Chapter 843

The ancestor's reference to "His Majesty" naturally meant Xiao Yan—not only because of his immense power as the sole Dou Emperor in millennia, but because he shattered the heavens and ushered in vast cosmic energy, rejuvenating the entire Dou Qi Continent.

Thus, even though Xiao Yan had departed, and even if new Dou Emperors might arise in the future, everyone still called him "His Majesty," to honor his monumental achievements.

At this moment, a young man carrying a sword arrived, stepping through the air, his body radiating sharp sword light that stretched a million li behind him, slowly approaching as if a divine sword cleaved the path ahead, sword light blazing all around him.

"It's the Sword Emperor, Tang Guang!" At the foot of Yun Lan Mountain, countless young disciples and even veteran cultivators preparing to ascend and register for Yun Lan Sect were moved by the sight of this youth bearing a divine sword.

"Tang Guang, heir of the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion—he's come to register too." The arrival of such a prodigy instantly increased the pressure on other students lining up to enroll.

"This Tang Guang is a genius who only emerged this year, but his greatest strength isn't his own sword talent—it's his father!"

"I know that—he's the current Pavilion Master of the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion, Tang Ying. Before Xiao Yan became Dou Emperor, Tang Ying participated in the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly. Though he never fought Xiao Yan, he did battle with Nalan Yanran, and rumors say it ended in a draw."

"Tang Ying was once considered a peer of Nalan Yanran."

The Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion needs no further explanation—it was one of the factions in the Yan Alliance's rise. Two of the original Four Pavilions vanished: the Yellow Spring Pavilion was reduced to its elite branch, absorbed into the Miter Consortium; the Wind and Thunder Pavilion disappeared entirely; eventually, even the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion and the Starfall Pavilion sealed their gates.

Only after Xiao Yan became Dou Emperor and announced the dissolution of the Yan Alliance, declaring he would no longer interfere in any affairs of the Dou Qi Continent, allowing it to develop freely, did the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion reemerge onto the continent.

"Wait—"

When the prodigies of the Yan Clan, Lei Clan, and other Dou Emperor Families began enrolling in Yun Lan Sect, some veteran elders from great sects and empires sensed something amiss.

They exclaimed in astonishment: "Yun Lan Sect opening its gates to recruit students is certainly significant, but not earth-shattering news. Besides Yun Lan Sect, Spirit Stone Sect and Jia Nan Academy are also powerful cultivation holy lands—why such an uproar? And this news spread too fast—in just a few days, even distant titans like the Starfall Pavilion, the Manhuang Mountains of the Manhuang Ancient Domain, and the Lotus Sect of Zhong Zhou have sent envoys to join Yun Lan Sect—just to enroll?"

Some ancient beings who knew Yun Lan Sect's secrets suddenly realized something.

"Could it be that Yun Lan Sect's Life and Death Gate is about to open!!"

This time, Yun Lan Sect's gate-opening for new students began normally, but suddenly, the Yan Clan, Lei Clan, and other colossal factions allied with the Yan Alliance all dispatched envoys.

Quickly, many reclusive elders began to sense something unusual.

Everyone simultaneously thought of one thing: Yun Lan Sect's legendary Secret Realm—the Life and Death Gate!

Remember, today's Yun Lan Sect is no longer the old one, and the Life and Death Gate is no longer what it once was. Now, the Life and Death Gate is also called the Dou Emperor Secret Realm!

Legend says that after Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Emperor, he blessed the world and left behind some inheritances. The most famous is the Master Stone at Jia Nan Academy—those who pass its ultimate trial receive a fragment of Bone Spirit Cold Fire and a portion of the Dou Emperor's inheritance.

Also, deep within the Huang Quan Shan Mai of the Snake People Empire lies the Huang Quan Abyss, which holds not only the Yellow Spring Three Styles of the Huang Quan Demon Saint, but rumors say a hidden space exists at its bottom, where Xiao Yan left a drop of Dou Emperor blood and a fragment of a unique fire inheritance—how to obtain it, even the Snake People don't know, and whether it's true remains uncertain.

Also, in the Mo Shou Shan Mai, the depths of the Manhuang Ancient Domain, Jia Ma Empire, Sheng Dan Cheng, Ancient Dragon Island, Hua Sect, and other places, it's said that before leaving, Xiao Yan secretly left blessings across the Dou Qi Continent—Dou Emperor Trials—where those who pass his trials receive divine imperial grace.

Even now that the Dou Qi Continent is open, and Dou Sheng who aren't afraid of death can ascend to the heavens and reach the Great Thousand World, no second Dou Emperor has yet appeared.

The closest to Dou Emperor are Lei Ying, leader of the Lei Clan, and Yan Jin, leader of the Yan Clan—but both have only reached Nine Star Dou Sheng; whether they can break through remains unknown. Thus, Xiao Yan's Dou Emperor Inheritance is the most precious legacy on the Dou Qi Continent.

Countless people flocked desperately, all seeking Xiao Yan's inheritance, hoping to become the next Dou Emperor!

And Yun Lan Sect's Life and Death Gate is one of these inheritance sites.

"Since His Majesty Xiao Yan departed, Yun Lan Sect's Life and Death Gate has never opened again—could it truly open this time?!"

"Who cares if it's real or not—join first!"

Beneath the mountain steps of Yun Lan Mountain, throngs of seekers gathered; because of the rumors of the Life and Death Gate, Yunlan City was extraordinarily lively.

Yet, only when you stand beneath Yun Lan Sect's main gate do you truly grasp its grandeur.

Today's Yun Lan Sect is vastly more magnificent than before—the entire sect floats above the clouds, surrounded by countless divine mountains, with massive palaces standing tall, some even piercing the heavens and extending beyond the sky.

From afar, at the deepest reaches of Yun Lan Sect, starry rivers swirl, colossal trees blot out the sun, as if forming an entire world unto itself; between the towering peaks, divine bridges span ten thousand li, stretching from one end to the other.

Though today's Yun Lan Sect does not exist in another realm like the Dou Emperor Families, after its transformation, it has become infinitely divine and awe-inspiring.

Within Yun Lan Sect, divine cranes occasionally soar through the sky, dragons hide among the clouds, and Spirit Beasts come and go. Standing outside, everyone feels this isn't merely a sect—it's another world entirely.

Upon entering Yun Lan Sect's gate, one sees a massive stone tablet inscribed with "Yun Lan Sect"—its strokes bold and silver, flowing like dragons, carved by Xiao Yan's own hand; the tablet holds a trace of Emperor Might, capable of suppressing Nine Star Dou Sheng!

Deep within Yun Lan Sect lies a graceful peak, brimming with spiritual energy, soaring into the clouds. Upon it, a waterfall cascades from the Nine Heavens, like a silver river; before the waterfall stand three or five ancient pines, ancient beyond measure, twisted like coiling dragons reaching for heaven, their bark aged like Dragon Scale, steeped in the weight of time.

Before the waterfall stands an ancient pavilion, old and simple, its doors tightly shut, deterring all from approaching, forbidding even a step across the Thunder Pool.

This area has fallen silent, like a tranquil night—even Yun Lan Sect's eldest Elders never enter this realm, let alone its disciples, who have no right to set foot here.

This is not the Pavilion Master's residence—it was once the private courtyard of the Xiao Clan's Young Clan Leader, when the Xiao Clan relocated to Yun Lan Sect.

Of course, this pavilion isn't entirely inaccessible—only one person in all of Yun Lan Sect may enter it.

Inside the pavilion, a pure white fox lies curled on a table, a jade hand gently stroking its fur.

The woman before them radiates a striking beauty: dressed in light-colored, water-sleeved robes, her entire being brims with the lively spirit of wind; her features are soft and elegant, her eyebrows gently curved. Seated on a wooden chair, she exudes grace and dignity, yet a faint sorrow of a married woman lingers in her brow.

Who else could it be but Nalan Yanran, so closely tied to Xiao Yan?

Nalan Yanran rested her chin on her hand, stroking the fox, sighing softly: "He's been gone two and a half years—couldn't he at least send a message?"

Though in the Dou Qi Continent, Xiao Yan is publicly recognized as having three principal consorts, the women connected to him are far more than three—several have shared marital intimacy and even received his father's approval.

At this moment, Nalan Yanran was speechless—she felt like a widow; Xiao Yan had vanished for two and a half years. Though she understood his journey to the Great Thousand World was difficult, and trusted his strength to keep him safe, she couldn't help but worry and miss him.

Gugugugu? Suddenly, the Jing Ling Bai Hu snapped open its eyes, rising to face the pavilion's entrance—its perception was exceptionally keen, and since joining Nalan Yanran, its power had grown significantly.

Seeing the fox's reaction, Nalan Yanran turned toward the door, her gaze filling with hope—then a figure slowly pushed it open.

Seeing the visitor, Nalan Yanran's hopeful expression softened, and she said: "Master."

The visitor was Yun Yun.

Yun Yun appeared near thirty, her bearing elegant and noble, her mature charm unmistakable. Her aura suggested a married woman—indeed, Yun Yun was now a married woman.

Yet within this mature grace, there lingered a youthful freshness, her eyes holding a touch of innocence. This blend of qualities on her person was perfectly exquisite, undeniably beautiful.

Her light-colored robes clung to her figure—not tight, yet revealing every curve, beautiful and heart-stirring.

Compared to Nalan Yanran's youthful, haughty aura, Yun Yun was far more mature and refined.

Of course, today, Nalan Yanran could no longer be called a girl—she too was a wife.

Seeing Nalan Yanran's expression change, Yun Yun smiled wryly, gently pinching her ungrateful disciple's nose: "Miss him?"

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran, with her proud nature, snorted: "Hmph—who'd miss that jerk? He's been gone over two years without a word!"

"When he comes back, I'll go to Xiao Dad and file a complaint—tell on him."

Nalan Yanran claimed she'd tell on him, yet the longing in her brow betrayed her—classic sharp tongue, soft heart, words contradicting feelings.

"By the way, Master, why are you here at Yun Lan Sect?" Nalan Yanran only then realized—Yun Yun usually never appeared at Yun Lan Sect, but trained and managed the Hua Sect instead.

Hua Sect is also a cultivation Holy Land, but unlike Jia Nan Academy and Yun Lan Sect, it rarely accepts disciples—only when its Elders travel across the Dou Qi Continent and discover promising talents or those with tragic backgrounds do they bring them back to Hua Sect to cultivate, and they accept only female disciples.

Normally, Hua Sect behaves like a Hidden Sect, keeping to itself, rarely seeing any Hua Sect disciples appear.

Hearing Nalan Yanran's words, Yun Yun's cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled bitterly: "I heard something unusual happened at Life and Death Gate, so I came to investigate."

Upon hearing this, Nalan Yanran understood. The Life and Death Gate no longer referred to the Inheritance Secret Realm left behind by Yun Potian; the Inheritance Trials left by Yun Potian and past Yun Lan Sect Sect Masters had become Yun Lan Sect's training grounds. The current Life and Death Gate refers to the Dou Di Trial created by Xiao Yan.

Only Xiao Yan has the ability to cause changes in the Life and Death Gate; Yun Yun assumed Xiao Yan had returned to Jia Ma Empire.

"That's just rumor," Nalan Yanran said, exasperated. "The Life and Death Gate hasn't even opened yet, and there's still time before its next opening. You know how it is—one mouth spreads lies, and ten legs can't run fast enough to debunk them. I have no idea how this rumor got started, claiming the Emperor Inheritance is about to appear."

Seeing Yun Yun's bitter smile and faint disappointment, Nalan Yanran pouted, wrapped her arms around Yun Yun's slender waist, pressed her cheek against Yun Yun's body, and cooed: "Master, when he comes back, we'll team up and tattle on him."

Yun Yun gently stroked Nalan Yanran's long hair and nodded softly: "Alright, when he comes back."

Yet, as Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun quietly spoke ill of Xiao Yan, a voice filled with helplessness suddenly came from outside the door.

"I just got back, and already hear someone speaking ill of me."

!!!!!

"Xiao Yan!!" At that moment, Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun were stunned, turning sharply toward the door. Hearing that voice—so familiar they could not mistake it—they nearly wept, leaping to their feet and staring at the figure outside the ancient pavilion.

"Xiao Yan… it's really you." Even Yun Yun, with her composure, could not hold back her emotions upon seeing Xiao Yan's return.

The two peerless beauties could no longer contain themselves, rushing out of the ancient pavilion to embrace Xiao Yan, their eyes unknowingly moistening.

"As your husband, I certainly don't mind your enthusiasm," Xiao Yan said calmly, with a hint of teasing. "But you don't want all the Yun Lan Sect disciples watching us being affectionate, do you?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun realized several Yun Lan Sect Elders had already noticed—now gazing curiously their way.

"Cough, cough—let's go inside first," Xiao Yan said, one arm around each of them, striding boldly into the ancient pavilion with the two great beauties.

Although Xiao Yan had concealed his aura, he had not blocked off space, so some Yun Lan Sect strongs had already sensed him.

"No way! Xiao Yan, His Majesty, has returned to the Dou Qi Continent!"

Stayed up all night last night; second chapter still half done; will update before ten tonight.