Heaven Rank Dou Technique: Possession!

My fiancée?

Xiao Yan sat down across from Nalan Yanran, his face full of confusion.

Ge Ye rose, glanced at Xiao Yan, then said:

"Now that the person concerned is here, I'll get straight to it, Clan Leader Xiao. We came today because of our Young Sect Master.

"The Sect Master has high hopes for her and is grooming her as the next Sect Master. To let Yanran focus on her cultivation, we ask that you dissolve the engagement."

Crash!

Xiao Zhan glared at them. The cup in his hand shattered.

He stared hard at Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye, his furious voice shaking the entire council hall.

"For a woman to come here and break off an engagement herself has always been an enormous humiliation! Your Misty Cloud Sect and Nalan Family have come here today to trample the Xiao Family's honor underfoot!"

As his words fell, the Dou Qi within Xiao Zhan erupted.

A powerful surge of Dou Qi swept through the hall and formed a ferocious lion. Its roar shook the air, and its savage pressure engulfed the council hall, bearing down on the Misty Cloud Sect's party.

Faced with Xiao Zhan's fury, Ge Ye remained calm and showed no fear.

"Calm yourself, Clan Leader Xiao. Today's request is not Miss Yanran's decision alone. It is the will of our Sect Master.

"Of course, the Sect Master is merciful and has offered you some compensation."

With that, he took out a wooden box and opened it.

Inside lay a Fourth-Grade Medicinal Pill—a Qi Gathering Powder that could raise someone at the ninth stage of Dou Qi to Dou Zhe without fail.

Those words shattered the last of Xiao Zhan's restraint.

His chest heaved violently. Rage threatened to burst from him, and his bloodshot eyes looked terrifying.

Veins bulged across his clenched fists. Under the force of his grip, the jade thumb ring he wore snapped into several pieces.

"Good! What a fine Misty Cloud Sect! What a fine Nalan Family!"

Xiao Zhan roared twice, each word forced through gritted teeth.

Every member of the Xiao Family present, including its elders, wore a grim expression.

Thanks to Lu Chuan's arrival, Xiao Yan had taken Yao Lao as his master ahead of time and announced that an Alchemy Grandmaster had accepted him as a disciple.

His talent had returned, and he had gained a powerful backer.

So the Xiao Family elders were not about to swallow this insult for a single Qi Gathering Powder.

"The Misty Cloud Sect has gone too far!"

"Do you think we're easy to bully? Clan Leader, we must demand an explanation from the Nalan Family!"

"You think one Qi Gathering Powder can buy our pride? You arrogant fools!"

Ge Ye frowned.

Xiao Yan was nothing but a good-for-nothing. Why would they give up the Qi Gathering Powder to speak up for him?

Xiao Yan slammed a hand on the table and stood. He looked at Nalan Yanran as though he wanted to tear her apart.

"Enough, Nalan Yanran! You see me as the good-for-nothing everyone talks about and think I'm unworthy of a Misty Cloud Sect genius like you. That's why you've used your position to bully us and come here to break off the engagement!"

"You want to end it? Fine!"

His tone changed sharply:

"But today, you are not casting me aside, Nalan Yanran!"

"I, Xiao Yan, am repudiating you in front of everyone!"

Nalan Yanran lost her composure. Shock and anger filled her face.

"You dare repudiate me? What gives a good-for-nothing like you the right?"

"If I'm a good-for-nothing, then fight me. Win, and you can do whatever you like with me! Lose, and you'll accept that I've repudiated you, then kneel and apologize to my father!"

Xiao Yan stared at Nalan Yanran, but with his Soul Force, he was calling to Yao Lao for help.

Master, you have to help me! I heard she's a Three-Star Dou Zhe. I can't beat her.

Yao Lao's teasing voice sounded in his mind.

Weren't you full of confidence just now? What happened to that?

Master, please stop teasing me. The Xiao Family's honor is at stake.

Fine! I won't let anyone bully Yao Lao's disciple without a fight.

Xiao Yan's lips curved. That settled it.

Across from him, Nalan Yanran laughed in fury.

A man at the third stage of Dou Qi is challenging me, a Three-Star Dou Zhe? Where does he get the nerve?

"Fine! I accept! If you're determined to humiliate yourself, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

The crowd arrived at the Combat Arena.

Xiao Family disciples packed the Martial Arts Arena.

Xiao Zhan huddled with several elders, speaking in low voices.

The First Elder leaned close to Xiao Zhan and whispered:

"Clan Leader, does Xiao Yan have some trick up his sleeve? Tell us. This old heart of mine can't take the suspense."

But Xiao Zhan shook his head.

"I don't know what Yan has planned either. But I believe in him."

"You... Sigh."

The First Elder sighed and turned his gaze to the arena.

Nalan Yanran held a Longsword, making no effort to conceal her Three-Star Dou Zhe aura.

Across from her, Xiao Yan took a stance with empty hands. Compared with her, his fourth-stage Dou Qi left him far behind in presence alone.

Ge Ye's eyes narrowed below the stage.

Fourth-stage Dou Qi?! Xiao Yan's talent has recovered? If he cultivates for a few more years, he really might surpass Yanran.

Unfortunately, they've already fallen out with us. We can't win him over now.

But with that little Dou Qi, he still can't beat Yanran.

"Come on, Xiao Yan! Beat her!"

"You can do it, Xiao Yan! If you win, I'll introduce you to my sister!"

"Come on! Show her what the Xiao Family can do!"

The Xiao Family disciples cheered for him from below the stage.

"Watch out!"

Xiao Yan drove off the ground and charged straight at her.

The anger churning inside him spurred his Emberfire Martial Soul. It responded more readily than ever, and roaring flames wrapped around his fists.

"Rock-Splitting Fist!"

His flaming fist tore through the air toward Nalan Yanran!

Nalan Yanran's heart tightened. She hurriedly circulated her Dou Qi and brought her Longsword across her body to block.

Clang!

The blow drove Nalan Yanran back nearly ten steps. She looked at Xiao Yan in astonishment.

He's turning Dou Qi into fire?!

Wrapping his fists in flames to make his blows stronger—that level of control... Does he have an Alchemist guiding him?

But someone at the fourth stage of Dou Qi shouldn't be able to learn that!

Damn it, so what if he can? I'm not going to lose!

Seeing Xiao Yan close in again, she poured Dou Qi into her Longsword.

"Wind Spiral Slash!"

A streak of azure Sword Qi hurtled toward Xiao Yan.

It grazed his back and struck the wooden pillar behind him, carving a deep gash into the thick wood. Splinters flew.

Xiao Yan did not pause after dodging it. He planted one hand hard against the ground, twisted at the waist, and launched himself into the air. His right leg cut through the wind as he kicked straight at Nalan Yanran's lower abdomen!

Light Floc Step!

Nalan Yanran drifted aside and slashed at him again and again.

Now the gap between Nalan Yanran, who had trained in a great sect, and Xiao Yan began to show.

It was not just the difference in their Dou Qi, but also in their Dou Techniques and cultivation methods.

Even though his Dou Qi-infused Emberfire burned away some of the Sword Qi's power, the remaining force was still more than Xiao Yan could withstand.

After a prolonged exchange, the two pulled apart.

Xiao Yan panted, sword cuts covering his body.

Nalan Yanran, by contrast, had only a few scorch marks on her clothes.

Damn it, Master, I really can't beat her. It's up to you!

Don't resist. Let me control your body.

Xiao Yan closed his eyes. A cool sensation spread through him, followed by a flood of power!

His eyes snapped open. A flash of white light passed deep within them.

"Round two!"