Amidst the blaze of ashen white flames within his eyes, Xiao Yan’s pupils shone bright. After a long while, the fiery glow gradually faded, and with the ebbing embers, clarity returned to his gaze.
He exhaled a deep, heavy breath, his face enveloped in a faint luminescence. There was an undisguised joy in his eyes. Never had Xiao Yan expected that in merely a span of ten short days, he would be able to completely assimilate the bone-spirit cold fire that once showed resistance.
“The bone-spirit cold fire has fully merged with me now, ready to be devoured and refined at any time.” A thoughtful expression colored Xiao Yan’s face. He knew that the process of refining and absorbing the bone-spirit cold fire would take considerable time. Calculating their journey, they should be nearing the Flower Sect by now. Devouring it immediately did not seem like the best course of action.
“Best to finish the matter with Yun Yun first, then I can focus on devouring and refining the cold fire.” Having made up his mind, Xiao Yan’s concerns were alleviated. Controlling the burning inferno within his brow, he turned towards Nalan Yanran and inquired, “How close are we to the Flower Sect?”
“Should be within the next two days. We have already entered the Northwest region, so the Flower Sect is quite near.”
“Mm, Qing Lin, let’s pick up the pace. We need to get to the Flower Sect as soon as possible.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, turning to instruct Qing Lin. As they drew closer to the Flower Sect, a feeling of urgent anticipation stirred in his heart. He wondered what changes had befallen that person he hadn’t seen for so long, and what sort of grace and beauty she might possess now?
Qian Lin, beside him, smiled and nodded, patting her snake mount. The massive serpent quivered, soaring through the sky at an even faster speed.
Three days later, after a long and weary journey, Xiao Yan and his companions descended from the endless mountain ranges above, slowing down mid-air. Nalan Yanran’s gaze swept around, before she gently floated down, taking out from her Nalanzhi Ring a petal-shaped item and flicking it forward.
*Pang-*
The moment the petal-shaped item left her hand, it vanished into the void before them. A strange fluctuation rippled through the space, and a few moments later, a gigantic spatial barrier appeared in the sight of Xiao Yan and the others.
“Such a vast spatial barrier—quite impressive!” Amazed, Xiao Yan stared at the colossal veil of the spatial barrier. Though the Flower Sect lacked the means to create independent dimensions, using such a grandiose spatial barrier to conceal their headquarters was by no means small-minded.
The spatial barrier fluctuated softly, and a crack appeared, into which Nalan Yanran gestured for Xiao Yan and Cai Lin to follow. Promptly, they followed, with Cai Lin quickly gathering her Nine Dark Hell Serpent and following right behind.
The moment they stepped into the spatial barrier, flowers bloomed before their eyes, and a thick, alluring floral fragrance engulfed them. This scent carried a powerful, overwhelming energy from the heavens and the earth.
“What a wondrous place!”
Suspended in midair, Xiao Yan gaped in amazement at the world hidden beyond the spatial barrier. Spread out before them was a range of rolling, flower-covered mountains, blossoming with vivid and colorful flowers. From afar, it looked like a sea of flowers, with the light breeze stirring petals and making them dance in the sky, creating a scene reminiscent of a heavenly realm.
“Beautiful,” Cai Lin exclaimed, her face filled with admiration and awe.
“This flower sea must be a formation!” Xiao Yan observed the sprawling expanse of flowers, his eyes lighting up. He sensed within this sea of blooms a tremendous source of power, and even the fragments of petals floating midair adhered to a specific, cryptic pattern.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Nalan Yanran nodded, smiling, “This is the grand formation guarding the Flower Sect. Without a way to enter, one would be lost in this flower sea forever. No one unguided would ever escape.”
“These must be the legendary enchanting flowers. They are rare and peculiar in the outside world, yet here, they cover the entire landscape,” Xiao Yan mused, breathing in the sweet scent of the flowers.
“Nay, it’s not just enchanting flowers. There are many other mystical kinds here, greatly amplifying the effects of the enchantment.”
Nalan Yanran’s explanation was abruptly cut off by a barely audible chime resonating from the flower sea.
“That sound… the competition is about to start. Quick, follow me. One wrong step and you’ll get lost in the flower field.”
Upon hearing the chimes, Naran Yanran’s face changed, and she hurriedly urged the others, leading the way into the flower bed. Her flight path was unusually erratic, moving in a curved rather than straight route. Seeing this, Xiao Yan and Cai Lin could only chuckle and quickly follow her trail.
At the end of the flower fields, a majestic and formidable mountain range stretched forth, its peaks wreathed in swirling clouds and dotted with vibrant flowers. Scattered among the steep cliffs were structures, and occasionally, beautiful figures could be seen giggling and strolling.
In the very center stood a towering peak. Across its broad summit, structures jutted up, and atop it sat a giant square hewn from green stone. Its boundaries were adorned with petal patterns, and an enchanting aroma filled the air.
The square teemed with people, their gazes all focused on something in the center. The atmosphere was tense.
Standing in the heart of the square was a pair, a woman donning elegant robes embroidered with gold thread, and a man with a slender, good-looking figure, his countenance tinged with a hint of mischief. In the center of his forehead, a blood-red dot gave him an eerie appearance.
“Yun Yun, it’s time. Make your entrance!” As the chimes died down, the woman in brocade narrowed her eyes and called out coldly.
With her order, a whooshing sound echoed in the air, and a white figure gracefully glided into the square, her feet lightly touching the stone floor.
Her arrival drew all eyes, and despite having seen her before, many still found themselves awestruck by her ethereal beauty. She wore pure white, her long, raven-black hair cascading down to her slender waist. Her face was a picture of stunning beauty, much like a flower sprite untouched by the mortal world. Her eyes sparkled, conveying a serene, cloudless spirit, devoid of any trace of aggression.
Only four words could describe such a woman: peerlessly elegant.
And who else could embody such an image but Yun Yun, whom Xiao Yan hadn’t seen for years? Like a fine wine buried deep within the earth, she had only grown more intoxicating over the years, leaving one with a desire to never leave.
Many Flower Sect elders nodded in approval, appreciating the serene elegance that marked her. It was no wonder the late Sect Head had entrusted the Flower Sect to Yun Yun before her death. A comparison between the two revealed a clear disparity.
The man in brocade, who stood by the side of the enigmatic woman, gazed at the white-robed woman with a fervent look in his eyes. Such a vision of beauty was a deadly temptation to one who loved the aesthetics.
The intense stares directed at Yun Yun made the woman in brocade clench her fists, envy and hatred simmering in her eyes. “I thought you wouldn’t dare come today.”
“Sect Head, I have no desire for the position. Why press me so hard?” Yun Yun replied, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she faced the woman in brocade.
“Hmph, if you truly have no interest, hand over the old Sect Head’s lifeforce. Our sect kindly took you in, and now you covet the Sect Head’s position!”
“If I had known that Grandmother Hua was the Sect Head, I wouldn’t have saved her. As for the lifeforce seal, it resides within me. If you truly want it, come and take it.”
“Humph, do you think I’m afraid of you? You, come and assist me!”
“Yun Yun, with the old Sect Head’s lifeforce inheritance, fighting two should be no issue. And remember, the rules of the Flower Sect allow married couples to fight together.” The woman in brocade sneered. “You’re not being bullied. If you have a partner, bring them along too!”
Upon hearing this, the Flower Sect elders frowned. Yun Yun offered a gentle smile and shook her head, “Please, go ahead. I am alone.”
Before she could finish, a whistling sound split the sky. A figure shot like lightning from a distance, landing beside Yun Yun in the square. Seizing her hand, a teasing and embarrassing voice echoed, making Yun Yun’s cheeks flush red.
“Little Yun, am I late?”
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