The Misty Cloud Sect stood proudly atop towering peaks, surrounded by wisps of auspicious clouds and mist. It was as if a celestial paradise had descended into the mortal realm.
On the training grounds, disciples' shouts rang out in an overlapping chorus. Their movements were swift and sure, their techniques performed in perfect unison.
Sweat flew like rain, revealing the Misty Cloud Sect's flourishing prosperity.
In her room, Yun Yun felt an inexplicable restlessness. No matter what she did, she couldn't calm her mind.
She rose and paced back and forth. In the end, she decided to find herself something to do and sent someone to look for her disciple, Nalan Yanran.
Before long, a disciple came to report.
"Sect Master, the Young Sect Master is missing."
Yun Yun knitted her brows and asked without thinking.
"Where did she go?"
"I heard someone say the Young Sect Master went to that Xiao Clan to break off the engagement."
The Xiao Clan... to break off the engagement?
"That girl! How dare she act so recklessly!"
Yun Yun was indignant. Her chest rose and fell, and her delicate body trembled.
That was the Xiao Clan, with a Dou Huang expert in his teens!
Not long ago, she had been pleased that her disciple could marry into the Xiao Clan. She hadn't expected the other party to turn around and stab her in the back!
Yun Yun's expression darkened.
The might of a Dou Huang swept out with a thunderous roar, like Mount Tai collapsing.
Everyone nearby held their breath, their faces pale as paper and legs weak, as though an invisible hand had clamped around their throats.
She shot off like lightning, transforming in an instant into a streak of light that raced toward Wutan City, leaving only a fading afterimage in the wind.
The Xiao Clan's main hall, Wutan City.
Warm sunlight poured through the windows, casting mottled patches across the floor.
The Xiao Clan's people had gathered together. Three visitors from the Misty Cloud Sect stood before them.
The white-robed Elder Ge Ye cupped his hands in greeting. A hint of arrogance lingered in his expression as he said slowly, "Clan Leader Xiao, please forgive our abrupt visit. We have an important matter to discuss."
Xiao Zhan's expression was warm, and he hurriedly replied,
"If there's a problem, we can discuss it properly. The Xiao Clan will do its best to meet your sect's needs."
A trace of awkwardness crossed Ge Ye's face. He clearly hadn't expected the other party to be so accommodating, but he continued regardless.
"Clan Leader Xiao, you know our Misty Cloud Sect has strict rules, and the Sect Master has high hopes for Yanran. She's already being groomed as the next Sect Master. Because of certain special rules, the Sect Master's successor can't become involved with a man before formally taking the position..."
Xiao Zhan's expression gradually darkened. He had already guessed what was coming.
Ge Ye cleared his throat with a couple of coughs. "To be frank, we've come to discuss the engagement between the Xiao Clan and our Misty Cloud Sect's Young Sect Master, Nalan Yanran."
As soon as he said this, the entire room fell silent.
Nalan Yanran stepped forward with graceful light steps, her expression proud and her chin slightly raised. She parted her lips.
"The Xiao Clan may ask for whatever it wants. This Qi Gathering Powder can serve as compensation."
She took a verdant, ancient-looking box from her Storage Ring.
She carefully opened it, and a strange fragrance immediately filled the hall.
One of the Xiao Clan's disciples exclaimed in surprise, "Is that Qi Gathering Powder?"
The crowd wore various expressions. Xiao Fan waved a hand, knowing it was time for him to step in.
A mocking smile curled at his lips. "You come to apologize, and you think a mere Qi Gathering Powder is enough?"
Ge Ye furrowed his brows. "Who are you? I'm speaking with Clan Leader Xiao. How can a junior like you butt in?"
Xiao Fan smiled scornfully, and the aura of a Dou Shi burst forth.
The crowd's expressions changed. They clearly hadn't expected such a young boy to have already become a Dou Shi!
The young man accompanying the Misty Cloud Sect party was also taken aback. He hadn't expected this boy, who was much younger than him, to be at the same level.
Ge Ye narrowed his eyes slightly. "I admit you have some talent, but I came here to discuss a matter with Clan Leader Xiao. It has nothing to do with you, junior!"
"How does it have nothing to do with me? Xiao Yan is my little brother! What's wrong with an older brother protecting his little brother?"
Xiao Fan snorted. His bad habit of bragging had flared up again.
"This lord will surely become a mighty expert who sweeps through the ages. Little Xiao Yan will be my right-hand man in the future. You blind, contemptible fools—get down on your knees and apologize while you still can!"
His voice was deep and forceful. Each word boomed in everyone's ears like a great bell.
Their ears rang, and deep fear rose uncontrollably in their hearts.
Several Xiao Clan disciples gazed at Xiao Fan with fervent admiration.
[Beep! Some Xiao Clan disciples have placed their full trust in you. You have gained 500 Bragging Points!]
The Misty Cloud Sect party, including Ge Ye, also changed expressions.
"Sweep through the ages... What arrogance!"
"All right, Brother Fan. Let me handle things from here..."
Xiao Yan felt a warmth in his heart. He clearly hadn't expected Xiao Fan to stand up for him.
But... this was my business.
Xiao Yan looked toward the Misty Cloud Sect party, his gaze blazing and his posture upright.
He revealed his Dou Zhe strength and said loudly, "I, Xiao Yan, would never want this kind of compensation!"
"Nalan Yanran! Fight me... Win or lose, I'll break off the engagement with you on behalf of the Xiao Clan!"
The Misty Cloud Sect party was stunned. They had never expected Xiao Yan to have already become a Dou Zhe!
How was that possible? Wasn't he at the third segment of Dou Qi?
Nalan Yanran's exquisite face was filled with astonishment. For some reason, she felt that things had slipped beyond her control.
Ge Ye's eyes widened in shock when he saw Xiao Yan reveal his Dou Zhe cultivation. His face was full of disbelief.
His aged face turned terribly grim in an instant. He had thought Xiao Yan was already a good-for-nothing and that breaking off the engagement would go smoothly.
He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to have recovered his strength—and to be so forceful about it. Now Ge Ye was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Nalan Yanran noticed Ge Ye's silence and furrowed her brows, realizing she could only rely on herself.
"Very well. I accept your challenge..."
Let them see the difference between me, who had been guided by a Dou Huang expert since childhood, and a boy from a small-town clan!
The group then made their way to the Xiao Clan's training grounds.
"Let the match begin..."
Xiao Fan served as the referee and announced the start.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Dou Qi surged through Xiao Yan's body. He slammed his foot into the ground and charged at Nalan Yanran like a leopard, closing the distance between them in an instant.
He clenched his right fist, his muscles tensing as Dou Qi gathered furiously. He launched into the opening stance of Eight Extremities Collapse.
Nalan Yanran snorted. Without the slightest panic, she roused the Dou Qi within her and flicked her jade-white hand. A blade of wind howled toward Xiao Yan's face.
Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. He dodged sideways with ease, avoiding the wind blade, and kept moving, darting in close.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yan was right in front of Nalan Yanran. His right fist cut through the air with a whistling sound as he swung it hard.
His fist howled through the air, and a faint sonic boom rang out. The atmosphere grew tense.
Nalan Yanran's brows shot up. She crossed her hands in front of her chest, and Dou Qi blazed around her, forming a defensive curtain of wind.
With a resounding boom, Xiao Yan's fist slammed into the curtain of wind. The force made Nalan Yanran's expression shift, and she involuntarily staggered back two steps.
But Xiao Yan pressed his advantage. Riding that surge of momentum, he quickly followed with his left fist, Dou Qi flaring again as he smashed it toward Nalan Yanran's shoulder.
Nalan Yanran didn't have time to gather more Dou Qi and could only dodge sideways.
Xiao Yan's left fist skimmed past her clothes, stirring up a burst of wind.
How is he so fast?
Nalan Yanran was secretly shocked. Xiao Yan's strength far surpassed her expectations, and she didn't dare underestimate him again...