Feeling the formidable Dou Qi surging from Xiao Yan’s body, a glimmer of surprise flashed across Nalan Yanran’s eyes. This was the very same young man who, back then, had suffered countless scorn and ridicule in the Xiao Clan. Gripping her pale green longsword tightly, faint emerald winds swirled around the blade, forming fierce wind blades that occasionally shot out, leaving shallow yet noticeable marks on the hard green stone slabs. The sword’s edge, gleaming under the sun, radiated an ominous light as it gradually rose, pointing directly at Xiao Yan.
As the Dou Qi surged from both their bodies, the atmosphere in the grand plaza suddenly thickened. All around, it became quiet again, with all eyes fixated on the two. Many people were eager to know, after three years of cultivation, how far that once worthless boy could have come.
In the arena, Xiao Yan slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and abruptly opened them, a flash of emerald flames passing through his dark pupils. The Dou Qi around his body grew much deeper and more profound. With a firm grip on the heavy ruler, feeling its weight, Xiao Yan looked up, staring intently at the woman whose figure was like a willow leaf across from him.
Mid-air, their gazes met, both carrying a hint of complexity. “The three-year agreement has arrived; your past grudges will be settled today. I hope, after today, all entanglements can…”
On the stone platform, Yun Leng watched the two in their confrontational stance, clearing his throat. But before he could finish, he stopped, looking slightly disgruntled. This was because, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yan ignored his words, breaking the stalemate by swinging his heavy ruler. His body transformed into a black shadow, rushing fiercely toward Nalan Yanran.
“Fight! Nalan Yanran! It’s been three years!” As the black shadow charged, the repressed roar from three years of suppression burst from his throat.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the square, the black shadow, like an enraged magical beast, caused the Heavy Ruler to scrape along the ground, creating a long trail of sparks and deep marks on the green stones.
Nalan Yanran’s face remained calm as she watched the approaching black shadow. Her cultivation method was wind-based, making speed and agility her specialties. Just as Xiao Yan approached within ten meters, Nalan Yanran finally moved. Lightly tapping the ground, her body fluttered like a leaf in a gale, swiftly dodging the charging black figure.
In the instant they crossed, Nalan Yanran’s longsword slashed naturally. Aided by her agile movement, several small wind blades shot out first, aiming for Xiao Yan’s neck.
His rapid charge came to a sudden halt. With a clank and some small sparks, the wind blades dispersed without even slowing Xiao Yan’s advance. After blocking the wind blades, Xiao Yan glanced coldly at Nalan Yanran’s graceful form and swung his heavy ruler, sending a powerful surge of force behind him.
The pressure from this force pressed Nalan Yanran’s robe tight against her skin, highlighting her slender waist. Sensing the oppressive force behind her, Nalan Yanran raised an eyebrow, surprised by the acuity of Xiao Yan’s perception. Her longsword thrust out, leaving a green arc in the air. The sharp tip, piercing through the air, made a clear sound as it struck the heavy ruler, bending it into a dramatic curve, much to the astonishment of the surrounding Yun Lian disciples.
However, the longsword, though bent, did not break. As the tip nearly touched Nalan Yanran’s arm, she lightly tapped the ground, her longsword emitting a surge of green light. This sudden increase in power bounced the heavy ruler away. Using the rebound, Nalan Yanran leapt into the air, her face grave. Her sword began to quiver rapidly, leaving substantial-looking afterimages with every move.
“Wind Spirit Multiple Swords?!”
“I didn’t expect Senior Sister Nalan to have mastered such an intermediate Xuan level skill. Truly admirable.”
“Rumors say she managed to create five afterimages in just one year, while I, after almost two years, can only manage four…”
“Just at the start, and she’s already using such a high-level technique. Is she aiming for a quick battle? Poor Xiao Yan, he’s in for it now.”
As Nalan Yanran displayed this strange skill, the Yun Lian disciples below began to whisper in amazement. It seemed they recognized the skill, which was apparently quite difficult to master. Even the elder white-robed figures on the stone platform nodded in approval.
Planting the heavy ruler into the ground, Xiao Yan watched as the energy afterimages appeared with each move of Nalan Yanran’s sword. His keen senses detected the immense power within these afterimages.
“No wonder she’s the young sect leader of Yun Lian. Such a powerful technique, used so effortlessly…”
Gripping the heavy ruler, Xiao Yan slowly turned, then stomped the ground, a loud explosion drawing everyone’s attention. Using the recoil, he launched himself at Nalan Yanran, green Dou Qi surging from the heavy ruler, mingled with eerie wisps of flame.
Seeing Xiao Yan shoot upward, Nalan Yanran furrowed her brows, but continued moving her sword. Tapping the void, a gust of wind propelled her back as a barrage of sharp wind blades sliced towards Xiao Yan.
Feeling the slicing wind above, Xiao Yan raised his hand, a massive force erupting from his palm, dispersing the wind blades.
Slowed by this, Xiao Yan prepared to block Nalan Yanran’s next move when a cold voice rang out: “Wind Spirit Multiple Swords!”
With a cry, Nalan Yanran pointed her sword at Xiao Yan, stepping on a gentle breeze. Retreating rapidly, she left behind five energy sword afterimages, which linked together and shot at Xiao Yan.
The swords, tearing through the air, emitted a blinding green light. Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Yan braced himself, pushing off the ground and shooting backward. The energy swords grazed past, the sharp wind stinging his skin.
Spinning mid-air, Nalan Yanran landed gracefully, waving her hand to disperse the dust. As the dust cleared, her eyes narrowed, Dou Qi surging as she retreated, her sword slashing the air.
Just as she began to attack, a chill ran down her spine. Turning, she saw Xiao Yan, fists clenched, the heavy ruler gone. His fist, imbued with terrifying force, struck her back, creating a deafening sonic boom.
“Eight Extremes Collapse!”
With a mental roar, the power in his fist increased, slamming into Nalan Yanran’s back with overwhelming force. The impact sent her flying, like a broken kite or a fragile flower caught in a storm.
Breathing out, Xiao Yan extended his hand, the heavy ruler, which had drawn Nalan Yanran’s attention earlier, flying back to him, plunging into the stone slabs.
“Senior Sister Nalan lost?” Countless onlookers, mouths agape, watched in disbelief as Nalan Yanran fell like a butterfly stripped of its wings. Could it be that the young sect leader of Yun Lian was defeated so easily?
On the stone platform, Yun Leng and the other elders watched Nalan Yanran’s descent calmly. If she could be defeated so easily, it would be a poor reflection on Yun Lian’s training, wouldn’t it?
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage