On the square of the Yunlan Sect, as those resolute words fell, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from Xiao Yan's body.
"An eight-star Grand Dou Master!"
"How is that possible? Even if Xiao Yan's talent returned, it's absolutely impossible for him to reach such a level in just three years!"
"Could it be that he knew he was no match for the young sect master and used some self-destructive method?"
"That's the only reason. I've never heard of anyone advancing so quickly. Even Master Lin Feng didn't advance so fast."
"Yes, yes, it seems that Xiao Yan really doesn't care about anything for victory."
"It's a pity that Xiao Yan's talent is still not weak."
"What's a pity? He actually dared to provoke our Yunlan Sect. He's really ignorant. If it weren't for the sect master's mercy, our Yunlan Sect could easily wipe out the Xiao family with just a Douling Elder."
"Yes, yes."
"..."
Seeing the aura that Xiao Yan unleashed, the Yunlan Sect disciples around the square were all shocked. Then they guessed that Xiao Yan must have used some forbidden method and began to laugh.
"Master Lin Feng, Xiao Yan's advancement is so rapid, did he use some forbidden method?"
Atop a large tree, Nalan Jie felt a pang of pain upon witnessing Xiao Yan's explosive aura. If his granddaughter hadn't acted on her own, he would have a powerful grandson-in-law. Moreover, he had actually advanced to an eight-star Great Dou Master in just three years. Thinking of this, Nalan Jie couldn't help but darkly speculate whether Xiao Yan had used some self-destructive method.
Hearing Nalan Jie's question, Hai Bodong and the others also turned their gazes towards him, a hint of curiosity in their eyes. After all, if Xiao Yan had truly advanced to an eight-star Great Dou Master in just three years, he might even have the potential to become a Dou Zong in the future!
"I don't know whether Xiao Yan used self-destructive methods to advance," Lin Feng said, glancing at Nalan Jie indifferently until Nalan Jie felt somewhat guilty before continuing, "However, judging from his stable Dou Qi, his advancement should be normal, as you all should be able to see."
Despite their suspicions, everyone was still terrified after Lin Feng confirmed it, and they all gasped.
"Silence!"
Yun Leng, unaware of Lin Feng's conversation, shouted again, stopping the many Yunlan Sect disciples from their discussions, and then slowly flew to the center of the plaza.
"Young friend Xiao Yan, today's competition is in accordance with the agreement you made with our sect's young sect leader three years ago. Since that's the case, it should stop when you've reached your goal! Young friend Xiao Yan..."
"Today, we will determine the victor and decide life and death!"
Before Yun Leng could finish speaking, Xiao Yan interrupted him sharply. He slowly raised his head, revealing a resolute face, and looked at Nalan Yanran, who had remained silent. He slowly raised the Xuan Heavy Ruler, pointed it at Nalan Yanran, and spoke.
"Nalan Yanran, today, I, Xiao Yan, will make you pay the price for the humiliation of three years ago!"
"Xiao Yan, I admit that my actions three years ago may have been wrong, but if I had to do it all over again, I would still choose to annul the engagement. My marriage is my own decision!"
"Hahaha," Xiao Yan laughed wildly, his usual composure vanishing, his face contorted with rage as he stared at the calm Nalan Yanran. "Easy for you to say. Do you know how much harm you caused me back then, and what a blow it was to my father? The head of a clan, publicly humiliated by a junior—how could he possibly command respect?"
"Xiao Yan, I'm sorry!" Nalan Yanran bit her lip. "But today, let's settle this with a victory. If you lose today, it's all for naught. If I lose, I'm willing to leave the Yunlan Sect and become your slave!"
"Yanran!"
Seeing his beloved granddaughter utter such words, Nalan Jie, watching from outside the plaza, immediately became anxious.
"Young Sect Master!"
"Elder Yunling, there's no need for further words. My mind is made up!"
"Hahaha, you're still as arrogant as ever. Do you think you're so important?"
Xiao Yan scoffed at Nalan Yanran's words, acting as if he'd suffered a great injustice with just a few words. If he'd known this would happen, why didn't he secretly annul the engagement back then, making his father lose face?
"You're right, let's settle this with a fight!"
As soon as Xiao Yan finished speaking, his Dou Qi surged, and with the support of the low-level Xuan-rank technique, the Burning Technique, he swung the massive Xuan Heavy Ruler fiercely at Nalan Yanran.
"Hmph, utterly ignorant!"
Yunling, who had been ignored from beginning to end, was now furious at Xiao Yan's impoliteness. He flung his hand, his Dou Qi wings flapping behind him, leaving the battlefield to the two of them.
"Clang."
Seeing Xiao Yan's powerful attack, Nalan Yanran, who should have dodged, stood still and raised her longsword to clash with him.
"Xiao Yan, I'll show you that I, who have been tempered in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, am not a pampered sect disciple! My sword will also show you that my decision back then was not wrong!"
The two clashed at an extremely fast speed. In the eyes of ordinary Yunlan Sect disciples, they only saw a fiery red figure wielding a huge black ruler colliding with a gust of wind.
But in the eyes of many Dou Wang powerhouses, the two were evenly matched and had rich combat experience.
"Is the young sect master holding back? With her one-star Dou Ling realm, she should be able to crush Xiao Yan, who is only an eight-star Great Dou Master!"
Yun Ling, who was acting as the referee on the outer edge of the square, was somewhat puzzled. Not only her, but as the battle between the two continued, their auras were inevitably detected.
While some were shocked that the young sect leader of the Yunlan Sect had advanced to the Dou Ling realm at such a young age, even more astonished was that Xiao Yan, at the level of an eight-star Great Dou Shi, could fight him to a standstill.
Nalan Jie smiled inwardly at the crowd's astonishment. He was truly going all out to ensure his granddaughter could inherit the Yunlan Sect. He provided her with the Five Elements Pills for each realm with all his might. Of course, due to Lin Feng's warning, Nalan Jie didn't tell his granddaughter the origin of these pills.
It must be said that although Nalan Jie was a fickle opportunist, such a person would never betray a strong person. Even now, Nalan Yanran still believed that the Five Elements Pills her grandfather had consumed at the Dou Shi and Great Dou Shi realms were obtained from some ancient ruins.
Of course, Nalan Jie's support for Nalan Yanran didn't stop there; the reason his realm was so much higher than in the original story was... On one hand, it was because she had undergone more than a year of training in the Monster Mountain Range, fully unleashing her potential, which was the reason for her rich combat experience.
On the other hand, it was because Nalan Jie spent a great deal of money to exchange for a top-grade Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill from Lin Feng. This allowed Nalan Yanran to advance two or three stars in the Great Dou Master realm, which was an important reason why she could advance to Dou Ling at such a young age.
On the Yunlan Sect square, while Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were clashing with all their might, in the back mountain of the Yunlan Sect, where the previous sect master Yun Shan was in seclusion, a cloud of mist exuding an evil aura shrouded the place, completely destroying the ethereal atmosphere of the place, seemingly foreshadowing the destruction of the Yunlan Sect.
"Yun Shan, I want you to harvest the souls of those three sixth-grade alchemists. If you can do that, then capture Xiao Yan of the Xiao family as well."
From within the dark mist, an evil voice came.
"Guardian Heron, if it were that guy Fa Ma, it would be one thing, but that Master Lin Feng not only has a formidable reputation in the Jia Ma Empire, but he is also an elder of Canaan Academy. Presumably, you are also a protector of Canaan Academy. My Yunlan Sect cannot withstand his attack."
Just when Guardian Heron thought that Yun Shan would obediently comply, Yun Shan's calm words rang out, but the implication in his words infuriated Guardian Heron. The black mist exuding an evil aura trembled violently.
"Yun Shan, you should know who helped you advance to the Dou Zong realm. Since I could help you, I naturally have the means to control you."
After being angry for a while, Guardian Heron spoke again, and the meaning behind his words was chilling.
"Yunshan, if you want to live, obediently harvest the souls of those three sixth-grade alchemists. Don't worry, I promise I'll join forces. If you succeed, helping you advance to the intermediate Dou Zong level won't be difficult."
After a pause, Protector Lu continued.
"However, if you don't know what's good for you, hehehe..."
The black mist vanished instantly, leaving only Yunshan's grim expression and a strange laugh echoing in the air. However, if Protector Lu were to observe Yunshan's expression closely, he would notice a slight discordance in Yunshan's grim face, as if it were feigned.
"Just as Master Lin Feng said, Protector Lu is indeed using such methods to threaten me. If it weren't for Master Lin Feng's reminder, I would have truly made a grave mistake."
Yunshan recalled the night a few days ago, when he was in seclusion cultivating, while Protector Lu was not above Yunlan Sect. As for where he went, Yunshan had no idea. After all, this evil-looking fellow was always elusive, appearing and disappearing like a dragon. He was the one seeking out Yunshan, while Yunshan had no means to contact him.
"Crack."
"Who!?"
Yunshan, who was cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes and roared, emanating a powerful Dou Zong aura. If Yunshan observed closely, he would have noticed that this powerful aura was not leaking outwards at all. It was Lin Feng, who had secretly come to visit, deliberately kicking the rock wall beside him, making a slight noise.
"Elder Yunshan, I am Lin Feng. Please forgive my intrusion!"
Seeing Yunshan awaken, Lin Feng revealed himself and stated his origins.
"Oh? You are the recently renowned Master Lin Feng of the Jia Ma Empire? However, breaking in here so late at night seems a bit impolite!?"
(End of Chapter)