Boom!
The barrier had barely taken shape when a terrifying shockwave of energy surged down from the sky and slammed violently against it. The barrier instantly rippled like the surface of a lake struck by a massive stone, with waves spreading outward in continuous succession.
However, this time the barrier constructed by the combined efforts of the Misty Cloud Sect disciples could not withstand the impact as it had before. Cracks rapidly appeared on the energy shield, making it seem as if it might shatter at any moment.
When the energy collision occurred in the sky, aside from Fa Ma, Jia Xing Tian, Hai Bodong, Yun Yun, Gu He, and other highly skilled and bold individuals, the rest of the spectators perched on the tall trees surrounding the square had already retreated a considerable distance for safety.
Even though Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan's cultivations were only at the high-star Dou Grandmaster stage, after being enhanced by Secret Techniques and both using Di Class Dou Techniques, the energy explosion from their collision was something that even a Dou King wouldn't dare to face without any protection.
"First Elder, you three stabilize one side. Leave the rest to me." Yun Yun's brows furrowed tightly as she spoke solemnly to Yun Leng and the other two elders.
In the next second, she and the three Dou King elders, including Yun Leng, appeared in front of the protective barrier. They frantically injected wind-attribute Dou Qi into the barrier to stabilize it.
The square, originally used for duels between the disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect, had undoubtedly been reduced to ruins at this moment, with not even a trace of its former appearance remaining.
"That kid possesses a Heavenly Flame and flying-type Dou Techniques. I think he shouldn't be in much trouble. I just don't know if Yanran's strength can withstand such an impact," Elder Yun Sha said, frowning as he gazed at the square still enveloped in energy.
"First Elder, this youngster named Xiao Yan is not easy to deal with," Elder Yun Du said, his brows tightly knitted.
"Let's observe the situation first. If Yanran can defeat him, that would be best. If not, we may have to resort to more forceful means. You all understand the importance of certain matters. That Xiao Yan is not only a 5th-tier alchemist but also possesses a Heavenly Flame. He's even more valuable than Gu He. You should grasp what I mean," Yun Leng said through voice transmission.
The other two elders understood when they saw Yun Leng's gloomy eyes and nodded silently.
At this moment, Xiao Yan was in the center of the energy-ravaged square completely enveloped in black flames. He actually ignored the terrifying energy and approached Nalan Yanran step by step as she struggled to resist the energy onslaught.
Even with her entire body protected by Dou Qi Armor and defensive Dou Techniques, she found it difficult to withstand this violent energy vortex.
When she saw Xiao Yan dare to walk within such a turbulent energy storm, her eyes widened in disbelief!
"Don't push yourself. You can't defeat me. There's no denying that your strength is the greatest I've seen among our peers, but you're still not as good as me." Xiao Yan could naturally walk in the energy vortex. To Mao Wu, it was like a glutton entering a dessert shop, ready to eat to its heart's content.
With a buzzing sound, that peculiar white light appeared once again on Nalan Yanran's Cloud Slaying Black Sword. She planned to rely on this powerful healing energy to endure the energy vortex and battle Xiao Yan once more.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, wisps of black flame ignited on the Cloud Slaying Black Sword. The white energy that had just emerged was entirely devoured!
Xiao Yan smiled and explained, "It's useless. The Life Flame hidden in your sword may be powerful, but to my Devouring Flame, it's merely a tonic. Moreover, you only have a reserve of flame, while I possess the true fire seed. The difference is vast."
Upon hearing these words, Nalan Yanran slowly closed her eyes, and the Dou Qi within her body actually ceased flowing. It was unclear whether her Dou Qi was exhausted or if she was bent on seeking death.
Of course, Xiao Yan wouldn't let her be consumed by the energy vortex like this. Whether for Yun Yun's sake or because he wanted to learn certain things from her, he would save her.
Mao Wu spat out black flames the moment he waved his hand, enveloping the two of them within as it devoured the raging energy with its open mouth.
Inside the black flame protective barrier, Nalan Yanran sighed and looked at Xiao Yan with a complex expression. "Why are you so strong?"
Nalan Yanran had to admit defeat. She hadn't won even after using all her trump cards. She had even received part of Yun Po Tian's inheritance! As long as she re-entered the Gate of Life and Death, she could obtain the complete Dou Venerate inheritance, yet she still couldn't defeat Xiao Yan!
"The strong remain strong, that's all."
Nalan Yanran shook her head, no longer intending to fight. She returned the Cloud Slaying Black Sword to its sheath with a clang.
"What do you want to ask? I can tell you anything as long as it doesn't involve the Misty Cloud Sect's secrets." Nalan Yanran hadn't forgotten her earlier promise: as long as Xiao Yan could defeat her, she would tell him about the Gate of Life and Death.
Xiao Yan remained calm and unhurried. He retrieved a tier 5 healing pill from his storage ring and said, "Take this first. The side effects of a Secret Technique that can boost your strength by a major realm might be life-threatening."
He didn't force himself either and consumed a tier 5 healing pill to counteract the side effects of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change.
Nalan Yanran glanced at the medicinal pill in her hand, then at Xiao Yan. After a slight furrow of her elegant brows, she swallowed the pill. If Xiao Yan wanted to harm her, he wouldn't need to go to such trouble.
Immediately, a gentle healing strength nourished her body, which had been overdrawn by the Secret Technique.
"That white energy of yours is a kind of flame, right?" When Xiao Yan saw Nalan Yanran using white energy for healing, he recognized at a glance that it was a special kind of flame!
Moreover, it was a special kind of flame that he was too familiar with. That was why he could see the clues immediately, while even Gu He couldn't discover it.
Nalan Yanran nodded.
"That flame is inside the Gate of Life and Death?"
Nalan Yanran nodded again.
"Besides the white flame, is there also a black one that looks like a fish?"
Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Xiao Yan and exclaimed, "How do you know?"
Xiao Yan pounded his chest in frustration! Heavenly Flame, ah!!!
Ranked 21st on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, the Yin-Yang Twin Flame, also known as the Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame! Black and white flames intertwined, swimming like Yin-Yang fishes.
The Yang Flame saves lives, embodying the endless cycle of life; the Yin Flame takes lives, leading to eternal damnation. The Twin Flames controlled life and death, hence the nickname Life and Death Flame.
'Gate of Life and Death, Gate of Life and Death, to hell with your Gate of Life and Death!!' Xiao Yan hadn't expected that Yun Po Tian could be so literal in naming! It was called the Gate of Life and Death simply because the Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame was inside.
Why was Xiao Yan filled with regret? Because three years ago, when Nalan Yanran came to annul the engagement, Ge Ye had agreed to let him enter the Misty Cloud Sect as a core disciple and enjoy the sect's top resources.
They had practically spoon-fed him the opportunity!
In other words, if he had agreed back then, he wouldn't have needed to risk his life searching everywhere. Although the process ultimately yielded good results, looking back, it was filled with perilous moments where a single misstep could have cost him his life!
If the heavens gave Xiao Yan another chance, he would say: Let me enter the Gate of Life and Death!
"Your sect has a Heavenly Flame; why did Gu He go to Queen Medusa to find one?" Xiao Yan asked in puzzlement. Wasn't this seeking far and wide when the answer was right under one's nose?
Nalan Yanran replied with a hint of annoyance, "Not everyone can enter the Gate of Life and Death. Only those who can trigger a reaction from it can enter. I'm the only one in this generation who can do so. Moreover, no one from previous generations who entered the Gate of Life and Death could reach the fifth gate. I'm the first."
Nalan Yanran showed a hint of pride at this point. She was indeed the number one genius of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Xiao Yan coughed lightly, rubbed his nose somewhat embarrassedly, and asked, "If I want to enter the Gate of Life and Death, I wonder if it's possible?"
"You?!"