Chapter 83: Xiao Yan: "Lu Bu, save me... Wait, where are you?"
"So, Yao Yan turns out to be Xiao Yan… Truly, what one seeks far and wide can come unexpectedly!" Yun Leng's body trembled slightly as he glared at Xiao Yan with venomous eyes, his teeth clenched tightly.
Hatred and excitement boiled within him. Xiao Yan this time, no matter what, you will not leave Yunlan Mountain alive. I, Yun Leng, swear it!
He had vowed to avenge his son, and today, even if it cost him his life, Xiao Yan would die on Yunlan Mountain.
"Wind's Extreme: Blazing Sunset Strike!" Nalan Yanran's cold voice echoed as she activated her strongest Dou Technique.
Xiao Yan's expression remained calm. With a flick of his right hand, the Flame of Ten Thousand Beasts surged, condensing into the shape of a wolf's head. He raised his left hand, summoning a mass of azure gray flames.
As his palms came together, crackling sounds erupted, and a bi colored flame wolf of azure and red materialized. Waves of terrifying energy began radiating outward.
"What explosive energy! This Dou Technique is no joke…" Hai Bodong's expression turned serious, his sensitivity to flames enhanced by his ice based Dou Qi.
It's finally here… Lu Bu's eyes narrowed slightly. A fusion Dou Technique using different Heavenly Flames Xiao Yan had successfully created one.
Though it didn't use the Green Lotus Core Flame, Xiao Yan had still managed to develop another flame fusion skill.
"Lu Bu is truly a master at predicting things…" Yun Yun's lips curved into a faint smile when she saw the azure flame. Wasn't this the perfect excuse to detain Xiao Yan?
In the plan Lu Bu had shared with her, Xiao Yan played a crucial role. He had to be forcibly kept on Yunlan Mountain. Yun Yun hadn't understood at first without a valid reason, how could she justify detaining him? She couldn't just make baseless accusations or act arbitrarily.
Lu Bu's response was simple: Pay attention to Xiao Yan's flames and Yun Leng.
Down below, the battle raged on. Two loud explosions shook the air as two powerful Dou Techniques clashed. Energy waves rolled outward, tearing the ground apart, leaving the previously smooth plaza riddled with a massive crater.
Xiao Yan pressed forward and, within a few moves, completely defeated Nalan Yanran.
Watching her fall to the ground, Xiao Yan let out a faint sigh. "It's over, Nalan Yanran."
Nalan Yanran slowly stood up, her red lips trembling slightly. "According to our agreement, I should now become your servant. But… forgive my selfishness!"
With that, she raised her sword and aimed it at her own neck. Just as she had said losing meant death, and she had prepared herself for this outcome.
However, Xiao Yan had already anticipated her intentions. Grabbing her sword mid strike, he declared, "I'm not interested, and you don't need to die to atone. The grudge between us is settled here and now."
With a sharp flick, he sent the sword flying, embedding it into a nearby stone.
"Farewell."
Grabbing his fallen Xuan Heavy Ruler, Xiao Yan turned and walked away. Behind him, Nalan Yanran stood frozen in place, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mix.
She was certain she had fallen for Yao Yan, but now that she knew Yao Yan and Xiao Yan were the same person, she didn't know how to face these feelings. Should she confront them head on, or bury them deep in her heart?
"Xiao Yan, I'm afraid you won't be leaving just yet," Yun Yun's cold, clear voice rang out. Though melodic, it carried a biting chill.
Xiao Yan froze in his tracks, his face gradually turning pale. The effects of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations had run out, and he knew he was now in deep trouble.
"What can I do for you, Sect Leader Yun?" Xiao Yan asked calmly, rotating his wrist to store his Xuan Heavy Ruler back into his storage ring.
"Teacher, my defeat was my own doing!" Nalan Yanran called out anxiously. No matter what, she couldn't let Yunlan Sect detain Xiao Yan. If Xiao Yan were forcibly kept here, her reputation as someone who couldn't accept defeat would haunt her forever.
Xiao Yan's gaze flickered Nalan Yanran wasn't as shallow as he had once thought.
"Yanran, this matter has nothing to do with you," Yun Yun replied. "Xiao Yan, please explain the origin of that azure gray flame in your possession."
Here we go… Lu Bu's eyes glinted as he watched events unfold. The next step would be for Yun Yun to force Yao Lao to reveal himself from Xiao Yan's ring.
"Let's go. It's time to change locations," Lu Bu said with a light smile. In a blink, he, Hai Bodong, and Jia Xingtian vanished without a trace.
"Through a transaction," Xiao Yan replied flatly to Yun Yun's question, though inwardly, he felt a twinge of unease. Could there be something suspicious about the flame Lu Bu had given him?
Damn it, that guy's tricking me again, isn't he?
"Three years ago, Yun Leng's youngest son was killed, and a flame critical to his survival was taken. That flame was the Azure Flame of the Greenflame Eagle known as the Azure Nether Fire!"
"The perpetrator left a single line on the wall: 'The killer is Xiao Huo Huo!'"
Xiao Yan's expression stiffened, and he cursed inwardly. That bastard Lu Bu! He was definitely setting me up again!
Yun Leng's clenched fists trembled, his eyes brimming with hatred. Faint gray Dou Qi flickered around him as his murderous intent soared. He would never let go of the opportunity to avenge his son not for anything in the world.
"I don't know what you're talking about. This flame was acquired through a trade. If you want answers, go confront Lu Bu!" Xiao Yan retorted, pointing toward the towering ancient tree at the edge of the plaza.
But when his finger landed on the spot… there was no one there.
"Lu Bu… Save me…" Xiao Yan muttered through gritted teeth, his face turning ashen. Then, he suddenly cursed, "Where the hell did he go?!"
The spot where Lu Bu had been standing Xiao Yan had exchanged glances with him before the Three Year Agreement began.
But now... where was Lu Bu?
Not only Lu Bu, but even Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian had disappeared without a trace.
What the hell? Where are they?
Xiao Yan's pupils shrank sharply, and a cold sweat broke out all over him. Damn it, had that bastard run off?
"A year ago, in Black Rock City, the treasury of Gu He's brother, Gu Te, was raided by a bandit. Not only were all the treasures stolen, but the entire building was burned to ashes," Yun Yun continued in a cold voice, her tone sharp and icy.
"The culprit even left a message: 'The arsonist? Xiao Huo Huo!'"
"Xiao Yan, do you have an explanation for this?" Yun Yun shouted, gripping her sword as her gaze turned frosty.
"Damn it, I didn't do those things!" Xiao Yan, frustrated and furious, couldn't hold back and shouted, "It must've been Lu Bu! He's definitely framing me!"
In a shadowy corner, Lu Bu rubbed his nose. This kid… he sure knows how to call it, huh?
"Jie! Nonsense!" Yun Yun snapped coldly, her expression hardening as she bellowed, "Yun Leng, capture him!"
"Boy, give me back my son's life!" Yun Leng, who had been waiting to strike, suddenly grinned maliciously and lunged like a hawk, his dry claw like hand grasping fiercely at Xiao Yan.
Clang!
A flash of sword light cut through the air. Nalan Yanran had drawn her sword and blocked Yun Leng's attack. She cried out urgently, "Teacher, Elder! There must be some misunderstanding here. Let's talk this through it can be explained!"
Yun Leng's expression darkened, but he dared not strike at Nalan Yanran. He could only glance at Yun Yun for guidance.
Cough, cough, cough…
Xiao Yan coughed violently, his body still feeling the aftereffects of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations. But as he looked at Nalan Yanran, who was standing protectively in front of him, a twinge of guilt hit him. The sensation of owing someone's kindness weighed heavily on him he didn't want to get entangled with Nalan Yanran any further.
"Yanran, step aside!" Yun Yun commanded sternly.
Nalan Yanran bit her lip but remained rooted to the spot, unmoving.
"Thank you, but step aside now…" Xiao Yan gently patted her shoulder, his tone soft.
To be honest, he hadn't expected Nalan Yanran to help him. Just like before, he didn't want to form any deeper ties with her.
"If I step aside, what will you do?" Nalan Yanran countered, her lips trembling slightly before continuing, "Take me hostage. That way, you can leave."
"You…" Xiao Yan's expression changed slightly. He hadn't anticipated Nalan Yanran being willing to go this far for him.
"Yun Leng, capture him. No need to hold back!" Yun Yun commanded coldly.
Yun Leng let out a sinister laugh. With a swipe of his hand, he struck Nalan Yanran away and twisted his wrist, once again reaching for Xiao Yan.
"Lu Bu, hurry up and save me!" Xiao Yan screamed, lifting his Xuan Heavy Ruler to block the incoming attack.
But Lu Bu didn't appear.
"Boy, not even the heavens can save you now!" Yun Leng cackled maliciously. "Give me back my son's life!"
Bang!
Xiao Yan was sent flying, crashing into a massive boulder. His face flushed bright red as he struggled to get up.
"Damn it…" Xiao Yan cursed silently, his mind raging. That bastard Lu Bu had taken the reward and then bailed!
"Xiao Yan, look out!"
A sudden cry from Nalan Yanran startled Xiao Yan. She leapt into his arms, shielding him with her body.
A phantom sword slash swept toward them. It was the Wind Form Spirit Sword, a Dou Technique of the Yunlan Sect that Nalan Yanran had used before. But this time, it was unleashed by Yun Yun herself, attacking from the sky.
"Yanran!"
Standing with her sword drawn, floating in mid air, Yun Yun's expression shifted dramatically. She hadn't expected Nalan Yanran to sacrifice herself to save Xiao Yan.
"Lu Bu, should we intervene?" Jia Xingtian whispered from a corner. "If we don't, this could spiral out of control."
Lu Bu clenched his fists. Damn it, why hadn't Yao Lao appeared yet?
"Jia, prepare to move wait!" Lu Bu suddenly stopped, a glimmer of joy flashing across his face.
"Teacher, you might want to act soon. If you don't, I'm done for." Holding Nalan Yanran in his arms, Xiao Yan sighed helplessly.
As soon as his words fell, it was as if a ferocious lion awoke. A terrifying, oppressive force erupted from Xiao Yan, sending waves of fear through everyone present.
"Jie, old ghost! Finally decided to act, huh?" Lu Bu sneered, a smile spreading across his face.
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