The entire square fell silent as the cloaked figure entered the scene. Though ordinary disciples of Yunlan Sect might not fully understand the strength of this enigmatic cloaked figure, the visibly serious expressions of the elders clearly indicated that he was indeed formidable—someone who could command such a profound reaction. "Who are you?" Cloud Ling fixed his gaze on the cloaked figure in the sky, his fingers trembling slightly under the powerful aura radiating from the figure's body. With a commanding tone, he demanded, his voice firm yet edged with urgency. "Call me Ling Yin," the cloaked figure bowed slightly, revealing a weathered, dark-faced countenance, and smiled. "You're not from the Jima Empire, are you?" Cloud Ling carefully scanned the figure who had introduced himself as Ling Yin, then suddenly seemed to notice something significant, his voice rising in surprise. "I am naturally not from the Jima Empire," the figure replied. "But who has established that only Jima-born individuals can enter this nation?" The cloaked man, who introduced himself as Ling Ying, chuckled warmly. With his brows tightly furrowed, Yun Ling took a deep breath to steady his growing anxiety, and bowed solemnly to the figure in the sky, saying, "Esteemed guest, the Gamma Empire has not barred anyone from entering our nation. However... this matter today is entirely within the affairs of our Yun Lan Sect. I kindly ask that you refrain from intervening at this time. Should you wish, we will treat you as a distinguished guest upon our return. Though our Yun Lan Sect has not ventured beyond the Empire's borders for some time, we have always welcomed continental masters who come to Gamma." "Friend, though I don't know who you exactly are, offending my Yunlan Sect in this way isn't exactly a wise move," Yunling said in a low, steady tone. "Hah! How impressive is the Yunlan Sect? Though it holds some weight within the Gama Empire, on the Continent of Qi, it's merely a second-tier force—what qualification do you have to speak to me in such a manner? These years, having been disconnected from outside news, I never expected the Yunlan Sect to have cultivated such provincial, narrow-minded individuals as yourselves. Hah! The reputation Cloud Pote spent so much effort building over the years might well be ruined right under your hands!" Ling Ying laughed heartily, his tone laced with scorn, making Yunling's face grow stern. Yet, constrained by the opponent's formidable strength and uncertain of his true capabilities, Yunling dared not immediately engage in direct confrontation. "Originally, a powerful being from the mainland..." Gaxingtian gently narrowed his eyes, gazing upward at Ling Ying. "Although the royal family has sent many representatives to the mainland over the years, I still have no memory of this person named Ling Ying. He must have been in seclusion, deeply engaged in cultivation. Yet... how could Xiao Yan have become connected to such a mainland-based powerhouse? With his current strength, he simply hasn't reached that level at all." Fama smiled faintly, shaking his head. The current situation was truly becoming more and more chaotic—Xiao Yan's background was growing increasingly mysterious. "Ah well, now it seems that on Xiao Yan's side, with the waves stirred by Dong Bo and this Ling Ying, there are already two Dao Monarchs. If we add the enigmatic beast, the lineup becomes truly formidable. Before Yun Yun returns, Yunlan Sect may well be unable to retain Xiao Yan." Gaxingtian slowly stroked his short beard, speaking. "Things have come this far, Yun Ling should now carefully weigh his gains and losses. To offend a figure like Xiao Yan, with such a strong team, merely for the sake of Mo Cheng—well, that would truly be a loss far outweighing any gain." Fang Ma whispered. "Now it's all up to Yun Ling's own judgment. If he can set aside the humiliation Xiao Yan has given him and allow him to depart peacefully, that would be acceptable. But if he can't let go and insists on keeping Xiao Yan—then, inevitably, a great battle will ensue!" Jia Xingtian nodded slightly, gazing up at Yun Ling, whose face was flushed with anger and fists clenched tightly. He murmured, "I hope he won't stubbornly persist in his course." "... Everyone in the field was gazing upward at the sky. Nalan Yanran bit gently at the corner of her red-lipped mouth, her emotions swirling as complex and varied as if a five-flavor bottle had been spilled. She had never imagined that today's events would bring out two Douhuang-level masters—two whose strength rivaled even her master's—and both of them had fully rallied around Xiao Yan, supporting him with unwavering dedication throughout his safe departure. A bitter taste rose on Nalan Yanran's lips. Back then, Xiao Jia had been considered a mere waste of potential. Now, however, he had nearly upended Yunlan Sect itself. All this, stemming from that very rejection of marriage. Perhaps, it was precisely her own sharp words and actions that truly catalyzed the transformation of this once-ordinary Xiao family heir into someone truly extraordinary." "If only... back then we hadn't..." Gently murmuring, Nalan Yanran suddenly awoke, her jade hands tightly clenched. A faint sense of regret that had quietly grown within her stirred fear, as she pressed her palms against her heaving chest, drawing in the cool air. Compared to Nalan Yanran's bitterness, Nalan Jie, atop the great tree, sighed with a sense of weariness. As more and more powerful figures began to emerge with Xiao Yan as their focal point, he gradually sensed the formidable strength hidden behind this young man—only seventeen—whose potential, he believed, could one day make him the strongest youth in the Jiaema Empire, and carry the Nalan family to unprecedented heights. Yet... Nalan Yanran's impulsive decision had completely shattered that very hope. At this moment, Nalan Jie finally felt what true regret truly meant. Yet, alongside the regret, a deep sense of shame stirred within him. If, when Yun Ling had been attacked by Xiao Yan earlier, he had stepped forward to speak on Xiao Yan's behalf, that would have been commendable. Even more so, knowing that Xiao Yan was the very one who had saved his life back then, he had still failed to take the initiative—seemingly, in some unconscious way, he had not wanted to see Xiao Yan, who might harbor some resentment toward the Nalan family, leave Yunlan Sect smoothly. Thinking of this possibility, cold sweat broke out instantly across Nalan Jie's forehead, and his hands and feet grew icy. What difference did this make, compared to betrayal? Didn't he himself have once promised so earnestly, "Just come to me whenever you need anything"? Filled with shame, Nalan Jie did not allow Xiao Yan's gaze to fall upon him. Instead, his entire attention was now fixed upon the figure of Ling Ying who had just appeared. Hai Bo gazed at the figure that had just appeared, his brows furrowing slightly. After a moment, he exhaled softly and said in a steady tone, "It's him!" "Haibo Dong spread his hands and glanced at Xiao Yan, saying, 'Looking at the way he's acting, it's clear he's come specifically for you. You should ask yourself—when exactly did you manage to become friends with such a strong one?' 'I'm equally puzzled,' Xiao Yan chuckled. 'I'm certain I've never seen this person before. As for why he's helping me, I still don't know the reason.' 'Hm,' Haibo Dong said, raising an eyebrow with a half-smiling, slightly teasing tone. 'Well, then, let's set aside his identity. The energy shield has now been broken—let's retreat.' Xiao Yan shook his head, as if not catching the subtle humor in Haibo Dong's words, and urged on. Haibo Dong nodded in agreement, and the two of them began to slowly retreat, their wings vibrating steadily behind them, facing directly toward Yun Ling. Just as the two had taken action, Yun Ling sensed it immediately, his gaze shifting coldly to Xiao Yan. The intense pain radiating from his head caused another surge of fierce expression to appear on his face. His hands trembled briefly, and then a sudden surge of crimson flooded his eyes. With a sharp, commanding voice, he roared, "Xiao Yan, where do you think you're going? If I can't secure you today, how can I possibly assist the Master in managing this great sect?" "Go!" Ignoring Yun Ling's fierce outburst, Xiao Yan maintained his composed expression and continued retreating. "You bastard! Stand there!" His face gradually turned crimson with rage. With both hands suddenly sweeping out, the surrounding sea of clouds surged violently. Moments later, a colossal cloud bow, stretching over ten feet in length, coalesced within the sea of clouds. With a simple wave of his hand, the bow automatically drew itself taut, and cloud energy rapidly gathered along its body, transforming into a massive cloud arrow several meters long. "Die!" Staring at Xiao Yan with bitter intensity, Yun Ling's forehead gradually beaded with cold sweat. It seemed the summoned cloud bow and cloud arrows demanded immense energy, and even with his King-level strength, he was slightly struggling. "Go!" With a low command, the cloud arrow shot forth suddenly, piercing through the spatial barriers like the arrow that once shot the sun, heading straight for Xiao Yan. "Watch out!" Since both were facing Yun Ling, he had just moved, and Hai Bo Dong was the first to notice. He roared, pulling Xiao Yan swiftly behind him and rapidly waving his hands, sending out a surge of cold energy. "Take Xiao Yan and go—I'll hold him off!" As Hai Bo Dong prepared to resist the arrow, a dark figure suddenly materialized before him, facing away, then turned to smile at him. A slight pause, and Hai Bo Dong narrowed his eyes, observing Ling Ying carefully. He said nothing, simply pulling Xiao Yan and slowly retreating. Yet as he retreated, he remained vigilant—not only guarding against Yun Ling's attacks, but also keeping a sharp watch on Ling Ying. With Hai Bo Dong's experience, it was far from natural to place such swift trust in a newcomer. "Haha! Today, I'd like to see who dares to harm a single hair of my lady's protection!"