NABC 3. Fierce Battle in the Clouds and Mountains
3. Fierce Battle in the Clouds and Mountains
A white figure appeared as if stepping out of the void, under the watchful eyes of countless members of the Yunlan Sect.
Unlike Dou Wang and Dou Huang, Bai Ying did not have wings of Dou Qi on his back. He was only dressed in a simple linen robe. With each step he took, there would be a ripple-like movement under his feet. In the next instant, he would appear a hundred feet away.
His figure and face were like jade, and apart from his white hair, he was no different from a young man in his twenties.
"Yunling, why did you summon me out of the pass?" Yunshan's voice was soft, but extremely clear.
Yun Leng was carried out on a frame made of clouds by two other elders. Upon seeing Yun Shan, he burst into tears and said, "Sect Master, this man came to challenge us and seriously injured me, taking advantage of the fact that my Yunlan Sect has no one to rely on." Yun Leng explained the whole story to Yun Shan in detail. According to his nature, he should have embellished the story to his advantage, but seeing Xiao Yan's fearless appearance, he couldn't help but feel afraid and spoke only the truth.
Yunshan casually unleashed a burst of battle qi, and Yunling's wounds began to heal.
"Apart from your arm, the rest are all superficial injuries. You even have a trace of internal energy within you, so it seems the person who attacked you is far superior to you but only wanted to teach you a lesson. What is your name, friend?" After analyzing Yun Leng's injuries, Yun Shan's last question was directed at Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan, from the Xiao family," Xiao Yan replied, bowing respectfully.
"I believe Yanran did nothing wrong that day," Yunshan said, his words stirring everyone's emotions. The Yunlan Sect disciples were even jumping for joy. They had been so frustrated by Xiao Yan's awe that day, and they were naturally overjoyed that their sect leader had stepped in to take charge.
But their words were barely out of their mouths when they were doused with cold water again. "I don't think you've done anything wrong today either."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan, who was gripping the heavy ruler and ready for battle, exclaimed in surprise, "Oh?"
"Yanran is not wrong to pursue her own happiness, nor is it wrong for your family to come to our door today after being humiliated. In the end, this world is all about strength. You are a junior. Hold on for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and after that, your feud with the Yunlan Sect will be wiped clean. How about it?"
Fama nodded from the stands, saying, "It's fairly fair."
"Does the old man think Xiao Yan can last for the duration of an incense stick burning?"
"I don't know if you've noticed, but there's that strange crimson flame on Xiao Yan's body," Fa Ma said, pointing at Xiao Yan.
"That... is probably a kind of strange fire." Gu He spoke first, "Alchemists should be more sensitive."
"Indeed," Fa Ma continued, "and its power is no match. As far as I know, Xiao Yan is only eighteen years old, yet his cultivation has already reached the Dou Huang level, and he possesses a rare treasure like a strange fire. Even on the entire continent, he is an absolute genius."
Upon hearing this analysis, the people in the stands couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Mu Chen smiled wryly: "Eighteen years old! Back then, I was still struggling to advance to the Great Dou Master level. Did this kid start cultivating from the womb?"
Xiao Yan cupped his hands and said, "Then Xiao Yan will learn from Sect Leader Yun's superior skills."
The next instant, the Xuan Heavy Ruler was in hand. His Dou Huang-level physical strength erupted, and Xiao Yan transformed into a black streak, the Xuan Heavy Ruler swinging out with continuous sonic booms. But before Xiao Yan could swing the ruler, the white figure had already vanished. Using himself as a fulcrum, Xiao Yan swung the Xuan Heavy Ruler like a whirlwind, the sonic booms layered upon each other, yet the footwork at the foot of Yunshan Mountain was mysterious, and none of Xiao Yan's attacks landed on him.
An older disciple on the sidelines exclaimed, "Hiss! Cloud Shadow Step, a mid-level Xuan-rank footwork technique! Xiao Yan probably won't even be able to touch the hem of the old sect master's robe!"
The next moment, Xiao Yan's blood-red wings appeared, and his speed increased dramatically. He swung the Xuan Heavy Ruler in a wide arc, unleashing unparalleled qi as it crashed towards Yun Shan. A deep blue wind wall appeared in front of Yun Shan, only to be shattered by the Xuan Heavy Ruler in the next instant. Yun Shan caught the powerful Xuan Heavy Ruler with one hand and then moved backward a short distance.
"What terrifying power!" Yunshan reached out with one hand to catch it, but his left hand was trembling uncontrollably, clearly injured by the previous blow.
Yunshan, suspended in mid-air, formed a hand seal with his hands, and a wind-attribute hand seal several meters high slowly took shape.
The disciple beside him gasped, exclaiming, "Look! The Great Wind Handprint! A high-level Xuan-rank battle technique! Xiao Yan is likely to lose this time!"
Xiao Yan retracted his black ruler, and with a flap of his wings, he transformed into a black line and arrived before the handprint. His right hand clenched tightly, his arm trembled strangely, and an extremely strong force quickly condensed on his fist.
Advanced Xuan Rank - Eight Extremes Collapse.
As their fists collided, the handprint, condensed with a massive amount of fighting spirit, shattered with a crack. The terrifying force emanating from Xiao Yan's fist dissipated, causing Yun Shan's white robe to flutter loudly.
Bloodstains had appeared on Xiao Yan's fists, but his fierce fighting style of enduring combat techniques made everyone secretly tremble.
Yun Shan narrowed his eyes slightly; Xiao Yan's troublesome situation was beyond his expectations.
Yunshan slightly raised his arm, and deep blue wind-attribute battle qi condensed at a terrifying speed, even forming an energy vortex.
A giant energy hand, several meters in size, condensed and took shape.
The spectating disciples gasped again: "The Great Compassion Wind-Tearing Hand... even my teacher's last use only reached a size of about ten feet! The power of a Dou Zong expert is terrifying! Xiao Yan is doomed..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Second Elder of the Yunlan Sect said, "Who is this kid? Take him to the Discipline Hall and deal with him after this matter is over."
The dedicated and responsible disciple was ruthlessly taken away.
But the battle had reached a fever pitch. Xiao Yan looked at the giant energy hand and thought, "The energy is several times that of the hand seal. Very well, let me test the gap between myself and a Dou Zong."
Crimson flames surged from Xiao Yan's body and gathered on his right arm. The blood vessels in his right arm burst open, and Dou Huang-level Dou Qi surged within him.
"Great Compassion Wind-Tearing Hand!"
"Eight Extremes Collapse!"
Two terrifying attacks collided with a deafening roar that echoed through the sky, causing those with weaker strength to suffer temporary deafness. The space at the center of the attack distorted, and the overflowing energy made it impossible for anyone to perceive what was happening for a moment.
A moment later, Xiao Yan flew out, his fighting spirit slightly weakened, his black clothes slightly torn. Yun Shan was still floating in the air, seemingly unaffected, though only he knew that his hand hidden under his wide robe was charred black.
Gu He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Xiao Yan has lost after all."
The people around them nodded unconsciously.
Jia Xingtian looked at everyone with a strange expression and said, "Have you all forgotten something? Xiao Yan only needs to hold on for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
The expressions of the bigwigs in the stands changed. They suddenly realized that Xiao Yan's performance made them subconsciously categorize him with Yun Shan.
Mittel Tengshan said with a wry smile, "Is this Xiao Yan really an eighteen-year-old boy? He's too monstrous."
After saying that, he glanced at Nalan Jie again, who was already extremely uncomfortable. Whenever Xiao Yan made a more impressive performance, these people in the stands would take turns stealing glances at him. If it were just one person, it wouldn't be so bad, but the problem was that they took turns, and each of them would look several times. But he couldn't leave; if he did, he didn't know how much these guys would smirk.
"Yanran, Grandpa still spoils you too much," Nalan Jie thought to himself.
Xiao Yan healed his minor injury and began to gather his Dou Qi again. Yun Shan, however, was secretly alarmed. Although he seemed to have the upper hand, his strongest Dou Techniques had not yet been able to defeat Xiao Yan. Moreover, he inexplicably felt that Xiao Yan was extremely terrifying, like the kind of terrifying feeling he had when facing a fifth or sixth-tier magical beast in his youth, a feeling of being unable to breathe.
"Eighteen years old, is someone like that someone who can be an enemy?" Yunshan already knew the answer in his heart.
He then waved his hand and said, "The incense stick has burned out; let bygones be bygones."
Xiao Yan smiled. After experiencing so many life-or-death moments and immense pressure over the past three years, he was finally relieved at this moment. Three years ago, he was just a useless person whose Dou Qi had disappeared, but three years later, he was a Dou Huang revered by everyone in the Jia Ma Empire.
Xiao Yan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Sect Master Yunshan."
Yunshan then addressed the crowd in the stands, saying, "Everyone, today's matter is settled. Please make yourselves at home."
Jia Xingtian understood Yunshan's intention to see them off, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, he prepared to leave.
"Does the friend who is hiding have any further advice?" Yunshan asked the void.
A dark figure appeared out of nowhere and laughed, "I came to Yunlan Sect on a matter of loyalty, but it seems there's no need for me to take action." He then glanced at Xiao Yan.
Jia Xingtian and the others, who were about to leave, paused again. "Another Dou Huang?" Mu Chen exclaimed.
"This Xiao Yan is truly terrifying," Fa Ma couldn't help but exclaim.
After giving his instructions, Yunshan left the square, and everyone else followed suit as they descended the mountain, bringing peace back to the bustling Yunlan Mountain.
Along the way, several bigwigs from the Jia Ma Empire chatted with Xiao Yan one after another. Although Xiao Yan was not good at speaking, they were all local bigwigs from Jia Ma, and their attitude was very good, so they had a pleasant conversation along the way.
Only Nalan Jie's expression was unpredictable throughout the journey. The others could interact with Xiao Yan as equals, and since he was an old friend of Xiao Yan's grandfather, he didn't say anything in the end.
After the others left, Xiao Yan said to Ling Ying, "Senior, what did you say?"
"Ahem." Ling Ying said, "I originally came to protect you, but now it seems unnecessary. I just want to tell you that although you are strong now, there are many geniuses in this world. You need to become even stronger to have any chance of protecting the people who are important to you."
Xiao Yan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, senior."
"Cherish the people in front of you." After saying this, Ling Ying flew away. After flying a hundred miles, Ling Ying couldn't help but say, "Eighteen years old! An eighteen-year-old Dou Huang! There are few even among the ancient clans." As he spoke, his old face turned red. He was only a Dou Huang himself, and he felt really ashamed to have said those lecturing words.
"Teacher, you said he's been following us?" Xiao Yan asked.
"That's right, but he meant no harm. He was probably entrusted by someone to protect you, just as he said."
"Never mind, the three-year agreement is over, time to go home."
……
The main hall of Yunlan Sect.
"Sect Master, this Xiao Yan is truly hateful. It's said his family is in Wutan City. Should we..."
Even Yun Shan's usually calm face showed a hint of anger: "Yun Ling, where's your brain? I can barely defeat Xiao Yan, and you still want to cause him trouble?"
"If you go to Wutan City and encounter him in person, will you fight him to the death?"
Yun Leng quickly knelt down and said, "Sect Master, please calm down, Sect Master, please calm down."
"Yun'er, handing the sect over to you was the biggest mistake you ever made. You should relinquish your power over the sect first."