Silence lingered in the Yunlan Sect Plaza after the battle ended—an oppressive stillness, heavy enough to make one's chest tighten.
Then it shattered.
"You only won by relying on spirit tools!"
Yun Leng slammed his palm onto the table, beard bristling, his roar echoing across the square. "Without them, this battle would never have ended this way! It's an unfair victory!"
Before Xiao Yan could respond, Ning Fengzhi calmly set down his teacup.
"Spirit tools are part of one's strength," he said mildly. "If that is unfair, then are medicinal pills that enhance cultivation unfair? Are high-grade battle techniques unfair?"
He smiled faintly, then his gaze sharpened as it turned toward the Yunlan Sect.
"More importantly, there was no agreement prohibiting the use of spirit tools. And let us not forget—the first to use a spirit tool today was Nalan Yanran herself."
The implication landed cleanly.
If the Yunlan Sect could use spirit tools, then accusing the other side after losing was nothing but hypocrisy.
Yun Leng's face stiffened, his mouth opening—then closing again, unable to refute the logic.
At that moment, Nalan Su could no longer hold himself back.
His eyes were bloodshot as he slammed his fist against the railing. "Impossible! A mere Xiao Family—how could they possess such treasures?! A complete set of spirit tools is not something they could ever afford!"
His finger stabbed toward Xiao Yan.
"And the Sacrificial Shop has never sold such sets publicly! This is clearly borrowed external power! It cannot count as his own strength!"
Nalan Jie also stood.
Though reason told him to restrain himself, fear for the Nalan Family's future drowned it out.
"Xiao Yan," he said coldly, "you must explain where these spirit tools came from. If they do not truly belong to you, then this victory will convince no one."
Though he spoke to Xiao Yan, his eyes flicked sideways—toward Ning Fengzhi, Medusa, and Jia Xingtian.
School Master Ning's expression did not change.
"The Douluo Alliance can publicly declare that we provided no spirit tools for this battle."
Medusa's voice followed, crisp and cold. "The Snake-People Tribe as well."
Jia Xingtian added evenly, "The Gama Imperial Family did not intervene."
Three statements. Clear. Absolute.
Ning Fengzhi slowly swept his gaze across the Nalan father and son.
"So," he continued softly, "according to your reasoning, does that mean that if someone produces an item you cannot recognize—or believe they are 'unworthy' of possessing—you may accuse them of cheating without evidence?"
A pause.
Then his tone turned razor-sharp.
"By that logic, should we also demand that the Nalan Family prove—on the spot—that you have the capability to exchange for spirit tools? Otherwise, could your own disciples' victories also be labeled as borrowed power?"
The words struck like a slap.
Nalan Su's face flushed deep red. Rage drowned his reason entirely.
"How can a mere Xiao Family compare to my Nalan Family?!" he roared.
That sentence snapped the final restraint.
Xiao Yan, who had remained silent until now, raised his hand.
He seized the front of his black robe—and tore it open.
Rip!
A radiant blue inner armor was revealed, clinging closely to his body. It shimmered like flowing water, neither metal nor leather, emitting a calm yet resilient glow.
At its very center—
A single character burned brightly.
"Yan."
The mark looked as though it had been branded into the armor itself, infused with soul-fire and emotion.
Xiao Yan placed his finger firmly upon it.
"This armor is called Cloud Ascension," he said, his voice steady yet ringing with pride.
He lifted his gaze, letting it sweep across the stunned plaza.
"It was personally refined for me by the one I love."
His words fell one by one, like hammer strikes.
"She spent countless days and nights refining it—solely for my protection."
"This character is not decoration. It is a brand. A vow. And proof."
Proof that could not be refuted.
The plaza exploded.
"Personally refined?!"
"That means she's at least a third-tier Artifact Refiner!"
"How long has the Sacrificial Shop been open? And someone this young already reached that level?!"
Shock rippled outward like a wave.
Xiao Yan's companion—Xiao Xun'er—instantly became a greater mystery than the battle itself.
Even Ning Fengzhi felt his heart tighten.
For Ning Rongrong, he had exhausted resources, sought rare beast flames, and invested heavily—yet she had only barely stepped into first-tier refining.
And yet Xiao Xun'er… already stood at the third tier.
This was no ordinary talent.
On the high platform, Yun Yun felt as though a blade had pierced her chest.
"My beloved."
Her eyes were fixed on the glowing character, on the care etched into every refining line.
The meaning was unmistakable.
Pain—sharp, unexpected—spread through her heart.
Below, Nalan Yanran stared blankly at the armor, at that single burning character.
Only now did she truly understand.
She had not merely lost a battle.
She had lost because she had never truly seen Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan raised his hand once more.
A marriage contract appeared between his fingers.
"Nalan Yanran."
"The three-year agreement has concluded."
His voice carried no triumph—only finality.
"Three years ago, you came to my door with the power of the Yunlan Sect, forcing an annulment that humiliated my father and disgraced my clan."
"Today—"
Battle qi gathered at his fingertip.
"I, Xiao Yan—"
"Take blood as proof."
A single drop of blood formed, suspended in midair.
It fell upon the contract, spreading crimson.
He tore it apart.
"Divorce."
The sound echoed.
The fragments fluttered down, landing before Nalan Yanran.
"From this day forth," Xiao Yan said coldly, his gaze shifting to the Nalan father and son, "the marriage contract between the Xiao and Nalan Families is void."
"All grievances are settled."
His eyes returned to Nalan Yanran.
"You are free."
Not condemnation.
Not mockery.
Only release.
Nalan Yanran's body trembled violently. Her lips moved—but no sound emerged.
On the platform, Yun Yun's face was pale as snow.
Yun Shan's aura turned icy, the space around him stiffening—but he did not act.
Xiao Yan put his robe back on, covering the armor and the blazing character. He clasped his fist lightly toward Ning Fengzhi and the others, glanced once at Yun Yun, then turned and walked away.
Freely.
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