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**
At the end of the long flight of stone steps, clouds and mist swirled.
Beyond the mist lay a vast plaza.
Xiao Yan, carrying the heavy black ruler on his back, stepped slowly onto the edge of the plaza.
His gaze swept across the wide square. Ahead, nearly a thousand people were seated cross-legged in a semicircle formation.
At the topmost part of the plaza, over a dozen white-robed elders sat cross-legged with their eyes closed, seemingly resting.
Below those elders was a separate elevated stone platform. A young woman dressed in a pale moon-white robe stood silently, eyes half-closed.
A gentle breeze swept through, causing her robe to cling tightly to her slender body, revealing a perfect, curvaceous silhouette underneath.
Xiao Yan's gaze landed on the serene and composed beautiful face of the young woman. It was — Nalan Yanran.
As for Yun Yun, she had yet to appear. Whether it was due to a sudden matter or a deliberate decision to stay hidden, no one knew.
Though the plaza held nearly a thousand people, it was eerily silent. Aside from the howling of the wind, not a single other sound could be heard.
Occasionally, a stronger gust would blow across the square, and instantly, white robes would flutter like falling clouds from the heavens.
Suddenly, the sound of wind being torn apart echoed through the air. In the next moment, several figures appeared at the edges of the plaza, standing atop the high tree peaks.
A glance revealed that numerous figures had taken position on the tops of the giant trees surrounding the plaza.
Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, Jia Xingtian — even Nalan Jie and other family heads and younger generation members had arrived.
Those who had come made no sound to disturb the silence of the plaza. They merely observed quietly.
…
Carrying the massive black ruler on his back, Xiao Yan stepped into the center of the plaza.
The members of the Yun Lan Sect all opened their eyes, their gazes locking onto Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's expression was calm and unreadable as he swept his gaze over the enormous square. Finally, his eyes settled on the stone platform — and on the beautiful young woman who had just directed her bright eyes toward him.
Staring at the young woman, Xiao Yan spoke blandly, "Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan."
Looking at the black-clad youth, many emotions surged in the hearts of those present.
Nalan Yanran slowly rose to her feet. Her figure stood tall like a proud snow lotus in full bloom. Her bright eyes met Xiao Yan's, and her voice was as calm as his, "Nalan Clan, Nalan Yanran."
Everything — would be settled today.
Nalan Yanran murmured silently in her heart.
…
On the stone steps.
The white-robed elder seated at the center slowly opened his eyes to glance at Xiao Yan. After a moment of silence, he spoke:
"You are Xiao Yan from the Xiao Clan?"
Xiao Yan looked toward him.
"I am the Grand Elder of the Yun Lan Sect, Yun Leng," he continued before Xiao Yan could respond. "Today's duel will be overseen by me."
As Yun Leng spoke, his eyes subtly swept over to Wei Yang, who sat among the guests.
He then continued slowly, "This match is meant to be a friendly exchange — the strikes should be measured…"
"Life and death, left to fate." Xiao Yan's calm voice interrupted him mid-sentence.
The crowd's expressions shifted in various ways. Many had not expected Xiao Yan to say something like that.
Nalan Jie closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
Yun Leng's brows furrowed slightly, his heart filled with displeasure. Once again, his gaze drifted to Wei Yang at the edge of the square.
Wei Yang remained expressionless, giving no reaction at all.
Nalan Yanran lifted her gaze, staring into those dark eyes. Her expression wavered slightly before she nodded lightly, her voice cold and clear: "As you wish."
Hearing Nalan Yanran's response, Yun Leng's frown deepened.
To be honest, the current Yun Lan Sect simply wanted to end this so-called "Three-Year Agreement," which had long since become a farce, as quickly as possible. They didn't want any unexpected complications.
This duel between juniors had already entangled far too many interests.
The one standing behind Xiao Yan brought enormous pressure upon the Yun Lan Sect — far too much.
"Young man, it's wise to leave some leeway in all things. But since this is your wish, so be it. Life and death, left to fate," Yun Leng finally said, waving his hand with a sigh of resignation.
Upon hearing this, a faint smile curled up at the corner of Xiao Yan's lips — though inside, he couldn't help but feel a sneer brewing.
"Leave some room in all things?"
Back then, when Nalan Yanran acted with such cruelty, did anyone ask her to leave any room?
Thinking of the humiliation from three years ago… thinking of his relentless effort and pain since then… wasn't all of it for this very moment?
His palm slowly tightened around the hilt of the heavy ruler. With a sudden motion, he drew it out — the Heavy Xuan Ruler sliced through the air, bringing with it an oppressive gale, pointing diagonally toward the ground.
The gust stirred up dust from the ground, and a faint layer of light green Dou Qi began to surge over Xiao Yan's body.
Xiao Yan fixed his gaze on Nalan Yanran. "The Three-Year Agreement — I've come as agreed. Today, let's settle all past grievances. The disgrace you brought upon the Xiao Clan back then — today, you will repay it!"
With a light tap of her toes, Nalan Yanran's figure gently floated down from the stone platform and landed on the plaza.
Her jade-like hand extended, and as the emerald-colored storage ring on her slender finger flickered with light, a long, pale green sword flashed into existence.
She gripped the sword, its tip pointing diagonally toward the ground. The sunlight reflected off its blade, casting a chilling, cold gleam.
Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes met Xiao Yan's deep black ones. Her expression held a trace of complexity as she sighed softly, her tone calm:
"My marriage — I make my own decisions."
"Even though three years have passed, I still don't believe what I did back then was wrong. I don't regret it."
"I had the right to choose my own fate. Maybe, in the way I handled things, I acted improperly and ended up hurting you."
"But… if time were to rewind, I think I'd still make the same choice."
"Improper behavior?" Xiao Yan let out a low laugh.
A casual mention of 'improper behavior' — did she really think that would excuse the ruthless and humiliating way she acted?
A bit too simple, wasn't it?
"As expected, Brother Wei was right. This woman… is far too self-centered. Calling off the engagement was the right thing to do. She is unworthy of me, Xiao Yan."
"But — the humiliation from back then must be washed clean. Everything will be settled today!"
His expression gradually returned to calm coldness. The grip on the heavy ruler in his hand tightened more and more.
A moment later, his foot suddenly stomped forward — the point of contact on the ground cracked apart with several spiderweb-like fissures. Surging green Dou Qi, laced with faint emerald flames, burst from Xiao Yan's body.
"Nalan Yanran — let's begin!" Xiao Yan shouted coldly.
Nalan Yanran's hand also gripped her sword tightly. Her expression had become serious. The current Xiao Yan was giving her an unexpected amount of pressure.
A faint green wind coiled and danced around her sword, and within the gust, sharp wind blades extended and retracted. Occasionally, one would shoot outward, carving shallow and deep scratches into the hard stone plaza.
The sword gradually rose — its tip now pointing directly at Xiao Yan. Under the sun's glare, the sword's edge radiated a cold, fierce gleam.
As the Dou Qi around their bodies rose higher, the atmosphere over the vast plaza instantly grew tense and heavy.
All eyes were locked onto the two figures at the center of the square.
Xiao Yan stared intently at the slender figure across from him, graceful like a willow leaf.
Nalan Yanran's gaze met his, unwavering.
Suspended in the air, they exchanged looks — both eyes filled with complicated emotions.
"The Three-Year Agreement has arrived. The grudge between you two will be resolved today. May all entanglements end here and now." On the stone platform, Yun Leng looked at the two locked in intense confrontation and finally spoke slowly.
Boom!
The moment Yun Leng's voice fell, Xiao Yan — who had long since lost patience — broke the deadlock of the standoff.
With a swing of his heavy ruler, his body transformed into a black blur and shot toward Nalan Yanran like a cannonball.
"Fight me, Nalan Yanran! It's been three years!" As the black shadow slammed forward, the heavy ruler in his hand came crashing down with overwhelming force. His roar — suppressed for three years — burst forth and echoed throughout the entire square.
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