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Nalan Yanran's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head shyly, responding softly, "Elder, you flatter me."
Gu He, however, seemed unconcerned. Smiling warmly at Nalan Yanran, he continued, "You are the peerless talent of the Yun Lan Sect. The young men around you must have already regarded you as their dream girl, haven't they?"
Nalan Yanran was momentarily taken aback by his words. She quickly smiled and shook her head in denial. "Elder, I haven't given such matters any thought yet."
Hearing this, Gu He burst into hearty laughter, patting Nalan Yanran on the shoulder. "That's good. Focus on your cultivation. I'm looking forward to the day you become a true peerless master!"
As they chatted, Gu He suddenly shifted the topic. Curious, he asked, "By the way, Yanran, I heard there's a boy named Xiao Yan who wants to challenge you. Something about a three-year promise? Who is he?"
At the mention of Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran straightened her posture, her expression revealing a trace of pride. "Hmph, Xiao Yan? He's nothing special, just the young master of the Xiao Clan, one of the three major families in Wu Tan City. We've had some… past disputes.
"Don't worry, Elder. He's not worth my attention."
"Oh?" Gu He raised an eyebrow in mild surprise before smiling. "I see. No matter who he is, there's no way he can defeat you."
Nalan Yanran scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. Brimming with confidence, she declared, "Exactly. He's no big deal. That boy isn't strong at all.
"When the three-year promise comes, I'll surely break through to the rank of Da Dou Shi. I'll defeat him with a single strike and give him a proper wake-up call."
At this moment, the usually silent elder Yun Leng spoke up. "Yanran, you might be disappointed. That Xiao Clan... they've already fled. The entire family has moved away. No one knows where they've gone."
Upon hearing this, Gu He frowned slightly, a trace of scorn flashing across his face. "They fled? Such cowards! Someone like that dares challenge a disciple of my Yun Lan Sect? Ridiculous."
Nalan Yanran chuckled softly at this, her contempt for Xiao Yan deepening even further.
Gu He and Nalan Yanran's dismissive attitudes toward Xiao Yan made Gu Yun, who had been quietly observing, sigh inwardly.
She silently watched the two of them, her eyes betraying a hint of disdain.
*This is what they call a frog in a well, isn't it?* Gu Yun thought.
Clearly, they have no idea who Xiao Yan truly is, no understanding of how extraordinary his talent is, or the fact that his master, Shui Wuyue, is a figure of unparalleled renown.
*If they knew these things, they'd be scared out of their wits.*
Gu Yun frowned slightly, her thoughts turning inward.
Her gaze swept over Gu He and Nalan Yanran before shifting to the distant horizon.
She stared into the distance, lost in thought.
She knew deep in her heart that Xiao Yan would one day bring an earth-shattering shock to the entire continent.
---
Meanwhile, in the secluded chamber of his dormitory at Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan was deeply immersed in his cultivation.
This was no longer the dormitory he had initially stayed in. Elder Su Qian, wishing to have easier access to Xiao Yan for discussions on alchemy techniques, had arranged for him to stay in a more spacious, elder-level residence closer to his own.
This new room was much larger than the previous one, equipped with facilities such as an alchemy lab and a training room.
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, and a faint aura surrounded his body. He focused intently on his cultivation, each breath seemingly absorbing the essence of the heavens and earth.
Suddenly, Xiao Yan sneezed. A gentle breeze brushed past his nose, causing him to furrow his brow in mild confusion.
"Is someone talking about me behind my back?" he wondered silently.
After the sneeze, Xiao Yan quickly regained his composure, refocusing on his cultivation.
His current training method was entirely different from before.
This new method, developed by Shui Wuyue using the Fallen Heart Flame, was a groundbreaking cultivation technique.
It allowed him to immerse himself within a mystical flame, drastically increasing his cultivation speed while purging residual medicinal properties from his body, thereby solidifying his foundation.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan closed his eyes once more, his consciousness sinking into his cultivation.
He began employing the method Shui Wuyue had designed, merging his spirit with the ethereal flame.
A searing heat engulfed him, flames swirling around his entire body, their intensity seemingly capable of melting him away.
Yet, Xiao Yan felt no fear. Instead, an inexplicable sense of comfort filled him, spreading through every fiber of his being.
He felt the power of the exotic flame penetrating his skin and seeping into his body, as though thousands of tiny hands were gently massaging every inch of his being. A wave of comfort surged through him.
As his cultivation deepened, he gradually sensed the energy within him growing turbulent, like a rushing river, surging and roaring, propelling his cultivation level higher and higher.
Every bone in his body trembled, seemingly bracing for an impending impact. Yet Xiao Yan remained as steady as a mountain, firmly withstanding the force and gradually merging it into his body.
In this state of cultivation, he felt as though he had become one with the heavens and earth, merging seamlessly with the vast world around him. He experienced an inexplicable sense of clarity, as though the mysteries of the universe were suddenly laid bare before him, filling his heart with boundless serenity.
Time seemed to slip away unnoticed. When he finally opened his eyes, sweat poured down his body like rain, yet his gaze was piercingly clear, as though it concealed an infinite reservoir of power.
"The cultivation method Master taught me is truly miraculous," Xiao Yan marveled inwardly.
"I must not let Master down. I need to work even harder!"
---
Meanwhile, outside Jia Nan Academy, Han Feng stood at the academy's periphery. His sharp gaze fixated on the sprawling structure, and a greedy glint flashed in his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he felt a surge of uncontainable desire rise within him.
"Jia Nan Academy… What a fat sheep," he muttered under his breath, his mind brimming with anticipation.
His gaze burned brighter, as though he could pierce through every corner of the academy.
An unquenchable hunger ignited in Han Feng's heart as he envisioned the day he would obtain the Fallen Heart Flame.
"Once I possess it, I, Han Feng, will undoubtedly become the supreme ruler!" He swore silently, his eyes brimming with determination.
Around him, his subordinates displayed excited and greedy expressions. Their eagerness was palpable—they were already impatient to storm Jia Nan Academy, seize the exotic flame, and ascend to glory under their leader's command.
With that, Han Feng led the Gold and Silver Elders, Mo Tianxing, and a cadre of subordinates toward Jia Nan Academy. Their imposing aura was like a raging storm sweeping across the land.
Han Feng marched ahead with urgency, his fervent gaze blazing like that of a starving wolf who had found its prey. His heart overflowed with desire and ambition.
Mo Tianxing, the master of the Black Emperor Sect, furrowed his brows. He knew attacking Jia Nan Academy was no trivial matter, and unease crept into his heart.
He came to a halt, turning to Han Feng with a grave expression. In a stern tone, he said, "Brother Han Feng, are you certain about attacking Jia Nan Academy? That institution is the pinnacle of academia. Our actions could provoke an overwhelming response."
(End of Chapter)