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**
On the vast plaza, all gazes were fixated on the slowly descending figure of Nalan Yanran. Each person bore a different expression.
"To be able to fight a half-step Dou Ling with the strength of a four-star Da Dou Shi… this Xiao Clan might just produce a Dou Huang in a few decades."
Atop the towering tree, Jia Xingtian squinted with a smile as he glanced at Xiao Yan, secretly pondering.
He was already considering whether to form ties with Xiao Yan afterward and perhaps invite the Xiao Clan to move to the site of the Sacred City from Xiao Lin's time.
However, observing the scene in the arena, he shook his head and murmured, "Though the attack looked fierce, it ultimately failed to deal any real damage to Nalan Yanran. The Floating Willow Movement Technique of the Yun Lan Sect really lives up to its reputation."
"Hmm."
Beside him, Fa Ma lightly nodded in agreement, his eyes locked on Nalan Yanran as she descended. He chuckled softly, "That girl from the Nalan Clan isn't weak either. It seems Yun Yun has really put effort into nurturing her these past three years."
Hai Bodong also kept his eyes fixed on Nalan Yanran, exclaiming in admiration, "Who would've thought that the younger generation could already be approaching the Dou Ling level at such a young age? Compared to us old fogies back then, they're far superior."
Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma both nodded in agreement.
A trace of dread flickered in Jia Xingtian's eyes.
Given the potential Nalan Yanran was displaying now, and with Pill King Gu He's assistance, it was not impossible for her to break through to the Dou Zong level in the future.
If that happened, the royal family would be in real danger.
Although in recent months he had been cooperating with that mysterious alchemist who possessed an Heavenly Flame, helping the other party collect various soul-related herbs and beast flames in exchange for a Mixed Bone Molding Pill to heal the Serene Sea Scaly Beast…
He even obtained several Dou Spirit Pills and one Mighty Huang Pill Pill in addition.
But those pills could at best cultivate a few Dou Wangs or Dou Huangs.
When all sides only had Dou Huangs in their corner, these pills would be quite useful.
But if the Yun Lan Sect produced a Dou Zong, then these pills would be nearly meaningless.
"It looks like this battle is going to be intense. That little one from the Xiao Clan isn't easy to deal with either, and that big black ruler in his hand also seems rather unusual."
While Jia Xingtian was lost in thought, Fa Ma spoke while staring at the Heavy Xuan Ruler in Xiao Yan's hand.
"From the looks of it, this fight is turning into a brutal one. What really piques my interest is how this kid managed to rid himself of the 'trash' label in just three years and even close the gap in cultivation to Nalan Yanran, who's received focused training from Yun Lan Sect."
Snapped out of his daze, Jia Xingtian muttered with some doubt, watching the field.
"No idea. Our Alchemist Association has no relations with him, so we never investigated."
Fa Ma shook his head, then suddenly said as he glanced at the arena, "That girl from the Nalan Clan is about to show her true strength."
In the field, the slowly falling Nalan Yanran stopped mid-air just half a meter above the ground in a mysterious levitation.
With a graceful wave of her jade-like hand, her body flipped in mid-air before she gently landed on the hard bluestone floor.
Seeing that she had landed without a scratch, a collective sigh of relief rang out from the plaza.
With a hint of surprise in her beautiful eyes, Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan, whose expression had grown solemn, and said softly, "You truly surprised me. No matter what, I at least believe now that you're no longer the good-for-nothing young master of the Xiao Clan."
To her slightly sentimental words, Xiao Yan didn't respond. He simply raised his head and gave her a flat glance.
Feeling the pale green energy slowly rising within her body, he murmured inwardly, So, you're finally showing your true strength?
"The matters of the past—I don't wish to speak of them any longer."
Nalan Yanran slowly raised her arm. The pale green longsword in her hand glowed even more brightly as she locked eyes with Xiao Yan. "But now, I fight on behalf of the Yun Lan Sect and its reputation. From this point on, I will no longer hold back!"
As her voice fell, Nalan Yanran vanished from where she stood, suddenly darting toward Xiao Yan's position.
"Come then. Let's see who laughs last!"
A suit of crimson Dou Qi armor instantly manifested on Xiao Yan's body. Dragging the black heavy ruler, he charged forward to meet her head-on.
As the metallic clashing sounds continuously rang out from the center of the plaza, the surrounding onlookers watched intently.
"Damn, her speed's increased by at least half again."
Watching Nalan Yanran weaving around his flanks, Xiao Yan cursed inwardly in frustration.
"Sigh, this is my fault. I underestimated that girl from the Nalan Clan. Had I known, I would've taught you a few ranged Dou Techniques and movement skills. Then you wouldn't be in such a passive position now."
Yao Chen's voice sounded with a hint of self-blame as he observed the scene.
He had intended for Nalan Yanran to serve as a whetstone for his disciple.
But he hadn't expected her growth to reach this level—far beyond his estimations.
Moreover, his disciple was stubborn as hell—insisting on defeating her with his own strength alone.
He refused to borrow even a shred of Yao Chen's power.
"Damn it… I'm going all in!"
After another half hour of stalemate, Xiao Yan could feel the Dou Crystal in his body nearing depletion. Each time he tried to take a pill, he was interrupted. Finally, unable to bear the situation any longer, he decided to settle the fight with one final move.
Clang!
As a sword blade came slashing toward him, Xiao Yan met it head-on with the Heavy Xuan Ruler. His body was instantly flung backward by the immense force.
Using the momentum, he swiftly swallowed a Qi Recovery Pill.
Gripping the ruler tightly with both hands, he slowly raised it. Taking a deep breath, the Dou Qi in his body suddenly surged like boiling water.
With the surge of Dou Qi, the black ruler in his hands abruptly turned crimson, glowing like red-hot iron.
As the ruler changed color, Xiao Yan's face instantly turned pale.
The rhombus-shaped Dou Crystal within his body trembled slightly and released all of its stored Dou Qi energy, which then rushed through his meridians and flooded into the Heavy Xuan Ruler.
At the same time, the Dou Qi in the heavens and earth, under the influence of a special force, began to flow toward the now fiery-red giant ruler.
"Absorbing heaven and earth Dou Qi for one's own use? That's impossible! Isn't that something only a Dou Wang can do?!"
Seeing Xiao Yan's condition, Yun Yun on the platform, along with the elders flanking her and the powerful guests watching, were all stunned, gazing at him with shock and confusion.
Then, as if suddenly recalling something, they gasped, "Drawing in heaven and earth Dou Qi—this is an Earth Class Dou Technique!"
"Huh? Earth Class Dou Technique?"
Even Zi Yan, who had nearly dozed off from boredom, was startled awake, her expression full of surprise.
She hadn't expected to see this kind of Dou Technique in such a backwater place.
Back then, she had to pester old Su Qian for a long time just to get a single scroll.
Upon seeing the massive energy gathering around Xiao Yan's ruler, Nalan Yanran's beautiful face also grew serious.
Her bright eyes carried complex emotions as they stared deeply at the cold-faced youth opposite her. Her slender jade hand slowly reached for the green ribbon tying her cascading blue hair.
With a slight toss of her head, her full head of blue hair poured down like moonlight, flowing over her fragrant shoulders and all the way to her slender waist.
Under the scorching sun, as the young woman loosened her ribbon and her hair fell freely, the scene—combined with her ethereal and graceful aura—was so moving that many of her admirers watching couldn't help but feel their hearts race.
"She's going to use that?"
Seeing Nalan Yanran's sudden gesture, the senior members of Yun Lan Sect on the stone platform finally snapped out of their daze and murmured to themselves.
"Looks like the duel is nearly over. But to force Yanran to this point… this Xiao Clan boy is truly strong."
A white-robed elder sighed.
"She's pulling out her trump card? That girl's actually been forced to this extent?"
On the giant tree, Gu He, who had remained silent throughout the battle, couldn't help but show a trace of surprise on his face as he spoke softly.
In the arena, Nalan Yanran let her hair cascade down. She slowly closed her eyes.
Moments later, they suddenly snapped open. Her flowing hair began to flutter without wind, dancing in the air.
Then, incredibly, her body began to levitate—not with the aid of any springing force or wings—but seemingly by sheer will.
As she floated upward, the energy surrounding her suddenly boiled like hot water, surging violently. Waves of pale green energy ripples spread out from her body, layer after layer.
Her longsword slowly rose, finally pointing diagonally at Xiao Yan standing below on the square.
At a certain moment, the sword trembled slightly, and the sunlight in the sky actually began to focus toward the blade.
In an instant, the sword burst with blinding brilliance, shining like a second sun in the sky.
"Xiao Yan, let's decide the winner."
Her fair and delicate face glowed almost translucent under the light. For the first time, Nalan Yanran called out the name she had once deeply loathed, her voice echoing across the square.
She then took a deep breath, her jade-like hands gripping the now immensely heavy sword tightly, moving it slowly—so slowly it was almost imperceptible.
As the sword moved, the energy ripples intensified wildly.
Moments later, the sword in the sky came to a sudden halt.
Nalan Yanran's face was filled with solemn focus. Both hands gripped the slightly trembling sword with all her might. The terrifying energy it held could already kill a Dou Ling.
Finally, when the energy on the longsword reached its peak, she stopped suppressing it.
With a clear shout, the sunlight already concentrated on the sword exploded again.
In that instant, the sword's radiance even outshone the blazing sun itself!
Xiao Yan, seizing the brief pause as the Dou Technique was being formed, looked up. Bathed in the blinding brilliance, he could feel the terrifying energy frantically gathering.
He took a deep breath and roared:
"Flame Splitting Tsunami!"
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