Misty Cloud Sect.
Yun Yun stood in front of the sect gate, watching her disciple walk up from the mountain step by step.
"Yanran."
"Teacher."
"I heard your grandfather recovered?"
"Mm."
Nalan Yanran nodded, a relieved smile on her face.
"That's really great."
Yun Yun smiled.
The master and disciple walked into the sect together.
"Tomorrow is your Three-Year Agreement with Xiao Yan. Are you nervous?"
Nalan Yanran shook her head.
"It's just a simple battle. Even if Xiao Yan's talent has returned, he started too late."
Yun Yun pursed her lips slightly, not knowing what to say.
As early as two years ago, she met that Young Master Xiao in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, accompanied by Grandmaster Han, who was famous in the Imperial Capital back then.
From that day on, Yun Yun knew that the balance of victory was tilting towards Xiao Yan bit by bit.
Of course, Nalan Yanran was not without a chance of winning.
Seeing her disciple's confident and casual look, Yun Yun still reminded: "In my opinion, the Three-Year Agreement is an agreement made by the two of you when you were young and frivolous. After three years, I think not only that Xiao Yan, but you have also grown a lot."
Nalan Yanran was somewhat baffled.
What does Teacher mean by this?
"If you lose, what will you do?"
Yun Yun looked at her disciple and asked suddenly.
"Lose?"
Nalan Yanran was stunned, then frowned.
"If I lose, the reputation of the sect will definitely be damaged, so I won't lose!"
A smile appeared on Yun Yun's face. She reached out and touched her disciple's head.
"The sect's reputation won't be damaged just because of one battle of yours. If you think so, there's no need."
"But many people will come to watch this Three-Year Agreement!"
Nalan Yanran said.
Yun Yun nodded, walked to the edge of the cliff, and looked at the vast scenery below.
"Back then, when Ancestor Yun Potian established the Misty Cloud Sect, he encountered more difficulties than we imagined."
Yun Yun's face faced the mountain wind, and her smooth black hair fluttered.
"Yanran, life is a long road. Temporary winning or losing doesn't mean anything. We all have to go on."
Nalan Yanran fell silent after hearing this.
How could she not hear that her teacher was worried that she would lose?
Yun Yun turned her head, saw her disciple looking thoughtful, walked over and patted her shoulder.
"Let's go, don't think too much. Perform well tomorrow."
Yun Yun said with a smile.
Nalan Yanran's face regained its spirit, and she nodded heavily: "Yes, Teacher!"
————————
Imperial Capital.
Xiao Yan was ready again, but this time, he didn't wear a mask, but used the identity of Xiao Yan of the Xiao family openly to regain his own honor.
An inexplicable sense of expectation was born from the bottom of his heart.
Xiao Yan looked at the people accompanying him behind him and smiled gently.
It's really a big force.
"Let's go."
"To the Misty Cloud Sect!"
At the same time, several other forces in the Imperial Capital were also invited to the Misty Cloud Sect to watch the competition.
Jia Xingtian of the Imperial Family, Fa Ma of the Alchemist Guild, and leaders of major families.
The reason why they went to watch this competition was mainly because the First Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Leng, wanted to use this to promote the reputation of the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Logically speaking, this matter is understandable. Yun Leng's approach would indeed make Nalan Yanran famous again, and the marriage contract with the Xiao family back then would also be completely ended under everyone's gaze.
Unfortunately, the premise of all this is that Nalan Yanran can defeat Xiao Yan. If she fails to do so, the expected benefits will become burdens.
The bet Nalan Yanran made back then, to be a slave or servant, would make this Young Sect Master lose all face.
When Yun Leng did this, he didn't seek Yun Yun's consent. As the First Elder, he also had the qualification to do some things.
And he has always been arbitrary. Even if Yun Yun objected, he probably wouldn't give up easily.
In short, under the momentum created by the Misty Cloud Sect itself, this Three-Year Agreement has turned from a private event into a focal event with huge public influence.
In addition to the dignitaries who came to watch the competition, people in the Imperial Capital were also very curious about the result of this competition.
Nalan Yanran recharged her energy in the sect backstage, adjusting her state to the best.
Teacher's reminder yesterday still made her a little guarded.
Indeed, Xiao Yan's past talent was obvious to all. Even if his current cultivation is likely inferior to hers, she cannot be careless.
Facing any opponent, one cannot relax vigilance!
At this time, Liu Ling came to the backstage and walked to Nalan Yanran.
"Yanran, congratulations on getting rid of the shackles of the past today."
Liu Ling had a smile on his face.
Speaking of Nalan Yanran going to Wu Tan City to withdraw the marriage, he also had a share of credit.
Nalan Yanran was immersed in cultivation and might not have noticed the distant Wu Tan City matters originally.
It was Liu Ling who pretended to inadvertently reveal Xiao Yan's recent situation and deliberately smeared him, saying that such a trash young master was not worthy of Nalan Yanran, who was about to become the Young Sect Master.
These words naturally played a role now. Nalan Yanran was originally arrogant and unwilling to be dominated by the rules of the elders at home.
Subsequently, the divorce incident that caused a stir three years ago happened.
Nalan Yanran looked at the smile on Liu Ling's face and frowned slightly.
Since contacting Mr. Yan Xiao, she had no intention of talking too intimately with other men.
Although talking to other men, Nalan Yanran would always feel a sense of superiority, a feeling of being above others.
For Nalan Yanran, who was used to being the Young Sect Master, it was very common.
But with Yan Xiao, she couldn't feel superiority.
This contrast also made her have a different kind of good impression of Yan Xiao.
Looking at Liu Ling now, Nalan Yanran felt she should keep a certain distance from him.
At least give a crisp answer.
"Liu Ling, do you like me?"
The painted fan fanning in Liu Ling's hand suddenly paused, then he looked at Nalan Yanran with some surprise.
"Yanran, are you finally willing..."
Nalan Yanran reached out to stop the other party's words.
"You misunderstood. I just want to confirm your attitude."
Liu Ling hurriedly put away the fan and said earnestly: "You know me. My attitude towards you really couldn't be truer!"
Nalan Yanran nodded lightly, "Okay, I know."
"But what I want to tell you is, I don't like you. No need to hold that kind of thought towards me in the future."
"I won't agree to you."
After speaking, Nalan Yanran walked towards another platform.
Leaving only the petrified Liu Ling standing foolishly on the spot.
"Yanran, why don't you understand me..."
Liu Ling clenched his fists covered with blue veins, a look of desire in his eyes.
"Jie jie jie, young man, do you want power?"
Suddenly, a black mist rose from the corner.
Wu Ying had targeted the master and disciple Gu He long ago. That was a sixth-grade alchemist, whose soul power had surpassed the intermediate stage of the Mortal Realm and reached the advanced stage of the Mortal Realm.
Such a soul body could be exchanged for a lot of merit.
"Who are you?"
Liu Ling took a step back vigilantly.
"Jie jie jie, don't be afraid. As you can see, I am a person who can give you power. As long as you accept my gift, you can possess endless power!"
"Who exactly are you?"
Liu Ling remained vigilant.
Seeing this, Wu Ying spat lightly, then secretly shot a black mist into Liu Ling's body from underground.
"Think about it carefully, kid. Sooner or later, you will be willing to accept me."
Although Liu Ling didn't win the championship at the Alchemist Conference, he also refined a fourth-grade pill.
His talent was very good, but for Wu Ying, he was still too young and needed to be ripened and cultivated.
Liu Ling watched the other party flee openly as if entering an uninhabited land in the Misty Cloud Sect.
"What is it? Why did I see it for the first time in the Misty Cloud Sect?"
Liu Ling wondered.
Logically speaking, he had stayed in the Misty Cloud Sect for quite some time. He shouldn't have failed to notice this strange black mist.
Liu Ling didn't take this matter too seriously but planned to tell his master Gu He later.
"Woah!"
At this time, cheers came from outside.
It turned out that the people from the Mittel family had arrived.
As a family whose status in the empire had greatly improved, Mittel had surpassed the ranks of the three major families, not even sitting at the same table for banquets.
Jia Xingtian looked at the popular Mittel family, feeling angry.
Dou Ancestor, Dou Ancestor!
Damn Hai Bodong. If he hadn't broken through to Dou Ancestor, relying on the strength of the Imperial Family, they could still suppress other forces.
As a result, the situation was completely out of control now.
Especially the Mittel family, the momentum of development is getting fiercer and fiercer. Recently, I heard they are going to do business in the Black-Corner Region.
This step is a bit big; even their Imperial Family never had such a plan.
After Hai Bodong took his seat, his gaze swept over everyone calmly, then looked at the stairs of the mountain gate.
They were just the vanguard; the real highlight was behind.
At the stairs, Han Feng and Yao Chen looked at Xiao Yan.
"Little Junior Brother, we'll go to the stand first. You choose how to appear yourself."
Yao Chen laughed on the side: "Choose a more dashing pose. Don't you know Purple Cloud Wings?"
Xiao Yan said awkwardly: "Teacher, I'd better not use Purple Cloud Wings, otherwise I'm afraid Nalan Yanran will mistake me for a Dou King and dare not fight at all."
Yao Chen laughed loudly, "Up to you. We'll just wait to see your performance."
Xiao Zhan and others also encouraged Xiao Yan with a few words.
"Yan'er, we'll go up first too. Relax, don't have too much pressure."
"Third Brother, wish you victory in the first battle."
"Let Nalan Yanran see how wrong her decision was back then!"
Xiao Li said frankly.
"Second Brother, mind your words!"
Xiao Ding scolded.
Xiao Yan watched the group go up the mountain, took a deep breath, and began to brew his emotions.
Outside the gate of the Misty Cloud Sect, Han Feng and others arrived.
Jia Xingtian watched Han Feng appear calmly. Suddenly, an inexplicable sense of familiarity arose spontaneously.
Fa Ma opened his mouth slightly, stunned on the spot.
"That, that is..."
"Grandmaster Han!"
Jia Xingtian widened his eyes.
"It's really him!"
The two sat up directly from their seats.
The people next to them looked confused.
Did some important person come up?
Why haven't they seen any of them?
Let alone them, even Pill King Gu He didn't know Grandmaster Han.
Only knew his deeds, but never saw his face with his own eyes.
But vaguely, Gu He felt that among the group of people coming up, two were very special.
"Come here."
Hai Bodong beckoned.
Mittel Teng immediately got up to welcome them, bringing Han Feng and the Xiao family members to the spectator seats.
Jia Xingtian looked at Hai Bodong with shocked and realizing eyes.
"I wondered how you broke through to Dou Ancestor before me?"
"So you hooked up with Grandmaster Han."
Hai Bodong smiled faintly.
"What, is it not allowed?"
Jia Xingtian gritted his teeth.
Fine, you are very fine!
Han Feng walked towards the seats near the center. Jia Xingtian immediately changed his face and greeted him with a smile.
"Grandmaster Han, long time no see!"
"Monarch Jia, hope you have been well."
Han Feng nodded lightly.
Facing this calm attitude, Jia Xingtian didn't have any resentment and continued to chat enthusiastically.
However, Fa Ma on the side was looking at the white-haired handsome man beside Han Feng with trembling lips.
"It's you!"
Fa Ma said tremblingly.
He would never forget the benefactor who gave him pointers back then.
If the other party hadn't given him some quite important suggestions on alchemy, whether Fa Ma could become a fifth-grade alchemist would be unknown.
"You still recognize me, the little guy back then."
Yao Chen laughed.
Being called out by Yao Chen in public, Fa Ma was moved and wanted to cry.
"Of course I remember you. I didn't expect you to remember me too!"
Jia Xingtian looked at the two in surprise.
The "little guy" in Yao Chen's mouth looked senile—wrinkled skin, white beard, drooping eyebrows, looking nothing like a "little guy."
In contrast, Yao Chen was not only stunning in appearance but also had elastic and shiny skin. Saying he was a young man in his twenties or thirties would be fine.
At this moment, Han Feng was also somewhat surprised.
He didn't expect Fa Ma to have a connection with his teacher.
What a coincidence.
"Everyone sit down."
Yao Chen said a word, then took his seat.
Fa Ma bowed respectfully to Yao Chen and returned to his seat, but his gaze frequently looked at Yao Chen, as if other things were no longer important.
"Grandmaster Han, why did you come to the Misty Cloud Sect?"
Jia Xingtian asked indirectly.
"To see the Three-Year Agreement between my disappointing Junior Brother and the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect."
Han Feng said.
Jia Xingtian's eyes widened again.
What?
Xiao Yan is Grandmaster Han's Junior Brother?
"Monarch Jia, watch the martial arts competition with peace of mind. If there is anything, talk about it later."
Han Feng blocked the thousands of words in Jia Xingtian's mouth with one sentence.
Finally meeting Grandmaster Han, Jia Xingtian really had too much to say.
The most important of which was to beg for a Dou Ancestor Break Pill!
He, Jia Xingtian, also wanted to break through.
If it were before, seeing Hai Bodong break through to Dou Ancestor, Jia Xingtian was actually drumming in his heart, wondering whether to burn his boats and use his life to try to impact that threshold.
Or play it safe, not take risks, and wait for the opportunity to come.
Jia Xingtian couldn't make up his mind.
But knowing today that Hai Bodong broke through with the help of Grandmaster Han's pill, Jia Xingtian was relieved.
The strong one is not you, Hai Bodong, but the pill refined by Grandmaster Han!
Since it is so, why can't I, Jia Xingtian, charge towards that magical realm of rebirth!
Jia Xingtian planned to explain these words to Han Feng after the Three-Year Agreement ended.
No matter what price he had to pay, he would ask for a Dou Ancestor Break Pill!
Tap tap tap!
On the stairs in front of the Misty Cloud Sect mountain gate, a burst of calm and powerful footsteps approached.
Carrying a huge black ruler on his back, Xiao Yan arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect under everyone's gaze.
He looked at Nalan Yanran in front of him and said word by word:
"Xiao family, Xiao Yan."