" The Misty Cloud Sect?"
Shen Shihuang looked toward the highest peak in the imperial capital.
This time,
"Whether I can get the Heavenly Flame Origin energy depends on whether the people from the Misty Cloud Sect can deliver." Shen Shihuang made a rough estimate based on what he knew. Even with Hai Bodong's help, Xiao Yan no longer had the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python. And with Ling Ying there too, it was almost impossible for anyone among the Dou Huang experts to keep Xiao Yan there.
Dou Zong.
Yun Shan.
That was Shen Shihuang's only hope. "Yun Shan, I hope you go hard on him. Otherwise, my timely help won't have nearly as great an impact."
Given Little Yanzi's personality, if this played out as Shen Shihuang expected, there would be no problem getting the Origin Flame Seed of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
The next day.
Early in the morning.
A solemn atmosphere seemed to hang over the entire imperial capital. The city's renowned experts had already left for the Misty Cloud Sect, but the sect seemed unconcerned about the matter. In fact, a day earlier, it had invited the experts from every major family up the mountain to watch.
It was obvious they were treating Xiao Yan's Three-Year Agreement as a stepping-stone to bolster the Misty Cloud Sect's reputation.
Shen Shihuang and Ya Fei walked along the road. Ya Fei wouldn't have qualified to go under normal circumstances, but she had Shen Shihuang with her. So the Mittel Family had specifically asked her to take him to the Misty Cloud Sect.
"You're not confident in him?" Shen Shihuang asked, noticing the worry on Ya Fei's face.
Ya Fei shook her head.
"Ya Fei may not have seen much of the world, but aside from you, Xiao Yan is the most talented person I've ever met."
"But the Misty Cloud Sect is a dominant force in the Jia Ma Empire. I'm worried that something might happen when Xiao Yan faces them alone."
Shen Shihuang shook his head gently.
"If nothing unexpected happens, that means Xiao Yan has lost. Only if he wins will something unexpected happen."
"We should go and see for ourselves."
Shen Shihuang grabbed Ya Fei. With one step, they vanished into thin air.
Misty Cloud Mountain.
The dominant force of the Jia Ma Empire stood atop this mountain.
The Misty Cloud Sect.
At that moment,
nearly a thousand disciples sat cross-legged in the Misty Cloud Sect's plaza, swords laid across their knees. Their expressions were solemn as they watched the sect's entrance.
Among the seats reserved for the elders,
Yun Leng's face was wreathed in smiles as he greeted the experts from every faction. He was clearly confident about this Three-Year Agreement.
"Heh heh, Yun Leng, making such a grand show of it—aren't you afraid it'll all blow up in your face?" The speaker was none other than Teng Shan of the Mittel Family. In the past, Teng Shan might have simply watched quietly without saying a word.
But,
with Elder Hai's return, Teng Shan felt he had more confidence. And lately, he had also become close to Shen Shihuang, a Dou Zong expert. So when he saw Yun Leng looking so smug, he spoke up at once.
Yun Leng showed no displeasure at Teng Shan's words.
Instead, he said, "Yanran was personally trained by the sect master. Three years ago, Xiao Yan wasn't even a Dou Zhe. I honestly can't imagine how he could possibly defeat Yanran."
In the plaza,
a graceful young woman sat cross-legged on the ground, a Wind Sword resting across her knees as she closed her eyes and composed herself.
Before long,
a young man dressed in black appeared on Misty Cloud Mountain, slowly making his way up on foot. A massive ruler strapped to his back drew everyone's attention.
Step, step, step...
As the footsteps rang out, the young man soon came into view.
Behind the crowd,
Shen Shihuang and Ya Fei sat together. When she saw Xiao Yan appear, Ya Fei grew a little nervous.
"It's finally starting."
With a turn of his hand, Shen Shihuang produced a jug of wine and drank slowly.
The Mittel Family's wine had a slight sweetness to it, which suited Shen Shihuang's taste perfectly.
"Duang~~~~~~~~~!"
Xiao Yan gripped the Heavy Profound Ruler on his back and slammed it into the ground. Then he raised his eyes.
"Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family has come to honor the agreement!"
Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, Nalan Yanran slowly rose to her feet and thrust out the Wind Sword in her hand. "Nalan Yanran of the Nalan Family!"
At that moment,
"I am Yun Leng, the Misty Cloud Sect's Great Elder." The white-robed Yun Leng spoke up. "The sect master has yet to return today, so I will preside over this Three-Year Agreement. This contest is meant to be a friendly spar, so stop when—"
Before Yun Leng could finish, Xiao Yan said coldly, "Life and death... are up to fate!"
Hearing Xiao Yan's words,
the others were taken aback. What confidence! What nerve! His opponent was the Misty Cloud Sect's heir, after all.
Nalan Yanran replied coldly, "As you wish."
"Young man, one should always leave a little room to maneuver. But since you insist, then life and death are up to fate." Yun Leng waved his hand.
Behind the crowd, Shen Shihuang heard this and wore a strange expression.
"Leave room to maneuver? The hell you did when you broke off the engagement!"
"The people from the Misty Cloud Sect really have no shame!"
Ya Fei: "...!"
Shen Shihuang could say that out loud, but she could only think it. She didn't dare say it.
In the plaza,
Boom!!
The two faced off.
The experts present had keen eyes. They sensed Xiao Yan's strength at once.
"Wasn't he not even a Dou Zhe three years ago?"
Teng Shan was surprised.
"In three years, he went from three segments of Dou Qi to a Dou Shi?"
"Is that what you call a good-for-nothing, Nalan Su?" Teng Shan gave Nalan Su a sly smile and asked.
Nalan Su and Nalan Jie looked troubled. In three years, Xiao Yan had gone from three segments of Dou Qi to the strength of a Dou Shi?
Was that a good-for-nothing?
Not a chance. He was a genius—and even a genius couldn't advance this quickly!
"Alas!"
In the end, Nalan Jie could only sigh. Things had reached this point, and there was no way to undo them.
"Don't worry, Father. Yanran won't lose."
In their eyes, Nalan Yanran had been personally trained by a Dou Huang expert. How could she be compared to Xiao Yan? Even if Xiao Yan's displayed strength had made them take notice,
they had never once imagined he could defeat Nalan Yanran.
It was impossible.
Nalan Jie said, "After this is over, give the Xiao Family some compensation. We were in the wrong from the start."
Nalan Su nodded. "All right, Father."
In the plaza,
Xiao Yan gripped the Heavy Profound Ruler in one hand. "Nalan Yanran, the Three-Year Agreement has arrived. Let's begin!"
Dou Qi burst from Nalan Yanran's body.
"I've waited three years for this day!"
Whoosh!
Nalan Yanran charged straight at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's eyes were calm and still. "I'll say the same to you. I've worked hard for three years for this day!"
"Hmph!"
"Even if I could start over, I'd still stand by my choice!"
"I'll decide my own engagement!"
Sword energy surged from Nalan Yanran's blade as she slashed down at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's Heavy Profound Ruler repeatedly blocked her strikes. Then he leaped into the air and brought it crashing down. "You're right to want to decide your own engagement, but you went about it the wrong way!"
"Nalan Yanran, there's no point in saying more. Let's settle this with our hands!"
Bang!
Boom!
Both of them moved at astonishing speed. As sword shadows streaked across the plaza, most of the Misty Cloud Sect disciples could make out only two blurred figures.
After the final clash,
Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan were both sent flying apart.
The probing was over!
Everyone focused their attention. Now the real fight to decide the winner would begin.
"Xiao Yan, let's put an end to this!"