The duel born from the Three-Year Agreement had taken many twists and turns. Yet now, in the center of the Yunlan Sect's grand plaza, only Nalan Yanran remained standing.
"Young Sect Master...!"
"Young Sect Master!"
Outside the field, the protective energy barrier finally dissipated. The Yunlan Sect disciples erupted into cheers, faces flushed red with excitement.
What was expected to be a one-sided battle had instead turned into a desperate struggle against Xiao Yan's ferocious resurgence. Their hearts had ridden the same waves of tension as Nalan Yanran's blade — but at last, victory belonged to their Young Sect Master.
No words could capture the emotion that filled the plaza; those simple, passionate shouts were the truest display of their pride.
Yun Yun lightly exhaled, calming the Dou Qi surging through her meridians. Her serene face softened with a gentle smile, though her eyes shimmered with concern as she gazed at Nalan Yanran.
"Today's battle must have made you laugh, Master Liu Xi," she said warmly. "I must check on my disciple's injuries first. Forgive me for not keeping you company."
"It's fine. Please, Sect Master Yun, take your time — your disciple's well-being comes first," Liu Xi replied with a smile. His gaze then turned toward Xiao Yan, who was half-kneeling on the ground, his bloodshot eyes burning with unwillingness.
"With your temperament," Liu Xi said softly, "I doubt you'll accept this loss quietly, like some beaten dog on the roadside."
Nalan Yanran turned her eyes toward him. Xiao Yan's expression was twisted and feral; despite the tremor in his body, he still tried to stand. A faint weariness flashed across her gaze.
Slowly, she drew from her Storage Ring a crumpled, timeworn sheet of paper — its edges frayed from too many foldings. Her voice, hoarse but clear, carried across the silent plaza.
"Xiao Yan, today... I've won. From this moment forth, there is nothing left between us."
"I'll have someone prepare the best healing pills for you. When your injuries recover, you'll be escorted safely down the mountain."
"When I, too, recover, I'll visit Uncle Xiao in person to apologize. The Xiao Clan will not suffer shame because of me."
"And this… I'll return it to you."
A soft breeze rose, wrapping around the sheet of paper in her hand. It drifted lightly through the air and fell before Xiao Yan's feet.
Lowering his head, Xiao Yan saw that it had unfolded — the slanted, uneven handwriting upon it was unmistakable. It was the divorce letter he himself had written three years ago.
His breathing grew heavier. His bloodshot eyes brimmed with fury and humiliation, a violent emotion surging straight to his head, tearing apart what little reason he had left.
Rip—!
Xiao Yan's trembling fingers tore the letter into shreds. Lowering his head, a low, twisted laugh escaped his throat.
"Heh... heh... Teacher," he muttered, voice rough, "I haven't lost yet! You're the Medicine Sovereign, the greatest alchemist on the continent! You must have a way... I need power — now!"
A weary sigh echoed in his mind — the voice of Yao Chen, filled with helplessness.
"Xiao Yan... your body is like a sieve, leaking from every pore. The Dou Crystal in your dantian flickers weakly. You must rest and recover, or you'll suffer irreparable damage — injuries that will cripple your future breakthroughs."
"Let's leave for now. When we return, I'll make sure you have the strength to wipe Yunlan Sect from existence. Then... you can vent however you please."
"Leave...?" Xiao Yan slowly lifted his bloodshot eyes, sweeping his gaze across the plaza — Nalan Yanran's tired but triumphant face, the Yunlan disciples' ecstatic cheers, and the satisfied smiles of the elders upon the high platform.
His lips curled into a cold smile.
"Alright, Teacher," he said softly. "But before we go... can you make my body move? I can't... even stand."
Yao Chen's voice seemed to ease slightly. "It can be done. I'll lend you my strength for a while. We'll take this chance to leave — we won't need that woman's help. Trusting a tiger is never wise."
A vast wave of Spiritual Power flowed into Xiao Yan's body, linking with his own soul and filling his limbs.
On the high platform, the elders led by Yun Leng finally allowed themselves to relax.
Standing tall, Yun Leng looked upon the exhausted Nalan Yanran, his aged face alight with pride.
"This duel's outcome is clear," he declared loudly. "The victor is our Young Sect Master, Nalan Yanran!"
"Come — escort Brother Xiao Yan for treatment. From this day forth, all past grievances are—"
"Old dog! I haven't lost! Don't you dare decide for me!"
The furious roar cut through Yun Leng's words like thunder. His face darkened instantly as rage surged to his eyes.
The shout had, of course, come from Xiao Yan — interrupting him for the third time.
Blood-red eyes, twisted grin, and feral breath — Xiao Yan stood shakily, laughter cracking from his throat.
Wild, violent energy suddenly burst from his body.
Peak Da Dou Shi...
Dou Ling...
Dou Wang...
Dou Huang!
The rising aura finally stabilized — powerful, suffocating. The entire plaza fell into stunned silence.
"D–Dou Huang?!"
Even Yun Leng's fury froze. His shock overtook everything else as he bellowed, "Xiao Yan! I don't care what trick you used to obtain this false strength, but even a true Dou Huang cannot act wantonly in my Yunlan Sect!"
"Today's duel was fair and just. If you plan to abuse this power to run wild — then don't blame us for suppressing you in the name of justice!"
"Heh... abuse power?" Xiao Yan's laughter turned hollow and insane. Raising his palm, a powerful suction burst forth.
The massive Heavy Xuan Ruler on the ground trembled, then shot into his hand.
He gripped it tightly, his crimson eyes locking onto Nalan Yanran's pale face.
"Nalan Yanran! Go die!"
A violent gale erupted as he lunged forward, the Ruler cutting through the air like a storm. Killing intent flooded the entire square.
Frozen under that murderous aura, Nalan Yanran's delicate body wouldn't move. Her beautiful face turned ashen with panic.
'Move... please, move…'
The elders could only stare from the platform — even Yun Yun, having just reached the plaza's edge, was a step too late.
Everything happened too fast. In the next instant, Nalan Yanran would surely die—
"Impudent! Wind Wall!"
"How dare you!"
A fierce roar accompanied a violent surge of Dou Huang energy. Yun Yun's delicate hand waved, summoning a tempest of wind. Layers of translucent air barriers formed instantly around Nalan Yanran.
But Xiao Yan — bolstered by Yao Chen's borrowed strength — struck with boundless fury.
"Break!"
The Heavy Xuan Ruler smashed through the Wind Walls one by one. Though they slowed his charge slightly, nothing could truly stop him.
Within three meters of Nalan Yanran, his demonic face twisted into a grin of pure delight as he swung the Ruler down—
"Stone Wall!"
A wall of rock suddenly rose from the ground, shielding Nalan Yanran. The Ruler shattered it in an instant, debris flying — but when it struck the figure behind the wall, it wasn't the cry of a young woman that followed.
"Argh!"
A hoarse, aged scream tore through the air.
From behind the crumbling wall, Yun Yun rushed in, her eyes blazing with fury as countless Wind Blades shot forth from her jade-like hands.
Xiao Yan was forced to retreat, his Ruler raised to block both the blades and Yun Yun's killing intent.
Behind the fallen wall, Nalan Yanran knelt beside a bleeding elder — Yun Leng. His right arm had been severed at the shoulder, crimson blood soaking his sleeve.
"Grand Elder!" Nalan Yanran's voice trembled, on the verge of tears.
Yun Leng's face was pale, yet his eyes remained gentle. He forced a smile despite the pain.
"Do not worry, Young Sect Master," he rasped. "Just one arm... even if it costs this old life, I will protect you."
Seeing that Nalan Yanran was unharmed, Yun Yun finally exhaled — though her eyes now burned with wrath.
"Xiao Yan," she hissed, her tone glacial, "do you truly think the Yunlan Sect has no one to stop you?"
Xiao Yan ignored her, his red eyes still fixed on Nalan Yanran. His lips curled into a cruel grin.
"Heh... so it was you, old dog," he sneered. "Shame I didn't smash your head in while I was at it!"
(End of Chapter)
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