Another year has passed
. North of the capital of the Jia Ma Empire
, a magnificent and colossal mountain range, resembling a giant dragon, faintly exudes soaring energy.
This mountain range is shrouded in clouds and mist year-round, and beneath these clouds lies the behemoth of the Jia Ma Empire, the Yunlan Sect.
Within the Yunlan Sect, a vast plaza is paved entirely with massive stones, giving it an ancient and grand appearance. In the center of the plaza stands a huge stone tablet, inscribed with the names of the past sect leaders of the Yunlan Sect and those who have rendered great service to the sect.
At this moment, nearly a thousand people sit cross-legged in the plaza, arranged in a semi-circle. Without exception, they are all dressed in moon-white robes, with cloud-colored longswords embroidered on their cuffs. These people are undoubtedly disciples of the Yunlan Sect.
At the top of the plaza, towering stone steps led to several seats where dozens of white-robed elders sat cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation. These elders appeared unremarkable on the surface, but the powerful battle aura emanating from them suggested they were no ordinary people.
Betopped on the massive, towering tree beside the plaza stood several figures, clearly renowned experts from the entire Jia ma Empire.
The vast plaza, accommodating nearly a thousand people, was utterly silent, save for the howling wind.
All eyes were fixed on the two figures facing off on the massive battle platform in the center of the plaza—or rather, on one of them, a black-robed youth. Everyone's expressions varied, but most bore a hint of mockery and sarcasm.
However, the black-robed youth remained calm, his gaze devoid of joy or sorrow. He was unmoved by the strange looks he received, and simply addressed the delicate-faced, serene young woman before him,
"The three-year agreement has been fulfilled. Today, let us settle our past grievances. The shame you brought to the Xiao family back then, today... return it."
This man was none other than Xiao Yan, who had come to keep the three-year agreement, and the woman opposite him was none other than Nalan Yanran.
Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes met Xiao Yan's resolute black eyes, and she said calmly,
"I will decide my own marriage. I don't regret what happened back then. If time could turn back, I would still make the same choice."
"Heh,"
Xiao Yan sneered after hearing Nalan Yanran's words. He clenched his fists, stomped forward with his foot, and cracks appeared on the hard bluestone slab where he landed. A surge of Dou Qi, mixed with some red and green flames, erupted from Xiao Yan's body.
"Then there's nothing more to say. Let's begin."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan stomped his foot heavily and shot towards Nalan Yanran like a cannonball.
Nalan Yanran's pupils shrank sharply at the sight, seemingly not expecting Xiao Yan to be so fast. She quickly touched the ground with her toes, and in an instant, she passed by Xiao Yan's oncoming figure.
In the split second, Nalan Yanran effortlessly slashed her longsword horizontally, aiming for Xiao Yan's neck.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan sneered, his body twisting as he gathered his battle qi in his arm, sweeping it away at the incoming wind blades. He
coldly glanced at the graceful figure passing by, then swung his fist, slamming it down on her without a shred of mercy.
The fist, carrying a terrifying force, pressed down on Nalan Yanran's robes, making them cling tightly to her body and accentuate her alluring curves. Sensing the oppressive, whooshing force rushing towards her, Nalan Yanran frowned slightly, her battle qi gathering frantically in her hand as she thrust her longsword out.
The blade, imbued with Nalan Yanran's immense battle qi, was completely enveloped in energy, its power terrifying and its speed astonishing.
"Wind Spirit Fractal Tip!"
Seeing the longsword flashing with a sharp light hurtling towards him, Xiao Yan instantly retracted his arm and shifted his feet, dodging the sword in an extremely unpredictable manner.
A look of astonishment flashed in Nalan Yanran's eyes as the longsword grazed Xiao Yan's cheek, the sharp force causing a stinging pain.
Seeing the sword now unable to change direction, a cold glint appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes. Seizing the opportunity, he threw a powerful punch.
This punch struck Nalan Yanran's abdomen hard, causing her once flat stomach to cave in slightly.
Suddenly struck by such a heavy blow, Nalan Yanran's pupils constricted sharply, and she was sent flying backward, spitting blood from her mouth as she flew, staining the pristine white battle platform crimson.
"Bang!"
Nalan Yanran's delicate body slammed heavily to the ground, blood still gushing from her mouth, her breathing rapid, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment and resentment.
"Senior Sister Nalan has lost?"
"How can Xiao Yan be so strong? Wasn't he supposed to be a piece of trash?"
The nearly one thousand Yunlan Sect disciples on the platform stared dumbfounded at the figure flying backward, their faces filled with disbelief, their previous mockery gone.
Xiao Yan looked at the fallen Nalan Yanran, coughing up blood, a cold smile playing on his lips, his face full of sarcasm.
Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan's expression, her heart filled with even more resentment. Xiao Yan's current strength was like a resounding slap in the face, mercilessly striking her, leaving her head spinning.
It seemed to be mocking her ignorance, as if telling her that she was the real trash! She, who made the three-year promise three years ago, was nothing but a clown!
How could the proud and self-proclaimed genius Nalan Yanran accept this?
Enduring the excruciating pain in her lower abdomen,
Nalan Yanran slowly rose, her beautiful eyes filled with rage. She slowly closed her eyes, then suddenly opened them. Her long, black hair moved without wind, fluttering wildly. With the movement of her hair, her body floated upwards without warning.
As Nalan Yanran ascended, the energy around her surged instantly, faint ripples of blue energy spreading from her body. Her
jade-like arm, holding a long sword, slowly rose, pointing diagonally at Xiao Yan on the platform below. The sword trembled slightly, and the sunlight suddenly converged towards it. In an instant, the sword shone brightly, its dazzling light like a second sun in the sky