Chapter 85: Don’t Worry, Let Me Take You to Find the Heavenly Flame!
On the north-western region, a young man dressed in black, carrying a large black ruler on his back, walked alone on a yellow dirt road, a hundred miles from the capital of the Jia Ma
Empire.
The young man's expression was calm, and his clothes were stained with a faint scent of blood. Visible patches of skin bore various sword scars.
This young man was none other than Xiao Yan, who had fought with Nalan Yanran earlier that day.
Nalan Yanran's attacks had been fierce, and ordinary medicinal pills were not effective for healing. Xiao Yan didn't mind, merely wiping the sweat from his forehead, his heart calm.
This time, unlike in the original story, Xiao Yan did not meet Hai Bodong or Queen Medusa. There was no one to protect him, and Yun Yun did not miss the duel like she did in the original.
As a result, after climbing the mountain, Xiao Yan, cautious of certain things, didn't act too arrogantly, nor did he speak as aggressively as he did in the original story.
Earlier that day, on the grand square of the Misty Cloud Sect, Nalan Yanran, dressed in a moon-white robe, had shed the naivety of her youth. Upon seeing Xiao Yan, whom she hadn't seen in three years, she slightly raised her chin, her eyes proud, and her delicate face bore a hint of coldness.
Drawing her sword, she pointed its tip directly at Xiao Yan.
"Nalan Yanran, the three-year agreement has come. Today, let's settle the grievances of these three years with this duel..." Xiao Yan said in a deep voice, drawing the massive black ruler from his back. His body tensed, ready for battle.
Three years had passed, and both were among the most talented individuals in the Jia Ma Empire, each making significant progress.
"I hope this farce ends soon!" Yun Yun, on the high platform, lowered her eyes, her gaze resting on Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran as they prepared to fight, sighing lightly in her heart.
Thinking back to the events of that year, Yun Yun still felt some guilt toward the Xiao family. After all, Nalan Yanran's actions back then had been a bit too aggressive.
Perhaps if the two families had discussed things privately, today's situation could have been avoided.
On the square, the air was still for a moment. Xiao Yan's fingers trembled as he moved swiftly, closing the distance between him and Nalan Yanran in no time. She snorted coldly, twisting her wrist, and the sword skillfully blocked the space between them.
The intense Dou Qi fluctuated wildly, with bursts of dazzling light erupting from the center of their confrontation.
Yun Yun watched quietly. Though Xiao Yan's attacks were fierce, each move seemingly life- threatening, Yun Yun wasn't worried about Nalan Yanran. This three-year duel was also a good opportunity for Yanran to gain experience.
...
"Xiao Yan, it seems your training has progressed well!" As Xiao Yan walked, reflecting on the
day's events, a familiar, aged voice suddenly rang in his mind.
Xiao Yan froze, then quickly realized Yao Lao had awakened.
"Teacher, you're awake!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, his face breaking into a wide smile.
He began recounting the events of the past few months to the newly awakened Yao Lao,
though he no longer cared much about Nalan Yanran.
What really concerned him was the incident where Xun'er was taken away in the Jia Ma
Empire.
Yao Lao listened in silence for a moment after Xiao Yan finished his story.
"Xiao Yan, focus on your cultivation. There are some things that won't benefit you to know too early..." Yao Lao sighed deeply.
From Xiao Yan's words, Yao Lao had deduced some things. As the old man had mentioned, Gu Fei likely reached the Dou Venerate realm at an age similar to Xun'er's... Such monstrous talent was something Yao Lao had never encountered before, even in his days among the Yao Clan.
"The Flame Mantra has the potential to change everything. As long as you train diligently, your future might be just as promising as anyone's!" Yao Lao said in a low voice, noticing Xiao Yan's worried expression.
His words were not just comforting; the Flame Mantra indeed possessed power beyond its
rank.
"Teacher, you had me train in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Where should we go next?" Xiao Yan asked.
Yao Lao pondered for a moment before a place suddenly came to mind.
"Next, we're heading to the Tager Desert. If my memory serves me right, there might be a Heavenly Flame there!"