"Nalan Yanran, todayâs duel ends in my defeat. However, our agreement is far from over. Three years from now, I, Xiao Yan, will ascend Yunlan Mountain once again!"
The hoarse voice of "Xiao Yan" echoed across the vast plaza, reaching everyoneâs ears.
"Whatâs going on? Why did Xiao Yan suddenly concede? Just moments ago, he seemed to have the upper hand!"
"From his earlier performance, even if Nalan Yanranâs next move is much stronger than her Windâs Final Sunset Glow, he shouldnât have to concede outright!"
"Judging by Xiao Yanâs tone, he seems unwilling to accept this outcome. Could there be more to this situation?"
Hearing Xiao Yanâs admission of defeat, the invited powerhouses watching the duel couldnât help but murmur among themselves in confusion.
Amid the puzzled gazes directed at him, "Xiao Yan" suddenly sprouted massive, bone-white wings from his back, lifting himself into the air. Without looking back, he flew away from the Yunlan Sect.
"What is the meaning of this? Why has he chosen not to fight?"
Nalan Yanran, seeing Xiao Yanâs actions, looked more bewildered than anyone else present.
At this moment, she had already channeled over half of her Dou Qi energy into her Sky Severing Sword Technique. The energy had reached its peak, and even she could no longer suppress it.
With Xiao Yan conceding, she redirected the energy toward the vast, blue sky. In an instant, a thin crack was carved into the void itself.
âDamn it! Though he conceded, he didnât show any clear signs of defeat. This will lead others to speculate that our Yunlan Sect pressured him into submissionâ¦â
"Xiao family brat, stop right there!"
Watching Xiao Yan fly away from the plaza, Xiao Yixian grew increasingly furious.
A cold shout echoed across the plaza as Xiao Yixianâs figure transformed into a streak of white light and disappeared from where she stood.
In the next moment, she reappeared in front of Xiao Yan, blocking his path.
"You intend to stop me?" Xiao Yanâs sharp gaze fixed on the suddenly appearing Xiao Yixian, his brows furrowing.
"Xiao Yan has already conceded, so why is she chasing after him now? Could it be that his concession truly hides something deeper?"
"Itâs possible. Considering this girlâs incredible strength, itâs natural for Xiao Yan to feel intimidated and not dare to fight her."
"Perhaps his remark about another three years wasnât directed at Nalan Yanran but was a veiled warning to this poison-cultivating girl!"
Hearing this, Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma were the first to grow suspicious.
"Isnât she the second disciple taken in by Elder Gu He? Her seniority is on par with Senior Brother Liu."
"Judging by her speed and the aura she unleashed, sheâs no ordinary figure!"
Many spectators, unaware of Xiao Yixianâs true strength, were simply astonished by her terrifying speed.
"Xiao Yan, do you think you can just leave like this?" Xiao Yixianâs icy voice cut through the air.
"What do you want?"
"Xiao Yan" looked serious. This seemingly 17-year-old girl in front of him gave him an extremely dangerous feeling.
"You vowed before the duel to let life and death be decided by fate, yet every time youâve relied on the power of anotherâs soul to fight. And now, without offering any explanation, you simply concede, leaving those unaware of the truth to speculate. Your shamelessness knows no bounds!"
Xiao Yixian sneered. "Since you wonât explain yourself, allow me to help you!"
"The power of anotherâs soul? What does she mean by that?"
Xiao Yixianâs words werenât loud, but they were clear enough to be heard by everyone present. Many were puzzled by her accusation.
"I had my suspicions about this before, but it seemed too far-fetched. Now it seems that the soul of that legendary senior may truly reside within Xiao Yan!"
Fa Maâs deep-set eyes gleamed as he gazed expectantly at "Xiao Yan." He was the first to understand the implication behind Xiao Yixianâs words.
As for everyone else, they remained filled with confusion and bewilderment, including Nalan Yanran, who inwardly pondered in surprise:
"What does Sister Xianâer mean by her words? Whose soul power did Xiao Yan borrow?"
At this moment, under countless watchful gazes, the intercepted "Xiao Yan" wore an expression of deep complexity. Just as he was about to offer an explanation, Xiao Yixian's palm suddenly radiated a terrifying layer of gray Dou Qi energy and struck directly toward "Xiao Yan's" chest.
Her palm moved as fast as lightning, but before most people could even register what was happening, "Xiao Yan" swiftly raised his hand to meet her attack head-on.
"Boom!"
When "Xiao Yan's" palm collided with Xiao Yixian's, the surrounding space at the point of impact began to fracture. A powerful shockwave of energy erupted, its massive pressure forcing some of the ordinary disciples of the Yunlan Sect in the plaza to collapse onto the ground.
On the other side, Liu Ling quickly generated layers of protective energy to shield Qing Lin from the incoming shockwave.
Seeing the terrifying energy fluctuation caused by the clash between "Xiao Yan" and Xiao Yixian, Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong were left in complete shock.
"The sheer destructive power and momentum of their casual exchange... These two must have reached the Dou Ancestor realm!"
"Dou Ancestor... This girl is Gu He's disciple. If even his disciple has reached the Dou Ancestor realm, then what must Gu He's cultivation level be now?"
"A sect possessing two Dou Ancestor experts... Unimaginable!"
"Donât forget, Yun Shan's lifespan hasnât ended yet. If heâs still alive, itâs highly likely he could break through to the Dou Ancestor realm as well. That means the Yunlan Sect now potentially has three Dou Ancestor powerhouses."
The trio on the high platform, upon finishing their speculations, wore expressions of unease.
Jia Xingtian, in particular, looked extremely troubled. The Yunlan Sect was a sect of the Jia Ma Empire, and he was the guardian of the Jia Ma imperial family. With the Yunlan Sect now possessing such strength, the imperial family's power would be utterly insignificant in their eyes.
"All disciples, evacuate the plaza immediately!"
Following the energy clash, Yun Leng and the other Yunlan Sect elders quickly organized the evacuation of the remaining disciples.
Nalan Jie, Mu Chen, and other spectators also left their stone seats, flying to hover over a bamboo forest outside the plaza.
"Yanran, keep your distance for now and let Xianâer handle this matter!"
Liu Ling, while guiding Qing Lin toward an outer platform near the grand hall, shouted toward Nalan Yanran, who was staring blankly at the events unfolding in the sky.
(End of Chapter)
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