BTTH : From Humble Beginnings to Dou Di

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The Yun Lan Sect did not have too strong of a reaction to the actions of the Imperial Clan.

Aside from a few young disciples in the sect who couldn’t swallow their frustration and occasionally stirred up trouble in the military camp, the high-level members of the sect remained silent regarding the matter.

After all, they understood the old saying: ”How can one tolerate others snoring beside their bed?” The Imperial Clan was always prone to suspicion.

To them, this was nothing new. As long as the Yun Lan Sect did not collapse, then the army at the foot of the mountain would never dare to make any rash moves.

Standing at the base of the mountain, Xiao Yan raised his head, gazing at the ancient stone steps that had existed for countless years. He then began to ascend them slowly.

At the end of the long stone stairway, clouds and mist swirled. Beyond the mist lay a vast plaza.

The plaza was entirely paved with massive slabs of stone, giving it a simple and grand atmosphere.

At the center of the plaza stood a towering stone monument.

On this monument were engraved the names of the past sect leaders of the Yun Lan Sect and those who had made great contributions to the sect.

Sweeping his gaze across the plaza, Xiao Yan saw that nearly a thousand people were seated cross-legged across it.

These people sat in a semicircle formation, and without exception, all of them wore moon-white robes.

At the cuffs of their sleeves, cloud-patterned long swords drifted in the wind like living creatures, faintly exuding traces of sword intent.

At the highest part of the plaza, a series of stone seats extended upward in tiers, roughly arranged by age — the higher the seat, the older the occupant.

On the highest stone platform sat a graceful and noble woman — it was Yun Yun, who had not seen Lin Feng for a long time.

Below her sat over a dozen elderly men in white robes, meditating with their eyes closed.

Although these elders didn’t look particularly impressive on the surface, their clothes fluttered not at all in the wind — they seemed as firm as iron — and this silent display alone was enough to tell anyone present that these men were not ordinary.

Below these elders sat a single figure on her own platform. A young woman in a moon-colored robe dress sat with her eyes half-closed.

As the breeze brushed past, her robes clung to her graceful figure, outlining her perfect curves. When the view moved to her calm, elegant face — it was none other than Nalan Yanran!

Though nearly a thousand people were present in the plaza, the area was utterly silent. Apart from the howling of the wind, there was not a single other sound.

From time to time, a gust of stronger wind would sweep across the plaza. The sea of white robes would flutter together, like clouds descending from the sky. The sight was striking and awe-inspiring.

Suddenly, the sound of wind being sliced rang out in mid-air, and a figure appeared atop the tall treetops.

On the tips of the towering trees surrounding the plaza, many figures had appeared without warning. Among them were Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, Jia Xingtian, and other Dou Huang-level experts.

Even Mu Chen, Nalan Jie, and several heads and younger members of other prominent families were also present.

However, Fa Ma, the president of the Alchemist Association, didn’t seem to be in a good mood. His aged face looked somewhat ashen.

He recalled how just the night before, after happily finishing the Alchemist Grand Meeting and returning to headquarters—

When he went to inspect the association’s treasure vault as usual, he found that a large quantity of precious medicinal herbs and high-tier pill formulas had vanished without a trace.

Upon seeing that scene, even with his strength as a Dou Huang, his soul nearly flew out of his body from shock.

Just over half a year ago, their Alchemist Association had already been robbed once.

That time it was by a Dou Zong-level thief. They couldn’t defeat him, and since he only stole a single sixth-tier pill formula, they decided to let it go.

But this time? Not only did they have no idea who the thief was — the entire vault’s collection of high-tier items was wiped clean.

What the hell was going on?

Did they think the Alchemist Association was a buffet or something?

Even now, thinking about it made his chest hurt with rage.

But for the sake of the Association’s reputation, Fa Ma had no choice but to order a complete information blackout and secretly investigate the culprit.

And if he ever found out who did it, even if it cost him his old life, he would make that thief pay the price!

While Fa Ma was stewing in his unpleasant memories, Xiao Yan had already slowly stepped onto the plaza.

As the introductions between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran concluded, Yun Yun also stood up and said, ”Xiao Yan, I am Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of Yun Lan Sect. Since your elders are not present for this Three-Year Agreement, I shall preside over it myself. This duel is meant to be a sparring match, and we will—”

”Let life and death be left to fate.”

Xiao Yan’s voice suddenly rang out, interrupting her.

Upon hearing this, Nalan Yanran raised her eyes slightly and looked at the young man in the black robe. After a brief pause, she nodded calmly and said in a cold voice, ”As you wish.”

The disciples of the Yun Lan Sect standing nearby, as well as the radical faction led by Grand Elder Yun Leng, all showed dark expressions upon hearing Xiao Yan’s words.

But seeing that their Sect Leader was present today, they could only grit their teeth and remain silent, glaring at the young man below with intense hatred.

Seeing the two below, even Yun Yun’s eyes showed a trace of helplessness as she softly said, ”Do as you will. Since that is the case, then regardless of who wins or loses in today’s battle, your past grievances will be completely settled. From this day forth, neither side is to seek revenge for this matter.”

After all, ever since she had returned from the Magic Beast Mountain Range, she had already instructed Elder Gu He to refine a few pills that could raise one’s Dou Qi level.

She gave those pills to her disciple and sent her back into the Magic Beast Mountain Range for training.

With the help of two Three Lines Green Spirit Pills, a Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill, and Elder Gu He’s own unique medicine, her disciple returned from the mountains not only with vastly improved combat experience, but also with her Dou Qi reaching the peak of Da Dou Shi — with one foot already stepping into the realm of Dou Ling.

Even if Xiao Yan had the guidance and help of that alchemist master of his—

However, the time was ultimately too short. Yun Yun didn’t believe that Xiao Yan could truly defeat Nalan Yanran.

When the time came, and Xiao Yan lost, Yanran could simply let him leave the mountain.

This way, not only would they win the duel, but they would also demonstrate the Yun Lan Sect’s generosity and magnanimity.

”Very well.”

Seeing Yun Yun speak in this manner, Xiao Yan nodded in agreement.

After all, he possessed Earth Class Dou Techniques; the chances of him losing weren’t high.

Besides, this rule wasn’t a loss for him either.

Whether he lost or won, since the Yun Lan Sect had already declared their stance publicly, they wouldn’t be able to take revenge on the Xiao Clan afterward.

At the same time, his hand slowly tightened around the hilt of the heavy ruler. With a sudden pull, the Heavy Xuan Ruler let out a low, pressing whistle as it slanted toward the ground.

A faint red Dou Qi coiled around his body, and his sharp gaze locked onto Nalan Yanran. ”The three-year agreement — I’ve come as promised. Today, let us settle the grievances of the past. The humiliation you brought upon the Xiao Clan that year... return it today.”

A slender jade hand reached out. The emerald green ring on her finger flickered with light, and a long, slim, pale cyan sword appeared in her palm. Its blade slanted downward, and as sunlight poured over it, it gleamed with a chilling edge.

Nalan Yanran raised her beautiful eyes slightly and let out a soft sigh, tinged with a hint of regret. She said quietly, ”It was my marriage. I had the right to decide it for myself. Even though three years have passed, I still don’t think I made the wrong choice back then.

I have the right to choose my own destiny. Perhaps some of my actions were improper at the time... but even if time turned back, I think I would still do the same.”

”Improper actions...”

Xiao Yan let out a light chuckle — a cold, mocking laugh.

Back then, her actions had caused his father to lose all face, almost getting ousted from his position as clan leader by the elders.

And now, with just a few breezy words, she wanted to erase the arrogance and cruelty of the past?

That seemed far too easy.

His expression gradually returned to cold indifference, and the grip on his heavy ruler grew increasingly tight.

A moment later, his foot suddenly stepped forward.

Where it landed, cracks spread from the center of the stone slab beneath his foot like a spiderweb.

A torrent of surging red Dou Qi, mixed with streaks of multicolored flame, exploded from Xiao Yan’s body.

Sensing the aura of a Four-Star Da Dou Shi rising from Xiao Yan, a flicker of surprise and relief flashed through Nalan Yanran’s eyes.

She hadn’t expected that the youth, once scorned and ridiculed by all in the Xiao Clan, could grow to this level.

If her master hadn’t forced her into the Magic Beast Mountain Range to undergo bitter training — and if she hadn’t had those medicinal pills — she might really have been in danger today.

Her delicate hand gripped the pale cyan long sword tightly, and gentle green wind swirled around the blade, rolling and rippling.

Within the wind swirls, sharp wind blades twisted and formed, occasionally lashing out and carving shallow yet clear lines into the hard stone beneath her feet.

The sword slowly rose, pointing at Xiao Yan from afar. Under the sunlight, the sword’s edge gleamed with a cold, intimidating brilliance.

As Dou Qi surged from both combatants, the atmosphere over the vast plaza instantly tensed. Silence returned once more, and every gaze was fixed on the two of them.

Everyone wanted to know — after three years of cultivation, how far had that once-useless youth come?

More importantly, they wanted to see the strength of the next heir to the Yun Lan Sect — a colossus of the Jia Ma Empire.

This way, they could better decide which side to support.

”Fight me, Nalan Yanran! It’s been three years!”

In full view of the audience, Xiao Yan let out a furious roar like a wild beast and charged forward with a burst of power.

The Heavy Xuan Ruler skimmed along the ground, dragging against the blue stone floor and sending up a trail of fiery sparks and deep scorched marks.

”Tch, after all that back and forth, they’re finally starting.”

Hidden among the younger generation of various forces, Zi Yan took a huge bite of a sixth-tier medicinal herb she had ”borrowed” the day before and grumbled softly.

Nalan Yanran remained calm as she watched the black figure charging straight at her.

Her cultivation method was wind-attribute, and so, speed and agility were her forte.

Plus, after her previous trials and experiences, she knew exactly when to strike.

When Xiao Yan was just about to enter the ten-meter radius around her body, Nalan Yanran finally moved.

With a light tap of her toe, her figure danced and shimmered like a leaf caught in a whirlwind.

In an instant, she and the charging black figure crossed paths in a flash.

At that very instant, her long sword slashed sideways with a fluid, natural motion.

Borrowing the momentum of her movement, several thin wind blades sprang forth from her sword before it even made contact, slicing directly toward Xiao Yan’s neck.

His dashing momentum came to an abrupt halt.

The enormous black ruler in his hand lifted slightly in haste—

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