In the tranquil courtyard outside the room, two slender, graceful figures stood. The wind blew, their long hair fluttering, a cold beauty mingled with an enchanting allure. Especially, since the two women bore a striking resemblance, they exuded a unique charm. After standing there for a while and seeing no movement from the room, Han Yue lazily stretched, her perfect curves accentuated by the silver gown, exuding an irresistible allure. She then sat down on the stone chair, her delicate hands resting on the table, cheek in hand, her gaze bewitching and captivating.
Compared to the calm Han Yue, Han Xue appeared somewhat restless. After waiting for a long time and still seeing no signs of activity, she grew a bit anxious, saying, “Why hasn’t he come out yet? It’s the third day today, and Father is preparing to head to the Heaven Stone Platform.”
“Be patient. Trust me, based on my understanding, he is not someone who lacks a sense of time. Since he promised to help, he will not disappoint us.” Han Yue giggled, seeming amused by her usually cold sister’s display.
Hearing this, Han Xue stopped pacing, but soon, she asked again, “Sister, do you think something might have happened to him? When we found him in the desert, he was severely injured, unable to even stand up.”
Han Yue was taken aback, looking up, her beautiful eyes gazing intently at Han Xue’s charming face, sensing a hint of worry in her expression.
“Sister, what are you staring at?” Han Xue pouted, feeling slightly self-conscious under Han Yue’s scrutiny.
“Han Xue, could it be that… you’ve developed feelings for Xiao Yan?” Han Yue hesitated before suddenly asking.
Han Xue’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she bashfully replied, “Sister, how could that be? We’ve only just met.”
“I just want to remind you, Xiao Yan is indeed outstanding, but such men are hard to pin down. Moreover, he has his own heart’s desire already,” Han Yue stated seriously.
Han Xue lowered her gaze, turning her head slightly, and whispered, “It’s not like that.”
A moment later, she added, “Is that girl very outstanding too?”
Han Yue brushed aside a strand of her shimmering silver hair, a nostalgic look flashing in her eyes. After a pause, she sighed, “Outstanding? That’s an understatement. If we’re talking about hidden talents, the girl I once told you about, Lin Xiuyan, was actually the most concealed individual in our academy. I mentioned before, Lin Xiuyan, ranked among the top three in the Strong Rankings, but in her hands, couldn’t even last ten moves. And her age, she is younger than Xiao Yan. Such a talent, almost otherworldly…”
Seeing Han Yue’s wistful look, Han Xue bit her lower lip, a faint sadness in her eyes, but quickly concealed it. She then playfully lunged at Han Yue, teasing, “Could she be more outstanding than my proud sister?”
“Ha, I can’t measure up to her either. Otherwise, I would have tried to snatch her away long ago,” Han Yue smiled.
Just as these words were spoken, the tightly closed door creaked open, and a young man in simple hemp clothing slowly emerged. Seeing the two playful girls in the courtyard, he was momentarily stunned.
The sudden appearance of Xiao Yan also surprised Han Yue and Han Xue. They quickly composed themselves, straightening their clothes and regaining their poise.
“Time to go?” Xiao Yan smiled, closing the door behind him.
“Yes,” Han Xue nodded, her worried gaze scanning Xiao Yan, “How are your injuries?”
“Almost fully recovered,” Xiao Yan said with a smile, then waved and walked towards the courtyard exit, “Let’s go, we shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
Seeing Xiao Yan so at ease, as if he were in his own home, Han Yue and Han Xue muttered to themselves, then quickly followed.
The Heaven Stone Platform, located at the center of Tengen North City, is vast, about a hundred feet in diameter. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that it was built entirely from a massive boulder. The boulder has been there since the city was constructed, untouched by the passage of time, and it remains the most prominent area of Tengen North City. It is the chosen battleground for resolving disputes without full-scale conflicts.
Today, the Heaven Stone Platform was bustling more than ever in recent years. The duel between the Hong Family and the Han Family, two dominant forces in Tengen North City, was about to take place.
Rumors had it that the representative from the Hong Family would be Hong Chen, a disciple of the Wind Thunder Pavilion. The name Hong Chen was well-known in Tengen North City. Though arrogant, he displayed remarkable talent from a young age and was eventually taken under the wing of the Wind Thunder Pavilion. His life had been filled with glory, a prodigy’s halo never leaving his head.
If Xiao Yan hadn’t faced those changes in his early years, his path might have been similar to Hong Chen’s, and he might have been recruited by the Cloud Rend Sect, the most powerful sect in the Jia Ma Empire. However, the appearance of the Elder Pharmacist changed his path, leading him to the heights he now enjoyed.
Around the Heaven Stone Platform, seats carved from the boulder were densely packed. The seats at the highest points in the east and north directions were reserved for the heads of the city’s major factions. From these vantage points, one could oversee the entire square. At present, the northern seats were already filled with people, most clad in red robes, emblazoned with the symbol of the Hong Family.
Atop the Hong Family’s seat, Hong Chen, whom Xiao Yan had previously seen, sat with his arms crossed, leaning back in his chair, eagerly watching the entrance. The woman who had haunted his dreams remained deeply etched in his heart. He was determined that she must belong to him, and only he deserved such an exceptional woman.
As time passed, the platform filled with more and more people, the clamor echoing through the sky, creating a massive wave of sound that could be heard throughout Tengen North City.
When the seats were nearly full, a large group of people finally appeared at the entrance, causing a stir in the crowd. “The Han Family has finally arrived.”
“According to rumors, Hong Chen declared that if the Han Family could find a peer to defeat him, the Hong Family would cease hostilities for ten years.”
“Nice words, but that guy, though annoying, is unmatched among the younger generation in Tengen North City. Even Han Yue of the Han Family may struggle…”
“If the Han Family loses, they’ll have to give their daughter as compensation…”
Amidst the murmurs, the Han Family group stepped onto the stage, stopping at the seats opposite the Hong Family.
“Han Chieftain, you’re finally here. I thought you were going to abandon the battle today,” a middle-aged man, roughly the same age as Han Pool, stood up and laughed.
“Chieftain Hong overthought it. If the Hong Family desires peace, I naturally came to accept it, to avoid disappointing your good intentions,” Han Pool said calmly.
“That’s Chieftain Hong, Hong Li,” a sweet voice whispered in Xiao Yan’s ear. He turned to see Han Xue.
“Good intentions? If we lose, we’ll lose our daughter. But don’t worry, the Hong Family is generous with spouses,” Hong Li sneered.
“Enough talk. I have little time, I need to return to the North Pavilion in a few days,” Hong Chen interrupted, rising and moving like a specter to the spacious platform below. He raised his head, his defiant gaze fixed on the Han Family seats. “No more delays! Send someone out, who will it be?”
All eyes turned to the Han Family seats, lingering on Han Yue, apparently the only one in the younger generation to have reached the Battle Emperor level.
Under the intense scrutiny, Han Yue smiled and shook her head, pointing to the side. Her clear, enchanting voice resonated, “Your opponent isn’t me, it’s him!”
Countless gazes shifted, finally landing on the unfamiliar young man in plain clothes beside the Han Family seats. For a moment, everyone was shocked into silence.
Hong Chen’s eyes, tinged with a chill, locked onto Xiao Yan, his arrogance and disdain unmasked.
“Even if you choose a scapegoat, at least make it a decent one,” he sneered.
Xiao Yan smiled, his laughter carrying a tinge of coldness.
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