In just a few exchanges, Nalan Yanran found herself subdued by Xiao Yan, which was indeed quite shocking to her. It was only now that she truly believed Yun Shan had indeed fallen at the hands of Xiao Yan. While still in shock, a wave of dejection also overcame her. She had thought that after passing through the Gate of Life and Death, her greatly enhanced strength would surely surpass Xiao Yan’s, but reality gave her a harsh answer.
Her graceful neck formed a refined curve, yet under the trembling grasp of Xiao Yan’s hand, she dared not move even the slightest. At this moment, Xiao Yan was not in a calm state; if he were to truly unleash his full strength in a fit of rage, her soul would likely be reduced to another cold corpse on the square.
“Xiao Yan! Don’t hurt Yanran!” The sudden clash caught Yun Yun off guard. By the time she snapped back to reality, she saw Xiao Yan had already subdued Nalan Yanran. Her heart leapt into her throat, and she cried out in alarm.
“Sir Xiao Yan, please have mercy!” In the sky, Nalan Jie and Nalan Su, who were drenched in cold sweat, swiftly flew down and urgently pleaded. Nalan Yanran had reached peak Dou Wang strength, a considerable boost to their Nalan family’s overall power. If she were to be easily eliminated by Xiao Yan, they would truly be in despair.
Hai Bo Dong and the others watched this scene but did not say anything. Cloud Rending Sect had been severely weakened, with Yun Shan dead and many elders also perished. Although Yun Yun, a highly respected Battle Emperor, remained, the sect was unlikely to regain its former glory.
Ignoring the pleas around him, Xiao Yan’s arm trembled slightly as his hand tightly gripped Nalan Yanran’s slender neck. A struggle flickered in his eyes. He was not a merciless person, and no matter what, Yun Yun and he shared complex relationships. Nalan Yanran was almost the woman he was to spend his life with, and though he didn’t harbor much feeling for her, he couldn’t help but feel conflicted about Yun Yun.
As Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed, a deafening battle cry echoed from below the mountain. Endless waves of armored figures swarmed up like ants, encircling the entire sect. This sudden army incited chaos among the Cloud Rending Sect disciples. They paled, feeling the overwhelming killing intent. Were these people really going to annihilate the Cloud Rending Sect completely?
A tidal wave of soldiers surged into the Cloud Rending Sect, swiftly converging on the square, surrounding everyone. The iron tide of the army gradually slowed, and a figure emerged: the silhouette of Princess Yao Ye.
Gazing at the desolate square, Yao Ye’s eyes widened in shock before settling on the black-robed young man. Just as she was about to speak, a figure flashed down from the sky, appearing in front of her.
“Great Grandfather, the defenses of Cloud Rending Sect have been completely removed. Just give the order…” Upon seeing the arrival, Yao Ye greeted him with a smile, but the words that came from her red lips were filled with bloodthirsty indifference.
“Let’s not be hasty. Let’s see what Xiao Yan decides,” said Jia Xing Tian, gesturing toward the sky where Xiao Yan stood. The fate of Cloud Rending Sect now lay entirely in his hands. With just a word, the sect would be bathed in blood, and every disciple would meet their end.
Yao Ye nodded obediently. As a royal, she understood the dynamics of power, and now it was clear who held the reins. The once-mighty Cloud Rending Sect, the tiger that had dominated the Empire for so long, was about to fall. But another, younger and more powerful tiger was rising, with potential even more terrifying than the former.
In summary, the royal family had used Xiao Yan’s power to eliminate their most feared rival, but they knew it wouldn’t be long before a new “Cloud Rending Sect” emerged. With Xiao Yan’s strength, he had the potential to do so!
Xiao Yan glanced at the surging troops and then at Yun Yun, whose face was pale. Slowly, he released his grip on Nalan Yanran’s neck.
“Cough! Cough!” Freed from Xiao Yan’s grip, Nalan Yanran’s cheeks flushed, and she coughed violently before being pulled behind Yun Yun.
“Teacher…” Yun Yun gently waved her hand, interrupting Nalan Yanran, and looked down at the soldiers, drawing a deep breath. Her voice rasped, “Are you truly intent on complete annihilation?”
“Who will repay the blood debt of the Xiao clan?!” Staring at Yun Yun’s pale face, Xiao Yan felt a strange surge of emotion. He turned his head and asked coldly.
Yun Yun smiled bitterly, gripping her sword, and then clenched her teeth. “Then let me repay it!”
As she moved to slash her own neck, a hand suddenly appeared, grabbing the blade. Blood trickled down.
Yun Yun, seeing the sword stopped, froze. She saw the bleeding hand and quickly dropped the sword, wanting to help. But under Xiao Yan’s fierce gaze, she hesitated.
“If you die, I will make sure the entire Cloud Rending Sect dies with you,” Xiao Yan coldly said, wiping his hand on his robe.
“Xiao Yan, what do you want?! If you think Cloud Rending Sect owes you too much, I will repay with my life. Just spare the ordinary disciples. They are merely following orders; they know nothing!” Yun Yun growled, biting her lip.
“Repay?! Repay with your death? Will that bring back my family? Will that bring back my father and teacher? You foolish woman!” Xiao Yan roared, furious at Yun Yun’s repeated opposition.
The entire square fell silent, all knowing the fate of Cloud Rending Sect was in the hands of this emotionally unstable youth.
“I am not threatening you with my life. I know I may not have the right… But as the Sect Leader, if Cloud Rending Sect is eradicated, I cannot live on. I will take my own life to atone,” Yun Yun said bitterly.
Xiao Yan’s fists clenched, his eyes flashing. Anyone could see his internal struggle.
In the sky, Hai Bo Dong and the others wisely remained silent, understanding the complex relationship between Xiao Yan and Yun Yun.
Medusa watched the entanglement, her brow furrowing as she listened to their conversation, her irritation leading her to pull and mess with Zi Yan, who was eagerly observing.
“Xiao Yan, everything started because of me. If you spare Cloud Rending Sect and Teacher, I, Nalan Yanran, will willingly be a slave or servant!” Nalan Yanran gritted her teeth, pleading.
Nalan Jie and Nalan Su exchanged glances but did not speak. With Xiao Yan’s current power and influence, becoming another “Cloud Rending Sect” was inevitable. Even if it meant servitude, any link with Xiao Yan would be beneficial.
“If I were interested, our relationship would have been different three years ago… Why should I exchange your life for the lives here?” Xiao Yan responded coldly.
Nalan Yanran bit her lip, feeling helpless. The power dynamic had clearly shifted.
“Stop toying with us. What do you want? At this point, Cloud Rending Sect has no strength left,” Yun Yun sighed, her tired eyes meeting Xiao Yan’s.
Frowning, Xiao Yan stared at Yun Yun. Under his fierce gaze, she did not flinch, her eyes filled with fatigue and weakness.
Xiao Yan’s eyes swept over the vast square, then he growled, his voice echoing, “Dissolve Cloud Rending Sect within a month, or there will be no survivors!”
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