Chapter 185: The Hidden Thing Within the Life and Death Gate

"Boom!"

The protective barrier had just formed when the terrifying energy shockwave from the sky surged down violently, slamming into it. Instantly, the barrier was like a lake surface into which a boulder had been thrown—ripples spread out one after another, endlessly.

However, this protective barrier built together by the Yun Lan Sect disciples was unable to withstand the impact like it had just done.

Cracks actually appeared rapidly on the energy barrier, as if it could shatter at any moment.

When the energies collided in the sky, aside from bold experts like Fa Ma, Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, Yun Yun, and Gu He who remained on the tall trees around the square, everyone else had retreated far away long ago for safety.

Although Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan's strength was only that of High Star Da Dou Shi, after being strengthened by a Secret Technique and combined with Earth Rank Dou Techniques, the energy unleashed by the collision of their attacks was something even a Dou Wang powerhouse would not dare to be touched by without protection.

"Grand Elder, the three of you stabilize one side, leave the rest to me." Yun Yun frowned and said in a low voice, looking at Yun Leng and the others.

The next second, Yun Yun and the three Dou Wang Elders appeared before the protective barrier, frantically channeling wind-attribute Dou Qi into it, stabilizing the barrier.

Originally a square used by Yun Lan Sect disciples for duels, at this moment it had undoubtedly become a wasteland, not a trace of the square remaining.

"That boy possesses a Strange Fire and a Flying Dou Technique, so I think he should be fine. The question is whether Yanran's kind of power can withstand such an impact." Elder Yun Sha frowned as he gazed at the square still wrapped in energy.

"Grand Elder, this young man called Xiao Yan is not easy to deal with," Elder Yun Du said with a tightly furrowed brow.

"Let's see how things go first. It would be best if Yanran can defeat him, but if she can't, we'll have to be forceful. You all understand the importance of this. That person called Xiao Yan is not only a Fifth-Rank Alchemist, he also possesses a Strange Fire. He is more valuable than Gu He. You should understand what I mean." Yun Leng transmitted his voice.

Seeing Yun Leng's gloomy gaze, the other two Elders took the hint and nodded slightly.

At this moment, in the center of the square ravaged by energy, Xiao Yan, his entire body wrapped in Black Flame, was like a dark messenger walking through Space, completely ignoring the terrifying energy as he stepped closer and closer to Nalan Yanran, who was struggling to resist the energy impact.

Even with her Dou Qi forming armor over her entire body and a Defensive Dou Technique, Nalan Yanran found it difficult to withstand this violent Energy Vortex.

When Nalan Yanran saw that Xiao Yan actually dared to walk through such violent energy, her eyes widened, her face full of disbelief!

"Stop struggling, you can't beat me. I won't deny your strength is the strongest I've seen among people your age, but you're still no match for me." Of course Xiao Yan could walk through the Energy Vortex; for Mao Wu, this was like a big eater arriving at a dessert shop, eating to his heart's content.

With a hum, that strange white light appeared once more on Nalan Yanran's Yun Sha Black Sword. Nalan Yanran planned to rely on this powerful healing energy to forcefully endure the Energy Vortex and fight Xiao Yan again.

Whoosh! Suddenly, wisps of black flames actually ignited on the Yun Sha Black Sword, and the white energy that had just emerged was completely devoured!

Xiao Yan smiled and explained: "It's useless. The Life Fire hidden in your sword may be powerful, but to my Swallowing Flame it's nothing more than a supplement. Moreover, you've only stored some flames, while I possess a true fire seed. The gap between us is huge."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Nalan Yanran slowly closed her eyes, and the Dou Qi within her body actually stopped. It was unclear whether her Dou Qi could no longer hold out or whether she had simply given up on living.

Xiao Yan certainly could not let Nalan Yanran be destroyed by the Energy Vortex like this. Whether for Yun Yun's sake, or because Xiao Yan wanted to learn some things from Nalan Yanran's mouth, he would save her.

With a wave of his large hand, Mao Wu spat out Black Flame to wrap the two of them inside, while it itself opened its mouth to devour the violent energy.

Inside the Black Flame Protective Barrier, Nalan Yanran sighed, looked at Xiao Yan with a complicated gaze, and asked: "Why are you so strong?"

Nalan Yanran was also convinced. She still hadn't won despite this. She had obtained a portion of Yun Potian's inheritance! As long as she entered the Life and Death Gate again, she would obtain the complete Dou Zun inheritance, yet she still couldn't defeat Xiao Yan!

"The strong remain strong, that's all."

Nalan Yanran shook her head and stopped fighting. With all her trump cards played and still defeated, she sheathed the Yun Sha Black Sword with a clang.

"Whatever you want to ask, as long as it doesn't involve the secrets of Yun Lan Sect, I can tell you." Nalan Yanran had not forgotten what she had just said: as long as Xiao Yan could defeat her, she would tell him about the Life and Death Gate.

Xiao Yan's expression was calm, and he was in no hurry. He tossed a Five-Grade Healing Pill from his storage ring and said: "Take this first. The side effects of a Secret Technique that boosts you by an entire Rank could very well be fatal."

Xiao Yan didn't force himself to endure either. He also took a Five-Grade Healing Pill to dissolve the side effects of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes.

Nalan Yanran glanced at the Pill in her hand, then glanced at Xiao Yan. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly before she also took the Pill. If Xiao Yan wanted to harm her, he wouldn't need to go through so much trouble.

Immediately, a gentle medicinal power nourished her body, which had been overtaxed by the Secret Technique.

"That white energy of yours is a type of flame, isn't it?" Xiao Yan had seen through it at a glance when he saw Nalan Yanran using the white energy to heal. It was nothing else but a special flame!

Moreover, it was a Strange Fire, which was why Xiao Yan could see through it at a glance. Even Gu He had failed to notice.

Nalan Yanran nodded.

"That flame is inside the Life and Death Gate?"

Nalan Yanran nodded again.

"Besides the white flame, is there also a black one, shaped like a fish?"

Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Xiao Yan and exclaimed: "How do you know that?"

Chest-beating and foot-stomping!!! Xiao Yan beat his own chest in regret! A Strange Fire ah ah!!

The twenty-first ranked on the Strange Fire Ranking, the Yin Yang Twin Flame, also known as the Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame! Black and white flames intertwined, swimming like a Yin Yang Fish.

The Yang Fire saves lives, endlessly renewing; the Yin Fire kills, with no hope of redemption. The twin flames hold life and death, hence the alternate name Life and Death Flame.

"Life and Death Gate, Life and Death Gate, damn your Life and Death Gate!!" Xiao Yan had never expected Yun Potian to be so direct in naming it! Because the Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame was inside, it was simply called the Life and Death Gate.

Why was Xiao Yan regretful? Because three years ago when Nalan Yanran came to break off the engagement, Ge Ye had agreed right then to let Xiao Yan enter Yun Lan Sect as a Core Disciple and enjoy the sect's top-priority resources.

They had already brought the food right to his mouth!

In other words, if Xiao Yan had agreed back then, he wouldn't have had to risk his life searching everywhere. Although the process ended well, looking back it was incredibly perilous—one careless step and he would have died!

If heaven gave Xiao Yan another chance, he would say: let me enter the Life and Death Gate!

"Your own sect has a Strange Fire, so why did Gu He go all the way to Mei Du Sha to find one?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion. Wasn't this taking the long way around?

Nalan Yanran replied somewhat irritably: "Not just anyone can enter the Life and Death Gate. Only those who can trigger a reaction from the Life and Death Gate can enter. I am the only one in this generation who can trigger it. Moreover, among all those who have entered the Life and Death Gate throughout history, none have been able to reach the Fifth Gate. I am the first."

Saying this, Nalan Yanran felt a hint of pride. She was the first person in Yun Lan Sect.

Xiao Yan coughed lightly twice, scratched his nose somewhat embarrassedly, and asked: "If I wanted to enter the Life and Death Gate, I wonder if it would be possible."

"You?!"

(End of this chapter)