Stirring Jia Ma

The Yunlan Sect disciples were all stunned as they watched Grand Elder Yun Leng suffer a crushing defeat in the blink of an eye.

That man's aura had unquestionably been at the Dou King level—there was no way they could have been mistaken. Yet, despite both being Dou Kings, he had defeated the long-famous Grand Elder in a single exchange. With such combat power, could he perhaps contend with a Dou Emperor?

However, when they thought of their Sect Master's strength, the Yunlan Sect disciples felt much more at ease. Being able to fight a Dou Emperor did not mean one truly possessed the strength of a Dou Emperor.

The gap between a Dou Emperor and a Dou King was still considerable. That man might be able to hold on for a while, but once the battle dragged on, he would surely be defeated.

If Yun Yun within the smoke and dust knew that the Yunlan Sect disciples thought so highly of her, she would probably feel deeply ashamed.

After seeing Yun Leng's defeat, Yun Yun had already discarded her earlier thoughts. The moment she attacked, she went all out, intending to stop her opponent first.

Yet after just one exchange, Yun Yun realized she was in trouble. Not only had she failed to suppress her opponent, she had instead been suppressed by him.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

With a grave expression, Yun Yun swung the strange azure longsword in her hand, blocking the bizarre spear sweeping toward her one strike at a time. But every time she deflected a blow, she felt an immense force surge into her arms, multiplying the pressure on her.

The man before her clearly wielded an extremely heavy weapon, yet he handled it with even greater agility than the sword in her hand. Yun Yun struggled to deal with him, finding every defensive strike increasingly difficult.

Yang Chen's gaze sharpened, and his expression grew somewhat more serious. Although Yun Yun was a Dou Emperor, the cultivation technique Yang Chen practiced made his fighting qi far superior to that of experts at the same level. Compared to Yun Yun's, it was even slightly stronger.

Furthermore, most cultivators on the Fighting Qi Continent emphasized so-called fighting techniques, while their actual combat skills were simply atrocious. Even Yun Yun, a Dou Emperor, possessed utterly terrible combat skills.

To put it bluntly, if they fought using the same body, Yang Chen could take on ten Yun Yuns and still firmly hold the upper hand.

The only advantage Yun Yun could barely claim was that the amount of fighting qi within her body was indeed somewhat greater than Yang Chen's. After all, they were separated by an entire realm. But after reaching the Dou King level, one's internal energy could connect with heaven and earth, making that the least important factor instead.

His expression turning stern, Yang Chen raised his spear and knocked aside Yun Yun's longsword in a single blow. The next moment, the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear lashed toward Yun Yun like a raging storm, its fierce offensive instantly suppressing her.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The ringing of metal striking metal echoed from within the smoke and dust. Terrifying ripples of energy transformed into fierce gusts, sweeping the stirred-up dust in every direction.

The imperial capital, Jia Ma Holy City.

Jia Ma Holy City was extremely close to Cloud Mist Mountain. The Jia Ma Royal Family had established the imperial capital here precisely to guard against the Yunlan Sect.

Thus, the moment Yang Chen ascended Cloud Mist Mountain, all the experts above the Dou King level within Jia Ma Holy City had already sensed it.

The next moment, several figures abruptly flew into the sky above Jia Ma Holy City: the Mittel Family's Grand Elder, Mittel Tengshan; the Mu Family's patriarch, Mu Chen; and Nalan Jie, whose stern face carried an imposing authority even without anger.

As soon as the three reached the air, they saw two elderly figures flying over from afar and hurriedly cupped their fists in greeting.

"Greetings, Elder Jia and President Fa Ma!"

"Mm."

Jia Xingtian gave a faint nod, then raised his head to look toward the towering mountain vaguely visible beyond the city. A trace of wariness flashed through his eyes as he said gravely, "You all sensed it just now, didn't you?"

"Indeed. But who exactly would dare force their way onto Cloud Mist Mountain?"

Nalan Jie spoke in a deep voice. Among those present, his connections to both the Yunlan Sect and the Jia Ma Royal Family were the closest.

"I do not know. However, this person possesses an imposing aura, incomparably refined fighting qi, and spiritual power far surpassing my own. His origins are likely extraordinary."

When he mentioned spiritual power, a hint of reminiscence appeared on Fa Ma's aged face. The last time he had felt such formidable spiritual power had been from that senior.

Though not much time had passed, Fa Ma still remembered it vividly. That overwhelming spiritual power and profound alchemy had been the pursuit of his entire life. Unfortunately, his talent was dull, and he had failed to learn even a fraction of that senior's abilities.

"Spiritual power? Could this person be a high-tier alchemist as well?"

Mittel Tengshan's eyes lit up. As the head of a merchant family, he was more sensitive to an alchemist's value than most. An alchemist whose spiritual power—and perhaps even rank—surpassed that of the Alchemist Association's president possessed terrifying value. One only had to look at the Yunlan Sect to understand.

If Gu He had not joined them, could the Yunlan Sect have achieved its current prestige after their previous Sect Master, Yun Shan, had been missing for so many years?

"Heh heh, won't we find out if we go take a look?"

Jia Xingtian chuckled, then immediately headed toward Cloud Mist Mountain. His urgent manner made Fa Ma sigh involuntarily.

As an old friend, how could Fa Ma not understand Jia Xingtian's thoughts? The Yunlan Sect had Gu He. If Jia Xingtian could recruit this mysterious alchemist into the royal family, then even after he reached the end of his lifespan and fell, the royal family would still have the confidence to contend with the Yunlan Sect.

"Let's go take a look as well. Perhaps he might even be someone we know."

Fa Ma smiled. For some reason, however, he felt a premonition in his heart—or rather, an indescribably strong anticipation. Perhaps this person might know the whereabouts of that senior.

Seeing Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma head toward Cloud Mist Mountain, Nalan Jie, Mittel Tengshan, and Mu Chen immediately followed after them.

On the way to Cloud Mist Mountain, Mittel Tengshan noticed the trace of worry on Nalan Jie's face and could not help teasing him, "Old Nalan, I heard your granddaughter went to the Xiao Family to break off her engagement?"

Having his sore spot exposed so directly by Mittel Tengshan, Nalan Jie could hardly keep his face straight. He had always valued promises, and his relationship with the Xiao Family had been very close back then. He had personally arranged that marriage agreement with Xiao Lin.

Now that Xiao Lin was dead, if he simply went to break off the engagement like this, who knew how others would mock him? Therefore, Nalan Jie had stubbornly refused and firmly forbidden Nalan Yanran from breaking off the engagement.

"Hmph, she wouldn't dare! If she dares go to the Xiao Family and break off the engagement, I'll pretend I never had such a granddaughter!"

Nalan Jie's face flushed red with anger, but his words lacked the slightest confidence. Seeing this, Mu Chen could not help teasing him as well.

"Haha, if you won't let her return to the Nalan Family, then she can simply live at the Yunlan Sect."

"Heh heh, the Yunlan Sect may not be peaceful either. Look, someone has already gone straight to their doorstep. Perhaps he came to stand up for that Xiao Family boy."

Mittel Tengshan burst into laughter as he jokingly teased him. Nalan Jie merely snorted, clearly not believing it in the least. Even Mu Chen was only joking and did not take it seriously at all.