"Go, Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus!"
With a flick of his fingers, Xiao Yan sent the cyan-and-purple fire lotus hovering before him streaking upward like a meteor, aimed at the blazing cyan sun of energy in the sky.
The sight snapped Nalan Yanran out of her dazed stupor. Reflexively, her jade-like hand waved, and a radiant orb of light hurtled toward the fire lotus below.
"Pinnacle of the Wind: Falling Sun Radiance!"
Murmuring the technique's name, she realized her mistake too late. A flash of regret and frustration crossed her eyes. She reached out, trying to recall the cascading sword of light, but it was futile—the overwhelming energy had already descended.
Her face paled as she watched the radiant sword of light plunge downward. Her heart tangled like a knotted mess, hoping desperately that his fire lotus could withstand her attack.
Biting her red lips, she stared at the lone, slender figure below. Her eyes surged with a torrent of emotions, like countless threads twisting together.
Impossible to cut, impossible to untangle!
How fickle fate is.
The person she once despised most had become the one she least wished to harm.
Boom!!
Under the tense gazes of countless spectators in the plaza, the radiant sword light and the cyan-purple fire lotus collided fiercely at a height of several meters above the ground.
A deafening roar echoed, reverberating across the entirety of Yun Lan Mountain.
___
Jia Ma Empire's Capital
Xiao Bai abruptly looked up toward the peak of Yun Lan Mountain. Amid the faint clouds and mist, ripples of energy surged skyward. A slow smile curved his lips.
"Little Yanzi, you didn't disappoint me. You chose to use it after all!"
Moments later, he turned his gaze back to the cauldron before him. The medicinal properties of the Thunder Essence Pill were thinning, and the golden light within pulsed with increasingly vibrant life force. He murmured, "Almost there…"
___
Yun Lan Sect Plaza
In an instant, howling winds and rampant flames erupted, like a volcano unleashing its fury. A violent shockwave of energy swept across the plaza in all directions.
The scene, akin to heavenly fire descending, forced the Yun Lan Sect disciples around the plaza to hastily deploy their defensive techniques. But they had underestimated the sheer force of the collision between these two Dou Techniques. Their protective barriers shattered like dry twigs.
"Pfft!"
Weaker disciples couldn't withstand the impact, coughing up blood.
On the high platform, Yun Leng's face darkened as he saw the Yun Lan Sect disciples crumbling under the shockwave. He opened his mouth to shout, but a clear, elegant voice cut through, reaching the ears of the thousand-plus people in the plaza.
"All Yun Lan Sect disciples, heed my command: Strengthen your defensive energy!"
"Yes!"
A unified shout from the thousand disciples soared into the sky. In a flash, beams of variously colored Dou Qi burst from their bodies, forming a massive energy dome that enveloped the entire plaza.
Yun Leng glanced back, his expression unreadable. His lips moved slightly, but he said nothing.
In the arena, the protective dome had just formed when waves of energy shockwaves continued to crash against it, sending ripples across its surface.
Xiao Yan's eyes were grave as he dodged the rampant energy waves. His soul force, tethered to the fire lotus, sensed the lingering energies and directed them toward the figure swaying like a willow in the wind above.
"Pfft!"
Nalan Yanran evaded over a dozen attacks, but her strength waned. Her movements slowed, and a shockwave struck her heavily. Her face paled, a metallic taste rising in her throat as she spat out a mouthful of blood.
Her body plummeted. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she summoned a gentle gust of wind to avoid crashing ignobly to the ground.
As she landed, her pupils shrank. She spun around to see a black-robed youth standing not far behind her, arms crossed, his dark eyes gazing at her coldly.
"It's over, Nalan Yanran!!"
"Is this your revenge?" Nalan Yanran's expression shifted, memories flashing through her mind.
At the Miteer Clan, she had pleaded with Master Bai to no avail, and that youth had stood tall, proudly displaying his alchemist badge to her.
On the first day of the Alchemist Conference, that boy had bickered with her, always eager to steal the spotlight.
During the finals, that youth had brimmed with confidence, showcasing extraordinary alchemical talent to seize the championship.
At Master Bai's residence, that champion had beamed with pride, boasting to his Master.
"Revenge? Nalan Yanran, you think too highly of yourself. I never sought revenge. These three years of relentless cultivation were to reclaim what my Xiao Clan lost—our dignity!"
"As for you, the day you broke off the engagement three years ago, someone showed me through their actions that stooping to your level would be beneath me, unworthy of standing by his side!"
"After today, we'll have no further ties. You can continue being the Young Sect Leader, and I'll pursue my own path!"
With that, Xiao Yan stepped toward Nalan Yanran. Extending his hand, he summoned the Mysterious Heavy Ruler, which flew into his grasp.
"Heh, young man, my Yanran is already defenseless. Do you still intend to strike her?"
At that moment, an elegant chuckle rang out. In a blur, a cyan figure appeared before the two.
Clad in a cyan dress, her long hair was swept into an elegant phoenix-style updo. Her refined, noble face carried a faint, teasing smile.
"Greetings… er, Sect Leader Yun!"
Xiao Yan clasped his hands, offering an awkward smile. That was close—I almost called her 'sister-in-law'!
Before learning her true identity, he had harbored resentment toward the Yun Lan Sect's leader. But now, knowing who she was, that resentment had dissipated.
He couldn't help it. Judging by Brother Bai's attitude, this woman was someone he deeply cared for. That night's fury—Xiao Yan had experienced it up close, nearly costing him his life!
If he dared show her any attitude, he'd likely face a reckoning from Brother Bai later.
Besides, this female Dou Huang had been quite amicable in the desert, treating him kindly.
"Sigh, who would've thought you, little guy, were Yanran's former betrothed? You're quite the talent, with remarkable gifts!"
Yun Yun nodded slightly, sighing. After studying him for a moment, she smiled lightly. "From what you said earlier, it seems you've let go of Yanran's childish antics back then. Why not continue the engagement?"
If he agreed, as Yanran's betrothed, her teacher's plans—whatever they were—would likely spare him.
This way, a bad situation could turn into a good one. The boy would be safe, and she'd have something to say to A-Niu when they met.
"Teacher, you know him?"
Hearing their exchange, Nalan Yanran's pale face flushed slightly. Her eyes widened in surprise, and after a moment's hesitation, she asked tentatively.
Yun Yun looked at her disciple, feeling a pang of sympathy. Her gaze softened, and she gently patted Yanran's head, saying nothing.
"Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader Yun, but some things, once done, cannot be undone. The past is irretrievable!" Xiao Yan shook his head calmly, declining.
Seeing the boy's suddenly cool demeanor, Yun Yun felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. He's just like A-Niu—proud to a fault.
Back in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, when she had been distant for just two days, his face had turned cold. If you ignored him, he'd ignore you even more!
"Sigh, this boy's too proud. There's nothing your teacher can do!"
Spreading her hands toward Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun sighed helplessly. Turning to Xiao Yan, she said, "Since this matter is settled, you should leave quickly!"
Xiao Yan nodded immediately, understanding why she had intervened. It wasn't out of concern that he'd harm Nalan Yanran—she was urging him to escape.
Having revealed himself and fulfilled the wager, he had no desire to linger. Staying here was too risky. Though Brother Bai seemed to have prepared for any contingencies, wouldn't it be better if nothing happened at all?
"Hold it!!"
Just as Xiao Yan turned to leave, a loud shout thundered across the plaza, jolting the disciples still reeling from Nalan Yanran's defeat. They instinctively looked toward the source.
Yun Leng stood on the high platform, his face ashen, fury blazing in his eyes.
Nalan Yanran had represented the entire Yun Lan Sect, yet she had lost in full view of the leaders of various factions, undoubtedly tarnishing the sect's prestige.
And Yun Yun, the Sect Leader, instead of seeking to salvage that prestige, was about to let this boy walk away in front of everyone!
This boy wasn't just the one tied to Yanran's wager—he was the very person the Old Sect Leader had ordered to be hunted!
How dare she?
Suppressing his rage, he said coldly, "Sect Leader, this person isn't only tied to Yanran's wager—he's a wanted fugitive of our sect. If we let him walk away, won't our sect's wanted order become a laughingstock?"
Glancing at the furious Yun Leng, Yun Yun's face remained calm. In an even tone, she replied, "Great Elder, you're mistaken. Though this boy possesses a Yi Huo, he's not the one we're after. I've seen that person myself—he's not this boy!"
"Heh, there may be two Green Lotus Core Flames in this world, but for them to coincidentally exist in the Jia Ma Empire? Let's have this Xiao Yan stay and assist our investigation to determine the truth!"
Seeing Yun Yun defend the boy so staunchly, Yun Leng's suspicions deepened, and he sneered coldly.
"Yun Leng, you're out of line!"
Yun Yun's expression turned icy, a Dou Huang's pressure bearing down on the platform. Her clear, authoritative voice rang out: "Are you questioning my words?"
Yun Leng's face twisted, his energy surging to resist the oppressive aura.
His expression flickered as the plaza's gazes fell upon him. His mind raced, seizing the most convenient excuse. Clasping his hands, he said, "Sect Leader, this person is undeniably linked to the Mo Clan's destruction. Mo Cheng was an outer deacon of our sect, loyal and greatly contributive. I urge the Sect Leader to apprehend this boy and punish him severely, to give justice to the Mo Clan's wrongful deaths!"
"Tch, has Yun Leng lost his mind? To challenge Sect Leader Yun Yun like this—where's his confidence coming from?" Jia Xing Tian watched quietly, aware that Yun Leng held the reins of the Yun Lan Sect now. But to openly defy a Dou Huang? His lips curled into a faint smile, intrigued.
"Indeed! Has he been so dazzled by power lately that he forgot he's just a Dou Wang?" Fa Ma admired Yun Leng's audacity. It was as absurd as the Alchemist Guild's vice president demanding he step down as president!
"Ridiculous!"
"Heh, dazzled? Perhaps he truly has the backing to be so bold!" Hai Bo Dong's eyes gleamed with gravity. Among those present, he alone knew a sliver of the truth. Though limited, his suspicions grew.
Xiao Bai's actions suggested that the Yun Lan Sect's Dou Huang might not be its highest combat power!
Could that old man still be alive—and have broken through?
Otherwise, with only one Dou Huang—who happened to be that man's beloved—why would Xiao Bai take such precautions, even summoning that ferocious woman?
"Wrongful deaths?" A mocking smile touched Yun Yun's lips. "The Mo Clan's misdeeds were reported to the sect by Yanran. They got what they deserved. If you want to detain him, come up with a better excuse!"
"Mo Cheng's connection to you wasn't close enough for you to champion his cause!"
"Teacher, why is the Great Elder so intent on keeping Xiao Yan?" Nalan Yanran tugged lightly at Yun Yun's sleeve, glancing at the calm Xiao Yan beside them. She whispered, "Though I was involved in the Mo Clan affair, I don't know the details. And the sect's changes… why have you and the Great Elder become so at odds?"
And the Mo Clan matter—was it really Xiao Yan's doing? That mysterious figure used a pale white flame, different from Xiao Yan's.
"I'm not entirely clear on the details either," Yun Yun shook her head gently. Her teacher had changed drastically—not just in cultivation but in temperament. She, too, was puzzled.
"Haha, Sect Leader, you may still hold the title, but the Yun Lan Sect is no longer yours to command!" Yun Leng's face darkened, his teeth gritted. "This concerns the sect's honor. As Great Elder, I cannot stand by while you, in your delusion, allow anyone to trample the towering prestige built by countless members!"
With a flourish, he produced an ancient, imposing cyan token, raising it high. "The Yun Lan Sect's Legacy Seal is here! All elders and deacons, heed my command: Seize the sect's wanted fugitive!"
His voice fell, and the Yun Lan Sect disciples stared at the token, bewildered and uncertain. They glanced between the Great Elder on the platform and the Sect Leader in the arena, unsure what to do.
The elders and deacons on the platform, though some showed clear displeasure, could only bow slightly to the token. They had already resisted when Yun Leng first claimed the Legacy Seal, but Yun Yun's silence and acquiescence had left them powerless.
"The Legacy Seal? Isn't that the token of the sect leaders through the ages? How did it end up in the Great Elder's hands?" Nalan Yanran's eyes widened, and she turned to her teacher, her expression shocked.
Yun Yun gazed at the token with a complex expression. She waved weakly at Xiao Yan, whispering, "When they come for you, don't resist. I'll find a way to keep you safe!"
"Thank you, Sect Leader Yun, but I don't think that'll be necessary. I didn't come here unprepared!" Xiao Yan smiled faintly, utterly composed as he faced the approaching elders.
Has he come too?
Seeing his calm demeanor, Yun Yun's slender hand tightened, her lips trembling slightly as she asked in a quivering voice.
____
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