Chapter 252: Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran
"Tsk tsk, impressive. Lord Tiance has truly become the first Dou Di since Tuoshe Ancient Emperor," exclaimed Mang Tianchi in the Thunder Realm's council chamber.
His words immediately drew dissatisfied expressions from everyone present.
In the Thunder Clan, Xiao Tiance's reputation wasn't favorable. While the two clans weren't outright enemies, both belonged to the Emperor Clans. The question lingered: Why is the Xiao Clan so much more outstanding?
Except for Mang Tianchi, who was clearly a fan, even Clan Leader Lei Ying looked displeased.
"Alright, everyone. Elder Tianchi isn't wrong. Currently, we of the Thunder Clan are vassals of the Xiao Clan. Their strength benefits us as well," Lei Ying said, feigning joy to smooth things over when he noticed the group's expressions.
Of course, everyone knew that Lei Ying wasn't truly pleased. However, as clan leader, he wouldn't let his displeasure show openly.
"Yes, the clan leader is right."
Someone then suggested that Lei Ying should seek a share of the Dou Emperor's Origin to attempt a breakthrough to Dou Di.
Lei Ying, however, had already thought it through and declined. Instead, he instructed the clan to prepare a congratulatory gift for when the Xiao Clan sent out invitations to celebrate.
After all, none of them had ever seen a Dou Di in person. Witnessing one would be worthwhile, wouldn't it?
The Medicine Clan's Optimism
Compared to the Thunder Clan's reluctance, the Medicine Clan was in high spirits.
Since Ling Hua began persuading the Medicine Clan to ally with the Xiao Clan, their members including Yao Dan had grown increasingly admiring of the Xiao Clan's strength.
The Medicine Clan, mostly composed of alchemists, had suffered greatly under the Soul Clan's attacks in the past. Thus, when Ling Hua came to seek their support, they were eager to gain the Xiao Clan's protection.
Now that the Xiao Clan had produced a Dou Di and likely more than one their dominance seemed assured for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years.
With such a formidable ally, how could the Medicine Clan not rejoice?
No one in the Medicine Clan even suggested asking for a share of the Dou Emperor's Origin. Their strongest member was merely an early stage eight star Dou Saint. Even with the Origin, it wouldn't make much difference. Furthermore, they were satisfied with their role as vassals and had no intention of striking out on their own.
Under Yao Dan's leadership, the Medicine Clan poured their efforts into preparing an elaborate gift to celebrate the Xiao Clan's new Dou Di.
Beast Domain Celebrations
Meanwhile, far in the Beast Domain, Ling Yun received a message from Huang Jiuji. The letter informed him that the Heavenly Phoenix Tribe had been granted one spot to ascend to Dou Di.
Huang Jiuji made it clear that this opportunity was being given to Huang Min.
After reading the letter, Ling Yun couldn't help but smile.
Seeing his expression, the clan leader of the Sky Demon Phoenix Tribe asked with a grin, "My king, is there good news?"
"Haha, indeed. My teacher has become a Dou Di, and soon, our tribe will produce one as well. How could I not be delighted?" Ling Yun replied excitedly.
"Hiss!"
Everyone in the great hall drew in sharp breaths. Moments later, the experts of the Heavenly Phoenix Tribe and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe all bowed and congratulated him.
"Congratulations, my king!"
"Thank you, thank you. Tianwaitian is already celebrating, and while I won't return for the event, I'll organize a celebration here in the Beast Domain to honor my teacher's achievement," Ling Yun declared, laughing heartily.
The next day, the entire Beast Domain was brimming with joy. The usual bloodshed and battles even subsided significantly.
Xiao Tiance Encounters Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran
Meanwhile, Xiao Tiance and Qing Lin were making their way back to Tianwaitian. As they passed through the Flower Sect's territory, they initially had no plans to stop. However, Xiao Tiance's spiritual senses picked up a familiar presence someone revered by countless Battle Through the Heavens fans: Yun Yun.
In the forest below, Yun Yun, a five star Dou King, stood with a long sword in hand. Her face was pale, and she glared at the enemy before her. Normally ethereal and graceful, Yun Yun looked disheveled.
She was clearly injured from an earlier battle. A deep gash over ten centimeters long on her shoulder bled profusely.
Beside her stood a stunningly beautiful young woman. Her gaze, filled with fury, was locked on their enemies. While staying alert, she turned to Yun Yun and asked, "Teacher, are you alright?"
This young woman was none other than Nalan Yanran, who had once visited the Xiao Clan in Wutan City to break off her engagement.
To Xiao Tiance, Nalan Yanran's decision to break the engagement wasn't inherently wrong. If she had erred, it was in her method, nothing more.
This was why Xiao Tiance hadn't intervened to humiliate Nalan Yanran when she came to the Xiao Clan in Wutan City. Nor did he step in at Yunlan Mountain to stand up for Xiao Yan when he was cornered by the Yunlan Sect.
Now, with Xiao Tiance's presence, the story had changed significantly. The Yunlan Sect had been preserved. Yet, years later, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran still found their way to Central Plains. Judging by their attire, they had joined the Flower Sect one of the prominent first tier sects.
The current power hierarchy in Central Plains was as follows:
Top tier power: Tianji Tower.
First tier powers: Pill Tower, Flower Sect, Burning Flame Valley, and Starfall Pavilion.
Second tier powers: Ice River Valley, Sound Valley, Heavenly Underworld Sect, and three of the Four Way Pavilions Yellow Spring Pavilion, Myriad Sword Pavilion, and Wind and Thunder Pavilion.
The Pill Tower was an old powerhouse, and the Flower Sect and Burning Flame Valley were similar. After surviving the Soul Clan's attacks, their ancestors awakened, ensuring each had Dou Saint level strength.
Starfall Pavilion had risen in prominence due to Yao Chen's return and Xiao Yan's involvement. Originally led by Feng Zun zhe, a mere Dou Zun, Starfall Pavilion had climbed to rival the Pill Tower and Tianji Tower.
The Flower Sect wasn't weak either, boasting Dou Saints among its ranks. With its all female membership, recruiting Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran seemed only natural.
Above the forest, Qing Lin noticed Xiao Tiance pausing to gaze downward. Following his gaze, she spotted Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran.
Surprised, Qing Lin said, "It's them!"
"Hm? Qing Lin, you know them?" Xiao Tiance asked curiously.
"Yes, sir. Qing Lin knows them. One is Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Yunlan Sect in the Jia Ma Empire, and the other is Xiao Yan's former fiancée.
When I was in the Sky Serpent Mansion, I gathered information about Xiao Yan, and their details and portraits were reported to me," Qing Lin explained.
The Unexpected Encounter with Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran
"However, a few years ago, Young Master Xiao Yan returned to the Yunlan Sect and subdued them. After that, these two disappeared. Who would've thought I'd see them here now?" Qing Lin answered honestly.
Xiao Tiance believed her. After all, the strength of the Sky Serpent Mansion exceeded that of the Yunlan Sect, making it one of the strongest powers in the northwest region of the continent. It was no surprise that Qing Lin, after receiving their full support, knew about them.
"Heh, it seems Xiao Yan will always be your Young Master in your eyes, won't he?" Xiao Tiance teased with a smile.
Although Qing Lin felt slightly embarrassed by his remark, she nodded firmly. "Yes, sir. If it weren't for Young Master Xiao Yan, I would have died in the Tager Desert long ago. I'm deeply grateful to him."
"Boring."
Xiao Tiance found her seriousness a little dampening.
Suddenly, in the forest below, a group of over ten experts launched a ferocious attack on Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran. Their moves were ruthless and merciless.
Had Yun Yun not been injured, or had Nalan Yanran not been there, she might have been able to escape. After all, the strongest among the attackers was roughly equal to her own strength. However, with Nalan Yanran present and Yun Yun injured, their chances of survival were slim.
As expected, in just ten minutes, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran were captured.
"Well, well, ladies, why don't you try running again?"
The leader of the group smirked lecherously, his eyes glued to their elegant figures.
"Hmph! Just kill us already. Why bother with all this nonsense?" Yun Yun snorted coldly, her gaze flashing with fury.
"Scoundrel!" Nalan Yanran added disdainfully.
The leader chuckled wickedly, "Oh, you're absolutely right. But killing you would be such a waste. Such beautiful faces, such lovely bodies... ending your lives would be a true loss.
Don't worry. After I've had my fun, if you still refuse to submit, I'll grant your wish to die. But I doubt you'll want to after that. Hahaha!"
"Exactly! Once you've experienced our 'skills,' you won't want to die!"
"That's right. By then, you'll be begging at our feet, won't you?"
Listening to their vulgar words, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran's faces turned resolute. Both had made up their minds: if these men dared to touch them, they would make them pay, even if it cost their lives.
"Hmph."
Yun Yun snorted coldly again, turning her head aside. Her eyes betrayed a mixture of despair and determination.
"Oh, still playing hard to get? As expected of the so called 'fairies' of the Flower Sect. But it doesn't matter. Once I've had my fill of you, you'll be no different from common harlots."
The leader sneered, waving his hand to have them taken away.
From above, Qing Lin, unable to bear the scene, turned to Xiao Tiance and asked, "Sir, aren't you going to save them?"
"Why should I save them?" Xiao Tiance asked in return.
Qing Lin pouted. "Sir, if you're not going to save them, can I step in?"
"You want to save them?" Xiao Tiance looked at her curiously.
"Yes. From what I know, Young Master Xiao Yan has a good relationship with Sect Leader Yun Yun. If he were here, he wouldn't stand by and watch them being taken.
Also, those people down there once tried to capture me when I first arrived in Central Plains. If I hadn't been quick to escape, I might've been caught by them," Qing Lin said angrily, though her adorable, doll like face made her anger seem more endearing than intimidating.
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance nodded. With a wave of his left hand, the protective barrier around them vanished instantly.
In the next moment, he and Qing Lin appeared above the group of attackers.
"Well, well, you seem to be enjoying yourselves quite a bit. Knowing these two are from the Flower Sect, you still dared to make a move against them. You must be quite bold," Xiao Tiance said, standing in mid air with a smile.
"Who are you?" the leader asked, startled.
Despite Xiao Tiance and Qing Lin's sudden appearance, he couldn't sense any aura from them.
"Leader, that girl!"
One of his subordinates, a one star Dou King, suddenly pointed at Qing Lin and shouted.
The leader turned to look and recognized her immediately. She was the girl they had spent so much effort trying to capture, only for her to escape. His expression turned wary.
Xiao Tiance shook his head slightly. These small fry weren't worth wasting words on. With a gentle press of his left hand, a series of explosive sounds echoed as each of the attackers was crushed into nothingness, their souls destroyed.
"Sir, you're amazing!" Qing Lin exclaimed in awe.
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. "Just a bunch of trash. If I couldn't deal with them in one move, I might as well quit."
With that, he pointed a finger, and a beam of light shot from his hand. In an instant, the ropes binding Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran snapped.
Freed, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran quickly regained their composure. Bowing respectfully, they said in unison, "Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives. Yun Yun/Nalan Yanran is deeply grateful."
Seeing that their injuries weren't severe and that they were merely exhausted from using up their Dou Qi, Xiao Tiance shook his head slightly.
"No need to thank me. I've seen you two before, though you haven't seen me.
Take these."
Two jade bottles flew from his storage ring and landed in front of them.
"These pills should be enough to help you recover. I've already checked the surroundings there's nothing else here that could threaten you. Rest and heal here before leaving," Xiao Tiance said calmly.
As he turned to leave, Yun Yun quickly called out, "Senior, may we know your name? If there's ever an opportunity, I would like to repay your kindness."
"There's no need. Our meeting was fate, and it wasn't your time to die.
If we meet again, you may ask my name then."
With that, Xiao Tiance placed a hand on Qing Lin's shoulder, and they disappeared.
"So strong... not even a trace of spatial fluctuation," Yun Yun remarked, exchanging a glance with Nalan Yanran.
High in the sky, Qing Lin looked at Xiao Tiance, puzzled. "Sir, didn't you say earlier that you wouldn't save them? Why didn't you even give me a chance to step in?"
"Why do you ask so many questions? I do as I please. Isn't that reason enough?" Xiao Tiance replied indifferently.
(Chapter End)
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