Word Count: 3,560 Words
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After founding the Yan Alliance and establishing the Yan Alliance Treaty, Xiao Yan, as the initiator, became a figure who appeared and vanished like a divine dragon. Naturally, he wouldn't know certain details about his own faction.
In reality, within the Yan Alliance, Nalan Yanran's reputation was immense. Over the years, she had earned the most battle merits and accumulated the greatest amount of Yan Yuan.
She was different from Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan. Those three only listened to Xiao Yan and spent most of their time cultivating on their own. Unless the Yan Alliance faced some major crisis, they were rarely seen.
By contrast, Nalan Yanran was the sharp sword of the Yan Alliance, striking wherever directed, often running herself ragged. She served as the vanguard for the Yan Alliance's entry into the Central Plains.
When people in the Western and Northern Regions of the Central Plains heard of the Yan Alliance, many first learned about a female sword goddess who was nearly invincible among Dou Emperors. Only then did they come to know of the Yan Alliance itself.
However, at this moment, Nalan Yanran had lost her previous composure and ease because the knife-scarred man before her possessed extraordinary strength.
"Yellow Springs Pavilion, Wang Chen... I won't hand over the Psychic White Fox to anyone." Nalan Yanran's right hand tightened slightly on her sword hilt. This Wang Chen was a half-step Dou Ancestor, two and a half stars higher than her.
Had it been an ordinary half-step Dou Ancestor, she wouldn't have feared them, but Wang Chen was no common foe. He was the successor of the Yellow Springs Pavilion, one of the Four Pavilions, and the disciple of Venerable Huang Quan.
Although Nalan Yanran had received a Dou Venerate inheritance and could be considered unrivaled in the North-Western Region, her opponent also possessed a Dou Venerate inheritance. Moreover, his Dou Venerate was still alive.
"I, Wang Chen, am not someone who can be dismissed so easily," the knife-scarred man grinned, a hint of cruelty in his expression.
Nalan Yanran's gaze sharpened as she circulated her Qi Method. During the Yan Alliance's campaign in the Central Plains, she had heard of Wang Chen. He was notorious for his bloodthirsty nature and formidable strength, now specializing in challenging old Dou Ancestor monsters. His power was undeniable.
Wang Chen slowly lowered his hand as dense black energy rapidly coiled around it. He stared at Nalan Yanran, his scarlet tongue licking his lips. In an instant, his eyes turned sinister. "Since that's the case, let me see if your sword is as formidable as Tang Ying's!"
As he finished speaking, his figure shot forward like a black line. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Nalan Yanran. His fist, shrouded in black energy and reeking of blood, swung straight at her heart without any unnecessary flourish.
'Dark-attribute Dou Qi!' Nalan Yanran was startled. It was actually dark-attributed Dou Qi. Such an attribute was extremely rare, and this was her first time encountering it.
But as a veteran of countless Yan Alliance battles, her reaction was swift. A whirlwind rose around her, and her Cloud Slaying Black Sword spun up a sword flower, instantly stirring a fierce wall of wind.
"Corpse Eroding Hand!"
Wang Chen's fist suddenly opened, his palm turning an eerie jet black color. The black energy claw marks twisted strangely around the whirlwind, darting straight for Nalan Yanran's throat.
His first strike was a killing blow!
A glint flashed in Nalan Yanran's eyes. Her left fingers flicked out five strands of light cyan spiral gales, intertwining into a thin cyan line. It brought up a sharp sound of wind being cut and shot toward the black hand like lightning.
Boom!
The two energies collided, but with her lower cultivation, Nalan Yanran clearly couldn't break through the opponent's Dou Technique. A surge of dark energy split open the whirlwind and lashed against her blocking sword.
Immediately, a bone-chilling cold spread along the sword, seeping into her five fingers, leaving them so numb she nearly lost her grip.
"Hahaha, it seems you're nothing special!" Wang Chen laughed loudly. He gathered dark Dou Qi in his right hand and struck again with a thunderous blow.
Nalan Yanran's eyes locked onto the pitch-black fist mark rapidly enlarging in her vision. In a flash, a surge of dark sword aura erupted from her whole body.
Just as she was about to unleash the final move of Wind's Peak in a desperate struggle, a spatial ripple occurred. A black-robed man appeared in front of her as if teleporting, moving so quickly that even Wang Chen couldn't react in time.
"A half-step Dou Ancestor bullying a 7-star Dou Emperor girl. Your Yellow Springs Pavilion is really something," a faint laugh echoed from beneath the hood.
"Hmph, trying to play the hero? I'm afraid you don't have the skill!" Wang Chen snorted coldly at the sudden appearance of the black-robed man, his heavy dark fist descending without hesitation.
In response, the black-robed figure slowly extended a single finger, a wisp of black flame flickering at his fingertip.
Boom!!
Fist met finger, and the fierce shockwave blasted back the black-robed man's hood.
Even without seeing his face, Nalan Yanran instantly recognized him from his familiar back and called out in surprise, "Xiao Yan!"
She was momentarily dazed, never expecting to see him here, much less have him intervene on her behalf!
Xiao Yan gave a gentle push. The black flame at his fingertip erupted, sweeping out in a massive wave with a whoosh. Sensing Xiao Yan's 3-star Dou Ancestor strength, the previously arrogant Wang Chen's face changed drastically. He immediately retreated without hesitation.
"3-star Dou Ancestor!" Wang Chen stared at Xiao Yan in astonishment. Wasn't it said in the Yellow Springs Pavilion that this Xiao Yan was just an alchemist? How could he be so strong!
Wang Chen looked down and saw the skin on his fist was burnt and charred. Although it was a minor injury, Xiao Yan had clearly not used his full strength.
Xiao Yan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing calmly at the stunned Wang Chen. "I won't kill you, but the Yan Alliance will claim a place in this Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool."
Xiao Yan couldn't bring himself to bully these little kids. A 9-star Dou Emperor's soul points were just a small thousand, useless.
Wang Chen gritted his teeth. He didn't continue to ask for trouble and turned to rush toward the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool.
Only after Wang Chen left did Xiao Yan turn to face Nalan Yanran, smiling. "Long time no see."
At the sight of his smile, Nalan Yanran was filled with a swirl of complicated emotions. After all, the man before her had once been her fiancé, and they'd gone through the whole drama of breaking off their engagement. Although the engagement had been dissolved, she wasn't sure what kind of relationship they had now.
"Long time no see," she replied sullenly.
Xiao Yan smiled again, his gaze shifting to the white fox on her shoulder. Curiously, he asked, "So you've taken up raising foxes now?"
Nalan Yanran shot him a look, hugging the Psychic White Fox tightly. "This is a Psychic White Fox. To reach the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool, you have to pass through a natural maze. If you don't know the way in, you'll be trapped until the energy tide ends. But the Psychic White Fox is immune to the maze—just follow it and you'll safely get out."
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with interest. He stepped closer, leaning in to study the white fox in Nalan Yanran's arms. He murmured, "This fox can do that? But its strength doesn't even count as a magical beast, right?"
As he moved closer, Nalan Yanran's face flushed slightly. She hugged the white fox even tighter and said quietly, "You're too close."
Xiao Yan realized the white fox's position was indeed somewhat suggestive. No wonder it looked so comfortable nestled there.
"Ahem, by the way, where's your Master? Isn't she here?" he asked. Since Nalan Yanran was here, the one leading the Yan Alliance should be Yun Yun.
He hadn't seen Yun Yun in a long time. When he returned to the Jia Ma Empire, she was nowhere to be found. That gentle, water-like woman who had helped him so many times in his youth always lingered in his thoughts, leaving him with a sense of concern and indebtedness.
"Master's been busy delivering meals lately."
"What? Delivering meals? Isn't she leading the team this time?" Xiao Yan was stunned. What in the world did 'delivering meals' mean!
Nalan Yanran shook her head. "No. Besides me, no one else from the Yan Alliance came. With the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting approaching, the Yan Alliance couldn't spare anyone for escort duty."
Xiao Yan was taken aback. "What? No one else came? But I heard in Hua Gu City that the Yan Alliance and Wind Lightning Pavilion clashed multiple times... Were all those Wind Lightning Pavilion members killed by you alone?"
Nalan Yanran lifted her chin proudly at his words. Indeed, it was this young lady who had taken care of them. In front of Xiao Yan, she seemed to transform into a completely different person.
"Then let's go. Since you're the only one from the Yan Alliance here, I'll escort you to the mountaintop." Xiao Yan waved his hand, and the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame swept out, parting a path through the dense fog.
"I-I don't need your escort." Nalan Yanran hugged the Psychic White Fox tightly.
"What if you run into that guy again?"
"Hmph, if I encounter him again, I won't necessarily lose. If I were at the same level as him, I would definitely kill him!" Nalan Yanran said proudly.
Xiao Yan's expression turned odd. Why did she sound exactly like that Miss Feng from the Wind Lightning Pavilion? Be careful not to bite your tongue with such big talk.
"Why are you so troublesome? Fine, I'll follow you. As long as we don't run into those four from the Four Pavilions, I won't make a move. That should be good enough, right?" Xiao Yan finished, pulled up his hood, and instantly concealed himself in the shadows.
Nalan Yanran was dumbfounded seeing Xiao Yan suddenly disappear. You're just leaving like that?!
She bit her lip, stomped her foot, and fumed, "This guy!"
Along the way, a few reckless people eyed the Psychic White Fox in Nalan Yanran's arms. But after she killed a couple of foolish ones who tried their luck, everyone quickly realized she was not to be trifled with.
As she drew nearer to the maze, she attracted more and more attention from those unable to pass through.
"Everyone, let's join forces and grab the Psychic White Fox! If we get it, we'll all have a share in the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool!"
"Hand over the Psychic White Fox!"
But this time, a cold snort suddenly echoed out. The snort rippled like a shockwave in all directions. Everyone who had designs on Nalan Yanran recoiled as if struck by a heavy blow, spitting blood and collapsing to the ground.
Xiao Yan's Ancient Dragon Roar had already reached major mastery. Sonic Dou Techniques were nearly impossible to defend against.
Seeing the mass of fallen bodies, a few sharp-eyed bystanders sneered coldly. "Idiots. That woman is Nalan Yanran from the Yan Alliance. The Yan Alliance doesn't even fear the Wind Lightning Pavilion, and their ranks are filled with countless powerful experts. How could it be possible that there isn't a Dou Ancestor escorting her?"
Although the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool wasn't monopolized by any major faction, there was an unspoken rule. The Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe, as the dominant magical beast tribe of the Heaven Eye Mountain Range, claimed two spots. Each of the Four Pavilions had one, and the remaining four spots were up for grabs based on skill.
As the saying goes, 'a dragon crossing the river can't suppress the local snake.' The Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe was the overlord of this mountain range. If not for the strength of the Four Pavilions, the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool would have been theirs alone.
Now, with the Yan Alliance rising as a dominant Dou Venerate faction, people naturally ranked it alongside the Four Pavilions.
Xiao Yan removed his Soul Robe and quietly followed behind Nalan Yanran, entering the natural maze as well.
The fog here was nearly ten times denser than inside the mountain range, to the point where one couldn't see their hand in front of their face. What troubled Xiao Yan most was that even his Soul State Spiritual Strength struggled to penetrate this fog.
"So this is the so-called natural maze. It really is tricky," Xiao Yan said in a low voice as he swept his gaze around solemnly.
The power of nature always inspires awe.
Just then, a cool sensation touched his palm. Nalan Yanran's voice came from ahead. "It's me."
Even as she grasped his hand, he still couldn't see anyone in front of him. That alone showed just how formidable the natural maze was.
Xiao Yan shrugged. Though he could use the Nihility Devouring Flame to devour the fog entirely, and reaching the mountain peak wasn't strictly necessary for him, he didn't mind the detour. After all, holding hands and taking a little advantage wasn't a bad deal.
The dense fog enveloped them. Xiao Yan felt the soft sensation of her palm, akin to holding a piece of fine jade. The delicate feeling was something that made one reluctant to let go.
Nalan Yanran's jade-like hand, forged by years of sword practice, was soft yet firm. Her slender fingers had a unique texture that made his heart ripple involuntarily.
Feeling playful, Xiao Yan gently squeezed her hand as they walked, almost as if feeling for her bones. Leading the way, Nalan Yanran's delicate face flushed red, but she didn't pull her hand back. The two continued forward in silence, holding hands as they walked.
In no time, they had passed through the maze.
Once they were out, Nalan Yanran gently released her grip. After letting go, she was surprised to find a sense of loss welling up inside her.
At that moment, Xiao Yan surveyed their surroundings. He had come to the summit of the Heaven Eye Mountain Range mainly to broaden his horizons and see the so-called Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool, as well as to guard against any sneaky moves from the Four Pavilions.
Just passing through the fog had already eliminated many people. Xiao Yan saw only about twenty or thirty left. Naturally, all the Four Pavilions had their people present.
Miss Feng from the Wind Lightning Pavilion was, of course, the center of everyone's attention. Her noble, phoenix-like demeanor made her one of the most prominent figures in the scene.
When Miss Feng, dressed in her seven-colored gown, saw Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran appear, she let out a cold snort.
Wang Chen and Tang Ying, the latter with a sword strapped to his back, were also among the group.
"Oh? You're a Dou Ancestor, so what are you doing here?" Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran turned to see a young girl in green curiously sizing up Xiao Yan.
"That's Mu Qing Luan from the Falling Star Pavilion," Nalan Yanran whispered quietly to Xiao Yan. She knew this hands-off leader didn't know much about the people of the Four Pavilions.
'Falling Star Pavilion? The faction founded by Venerable Feng?' Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, examining the girl. After all, Venerable Feng was rumored to be Venerable Yao's closest friend.
Still, he had no intention of approaching Venerable Feng. Based on what he knew of Venerable Yao's acquaintances like Han Feng and Mu Gu, Venerable Yao's ability to judge character was truly terrible. Everyone he knew turned out to be a bad guy, and he was ultimately betrayed by his own.
Based on Venerable Yao's track record, Venerable Feng was likely a bad guy nine times out of ten. They were called life-and-death friends, but perhaps he was in on the betrayal as well.
Xiao Yan smiled and looked at the girl. "What, is there a rule now that Dou Ancestors can't come here? I'm not entering the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool, just here to enjoy the scenery. Is that not allowed?"
Mu Qing Luan covered her mouth and laughed lightly. "Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance is indeed as interesting as the rumors say."
Not long after Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran stepped onto the platform, a short old man by the stone steps glanced at them. He then spoke slowly, "This old man is Jin Shi, patriarch of the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe. Since you have all made it here, you must not be ordinary people. You should also know the rules of the Heaven Eye Mountain Range. Only by passing our Rat Tide Sonic Formation will you have a chance at one of the remaining eight spots."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan looked at the dense swarm of Gold Swallowing Mice, his brow furrowing. So, it was actually a sonic wave formation.
"Do you want me to give you a hand?" Xiao Yan turned to Nalan Yanran at his side. As a Dou Ancestor, he wasn't eligible to attempt the formation himself, but Nalan Yanran was the Yan Alliance's sole representative. If all the Four Pavilions succeeded and she failed, it would be a loss of face for the Yan Alliance!
What's more, of the thirty people present, every one of them was either a 9-star Dou Emperor or a half-step Dou Ancestor from various factions of the Central Plains' Northern Region. Only Nalan Yanran was still a 7-star Dou Emperor, making her the weakest in terms of cultivation.
Nalan Yanran had heard of the formidable power of the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe's Rat Tide Sonic Formation. Even Xiao Yan's own sonic attacks were difficult to defend against, and the unique sound waves of this formation were especially so—some of the weaker half-step Dou Ancestors might not even be able to withstand it.
If it were up to Xiao Yan, things would be simple. He would just use the Ten Thousand Beast Flame to activate the dragon aura within his body, then unleash an Ancient Dragon Roar to show these mice who was boss in the roaring world!
After a moment of silence, she ceased her stubbornness and nodded, accepting Xiao Yan's assistance.
"Just leave it to me. In a moment, I'll leave some Life Flame within your body, then use the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame to guard your soul. Take a Qi Returning Emperor Pill to speed up your Dou Qi recovery. You'll definitely make it through." Xiao Yan's lips curled into a confident smile as he patted his chest in reassurance.
What Rat Tide Sonic Formation? A piece of cake. With me here, even if you were just a Dou Practitioner, I could get you through.
Nalan Yanran covered her mouth and let out a light laugh. Her beautiful eyes lingered deeply on Xiao Yan as she said, "Thank you."
"We're all part of the Yan Alliance. The stronger you are, the more it benefits the Yan Alliance."
Nalan Yanran blinked, then murmured softly, "Is it really just for the Yan Alliance?"
"Hm?"
Just then, Jin Shi's eyes snapped open. He swept his gaze over the crowd, then waved his hand as his faint voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"Time's up. The trial begins now!"
At those words, Xiao Yan shrugged, let out a yawn, and found a shady spot to sit and watch these so-called 9-star Dou Emperor little kids yiyiyaya-ing as they tried to break through the formation.
This Rat Tide Sonic Formation was indeed formidable. The vast majority of 9-star Dou Emperors couldn't pass through, being hit by the sonic waves until they spat blood and were sent flying.
After a while, Xiao Yan shook his head. "Alright, there's no need to keep watching. This Rat Tide Sonic Formation is just so-so. Let's not waste any more time."
He stood up and patted the dust off his backside. The Rat Tide Sonic Formation hadn't exceeded his expectations—its strength was about the same as a 1-star Dou Ancestor displaying a High Xuan Class sonic Dou Technique.
"Give me your hand," he said.
It was a bit of a pity, really. Unlike when healing with Little Fairy Doctor, this time he wouldn't need to use much of his Heavenly Flame.
Nalan Yanran nodded and slowly raised her hand. When their palms met, a feeling like an electric current swept through her body. Very soon, a gentle warmth began to merge into her Dou Qi from her palm, spreading throughout her body.
Just as Xiao Yan was about to help Nalan Yanran cheat her way through, Jin Shi, the patriarch of the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe, slowly approached him with a smile. "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, would you mind stepping aside for a moment to talk?"
Xiao Yan looked over at the elder, not showing any surprise. He replied with a faint smile, "It looks like Patriarch Jin Shi has a deal he wants to discuss."
"You should know, my services don't come cheap."