Xiao Yan vs. Nalan Yanran

Nalan Yanran had thought Xiao Yan was trash, so ending the engagement would be no big deal. But the cultivation talent Xiao Yan had displayed was even more terrifying than hers, and Nalan Yanran now felt rather regretful. Still, words once spoken were like water spilled on the ground. There was no way she could take them back; she still had some pride.

"Hmph! So what if your cultivation talent has returned? I, Nalan Yanran, simply don't like arranged marriages. I insist on breaking off this engagement!" Nalan Yanran said forcefully.

"Hehe, does Old Master Nalan know about this?" Seeing Nalan Yanran's firm attitude, Xiao Yan asked with a cold smile.

"Grandfather doesn't know about this. But this is my own matter and has nothing to do with him." Nalan Yanran felt somewhat displeased when Xiao Yan mentioned her grandfather, since he had always opposed breaking off the engagement.

"Since the engagement is a matter between the two of us, how about we settle it ourselves?" Xiao Yan said calmly.

"How?" Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan in confusion, wanting to hear his proposal.

"On the Dou Qi Continent, strength ultimately speaks for itself. My method is simple. Since you're so confident in your strength, let's have a match. If you win, I'll hand over the engagement agreement with both hands. You can make me write whatever you want in it, and the same goes the other way around. What do you think? Fair enough?" Xiao Yan said calmly.

"It is indeed fair. I accept." Nalan Yanran lowered her gaze and pondered for a moment before agreeing.

Nalan Yanran was quite confident in her strength. After all, she was a Three-star Dou Zhe, while Xiao Yan was merely a rookie who had just entered the Dou Zhe realm. Besides, how could the cultivation methods and Dou Techniques of the Misty Cloud Sect compare to those of a minor clan like the Xiao Clan?

Seeing Nalan Yanran agree so quickly, Ge Ye felt somewhat worried. He could sense that the aura emanating from Xiao Yan was no weaker than Nalan Yanran's, perhaps even stronger.

"Good! Then let's head to the training ground!" Seeing Nalan Yanran agree, Xiao Yan immediately turned and headed for the clan training ground.

Seeing that Ge Ye was still hesitant, Xiao Zhan said with a smile, "Mr. Ge Ye, this is a matter between the younger generation. It should naturally be settled by them. We only need to watch from the side."

"Sigh! It can only be this way!" Ge Ye sighed and followed Xiao Zhan toward the training ground.

Naturally, no one else in the clan wanted to miss the match between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. No matter which of them lost, the loser would become a laughingstock.

On the massive bluestone training ground, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran stood facing each other. A crowd of spectators surrounded them, all wanting to witness who would win and who would lose.

One was the daughter of the Nalan Clan and the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, with exceptional cultivation talent. The other was a prodigy who had broken through from the third stage of Dou Qi to Dou Zhe in just one year.

On the raised platform to the left of the bluestone grounds, Xiao Zhan and the three elders sat with Ge Ye, witnessing the match between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. None of them felt at ease, because this contest concerned the reputations of the Misty Cloud Sect and the Xiao Clan. If Xiao Yan lost, the Xiao Clan would never be able to hold its head high before the world again. On the Dou Qi Continent, it was an unbearable humiliation for a woman to break off an engagement with a man.

Of course, if Nalan Yanran lost, the consequences would be even more serious. Nalan Yanran represented the Misty Cloud Sect; she was its Young Sect Master. If she lost, it would deal a tremendous blow to the Misty Cloud Sect's reputation. They had come to break off an engagement, only to have the other party break it off instead. If word got out, wouldn't people laugh themselves to death?

"Today, Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan will compete here to exchange pointers. Both sides are to stop at the proper point and must not endanger each other's lives." The Great Elder stood atop the platform and shouted loudly.

The Great Elder was very careful with his wording, not daring to state outright that this match was being held because of a broken engagement. After all, if this truly angered the Misty Cloud Sect, the Xiao Clan could not bear its wrath. The Misty Cloud Sect could casually send a few Dou Wangs and Dou Lings to wipe out the Xiao Clan. The Xiao Clan was still far too weak.

Hearing the Great Elder's announcement, Xiao Yan smiled faintly. As if today's matter could be concealed merely by leaving it unspoken. This match was taking place in the small Wutan City, but if Xiao Yan lost, it would be no great matter. The Xiao Clan was only a minor clan, and few would care or pay attention. No matter how gossiping people were, it would be difficult for the news to spread beyond Wutan City.

But if Nalan Yanran lost, the news would instantly spread throughout the entire empire. The Misty Cloud Sect had been a mountain pressing down on the Jia Ma Imperial Family for far too long, and they had dreamed of removing this force that threatened imperial authority. With such a good opportunity, they would naturally strike hard at the Misty Cloud Sect.

Standing on the stage, Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan, who wore a smile and an expression of utter confidence. Her brows furrowed slightly as she gently bit her lip.

"Hmph! I don't know where your confidence comes from. I'm a Three-star Dou Zhe, while you're merely a rookie who has just entered the Dou Zhe realm. Today, I'll let you understand the gap between us." Nalan Yanran snorted coldly, then drew the green treasure sword she wore at her side and pointed its tip at Xiao Yan.

Seeing Nalan Yanran draw her sword, Xiao Yan smiled faintly. He curled his right hand into a claw and drew a broadsword from the weapon rack on the right side of the bluestone training ground. The blade seemed to have been grasped by an invisible hand as it pulled free from the rack, traced a perfect arc through the air, and landed steadily in Xiao Yan's hand.

At the sight of Xiao Yan's movement, the entire venue fell silent as everyone sucked in a cold breath.

"What precise Dou Qi control! It's simply miraculous!"

Drawing in a weapon was nothing unusual. Some who had reached the Dou Master realm could do it. But who had ever seen someone pull a weapon upward out of its rack like that?

After seeing Xiao Yan's move, Ge Ye's brows furrowed even deeper, and he could not help feeling more worried.

Seeing everyone's reactions, a smile appeared on Xiao Yan's lips.

All those months of practice weren't for nothing! A certain hero's signature technique is so cool it's ridiculous! A smug smile appeared on Xiao Yan's lips. After all, who didn't like showing off?

Xiao Yan picked up the broadsword and casually weighed it in his hand. It was rather light, but it would do.

Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan with greater solemnity in her eyes. She did not dare let down her guard in the slightest and immediately poured Dou Qi into her treasure sword. A powerful aura instantly spread out. Her slender legs were also wrapped in pale green Dou Qi. With a light push from her feet, she shot toward Xiao Yan like a bird in flight. The treasure sword traced a graceful arc through the air as it stabbed directly at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and stared fixedly at the treasure sword thrusting toward him. The Dou Qi in his hand suddenly erupted, pouring into the broadsword. The entire blade became wrapped in two different colors of Dou Qi, one yin and one yang. It looked exceptionally dazzling and gave off a strange aura. When the treasure sword neared Xiao Yan's body, Xiao Yan knocked it aside with one swing and viciously chopped toward Nalan Yanran's chest. Nalan Yanran hurriedly raised her sword to block, but she was still sent flying backward. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and her feet scraped across the ground for a long distance before she finally stopped.

Seeing this from the platform on the left, Ge Ye was utterly shocked. He had never imagined that Xiao Yan's seemingly casual strike could possess such power.

"Sigh! If the Young Sect Master really loses..." Ge Ye did not dare think any further.

The Xiao Clan members were unsurprised by the scene. They had already witnessed Xiao Yan's terrifying strength and defense during his previous match with Xiao Ning.

Nalan Yanran's hands, which gripped her treasure sword, trembled continuously. She had clearly been badly shaken by Xiao Yan's blow. Xiao Yan's strength was simply too great, like that of a Magical Beast. How could a woman like Nalan Yanran withstand it?

Nalan Yanran rose to her feet and wiped the blood from her lips. "I didn't expect you to have specially trained your body as well. I truly underestimated you. But I only used thirty percent of my strength just now. How much did you use?"

"Uh... I suppose it was barely twenty percent." Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment before answering with a serious expression.

"Ah! I'll kill you!"