On the vast square of Yunlan Mountain, the air was thick with tension.
At the highest platform, over a dozen elders of the Yunlan Sect, led by Yun Leng, sat cross-legged with composed dignity. Their aged faces carried traces of pride as their cold gazes turned toward the black-robed youth slowly approaching from beyond the mountain gate.
Below the platform stood Nalan Yanran, her moon-white robe fluttering in the gentle mountain breeze. The fabric clung to her delicate form, outlining graceful curves beneath her robes. Her expression remained calm and composed, and though she held a sword in hand, its sharp aura was fully withdrawn—concealed beneath an exterior of perfect stillness.
The disciples of the Yunlan Sect stood neatly in rows. None appeared shaken by Xiao Yan's arrival. To them, this so-called challenger served only one purpose—to give them another chance to witness their young sect master's brilliance.
Of the near thousand disciples, those not on duty had gathered here voluntarily. Their formation was strict and orderly; even their breathing seemed connected, exuding a quiet, united strength.
Under the shade of an ancient tree, Yun Yun and Liu Xi stood side by side, watching silently.
Suddenly, a streak of light cut across the sky, and an old figure descended beside them—it was Nalan Jie.
"Sect Master Yun, Mister Liu," Nalan Jie greeted with a strained smile, "I didn't expect even you both would come personally."
For a proud man like him, his tone was uncharacteristically subdued. After all, today's duel involved his granddaughter and her former fiancé—his family's private shame now laid bare before the empire.
Liu Xi glanced at him and smiled faintly. "So, Clan Leader Nalan has come as well."
Nalan Jie nodded bitterly. The Yunlan Sect hadn't sent out any invitations. He had come of his own accord—hoping to offer Xiao Yan some words of comfort after his inevitable loss, perhaps even extend an apology on behalf of the Nalan Family.
Though he'd heard that Xiao Yan's talent had returned, he knew well how terrifying Yanran's growth under Yunlan Sect's tutelage had been. From beginning to end, he never once believed that Xiao Yan stood a chance.
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At the mountain gate, Xiao Yan advanced step by step toward the square. His body trembled slightly, but the excitement in his eyes made it clear—it wasn't fear.
When he reached the edge of the square, his gaze locked onto Nalan Yanran standing upon the stone steps. In that look burned both anger and pain—no hatred, no affection, only the weight of three years of humiliation.
A day earlier, Yao Chen had personally refined a pill for him, helping him break through once again—to the Da Dou Shi realm.
Now, as his black robe rippled in the wind, Xiao Yan raised his voice so that it rang across the mountain: "Xiao Family's Xiao Yan—here to fulfill the Three Year Agreement!"
All eyes turned toward him. Hundreds of Yunlan Sect disciples studied the young man with curiosity, some with faint amusement.
Three years ago, when the story of this "Three Year Agreement" spread through the sect, they had laughed. A boy with 3-star Dou Zhi Qi daring to challenge their beloved young sect master? A joke fit for the taverns.
No background, no power, yet he had spoken so arrogantly. If not for the sect's lofty detachment from worldly affairs, even a single elder could have crushed the Xiao Family into dust.
To them, the mere fact that he was still breathing was the greatest mercy the strong could offer.
---
Nalan Yanran's expression, however, remained calm. Her eyes were steady, her posture upright and resolute, like a snow lotus blooming on a frozen cliff. Her voice was serene as she spoke: "Nalan Family's Nalan Yanran—has been waiting."
Yun Yun withdrew her gaze from Xiao Yan, a faint trace of doubt flickering in her heart. He didn't look like the useless boy she'd imagined. Still, since Yanran's heart had long moved on, the sect saw no reason to bind her future to a man she did not love—potential or not.
At the side, Nalan Jie sighed quietly. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. The boy before him bore both courage and potential. If fate had been different, uniting the two families might have been a fine thing.
Meanwhile, Liu Xi's brows lifted in surprise. His Spiritual Perception told him that Xiao Yan's strength had indeed reached the level of an early Da Dou Shi—a shocking leap from what he'd last heard.
'So Yao Chen truly lives up to his name as a top-tier alchemist,' Liu Xi mused. 'Even without a Heavenly Flame, he's pushed Xiao Yan to this level. Three years to go from 3-star Dou Zhi Qi to Da Dou Shi… truly monstrous talent.'
A wry thought crossed his mind. 'Damn it. It took me eight years to reach Da Dou Shi. Wait… Yanran also advanced from Dou Zhe to Da Dou Shi in three years. I took… four.' He sighed inwardly. 'So my talent's actually pretty average, huh?'
Shaking his head, Liu Xi's gaze grew complicated. He couldn't help but feel a growing sense of wariness toward Xiao Yan.
---
On the high platform, the elders of the Yunlan Sect shared the same thoughts as Yun Yun.
To come alone to Yunlan Mountain—to stand beneath the gaze of so many experts—and still speak so boldly… that required no small amount of courage.
Foolish or fearless, it was hard to tell.
"You are Xiao Yan, correct?" The calm, indifferent voice of Yun Leng, the Grand Elder, broke the silence.
"I am Yun Leng, Grand Elder of the Yunlan Sect," he continued before Xiao Yan could respond. "By order of the Sect Master, I will preside over today's match between you and our Young Sect Master. This is meant to be a friendly duel—so remember to hold—"
"Life or death, let fate decide."
The proud, cutting voice of Xiao Yan interrupted him mid-sentence.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Hundreds of eyes turned toward the black-robed youth whose killing intent seemed to pierce the air.
Was he insane? Seeking death? Or perhaps, he had come prepared never to leave alive.
For the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed Nalan Yanran's face—surprise. She inclined her head slightly, her tone cool.
"As you wish. But I will spare your life."
Yun Leng's brow furrowed in irritation. The boy's arrogance was grating. Though he admitted Xiao Yan possessed talent, his current cultivation barely hovered between Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi. For him to speak so rudely before a Dou Wang elder was utter folly.
Still, he had unknowingly guessed part of the truth—there was indeed a mighty figure watching over Xiao Yan in secret.
Seeing that Nalan Yanran had accepted, Yun Leng gave a dismissive nod. "Very well. Since both parties agree—then let fate decide life and death."
Despite his irritation, Yun Leng was no cruel man. Had he truly been heartless, the Xiao Family would not have survived this long.
---
Xiao Yan gave a short, cold laugh. His hand gripped the hilt of his Heavy Xuan Ruler, pulling it free in one swift motion. The massive weapon sliced through the air, stirring a gust of wind that rippled across the square.
He leveled the black ruler at Nalan Yanran, his voice ringing with unyielding resolve. "Today, I'll settle our past once and for all. Three years ago, the humiliation you brought upon my Xiao Family—I've come to reclaim it!"
Nalan Yanran's gaze sharpened. She drew her slender sword with deliberate grace, the blade flashing cold beneath the sunlight.
"Humiliation?" she said quietly, her tone serious. "After defeating you, I'll visit Uncle Xiao and apologize myself. But the marriage our grandfathers arranged—I will never accept. I, Nalan Yanran, live for myself."
The wind fell still.
Two fates, three years apart, stood poised to collide beneath the heavens of Yunlan Mountain.
(End of Chapter)
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