A year and a half later
Jia Ma Empire, Imperial Capital.
On a wide and open road, a young man clad in black robes walked steadily forward, a massive black ruler strapped to his back. His striking appearance drew curious glances from the passing carriages and pedestrians along the way.
Yet, the black-robed youth seemed entirely unaware of these gazes. His steps were measured and composed, each footprint shallow but firm, his thin figure exuding an undeniable sense of calmness and ease.
Ascending the long stone staircase, the youth climbed steadily, his pace neither hurried nor slow. Sharp light flashed within his eyes, as if he could see through the endless void, focused solely on reaching the summit.
At the end of the stone steps, mist swirled thickly, concealing a massive plaza behind it. In the center of the plaza stood an enormous stone stele, towering imposingly over its surroundings. Around it, nearly a thousand individuals sat cross-legged, all dressed in moon-white robes. Embroidered at their sleeves, a cloud-patterned longsword fluttered lightly in the wind, imbued faintly with a subtle sword aura.
Upon a solitary staircase sat a woman clad in a flowing moon-colored dress, her eyes lightly closed. As the mountain breeze brushed past her beautiful face, a flicker of sensation stirred her. Sensing the approaching figure at the mountain's base, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Hoo..."
As the breeze stirred the sea of white robes like clouds descending from the heavens, a soft sound echoed across the stone steps. The black-robed youth, carrying the enormous black ruler, stepped onto the plaza.
The youth lifted his head, his gaze locking onto the woman. In a calm voice, he spoke:
"Xiao Family, Xiao Yan."
The beautiful woman, who had been sitting cross-legged, slowly stood up. Her graceful figure was as upright as a proud snow lotus. Fixing her bright eyes upon Xiao Yan, she responded with equal calmness:
"Nalan Family, Nalan Yanran."
The gentle breeze flowed, and the entire plaza fell into a sudden, solemn silence. Many gazes turned toward Xiao Yan, eyes filled with curiosity and astonishment.
At the same time, atop a nearby tree, three figures dressed in blue robes stood silently, observing the scene below.
"That's the guy Senior Sister took an interest in?"
The speaker was a young man, no more than in his early twenties, with flowing silver hair and a face so beautiful it would make even women jealous. A warm, radiant smile graced his lips, and an aura of effortless charm emanated from his entire being.
Starlike glimmers seemed to flicker within his eyes as he watched Xiao Yan with an intense, brilliant gaze.
"Senior Brother, calm down. Senior Sister will be here soon," whispered a nearby young woman, beads of sweat gathering on her forehead. She edged closer and whispered anxiously.
"Relax, I'm not that kind of impulsive person," the handsome youth replied with a faint smile.
The girl, however, could only glance helplessly toward the sky, at a loss for words.
—Yes, Senior Brother, you aren't usually impulsive.
But when you are impulsive, you're not even human...
Sharing a glance, the two female disciples secretly nodded in agreement.
While the three watched from the sidelines, a fierce battle erupted in the plaza below.
After a few probing exchanges, Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan unleashed their true skills, clashing fervently at the plaza's center.
The three observers furrowed their brows slightly. The woman who had spoken earlier watched Xiao Yan, whose cultivation was only that of a Dou Grandmaster, and muttered in doubt:
"Isn't his strength... way too low?"
In their sect, even the custodians sweeping the floors had stronger cultivation!
"You don't understand," the handsome young man said, his eyes shining brighter. "There are some people who, though they seem slow to grow, always turn calamities into fortune. Step by step, they will inevitably climb to the summit of the world."
As waves of faint energy rippled outward from him, the two women on either side shivered slightly at the chill in the air. Their expressions changed subtly, hearts filling with unease.
"Senior Brother, calm down!" they urged again, stepping to either side to block him.
Seeing them, the handsome youth merely shrugged helplessly, allowing the fervor in his eyes to slowly recede.
"Phew..."
The two women breathed out deeply, relieved that he had stabilized, though their unease lingered.
They couldn't help it—his reputation was just... legendary. That track record of his?
Tsk, tsk...
"They're about to settle it," the handsome youth murmured, turning his gaze back to the plaza.
From high above, Nalan Yanran's crisp shout rang out:
"Gale Extremity: Sunset Radiance!"
A torrent of fierce sword qi descended from the nine heavens, engulfing Xiao Yan like a tsunami. Even the solid stone slabs underfoot cracked open, deep fissures extending across the plaza.
Facing this overwhelming attack, Xiao Yan's hands vibrated with rolling thunder as he rapidly merged two different flames.
Moments later, with the rumble fading, a stunning azure-violet fire lotus floated into existence, drifting gently forward.
"Buddha's Fury Lotus!"
"Boom!"
A thunderous explosion shook the entire Misty Cloud Mountain. Watching from afar, the two young women's expressions shifted slightly—not because of the sheer force of the attack, but because of how Xiao Yan executed it.
For the first time, they began to understand why Senior Sister had chosen to pay attention to this young man.
As the clashing energies raged, the three observers remained unmoved, simply watching the battle unfold.
In the plaza, with the wild energy dissipating, the clash between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran neared its end.
Nalan Yanran, ultimately, was no match.
A mere stepping stone, she was decisively defeated by Xiao Yan.
Thus, the Three-Year Agreement came to a conclusion—with Xiao Yan victorious.
Yet, just as Xiao Yan prepared to leave, Mist Cloud Sect's Yun Leng suddenly blocked his path.
"Mister Xiao Yan, please stay a moment. Misty Cloud Sect has some matters that require your personal verification."
His voice echoed through the skies above Misty Cloud Mountain.
The handsome youth watching all this had a flash of sharp light in his eyes and ordered quietly:
"Activate the passage."
At his words, his figure flickered and disappeared from sight.
Seeing this, the two women were stunned. Hurriedly, one turned to the other and muttered a few words before leaping into pursuit.
The remaining young woman took out a ring from her robes. Channeling her vast Dou Qi into it, she murmured urgently:
"Senior Sister, hurry up! We can't hold him back much longer!"
Back on the plaza, Yun Leng pressed Xiao Yan relentlessly.
Xiao Yan's face grew darker as he contemplated ways to escape.
"Enforcement Squad, detain him!"
With Yun Leng's shout, over a dozen white-clad figures shot out, swiftly surrounding Xiao Yan.
Danger closed in from all sides.
At that critical moment, a dazzlingly handsome figure appeared as if stepping from thin air. With a single step, he landed lightly behind Xiao Yan.
He waved his right hand casually—instantly erasing the sea of sword qi rushing toward them.
With a faint smile, the newcomer said:
"Looks like... you could use some help."
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