An overwhelming pressure erupted from deep within the Yunlan Sect—vast and boundless, it engulfed the entire Yunlan Mountain in an instant. The terrifying aura swept across heaven and earth, spreading outward from the mountain's core until even the great plaza trembled under its weight.
Yun Yun, still struggling to maintain the Cloud Pattern Shield, felt her delicate face pale. The sudden surge of power left her stunned and helpless. She had never expected that even her teacher would be forced out of seclusion. Biting her lip, she thought bitterly, It seems I truly am an unqualified Sect Master.
The moment that majestic aura appeared, Yun Leng and the other elders of Yunlan Sect—who had been tending to their wounds—instantly turned toward the sect's depths. Awe filled their faces as they dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.
This was the true heritage of Yunlan Sect.
All the disciples who were still conscious followed suit. Their eyes burned with fanatic devotion as they knelt toward the source of that mighty aura, their hearts pounding with reverence.
"That aura…" Nalan Yanran's crimson lips parted slightly, her beautiful eyes widening in disbelief. "Even Grandmaster Yun Shan, who has been in closed-door cultivation for years, has been alarmed…" Whatever guilt she once felt toward Xiao Yan was now completely washed away.
Xiao Yan, however, felt sheer horror. This was a presence he had never encountered before—far beyond Queen Medusa's peak Dou Huang might, a power that seemed to suffocate the very air. His lips twitched involuntarily. "Could this be… someone above Dou Zong?"
He had never once imagined Yunlan Sect harbored a hidden Dou Zong powerhouse. Even with Yao Chen's protection, he felt his confidence waver. "Teacher," he muttered under his breath, "can you handle this?"
"This is… troublesome," Yao Chen replied, his tone heavy.
Dealing with a Dou Zong was no simple feat. Lending Xiao Yan his strength was one thing—but to directly battle such an expert, Yao Chen would need to take control of Xiao Yan's body himself. Doing so would leave traces of his soul origin behind, harming both his own spirit and Xiao Yan's future talent. Unless absolutely necessary, it was not worth the cost.
Ling Ying's face darkened as well. As the guardian assigned by the Gu Clan to protect Gu Xun'er, he had seen even Dou Zun-level beings before. Yet at this moment, he could feel clearly that he was no match for the power that had just awakened. If he failed to take Xiao Yan away safely, Gu Xun'er would likely flay him alive upon his return.
The mighty aura from the mountain's depths grew stronger still. Then—
A resonant cry echoed across the heavens.
A terrifying surge of energy erupted skyward, shattering the dense cloud sea and dark mist above Yunlan Sect. Sunlight poured down through the massive hole that appeared in the heavens, bathing the mountain in golden light once more.
Under countless awestruck gazes, a white silhouette emerged from the depths of the sect, stepping slowly into view.
The figure did not manifest Dou Qi wings, yet he stood suspended in the air. With each step, ripples of energy spread across the void beneath his feet, and with every ripple's fade, his form appeared a hundred meters closer—ethereal and mysterious.
After only a few steps, the white-haired figure arrived above the plaza.
He wore a simple white robe; his long snow-white hair drifted behind him in the wind. Despite his age, his face was smooth and unlined, giving him a youthful, almost immortal bearing.
With a sweep of his sleeves, waves of mysterious energy rippled outward like flowing water. The distorted space and raging energies that had filled the sky moments ago were instantly calmed.
Even Ling Ying and Xiao Yan tensed at the sight. That violent spatial turbulence—so fierce that even Dou Huang experts dared not approach—had been smoothed away effortlessly by this man.
A Dou Zong... truly terrifying.
When all was quiet again, the white-haired elder surveyed the devastated sect below. His brows furrowed deeply as his stern voice rang out.
"Yun Yun, how have you been leading the sect? If I hadn't awakened from seclusion, Yunlan Sect would have been destroyed under your hands!"
"Teacher…"
The usually composed and elegant Sect Master Yun Yun now looked like a scolded child. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with grievance and helplessness beneath her teacher's stern gaze.
She had led the sect with diligence and care for years—who could have foreseen that a matter concerning Xiao Yan would spiral so far out of control? Yet now that Yun Shan himself had emerged, the first to be blamed was her. Bitter as she felt, she had no excuse.
Lowering her head, Yun Yun bowed deeply before calmly recounting every detail—from Xiao Yan's arrival at Yunlan Sect to the current devastation—without embellishment or omission.
The plaza fell silent. Only Yun Yun's clear, melodic voice lingered in the air.
Above, Xiao Yan gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler tightly, his face expressionless. Everything she said was true, and he did not deny it.
Ever since losing to Nalan Yanran, his rage and humiliation had grown unbearable. He had sworn to one day reclaim his pride—but when Nalan Yanran later presented him with the divorce letter he had written in anger years ago, that last thread of restraint had snapped.
His fury consumed his reason, burning away all patience and caution until only one thought remained—kill.
He had even considered luring Queen Medusa to obliterate Yunlan Sect entirely, regardless of the risk.
Even if it meant courting death—he would not stop.
Yun Shan's gaze shifted first to Ling Ying, wary of this outsider who had insulted Yunlan Sect's ancestors. But soon his attention turned to Xiao Yan. His tone was calm but heavy.
"I've heard of the three-year agreement between you and Yanran," he said. "According to what Yun Yun just told me—do you admit it?"
Xiao Yan met that overwhelming gaze without flinching. "I admit it."
"Lacking in restraint," Yun Shan said coldly, "but at least you show some measure of courage."
"Then, Sect Master Yun Shan," Xiao Yan said quietly, his fingers tightening around the ruler, "What do you intend to do?"
He already knew—now that Yun Shan had appeared, there would be no easy way out. Unless he let his teacher take over his body, this battle would end in blood.
"What do I intend?" Yun Shan's voice remained calm, yet the killing intent beneath it was unmistakable. "You and your allies have brought chaos upon my Yunlan Sect. You destroyed half our mountain gate, insulted our founding ancestor, and dragged our reputation through the mud."
"My Yunlan Sect is a righteous order. We do not punish the innocent—but as for you… today, you shall stay here forever."
He paused, his gaze turning to Ling Ying. "And you—an expert from the Central Plains, are you not? Though I have been secluded for years, I still know most of the great powers. Which force do you serve?"
Ling Ying chuckled and took a step forward, subtly placing himself between Yun Shan and Xiao Yan. "I didn't expect Yunlan Sect to hide a Dou Zong within its walls. Impressive. That's enough to barely qualify you as a second-rate force on the continent—perhaps even first-rate in this northwest region."
Though his tone carried a trace of mockery, even Ling Ying's arrogance tempered before a Dou Zong. His smile faded, voice turning hard.
"However, I'd advise you not to touch this young man. Even a Dou Zong would regret it if he crossed certain powers. Don't make a mistake you can't undo."
"You're threatening me?" Yun Shan's brows knit together.
Ling Ying shook his head slowly. "No. I'm giving you good advice."
Threat or warning—what difference did it make?
As the former Sect Master, Yun Shan would never bow to such words. Half his sect lay in ruins, their ancestral name dragged through the dirt. If he yielded now, Yunlan Sect's thousand-year prestige would be shattered forever.
"You both attack together," Yun Shan said quietly. "The honor built by generations of Yunlan disciples will not be lost in my hands. Should there be vengeance in the future…"
His eyes narrowed, his tone resolute. "I alone will bear it."
With that, he raised his palm casually. The heavens themselves shuddered in response as endless Dou Qi energy surged around him, and the void trembled unceasingly.
(End of Chapter)
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