Chapter 403: Chapter 405: Life and Death, Each to Their Fate!

“Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan!”

Xiao Yan’s calm words echoed throughout the plaza.

On the plaza, countless Yunlan Sect disciples turned their varied gazes toward Xiao Yan.

The name "Xiao Yan" wasn’t unfamiliar to them. Because of Nalan Yanran’s status as the sect’s young mistress, many disciples harbored admiration for her. Yet, Xiao Yan, who once had an engagement with Nalan Yanran, was a target of jealousy. They had often mocked him as a lowly youth from a declining clan, a toad lusting after a swan.

However, today, Xiao Yan stood calm amidst the Yunlan Sect's thousands-strong formation. Many sharp-eyed disciples felt a faint unease. This composed and steady demeanor was nothing like the rumored useless son of the Xiao Clan.

Nalan Yanran's bright eyes fixated on the slender figure standing at the edge of the plaza. Her gaze lingered on his face, where she could vaguely see traces of the young man from three years ago. Yet, the current Xiao Yan no longer carried the youthful sharpness and recklessness of those days. Instead, there was a deep, restrained aura about him.

Recalling events from three years ago, coupled with her grandfather Nalan Jie’s advice not long ago, Nalan Yanran suddenly felt as though the two of them might have a civil conversation. However, everything would have to wait until the duel concluded.

“Nalan Clan, Nalan Yanran!”

Nalan Yanran stood straight in the center of the plaza, her tone equally calm, but with a palpable air of confidence.

At this moment, on the high platform, Fa Ma’s aged eyes betrayed waves of emotion.

“That black ruler looks so familiar… Yan Xiao… Xiao Yan… Could they be the same person?” Fa Ma mused internally.

“This duel today—Yunlan Sect is likely to lose both face and ground!”

After realizing that Xiao Yan was indeed Yan Xiao, Fa Ma confidently remarked to the two people beside him. He clearly remembered the power Xiao Yan displayed the night he infiltrated the Alchemist Association’s warehouse—unmistakably at the Dou King level.

“Oh? Fa Ma, it seems you hold this Xiao Clan boy in quite high regard!”

Hearing Fa Ma’s words, Jia Xing Tian and Hai Bodong exchanged curious glances.

“You’ll understand soon enough. This Xiao Yan is far from simple!” Fa Ma teased, offering no further explanation.

“Heh, Fa Ma, you old fox, always leaving us hanging… But I must say, this Xiao Yan doesn’t seem like the useless person from the rumors. Such composure and temperament are rare among the younger generation. Perhaps only Liu Ling surpasses him,” Jia Xing Tian muttered, his eyes shifting toward Liu Ling. However, as he glanced over, his initial demeanor of calmly assessing the younger generation instantly changed.

“That girl… truly a prodigy!” Jia Xing Tian sighed inwardly.

...

“Hey, old Nalan, is this the Xiao Clan boy who almost became your Nalan family’s son-in-law? He doesn’t seem like the good-for-nothing he was rumored to be. His composure and temperament rival the best of the younger generation I’ve seen,”

Below the row of Yunlan Sect elders, Mu Chen turned to Nalan Jie with a faintly mocking smile, his expression carrying a hint of schadenfreude.

To Mu Chen, witnessing a former "discarded" son-in-law now demonstrating the aura of a genius was amusing. While he didn’t expect Nalan Jie to regret it so profoundly as to feel heartbroken, he imagined there must be a tinge of frustration.

“Indeed, the Xiao Clan boy has changed greatly in these past three years,” Nalan Jie responded with a calm tone, showing no hint of frustration. His demeanor was purely that of an elder offering praise for a junior.

“You sly old fox, still putting up a front at a time like this!” Mu Chen thought to himself with a cold chuckle but refrained from saying more, turning his gaze back to the plaza.

At that moment, a white-robed elder seated above Mu Chen and Nalan Jie suddenly stood up.

"You are Xiao Yan from the Xiao Clan?"

The elder glanced at Xiao Yan and spoke slowly.

"I am Yun Leng, the Grand Elder of the Yunlan Sect." Before Xiao Yan could reply, the elder continued, "By the Sect Leader's instruction, I will preside over today's duel between you and Nalan Yanran. This duel is intended as a friendly exchange, and it should end at…"

"Life and death, each to their fate!"

A soft voice suddenly interrupted Yun Leng's words.

Hearing this, all eyes turned toward the black-ruler-bearing youth. Expressions varied across the crowd. None had expected Xiao Yan to utter something as resolute as "life and death, each to their fate."

"Is this Xiao Clan boy being too arrogant? This is the Yunlan Sect. If anything happens to Nalan Yanran, does he think he can leave here alive?" Jia Xing Tian shook his head, sighing, "Young people, too rigid and they break."

"Old Jia, you've already said it. Young people often act impulsively and say things like this—it’s normal. Besides, just because he says so doesn’t mean he’s completely thoughtless." Fa Ma stroked his beard, showing his appreciation for Xiao Yan.

"This Xiao Yan is far too presumptuous. Just the other day, Junior Sister said she would go easy on him during the duel to save him from losing too badly, and even planned to offer him some compensation. His current behavior… truly wastes her good intentions!" Liu Ling, seated on the high stone platform, frowned in disappointment.

"So this Xiao Yan doesn’t know how to appreciate kindness. If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have dealt with him on the road and prevented him from reaching the Yunlan Sect or seeing Yanran. At least he wouldn’t have had the chance to say such words… But now, let Yanran handle it herself!" After Liu Ling spoke, Xiao Yixian, looking displeased, added her own thoughts.

Hearing her senior brother and senior sister's words, Qing Lin remained silent. However, inwardly, her feelings toward Xiao Yan turned sour.

In the center of the plaza, Nalan Yanran lifted her gaze and looked into Xiao Yan’s dark eyes. From those eyes, she could clearly feel an irrepressible undercurrent of resentment.

After a moment, Nalan Yanran sighed softly and replied nonchalantly, "As you wish."

Hearing Nalan Yanran’s response, Yun Leng frowned slightly. Xiao Yan’s sudden interruption left the Grand Elder of the Yunlan Sect somewhat displeased. Although he knew that Xiao Yan was no longer the waste he was rumored to be, Nalan Yanran’s talent was equally impressive. Coupled with the resources of the Yunlan Sect, her progress was astonishingly fast. In an actual battle, Yun Leng doubted Xiao Yan would stand a chance.

"Young man, it’s wise to leave a way out in everything you do. But since this is your demand, so be it. Life and death, each to their fate." Yun Leng waved his hand and spoke indifferently.

(End of Chapter)

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