The City Lord of Yunlan paused slightly at the question. With a respectful expression, he replied, "Young Master Cao, three days ago, a young man named Long Yan went alone to Yunlan Sect. He challenged my grandaunt Zhaoyi, saying he wanted to redeem the humiliation of a broken engagement."
At the mention of "broken engagement," Cao Youqian instinctively narrowed his eyes. A reminder from his master echoed in his mind. He murmured, "Could it be... my opportunity lies here?"
Ye Beixuan and the City Lord of Yunlan glanced at each other, utterly puzzled by Cao Youqian's words, but he had already closed his eyes and said nothing more.
Seeing this, they didn't press further.
Before long, they arrived at the teleportation array in the City Lord's mansion. The three of them used the array to arrive at the Yunlan Sect's mountain gate.
Cao Youqian looked up at the massive stone monument bearing the three characters "Yunlan Sect" and said calmly, "Let's go."
"Yes."
Though the Yunlan City Lord didn't hold much sway within the Song Clan, his status in Yunlan Sect wasn't bad.
He led the two straight to the side of an enormous arena surrounded by a dense crowd.
As soon as the surrounding disciples saw the trio approach, they instinctively cleared a path.
Cao Youqian looked toward the stage and saw a tall, plain-looking young man standing upon it.
Although the young man's appearance was unremarkable, his eyes radiated unwavering determination. Just by standing there, he outshone all the Yunlan disciples below.
"Half-step Heaven Origin."
Cao Youqian immediately saw through the man's cultivation and turned to ask, "City Lord, can you explain the grudge between this kid and Xiao Yi?"
The Yunlan City Lord said, "It's actually not very complicated. Years ago, the Song Clan's ancestor and the Long Clan of Jinghu arranged a three-generation marriage pact. Zhaoyi happened to be part of the third generation. However, the Long Clan has long fallen from their status as a Semi-Saint clan.
So the Song Clan planned to send a concubine-born daughter to fulfill the agreement. This angered the Long Clan, who demanded a legitimate daughter. Neither side could agree, so the Song Clan chose to cancel the engagement. At the time, Grandaunt Zhaoyi was just being playful and went along to call off the betrothal.
The kid on stage, upon learning that he had been rejected, issued a challenge to the Song Clan's top younger generation genius. If he won, the Song Clan would have to send a legitimate daughter to marry into the Long Clan. If he lost, the engagement would be void.
Unfortunately for him, Zhaoyi is that genius. And since returning from the Taixu Secret Realm, she's entered closed-door training and recently broke through to the Heaven Origin Realm. There's no way she'll lose this fight."
"I see."
After hearing the explanation, Cao Youqian looked again at the young man on the platform. For some reason, he felt an inexplicable disgust toward him.
On the arena, Long Yan scanned the crowd and said in a low voice, "What, is Song Zhaoyi too scared to come?"
"Hmph!"
A cold snort echoed from the distance. A woman in purple robes flew in on a sword and landed gracefully on the platform.
It was Song Zhaoyi. Ever since Cao Youqian once told her, "Purple suits you," she had switched all her clothing to purple.
Long Yan looked at the stunning woman before him, the corners of his mouth rising. Using his divine sense, he whispered into the ring on his finger, "Elder Sword, you're sure she's a hidden Nine Yin Sacred Body? If I dual cultivate with her, my Soaring Dragon Nine Transformations will be complete?"
An aged voice echoed in his mind, "Absolutely. I wouldn't be wrong about this. Since you couldn't find a girl with the Profound Yin Jade Body, a woman with the Nine Yin Sacred Body is also a fine alternative. Once your Soaring Dragon Nine Transformations reach perfection, I'll teach you the Heavenslayer Sword Technique."
"I know what I must do."
Long Yan responded with divine sense, then narrowed his eyes, scanning the woman before him. "Song Zhaoyi, if I win today, don't forget your promise—you will marry me!"
"Hmph!"
Song Zhaoyi snorted coldly again, her face frosted over. "You're delusional. I'll give you the first move so you don't say I bullied you."
The crowd beneath the stage erupted.
"Senior Sister Song is so cool!"
"Senior Sister Song, teach that guy a lesson!"
"Yeah!"
Ye Beixuan turned slowly toward Cao Youqian. "Second Senior Brother, why does Senior Sister Song talk kind of like you?"
Cao Youqian grinned. "I'm afraid I've been a bad influence."
Yunlan City Lord: "…"
He couldn't understand at all how his grandaunt could be connected to this overbearing man.
On the platform, a flash of coldness appeared in Long Yan's eyes. Song Zhaoyi's words were no different from a loud slap to the face.
"Good… very good!"
Clang!
Long Yan drew a flaming spirit sword from his storage ring and said coldly, "When you lose, don't go crying!"
As he finished speaking, he suddenly swung the long sword.
"Fire Fiend Slash!"
With a single strike, flames filled the sky.
Wherever the sword qi passed, fire consumed everything.
"Watch out!"
Elders of Yunlan Sect watching nearby cried out in alarm.
"Shocking Cloud Style!"
Song Zhaoyi didn't panic. She unsheathed her sword and met the attack head-on.
Boom!!!
The moment the swords clashed, the outcome was clear.
Long Yan stood firm without moving an inch, while Song Zhaoyi was forced back several steps before regaining her balance. Sparks clung to her skirt, and her face had turned pale.
Song Zhaoyi felt a storm raging inside her body. A sweetness rose in her throat, and she almost spat out blood.
But she still chose to fight on. Her cultivation surged to its peak, and she slashed forward again with her sword.
"Wind and Cloud Converge!"
"No, she mustn't!"
An elder from the Song Clan in Yunlan Sect jumped from his seat in panic. If not for the need to save face, he would've already stepped in to suppress that brat Long Yan himself.
As Song Zhaoyi thrust her sword, wind and cloud surged in the sky above.
That strike was ever-changing, difficult to grasp.
That strike was razor sharp, impossible to resist.
Even Long Yan's face showed surprise. He was shocked deep down and hurriedly called out with his divine sense, "Elder Sword, help me!"
"Don't be nervous."
As the old sword spirit's voice echoed in Long Yan's mind, his aura underwent a complete transformation. A terrifying pressure erupted from within him.
Without even thinking, he casually swung his sword and easily neutralized Song Zhaoyi's attack.
Silence.
The area around the Yunlan Sect arena fell utterly silent. No one could believe Long Yan had dissolved that sword strike so easily.
Ye Beixuan frowned slightly. "Second Senior Brother, something's off about Long Yan. I sensed an unfamiliar aura suddenly appear on him—it was brief, but it didn't escape my perception."
Cao Youqian narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Long Yan. Though he didn't notice anything unusual, he still replied calmly, "I understand. I'll keep an eye on him."
???
Ye Beixuan looked at Cao Youqian with a "Black Guy Question Mark" face.
On the stage, Long Yan smiled smugly at the unyielding Song Zhaoyi across from him. "You've lost. According to our agreement, you must come with me."
Hearing this, Song Zhaoyi bit her lip, slowly raised her sword, and said, "I already have someone I like in my heart. Even if I die, I won't go with you!"
As she spoke, her sword turned toward her own neck.
At that critical moment, a voice like a thunderclap rang out:
"Xiao Yi, hold on! Leave the rest to me!"
====================================================================================
Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44