Chapter 338: The One Who Got Their Back Burned… Was Nalan Yanran?
"Reinforce the defensive barrier!"
Seeing the terrifying power of the energy shockwave, a Yun Lan Sect elder shouted. The others quickly joined forces, barely managing to suppress the sky piercing blast.
The once solid ground trembled violently beneath the impact before finally shattering into countless fragments.
Above, Xiao Yan hovered in midair, his brilliant green wings fluttering, watching the wreckage below and the dust cloud enveloping the battlefield.
"Hmph, there's no way cough I refuse to believe that Nalan Yanran could come out of that unscathed!"
He remained suspended in the air, his presence shocking everyone.
Xiao Yan… was completely unharmed?!
All eyes immediately shifted to the dust cloud, a mix of concern and anticipation brewing among the onlookers.
After all, deep down, every man present harbored the same thought
An absolute beauty, completely defenseless?
A rare, once in a lifetime moment…
As the dust gradually cleared, their anticipation reached its peak
And then, finally
A smooth, flawless, and snow white back was revealed!
Their lips instinctively went dry at the sight.
But the moment their gazes drifted downward
Their expressions twisted in horror.
A sickening feeling of disgust welled up within them.
Because beneath that "smooth, perfect back" was not the delicate, enticing skin of Nalan Yanran…
But rather
A tattered alchemist robe, belonging to none other than Elder Gu He!
"URGH BLEGH!"
A wave of retching and dry heaving rippled through the crowd.
The sheer disappointment was too much to bear.
Gu He himself was utterly miserable.
He had believed that with his full strength as a three star Dou Huang, he could withstand the blast.
But reality had harshly humbled him.
Yanran had fought by the book her attack was strong but still within a Dou Huang's range.
For an expert of his level, defending against it should have been effortless.
But that damn Xiao Yan
He didn't follow the script at all!
Not only had Xiao Yan unleashed a violent counterattack, but he had also stacked a second shockwave on top of it!
That shameless bastard had actually planned a double layered explosion, purely to destroy Nalan Yanran's clothing!
And as a result, Gu He had been blown apart instead
His robe in tatters, his back fully exposed.
Fortunately, his three star Dou Huang physique had saved him. If not, it wouldn't have been just his robes that got ruined his entire body might've suffered severe burns.
Feeling the cold air against his bare back, Gu He's face darkened.
Still, at least Yanran's clothes remained intact.
That was the only silver lining.
After all she was his soon to be disciple wife!
If this act of self sacrifice could move Yun Yun's heart even a little, then perhaps just perhaps her heart could finally warm toward him.
Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran's brows furrowed.
The sword in her hand disintegrated into dust, unable to withstand the intense clash.
Her prized weapon, embedded with a Tier Five Wind Attribute Magic Core, was completely destroyed!
But no one cared about her lost weapon.
Nor did anyone spare another glance at Gu He's exposed back.
All eyes were locked onto a single person
The one who had unleashed the devastating dual colored fire lotus
Xiao Yan!
Their gazes were filled with shock
How…?
How could this young man, who was only a Da Dou Shi, produce a battle worthy of a Dou Huang?!
Was he actually a Dou Huang in disguise?!
Impossible!
Confusion clouded their thoughts.
Even Yun Shan himself merely watched calmly, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
After all he already knew the truth.
It was he who had sent people to ambush Xiao Yan back in the Mo Clan City
And all of them had perished.
But he never told the Yun Lan Sect disciples about it.
Because in his eyes Xiao Yan was already marked for death.
His fate wasn't to be decided by Yun Shan
It was already sealed by the Soul Hall.
Thus, why bother telling anyone?
Gu He, however, was different.
As an alchemist, he could sense the presence of a Heavenly Flame
And he had begun to realize the gravity of the situation.
Taking a deep breath, Gu He turned toward Yanran, his usual gentle smile returning.
"Yanran, this battle is over. Xiao Yan has used an external force. Step down."
Nalan Yanran's gaze lingered on Gu He for a moment before nodding.
She understood.
This fight had already escalated beyond her level.
The moment Xiao Yan unleashed an attack that rivaled a Dou Huang, she knew
The Xiao Yan standing before her… was no longer the same Xiao Yan she once knew.
There was no way a mere three star Dou Zhi Qi could become a Dou Huang in just three years.
It was impossible.
Her own path to Dou Wang had been filled with endless struggle.
It had only been possible due to:
The Life and Death Gate of Yun Lan Sect.The advanced cultivation techniques and Dou Skills given to her by Wu Tian.And most importantly her relentless desire to chase after him.
She had once claimed to give up, but deep down
How could she truly let go?
She had entered the Life and Death Gate to either emerge stronger or die trying.
But no matter what
She would never let anyone dictate her fate!
And now
It was clear that Xiao Yan had relied on an external force to reach his current strength.
There was no true victor
But in Yanran's heart, Xiao Yan had lost.
Gu He stood firm, his eyes locking onto Xiao Yan's.
A look of pure disdain flashed in his gaze.
Disgust.
Anger.
Revulsion.
How could one person be so shameless?!
How did this brat end up so utterly vile?!
Was it… like father, like son?
Xiao Zhan: I am an elegant and handsome gentleman. I refuse to be associated with such disgrace!
Or… like master, like disciple?
Yao Lao: …I was just watching for the artistic beauty of the moment, nothing more…
…Forget it.
I've seen enough.
I might as well go blind now…
(To be continued!)
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