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The Next Day
A fiery sun broke free from the horizon, leaping into the sky, its warm rays bathing the land.
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Yun Lan Mountain
Clouds parted over azure peaks, streams cascaded like waterfalls, and the mountain stood tall and majestic.
Atop it lay the Yun Lan Sect, the Jia Ma Empire's mightiest force, renowned far and wide. Once a top-tier power in the northwest continent, its decline hadn't dimmed its prestige in the empire's heart.
Through generations, as dynasties shifted at the mountain's base, this ancient sect remained a pinnacle of the empire.
Thus, every Jia Ma royal family regarded this looming giant beside their throne with deep wariness.
The current royal family, bolstered by Jia Xing Tian and the Deep Sea Dragon Beast, inspired slight caution in the Yun Lan Sect.
A battle-hardened elite legion was stationed year-round at the mountain's base, its purpose unspoken but clear: to guard against the sect.
At the foot of the mountain, a youth bearing a massive ruler inhaled deeply, murmuring, "The three-year pact begins now!"
With that, he patted the Black Mysterious Ruler on his back, a mix of emotions swirling within. He stepped onto the mossy stone steps, heading toward the cloud-piercing peak.
His faint, leaking aura gradually withdrew into his body with each step.
Behind him, a trail of shallow footprints seemed to narrate the youth's journey.
At the end of the long stone steps, mist swirled.
Sunlight pierced the clouds, casting radiant beams onto a vast plaza.
Paved with massive stones, the plaza was simple yet grand, its weathered marks whispering of time's passage.
At its center stood a towering stone monument, inscribed with the names of past Yun Lan Sect masters and those who'd greatly served the sect.
On either side, a thousand disciples sat cross-legged, all in moon-white robes, their sleeve-embroidered cloud-wreathed swords fluttering, exuding faint sword intent.
Behind them, high stone platforms held various figures—leaders of Jia Ma's factions, including Jia Xing Tian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bo Dong.
At the plaza's end, on a raised platform, an elegant, noble figure sat gracefully. To her right, a white-haired elder stood with hands clasped behind him.
Though thousands filled the plaza, none spoke, only the mountain's whistling wind breaking the silence.
All eyes fixed on the stone monument at the plaza's center.
There, a young woman in a moon-white robe sat cross-legged, eyes closed, a cyan longsword resting across her knees.
"What a show from the Yun Lan Sect!"
Jia Xing Tian's cloudy eyes swept the silent plaza, his expression growing grave.
To him, the thousand disciples breathed in unison, their auras intertwined like a single entity. Together, even a Dou Huang might need to retreat momentarily.
"Heh, this display isn't just for that Xiao boy—it's a flex of muscle for us," Fa Ma said, catching Jia Xing Tian's murmur, a trace of solemnity in his eyes.
"Seems Yun Leng's ambitions are big," Jia Xing Tian said, his gaze shifting to the calm, white-haired elder on the high platform.
It was clear who held sway in the sect now.
This spectacle wasn't something Sect Master Yun Yun would orchestrate. A bet between two juniors, with the Yun Lan Sect already dominant, didn't warrant such a move.
All for a boy from remote Wu Tan City?
Hai Bo Dong smirked at their wary words, inwardly scoffing.
This show was child's play against those two from the Xiao family!
One carried a mysterious soul elder, and the other—forget him. Just the ferocious woman by his side could crush the sect single-handedly if they tried anything.
"Ice Old Man, what's with that look?" Fa Ma and Jia Xing Tian caught Hai Bo Dong's expression, turning to him.
Noticing the empty seat beside him, Jia Xing Tian asked, "Is Master Bai delayed?"
"Probably something came up. That pill pillar this morning—everyone saw it. Likely tied to that," Fa Ma said, shaking his head, marveling inwardly.
Master Bai's alchemy was astounding—crafting a sixth-grade pill two days ago, and another today. Even sixth-grade alchemists weren't this prolific, succeeding every time!
Above, the sun climbed, its warm light spreading across the mountaintop.
Beneath the monument, Na Lan Yanran's eyes opened, her gaze flicking to an empty spot by the plaza, a faint pang of loss in her heart.
Master didn't come after all.
That arrogant guy didn't either.
Just then, faint footsteps echoed from the mossy steps below, their rhythmic tread stirring a slight ripple in the plaza's unified aura.
Under countless gazes, a black-robed youth with a giant ruler ascended the final step.
Lifting his head, his expression calm, he locked eyes with the familiar young woman seated in the plaza's center, saying evenly, "Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan!"
"Here to honor the pact!"
His plain words drifted across the vast plaza, reaching every ear.
"How can it be him?!"
On the high platform, an elegant figure in a cyan dress shot up, staring at the youth below, her red lips parting in shock.
Regaining her composure, her clear eyes scanned around him in panic, her Dou Huang senses stretching to the mountain's base, finding no trace of that familiar aura.
A mix of disappointment and relief washed over her. It's good Ah Niu didn't come—better he avoids this mess.
She knew this youth was wanted by the Yun Lan Sect.
Because he was Ah Niu's brother, she'd withheld his information, costing her real authority as sect master.
She never imagined… his brother was her disciple's betrothed!
Her heart tangled in complexity. What is this?
Sigh, fate's a trickster.
Let's hope this kid doesn't reveal his Heavenly Flame, or today…
Her thoughts darkened, a bitter taste rising. If he exposed it, things would get tricky.
Her teacher, for unknown reasons, was hell-bent on finding this youth.
Now he'd walked into the trap himself!
If that guy learned the Yun Lan Sect harmed him, would he resent her?
"Sect Master, what's wrong?"
Yun Leng, noticing Yun Yun's reaction, looked at her, puzzled, his mind racing. Does she know this boy?
"Nothing. Just surprised that the rumored waste of a youth has such presence today," Yun Yun said, her face calm as she sat back, waving dismissively. "Since he's here, let's begin."
"Yes, Sect Master!" Yun Leng bowed slightly.
Hmph.
Yun Yun sneered inwardly, watching his act. Today's gathering—inviting guests, assembling disciples—was all his doing, without her input.
His deference now was twofold: to hide any discord between sect master and grand elder, preserving the sect's reputation, and to leverage her Dou Huang strength to hold the scene, with other Dou Huangs present.
"Are you Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan?"
Yun Leng stepped forward, glancing at Xiao Yan with a slight lift of his eyelids. Before Xiao Yan could reply, he continued, "I am Yun Leng, Grand Elder of the Yun Lan Sect! By the Sect Master's order, I oversee this three-year pact. This duel is for sparring, stopping at—"
"Life or death, each to their fate!" Xiao Yan cut him off, suppressing his shock, his gaze shifting from the platform's highest seat.
Isn't that the female Dou Huang from the Magic Beast Mountains?
Memories flooded back, unraveling many mysteries.
No wonder Brother Bai insisted on buying that house with a view of Yun Lan Mountain!
No wonder he was furious that night, hearing of the sect master's supposed betrothal to Gu He, wanting to grind him to dust.
No wonder, since arriving in the holy city, he treated Nalan Yanran with unusual leniency, unlike his indifference to others!
It all traced back to the figure on the platform.
This female Dou Huang was Nalan Yanran's teacher, the Yun Lan Sect Master:
Yun Yun!
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yan cursed that thick-browed, big-eyed traitor.
That jerk's unreliable—betrayed me two years ago!
He must've known her identity long ago, explaining his reactions to Gu He and Nalan Yanran.
Across the plaza, Nalan Yanran's eyes lifted, studying the black-robed youth.
Seeing his gritted teeth, she paused. Does he hate me that much?
After a moment, she sighed softly, nodding calmly. "As you wish."
On the platform, Yun Leng's brows furrowed, his face darkening. This boy dares interrupt me publicly?
"Young man, don't be too brash. Leave room in your actions. But since you insist, so be it—life or death, as you wish!" Yun Leng said, waving a hand.
"…!" Yun Yun bristled.
Life or death, my ass! Think I'm just decoration?
You two can talk big, but if that overbearing guy finds out, he'll hate me!
If either tried to kill, she'd show them a Dou Huang's wrath!
In the plaza, Xiao Yan slowly drew his heavy ruler, its oppressive gust slicing the air. Pointing it downward, he stared at Nalan Yanran. "The three-year Agreement—I'm here. Today, I'll make you repay the shame you brought my Xiao Clan!"
Nalan Yanran's hand swept, a sleek cyan longsword appearing, glinting coldly in the sun. She met Xiao Yan's gaze. "My marriage is my choice. I don't think breaking the engagement was wrong, though my approach was improper. I admit that. But if time rewound, I'd still break it!"
"No use talking. Let's begin!"
Xiao Yan's face was impassive. The damage was done—what did her apology matter? He'd reclaim the Xiao Clan's honor himself!
"Since it's come to this, let today settle your past grievances. Henceforth—" Yun Leng began, clearing his throat, but Xiao Yan's sudden move cut him off, darkening his face again as he fell silent.
On the main seat, Yun Yun watched, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
"Haha, interesting kid!" Jia Xing Tian chuckled, glancing at the clashing duo, seeing Yun Leng rebuffed.
"Quite amusing, but why does he feel familiar?" Fa Ma nodded, studying Xiao Yan's youthful face, puzzled.
"You feel it too?" Jia Xing Tian turned, surprised.
As the battle intensified, onlookers marveled at Xiao Yan's strength, matching Nalan Yanran blow for blow.
Nalan Yanran, the Yun Lan Sect's young master, had access to resources unmatched in Jia Ma.
Xiao Yan, from a minor Wu Tan City clan, had a fraction of her cultivation resources—a world apart.
Three years ago, he was just Dou Zhi Qi, third stage, while Nalan Yanran was a three-star Dou Zhe. With such a gap, his progress was staggering!
"Is it because of him?"
Yun Yun watched her prized disciple struggle to hold her own, her mind flashing to the smiling youth from the Magic Beast Mountains.
And the one she thought of was watching too.
___
Holy City Residence, Back Courtyard
Xiao Bai, seated cross-legged, looked up, gazing afar.
The massive peak loomed, its swirling mists parting, faint sword hums echoing in his ears.
"It's begun."
After a moment, he lowered his gaze to the cauldron before him.
Faint electric arcs danced on its surface, crimson flames roaring within.
Amid the flickering, a strange golden glint floated, faintly visible.
"Sister Cai Lin, that sleeping guy won't burn to death, will he?" a crisp voice asked, accompanied by a swallow.
By a stone table nearby, two figures sat—one enchanting, one petite—watching the man and cauldron quietly.
"Scourges last millennia. That chatterbox dragon won't burn so easily," Cai Lin said, glancing at the golden silhouette in the cauldron, pursing her lips.
That creature's birth was tied to her. Without the thunder tribulation during her evolution, who knows where this sharp-tongued thing would be?
Its origins were mysterious. She'd seen it emerge from an egg, innately wielding space power.
Her current mastery of space owed much to insights gained chasing and slashing at that dragon.
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