand Meeting Champion?" Yun Leng, seated at the center, lifted his gaze toward Xiao Yan, then slowly spoke after a long pause.

Hearing his name called, Xiao Yan finally tore his gaze from Yun Yun and looked at the white-robed elder, leaning back against the soft sedan chair, and said slowly: "What do you want?"

"I am Yun Lan Sect's Grand Elder, Yun Leng. Yanran is our Sect's next Sect Master candidate, so I ask you to annul your betrothal. Whatever compensation you demand, Yun Lan Sect will fulfill." Yun Leng rose, speaking with pride.

Hearing Yun Leng's words, Xiao Yan sneered: "Fine. Give me a Six-Grade Peak Elixir—Po Zong Pill."

At Xiao Yan's words, not just Yun Leng, but everyone present who knew what the Po Zong Pill was wanted to curse aloud.

It was a Six-Grade Elixir no less potent than a Seven-Grade one—its effect: boosting the chance of breaking through to Dou Zong.

Even Gu He, a Six-Grade Alchemist, had less than a ten percent success rate forging the Po Zong Pill, and the Medicinal Materials were so rare that even Yun Lan Sect couldn't gather a full set.

Yun Leng fell silent, mouth opening but no words coming out.

"We can give you a Five-Grade Elixir." Yun Leng gritted his teeth.

Xiao Yan waved his hand indifferently: "Five-Grade? I can forge those myself—why would I need yours? You said anything I wanted, yet all you can offer is this? A Six-Grade Elixir isn't even rare—how stingy."

Hearing Xiao Yan, Yun Leng bit his teeth so hard he nearly shattered them—how dare he even suggest the Po Zong Pill!

Of course, Xiao Yan was merely joking—he never expected to get anything from Yun Lan Sect; he simply despised Yun Leng's arrogant tone.

"Forget it, I was only joking. Let the betrothal be null and void. Honestly, I never liked others controlling my life."

Seeing Xiao Yan's utter disregard for Yun Lan Sect, the thousand disciples present ground their molars to dust.

He made an outrageous demand, yet now he accuses Yun Lan Sect of being poor?!

Xiao Yan paid no mind to the elders' moods; lazily, he turned to Nalan Yanran and said: "When you lost to me before, you said you'd surpass me in three years. Three years have passed—how do you wish to fight?"

Xiao Yan's words sparked a storm—no one present knew of Nalan Yanran's betrothal annulment three years ago; Ge Ye certainly wouldn't have spread it.

All Yun Lan Sect disciples assumed the betrothal had already been broken, which was why Nalan Yanran never mentioned it again.

Everyone thought Xiao Yan had come to challenge them—only to discover the roles had reversed!

Nalan Yanran had lost to Xiao Yan three years ago!

Nalan Yanran extended her jade hand; a glow flashed from the jadeite-colored ring on her finger, and a long, pale cyan long sword materialized, blade tilted, sunlight glinting coldly.

Emerging from the Life and Death Gate, Nalan Yanran's Dao Heart was as unyielding as a rock—Xiao Yan's words had not shaken her at all.

Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes met his dark gaze, and she said calmly: "Today, I, Nalan Yanran, challenge you, Xiao Yan—this has nothing to do with the betrothal."

"I only wish to tell you: I, Nalan Yanran, will not lose to you a second time!"

"Draw your weapon!"

Nalan Yanran pointed her sword at Xiao Yan; a powerful sword intent erupted from her body, and whirlwinds around her became razor blades.

Seeing her stance, Nalan Jie, watching from afar, sighed and shook his head—he knew well how fiercely proud his granddaughter was.

She defeated all peers at age ten, her willpower catching Yun Yun's eye; dissatisfied with the betrothal, she immediately came to break it.

But three years ago, being defeated by Xiao Yan's fist—that hurt her more than the betrothal itself.

Xiao Yan glanced at Yun Yun's worried eyes, shrugged, and slowly stepped down from the soft sedan chair: "I should have gone easy on you, out of respect for your master—but if I hold back, you'd never accept it."

"Fine. I'll just break you apart, then heal you afterward."

As his words ended, his ring flashed; his hand slowly gripped the handle of the Xuan Zhong Chi, yanked it sharply—the heavy ruler drew a crushing wind as it pointed diagonally to the ground.

"You're an Alchemist—you can take an Elixir," Nalan Yanran said.

"No thanks. Today, I'm not fighting you as a Fifth-Rank Alchemist—I'm here as Xiao Clan's Young Clan Leader, Xiao Yan."

"Besides, your strength doesn't even force me to use an Elixir to boost my power." Xiao Yan smiled faintly, but his eyes held no warmth.

Knowing Yun Yun doesn't mean I'll lose to you.

Eyes sharpening, Nalan Yanran gripped the pale cyan long sword tightly; faint green whirlwinds curled and swirled along its blade, within which sharp wind blades extended and retracted.

Boom! Nalan Yanran's entire body was wrapped in a whirlwind; her right foot slammed the ground, and wind-element Dou Qi exploded from her soles and back—Bao Bu activated, transforming her into a wind-shadow streaking toward Xiao Yan.

"Qing Mu Sword Art!"

Nalan Yanran lunged forward—a massive green sword suddenly appeared, striking straight at Xiao Yan.

"Three years, and you still use this move?"

(End of Chapter)