"Quick, Feng'er, Yun'er, stop her for me!"
"Don't let her escape the World Association!"
Seeing You Ruo about to flee, Xiong Ba panicked.
Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng were just about to act when suddenly, a figure dashed out from the crowd.
Wielding a fiery red sword radiating a chilling aura, the figure charged straight at You Ruo.
"Duan Lang? You dare block me?"
"My Lady, the Chief has ordered that you are not allowed to leave the World Association," Duan Lang said, full of confidence and arrogance.
"Even Qin Shuang is no match for me, and you, just a lowly servant of the World Association, think you can stop me?" You Ruo scoffed.
"Chouchou, who is this guy?" Xiong Ba asked with growing irritation at Duan Lang's presumption.
"Reporting to the Chief, he is Duan Lang, son of Duan Shuai, the Southern Scale Sword Master."
"Oh? Interesting. I see intense ambition in his eyes, something even Shuang'er, Yun'er, and Feng'er lack."
"Shall I stop him, Chief? He was disrespectful to the Young Lady."
"No, no. Let's watch and see. He might turn out to be a useful pawn."
As he spoke, a cunning and ruthless glint flashed in Xiong Ba's eyes as he looked at Duan Lang.
"Quick Snow Clear Moment Art: Snow Melting at Dawn!"
As the sword danced, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
"Eclipse Sun Sword Method: White Sun at Daybreak!"
Duan Lang slashed forward with the Fire Scale Sword, unleashing a fierce and chilling wave of sword energy.
Surprisingly, it completely blocked You Ruo's attack.
"My Lady, I am not like Lord Shuang. I will not hold back. Be obedient and come back with me," Duan Lang declared, looking down at her.
"How arrogant of Duan Lang, daring to show such disrespect to the Young Lady!"
"Has he forgotten his place?"
Chouchou spoke with open discontent, clearly displeased with Duan Lang's attitude.
Even Xiong Ba felt deeply uncomfortable.
Only he had the right to discipline his daughter. How dare a mere servant act so superior?
Buzz!
The Hidden Dragon Ranking appeared once again in the sky.
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 14]
[Duan Lang]
[Identity: Son of the Han Dynasty's Southern Scale Sword Master Duan Shuai, Servant of the World Association]
[Realm: Great Perfection Grandmaster]
[Technique: Duan Clan Heart Technique, Eclipse Sun Sword Method]
[Reward: Earth-Grade Top-Tier Spiritual Herb: Seven-Leaf Sword Grass, greatly enhances sword intent]
Gasp!
"It's Duan Lang! He actually made the list?"
"He even outranks Lord Shuang? This is unbelievable!"
"Could he really be stronger than Lord Shuang?"
As soon as Duan Lang appeared on the list, an uproar broke out among the World Association members.
No one expected a mere servant disciple to appear on the most coveted Hidden Dragon Ranking of the Nine Provinces.
"Chief, this Duan Lang… this is…" Chouchou stammered, stunned.
"What a Duan Lang!" Xiong Ba's heart filled with uncontrollable anger.
If Qin Shuang making the list brought him glory, then Duan Lang's appearance was a direct slap in the face.
In the eyes of all the Nine Provinces, it showed Xiong Ba lacked the insight to recognize talent.
A peerless genius like Duan Lang had been relegated to menial tasks. What an embarrassment in leadership.
The more he thought about it, the more Xiong Ba loathed Duan Lang.
"Haha, a reward from the heavens, the Seven-Leaf Sword Grass!"
Duan Lang laughed as he looked at the herb in his hand, then swallowed it without hesitation.
He didn't even pretend to offer it to Xiong Ba.
Not even out of formality.
This behavior immediately caused a wave of resentment among the onlookers.
Did he really think the Chief would steal his reward?
How impatient and petty!
Hadn't Lord Shuang just set a clear example?
Everyone began to look down on Duan Lang for his narrow-mindedness.
His character was now under serious suspicion.
"My sword intent increased by nearly twenty percent. Given time, I could gain another ten."
"My Lady, you're no longer my match. I suggest you surrender now."
Duan Lang radiated an overwhelming sword aura, filled with pride and the sense that he could go anywhere in the world.
"Arrogant fool. One taste of success and you're already drunk with pride!" You Ruo sneered at his attitude.
Compared to Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng, Duan Lang was nothing.
"Quick Snow Clear Moment Art: Frost After Seven Clear Skies!"
You Ruo swung her sword again, and the sword aura grew even stronger than before.
"Eclipse Sun Sword Method: Resplendence of Blades!"
"Eclipse Sun Sword Method: Sun at High Noon!"
Duan Lang slashed wildly with the Fire Scale Sword.
Flames blazed, and brilliant sword energy surged forth.
His techniques were searing and intense like the midday sun, overwhelming and hard to resist.
It was as if his sword style naturally countered You Ruo's.
Sun and snow, fire and frost, sunlight should melt snow.
But if the cold far surpasses the heat, not only will the snow not melt, it could freeze everything.
That was exactly what happened now.
Their sword moves clashed.
In the next moment...
Duan Lang's confident smile froze on his face.
Under You Ruo's attack, his Eclipse Sun Sword Method collapsed instantly.
Terrifying cold surged in.
He had no strength to resist.
In the blink of an eye, Duan Lang was completely frozen into a sculpture of ice and snow.
He stood there motionless.
"Duan Lang!"
Nie Feng, watching from not far away, panicked.
He rushed forward like the wind, grabbed Duan Lang, and pulled him out of the battlefield.
Returning to their original position.
"My Lady, please show mercy to Duan Lang!"
"I apologize on his behalf for his offense," Nie Feng said respectfully.
"Hmph, I didn't even use a killing move. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the ice will melt. With his level of strength, he won't be harmed."
"He'll just suffer a little."
"I'm surprised someone as arrogant as Duan Lang has a friend like you."
You Ruo shook her head and walked away without looking back.
"Tch, I thought Duan Lang was something special. This is all he's got?"
"The Young Lady is much stronger. She just defeated two people on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. Her rank must be even higher!"
"Wind Master and Cloud Master haven't even made a move yet!"
"Could it be that the top five spots will all go to our World Association?"
"If so, our World Association will be famous throughout the Nine Provinces!"
"Haha, what a great day. We're honored to be part of the World Association!"