In just one year, that young man who suffered a drastic change, falling from the clouds to the earth, seemed to have climbed back up, perhaps even more frightening than before!
Listening to the surrounding noise, Xiao Yan scanned the area. The suddenly complicated gazes made him recall the spirited young man from three years ago. Now his Cultivation Talent had returned, and along with it came a more mature Temperament and tenacious Will.
He gently exhaled, looking at Nalan Yanran. Her expression was somewhat unexpected. Although she was surprised, more than that, she still held the same determination as before, as if his changes hadn't stirred any different thoughts in her.
She seemed a little different from what he had imagined.
But that had nothing to do with him. What he had to do was reclaim the dignity she had trampled upon back then.
Thus, amidst everyone's anticipation, he made the first move. With a slight shift of his feet, he shot towards Nalan Yanran, his fist, the size of a sandbag, aiming for her beautiful face, completely devoid of any pity for the fairer sex.
He knew clearly that even though he had made progress he never dared to imagine before, facing Nalan Yanran, he still held no advantage. The only possible chance of victory was to catch her off guard, striking unexpectedly to defeat her in one blow!
Facing Xiao Yan's attack, a hint of solemnity filled Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes. But before he reached her, she simply flicked her delicate Jade Hand. With just one move, she caused him to stumble, his heavy fist slamming into the ground.
Finding herself at an advantage, a subtle sigh of relief escaped her heart. Then she spoke softly:
"You truly surprise me. Regardless, I at least believe you are no longer the Xiao Family waste you were back then. But some things, I will still make the same choice."
Xiao Yan didn't comment on Nalan Yanran's words. After one Exchange Blows, he knew he was almost being Crushed. Winning would be difficult!
They were only Dou Disciples, and most of the spectators were stronger than them. Yet, their Exchange Blows still captivated everyone's attention.
They weren't surprised that Nalan Yanran had the upper hand; they even found it natural. What they cared about was that Xiao Yan, who was a waste just a year ago, could actually Exchange Blows with Nalan Yanran.
"Who would have thought that what we thought would be an ordinary fight would have such a surprise? Now it's getting interesting."
Coincidentally, many people were eager to know what kind of astonishing performance the former waste would display when facing the Cloud Mist Sect's Heavenly Pride.
Watching the two Little Guys on stage go back and forth, one of them was already breathing a little heavily, while the other remained calm and composed. Everyone couldn't help but sigh. In the end, was there really no surprise?
"How is it? Does Wife still think he can win?"
Zhao Li saw that although this scene wasn't as shocking as the images that appeared in his mind while reading, it had a unique flavor. Seeing that the battle was almost one-sided, he suddenly asked.
Ye Yunsheng shook her head, sighed slightly, and then asked with Doubt:
"Didn't Husband think highly of him? Why?"
Hearing this, Zhao Li suddenly realized. So that was why she had made a bet with him.
He couldn't help but smile, and then explained:
"I do think highly of him, but what I'm optimistic about is his future. What do you think he's still lacking to become a strong person?"
Ye Yunsheng began to recall everything she had seen and heard over the past year. She suddenly realized that he actually possessed all the basic conditions to become a strong person.
Terrifying Cultivation Talent, unyielding Temperament and Will, and extraordinary luck and Opportunity. As for resources, with Yao Chen around, how could he possibly lack them?
"He is indeed a rare unpolished gem. If he undergoes the carving of blood and Fire, he can truly become a strong person in his own right. But, is he worthy of Husband's such seriousness?"
Ye Yunsheng understood, but still had Doubt. She knew Zhao Li. Even towards Hun Tiandi and Gu Yuan, who were already strong individuals, he actually approached them with an indifferent attitude, completely unlike the seriousness he showed towards Xiao Yan.
Moreover, they were genuine strong individuals in their own right, not someone like Xiao Yan who had the potential to become strong. Even if that possibility was one, it shouldn't warrant Zhao Li's behavior.
Zhao Li smiled slightly but didn't say anything. Who could have imagined that this Little Guy, who was currently being suppressed and beaten, would not only become a Dou Di in the future but also leave his name on the Heavenly Rankings in the Great Thousand World, achieving one of the highest positions?
"Allow me to keep you in suspense. Hmm? What a pity..."
Zhao Li was about to continue Building Suspense, but the situation below suddenly changed, making his eyes light up.
Below, Nalan Yanran threw the Long Sword in her hand forward. Her Hand Seals changed, and the Long Sword overcame gravity, floating in front of her, spinning around. Then, it transformed into an identical sword shadow and suddenly pointed at Xiao Yan!
Immediately after, she pointed her fingers like a sword and thrust towards Xiao Yan. The two sword shadows shot towards Xiao Yan!
Xiao Yan frowned. Even from a distance, he felt a stinging sensation on his skin. Just as he was about to dodge, the sword shadow suddenly disappeared, as if it had pierced through the sky and vanished into it.
Xiao Yan's expression was solemn. His Soul Perception was fully activated. He barely managed to dodge the first attack, but Nalan Yanran's Jade Hand swept out horizontally. The Long Sword, which had originally missed its target, turned around with her sword finger's movement and once again stabbed towards Xiao Yan, who had nowhere to exert force.
"Since I can't dodge, I'll take it head-on..."
Xiao Yan's heart tightened, and a sense of determination rose within him.
After fighting for so long, not only had he failed to find an Opportunity to defeat her in one blow, but as Time passed, the drawbacks of his Yellow Tier Cultivation Technique were showing. If not for the support of Pills, he would have been almost exhausted! If he continued fighting like this, he only had one option: defeat!
As the thought settled in his mind, Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly. He no longer paid attention to the sword shadow that could appear from anywhere and charged directly towards Nalan Yanran.
Clang—
A crisp Sound of Metal Clashing rang out. A large black ruler appeared behind him at some point, blocking the incoming sword shadow.
Using the force of the impact, he moved faster, closing in on Nalan Yanran. Then, using the momentum of his forward charge, his fist, carrying a terrifying gust of wind, slammed fiercely towards Nalan Yanran's chest.
"Eight Extremities Collapse!"
A low roar echoed in his heart. The force contained within his fist surged again, and then it solidly struck Nalan Yanran's chest.
Where the fist passed, an ear-piercing sonic boom was produced, showing the terror of this attack. Its immense force directly sent Nalan Yanran flying into the air like a kite with a broken string, her delicate body like a fragile flower swept away by a strong wind.
"Teacher, I..."
After one strike, Xiao Yan had no more strength. Seeing the dust kicked up by Nalan Yanran's fall, he asked in his heart. But before he could finish speaking, a Long Sword appeared at his throat, and he, due to exhaustion, fainted.
As the dust settled, Nalan Yanran's face was pale, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. But she still stood. She slowly walked in front of Xiao Yan and reached out to grasp the sword hilt.
Immediately after, she took out a crumpled piece of paper, threw it in front of Xiao Yan, and said:
"Xiao Yan, I, Nalan Yanran, am no one's subordinate. There is no longer any connection between us."
She had read that piece of paper countless times. Each time she read it, rage boiled within her, because that paper had stripped away her former arrogance.
Every time she saw it, she couldn't help but want to crumple it up, but each time, she held back, just for today.
Finally, she had returned it to him.
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