Misty Cloud Sect's Shock!

A day later, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran had returned to the Misty Cloud Sect. Neither spoke much along the way. Nalan Yanran kept her head lowered as she followed behind, her face carrying traces of lingering fear and grievance, while Yun Yun's expression was equally grim.

The moment they returned to the Misty Cloud Sect's main hall, several elders who had received word in advance were already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Nalan Yanran's poor complexion, they were somewhat puzzled. When they saw that Yun Yun was also furious, their curiosity deepened.

The Great Elder, Yun Ling, was the first to speak. "Sect Leader, what exactly happened when you went to the Xiao Clan? Why do you both look so serious? Yanran doesn't look well either. Could it be that the Xiao Clan actually dared to make things difficult for you?"

Yun Yun glanced at Yun Ling, then waved her hand, signaling everyone to enter the hall before speaking.

After the group entered the hall and took their seats, Yun Yun briefly recounted what had happened at the Xiao Clan.

"Xiao Yun, the Xiao Clan's Fourth Young Master, has already reached the Dou Emperor level. And he is a One-Star Dou Emperor."

"What? A Dou Emperor?!"

The instant Yun Ling heard this, he froze on the spot. His face was filled with shock and disbelief, as though he thought he had misheard.

"Sect Leader, you're not joking, are you? How could a small clan like the Xiao Clan possibly produce a Dou Emperor? And one who is only a teenager?"

"A teenage Dou Emperor... nothing like that has ever been heard of in the history of the Jia Ma Empire. How could that be possible?!"

The other elders all chimed in as well, their faces full of disbelief.

"Sect Leader, could you have been mistaken? How could a teenager possibly be a Dou Emperor?"

"This talent is far too outrageous. Even the most exceptional genius of the Misty Cloud Sect couldn't possibly reach the Dou Emperor realm at that age."

Yun Yun shook her head, her tone utterly certain. "I could not be mistaken. His Dou Qi fluctuations carried the aura of a Dou Emperor. I sensed it clearly when I faced him. There is absolutely no mistake."

"Moreover, he released the pressure of a Dou Emperor right in front of Yanran and me. I could identify the aura of that level with my eyes closed."

"A teenage Dou Emperor truly appeared in a small place like Wu Tan City."

After hearing this, the elders looked at one another, their expressions utterly spectacular.

Yun Ling then drew a deep breath and slowly sat back down in his chair, muttering, "If this is true, then this is no small matter... A teenage Dou Emperor—what heights will he reach in the future?"

After glancing at her disciple, Yun Yun began admonishing her again. "Yanran, you truly acted too impulsively this time. How many times have I told you not to make decisions about breaking off the engagement on your own? Yet you refused to listen."

"Now look what happened. You have offended a Dou Emperor, and such a young Dou Emperor at that. Do you know what this means?"

"It means his future achievements are limitless. It means there is a strong possibility that an even more powerful force stands behind him. It means that if our Misty Cloud Sect becomes enemies with him, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Nalan Yanran stood in the center of the hall with her head lowered, listening to her teacher's rebuke. She bit down on her lips and did not dare say a word in response.

Thinking back on it now, she was still terribly afraid. When Xiao Yun released his Dou Emperor aura that day, she had been completely petrified. If Xiao Yun had truly attacked her, she would have died hundreds of times over already.

After a moment of silence, Yun Ling asked, "Sect Leader, how do you intend to handle this matter?"

Yun Yun rubbed her temples, her voice carrying a trace of weariness. "This is no longer something the Misty Cloud Sect can handle alone. After all, it involves a teenage Dou Emperor. We must report it to Clan Leader Nalan."

"Send someone to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital and explain this matter to Clan Leader Nalan in detail. He needs to be informed as well."

Yun Ling nodded upon hearing this. "Understood. I will send someone to notify him at once."

When Nalan Yanran heard that her grandfather would also learn of this matter, her face immediately turned pale, her heart filled with worry.

Her grandfather, Nalan Jie, was famously hot-tempered throughout the Jia Ma Empire. Once he learned that she had done something so foolish, she would certainly receive a harsh scolding. It might even implicate the entire Nalan Clan.

"Teacher... can we not tell my grandfather yet..." Nalan Yanran asked weakly.

Yun Yun looked at her, leaving no room for negotiation in her voice. "Keep such a major matter hidden and unreported? Your grandfather will learn of it sooner or later. Informing him now will at least give him time to prepare, so nothing goes wrong afterward."

Upon hearing this, Nalan Yanran did not dare say anything further. She could only lower her head and retreat to the side.

"Enough. Go cultivate for now. You are not to mention what happened today again," Yun Yun said, waving her hand.

As though granted a pardon, Nalan Yanran hurriedly bowed and withdrew. After she left, Yun Yun was the only one remaining in the hall.

Yun Yun sat in the seat of honor in silence for a long time. Her mind kept replaying the scene from the Xiao Clan's square.

When that youth released his Dou Emperor aura, his expression had been as calm as if he were doing something utterly ordinary, without the slightest hint of showing off or pride.

That composed and unhurried attitude left a deep impression on Yun Yun.

Her curiosity grew stronger and stronger. How had a teenager reached the Dou Emperor realm in such a short amount of time?

Even across the entire Dou Qi Continent, such talent was extremely rare. A small clan like the Xiao Clan could never possibly cultivate a genius of that caliber.

So how had he done it?

Had he encountered some heaven-defying opportunity? Or was some great expert guiding him from behind the scenes?

The more Yun Yun thought about it, the more extraordinary she found him. She silently made up her mind that she had to find an opportunity to properly befriend Xiao Yun in the future.

For a genius of this caliber, friendship was far more advantageous than enmity.

Even if she could not recruit him into the Misty Cloud Sect, she at least needed to maintain a good relationship with him. He might prove to be of immense help someday.

Moreover, given Xiao Yun's current age and talent, it was not impossible for him to break through to the Dou Zong realm or even higher in the future. Someone like him could only be befriended, never offended.

As Yun Yun considered these matters, her fingers lightly tapped against the armrest of her chair, and the expression on her face grew increasingly serious.

As she thought, she suddenly felt that perhaps she should find an opportunity to visit the Xiao Clan again. This time, however, she could not go as the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, but in her personal capacity.

After all, going as Sect Leader would be too formal and conspicuous. Going in her personal capacity would make it easier to close the distance between them and learn more about him.

Still, there was no need to rush this matter. She could wait until Clan Leader Nalan gave a response.

Yun Yun drew a deep breath, rose to her feet, and walked to the entrance of the hall. Looking out at the sea of clouds in the distance, her curiosity toward that youth grew ever stronger.