What a Misty Cloud Sect

The Misty Cloud Sect's mountain gate was even more imposing than Xiao Chen had imagined.

The hundred-zhang flight of bluestone steps rose straight into the clouds. The cedars on either side towered like swords, and the spiritual energy between their branches was so dense it was almost tangible. Wisps of white mist coiled and churned around the mountainside, making it seem like an immortal realm.

A ten-zhang-tall white jade archway stood at the mountain gate. The three words "Misty Cloud Sect" were written across it, faintly carrying a few traces of fierce sword intent.

"What a Misty Cloud Sect."

Xiao Chen reined in his horse and gazed at the mountain gate that pierced the clouds, a profound look flashing through his eyes.

"Just from the grandeur of this mountain gate, it's clear that the name of the Jia Ma Empire's number-one sect is well deserved."

"Master Xiao."

Xiao Yan dismounted and gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar mountain gate before taking a deep breath.

"Three years... I, Xiao Yan, have returned."

"Mm."

Xiao Chen patted his shoulder and said indifferently, "This time, you'll walk up openly and honorably."

Xiao Chen's gaze swept over both sides of the mountain path.

Every sword mark on the stone steps, like a rut left by a cart, seemed to be an imprint of the years. Even the stone lions on either side of the mountain gate had a faint glimmer flowing through their eyes. Clearly, they had been empowered by a formation.

"This Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation... is actually completely integrated with the terrain."

Xiao Chen could not help drawing in a sharp breath. If the formation were forcibly broken, even a Dou Emperor expert would probably have to lose a layer of skin. This Misty Cloud Sect truly cannot be underestimated.

"The Three-Year Agreement..."

He murmured inwardly. This battle concerns more than the grudge between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. It also concerns the Xiao Clan's position in the Jia Ma Empire.

If we win, we must win beautifully. If we lose, we must lose with dignity.

As he was thinking, Xiao Yan suddenly asked in a low voice, "Master Xiao, what realm do you think Nalan Yanran has reached by now?"

"When the mountain gate sent word the day before yesterday, they said that young lady had already broken through to Da Dou Shi three years ago. By now, she has probably reached Dou Ling."

Xiao Chen spoke slowly. "The Misty Cloud Sect has abundant resources. Her progress won't be slow."

"Dou Ling..."

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened, then quickly returned to calm. "Dou Ling against Dou Ling? Still, the Three-Year Agreement has never been about whose realm is higher, but whose hand is more ruthless!"

"Good!"

A trace of approval flashed through Xiao Chen's eyes. "That one sentence alone makes three years of hard training worthwhile!"

"Master Xiao, rest assured. I didn't waste these three years."

Xiao Yan clenched his fist, his gaze blazing.

"In tomorrow's battle, I'll let the entire Misty Cloud Sect see that the Xiao Clan has produced a dragon!"

"Produced a dragon?"

Xiao Chen laughed heartily. "Good! Then Master Xiao will wait and see how you, this dragon, stir up the clouds of the Misty Cloud Sect!"

As they joked, the two had already passed the mountainside.

The clouds and mist ahead gradually dispersed, revealing a magnificent complex of halls.

Green tiles and white walls stood in orderly rows, while pavilions and towers nestled amid the lush greenery. It was a hundred times more imposing than any residence in Wutan City.

"This is the Misty Cloud Sect's inner sect."

Xiao Chen stopped and swept his gaze over the complex of halls before speaking in a low voice.

"Little Yan, remember what Master Xiao just said. Tomorrow, just fight to your heart's content. Even if the sky falls, Master Xiao will hold it up."

Xiao Yan's heart warmed, and he answered heavily, "Yes!"

"Stop!"

Just then, a sharp shout suddenly rang out.

A Misty Cloud Sect disciple hurried over with several others, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan, a trace of undisguised contempt hanging from the corners of his mouth.

"Who are you? This is an important area at the Misty Cloud Sect's mountain gate. Do you think just any stray cat or dog can come here?"

"Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan, here to fulfill the Three-Year Agreement." Xiao Yan slightly furrowed his brows and spoke in a deep voice.

"The Xiao Clan?"

The disciple let out a mocking laugh and looked Xiao Yan up and down.

"The same useless Xiao Clan whose engagement was annulled? What, you actually dared to come and fulfill the agreement? You couldn't have come to beg the young lady to change her mind, could you?"

"Hahahaha—" The several disciples behind him burst into uproarious laughter.

Xiao Yan's expression darkened, and he was about to lash out when Xiao Chen gently pressed down on his shoulder.

"This little brother."

Xiao Chen smiled faintly and spoke unhurriedly.

"I am Xiao Chen, an Elder Protector of the Xiao Clan. Today, I have brought a Xiao Clan disciple here to fulfill the Three-Year Agreement personally accepted by the Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Master and Miss Nalan. What? As a mere mountain-guarding disciple, do you intend to make decisions for the Sect Master and keep his guests outside the gate?"

The disciple's expression stiffened. He opened and closed his mouth, momentarily rendered speechless.

The people behind him exchanged glances and no longer dared to laugh.

"You—"

The disciple gritted his teeth and said resentfully, "Just wait! I'll go report this at once!"

"Please do."

Xiao Chen smiled faintly, flicked his sleeve, and stood with his hands behind his back.

Xiao Yan shook his head. "Master Xiao, you're much steadier than I am. If it were me, I probably would have already started fighting them."

"When dealing with people like this, using force would only be counterproductive."

Xiao Chen smiled. "You're a guest here to fulfill an agreement. If you fought several mountain-guarding disciples at the gate, they could accuse the Xiao Clan of being discourteous. Then the Misty Cloud Sect would have an excuse to make an issue of it during the competition."

"Master Xiao has considered everything."

Xiao Yan was taken aback, then nodded heavily. "Yan'er has learned his lesson."

"Mm."

Xiao Chen nodded, but his gaze passed over the mountain gate and landed on the distant peaks.

"Little Yan, do you know how many details Master Xiao noticed on the way up?"

"Details?" Xiao Yan was taken aback.

"The Misty Cloud Sect's mountain path winds through nine turns and eighteen bends, secretly corresponding to the number nine palaces. The cedars on both sides appear to have been planted at random, but in truth, they conceal a formation. Even the sword intent on that white jade archway is the Sect-Suppressing Sword Intent left behind by a Dou Emperor expert."

Xiao Chen spoke slowly. "The Misty Cloud Sect's foundations are a hundred times deeper than the Xiao Clan's. If you want to defeat her in the Three-Year Agreement, you can't rely on brute force alone."

"Master Xiao, rest assured."

Xiao Yan's gaze was firm. "I've been prepared for the Three-Year Agreement for a long time."

"Mm."

Xiao Chen nodded, then suddenly lowered his voice. "There's one more thing. Once we're up the mountain, you just focus on fighting. Leave everything else to Master Xiao."

"Everything else?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

"You'll see."

Xiao Chen smiled mysteriously and did not explain further.

Before long, the disciple came running back down, panting heavily. With an unpleasant expression, he said, "The Sect Master has ordered—let them up the mountain!"

"Thank you."

Xiao Chen cupped his hands and stepped onto the bluestone steps first.

Behind them, the disciple watched their backs and spat on the ground.

"Bah! What are you putting on airs for? Just wait until tomorrow's Three-Year Agreement. Let's see how the young lady beats you until your teeth are scattered across the ground!"

The Misty Cloud Sect's defenses were even tighter than Xiao Chen had imagined.

Every hundred paces, a squad of sword-wielding disciples patrolled. Around the mountainside, several powerful auras could faintly be sensed entrenched there. They were likely elders of the Dou Wang level holding the fort. On top of that, there was the Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation, its formation patterns hidden among the rocks and vegetation, profound and unfathomable.

"What a dragon's pool and tiger's den."

"Little Yan, listen carefully." He suddenly spoke. "In tomorrow's battle, you won't be defeating only Nalan Yanran."

"You'll also be defeating the face of the entire Misty Cloud Sect."

"And the opinion everyone in this Jia Ma Empire has of the Xiao Clan."

Xiao Yan halted, then nodded heavily. "Yan'er understands!"