"How can there be such a ferocious magical beast?"
This was the thought that crossed everyone's minds. The Thunderous Giant Elephant let out a god-like roar, causing even the void to tremble. The surrounding Dou Qi became chaotic, and lightning surged everywhere.
"Boom!"
A thunderous explosion resounded across the entire Yunlan Mountain. The collision of two volcano-like energies created shockwaves so powerful that the ground caved in. The massive stone monument in the center of the square would have been shattered had it not been for Yun Yun's personal protection.
As the terrifying aftershocks dissipated, even the air twisted. Through the gradually fading energy waves, one could see that the Thunderous Giant Elephant had devoured the Crimson Sun. Its phantom form had mostly dispersed but still carried a terrifying force, like a descending demon god, sweeping towards Nalan Yanran.
Puchi!
A misty blood spray appeared in the air as the Thunderous Giant Elephant dissipated. Nalan Yanran's delicate figure, like a defeated flower petal, fluttered down with the wind.
It was evident that Nalan Yanran had tried to dodge using a high-level movement technique before the Thunderous Giant Elephant's attack. However, the area covered by the Thunderous Giant Elephant was too vast, and she was still caught within it.
Taking advantage of the remaining energy from the accompanying Purple Crystal Source running wild in his meridians, Chen Mo quickly shot towards the spot where Nalan Yanran was falling.
Finally, just as Nalan Yanran's body was about to hit the ground, Chen Mo slid in, catching her with his knees to the ground.
But before he could check on her condition, the nearly exhausted energy in his body started to rampage due to his dwindling Dou Qi.
Chen Mo fell unconscious.
Before losing consciousness, Chen Mo vaguely felt his head resting on something very soft.
At that moment, the entire place fell into silence.
Everyone was recalling the scene of the Thunderous Giant Elephant enveloped in lightning and purple flames, and Nalan Yanran falling from the sky.
Nalan Yanran, the strongest of the younger generation in Yunlan Sect, had condensed her Qi Cyclone at the age of thirteen to become a Dou Zhe. By sixteen, she had reached the Dou Shi level, and by eighteen, she was already a seven-star Dou Shi.
Her cultivation speed was enough to leave her peers in Yunlan Sect in the dust.
However, this exceptional existence, whom no one dared to challenge, had been defeated by a mere sixteen-year-old boy with a cultivation of only two-star Dou Shi, brought back by the sect leader just three days ago.
Perhaps Nalan Yanran's image was too deeply ingrained in everyone's minds, as many still struggled to accept this reality.
The referee had yet to announce the result because Chen Mo was already unconscious, while Nalan Yanran, though gravely injured, was still conscious.
Strictly speaking, even though Nalan Yanran had been struck down by Chen Mo, she had not conceded. The referee could not declare Nalan Yanran defeated.
Instead, Chen Mo lay unconscious, his head resting in Nalan Yanran's lap. Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes stared at Chen Mo, and after a moment, she seemed to be entranced.
A dual-attribute of lightning and fire, a sixteen-year-old two-star Dou Shi, with the strength to challenge a seven-star Dou Shi.
These factors made Nalan Yanran unconcerned about the inappropriate position where Chen Mo's head rested.
Then she slowly said, "I concede."
"Chen Mo wins," the referee's voice rang out at the same moment.
At that very moment, the sect leader, Yun Yun, descended from the high platform. With a flash of light in her jade-like hands, she fed each of them a pill before announcing, "From today onward, Chen Mo will be my second direct disciple and the champion of this inner sect competition."
No one in the square objected; even the elders strongly supported the decision.
The Grand Elder, Yun Leng, even decided in his heart that after the competition, he would personally send Chen Mo some healing elixirs and cultivation resources.
Seeing no objections, Yun Yun saluted those on the high platform, including Jia Xingtian, and then raised her jade-like hand. A cyan whirlwind formed beneath the two, lifting them into the air, following Yun Yun as she flew away, slowly disappearing into the depths of Yunlan Mountain.
As Yun Yun left, Yun Leng, who held the highest position after the sect leader, naturally took on the role of distributing rewards to the top ten disciples.
"Nalan Su, it seems the decision to annul the engagement a year ago was a wise one. Perhaps your Nalan family will soon have an excellent son-in-law," Mu Chen commented, no longer jesting but instead feeling envious.
Envious that he did not have a beautiful descendant like Nalan Yanran.
"Tsk tsk, didn't you see the way Yanran was gazing at that boy? She's obviously smitten," Mittel Tengshan mused, considering inviting Chen Mo to visit his home in the coming days.
Nalan Su was in a good mood, thinking Mu Chen had made a good point. Chen Mo had gone to catch Yanran, indicating he also had feelings for her. Afterward, he would just need to nudge things along.
If they worked hard, maybe by next year, he could hold a grandchild.
Jia Xingtian left, his mood sour. After all, Chen Mo was a disciple of Yunlan Sect.
Fa Ma and Gu He huddled together. "He has a fire attribute, and his soul power is strong. If he also has a hint of wood attribute, I can guarantee he will be an excellent alchemist."
"Are you planning to poach him?"
"What do you mean poach? The Alchemist Association doesn't mind that he's a Yunlan Sect disciple."
"You've always lost to me in alchemy."
"Are you thinking the same?"
"That's right, what I meant earlier was, if he does have wood attribute, do you think you can steal him from me?"
...
"Teacher, how is Junior Brother?" Nalan Yanran, though severely injured, had recovered a bit after some treatment. She gazed at the unconscious Chen Mo, whose body felt like a furnace, and asked.
"A bit better than the night before. His Dou Qi is almost completely drained, and his body is severely exhausted," Yun Yun said, feeding Chen Mo another fourth-tier pill.
"The night before?" Nalan Yanran seemed to catch on to something.
Yun Yun coughed lightly, a slight blush appearing on her pretty face. Fortunately, her back was to Nalan Yanran, so it went unnoticed. She then said, "The night before, he experienced a similar situation, but it was even worse than today. However..."
Yun Yun paused for a moment. "A good night's rest, and he'll be fine."
Nalan Yanran didn't doubt her words. She gazed intently at Chen Mo's face, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Teacher, may I stay tonight to take care of Junior Brother?"
"No," Yun Yun quickly responded. Seeing Nalan Yanran's puzzled look, Yun Yun explained, "You are also severely injured, and your foundation has been damaged. Come to my room tonight, and I'll help you recuperate."
"Damaged foundation? But I don't feel anything, Teacher," Nalan Yanran was even more confused.
"It's there, just deeply hidden. You haven't noticed it yet." After saying that, Yun Yun led Nalan Yanran out of the side hall, not giving her a chance to ask further questions.
Late at night.
After confirming that Nalan Yanran wouldn't wake up, a figure quietly sneaked into the side hall.