Three-Year Pact (Part 1)

At the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain, Xiao Yan watched the imperial family's elite troops stationed there. It seemed that if a sect grew too powerful, it would inevitably draw attention. "Even though the Jia Ma Empire's imperial troops are stationed here, Misty Cloud Sect now has a Dou Zong, Yun Shan. If he makes a move, these elite troops will ultimately be little more than decoration. That is the power of strength," Old Yao said calmly.

"Teacher, I understand. I won't kill her. I only want to reclaim the dignity of my Xiao Family, and I don't want to become enemies with Misty Cloud Sect either. At least, I don't yet have the ability to oppose them!" Xiao Yan said to Old Yao's soul.

With that, he looked toward the peak of Misty Cloud Mountain. A young man in blue robes, carrying a black heavy ruler on his back, climbed upward one step at a time. His slender figure looked somewhat lonely.

Over the past three years, the young man had endured countless life-or-death battles, all kinds of opportunities, grueling cultivation, and every imaginable hardship—all for today's appointment! Today, he could not lose. He had to win!

On Misty Cloud Mountain, Nalan Yanran, dressed in her sect robes, was quietly waiting in the arena. Though her past ignorance had brought humiliation upon the young man, she could not lose today, because she represented Misty Cloud Sect!

Nearly a thousand Misty Cloud Sect disciples stood outside the arena without making a sound, all quietly watching from below. On the high platform sat the major factions invited by Misty Cloud Sect. For today's pact between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan, Yun Leng had invited the various great powers to witness it.

"Old Yun, are you really so certain that your Nalan Yanran can defeat that kid called Xiao Yan? I heard from Xiao Tian that Xiao Yan is no slouch," Hai Bodong said with a smile.

"Old Hai, my disciple's disciple, Yanran, has already broken through to a seven-star Da Dou Shi. With that kind of strength, do you think she would lose to a kid who had no Dou Qi for three years? Although I wasn't the one who invited all these factions, I still don't believe Yanran will lose!" Yun Shan said indifferently.

When Yun Shan had learned that Xiao Yan was Yan Xiao, he had been quite shocked as well. However, Xiao Yan was only a two-star Da Dou Shi! With a five-star gap between them, he did not believe Nalan Yanran would lose. Even so, he had still severely reprimanded Yun Leng.

At that moment, Xiao Yan walked up. Looking at the somewhat slender young man, everyone could sense that his aura was anything but weak—powerful and vigorous.

"This is the useless young master you were talking about? Why doesn't he look like one to me? The Dou Qi in this boy's body is clearly abundant, and exceptionally fierce at that. Is there really such a useless person in this world?" Jia Xing Tian said.

Nalan Jie sighed inwardly. Especially when he heard Xiao Tian say that Yan Xiao was Xiao Tian! Such a formidable son-in-law—though not as monstrously talented as Xiao Tian—would certainly not be lacking given enough time. Yet his own granddaughter had pushed him to the opposite side and turned him into an enemy. Alas!

The blue-robed young man walked to the center of the platform and said, "Xiao Family, Xiao Yan! I have come to fulfill the pact."

That simple sentence drifted through the silent venue. Countless eyes turned toward Xiao Yan. After all, Elder Yun Leng had already explained the purpose of today's event.

They were all curious about what kind of young man would dare challenge Misty Cloud Sect's favored prodigy—and even come directly to Misty Cloud Sect to do so!

Some of Nalan Yanran's admirers were openly disdainful, believing Xiao Yan was merely a clown who had come here to humiliate himself. Yet not a single person spoke. That was Misty Cloud Sect's rule.

Although Nalan Yanran knew Xiao Yan's strength as well, she still spoke.

"Nalan Family, Nalan Yanran."

Nalan Yanran stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Xiao Yan as she replied in an even tone.

"Xiao Yan, today's Three-Year Pact will be overseen by me, the Sect Master. This match is intended as a friendly spar. Stop at the proper point!" Yun Yun said calmly as she flew over.

"Life and death are left to fate."

Just as Yun Yun was about to finish speaking, Xiao Yan's calm voice rang out. Yun Yun froze for a moment, not expecting this young man to be so stubborn!

Hmph. If you dare try to kill Yanran, I don't care whether you have the soul of some expert protecting you. I will never let you off, Yun Yun thought silently as she looked at Xiao Yan.

The experts from the various clans and factions invited by Yun Leng began discussing among themselves. "That Xiao Family's Xiao Yan certainly has a stubborn temper. He actually ignored Sect Master Yun Yun!" Some people even gave Xiao Yan a thumbs-up.

Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan. She understood that he resented her for this. Then she nodded and said coolly, "As you wish."

Yun Yun said nothing further and returned to the edge of the arena. She did not say anything else to Xiao Yan. She did not believe that her disciple, who was five stars above Xiao Yan, could possibly lose to him!

Nalan Yanran sighed before speaking to Xiao Yan. "I will decide my own marriage. Even after three years, I still don't think I was wrong. I do not regret breaking off the engagement! Though I never intended to bring shame upon your Xiao Family, it was indeed my fault. After today, I will personally go to the Xiao Family to apologize!"

"No need. Let's begin," Xiao Yan said coldly.

Nalan Jie sighed on the platform. Had he truly been wrong? If he and Xiao Yan's grandfather had not casually arranged that marriage contract, would today's events have happened? Alas...

The battle below had already begun. Nalan Yanran held a long sword, while Xiao Yan wielded his black heavy ruler. The two began fighting. Since Xiao Yan did not have the Purple Cloud Wings to assist him, his Movement Technique was inferior to that of Nalan Yanran, who had been cultivated by Misty Cloud Sect.

Moreover, Nalan Yanran was a seven-star Da Dou Shi, while he was only a two-star Da Dou Shi. She held an absolute advantage over him. For the moment, Nalan Yanran had firmly gained the upper hand!

The two gradually went from testing each other to increasingly fierce clashes. It seemed this battle would be extremely intense.

Xiao Tian rubbed Qing Lin's little head and said, "Watch carefully, understand? In the future, you'll fight people in real combat too. If you only have strength but don't know how to use it, you'll still be useless. Understand?"

"Mm, I understand, Brother Xiao Tian. I'll watch carefully and learn properly. Besides, White Fang and the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake are already connected to my heart and mind. I can completely understand their thoughts," Qing Lin said happily.

Xiao Tian said nothing more and simply watched the arena quietly. Since Yun Yun was worried that something might happen to Nalan Yanran, she remained near the arena to watch. Thus, only Xiao Tian, Ya Fei, Lu Man, and Qing Lin were here.

Xue Mei and Lin Fei had already begun studying at Misty Cloud Sect. Xiao Tian did not know how far they would go, but they would forever be his women. Even if their talent was not high, he would find a way to make it higher—to make them stronger!

The scene returned to the arena. Nalan Yanran said to Xiao Yan, "You truly surprise me. No matter what, I do believe it now—your talent is better than mine! You are no longer the useless young master from back then."

As soon as she finished speaking, her strength steadily rose. A powerful aura surged forth, her dress and hair lifting despite the absence of wind. The formidable pressure made the nearby Misty Cloud Sect disciples gape. "Senior Sister Yanran is actually a high-level Da Dou Shi! Hiss..."

Aside from Yun Yun and a few others with high cultivation, no one knew that Nalan Yanran had advanced. Misty Cloud Sect also had methods of concealing one's strength.

"This little girl has actually reached the strength of a seven-star Da Dou Shi. Little Yan, you need to get serious," Old Yao's voice sounded.

Xiao Yan was stunned upon hearing that. He had truly not expected Nalan Yanran to be a seven-star Da Dou Shi. Though he was not afraid, he still felt a little envious. As expected of someone supported by the resources of a great sect.

On the platform, Mu Family's Mu Chen watched Nalan Yanran's aura below and said to Nalan Jie, "I never expected your niece Nalan Yanran to have already reached seven-star Da Dou Shi at such a young age! Truly admirable, old Nalan. Your Nalan Family is blessed."

"Nephew Mu Zhan is no weakling either," Nalan Jie replied politely. However, his mind was entirely focused on the battle between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan below. Though he was extremely dissatisfied with Nalan Yanran's decision to go to the Xiao Family and break off the engagement, she was still the Nalan Family's most outstanding granddaughter. Thus, Nalan Jie did not want to see Nalan Yanran lose.

Alas. If my Nalan Family wins this match, I will certainly repay the Xiao Family generously and apologize for Yanran's thoughtlessness!

Xiao Yan also revealed his strength as a two-star Da Dou Shi, drawing another wave of shock from the crowd. Moreover, the power of his aura was not at all weaker than that of seven-star Da Dou Shi Nalan Yanran!!

The people from the various great factions invited onto the platform were astonished! This kid was actually a Da Dou Shi too? Hiss... Two geniuses.

"If the two of them had formed a lifelong union, your Nalan Family would surely have risen to greatness. What a pity," Mu Chen said aloud, though inwardly he sneered, Fortunately, your Nalan Family only has one genius. If you had two, would there still be three great families in the future?

Nalan Jie sighed upon hearing that and said nothing.

I posted this early. Time to sleep. If any big shots like it tomorrow, send a few votes and I'll post more for you~