Chapter 186: It Was Expected All Along

Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan with a strange expression.

Even if Nalan Yanran were stupid, she knew Xiao Yan's purpose for entering the Life and Death Gate—wasn't it simply to take the Strange Flame hidden within it?

Xiao Yan's intentions were obvious to everyone.

Nalan Yanran always felt something was off—how could a disciple not of the Yun Lan Sect possibly think of taking away a treasure from her sect's Secret Realm?? How could you say it so boldly and without shame!?

But Nalan Yanran didn't hide anything; she said directly: "Even my master cannot allow just anyone to enter the Life and Death Gate."

"The Life and Death Gate is the ancestral graveyard of every Yun Lan Sect Sect Master, and also the sect's Secret Realm—it contains not only the various trials set by the founding Sect Master Yun Potian, but also the legacies left behind by past Sect Masters before their deaths."

"However, the Life and Death Gate imposes no restriction on who may enter—any Yun Lan Sect disciple who can activate the gate may enter to train and obtain its legacies and treasures."

Xiao Yan's ears perked up at once; he smiled sweetly and said: "So that means if I can activate the Life and Death Gate, I can enter too!!"

Nalan Yanran replied irritably: "You're not a disciple of our Yun Lan Sect."

"Hehehe, that's a small thing—just register your name, that's all." Xiao Yan waved his hand; get in first, then leave later—problem solved.

Nalan Yanran widened her eyes—do you treat the Yun Lan Sect like a toilet? Come when you want, leave when you want?!

Meow! At that moment, Mao Wu's voice reached Xiao Yan's mind.

"Let's go—the energy vortex is about to vanish; there's still much to do ahead." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with an almost imperceptible glint, as if he had already foreseen what was to come.

Soon, Black Flame vanished, and the energy vortex disappeared too. After swallowing an elixir, Xiao Yan appeared completely unharmed, donned his Five-Rank Alchemist Long Robe again, and revealed his signature sunny smile as he strode away confidently.

Instantly, the other spectators on the field exchanged bewildered glances, none of them sure who had won.

Neither of the two combatants looked like a loser.

"Yanran, are you alright?" Yun Yun waved her hand, dispelling the Protective Barrier, and asked with concern, then cast a subtle glance at Xiao Yan.

Nalan Yanran smiled bitterly at her master and shook her head: "I'm fine, Master. I've already taken an elixir—the side effects of the Secret Technique have already lessened considerably."

Nearby, Liu Ling quickly asked: "Who won?"

"I lost," Nalan Yanran said directly.

"Yanran!" Elder Yun Leng glared at Nalan Yanran.

Elder Yun Sha bowed to the surrounding warriors and said: "I believe everyone here has seen—this battle was evenly matched. But since the duel arena has been destroyed, we declare this match over. Nalan Yanran has not fallen; the result is a draw."

Hai Bodong burst out laughing; even Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma couldn't help but shake their heads—Nalan Yanran herself admitted defeat, yet you judges are still trying to save face.

Nalan Yanran raised her head and addressed the thousands of disciples around her, speaking solemnly: "I, Nalan Yanran, have lost this battle—and I accept it wholeheartedly."

"Yanran!" Yun Leng barked sharply.

Upon the giant tree, Nalan Jie's expression suddenly softened; with a long sigh, there was bitterness—but even more, there was relief and understanding.

He felt no regret, because since Xiao Yan arrived in Jia Ma Sheng Cheng two months ago, he had already told him: even if Nalan Yanran hadn't come to break the engagement, Xiao Yan would have come to Jia Ma Sheng Cheng to break it himself at the right time.

So Xiao Yan had never blamed Nalan Yanran for coming to break the engagement—even if she hadn't, he would have come for Xun Er's sake.

And at the very start of the duel, Xiao Yan had publicly stated that the engagement could be canceled anytime—he disliked being bound by such a contract, and he already had a woman he favored.

Whether Xiao Yan or Nalan Yanran, their displayed strength and talent meant the Jia Ma Empire could never hold them.

So Nalan Jie had made peace with it—they were destined never to walk together.

"This kid is truly outrageous—how did he manage to excel in both Pill Alchemy and Cultivation?" Fa Ma scratched his head in confusion.

Any clear-eyed observer could see: Xiao Yan wasn't just relying on his Cultivation Method, Dou Technique, and Strange Flame—he had undergone real, bloody, sweat-soaked trials; his battle awareness rivaled that of some ancient monsters.

"Indeed, not simple. Given time, this boy will surely become a great one," Jia Xingtian nodded, offering a calm evaluation.

"You're wrong—this boy has already become a great one," Hai Bodong smiled, stroking his beard; no one understood Xiao Yan's strength better than he did.

Remember, this monster still hasn't revealed his full hand—and he's already a Fifth-Rank High-Level Alchemist; that status alone lets him walk freely across the Jia Ma Empire!

But soon, Hai Bodong tensed, secretly channeling Dou Qi—he knew the Yun Lan Sect's Elders were stubborn, rigid old fools, and he feared they might do something irrational.

"Senior Elder, what do we do now? Yanran has already lost," Elder Yun Du, a Dou Wang, asked with a bitter smile.

Yun Leng's expression shifted uncertainly—Nalan Yanran represented the entire Yun Lan Sect; her defeat would damage the sect's prestige.

But at this moment, Yun Leng wasn't thinking about the Yun Lan Sect's prestige—he was preoccupied with something else, his mood darkening and brightening unpredictably.

"There are matters we must decide. Don't you agree, Ge Ye?" Yun Leng turned to Ge Ye beside him, his eyes cold.

Ge Ye shuddered—he understood what Yun Leng meant—but this Xiao Yan is no longer the Xiao Yan from Yan City!

This Xiao Yan's status and position are no longer comparable.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the show is over—return to your homes."

Xiao Yan looked up and smiled at the crowd atop the trees, then slipped his hands into his robe pockets and walked slowly toward the Soft Sedan Chair, under countless watching eyes.

"By the way, Nalan Yanran—discuss with your master what I mentioned to you. The cost is negotiable—I truly need that item," Xiao Yan used Soul Resonance to speak to Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Yan didn't tell Nalan Yanran that his strength came entirely from the Strange Flame—so he would obtain it at all costs.

He wouldn't even mind offering her a Five-Grade elixir to heal her wounds.

The Strange Flame was too important—losing a few elixirs was nothing.

Xiao Yan had calculated: his Burning Decree is currently Earth-Rank Low-Level; he already possesses the Eleventh-ranked Bone Spirit Cold Fire, and he knows the Fourteenth-ranked Falling Heart Flame resides in Jia Nan Academy.

But even if Xiao Yan obtained the Falling Heart Flame from Jia Nan Academy and refined both the Eleventh-ranked Bone Spirit Cold Fire and the Fourteenth-ranked Falling Heart Flame, it still wouldn't be enough to evolve the Burning Decree to Heavenly Rank.

But if he could acquire one more Yin-Yang Flame, it might just be enough to evolve the Burning Decree to Heavenly Rank!

Heavenly Rank! Those two words held immense temptation for Xiao Yan—if he could evolve the Burning Decree to Heavenly Rank, he would fear no one.

He would sweep away all enemies!

The fact that he could unleash two Earth-Rank Dou Techniques in succession without exhausting his Dou Qi revealed the terrifying power of an Earth-Rank Cultivation Method.

Only an Earth-Rank Cultivation Method can properly complement an Earth-Rank Dou Technique—if he had a Heavenly Rank Cultivation Method, Xiao Yan couldn't even imagine how terrifying his Dou Qi would become.

As Xiao Yan sat down on the Soft Sedan Chair, a voice suddenly came from nearby.

"Master Xiao Yan, please wait a moment. The Yun Lan Sect has a matter requiring your explanation," Yun Leng's voice echoed across the entire Guang Chang.

All spectators atop the trees frowned; even Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran exchanged glances—they had heard nothing about any need for explanation, and even the Sect Master Yun Yun had issued no such order.

Only Xiao Yan remained utterly calm, reclining against the cushion of the Soft Sedan Chair, lazily smiling: "Oh? What matter is this? Senior Elder, give me a hint—I've been busy refining pills and can't recall trivial matters."

"Several months ago, our Yun Lan Sect's outer sect executive Mo Cheng—do you still remember him, Master Xiao Yan?" Yun Leng's gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on Xiao Yan.

(End of Chapter)