The next morning, Yun Yun brought Xiao Jietian and the other three to a pavilion beside the sect's training plaza.
"Normally, during sect gatherings or grand competitions, this is the Sect Master's exclusive spot. From here, you can get a panoramic view of the entire training plaza."
Yun Yun introduced the place to the four.
"Wow, the view here is so good! It seems we're benefiting from Sister Yun's influence."
Qing Lin looked around curiously.
At this moment, nearly a thousand disciples dressed in the Cloud Mist Sect's moon-white robes were seated in a semicircle on the plaza.
"Great Elder, before my family was destroyed, I once saw him in Yan City. I remember it clearly. Could my family's destruction be related to him?"
Behind Yun Ling, a woman spoke quietly to him.
If Xiao Jietian had looked closely at this woman, he would have realized she was the Second Young Miss of the Mo family, who had previously "led the way" for them.
Because she was not qualified to enter the meeting hall at that time, she had luckily escaped the disaster.
"Do you have proof it was him? He's the future husband of the Sect Master. Without proof, who would dare to speak nonsense?"
Yun Ling's eyes narrowed slightly, his heart unknown for what schemes. He spoke with a calm demeanor.
"I... I can't be sure, but the timing of his appearance was too coincidental."
"Don't speak without proof."
A hint of disappointment flashed in Yun Ling's eyes as he softly reprimanded the woman.
A trace of resentment appeared in the woman's eyes, though it was unclear whether it was directed at Xiao Jietian or something else.
Nalan Yanran stood at the very front of the crowd, right in the center of the plaza.
Xiao Jietian sensed a strong wave of hostility and turned to look. A middle-aged man standing at the far right of the plaza was staring at him.
This middle-aged man was Pill King Gu He.
Yun Yun naturally also sensed Gu He's hostility toward Xiao Jietian. Knowing the reason, a hint of apology immediately appeared in her eyes as she looked at Xiao Jietian.
Xiao Jietian shook his head, took Yun Yun's hand, and shook his head again, indicating there was no need to worry.
Gu He's feelings were unrequited; Yun Yun had never held any feelings for Gu He.
Seeing the faint happiness radiating from Yun Yun's face, this scene was like a sharp blade, deeply piercing Gu He's heart.
Gu He's face instantly turned ashen, and an indescribable pain flashed in his eyes.
Reality was cruel. He also knew that his love for Yun Yun was unrequited; his affection had always been like a stone sinking into the sea, unable to stir even a ripple.
But seeing someone so young achieve what he had longed for was truly hard to accept.
Liu Ling beside him could also feel his teacher's pain, as he too was yearning for something he couldn't have. At least he still had a glimmer of hope.
The two were completely outclassed by the Xiao family, which was truly a bit tragic.
Though they were love rivals, Xiao Jietian still admired Gu He quite a bit. At least he had talent, and his character was decent.
Others who saw this scene were constantly whispering. Although there were rumors that their Sect Master, this flower, had been plucked by an outsider, now that it was actually happening before their eyes, many disciples found it very difficult to accept.
On the treetops surrounding the plaza, many people stood.
"Isn't that Xiao Jietian and Ya Fei?"
Fa Ma looked at the pavilion with a stunned expression. Most people in the Alchemist Guild focused on alchemy and didn't pay much attention to intelligence.
"Old Fa, you might not know, but young friend Xiao Jietian has plucked the aloof flower of the Cloud Mist Sect."
Nalan Jie stroked his beard and said that when he first heard the news, he was so shocked he thought he had misheard.
"Xiao Jietian's romantic luck is truly enviable. He's taken two of the three golden flowers of the Imperial Capital. Many people must be heartbroken and furious."
"Ah, to be young again," Miteer Tengshan sighed.
"Hmph, old man Tengshan, don't you dare gloat."
...
As time passed, Hai Bodong appeared beside Miteer Tengshan.
When Xiao Jietian saw Hai Bodong's arrival, he knew Xiao Yan was about to appear as well.
After about five breaths, a young figure carrying a black Xuan Heavy Ruler appeared in the plaza.
The young man raised his head, revealing a handsome and refined face. The person who had arrived was Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan stood in the plaza without joy or sorrow, simply scanning the scene of the Cloud Mist Sect plaza.
When he saw Xiao Jietian sitting in the pavilion and the woman beside him, a flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Yan's eyes.
Wasn't this the Dou Huang who had fought the Amethyst Winged Lion King in the Magical Beast Mountain Range before and flown with him and Xiao Jietian?
Cloud Mist Sect, Dou Huang. When these two words combined, Xiao Yan realized this woman was Yun Yun, the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect.
Seeing Xiao Jietian and Yun Yun sitting together, and recalling the ambiguous moments between them he had witnessed earlier, Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
So this was what Brother Tian had meant by his words last night.
To actually win over the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect and make her a daughter-in-law of the Xiao family—how exhilarating!
He also knew that no matter what happened today, he would be safe, because the opposing Sect Master was already on their side.
Xiao Yan collected his thoughts, his gaze falling on the woman in the center of the plaza, and he spoke calmly.
"Xiao family, Xiao Yan."
Nalan Yanran looked at the young man standing in the distance. The young man had now shed the immaturity and sharpness of his youth, replaced by a profound composure.
Seeing Xiao Yan's transformation, Nalan Yanran's gaze became somewhat complex.
"Nalan family, Nalan Yanran."
Slowly standing up, Nalan Yanran's slender figure was as upright as a proud snow lotus. Her bright eyes stared at Xiao Yan, her voice as calm as his.
Watching the two confronting each other, the old fellows in the trees whispered among themselves, some gloating, others showing hints of regret.
"I am Yun Ling, the Great Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect."
An old man at the center of the Cloud Mist Sect disciples slowly spoke.
"With the Sect Master's approval, this Three-Year Agreement will be presided over by this old man. This match is intended as a friendly sparring contest, to stop at..."
"Life and death, each to their fate." A soft voice suddenly interrupted Yun Ling's words.
Yun Ling frowned slightly. Xiao Yan's interruption made the Great Elder, who had long held a high position and had never been contradicted, feel extremely displeased.
Nalan Yanran heard the words and saw the look in Xiao Yan's eyes. She paused for less than a breath, then nodded slightly and said coldly, "As you wish."
Xiao Yan also gripped the handle of the Xuan Heavy Ruler tightly, pulling it out with a forceful motion. The Xuan Heavy Ruler brought with it a suppressing wind, pointing diagonally at the ground. The strong wind from the ruler's body blew up the dust on the ground.
Nalan Yanran drew her pale green longsword. The sword was slender and long, with a slanting blade. Sunlight shone down, reflecting a chilling gleam.
After a brief exchange of words, the two immediately engaged in battle.
Xiao Yan attacked first, swinging the Xuan Heavy Ruler fiercely, bringing with it a whistling wind directly toward Nalan Yanran.
Nalan Yanran gracefully leaped, her longsword instantly clashing with the Xuan Heavy Ruler, producing a crisp metallic clang.
At the moment of contact, Nalan Yanran felt a powerful impact force surge from the sword to her arm.
She quickly used Dou Qi combined with the controllability of the wind attribute to deflect this impact.
Subsequently, the two quickly crossed paths in the plaza, sword light and ruler shadows intertwined, dazzling and overwhelming to the spectators.
Xiao Yan relied on the heavy force of the Xuan Heavy Ruler and his own strength, able to shatter bluestone with every strike.
Nalan Yanran, on the other hand, relied on the agility and nimbleness of her sword techniques and attribute, using skill to overcome brute force.
The two fought to a stalemate. Nalan Yanran was the first to lose patience, abandoning her flexible and varied style, choosing instead to use Wind Spirit Splitting Sword, splitting into multiple sharp swords to stab at Xiao Yan.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan chose not to dodge, intending to use offense as defense, meeting force with force. He wiped his hand, and green flames enveloped the ruler's body, clashing fiercely with the flying sword shadows.
A dazzling green light erupted, and Nalan Yanran chose not to strike again, instead staring fixedly at the green light.