Because of its unique terrain, the Black-Corner Region had become practically the most chaotic place on the entire continent. Countless powerful fugitives from various nations had fled there and established the most savage rules. Moreover, all manner of races besides humans gathered there, making it a miniature reflection of the continent itself.
In the Black-Corner Region, there were no laws to bind anyone.
There was only one rule: the law of the jungle. In other words, the weak were meat for the strong.
The weak had no right to survive there.
And Jia Nan Academy had been built in precisely such a place.
The thought of Jia Nan Academy made Nalan Chaoge shudder. But then he remembered that idiot Xiao Yan had actually left a stunning beauty like Xun'er behind to go off training alone.
Nalan Chaoge was so delighted that he wanted to throw back his head and laugh.
He had to visit Jia Nan Academy, Qingshan Town, and the Tagor Desert. As for the Amethyst Winged Lion King and Yun Yun deep within the Magical Beast Forest-especially Yun Yun-without the pact between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan, she probably would not go into the Magical Beast Forest to seek out the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
As long as Yun Yun stayed out of the Magical Beast Forest, she would not meet Xiao Yan. Once he untangled that knot involving Yun Yun, even if he lacked the Misty Cloud Sect's support in the future, at least his confrontation with Xiao Yan would not leave Nalan Yanran caught in the middle.
"Visiting Jia Nan Academy wouldn't be a bad idea. It certainly can hone a person's ability to fight and kill. Yanran has spent too long in the Misty Cloud Sect. She's far too gentle in her dealings with others!" Ge Ye gave Nalan Yanran an affectionate look.
"Uncle Ge, whenever I wanted to go out and train, weren't you the ones stopping me?" Nalan Yanran said with a touch of petulance.
"All right, all right. Once you're strong enough, I won't stop you!"
Seeing the familial warmth between Nalan Yanran and the people of the Misty Cloud Sect, Nalan Chaoge felt that everything he had done was worthwhile.
They chatted a while longer, then decided it was time to head back.
Nalan Yanran had concealed her trip to break off the engagement from Nalan Jie. If the old man found out, there was no telling what trouble might erupt.
Nalan Chaoge carefully sensed his surroundings. Apart from the sounds of a few magical beasts moving about and the cries of unfamiliar birds, there seemed to be no one following them.
Of course, even if Xun'er's bodyguard Ling Ying had followed them, Nalan Chaoge would not have been able to detect him.
"Um... Sis, did only the three of you come? I mean, didn't your master come along?" Nalan Chaoge asked tentatively.
"No. Master went away to train and hasn't returned yet!" Nalan Yanran looked at him in puzzlement.
"Oh, it's nothing! Well, let's go!" Nalan Chaoge paused, then seemed to understand. Apparently, they did not know that Yun Yun was secretly protecting them.
That made sense. Naturally, the sect had its own ways of ensuring that its geniuses were not killed by others.
"Come on, Xiao Ge. Let's go home. It's been so long, I've missed you! You used to follow me everywhere, asking me to teach you swordsmanship!" Nalan Yanran took Nalan Chaoge's hand and smiled softly.
Her words brought memories of the past back to Nalan Chaoge, one sweet scene after another washing over his heart.
They had walked a short distance when Nalan Yanran suddenly noticed that Yun Feng was still standing where he had been.
"Senior Brother Feng, what's wrong?" Nalan Yanran asked.
"Fight me!" Yun Feng said flatly.
"Hm?" Nalan Yanran looked at him in confusion.
"I meant him!" Yun Feng turned slightly, his gaze settling on Nalan Chaoge.
Yun Feng was the disciple of Yun Leng, the Misty Cloud Sect's Great Elder. Before Nalan Yanran appeared, he had been the sect's greatest genius.
He had also been an object of admiration for countless disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect.
But after Nalan Yanran's talent was discovered, Yun Feng gradually stepped back behind her, quietly watching over her.
Now that Nalan Chaoge was going to fight on Nalan Yanran's behalf, Yun Feng naturally could not rest easy.
Between men, there was always a certain instinctive understanding.
"Senior Brother Feng, what are you saying? You're already a Five-star Dou Zhe! How could Xiao Ge possibly be your match?" Nalan Yanran grew anxious, though she did not take his challenge too seriously. Senior Brother Yun Feng always looked after her. Whenever she was unwilling to do something, he would always take her side.
"If he can't beat me, he won't be able to beat Xiao Yan in the Three-Year Pact!" Yun Feng said stubbornly.
Ge Ye stood to one side, watching the exchange between these young geniuses without attempting to stop them.
"Does it have to be here?" Nalan Chaoge looked the man who fancied his sister up and down.
"It does!" The man was sparing with his words, but an eagerness to fight danced in his eyes.
"You really are a Five-star Dou Zhe?" Nalan Chaoge asked, still uneasy.
"Yes!"
"You aren't hiding your strength? You're not a Five-Star Dou Master or anything?"
"No!"
"You don't have some secret art that boosts your strength, do you?"
"No!"
"And no ridiculously powerful, heaven-defying Battle Skill?"
"The Misty Cloud Sect's highest Battle Skill is a Profound-tier High-grade Dou Technique!"
"Oh, good. That puts my mind at ease!" Nalan Chaoge nodded, then held up one finger toward Yun Feng.
"Hm?" Yun Feng looked at him in confusion.
"One move!" Nalan Chaoge regarded Yun Feng arrogantly. "Take one move from me. If you can withstand it, I'll play with you a little. If you can't, go back to your mountain and train properly. A man protects his woman with strength, not by acting cool!"
After speaking, Nalan Chaoge glanced at the slightly bashful Nalan Yanran beside him.
Yun Feng froze in surprise, then his face instantly flushed red.
Without another word, he drew the longsword from his back with a sharp swish and gathered the Dou Qi throughout his body. He wasted no breath, already prepared to meet the attack.
"Xiao Ge..." Nalan Yanran called worriedly.
Nalan Chaoge waved a hand at her.
He also wanted to know just how strong he was in combat. He had spent twenty thousand points refining his right leg and had yet to use it. Besides, he was a Dou Master now. Knocking the arrogance out of this brat would be as easy as turning his hand.
If you want to pursue my sister, let's see whether you have the strength for it.
Eight Inner Gates, Gate of Life, open!
Nalan Chaoge gave a low shout. In an instant, all his Dou Qi gathered in his right leg, with its emerald-green bones.
Without any flashy moves, Nalan Chaoge spun and lashed out at Yun Feng with a kick as swift as a thunderbolt.
None of them had expected this fellow to simply kick him without using any Battle Skill at all.
After all, Yun Feng was a Five-star Dou Zhe!
He was an extraordinary genius of the Misty Cloud Sect.
He had mastered two Mysterious Tier Dou Techniques alone. Combined with his Mysterious Tier cultivation method, he could put up a fight even against a Dou Master.
Nalan Chaoge was far too overconfident.
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