The Cloud Mist Sect, the most powerful force in the Jia Ma Empire, through generations of unbroken inheritance, has stood at the pinnacle of the Jia Ma Empire. If not for the sect’s teachings prohibiting the seizure of imperial power, it is likely that the Cloud Mist Sect would have completely controlled the entire Jia Ma Empire during previous changes in the imperial dynasty. Because of this, every generation of the imperial royal family has been extremely wary of this colossal entity. The current Jia Ma royal family, with the protection of the Guardian Jia Xing Tian and the mysterious beast, has gained some strength that even the Cloud Mist Sect finds slightly intimidating. Therefore, the elite army stationed at the foot of the Cloud Mist Mountain by the Jia Ma royal family has remained peaceful. For many years, the royal family has stationed their troops here, and their purpose is clear to almost everyone: they are guarding against the Cloud Mist Sect.
The Cloud Mist Sect did not react too strongly to the royal family’s actions. Apart from a few young disciples who initially went to the military camp to cause minor disturbances, the higher-ups of the sect remained silent. They understood that no one could allow another to sleep soundly beside their bed. Suspicion is common in an emperor’s household, and they were long accustomed to it. As long as the Cloud Mist Sect remained standing, the army at the foot of the mountain would never dare to make any sudden moves. No dynasty in the Jia Ma Empire dared to truly confront the Cloud Mist Sect, for they all knew that if they provoked this massive hornet’s nest, it would cause a catastrophic upheaval.
The Cloud Mist Sect was built on Cloud Mist Mountain, which was only a few dozen miles from the capital. The two were close, like two giants confronting each other. Although Xiao Yan had waited three years for this day, he did not use his Purple Cloud Wings to rush. Instead, he walked at a steady pace, heading towards the snow-white peak towering into the sky. Wearing a black robe and carrying a giant ruler, he looked like a ascetic pilgrim.
On the wide road, a young man in a black robe walked slowly, with the huge black ruler on his back drawing much attention. Occasionally, passersby in carriages cast curious glances at him. However, Xiao Yan seemed to ignore these gazes, walking steadily. Even though the weight of the Heavy Black Ruler was enough to shock anyone who first encountered it, after two years of contact, Xiao Yan had become very familiar with its weight. Thus, carrying it while traveling caused no delay. His footsteps left only shallow imprints, a far cry from the deep pits he used to leave.
Taking each step steadily, although his figure appeared thin, it exuded an air of composure and ease. This calm walk was not in vain for Xiao Yan. When he first left the city, the faint aura that constantly overflowed from his body due to his recent breakthrough to a Great Battle Master made people instinctively keep their distance. The pressure of his aura was not something ordinary people, or even some warriors, could resist. As he walked, the aura that had been overflowing from his body gradually dissipated, and now, except for the giant ruler on his back, there was nothing unusual about him.
When the sun, freed from the constraints of the horizon, slowly climbed to the high sky, Xiao Yan finally stopped. Standing on a slope, he gazed at the massive base of the mountain. At the foot of the mountain, a large military camp stretched across the flat grassland. Through the white tents, he could faintly see some soldiers training.
“Sure enough, as others have said, the Jia Ma royal family has stationed an elite army at the foot of the Cloud Mist Mountain,” Xiao Yan murmured, shaking his head. He walked down the slope and headed towards the base of the mountain. Although the camp was heavily guarded, there was no obstruction for those who wanted to go up the mountain. After a cursory glance from a few soldiers, Xiao Yan easily climbed the base of the mountain.
As the greenery began to appear on both sides, the sounds of soldiers training gradually faded. Lifting his head, Xiao Yan saw the endless stone steps leading to the horizon, like a ladder to the heavens. Standing at the foot of the mountain, Xiao Yan gazed at the ancient stone steps, closing his eyes. Faintly, he could hear the sound of a sword humming, echoing softly through the mountains, like a chime, captivating his heart.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, lightly patting the Heavy Black Ruler on his back. Stepping forward, he finally set foot on the slightly moist ancient stone steps. At this moment… the three-year agreement had arrived!
As his foot touched the ground, Xiao Yan felt that his soul seemed to exhale a breath of oppression that had been suppressed for three years. Three years ago, carrying a sense of shame and anger, he left home, entered the deep mountains, and crossed the vast deserts, transforming himself in the midst of swords and blood like a cocoon turning into a butterfly.
Three years had worn away his naivety and witnessed his growth. All of this effort was for today’s agreement! A complex emotion filled his chest, but Xiao Yan’s steps remained steady. His gaze was fixed on the end of the stone steps, as if piercing through space, focusing on the woman sitting at the mountain top.
“Nalan Yanran…” His lips moved, and her name, calm yet tinged with other emotions, quietly slipped out.
At the end of the long stone steps, clouds and mist swirled. Behind the mist, a large square made entirely of huge stones exuded an ancient and grand atmosphere. In the center of the square, a massive stone monument stood tall, inscribed with the names of the past sect leaders and those who had made great contributions to the sect.
Looking around, nearly a thousand people sat in a semi-circular formation, all wearing moon-white robes. On their sleeves, cloud-patterned swords fluttered in the wind, as if alive, hinting at a faint sword aura.
At the top of the square, several high stone steps led up, each level increasingly older, with the highest platform currently empty. Below it, over a dozen white-robed elders sat cross-legged, their eyes closed. Though they appeared unremarkable, their clothes, as still as steel, revealed their extraordinary nature.
Below these white-robed elders, on a separate stone step, a woman in a moon-white skirt sat with her eyes closed. The wind made her robe cling to her body, revealing her perfect curves. Turning to her face, it was Nalan Yanran!
Despite the nearly a thousand people in the square, the place was eerily quiet, save for the whistling wind. Occasionally, a stronger gust would blow, causing the white robes to flutter, creating a scene reminiscent of clouds descending from the sky, a sight that was quite awe-inspiring.
Suddenly, a sound of breaking wind echoed in the air, and a figure appeared on the treetop. Looking around, Xiao Yan noticed that many figures were perched on the tall trees around the square. Not only was Hai Bo Dong there, but also Fa Ma, Jia Xing Tian, and even Nalan Jie, along with other family heads and juniors, such as Mu Zhan, who had previously clashed with Xiao Yan. It seemed that the Cloud Mist Sect had invited quite a number of guests.
The newly arrived figures did not break the silence, and the strong disciples of the Cloud Mist Sect, though aware of their presence, showed no reaction, sitting quietly as if following orders. Standing on the treetops, Hai Bo Dong’s gaze swept over the quiet square, his expression slightly serious. To an expert like him, he could notice details that others might miss.
In his perception, the breathing rhythms of the nearly a thousand Cloud Mist Sect disciples were completely synchronized, their auras intertwined. Any movement would trigger a relentless and fierce attack, making the entire square operate as one. Even a Battle Emperor would have to tread carefully.
“Indeed, the Cloud Mist Sect.” Hai Bo Dong sighed in admiration, wondering how difficult it must be to train these disciples to such a level of coordination. Turning to look at Fa Ma and Jia Laolao, he saw the same seriousness in their eyes. Clearly, the combined array of the Cloud Mist Sect was something they were wary of.
In the quiet square, time passed silently. The sun climbed to its peak, and warm sunlight bathed the entire mountain top. Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps emerged from the stone steps below the square. The sound gradually grew louder, causing a slight change in the collective aura of the square.
All the Cloud Mist Sect disciples in the square opened their eyes, their gazes fixed on the source of the footsteps. On the stone platform, Nalan Yanran’s bright eyes gradually opened. For some reason, her usually calm heart began to beat erratically.
The footsteps drew closer, growing louder until the dozen white-robed elders on the platform also opened their eyes, their gazes converging on the same spot. From the distant sky, a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, shining directly on the last stone step. There, a slender figure finally appeared in countless eyes.
Under the watchful gaze of nearly a thousand pairs of eyes, the black-robed youth, carrying the heavy black ruler, stepped onto the final step. His gaze, neither happy nor sad, swept across the vast square, finally resting on the beautiful woman on the stone platform, who also turned her bright eyes towards him.
He took a step, then another, and another, the only sound being the low thud of his footsteps. After three steps, the youth raised his head, his gaze fixed on the woman, and spoke calmly, “Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan!”
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