Protector Wu's Interception!

At the same time.

Inside the grand hall atop the Misty Cloud Sect's main peak.

The atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Yun Shan sat upright on the sect leader's throne, his expression dark as his fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest.

Below him, Nalan Yanran knelt on both knees, her head bowed deeply.

"Great-Grandmaster, Master... this disciple was incompetent and brought shame upon the sect." Her voice was choked with tears, and her body trembled faintly.

Yun Yun stood to one side. Seeing her beloved disciple like this, her heart ached, yet she did not know how to comfort her.

"Sigh..."

After a long while, Yun Shan let out a long sigh.

He waved his hand, and a gentle gust of force lifted Nalan Yanran to her feet.

"Get up."

"Yanran, today's defeat was not your fault."

Yun Shan's voice revealed neither joy nor anger.

He looked at his granddisciple, whose shoulders were still shaking, and slowly said:

"That Xiao Yan, at the final moment, used a secret technique that forcibly raised his strength.

That power far exceeded his actual realm. What you lost to was not Xiao Yan, but the power behind him."

These words were meant both to comfort Nalan Yanran and to give the Misty Cloud Sect an excuse to save face.

Nalan Yanran suddenly raised her head, tears filling her eyes. "But a loss is still a loss."

"Foolish!" Yun Shan barked.

"Victory and defeat are commonplace in battle! You are the young sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect and its future sect leader. If you cannot endure even this minor setback, how will you command such a vast sect in the future?"

Nalan Yanran shuddered under the rebuke. Biting her lip, she did not dare say another word.

Yun Yun