Barrier-Breaking Seal

Xiao Yan's eyes flickered, but there was no fear in them. Instead, he clenched his fists tighter.

"Three-Year Agreement. I, Xiao Yan, will stand atop Misty Cloud Mountain and proudly tell her that I, Xiao Yan, am worthy of anyone!"

"Good!"

Seeing the light rekindled in his eyes, Xiao Chen felt a warmth in his heart. "That's the spirit Master Xiao wants to see!"

"Remember, the Three-Year Agreement has never been about whose backer is stronger, but whose fists are harder!"

"No matter how strong Nalan Yanran is, she trained step by step to reach that level. If you can catch up to her, you can surpass her!"

Xiao Yan clasped his fists firmly, turned around, and strode away.

After taking two steps, he turned back and grinned. "Master Xiao, when I win, you'll have to prepare another jar of that Foundation-Nourishing Wine for me!"

"I'll prepare ten jars if you want!"

Xiao Chen waved with a laugh. "Go!"

Watching Xiao Yan's figure disappear into the woods, the smile gradually faded from Xiao Chen's face.

"Nalan Yanran... a Da Dou Shi?"

"With Xiao Yan's current progress, winning the match is inevitable."

"But cultivation alone won't be enough. Those people from the Misty Cloud Sect won't simply sit back and watch Xiao Yan win."

"Ding! The host has gifted Xiao Yan [Foundation-Nourishing Wine] ×1, triggering a return: [Dou Qi Refinement Method] ×1!"

"Dou Qi Refinement Method!"

"Dou Qi is like syrup; refine it, and it condenses. Meridians are like channels; clear them, and they flow freely..."

"What an excellent refinement method!"

The Three-Year Agreement had finally reached its last day.

That night, the Xiao Residence was brightly lit. The entire clan had gathered together to hold a farewell banquet for Xiao Yan.

The hall was filled with fine wine and delicacies. Everyone in the clan, young and old, had come, and all eyes rested on the youth dressed in black with a long ruler hanging from his waist.

Xiao Yan sat at the head of the table, surrounded by everyone's enthusiasm. He wore a smile, but tears glimmered faintly in his eyes.

"Three years..."

he murmured softly. "Three years ago, the Xiao Clan was trampled beneath someone's feet. Three years later, the entire clan is sending me off."

"All of this was given to me by Master Xiao."

"Master Xiao..."

He quietly raised his head and looked toward Xiao Chen, who was speaking with Xiao Zhan across the room. Warmth filled his heart.

Three years ago, when he had been licking his wounds alone in the back mountain, Master Xiao had been the one to hand him his first bottle of pills.

Over the past three years, Master Xiao had sparred with him, passed on his cultivation, and gifted him pills, practically giving him everything he could.

Tonight, Master Xiao had even brought out his most prized possession in front of the entire clan and given it to him.

"This debt of gratitude..."

He secretly clenched his fists. "Xiao Yan will never forget it in this lifetime!"

"Young Master Yan!"

A young clan member raised his cup and shouted.

"Tomorrow's battle at Misty Cloud Mountain must let that Nalan Yanran know that the sons of our Xiao Clan aren't people she can hope to reach!"

"That's right! We'll hold our heads high tomorrow!"

"To Young Master Yan!"

Amid the cheers filling the hall, Xiao Yan's eyes reddened. He raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

"This cup is for the Xiao Clan! For Master Xiao! And for all the uncles and brothers who have stood by me without wavering these past three years!"

"After tomorrow, Xiao Yan will definitely not disappoint everyone!"

After three rounds of drinks, Xiao Chen suddenly rose to his feet. With a sweep of his sleeve, he gently pushed a yellowed scroll in front of Xiao Yan.

The hall instantly fell silent. Everyone knew that Elder Xiao was about to give Young Master Yan his most prized possession.

"Little Yan, this is Master Xiao's most prized possession."

"[High Xuan Tier-Breaking Seal]!"

Xiao Chen slowly said, "This seal is a secret method for erupting with power in battle. During the Three-Year Agreement, if you encounter a powerful enemy, you can burn your Dou Qi and unleash a strike that instantly surpasses your own limits!"

"Remember, do not use this seal unless you are driven to the brink."

"Once you use it, you must decide the victor with one strike!"

"Hiss—"

A chorus of sharp breaths rang out through the hall.

"An Earth-Tier Dou Technique?! Elder Xiao is actually willing to give such a treasure to Young Master Yan!"

"The Xiao Clan doesn't have an Earth-Tier Dou Technique, but this High Xuan Tier explosive secret method would be something every major faction in the Jia Ma Empire would fight desperately to obtain!"

"Elder Xiao has truly given Young Master Yan everything he has!"

Several young clan members were even more shocked. Awe had already entered their gazes as they looked at Xiao Chen.

This elder, who usually wore a genial smile, had made such a grand gesture with a single move. He was truly far deeper than he appeared.

Xiao Yan accepted the scroll with both hands. It felt heavy, and his heart surged with emotion.

He clasped his fists firmly.

"Master Xiao's great kindness—I, Yan'er, will never forget it!"

"What kindness? Don't make such a big deal of it."

Xiao Chen waved with a smile, then suddenly raised his voice and said with boldness, "Little Yan, listen carefully. If you lose, I'll lose face. If you win, I'll treat the entire city to a feast!"

Laughter erupted throughout the hall, and the atmosphere instantly caught fire.

"Hahaha, Elder Xiao is truly generous!"

"Young Master Yan, did you hear that? The entire city gets a feast. It all depends on your battle tomorrow!"

With red-rimmed eyes, Xiao Yan laughed along. Then, as he laughed, he suddenly lifted his robe, dropped to one knee, clasped his fists firmly, and declared, "Master Xiao, wait for my triumphant return!"

Xiao Chen's heart warmed. He reached out to help him up and patted him on the shoulder. "Good lad. Master Xiao will be waiting."

"Master Xiao."

Xiao Yan suddenly lowered his voice and said seriously, "As for the Barrier-Breaking Seal... Yan'er will study it properly. But Yan'er wants to know even more: on the day of the Three-Year Agreement, will you personally go up the mountain?"

"Of course."

Xiao Chen smiled. "You're going to battle. How could Master Xiao possibly not be there?"

"As for that battle atop Misty Cloud Mountain, Master Xiao won't merely watch. I'll also..."

He paused, a meaningful glint passing through his eyes. "Turn away all those dirty hands reaching for you."

Xiao Yan's heart burned with warmth, and he clasped his fists firmly. "With those words from Master Xiao, even if Yan'er dies, he'll die on the arena atop Misty Cloud Mountain!"

"What nonsense!"

Xiao Chen laughed and scolded him. "Remember! Win—win with honor! Lose? Master Xiao never taught you those two words!"

"Yes!" Xiao Yan grinned.

The next morning, at the gates of Wutan City.

Xiao Chen, Xiao Yan, and the others were fully prepared to depart. Xiao Zhan and the clan members stood at the city gates, watching them leave, their eyes filled with reluctance and hope.

"Father, uncles, wait for Yan'er's triumphant return!" Xiao Yan bowed deeply to everyone.

"Go!" Xiao Zhan held back his tears and waved. "The sons of our Xiao Clan must leave with honor and return in glory!"

"Yan'er understands!"

Xiao Yan swung onto his horse. Just as he was about to urge it forward, he suddenly turned back toward Xiao Zhan in the crowd and heavily knocked his head against the ground.

"Father, three years ago, you bore everything for Yan'er. Three years later, Yan'er will return a proud and honorable Xiao Clan to you!"

Xiao Zhan's entire body shook, and his eyes instantly reddened.

He turned his head away and waved forcefully. "Hurry up and go! Stop dawdling here and embarrassing yourself!"

Xiao Yan grinned, straightened up, dug his heels into the horse's flanks, and chased after Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen gave Xiao Zhan a slight nod, dug his heels into his horse, and rode ahead.

The horses' hooves shattered the morning dew, kicking up a trail of dust.

"Elder Xiao—"

Ya Fei's clear voice suddenly came from behind.

Xiao Chen reined in his horse and turned around, only to see Ya Fei dressed in plain clothes, gazing at him from afar.

"May the heavens protect Mr. Xiao and Young Master Yan on your journey!" she called.

Xiao Chen said nothing. He merely gave a slight nod in Ya Fei's direction.

"Mr. Xiao."

Ya Fei called out again, her voice trembling faintly. "Ya Fei will wait for your return."

Xiao Chen's heart stirred slightly. Gazing at that figure in the morning light, he gently nodded.

"Giddy up!" He dug his heels into his horse's flanks and sped away.

Behind him, Ya Fei stood quietly where she was, watching that figure gradually recede until it vanished into the morning mist. Only then did she lower her eyes.

"Mr. Xiao..."

"Ya Fei will wait for your triumphant return."