Battle Through the Heavens: The Rise Begins at Canaan Academy

"Hehe..."

Qin Chen chuckled softly, a meaningful curve forming at the corner of his lips. "The Nalan Family."

"Ah..." Xiao Yan felt as though his mind had been struck by a heavy hammer.

Why was Nalan Yanran haunting him everywhere he went?

No matter where he went, he ran into her?

First, she had come to the Xiao Clan to break off the engagement, disgracing the entire Xiao Clan. Then they had unexpectedly met in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. And now, to awaken his teacher, he still had to deal with her?

"Th-that... Brother Qin, look..." Xiao Yan unconsciously rubbed his hands together.

"Impossible!" Qin Chen refused decisively. "I've provided you with so many supplementary ingredients and even have to refine them for you. Yet you still want to gain something without giving anything in return?"

"This..."

Xiao Yan felt like his head was about to split in two. Helplessly, he said, "B-but how am I supposed to get the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva?"

"Are you telling me to go rob them?"

"Isn't that simple?" Qin Chen smiled and continued, "Nalan Yanran's grandfather, Nalan Jie, was unfortunately infected with Brand Poison a few years ago and is still suffering from it. The Nalan Family once announced that anyone who could cure his Brand Poison could name an enormous price."

"If you pull this off, won't the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva be yours for the taking?"

"You think too highly of me..." Xiao Yan rolled his eyes.

He was no longer the impulsive youth he had once been. As the young sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect, Nalan Yanran had surely invited Gu He to treat her grandfather.

Yet the Brand Poison remained even now, which was enough to show how troublesome it was. How could a mere Da Dou Shi like him possibly cure it?

"This might be as difficult as ascending to heaven for others, but for you, it'll be effortless."

Qin Chen patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and smiled. "Gu He once came up with a viable method. As long as one controls a Heavenly Flame and sends it into Nalan Jie's body, the Brand Poison clinging to him can be forced out."

"Although the Heavenly Flame in your body is only a sub-flame, the Bone-Chilling Spirit Flame ranks eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. It is more than enough to treat Nalan Jie's Brand Poison."

"See? This Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva was practically tailor-made for you."

"If you don't want to go under your real identity, I can send word to the Mittel Family and have them lend you a hand."

Xiao Yan's face immediately darkened.

Why did things have to line up so perfectly?

Ever since refining the sub-flame Yao Lao had given him, he had been wanting to show off his skills. Yet the first opportunity he encountered turned out to be this?

Seeing that the boy was still hesitating, Qin Chen snorted coldly. "Xiao Yan, do you really not want to go that badly? Are you really that comfortable letting me go instead?"

By the end, a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

Xiao Yan frowned at first. After thinking briefly, he immediately recalled Yun Yun in the Magical Beast Mountain Range...

"Hmph!" Xiao Yan snorted and said irritably, "Fine! I'll go!"

Although he had already broken off the engagement with Nalan Yanran, their connection had not been completely severed. For now, he still could not accept his so-called former fiancée becoming involved with another man.

Even if Qin Chen was better than him now!

"That's more like it. May you return victorious." Qin Chen beamed.

He had been bored to death these past few months. Teasing Xiao Yan and watching the excitement unfold was quite enjoyable!

Xiao Yan curled his lips and said flatly, "Didn't you say you'd invite some powerful experts to hold the fort? Where are they?"

"I wasn't fooling you." Qin Chen shrugged and continued, "Have you heard of Jia Xing Tian, the imperial family's guardian, and Hai Bodong, one of the Jia Ma Empire's top ten experts?"

"They'll accompany us to the Misty Cloud Sect when the time comes. Besides that, to handle any unexpected developments, I've specially invited a Dou Zong expert."

"As for who it is, let me keep you guessing for now."

"Really?" Xiao Yan's gloomy mood instantly vanished. He laughed heartily. "That's great."

He only needed to endure for a few more days. Once the three-year agreement was over, he could go to Canaan Academy to see Xun'er!

Misty Cloud Sect, in a secluded area of the rear mountain.

Yun Leng emerged cautiously from a cave residence, then slowly shut its stone door. The look in his eyes was still filled with lingering fear.

Gulp!

Yun Leng's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed anxiously. Only then did he realize that cold sweat had already soaked his back, leaving even his inner garments stuck to his skin.

That lord was truly terrifying!

With that thought flashing through his mind, Yun Leng did not dare linger. He turned and hurried away.

At the same time, Yun Yun stood against the wind atop a lush green mountain peak.

Watching Yun Leng's furtive figure, Yun Yun's expression was cold as frost, and her hand unconsciously tightened around the longsword she held.

"I never thought the Misty Cloud Sect would become like this..." Her long black hair fluttered in the wind as an imperceptible chill flashed through her eyes.

Over the past month, she had secretly observed the elders' every move. At last, she had discovered something unusual today.

The moment she saw Yun Leng emerge from Yun Shan's secluded cave residence, the last trace of hope in Yun Yun's heart had completely shattered.

No one understood Yun Shan's manner of conduct better than Yun Yun. If Yun Leng had merely met Yun Shan, he would never have worn such a terrified expression.

Coupled with the information Qin Chen had told her, the reason behind it all was obvious.

She had never imagined that the sect she had once known so well would one day become so unfamiliar.

"Protector Wu!" Yun Yun gritted her pearly teeth, a frosty light gleaming in her beautiful eyes.

Luring the Snake from Its Hole

At the summit of Misty Cloud Mountain, the Misty Cloud Sect.

Yun Leng staggered as he hurried into the sect's council hall.

"Sect Master, may I ask why you summoned this subordinate?" Looking at Yun Yun seated upon the sect master's throne, Yun Leng bent at the waist and cupped his hands respectfully.

Yun Yun glanced at him and said calmly, "Yun Leng, if I remember correctly, the three-year agreement between Yanran and the young master of the Xiao Clan will take place in two months, correct?"

"How have you arranged matters for this?"

Yun Leng was slightly stunned. He had not expected the sect master to concern herself with this matter.

Yun Yun had always been aloof and indifferent to the sect's mundane affairs. Usually, all matters great and small were managed by him, the First Elder. What was going on today?

While secretly speculating, Yun Leng answered, "This subordinate has already invited the leaders of the major factions in the Jia Ma Empire to come and observe the battle in two months. At that time, all the disciples will also gather to witness the young sect master's splendor."

By the end, a proud smile appeared on the old man's face, as though he had already seen the young sect master defeating her opponent and bringing glory to the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Since the invitations have already been sent, let it be." Yun Yun looked at Yun Leng calmly before continuing, "However, the sect's disciples must not be allowed to watch the match."

Yun Leng frowned, his aged face full of confusion. "Sect Master, why is that?"

"This matter can not only establish the young sect master's authority, but also allow the sect's disciples to gain combat experience from it. Such an opportunity is truly rare. Why forbid the disciples from watching?"

Yun Yun was not angered by Yun Leng's question. Instead, she patiently explained, "That Xiao Yan who will fight Yanran is far from simple. He is merely the young master of a small clan in Wutan City, yet he possesses a strange secret technique that can temporarily raise his strength to the Dou Huang level."

"Furthermore, Xiao Yan controls a pale white flame. Not only does it possess a scorching heat beyond ordinary flames, it also emits an intense chill. From my judgment, it is very likely a legendary Heavenly Flame."

"What!?"

Yun Leng was immediately shocked upon hearing this. Such a bizarre thing existed in the world?

Yun Yun sneered inwardly at his reaction, but outwardly she merely nodded slightly. "That's right. Therefore, not only can the disciples not be allowed to watch, you must also prepare the Cloud-Smoke Veiling Sun Formation for that day, in case the other side lashes out in desperation."

"Sect Master..." Yun Leng seemed to want to say something else.

"Enough. This matter is settled. Go make the preparations at once." Yun Yun waved her hand. A faint authority filled her voice as she directly cut Yun Leng off.

"This..."

"Hmm?"

"Yes!"

Seeing Yun Yun's gradually darkening expression, Yun Leng was unwilling, but he still bowed and cupped his hands before leaving the hall.

Watching Yun Leng's departing back, Yun Yun's pretty face gradually turned cold, like a block of ice that had remained frozen for a thousand years.

Once this matter was settled, she would thoroughly investigate the entire Misty Cloud Sect and uproot every rotten element within it.

In the southern part of Jia Ma Holy City stood a grand and imposing estate.

This was the headquarters of the Nalan Family, one of the imperial capital's three great families.

As the Lionheart Marshal of the Jia Ma Empire and a powerful figure who commanded great military forces, Nalan Jie naturally resided in a vast, spacious, and magnificent estate.

Unfortunately, Nalan Jie was now tormented by Brand Poison and had long been hanging by a thread. Whether he could survive was still uncertain.

As a result, his influence within the empire existed in name only, causing many enemies to begin making restless moves.

Fortunately, his granddaughter Nalan Yanran had joined the Misty Cloud Sect. Otherwise, the Nalan Family might very well have ended up like the Xiao Clan of old, forced to leave the imperial capital in disgrace.

At this moment, inside a side chamber of the Nalan Family estate.

Xiao Yan wore a solemn expression as he carefully controlled the Bone-Chilling Spirit Flame, continuously scorching the poison-corroded bones inside Nalan Jie's body until they were pitch-black.

Nearby, Nalan Yanran and Nalan Su occasionally spoke in low voices, then looked toward the two men in the distance. Their faces were filled with anxiety and unease that could not be dispelled.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Yan finally let out a breath of relief after drawing the last wisp of white flame back into his body.

"Little Friend Yan Xiao, how did it go?" Seeing Xiao Yan stop, Nalan Su hurried forward and asked.

"The results are fairly good. However, the Brand Poison has invaded the old master's body for too long. To completely expel it, at least seven more days will be needed." Xiao Yan glanced at the man who had nearly become his father-in-law and spoke after a moment of thought.

"Thank you, little brother. As long as you can cure the old master, the Nalan Family will be endlessly grateful!" Nalan Su immediately beamed with joy.

The Nalan Family had spent years searching for treatment for the old master. At last, they had finally seen hope.

Nalan Jie was the pillar of the Nalan Family. Nalan Yanran had not yet fully matured, so nothing could happen to him.

"Thank you, Mister Yan Xiao!" Nalan Yanran also revealed a delighted expression and bowed slightly in thanks.

The ornaments on the young woman's body swayed gently with her movement. Her moon-colored dress draped around her like flowing frost, making her already graceful figure appear even more elegant.

Although old grievances still remained in Xiao Yan's heart, he had to admit that the once spoiled young girl had indeed shed her immaturity and become a beauty capable of toppling cities and kingdoms.

Damn it... Xiao Yan cursed inwardly.