The sky was silent, only filled with Xiao Yan’s cold voice echoing slowly. Countless Yunlan Sect disciples heaved a sigh of relief, but it was tinged with sorrow. Back in the day, the Yunlan Sect was incredibly mighty and prestigious. Who would have thought that it would fall to such a vulnerable state, subject to the whim of others? The disparity was indeed hard to accept. Regardless of how difficult it was, the Yunlan Sect disciples were powerless. Judging from Xiao Yan’s menacing demeanor, he must have long harbored the intention of wiping out the Yunlan Sect. If not for the connection and camaraderie between Master Yunyun and Xiao Yan, the plaza would likely be a sea of blood by now. Hence, to be able to keep their lives was already a great fortune for them.
Upon hearing Xiao Yan’s cold words, akin to a final judgment, Yunyun’s body trembled slightly. Her teeth bit down on her lower lip, her face pale with an unnatural pallor. Was the Yunlan Sect truly doomed to ruin at her hands…?
Yunyun clenched her fist, her bright eyes sweeping over the faces of the countless Yunlan Sect disciples below. A touch of sorrow surfaced on her face as she muttered, “Is this your revenge against the Yunlan Sect?”
Seeing Yunyun’s desolate expression, Nalan Yanran’s heart ached. She tightly gripped Yunyun’s hand and suddenly raised her head, addressing Xiao Yan, “Xiao Yan, the Yunlan Sect no longer poses a threat to you. Can’t you spare them a little mercy? Master Yunyun and I can swear in public that from this day forward, no one from the Yunlan Sect will speak of this grudge again!”
Xiao Yan cast a glance at her, his face expressionless, and said, “For the sake of our past, this is my final concession. You can choose either total annihilation or voluntary dissolution. How you decide is up to you.”
Hearing this, Nalan Yanran’s eyes dimmed. She knew that Xiao Yan would absolutely not allow the Yunlan Sect to remain in the Empire of Gama. The ability to secure the release of these ordinary disciples was already the greatest leniency he could offer.
As Xiao Yan spoke, countless gazes turned towards Yunyun. The choice, to destroy or disband, hung entirely on her.
Under the weight of those eyes, Yunyun’s hand tightened, her clear eyes flashing with struggle. After a long silence, she sighed in dejection, her voice a little hoarse, heavy with weariness and powerlessness, “Alright, since it has come to this, there’s no point in saying more. If you insist, then so be it. Just don’t harm the ordinary disciples. I’ll dissolve the Yunlan Sect within a month.”
Though it was a brief statement, it felt as if all the strength in her body had been used up. With the last word spoken, Yunyun’s bright eyes lost their luster, the defeat and gloom in her making onlookers feel intense pity.
Gritting his teeth to ignore Yunyun’s countenance, Xiao Yan, in a low voice, said, “I hope you will honor your promise. Should anyone from the sect refuse, I will act.”
Xiao Yan turned to Night, the commander-in-chief of the army, who was at the foot of the mountain. In a calm tone, he instructed, “Princess Night, withdraw the army. However, as a precaution, station them temporarily at the base of the mountain.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s orders, Night hurriedly smiled and nodded. Turning around, she issued orderly commands, and under her direction, the dark mass of soldiers retreated swiftly, like ebbing tides, disappearing from the mountaintop shortly after.
“Thank you for your efforts today,” Xiao Yan directed towards Jiexing Tians and the others as his gaze returned to them. His indifferent expression managed to pull a somewhat forced smile.
At these words, Jiexing Tian, Fama, and others waved their hands with false modesty, smiling politely. Indeed, the greatest contribution to the downfall of the Yunlan Sect lay in the hands of Xiao Yan and his mysterious master. They had merely helped in holding off some elders of the Yunlan Sect. More importantly, with the dissipation of the Yunlan Sect, the situation in the Empire of Gama might drastically change. Given Xiao Yan’s current standing, it was certain that he would soon rise to prominence in the Empire of Gama. They would have to tread carefully, keeping in mind any future implications on their actions.
“As for the rewards I promised everyone, they will be given in full once I have recovered,” Xiao Yan stated, turning his gaze to the Shadow Bone trio, his lips curled in a faint, wry smile.
“Hehe, no rush, no rush. The most important thing right now is for Master Xiao to recover fully first,” the Shadow Bone trio replied, laughing nervously, extremely polite. Through the recent battle, they had gained insight into Xiao Yan’s abilities. If earlier they feared him because of Medusa, their current respect for him was genuine. After all, Xiao Yan was capable of defeating experts who were Battle Sects—something that made them handle him with extra caution. No matter where or what, strength always held the upper hand.
Nodding, Xiao Yan’s body trembled suddenly. The emerald fire wings on his back became insubstantial; the strong surge of Dou Qi emanating from within him dispersed like ebbing water. His complexion, paling visibly, indicated the end of the medicinal effects which had sustained him momentarily.
“Are you alright?” Seeing his trembling frame, Hai Bodong moved instantly to his side, supporting him, concern evident in his voice.
Waving off, Xiao Yan’s forehead was awash with fine sweat. As the Dou Qi dissipated, his injuries started to flare, causing him immense pain that made his entire being tremble.
“Your injuries are no trivial matter. Forcing yourself further might lead to permanent damage that could hinder future improvement significantly…”
Watching Xiao Yan’s increasingly pale complexion, Hai Bodong fretted, his brows furrowing deeply.
Nodding wearily, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, waving to the crowd above. “That’s all for today, let’s go.”
Then, casting a cool glance at Yunyun, his voice devoid of emotion. “I don’t want to hear the name Yunlan Sect again in a month. Otherwise…”
Bitterly, Yunyun managed a weak smile, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. “Everything shall be as you wish.”
Staring at Yunyun, Xiao Yan remarked, unexpectedly, “Will you take your own life after the Yunlan Sect disbands, as retribution to your ancestors?”
A slight pause, and Yunyun, understanding, with a glance at the disciples beneath the piercing gaze, gritted her teeth. “As long as the Yunlan Sect disciples are spared, I’ll do as you ask!”
“Very well. Although the Yunlan Sect ceases to exist formally, locating the ex-members shouldn’t be too challenging…” A light chuckle escaped Xiao Yan, before his gaze abruptly fixed on Elder Yunshan’s lifeless corpse. A chilling glint flickering in his eye, he seized the body with a clench of the fists, stashing it away in his ring.
Although Medicine Old Man was imprisoned by the Soul Palace, Xiao Yan firmly decided to gather all the materials specified by his master and forge a physical body. He believed strongly that he would eventually rescue his teacher and gift him with a whole, unblemished form!
Eyeing Xiao Yan’s movement, Yunyun’s expression twisted minutely. On the verge of voicing her thoughts, she hesitated, swallowed her words, knowing the lives of the Yunlan Sect members were in Xiao Yan’s hands. Daring him to wrath was not an option.
Once convinced Yunyun was subdued, Xiao Yan let out a soft hum, turning to Hai Bodong, whispering tersely, “Let’s depart…”
“Alright.” Acknowledging the nod, Hai Bodong looked at Yunyun, grabbed Xiao Yan, and flapped his icy wings toward the Capital City. Close behind followed the others: Jiexing Tian, Fama, Medusa, et al.
As the powerful contingent disappeared over the horizons, the oppressive atmosphere suffocating the remaining Yunlan Sect members gradually lifted. Staring at each other, bitter smiles crossed their faces, sadness heavily clouding the air.
“Nalan Yanran, when everything here is settled, come back home. It’s been three years since you’ve seen your mother. She misses you so much,” Nalan Jie and Nalan Su consoled the girl upon leaving the rest.
Listening to the words, Nalan Yanran gathered her brows. Moments later, glancing briefly at the despondent Yunyun, she gave a hesitant nod.
Seeing her consent, Nalan Jie and Nalan Su breathed a sigh of relief. They glanced at Yunyun, another sigh escaping their lips. They did not linger, well aware the former high and mighty Yunlan Sect was no more. The collapse of the wall invited numerous pushes, and despite Yunyun being a Battle Emperor, maintaining close ties might provoke Xiao Yan, threatening the very existence of the Nalan Clan in the Empire. Bowing respectfully to Yunyun, they rushed towards the Imperial City, fleeing the wreckage of the Yunlan Mountains.
In the sky, a chilling autumn breeze swept through, casting two slender, desolate figures. Looking at each other, a bittersweet smile appeared on their lips.
“Master, what are you going to do?” Nalan Yanran asked, glancing mournfully down at the crestfallen disciples of the Yunlan Sect.
“What else can be done? Don’t you understand Xiao Yan by now? This time, he considered your and my old ties, sparing many from spilling blood, but the dissolution of the Yunlan Sect stands as his ultimate line. If anything untoward happens, I fear…” Yunyun responded, her voice shaking with a resigned laugh.
Regarding Xiao Yan, she bore no hatred. The Yunlan Sect’s fate seemed just, and she, though a part of it, couldn’t refute its inevitability. A deep, heartfelt sigh rose, and the demoralized Yunyun motioned with a lackluster gesture, “Tell the disciples, let them leave quickly within a month, granting them some money… With their skills, they should survive.”
A somber nod from Nalan Yanran, the sorrow in her heart reflected in her silent compliance. Rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting a faint gleam on Yunyun’s solitary figure. Her clear eyes fixed toward the departing Xiao Yan and his companions, a strange mix of emotions welling up inside. That once innocent boy had truly risen, just as she foretold, to become a formidable warrior. Alas, the first person to experience his prowess was, unexpectedly, herself.
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