NOVEL NEXT Chapter 429 The three-year agreement begins!
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The rising sun pierced through the darkness, and the massive Cloud Mist Mountain stood not far from the Jia Ma Empire Royal Family's capital, casting a long, slanted shadow.
Xiao Yan slowly walked into the Miteer Family's courtyard, where a Thick-Winged Bird was already waiting.
Miteer Tengshan, Miteer Ya Fei, and Hai Bodong stood by the Thick-Winged Bird's feet.
"Little Brother Xiao Yan, you can do it…" Ya Fei stepped forward to smooth the wrinkles on his collar, saying softly with a charming tone.
"I will win," Xiao Yan replied with full confidence.
"Let's go, it's getting late," Hai Bodong leaped onto the Thick-Winged Bird's back.
Xiao Yan followed him.
The enormous Thick-Winged Bird flapped its wings, and a gust of wind raged through the courtyard.
It made Tengshan and Ya Fei's clothes flap loudly.
Ya Fei gazed at Xiao Yan, silent for a long time, until he disappeared from her sight.
Miteer Tengshan looked at her like that and showed a hint of teasing: "What, are you interested? If you are, then boldly pursue him; the family will support you."
Ya Fei adjusted the monocle over her right eye, curving her lips into a smile:
"I've always been very fond of him…"
The Thick-Winged Bird slowly approached Cloud Mist Mountain, and just as they were about to arrive, Hai Bodong suddenly said:
"I'll go ahead. Later, let the Yunlan Sect guys open their eyes and let them know what a genius is… Let them know what they truly missed out on!"
"I will," Xiao Yan chuckled softly.
The Thick-Winged Bird set him down about a kilometer from Cloud Mist Mountain.
For this final stretch, Xiao Yan didn't use his Purple Cloud Wings to rush but instead walked at a steady pace towards the mountain peak that almost filled his entire view, towering into the clouds.
A single person, a black robe, an ancient ruler, like an ascetic.
Three years of tempering were for this day, three years of struggle were to let the person who had once trampled his dignity underfoot know:
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully a young man in poverty!
Stepping on the dust, leaving shallow footprints, Xiao Yan's heart gradually calmed down, as his slightly unstable aura, which had just broken through three levels, also gradually receded.
Passing by the Jia Ma Empire Royal Family's army stationed at the foot of Cloud Mist Mountain, Xiao Yan glanced at the continuous tents before withdrawing his gaze.
Following the main road to the foot of Cloud Mist Mountain, both sides were lush with vegetation, and a bluestone staircase extending to the end of his sight appeared ahead, like a ladder to the heavens.
He lightly stepped onto the first stone step, officially arriving at Cloud Mist Mountain. His heart rippled slightly before quickly settling.
He walked up this long staircase one step at a time, just as he had improved himself in the midst of blades, swords, blood, and fire, one step at a time, over the past three years.
When he completed the last step of the staircase, he arrived at a large plaza paved with ancient giant stones. In the center of the plaza, there was a stone tablet recording the names of all previous Sect Masters of the Yunlan Sect and those who had made significant contributions.
On both sides of the plaza, Yunlan Sect disciples sat cross-legged, numbering nearly a thousand. They wore neat moon-white uniforms, and a wisp of sword intent permeated the air, making them appear solemn and formidable.
His gaze swept past the stone tablet in the center of the plaza, past the nearly thousand disciples on both sides, and landed on the tiered stone seats at the end of the plaza.
The topmost position was empty, presumably for the Sect Master who had not yet returned.
After lingering on this empty seat for a moment, his gaze shifted downwards, seeing more than a dozen white-robed Elders sitting cross-legged, continuing further down, finally settling on a beautiful and refined face.
The beautiful young woman in a moon-white gown also slowly opened her eyes and stood up.
The black-clad young man's gaze and the white-clad young woman's gaze met in mid-air, as if sparks were colliding.
"Xiao Family, Xiao Yan!"
The young man's powerful voice echoed through the plaza.
Responding to him was the young woman's clear voice:
"Nalan Family, Nalan Yanran."
On both sides of the plaza, there were many towering trees, and at the tops of these trees, many figures stood, all representatives of the major forces of the Empire invited by the Yunlan Sect to observe the battle.
"Is that the rumored useless young master of the Xiao Family who couldn't contain Dou Qi? He doesn't look like it at all… I feel he's stronger than many people here."
Jia Xingtian glanced at the young people brought by various family leaders to gain experience, saying with a light chuckle.
"The Nalan Family really misjudged this time," Mu Chen said to Nalan Jie beside him with a hint of teasing.
Nalan Jie glared at him fiercely and let out a cold snort. He looked at Xiao Yan's figure with some surprise and uncertainty; he felt that the figure seemed somewhat familiar.
Hai Bodong ate a banana, casually tossing the peel aside, and his Dou Qi surged, forming an ice chair on the treetop.
He sat on the chair, resting his head on his right hand, and chuckled, "He's not that simple. Let's just watch the show."
"Old Man Hai, your Ice Force is truly becoming more refined," Jia Xingtian praised.
Hai Bodong shook his head: "I was sealed by that woman Medusa for so long that my strength couldn't grow. Being idle, I could only research cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques."
Among the Yunlan Sect disciples, some whispers also arose.
"Is this really that rumored waste from the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City? Why do I feel like he's stronger than me?"
Those with better eyesight, casting aside their preconceived notions of Xiao Yan and carefully scrutinizing him, voiced their doubts.
Perhaps this is the World of geniuses; I might not even be as good as a waste. The more pessimistic disciples thought silently.
"Hmph, just putting on airs. In a moment, Senior Sister Nalan will make him reveal his true colors," someone else said disdainfully.
Nalan Yanran gazed across the plaza at that somewhat aloof figure. Compared to the Xiao Yan who had erupted with sharpness in a fit of rage three years ago, he was undoubtedly more composed now.
He must have experienced a lot and endured much hardship… A hint of apology flickered in her eyes, then quickly vanished.
But why does he look at me so strangely? Besides some anger, there seems to be something else… Nalan Yanran felt this gaze seemed somewhat familiar.
The Yunlan Sect Elders sitting on the stone steps above exchanged glances, and several felt a subtle unease. This Xiao Yan did not seem easy to provoke.
Was the act of widely inviting guests too rash?
"You, are you Xiao Yan?" The Great Elder Yun Leng, sitting in the middle of the Elder seats, slowly rose. "The Sect Master has not yet returned, so today's three-year agreement will be presided over by me. This competition is intended as a friendly spar, stopping at…"
"Why so many rules? Let fate decide," Xiao Yan interrupted him lightly.
Although he hadn't intended to strike too heavily in the match, Xiao Yan had no good feelings towards these Yunlan Sect Elders and disliked their self-important rule-making.
He hadn't forgotten that it was this group of Elders who had invited so many people and continuously escalated the matter.
Yun Leng's words were interrupted, and a faint dissatisfaction appeared on his face.
"As you wish," Nalan Yanran nodded slightly.
Yun Leng shook his head: "Young and impetuous, not knowing to leave a margin for error, but since you both agree, then let's proceed as you wish.
"However, remember to try and hold back some strength during the fight, don't cause any fatalities. I hope that regardless of the outcome, your grievances will be completely settled after today…"
Xiao Yan ignored the rambling old man and looked at Nalan Yanran:
"Past cause, present effect. Since mistakes were made, the price must be paid. My Xiao Family has endured enough humiliation for three years. Next, I will return it to your Nalan Family, one by one."
Nalan Yanran's expression was solemn: "My past actions were wrong, but if time were to rewind, I would still make the same choice. My marriage is my own to decide; Nalan Yanran will not marry someone I do not love.
"Today's battle not only concerns me but also the Yunlan Sect… I will not hold back."
"Heh…" Xiao Yan shook his head slightly, a cold sneer curling his lips: "Hold back? You're still the same, as high and mighty as ever… Who are you planning to hold back against?"
Xiao Yan took a step forward, and the aura of a Four-Star Dou Grandmaster burst forth without reservation.
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