Word Count: 3,243 Words
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His Heavenly State Spiritual Strength erupted, unleashing a soul storm. The power surged like a tempest god, carrying an overwhelmingly domineering vortex. Within that spiritual maelstrom, the silhouette of an Asura war god wielded a great blade in a devastating horizontal sweep.
Even the Flower Sect's most powerful elders blanched at this display, to say nothing of Hua Jin and Yaohua Liangjun, who faced it head-on! The two frantically summoned divine swords and treasured shields, unleashing their strongest defensive Dou Techniques with everything they had.
"This defies all reason!"
"Did Xiao Yan obtain this Soul Technique from the Pill Tower? What terrifying Spiritual Strength!"
Two of the Flower Sect's Great Elders in seclusion—Fairy Qing and Fairy Hua—snapped their eyes open. Their gazes sharpened, piercing through space itself to focus on the plaza below.
"Heavenly State Spiritual Strength!!"
"Such a powerful Soul Technique... ordinary people could never obtain something like this!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
The Asura's blade swept across the world, its soul cry resounding through the sky. The entire plaza was torn asunder by the soul wave. The unimaginable force split the earth, shattered mountaintops, and even cleaved open the plaza's protective barrier with a single strike.
"Strengthen the defenses!!"
With Xiao Yan at the center, his soul force crushed everything before it with unstoppable momentum. The terrifying pressure left even the Flower Sect experts pale with shock, as if doomsday itself had arrived.
Pfft! Pfft!
Despite their combined effort, Hua Jin and Yaohua Liangjun were no match for a single exchange. Though they had deployed defensive Dou Techniques specifically meant to ward off soul attacks, they were utterly overwhelmed. Both spat blood and were hurled backward.
Their souls were cleaved by Xiao Yan's strike, leaving them grievously wounded.
Thud. Thud.
They crashed heavily to the ground, faces white with shock as they stared at Xiao Yan, who remained calmly seated in his chair. He had merely been toying with them the entire time!
BOOM! BOOM!
The Three Thousand Burning Flame and Nine Dragon Lightning Flame spirits simultaneously broke free from their icy prisons. The brief moment of confinement had ignited their fury. Both Heavenly Flame Spirits' eyes blazed with rage.
Hua Jin's already ashen face turned deathly white when the Heavenly Flame Spirits began gathering their flames again. The two spirits had been formidable enough already, but now that she and Yaohua Liangjun were gravely injured, they didn't even have a chance to escape. She desperately shrieked:
"I SURRENDER!!"
Her desperate cry halted Xiao Yan. He couldn't kill her, not with so many Flower Sect experts watching. Executing their acting Sect Leader in front of them was simply out of the question.
Many of the Flower Sect elders simply shook their heads as Hua Jin surrendered. Today's duel had ended so effortlessly it was almost laughable. Xiao Yan's power was simply inconceivable. Not only did he possess multiple Heavenly Flames, but his Spiritual Strength was also overwhelmingly powerful.
Xiao Yan turned to the somewhat dazed Yun Yun and smiled.
Catching his brilliant smile, Yun Yun couldn't help but give him a mild glare. Yet beneath her reproach lay a trace of fondness, like a lover's teasing.
This man is as strong as ever.
The Flower Sect's First Elder turned to Yun Yun with a gentle smile. "I trust the Old Sect Leader's judgment. Yun Yun, from today forward... you are the Flower Sect's new Sect Leader."
Yun Yun hesitated as the First Elder tossed her the Sect Leader's token. After all, she was still the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect.
"Take it," Xiao Yan urged.
"But what about the Misty Cloud Sect?"
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. "You've got some nerve to ask that. How long has it been since you've even gone back?"
Yun Yun was left speechless.
"Just pass the leadership to Nalan Yanran." Xiao Yan pointed at the stunned girl beside them.
"Me? That's not possible! I'm not ready." Nalan Yanran hurriedly shook her head.
"What's the point of being the Little Sect Leader then? You were raised as a successor from the very start."
Xiao Yan then sent a voice transmission to Yun Yun, his tone turning serious: "Besides, Yaohua Liangjun is from the Profound Sky Sect. If you don't accept this position and let Hua Jin have it, the Flower Sect and Profound Sky Sect will join forces. That would pose a devastating threat to both the Yan Alliance and the Misty Cloud Sect."
Xiao Yan had heard rumors that the two sects intended to ally. He suspected the Profound Sky Sect had originally planned for Yaohua Liangjun to marry Hua Jin, cementing their relationship.
If they truly allied, even he would find it troublesome. When he had unleashed his Heavenly State Spiritual Strength earlier, he had discovered quite a few powerful experts within the Flower Sect, including two Half-Saint level powerhouses who were secretly monitoring him.
Yun Yun paused, hesitated briefly, then nodded slightly. She raised her gaze to the white-haired old woman in the sky and spoke respectfully, "First Elder, I can temporarily act as Sect Leader. If you ever feel someone else is more suitable, just let me know."
"Hehe, don't worry. I've always trusted the Old Sect Leader's judgment. Since she was willing to pass her lifetime of Dou Qi to you, you must be her perfect choice," the white-haired elder replied with a smile.
Yaohua Liangjun's eyes turned cold and sinister. "First Elder, I hope you won't regret today's decision."
"Hehe, your Profound Sky Sect should worry about itself. You can barely protect yourselves, yet you worry about others?" Xiao Yan slowly rose from his chair, a flash of killing intent flickering through his eyes as he looked at Yaohua Liangjun.
The Yan Alliance had been clashing with the Profound Sky Sect and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe for some time, especially after the death of Venerable Lei. So far, it had been small-scale skirmishes between disciples, not yet escalating to Dou Venerate-level battles.
Xiao Yan had killed the Profound Xuan Sect's leader, and the hatred between them couldn't be resolved. So when he heard Yun Yun had obtained the Flower Sect Leader's lifetime of Dou Qi, he immediately wanted her to inherit the position.
This way, not only would it cut off the alliance between the Flower Sect and Profound Sky Sect, but it would also give the Yan Alliance another trump card to prevent the Profound Sky Sect from suddenly attacking.
Xiao Yan had actually planned long ago that once he stepped into the Dou Saint realm, he would deal with the Profound Sky Sect and Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe.
His goal was to make the Xiao Clan great again!
This would inevitably lead to clashes with many top-tier factions. The pie was only so big; conflict was unavoidable.
After the battle concluded, Xiao Yan didn't leave immediately. Now that Yun Yun was the Flower Sect Leader, he, her so-called lover, might be able to extract some benefits from the Flower Sect. For example, mooching off their inheritance grounds, something he desperately needed right now. But…
"None?!" Xiao Yan's face showed complete astonishment. Such a large Flower Sect didn't have an inheritance ground suitable for him!
Nalan Yanran covered her mouth, giggling. "So even Grandmaster Xiao Yan can misjudge sometimes."
"Call me Young Master."
"No way! Hmph!"
Yun Yun looked at Xiao Yan helplessly. "The reason the Flower Sect only accepts female disciples isn't just because the Flower Sect's top-tier Qi Methods are limited to female cultivation. All the inheritance secret realms within the Flower Sect are the same way. They're all rather... special."
Xiao Yan was completely dumbfounded. Damn it! Does this mean I worked for nothing?!
I, Xiao Yan, actually have a day where I worked for free?!
This isn't logical! It seems the Mysterious Yellow Flame's luck is being used in other places, especially ones with lots of women!
Then again, a peach blossom fate was a kind of luck too.
'Forget it, forget it. I can always look for another secret realm. Perhaps I should calm down and properly hone my Dou Techniques. I haven't even started cultivating that Tian Class Dou Technique yet.' Xiao Yan rubbed his chin, suddenly feeling this might work out. He really did need to slow his cultivation pace and properly train his Dou Techniques.
After all, those monsters from the Gu Clan surely all had extremely powerful Dou Techniques. If he didn't have a Tian Class Dou Technique to show off, that would be too embarrassing.
Xiao Yan suddenly smiled at Yun Yun, then extended his hand and grabbed her jade-like hand.
Yun Yun's beautiful cheeks immediately flushed red when he acted this way in front of Nalan Yanran. She raised her willow eyebrows with some embarrassment:
"You! Have you gotten addicted to being a hooligan?"
Xiao Yan's face didn't redden and his heart didn't skip a beat. His expression remained as calm as an ancient well. "What are you talking about? I'm helping you examine the seal Granny Hua left behind."
Yun Yun's beautiful eyes looked at him with doubt. If you're examining it, then examine it. What are your hands roaming for?
Noticing her suspicious gaze, Xiao Yan stopped his movements. A gentle stream of Spiritual Strength slowly entered her body.
"Such powerful Dou Qi... This Granny Hua was probably a peak 9-star or even higher Dou Venerate expert when alive." Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his hand, his eyes somewhat grave. "This Dou Qi indeed needs to be sealed, otherwise it would shatter your body."
"However, that Granny Hua was a bit too cautious. I'll help tear open more of the seal shortly, releasing more Dou Qi. I'll refine some medicinal liquids to accelerate your absorption. Once you refine it quickly, you won't need to worry about people coveting this Dou Qi anymore."
A gentle warmth spread through Yun Yun's chest as she gazed at the young man before her. His unwavering support had become her anchor, from helping her rebuild the Misty Cloud Sect to standing by her side through today's challenge. Only now did she realize how deeply she had come to rely on this man and how precious it was to have someone who would face any storm alongside her.
"Thank you..."
Xiao Yan's brows furrowed as he stared at that beautiful face. "Is that necessary?"
"Hm?"
Yun Yun raised her beautiful eyes at the suddenly displeased tone in his voice. His furrowed brows made her smile radiantly, understanding blooming between them without need for words.
Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran stood there awkwardly, feeling distinctly like a third wheel.
Xiao Yan turned to Nalan Yanran with a smile. "As for you... sigh, forget it. You don't seem to have such fortune. I'll help you out. If the Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Leader isn't even a Dou Venerate, that would be too embarrassing for the Yan Alliance."
Nalan Yanran stomped her foot angrily at being looked down upon. "I don't need your help. I can break through to Dou Venerate on my own!"
After refining that ancient medicinal pill, her cultivation had broken through to 7-star Dou Ancestor, but there was still quite a distance to Dou Venerate.
"Your foundation is solid. Take another Ancestor Progression Pill, and with a Heavenly Flame's help, you should reach 9-star Dou Ancestor. Then I'll give you a Venerate Breaking Pill. When the time is right, you should be able to break through to Dou Venerate." Xiao Yan took out pen and paper, writing down some flower names. "I saw these flowers in the sea of flowers when I came in. Go pick some and bring them back. That sea of flowers doesn't just create illusions. It can also nourish the body and increase Dou Qi."
Though Nalan Yanran looked reluctant, she ultimately 'begrudgingly' accepted the note.
After sending Nalan Yanran away, Xiao Yan looked at Yun Yun. "You don't expect me to help you tear the seal right here, do you?"
Yun Yun gave him a charming glance. Having no choice, she brought him to her private chambers. The room carried the subtle fragrance of white jade orchids mixed with sandalwood, while soft pink silk adorned the walls. Crystal wind chimes hung by the window, their gentle melody mixing with the distant sound of flower petals dancing in the mountain breeze.
The two sat cross-legged on the bed. Yun Yun's cheeks remained flushed. No man had ever entered her room before, whether at the Misty Cloud Sect or here at the Flower Sect. Only Xiao Yan.
"Shortly, I'll forcibly tear a crack in the seal to facilitate your future refinement. It will be somewhat painful; you'll have to endure it." Xiao Yan looked at Yun Yun sitting cross-legged on the soft bed. His thoughts shifted away from this pink-toned boudoir as he coughed dryly.
"Mm."
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose as Yun Yun gently brushed aside her long hair, revealing her crimson ears and back. He took a long breath, casting aside distracting thoughts and gradually concentrating.
The Wind and Thunder Fury Flame condensed in his palm. Granny Hua's Dou Qi attribute was the same as Yun Yun's, both wind attribute. He needed to use the wind-fire attributed Wind and Thunder Fury Flame to stimulate the seal, causing the Dou Qi to automatically break through some of the seal.
His two fingers shot out like lightning, pressing heavily on Yun Yun's jade-like back.
Hiss!
Though Xiao Yan didn't increase the flame's temperature, its inherent high heat instantly incinerated the clothing on her back to ash, revealing smooth, jade-like curves.
If Little Fairy Doctor were here, she would definitely curse Xiao Yan as a repeat offender who shouldn't be allowed to use Heavenly Flames!
"Ah!"
A cry of alarm rang out. Yun Yun's mind immediately panicked when she felt her clothes destroyed and her back both scorching and cold.
"Focus! Protect your meridians yourself, I'm going to break the seal!"
At Xiao Yan's extremely grave shout, Yun Yun bit her silver teeth, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in her heart and quickly concentrating.
Xiao Yan's fire control was very strong, but Heavenly Flames entering the body had always been extremely dangerous. He had no extra mental capacity for other thoughts at this moment. He controlled the Heavenly Flame to arrive beside a seal near the Qi cyclone.
The Wind and Thunder Fury Flame instantly transformed into a storm dragon, crashing into the cracked seal opening with a boom.
A loud bang rang out as the crack instantly widened. An extremely strong surge of Dou Qi burst from Yun Yun's delicate body. The vigorous Dou Qi gushed out like a tangible substance, pulverizing the nearby chairs and table with a crack.
"Has the seal cracked open?"
Joy appeared on Yun Yun's cheeks as she felt the dense Dou Qi emanating from within her body. She turned to check on Xiao Yan, only to find him staring wide-eyed, swallowing hard.
Yun Yun was startled by his gaze. She lowered her head slightly, and her cheeks instantly burned like fire. The earlier Dou Qi overflow had completely burst open the clothing on her body!
The room was filled with captivating spring scenery. Her porcelain-white skin glowed with an ethereal radiance in the soft light, every curve of her voluptuous figure revealed in stunning detail. The sight of her ample bosom rising and falling with each breath, those perfect alabaster peaks crowned with delicate pink, was enough to make any man's blood surge like molten fire.
Even Xiao Yan, who had experienced many things, felt his mouth go dry. The Fallen Heart Flame slowly began to stir.
The moment her cheeks turned completely red, a shriek escaped from Yun Yun's mouth. Her jade hand fiercely grabbed the soft quilt on the bed and flung it up, covering a portion of her exposed flesh.
With her delicate body hidden under the quilt, Yun Yun's complexion finally improved slightly. She raised her pretty face and glared at him with shy anger. "You're still looking?"
The thin silk quilt clung to her damp skin, outlining every tantalizing curve of her body. The fabric molded itself to the generous swell of her breasts, the dip of her narrow waist, and the flare of her hips in a way that was somehow even more provocative than complete nudity. Combined with her crimson face burning with embarrassment and those misty eyes that sparkled with both shame and something deeper, the scene would have driven lesser men to madness.
"Cough..."
Xiao Yan coughed dryly, took a deep breath, and withdrew his gaze with extreme composure. "This has nothing to do with me. Your own Dou Qi blasted them open."
Even with Yun Yun's composure, she couldn't help feeling choked with anger at his words. This boy was truly insufferable, taking advantage then claiming innocence!
But Nalan Yanran, returning from outside, happened to hear Yun Yun's cry of alarm!
"Master, are you alright!" Nalan Yanran held fresh flowers in both hands, her face full of panic. Why had her Master screamed?
Yun Yun glanced at her current situation. If Nalan Yanran came in, not even jumping into a refining cauldron would wash away this embarrassment!
"Yanran, don't come in yet! Ah!" Yun Yun panicked. Not noticing that the quilt in her hands was being sat on by Xiao Yan, she pulled hard. The sudden release sent her tumbling forward, and she fell directly onto him, the quilt slipping away entirely in the process.
Nalan Yanran didn't hesitate when she heard her master cry out again. She immediately pushed open the door, only to freeze in shock at the scene before her. Her mouth gaped wide enough to fit a goose egg, and the flowers she had just picked fell to the ground.
Her most intimate Master was currently pressing her naked body down on her former fiancé, that former fiancé who was now her secret crush.
This relationship couldn't be more chaotic.
"Ma-Master, you... you and Xiao Yan..." This scene gave Nalan Yanran's little heart an enormous shock! Both Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun were like ascetic monks. When had either of them experienced such a stimulating scene?!
"It's not like that, Yanran, let me explain!" Yun Yun started to rise when she heard Xiao Yan sharply inhale. She realized her movement had given him an even more spectacular view. His eyes had turned slightly red, his breathing growing ragged as he struggled to maintain control.
He couldn't help admiring inwardly: Mysterious Yellow Flame, I, Xiao Yan, am willing to call you the strongest Heavenly Flame!
"Ah!" Yun Yun's entire body flushed crimson. She pressed herself back against Xiao Yan's chest, her voice trembling with feigned anger, "Close your eyes this instant!"
Xiao Yan was the quickest to recover his rationality. Letting Yun Yun press against his chest, he turned to look at Nalan Yanran standing outside the door. "Little maidservant, close the door first."
"Oh... oh... oh." Nalan Yanran had even forgotten to refute that she wasn't a little maidservant. The shock was simply too great!
When the door closed, Xiao Yan was stunned, then laughed. "Why did you keep yourself inside the room?"
Nalan Yanran's brain nearly overheated at his words. That's right! She shouldn't be inside the room right now! She should be outside!
"I'll go out right now!" Nalan Yanran said with a flushed face.
"You don't need to go out. Come here."
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