Chapter 180: Will You Marry Me?

The moment Xiao Yan's enlightenment concluded, Yun Yun—leaving behind trails of radiant light like stars streaking across the night sky—had already closed in silently.

"Spirit Subdues the Wind Demon!" Xiao Yan roared, channeling pure Dou Qi into the Demon-Subduing Staff.

Under this infusion, the staff's mysterious runes erupted with dazzling golden light, drawing in the energy of heaven and earth until it became too brilliant to behold.

Driven by Xiao Yan, this power surged forth like an unshakable pillar, fearlessly piercing through Yun Yun's boundless sword energy—an illusionary sea of stars.

BOOM!

The staff and sword collided, two incomparable forces unleashing catastrophic destruction.

A shockwave erupted outward, cracking the valley's purple crystals. Both combatants were blasted dozens of meters back.

Yun Yun steadied herself with effort, forming a seal Xiao Yan had taught her. "Blazing Spirit Armor, release!"

Runes activated. Her high-waisted dress shimmered with a celestial radiance.

As energy surged from the gown, Yun Yun's eyes widened in shock. Her power was...

Watching the first prototype of the Blazing Spirit Armor activate, Xiao Yan stepped forward eagerly. "Eight-Star Dou Huang... Nine-Star... Dou Zong...!"

In mere breaths, Yun Yun's strength skyrocketed—finally stabilizing at the level of a three-star Dou Zong.

The armor's core inspiration came from Scorpion Bi Yan's "Blood Soul Art."

But instead of relying on a low-tier seventh-rank magical beast's soul, the Blazing Spirit Armor used Heavenly Flames—a far superior material.

Connected to this tsunami-like energy, Yun Yun felt unprecedented power.

What kind of dress is this?! Her astonishment rivaled the energy radiating from it. A single garment had eclipsed a lifetime of cultivation for most.

Dou Zong—a legendary realm no one in the Jia Ma Empire had yet reached.

Yet this dress had propelled her beyond countless elders, even her own master!

"Be careful." Yun Yun warned, her Dou Qi roaring like a raging river. A casual swing of her sword filled the world with devastating sword energy.

Seeing her overwhelming boost, Xiao Yan pushed his Dou Qi to its limits, his black robes flapping violently. "Annihilation of the Ten Directions!"

His staff swung down, condensing all energy into a golden sphere that shot forth, clashing with Yun Yun's剑气.

For a moment, gold and cyan intertwined, sparks erupting in the air.

Countless sword beams struck the cliffs, etching permanent scars.

A single strike matching his Di Tier techniques—Xiao Yan inhaled sharply. "We can't destroy this place."

He shot from the valley like a cannon, Dou Qi wings manifesting.

Yun Yun leaped skyward—but instead of wings, she stood effortlessly on air.

Despite her enhanced power, she still couldn't gauge Xiao Yan's full strength. Yet she knew he was far weaker than before.

"It seems I'll win this time." She smiled gracefully, twirling her sword confidently.

"Try this." Xiao Yan flicked his Bone Flame Ring—a crimson spearhead materialized.

"What...?" Yun Yun's brows rose as temperatures spiked around it.

"Samadhi True Fire, flames obey!" Activating its runes, a scarlet array emerged, unleashing three Heavenly Flames.

Combined with the staff, the spearhead blazed crimson.

Drawing in this energy, Xiao Yan exhaled deeply. This equipment is extraordinary.

Harmless, non-polluting—even a commoner could wield it to dominate a region.

"Five-Star Dou Huang?!" Yun Yun stared at his soaring aura. Another power-boosting artifact?!

As the flames' master, Xiao Yan's enhancement was far less than others'. Now, it merely restored him to normal.

"Your move." He said calmly. At full strength, a three-star Dou Zong no longer intimidated him.

Yun Yun's expression sharpened. Sword raised, she merged with her blade. Ripples of cyan energy distorted space itself.

"Flying Sword Parts the Floating Clouds!"

Endless剑气 converged, stirring the heavens. Sword rain blotted the sky—vast, majestic, unstoppable.

Even the valley's battle-hardened Four-Winged Wind Demon Wolves trembled in mortal terror.

"Not enough." Xiao Yan's body ignited like burning clouds. "Divine Might Annihilates Wickedness!"

Samadhi Fire condensed into a colossal spearhead, meeting the sword storm head-on.

The flaming lance plowed through unrelenting剑气, carving a path—but countless blades still slipped past, grazing Xiao Yan.

Frantically deflecting with his spear, he couldn't stop them all. Soon, cuts littered his body.

Facing the oncoming inferno, Yun Yun's潜能 erupted. Her sword traced a silver arc—a roaring dragon of剑气 entangling the fiery lance...

As the Heavenly Flames exhausted, their battle finally ceased.

"So hot!" Landing, Yun Yun tore at her dress's ties, stripping it off desperately.

Only her sapphire Sea Heart Armor remained. Her jade-like skin glowed pink, exuding floral fragrance from the heat.

Xiao Yan rushed over. This was a known flaw—the sixth-rank beast hide couldn't fully contain Heavenly Flames.

Applying specially-made ointment, his skilled hands glided over her scorched skin.

"Mmm..." Yun Yun moaned at the cooling relief, eyeing the dress that had melted nearby紫晶. "What happened?"

"Later. The ointment can't stay on too long." Sweeping her into his arms, he carried her to the pond.

Hours passed. Dusk fell.

Flushed and exhausted, Yun Yun lay against the bank, lingering desire in her eyes.

After pampering her delicate skin, Xiao Yan briefly imagined her switching careers.

With skin this perfect, she could lead Yun岚 Sect into cosmetics. With my alchemy, we'd make a fortune!

Given her limited cultivation potential, diversifying early would secure resources.

But he knew this was fantasy—with Hun Tianzhu's millennia-long schemes, no one would be left to do business.

As their three-month deadline neared, Yun Yun bit her lip. "Yao Yan..."

Xiao Yan paused. If we go again, she'll pass out.

Feeling the "magical beast" stirring again, Yun Yun nestled against his chest and voiced her thoughts.

"Yao Yan... would you marry me?"

Xiao Yan froze.

"How could I refuse a goddess like Yun Zhi?" He smiled. "But the question isn't whether I'd marry you—it's whether you'd marry me."

Confused, Yun Yun tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

Xiao Yan sighed. "You've realized I come from a major family."

She nodded. Artifacts like these couldn't belong to ordinary people.

"In such families, marriages aren't personal choices. I've been betrothed since before birth..."

As the Yun岚 Sect master, she understood. Even her disciple bore such obligations.

"Even with your power... you can't choose?" She whispered.

Xiao Yan chuckled. "This world values strength, but does power justify disregarding family?"

Yun Yun fell silent. Were their positions reversed, could she abandon her sect for love?

(End of Chapter)

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