The vast square of the Yunlan Sect trembled as the energy between heaven and earth boiled like scalding water. Near-tangible waves of elemental force surged wildly, converging around Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran at the center of the battlefield.
On the ground stood Xiao Yan, his expression grim and cold. The Heavy Xuan Ruler, broad as a door panel, was gripped firmly in his hands, white flames coiling along its length. The icy, deathly chill of the Bone Chilling Flame spread outward—moisture in the air crystallized instantly into frost.
High above, Nalan Yanran floated midair, her fair hand gripping her sword. The blade pointed downward toward Xiao Yan, her flawless face illuminated by the brilliant light surrounding her, exuding an almost divine radiance. From her body surged blazing heat, like the sun itself descending from the heavens.
Gasps rippled through the Yunlan Sect disciples watching from the sidelines.
"What's happening to that guy? The energy around him—it's condensing! Isn't that... the precursor to a Di Class Dou Technique?" one shouted in disbelief.
"Di Class Dou Technique? From a small clan brat like him? What in the world—do family clans outside the city have this kind of foundation now?" another stammered, utterly shaken.
---
On the high platform, the Yunlan Sect elders, including Yun Leng, exchanged uneasy looks. The battle they thought already decided now teetered on the edge of uncertainty. None had expected Xiao Yan—already pushed to exhaustion—to wield such a powerful Di Class technique.
Each of them knew well: even within the Yunlan Sect, Di Class Dou Techniques were treasures passed down only through the Sect Master's lineage. For Xiao Yan to possess one was beyond comprehension.
A single Di Class Dou Technique had the power to turn the tide of battle.
"Do not panic," Yun Leng said slowly, drawing a deep breath as he fixed his gaze upon the sky. "The Young Sect Master's Wind's Peak was personally taught by Sect Master Yun Yun herself. It is the Yunlan Sect's strongest legacy technique. That boy's stolen skill cannot compare. We need only wait for Yanran's victory."
Elsewhere, Yun Yun stood silently, her expression calm—but her slender hands were clasped tightly before her abdomen, faint red marks pressing into her palms. Her beautiful eyes flickered with unease as she looked between the two combatants.
'That technique... it's no ordinary Di Class skill,' she thought, heart pounding. 'Such fierce, chilling energy—it even makes me feel a trace of fear. No matter what, Yanran must not be harmed. If her life is endangered... I'll intervene myself!'
Nearby, Liu Xi stood with his hands behind his back, eyes glinting faintly with intrigue.
'So this is my rival on the road to ascension,' he mused. 'Truly shameless. He's even using Yao Chen's Bone Chilling Flame.'
The Bone Chilling Flame, ranked 11th on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, surpassed all three flames Liu Xi possessed. His lips curved slightly as he sensed its aura.
'This flame and I are fated to meet,' he thought with a smirk. 'I'll have to find a way to claim it for myself someday.'
---
On the other side, Nalan Jie, the aged patriarch, stared blankly at the spectacle before him. Two young prodigies had pushed their duel to such extremes—both now ready to decide victory with Di Class techniques.
His gaze lingered on Xiao Yan. Remembering the boy's ruthless, unrelenting strikes earlier, he sighed deeply in silence.
'After this… I'll have to contact the Xiao Clan. Hopefully, they'll understand the situation. Otherwise, old brother, I'll have no choice but to wrong you. When we meet again in the afterlife, I'll offer my apologies then…'
---
In the arena, Xiao Yan's face was pale as ash. Though Yao Chen had lent him the Bone Chilling Flame, it still demanded his own Dou Qi to sustain it.
Determined to end the battle with a single strike, he drew upon every drop of power within him—every trace of Dou Qi in his dantian, every spark in his muscles and bones. The agony was unbearable, his body trembling violently as if about to tear apart.
"Flame Splitting Tsunami!"
He bit down hard, eyes bloodshot, and swung the Heavy Xuan Ruler with all his might.
Blinding light erupted. A freezing, spectral ruler of pure white flame shot forth from the weapon, tearing through the air. Wherever it passed, the moisture in the atmosphere froze into ice crystals, leaving behind a glimmering trail of frost.
Clang!
The ruler's impact resonated like thunder. Xiao Yan could no longer hold the weapon; he drove it into the ground, kneeling beside it, gasping heavily, his face drained of color.
High above, Nalan Yanran's complexion was just as pale. The energy gathered along her sword had reached a terrifying intensity—so fierce that her arm trembled uncontrollably.
"Wind's Peak—Dazzling Sunset!"
Her clear voice rang out, echoing across the mountains.
The blade in her hand blazed with radiant light. A wave of scorching, cutting sword energy burst forth, tearing even the air itself apart. A wailing sound echoed through the heavens as the two ultimate forces collided.
Boom!
Like thunder splitting the sky, ruler and sword struck as one. Fire and wind clashed violently—cold and heat intertwining, consuming each other like raging storms.
The explosion that followed outshone the sun itself. For a brief instant, the heavens were painted in white light, as if a second sun had been born.
Waves of destructive force rolled outward, shaking the mountain to its core.
"Yunlan Sect disciples!" Yun Leng shouted, eyes wide. "Form the defensive array! Do not allow the shockwave to spread!"
"Yes!"
In perfect unison, the disciples' auras connected, forming a vast multicolored barrier that spread across the square.
The blast hit an instant later. The energy roared like a hurricane, battering against the barrier. The shield trembled violently but held fast—though many weaker disciples staggered back, faces pale.
---
In the center of the storm, Xiao Yan's Dou Qi was nearly spent. Gritting his teeth, he crouched beneath the Heavy Xuan Ruler, using it as his only shield.
Above him, Nalan Yanran's situation was even more perilous. Midair with nothing to anchor her, she fell through the turbulence like a wounded bird, barely able to dodge with what little Dou Qi remained.
Slowly, the blinding light began to fade. The roaring winds died down, replaced by silence.
Thick smoke veiled the square. Every gaze turned toward it, breath held.
"Y-Young Sect Master… Young Sect Master…" murmured the disciples anxiously.
As the haze finally dispersed, Nalan Yanran emerged from within. Her azure armor had completely vanished, and her moon-white robe was torn and scorched, revealing patches of bruised, blackened skin beneath. Her delicate body trembled with exhaustion, yet her sword still stood planted firmly before her.
Her lips parted as she gasped for breath, pale but resolute, refusing to fall.
'Xiao Yan… If not for my slightly higher cultivation, today's outcome would be uncertain,' she thought silently, eyes soft with a strange mix of pride and melancholy.
A short distance away, Xiao Yan crawled weakly from beneath his Heavy Xuan Ruler. Blood trickled down his arm as he struggled to stand—but his body refused to obey.
His vision dimmed as he stared at her unyielding silhouette.
The result… was decided.
(End of Chapter)
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