On the vast platform of solid green stone, powerful qi streams and sharp sword gusts burst forth continuously from the arena, leaving clear, deep imprints on the hard floor around. Everyone had paused their breath, their eyes following the shifting figures of the two combatants, growing increasingly intense and fervent. The fierce battle now unfolding left many with their hearts pounding in their throats. Against all expectations—where they had imagined Xiao Yan would falter at the first touch—the young man was unexpectedly holding his own, even gaining the upper hand in offense through his vigorous close-quarters combat. This development left the Yunlan Sect disciples who had believed themselves certain of victory utterly stunned. Of course, not only the ordinary Cloud Ridge Sect disciples, but even the elders gathered on the stone platform began to feel increasingly uneasy when Lan Yanran consecutively employed several high-tier combat techniques—each of which, within the Cloud Ridge Sect, was both advanced and difficult to master, with considerable power. With Lan Yanran’s skill level, it would have been impossible for her to effortlessly deflect such techniques, even against a peer who surpassed her by two to three star ranks. Yet the reality on display was clear: these powerful techniques were completely and undamagedly repelled by Xiao Yan, whose strength was only slightly inferior to Lan Yanran’s. "The Senior Elder, Xiao Yan seems rather unusual. Every time her technique is about to strike him, a powerful, strange energy emerges—this very energy just prevented her techniques from achieving any tangible effect." Fixing his gaze firmly on the scene, an elderly man in a white robe finally turned to Yun Ling, his face serious and his voice low. Upon hearing the elder's quiet words, the other elders—including Yun Ling—nodded slightly. With their own strength, they naturally sensed the intense, strange energy. However, since Xiao Yan was moving swiftly while channeling the Strange Fire, and his technique was exceptionally refined, even the elders like Yun Ling only noticed it subtly, yet remained uncertain about exactly what method Xiao Yan had employed. "Don't worry, let me carefully sense it..." With a slightly gloomy expression, Yun Ling waved her hand, then slowly closed her eyes, using the internal Qi within her body and the connection with external energies of the same nature to monitor every movement of Xiao Yan in a comprehensive manner. Upon hearing Yun Ling's words, the other senior elders exchanged glances and remained silent, continuing to focus their attention on the increasingly intense battle below. Not long after the elders fell into silence, two gusts of wind suddenly sounded in the sky, and then two figures materialized unexpectedly atop a towering tree surrounding the plaza. As they scanned the entangled battlefield below, both elders were clearly taken aback. After the two figures appeared, the members of Jia Xingtian's group atop the great tree turned their gaze toward them. When their eyes fell upon the middle-aged man dressed in a light green robe, whose face subtly carried an air of elegance and charm, all of them were momentarily stunned. Immediately, a continuous stream of greetings and warm voices erupted—demonstrating clearly the stature and status this man held within the Jia Ma Empire, one that even figures like Jia Xingtian and Fama treated with such courtesy. The visitor was Dan Wang Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire, with Liu Ling closely following behind. At present, Liu Ling no longer carried the haughty demeanor he once had in the capital; instead, he stood quietly behind Gu He, smiling warmly and greeting the elder figures such as Na Lan Jie. His demeanor suggested a noticeable transformation, perhaps due to his recent failure at the Herbalist's Assembly. "Hehe, I didn't expect both Gu Elder and Fama Elder to have come as well. However, since the Master is not here today, no one has had the chance to greet us. I apologize." "Gǔhé bowed politely to the two, returning a courteous smile, just as respectful as he was toward these two peak masters who held considerable prestige within the Gama Empire. 'This one?' His gaze suddenly paused on Hai Bōdōng, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. With his exceptional spiritual perception, he naturally sensed the subtly rising aura emanating from the former. 'Hai Bōdōng.' "Haibo Dong bowed slightly to Kuraha, his usually reserved expression—typically cold toward strangers—breaking its usual stiffness for the first time. Though in rank he was significantly senior to Kuraha, in this world, it was strength and competence that truly earned equality or respect. Though a powerful Du Phong-level warrior, as the foremost alchemical master of the Jamma Empire, even he commanded equal regard from anyone who met him, because everyone knew the immense influence wielded by a Sixth-Rank Alchemist!" "Master Ice Emperor Haibo Dong?" Kuraha paused, startled by the title. Then, a moment of surprise passed over his face before it settled into calm. With polite warmth, he smiled and said, "When I was still on my journey of training, I had long admired your reputation. To see you today, your presence is no less impressive than it was back then." "Haibodo Dong smiled. Given how courteous the other party was, he naturally couldn't afford to be too formal. After a few rounds of mutual politeness, Gohu finally turned his gaze toward the arena. Upon seeing the intense battle unfolding there, his eyebrows lifted in surprise, exclaiming, 'That person—was he indeed from Xiao Family, Xiao Yan?' To be honest, over these three years, Yun Yun couldn't help but have him concocted countless pills to enhance his strength—yet, under the joint support of Yunlan Sect and himself, Xiao Yan had consistently kept pace. How remarkable was that? What kind of formidable backing and extraordinary cultivation talent was required? The previously composed expression on Gu He's face now carried a touch of seriousness. With a slightly furrowed brow, his spiritual energy surged from his brow, swiftly spiraling outward across the plaza. Instantly, Xiao Yan’s previously lightning-fast movements slowed down, as if being played back in slow motion in Gu He’s mind. Every gesture and action of Xiao Yan became fully perceptible to Gu He within this slowed rhythm. Under the vigilant observation of all the other powerful figures, the two figures, initially somewhat blurred to ordinary Yunlan Sect disciples, now became remarkably distinct and clear. On the field, figures flashed and interchanged, then recoiled with a single touch, as the sound of energy explosion reverberated. Two figures each retreated several meters, brushing against the ground. Slowly coming to a halt, Xiao Yan and Na Lan Yanran finally came into clear view under everyone's gaze, leaving all of them momentarily stunned. The battle armor on Xiao Yan's body bore a series of intersecting sword slashes, and beneath the deep gashes, faint streaks of crimson blood could still be seen—clear evidence that, despite his fierce, close-quarters combat, he had not been entirely unscathed by Na Lan Yanran's counterattacks. While Xiao Yan's appearance was somewhat unimpressive, Na Lan Yanran herself also appeared slightly disheveled. Her once-neat moon-robe had become somewhat tangled, with a distinct footmark visible at her abdomen. Her disheveled hair clung to her sweat-dampened, smooth forehead, and she bit firmly at her full lips, her breath slightly labored. Their current appearances suggested that, in the earlier fierce battle, both had secured some victories, yet also suffered some setbacks. Once they appeared on the stage, the hushed murmurs that had been present since the beginning ceased entirely—everyone was captivated by the intense, opposing aura between them, too struck to speak and disrupt it. A gentle breeze swept across the plaza, carrying a few dry leaves that curled gently and drifted between them. Silence lasted for a while, then Lan Yanran finally took the initiative. Her bright eyes, filled with complex emotions, gazed deeply at the young man across from her, whose face remained cool and composed. Slowly, she unfastened the green sash that had bound her three thousand strands of dark hair, tilted her head slightly, and allowed the cascade of silvery hair to flow like moonlight, cascading down her shoulders and straightening along her slender, willowy waist. Under the blazing sun, as the woman released the sash and her hair fell freely, the ethereal grace and lively charm of the moment stirred the hearts of countless admirers, who had already held a soft affection for her. "She's going to use that now, isn't she?" Staring at Lan Yanran's sudden demeanor, the figures on the stone platform were momentarily stunned, then murmured among themselves. "The match seems about to conclude... But this Xiao family youth has truly pushed Yanran this far." A white-robed elder sighed. "She's finally drawing out her reserves? She's been pressed to this point!" On the great tree, Gu He's face lit up with surprise, and he spoke softly. The others around, including Jia Xingtian, were taken aback by Gu He's words, then turned their attention to the field with growing interest. On the field, as Yanran's dark hair cascaded down, she slowly closed her eyes. After a moment, they snapped open again—her hair suddenly stirred without a breeze, dancing gracefully. And as the hair swayed, her body began to float upward, without any assistance from a launch force or winged motion. As Lan Yanran's body slowly ascended, the energy surrounding her surged like boiling water, rippling outward in concentric waves of pale green substance. The long sword gradually moved upward, finally slanting toward Xiao Yan on the plaza below. At that moment, the sword trembled slightly, and the sunlight above suddenly converged toward it. In an instant, the sword glowed brilliantly, its radiance so intense it seemed like a second sun in the sky. "Xiao Yan, settle the matter now," Lan Yanran said, her delicate face reflecting the light and appearing slightly translucent. For the first time, she uttered the name she had long resented. Xiao Yan looked up, gazing at the dazzling light beneath which an overwhelming surge of energy was rapidly gathering. "Finally, I've drawn upon my last reserves... Then, so be it..." Gazing steadily at the upright young man below, Nalan Yanran took a deep breath, her jade hands tightly gripping the long sword, now feeling incredibly heavy. With a slow, almost imperceptible movement, she advanced, and as the sword moved, the rippling energy waves grew increasingly intense. At that moment, when the energy on the long sword had reached its peak, Nalan Yanran finally ceased her restraint. Her face grew serious, and with a clear, resonant cry, the already brilliant sunlight on the sword surged once more—so intense that for a moment, the brilliance of the sword completely outshone the blazing sun in the sky. "Wind's Apex: Sunset Radiance!" As the cry echoed through the heavens, a powerful surge of energy erupted, sending a sharp, piercing sword aura rushing down from the sky, as if descending from the heavens itself, sweeping across Xue Yan in a wave that covered the entire arena. The solid floor beneath, under the relentless pressure of this sword aura, cracked and split, forming fissures that stretched all the way to the far end of the plaza. Feeling the overwhelming force of this sword aura, the Cloud Rhythm Sect disciples quickly raised their hands, drawing out streams of combat energy from within their bodies, which then coalesced into a vast energy shield that spanned nearly half the plaza, allowing them to withstand the pressure exerted by the sword aura from above. "It's truly the peak of the Wind's power—I didn't expect Yun Yun to have taught her even this. Yet, with her current strength, she still hasn't fully unleashed two or three tenths of it." Gazing upward at the sword aura that descended like the sun setting, Jia Xingtian murmured. "This young one... might just be about to fall..." As his eyes turned toward Xiao Yan on the field, Jia Xingtian's gaze suddenly narrowed. Before he could speak, he saw Xiao Yan suddenly withdraw a pale purple pill from his storage ring, swallow it, and gently chew it. Then, with a slight opening of his mouth, a burst of purple flame erupted and hovered upon his left hand. "This situation..." His gaze was locked firmly on Xiao Yan, who now spouted vibrant purple flames, his eyes nearly narrowing to a sliver. That very day, on the Royal Plaza, the young man known as Yan Xiao had also looked exactly like this. Slowly turning his head, he locked eyes with Fang Ma, both of them displaying an utterly strange and captivating expression—clearly, they had finally confirmed something significant. "Yan Xiao... is Xiao Yan!" Of course, Fang Ma wasn't the only one who noticed these subtle signs. Even Jia Xingtian, Nalan Jie, Mu Chen, and others on the great tree had all stood in stunned silence at that very moment. Yet, perhaps the most crucial revelation wasn't among these individuals—it was the one floating in the sky, just now having unleashed an astonishing combat technique: Nalan Yanran!