The Three-Year Period Has Arrived!

"The Cloud Mist Sect, is it?"

Shen Shihuang's gaze turned toward the highest peak in the Imperial Capital.

This time.

"Whether I can obtain the origin energy of the Heavenly Flame depends on how capable the people of the Cloud Mist Sect are." Shen Shihuang did a rough calculation based on what he knew. Even with Hai Bodong's help, Xiao Yan no longer had the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python. With Ling Ying added to the mix, it was nearly impossible for anyone among the Dou Huangs to keep Xiao Yan there.

A Dou Zong.

Yun Shan.

This was Shen Shihuang's only hope. "Yun Shan, I hope you strike hard; otherwise, the impact of me playing the savior won't be nearly as great."

Given Xiao Yan's personality, if things went according to his expectations, obtaining the origin fire seed of the Green Lotus Core Flame would be a certainty.

The next day.

Early morning.

A heavy atmosphere seemed to permeate the entire Imperial Capital. The notable powerhouses of the capital had already departed for Cloud Mist Mountain. The Cloud Mist Sect, however, did not seem the least bit worried; they had even invited the powerhouses of various clans to ascend the mountain a day early to observe the ceremony.

They were clearly treating Xiao Yan's Three-Year Agreement as a stepping stone to consolidate the Cloud Mist Sect's reputation.

Shen Shihuang and Ya Fei walked along the road. Ordinarily, Ya Fei would not have been qualified to attend, but since she had Shen Shihuang by her side, the Mittel Clan had specifically arranged for her to bring him to the Cloud Mist Sect.

"Do you have no faith in him?" Shen Shihuang asked, noticing the solemn expression on Ya Fei's face.

Ya Fei shook her head.

"Although my experience is limited, apart from you, Xiao Yan is the person with the most potential I have ever seen."

"The Cloud Mist Sect is, after all, a hegemon of the Jia Ma Empire. With Xiao Yan alone, I fear there may be other complications."

Shen Shihuang shook his head lightly.

"If there are no complications, it would only mean that Xiao Yan has lost. Only if he wins will there be complications."

"We should head over and take a look."

Shen Shihuang grabbed Ya Fei, took a single step, and vanished into thin air.

Cloud Mist Mountain.

Perched upon this mountain sat the hegemon of the Jia Ma Empire.

The Cloud Mist Sect.

At this moment.

In the plaza of the Cloud Mist Sect, nearly a thousand disciples sat cross-legged on the ground, swords resting across their laps, their expressions solemn as they watched the entrance of the sect.

In the seats reserved for the various elders.

Yun Leng's face was wreathed in smiles as he continuously greeted the various powerhouses. Clearly, he was brimming with confidence regarding this Three-Year Agreement.

"Heh, Yun Leng, you're making such a grand display—aren't you afraid of tripping halfway there?" The one who spoke was none other than Teng Shan of the Mittel Clan. In the past, Teng Shan might have just watched quietly without saying a word.

However.

With the return of Elder Hai, Teng Shan felt his confidence bolstered. Recently, he had also cultivated a good relationship with Shen Shihuang, a Dou Zong powerhouse. Thus, seeing Yun Leng's smug demeanor, Teng Shan spoke up directly.

Yun Leng felt no displeasure at Teng Shan's words.

Instead, he said, "Nalan Yanran is a disciple personally taught by the Sect Master, and that Xiao Yan wasn't even a Dou Zhe three years ago. This old man truly cannot imagine how Xiao Yan could possibly surpass Nalan Yanran."

In the plaza.

A refined young woman sat cross-legged on the ground, a Wind Sword resting on her lap, her eyes closed as she steadied her breathing.

Soon.

On Cloud Mist Mountain, a young figure in black was slowly walking up the mountain on foot, a massive ruler on his back that drew everyone's attention.

Tap, tap, tap...

Following the sound of footsteps, the young figure soon appeared in everyone's sight.

Behind the crowd.

Shen Shihuang and Ya Fei sat together. Seeing Xiao Yan appear, Ya Fei grew slightly nervous.

"It's finally starting."

Shen Shihuang flipped his hand to produce a flask of wine and drank slowly.

The Mittel Clan's wine had a hint of sweetness that suited Shen Shihuang's palate perfectly.

"BANG!"

Xiao Yan gripped the Heavy Profound Ruler on his back with one hand and slammed it fiercely into the ground, lifting his gaze.

"Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan, here to fulfill the agreement!"

Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, Nalan Yanran also slowly stood up, the Wind Sword in her hand thrusting forward: "Nalan Clan, Nalan Yanran!"

At this moment.

"I am the First Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect, Yun Leng," the white-robed old man said. "Today, the Sect Master has yet to return, so this old man shall preside over this Three-Year Agreement. This duel is intended for friendly sparring, and we shall stop at—"

Before Yun Leng could finish his sentence, Xiao Yan said coldly, "Life and death... shall be left to fate!"

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the others were slightly stunned. What a confident and bold young man! One had to remember that Xiao Yan's opponent was the successor of the Cloud Mist Sect.

Nalan Yanran said coldly, "As you wish."

"Young man, it is always wise to leave a way out for others. Since you insist, then life and death shall be left to fate," Yun Leng said with a wave of his hand.

Behind the crowd, Shen Shihuang heard this and a strange look appeared in his eyes.

Leave a way out? Why the hell didn't you think of that when you were breaking off the engagement!

The people of the Cloud Mist Sect are truly shameless!

Ya Fei: "...!"

Shen Shihuang could say such things, but she could only think them in her heart; she dared not speak them aloud.

In the plaza.

BOOM!!

The two stood in confrontation.

The experts present had sharp eyes, and they sensed Xiao Yan's strength the moment he moved.

"Wasn't it said that three years ago, he wasn't even a Dou Zhe?"

Teng Shan was somewhat surprised.

"Three years, from the third stage of Dou Qi to a Dou Shi?"

"Is this a piece of trash? Nalan Su?" Teng Shan gave a 'wicked' smile, looked at Nalan Su, and asked.

The expressions on the faces of Nalan Su and Nalan Jie were not good at this moment. Three years, from the third stage of Dou Qi to his current strength as a Dou Shi?

Was he a piece of trash?

Give me a break; even a genius wouldn't have such a fast rate of advancement!

"Sigh!"

In the end, Nalan Jie could only let out a sigh. At this point, the situation was already beyond redemption.

"Father, rest assured, Yanran will not lose."

In their eyes, Nalan Yanran was a disciple personally cultivated by a Dou Huang expert; how could Xiao Yan compare to her? Even if the strength Xiao Yan was displaying now made them take notice, they had never once considered the possibility of him defeating Nalan Yanran.

It was an impossible thing.

Nalan Jie said, "After this matter is over, give the Xiao family some compensation. This matter was, after all, our fault from the start."

Nalan Su nodded. "Understood, Father."

On the plaza.

Xiao Yan gripped the Heavy Profound Ruler in one hand. "Nalan Yanran, the three-year agreement has arrived. Let us begin!"

Dou Qi erupted from Nalan Yanran's body.

"I have waited three years for this day!"

Swish!

Nalan Yanran charged directly toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's eyes were calm and ripple-free. "I return those words to you. For this day, I have also worked hard for three years!"

"Hmph!"

"Even if I had to do it all over again, I would still stick to my choice!"

"I want to be the master of my own marriage contract!"

Sword energy surged from Nalan Yanran's hand as she slashed down toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan used the Heavy Profound Ruler in his hand to continuously parry, then leaped into the air and brought it crashing down. "You are not wrong to want to be the master of your own marriage contract, but you used the wrong method!"

"Nalan Yanran, enough talk. Let our skills speak for themselves!"

Bang!

BOOM!

Both of their speeds were astonishingly fast. Amidst the crisscrossing sword shadows, most of the Cloud Mist Sect disciples could only see two blurred figures.

Following the final collision, Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan both separated and put some distance between them.

The probing was over!

At this moment, everyone became alert. What followed would be the time to decide the victor.

"Xiao Yan, let everything end here!"