Nalan Yanran's Regret

Misty Cloud Mountain, Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun Residence.

The moon was bright and the stars were few. A figure wearing only Cyan Gauze Dress sat by the pool. Water droplets rolled down her jade-like feet, creating ripples on the water's surface.

Yun Yun, with her long hair flowing freely, did not have her usual noble and graceful appearance. Her gaze as she looked up at the crescent moon seemed somewhat cold and melancholic.

Although Xiao Yuan had only been gone for a short time, she missed him terribly.

Most of the time, Yun Yun is in charge of the Misty Cloud Sect's work, and in her busy schedule, she has no time for romance.

But now that everything is running normally, she has some free time.

During the day, she went to the valley of the Monster Mountain Range, but unfortunately, things had changed. The boy who used to heal her wounds with a serious expression was now soaring through the sky.

They flew too far for her to see anymore.

Sigh! Yun Yun sighed, took out the white robe that Xiao Yuan had given her years ago from her Storage Ring, and hugged it to her chest, as if she could hug the person she longed for in this way.

Yun Yun's thoughts raced, and she started thinking about her good disciple again: she wondered when Nalan Yanran would be able to emerge from seclusion. Now that the sect was stable and the elders were not very experienced, there would be no obstacles for Nalan Yanran.

(Because all the Dou Emperor elders of the Misty Cloud Sect were killed by Protector Wu)

Suddenly, Yun Yun seemed to sense something. She flipped her hand, and a jade slip emitting a fluorescent glow appeared in her hand.

"It's been a long time, I miss you dearly. How are you, Sister Yun? I'm about to head to Central State, and we promised to go together. I just don't know if Nalan Yanran has emerged from seclusion yet?"

After the message was sent out, the light on the jade slip dimmed slightly.

This is Message Jade Slip that Xiao Yuan asked Yao Lao to refine. However, Yao Lao is still a soul, so there are certain limitations on the number of times this jade slip can be used and the duration of its existence.

"How could it be so fast?"

Yun Yun was quite pleased to receive news from Xiao Yuan, but Nalan Yanran had not yet emerged from seclusion, so she was afraid it would be difficult for her to leave.

Thinking of this, Yun Yun frowned, struggling with how to reply to Xiao Yuan, when unexpectedly, a sudden change occurred.

Buzz! At this moment, a sharp and powerful sword aura suddenly shot into the sky from the Back Mountain Misty Cloud Sect, and the clear shriek echoed in everyone's ears.

At the very moment the sword's cry rang out, a powerful aura suddenly surged forth from the Back Mountain! "This aura..."

Coming to her senses, Yun Yun blinked, carefully sensing her surroundings. After confirming she hadn't made a mistake, she exclaimed in surprise, "Nalan Yanran?"

A clear sword cry resounded through the sky, and then a rainbow-like sword beam flashed out from the Back Mountain Misty Cloud Sect, appearing at Yun Yun's residence in just a few breaths.

Yun Yun hurriedly put the clothes back into her Storage Ring, and then a flash of blue light appeared all over her body, and a blue dress was condensed into her.

As the rainbow light dissipated, a figure was revealed. She wore a black dress, and her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her shoulders, past her waist, and reached her hips. Her eyebrows were as beautiful as if painted, and her skin was as white as snow. Her slightly slender face had a perfect profile, making people secretly admire her. What a beautiful girl!

Seeing Yun Yun staring blankly at her, a captivating smile immediately appeared on her delicate face, and her clear voice rang out like a lark.

"Teacher"

"Nalan Yanran... you... you really broke through the Gate of Life and Death?"

Looking at that pretty face that had matured considerably compared to before, Yun Yun was overjoyed. She flashed to Nalan Yanran's side, grabbed her arms with both hands, and looked her up and down.

"Yes, teacher, I did it!"

Nalan Yanran nodded, equally excited.

"Very good!"

Yun Yun couldn't help but say.

"Judging from your aura, you must be at the Peak Dou Wang by now, right?"

Yun Yun then asked.

"Yes, teacher, I have received the inheritance from the sect's seniors, and now I am only one step away from the Dou Emperor level."

Nalan Yanran's face showed a hint of joy.

"In that case, I can confidently entrust this sect to you!"

Yun Yun nodded, pleased.

"Yes, don't worry, teacher," Nalan Yanran answered instinctively, but then immediately realized something was wrong. "Huh???"

She stared wide-eyed at the teacher in front of her, thinking she must be hallucinating.

Why is the succession being passed on so soon after the fact?

This doesn't make sense, does it?

"Teacher, I just came out."

Nalan Yanran's smile was somewhat stiff.

"Nalan Yanran, have you heard of me? Our Misty Cloud Sect is facing a crisis, and now we need you to lead the Misty Cloud Sect to revival!"

Yun Yun sighed, then her expression turned serious, and she recounted everything that had happened at the Misty Cloud Sect to Nalan Yanran.

Half an hour later, after hearing the story, Nalan Yanran looked blank and dazed.

She's only been in the Gate of Life and Death for a few years, how come things outside have gone so crazy?

The betrayal of the sect by her grandmaster, who brought a wolf into the house, has become her former fiancé Grand Elder. And then there's her teacher who wants to pass the leadership to her—this is too chaotic! "Nalan Yanran, the sect's decline is partly the responsibility of your teacher. Before, you weren't there, so your teacher couldn't pass the leadership to you. But now your strength is enough to lead the Misty Cloud Sect, and your talent surpasses even your teacher's. So your teacher believes you can definitely make the Misty Cloud Sect strong again! Right?"

Yun Yun said to Nalan Yanran with a solemn expression.

Nalan Yanran's head was spinning, and she nodded somewhat blankly.

"Your emergence from seclusion has caused quite a stir. The elders should be arriving soon. Let's get things settled tonight."

This time, Yun Yun was much more decisive and efficient, without her usual hesitation, and immediately struck while the iron was hot.

"Oh."

Nalan Yanran couldn't listen to anything; she just felt a terrible headache, probably because her brain was starting to grow.

The next morning, Yun Yun stood atop the mountain, gazing at the Misty Cloud Mountain Range she had watched grow up, her expression complex.

She's leaving this place for a new world.

Whoosh! Nalan Yanran, who had become the new sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect in a daze, flew over.

"Teacher"

Nalan Yanran is very clever. Although she was a little confused by the news last night, she seems to have figured out Yun Yun's ulterior motives now that she has recovered.

But this was indeed hurtful to her. That guy Xiao Yuan didn't say anything, but his act of abducting her teacher was more hurtful than any words.

My judgment might really be bad! "Nalan Yanran, I am not the most suitable candidate for the position of sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. You know my personality. What Misty Cloud Sect needs right now is not Yun Yun who maintains the status quo, but Nalan Yanran is ambitious. You are the future of the Misty Cloud Sect. I believe in your ability. You can do all of this well."

With a gentle smile on her face, Yun Yun tucked the stray hairs that had fallen in front of Nalan Yanran behind her ear and spoke softly.

"Teacher wants to go out and see the world, to travel around. Don't worry, teacher will come back. I hope that by then, you will be able to develop the Misty Cloud Sect to a level that surpasses its former glory."

Hearing Yun Yun's heartfelt words, Nalan Yanran nodded solemnly:

"Don't worry, teacher, I won't let you down."

"Yes, the teacher is leaving. Nalan Yanran, take care."

Yun Yun nodded slightly, smiled, and then her azure wings popped out from behind her. Her figure gradually rose into the air, transforming into a streak of light, and flew towards the direction in her heart.

"Teacher"

Nalan Yanran's eyes were filled with reluctance and a faint sadness.

She understood Yun Yun and knew that what Yun Yun had just said was not the kind of irresponsible statement.

However, the more important reason was something that Yun Yun and she tacitly did not mention.

Xiao Yuan.

In the quiet courtyard, Xiao Yuan, who was unusually not cultivating, sat on a stone chair, gazing at the slightly yellowing leaves in the courtyard. He couldn't help but sigh softly, then turned his head, looked at a figure at the courtyard gate, smiled, and said, "Xiao Yu."

Xiao Yu, standing at the door, nodded and slowly walked into the courtyard. After a moment of silence, she said, "You should be leaving tomorrow, right?"

Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "It's time to leave. Staying here won't give me the strength to truly contend with the Soul Hall. Since we've provoked them, we naturally need to plan ahead."

"Well, it's just that I can't be with you anymore. With my current strength, although I'm considered a strong person in the family, I'd feel like a burden to you."

Xiao Yu sighed with a somewhat dejected expression, sat down, and leaned against Xiao Yuan, her mood somewhat low.

Looking at Xiao Yu's forlorn eyes, Xiao Yuan couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. This departure was unlike any before. The distance between Central State and the Black-Corner Region, and even the Jia Ma Empire, was almost immeasurable. Therefore, he didn't know when he would be able to return.

"After you leave, I plan to stay in the Inner Academy as an elder. While you're out there, don't go flirting around like that anymore; you've already had enough."

Suddenly, Xiao Yu said with a hint of resentment.

"Okay, I will be careful. I have some things here. Some are for your cultivation resources, some are for your family, and some need to be given to Sister Ya Fei. I don't trust others to handle these matters. It's safest for you to do it."

Xiao Yuan smiled and then handed a Storage Ring to Xiao Yu.

"Okay, don't worry." Xiao Yu nodded, then asked, "When will you be back this time?"

Xiao Yuan remained silent, then shook his head and said in a low voice, "I don't know."

Before Xiao Yuan could speak, Xiao Yu Xiao Yuan his mouth with her hand and whispered, "Then you have to keep me company tonight!"

The next day, warm sunlight poured down from the sky, shining on the gate of the Inner Academy, where a dense crowd of people were moving about, their eyes fixed on the small hill outside the gate, where several figures stood upright.

"Great Elder, Xiao Yu, everyone, let's leave it here."

Xiao Yuan looked at Su Qian and Xiao Yu at the entrance of the courtyard, then at Wu Hao and many Inner Academy students behind him, and couldn't help but smile, and said loudly.

Looking at the white-clad youth with a warm smile, Su Qian felt a little sentimental and said, "There are many of you, Xin Lan has not yet reached the Dou Wang Stage and cannot fly, so this Gryphon can be used for transportation."

As soon as Su Qian finished speaking, a huge black shadow descended slowly from the sky with the cry of an eagle. Its huge wings flapped, creating a gust of wind that caused the surrounding saplings to bend over.

"Thank you Great Elder."

Looking at the Gryphon in front of him, Xiao Yuan felt a warmth in his heart and smiled as he clasped his hands in greeting to Su Qian.

After saying this, Xiao Yuan seemed unwilling to linger in the atmosphere of parting. With a swift movement, he appeared on the Gryphon. Xiao Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, Ye Zhong, and Ye Xinlan followed closely behind. Fortunately, the Gryphon's back was quite spacious, so the six of them didn't feel crowded when they came up together.

"Xiao Yuan, come back safe and sound!"

Gazing at the Gryphon slowly flapping its wings, Xiao Yu's eyes flashed with lightning, and he couldn't help but shout.

Standing atop the Gryphon's massive head, Xiao Yuan smiled gently at Xiao Yu, then slowly swept his gaze over everyone. Finally, he took a deep breath, flicked his sleeve, and a gust of wind carried the Gryphon into the air.

"President, come back safe and sound!"

As the Gryphon gradually ascended into the air, a loud roar suddenly resounded from the courtyard gate below. Xiao Yuan turned his head slightly and saw many members of the Lion Heart Society shouting at the top of their lungs with flushed faces.

With a gentle smile, Xiao Yuan clasped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd below, and his hearty laughter echoed down as the Gryphon ascended into the sky.

"Mountains may change, but rivers will. Farewell, everyone! If fate allows, we'll meet again in Central State!"

A loud laugh echoed down, while the Gryphon in the sky turned into a small black dot and quickly disappeared from everyone's sight. As the echo lingered, many people felt a little sad.

Su Qian slowly withdrew his gaze, turned his head to look at Xiao Yu beside him, whose eyes were slightly red, and comforted her with a smile, "Don't worry, with the strength and temperament of those two little guys, they can do quite well even in Central State."

"Yes, I've always believed in them."

Xiao Yu smiled upon hearing this, her words revealing a hint of pride; they were family.

"I believe in him too. These two little ones will become the pride of the Jia Nan Academy," Su Qian laughed, then turned and walked towards the Inner Academy, saying as he went, "I really wonder how exciting it would have been if these two little ones had met the Dean back in Central State? With the Dean's personality, hehe."

Hearing Su Qian's strange laughter at the end of his words, the people at the courtyard gate exchanged glances, then turned around and followed, somewhat bewildered. In the distant sky, a huge Gryphon flapped its wings, and a faint light shield emanated from its body, blocking the oncoming gale.

Xiao Yuan stood with his hands behind his back on the Gryphon, his gaze slowly returning to the Inner Academy, which had already disappeared from sight, his expression showing a hint of melancholy at parting.

"Are you really going to bring this girl along?"

Xiao Yi Xian, seemingly aware that Xiao Yuan was not in high spirits, changed the subject, her beautiful eyes looking at Zi Yan, whose little face was full of excitement, and whispered.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan snapped back to reality, glanced at Zi Yan, and said with a smile, "The Great Elder asked me to bring her along, saying that he might be able to unlock some secrets about her true form in Central State."

"Hmph, I am now at the Dou Emperor level. Do you really think I'll hold you back?"

Although Xiao Yuan and the other person spoke softly, Zi Yan still heard them. She glared at them and snorted in dissatisfaction.

Smiling, Xiao Yuan ruffled Zi Yan's hair and didn't argue with her. He looked at Ye Zhong and said with a smile, "Let's wait a moment. There's another person who wants to go to Central State with us."

As soon as he finished speaking, fluctuations of Dou Qi appeared in the distance, and a graceful figure flashed by like a flying catkin. Even Ye Zhong couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that speed.

Upon seeing the figure appear, a gentle smile appeared on Xiao Yuan's face.

The timing was perfect.