"Are you really so confident you can survive the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Clan Chief?"
Ya Fei pressed both hands lightly against Xiao Zhan's chest and slipped out of his embrace, then eyed him with suspicion.
He had clearly guessed that the Misty Cloud Sect would come to settle accounts, so why did he look so calm, without the slightest fear?
Was he simply too arrogant?
Or did he have something to rely on?
"The Misty Cloud Sect..."
At her words, Xiao Zhan chuckled, a trace of disdain crossing his face. "If the people of the Misty Cloud Sect dare to come, then I, Xiao Zhan, will dare to kill them!"
"Even if Yun Yun comes to Wutan City herself, I'll make sure she never returns."
Ya Fei was visibly stunned by Xiao Zhan's "arrogant" words.
If the Misty Cloud Sect dared to come, he would dare to kill them?
He didn't even take Sect Master Yun seriously?
Had she not dealt with Xiao Zhan so often, Ya Fei would probably have instinctively assumed that the man before her was insane.
Who in the entire Jia Ma Empire would dare to hold the Misty Cloud Sect in such contempt?
How could a mere Xiao Clan Leader dare to spout such outrageous boasts?
"You certainly are... confident, Xiao Clan Chief..."
After a long silence, Ya Fei looked at Xiao Zhan's confident, disdainful expression and spoke with considerable helplessness.
The confidence Xiao Zhan displayed left even her bewildered.
Was he a madman, or did he truly possess formidable strength?
Could the Xiao Clan have been hiding its strength all these years?
A string of possibilities sprang into Ya Fei's mind, but in the end, she could not help shaking her head with a wry smile.
What was she thinking?
How could any faction in the Jia Ma Empire possibly stand against a colossus like the Misty Cloud Sect?
She had actually entertained such an unrealistic notion just because of a few words from Xiao Zhan.
The insignificant Xiao Clan could never be a match for the Misty Cloud Sect.
Xiao Zhan was probably so arrogant because he had no idea how deep the Misty Cloud Sect's foundations ran. That was why he dared to boast so recklessly.
At that thought, Ya Fei glanced at Xiao Zhan, a little contempt rising in her heart.
He was nothing more than a frog at the bottom of a well.
Did he really think everyone in the Misty Cloud Sect was of Ge Ye's caliber?
Any expert of elder rank they sent would be enough to wipe out his Xiao Clan a hundred times over.
"Since you're so confident, Xiao Clan Chief, allow me to congratulate you in advance on making your name in a single battle."
Now Ya Fei only hoped that the Misty Cloud Sect would act quickly, so she would no longer have to bow to Xiao Zhan's whims.
Watching the changes in Ya Fei's expression, Xiao Zhan knew perfectly well what she was thinking.
She undoubtedly thought he was an arrogant fool.
Xiao Zhan did not care.
Once the people of the Misty Cloud Sect arrived, no one would dare underestimate the Xiao Clan's strength again.
Ya Fei was not wrong, either.
The battle against the Misty Cloud Sect would be his chance to make his name in a single fight.
"Miss Ya Fei, since you insist, I'll agree to give you some time to think it over properly."
Xiao Zhan looked at Ya Fei, a faint threat in his voice. "Once I've defeated the people of the Misty Cloud Sect, I hope you won't offer any more excuses, Miss Ya Fei."
Ya Fei's expression shifted slightly before she gave a charming smile. "Since you've put it that way, Xiao Clan Chief, I'm not someone who fails to appreciate a favor. As long as the Xiao Clan is safe and sound a month from now, I'll willingly submit to you and be yours to command."
"Then it's a deal."
Hearing Ya Fei's promise, Xiao Zhan smiled, then left the Meeting Room.
If you really can stand against the Misty Cloud Sect, what harm would there be in marrying you...?
Watching Xiao Zhan's departing figure, Ya Fei murmured inwardly.
As a colossus within the Jia Ma Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect had established its headquarters atop a majestic mountain only a dozen or so li from the imperial capital. Because of the sect's name, the mountain was also known as Misty Cloud Mountain.
Misty Cloud Mountain was steep, with cliffs on three sides and only one road leading to its summit. It was a natural stronghold, easy to defend and difficult to attack. With Misty Cloud Sect disciples patrolling the entire mountain under tight security, it was practically a small fortress.
Only two li from the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain, the empire had stationed fifty thousand armored cavalry. Though they were nominally there to defend the capital, anyone could see that the empire's rulers were guarding against this fierce tiger crouching near their seat of power.
Clouds and mist wreathed the summit at the rear of the Misty Cloud Sect's mountain, making it resemble an immortal realm.
On a jutting black rock at the edge of a cliff, a woman in white robes sat with her eyes closed and her hands forming a cultivation seal. Her breathing formed a perfect cycle, and with each transition, faint streams of green air seeped from the energy-rich atmosphere around her. They spiraled around her before flowing continuously into her body, where they were refined and stored...
After the woman absorbed the last wisp of green air, she slowly opened her eyes. A faint green gleam flashed through them, and her shoulder-length black hair suddenly stirred without a breeze, fluttering gently.
"Sect Master, Senior Sister Nalan and Deacon Ge Ye have returned. They're in the main hall, requesting an audience."
Just then, a female disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect ran over and reported respectfully.
"I understand."
The woman slowly rose. A plain dress wrapped her voluptuous figure, and her black hair was swept up beneath an elegant Phoenix Hairpin. Her beautiful face was peaceful and serene, yet it held a grace and nobility that her simple clothing could not conceal.
This woman was the current sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Yun Yun!
Yun Yun rose gracefully and stood at the cliff's edge. The breeze blowing toward her pressed her plain white robes tightly against her shapely body, outlining alluring curves.
"Since Yanran has returned, her engagement to that boy from the Xiao Clan should have been broken off."
Her languid gaze swept over the unfathomable depths beneath the cliff. Yun Yun lightly brushed her moon-white robes with a delicate hand, then turned and left her private cultivation spot.
When Yun Yun arrived at the spacious, brightly lit main hall, Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran were waiting obediently inside. At the sight of her, they hurried forward.
"Ge Ye greets the Sect Master."
"Teacher."
Yun Yun nodded faintly, but her gaze suddenly sharpened. Looking at Ge Ye's rather pale face and unsettled aura, she knitted her brows slightly. "Deacon Ge Ye, are you injured?"
As a Dou Huang expert, she saw things as clearly as a flame illuminating the darkness and instantly noticed something amiss with Ge Ye.
At her question, a bitter smile appeared on Ge Ye's aged face. He was about to speak when Nalan Yanran could not help interrupting. "Teacher, Elder Ge Ye was injured by the Xiao Clan! They've gone too far. They don't even take our Misty Cloud Sect seriously, and they repudiated me in front of their entire clan! Teacher, you must uphold justice for your disciple..."
At the sight of her teacher, all the grievances in Nalan Yanran's heart surged up, and she could not help pouring out her complaints.
Before you continue