Chapter 178: The Duel Begins!

"Yun Zhi? Who is that?"

Many people present exchanged puzzled glances upon hearing Xiao Yan's words. Even the disciples seated cross-legged in the square, forming the combined formation, couldn't help but be curious. Among them, there was no disciple named Yun Zhi.

The shrewd First Elder Yun Leng, however, looked up at Yun Yun. From her flustered expression, he realized that the 'Yun Zhi' Xiao Yan was referring to was indeed Sect Leader Yun Yun herself.

Yun Leng furrowed his brow and thought to himself, 'These two actually know each other already?'

Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan, who was scratching his nose with a slightly embarrassed expression. Following his gaze, she turned to look at her Master and discovered that her Master, who had always been as calm as still water, now appeared somewhat at a loss!

In the eight years that Nalan Yanran had been cultivating under Yun Yun, she had never seen her Master like this!

'How can this be? Why does Xiao Yan know Master? And their relationship seems more than just simple acquaintances!' Nalan Yanran was shocked inwardly.

As for the onlooker Hai Bodong, he had long known that Xiao Yan and Yun Yun had some connection. He stroked his beard with a smiling expression.

Yun Yun had returned to the Misty Cloud Sect long ago, and naturally, she was present for today's duel involving Nalan Yanran. Hai Bodong had been eager to watch this drama unfold.

It was bound to be juicy!

"Old Hai, you knew long ago that Xiao Yan and Yun Yun were acquainted?" Fa Ma glanced at Hai Bodong, noticing his look of keen interest.

"I heard they know each other, but as for the nature of their relationship, only they would know," Hai Bodong said with a grin.

Of course, most of the disciples present hadn't paid much attention to what Xiao Yan said. In their eyes, Xiao Yan was already seen as their imaginary enemy—someone they envied, were jealous of, and hated.

If only their own grandfather was Xiao Lin!

If it weren't for Xiao Yan's esteemed status now as an unattainable 5th-tier alchemist and the champion of the Alchemist Grand Meeting, the Misty Cloud Sect might have directly exerted pressure to strangle him.

Not far from the square, Gu He and Liu Ling were gazing at Xiao Yan in the luxurious palanquin. Gu He said indifferently, "So that's the champion of this Alchemist Grand Meeting? He possesses a Heavenly Flame, right?"

Liu Ling nodded with a wry smile, "Mm, and he even refined a tier 5 medicinal pill. His talent in alchemy far surpasses mine."

Eighteen years old, tier 5! And possessing a Heavenly Flame. Not to mention Liu Ling, even Gu He himself felt that his talent was far inferior to Xiao Yan's.

"You are Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan, the champion of the Alchemist Grand Meeting?" First Elder Yun Leng, seated in the central position, lifted his eyes to glance at Xiao Yan and slowly spoke after a long pause.

Xiao Yan heard someone call his name and finally shifted his gaze away from Yun Yun, looked at the white-robed elder, and, leaning lazily against the palanquin, said, "What's the matter?"

"I am Yun Leng, First Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect. Yanran is already our sect's candidate for the next Sect Leader, so I hope you can annul the engagement with her. Whatever compensation you require, our Misty Cloud Sect can satisfy you," Yun Leng stood up and said proudly.

Xiao Yan sneered disdainfully and replied, "Very well, then give me a Zong Breaking Pill."

Not to mention Yun Leng, everyone present who knew what the Zong Breaking Pill was just wanted to curse out loud when they heard Xiao Yan's words.

This was a top-tier tier 6 pill that was in no way inferior to a tier 7 pill. Its effect was to increase the chance of breaking through to the Dou Ancestor realm.

Even the 6th-tier alchemist Gu He didn't have even a 10% success rate in refining the Zong Breaking Pill. Moreover, the medicinal ingredients were extremely precious. Even the Misty Cloud Sect couldn't gather a complete set.

Yun Leng was immediately rendered speechless, wanting to say something but unable to find the words.

"We can give you a tier 5 medicinal pill," Yun Leng finally said through gritted teeth.

Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively and replied with an indifferent expression, "Tier 5? I can refine those myself, so what's the point of getting it from you? You said anything was possible, but this is all the Misty Cloud Sect can offer? A mere tier 6 pill isn't even that precious. So stingy."

Yun Leng was so furious he nearly shattered his teeth from clenching. He wished he could strangle this impudent fellow. Asking for a Zong Breaking Pill—you really dare to think big!

Of course, Xiao Yan was merely joking; he had never intended to get anything from the Misty Cloud Sect. He just couldn't stand Yun Leng's arrogant tone.

"Alright, alright, I was just joking. Let's consider that engagement nonexistent. Actually, I don't like having my life controlled by others either."

The thousand-plus disciples present were so enraged by Xiao Yan's dismissive attitude toward the Misty Cloud Sect that they almost ground their molars to pieces.

He's the one who made such an outrageous demand, yet now he's implying that our Misty Cloud Sect is too poor?!

Xiao Yan paid no attention to the feelings of those Misty Cloud Sect disciples. He lazily looked at Nalan Yanran and said, "Back when I defeated you, you claimed you'd surpass me in three years. Now that three years have passed, I'll accompany you in battle however you wish."

A huge commotion immediately ensued as soon as he said this! Because no one knew the result of Nalan Yanran's attempt to annul the engagement three years ago. Naturally, Ge Ye wouldn't have spread it around.

All the disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect assumed the engagement had been annulled, which was why Nalan Yanran hadn't continued to mention it.

They all thought Xiao Yan had come to issue a challenge, but it turned out the roles were reversed!

It was Nalan Yanran who had lost to Xiao Yan back then!!

Nalan Yanran extended her jade-like hand, and the emerald-green storage ring on her slender finger flashed with light. A slender, pale-green longsword materialized, its blade inclined, reflecting a chilling glint under the sunlight.

The Nalan Yanran who had emerged from the Gate of Life and Death had a Dao heart as firm as a rock. The words Xiao Yan had just spoken didn't affect her in the slightest!

Her beautiful eyes met those pitch-black pupils as she said calmly, "Today, I, Nalan Yanran, challenge you, Xiao Yan. It has nothing to do with the engagement."

"I just want to tell you that I, Nalan Yanran, will not lose to you a second time!"

"Draw your weapon!"

Nalan Yanran pointed her sword at Xiao Yan, and a powerful sword intent instantly erupted from within her. The whirlwinds around her were like sharp blades.

Nalan Jie, who was not far away, sighed and shook his head upon seeing Nalan Yanran like this. He naturally knew how strong-willed this granddaughter of his was.

At the age of ten, she had already defeated all her peers, displaying a formidable willpower that led to her being chosen by Yun Yun. Dissatisfied with the engagement, she immediately went to annul it.

However, being defeated by Xiao Yan with a single blow three years ago was even more unacceptable to her than the engagement itself.

Xiao Yan glanced at Yun Yun, whose eyes were filled with concern. He shrugged his shoulders, slowly stepped down from the palanquin, and said, "Originally, I should go easy on you out of consideration for your Master, but if I hold back like that, you probably wouldn't be convinced."

"So be it then. At worst, I'll beat you badly and then heal you afterward."

His storage ring flashed as soon as he finished speaking. His hand slowly grasped the hilt of the Heavy Xuan Ruler, and with a sudden pull, the ruler summoned an oppressive gust of wind as it pointed diagonally toward the ground.

"You're an Alchemist; you can consume medicinal pills," Nalan Yanran said.

"Don't mention it. Today, I'm not fighting you as a 5th-tier alchemist, but as the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan—Xiao Yan."

"Besides, it seems your strength isn't enough to force me to take pills anyway." Xiao Yan showed a faint smile, but there was no trace of warmth in his eyes.

Knowing your Master is one thing, but asking me to lose—that's impossible.

Nalan Yanran's eyes narrowed. Her jade-like hand gripped the pale-green longsword tightly. A faint gust of light green wind swirled around the sword's blade, within which sharp wind blades extended and retracted.

A boom sounded as her entire body was enveloped by a whirlwind. Her right foot stomped heavily on the ground, and wind-attribute Dou Qi exploded from her soles and back. Activating Exploding Steps, she transformed into a gust of wind and shot toward Xiao Yan.

"Green Wood Sword!"

Nalan Yanran made a sudden thrust; a massive green longsword that aimed straight at Xiao Yan suddenly appeared.

"It's been three years, and you're still using this same move."