The Situation is Tense!

"Was that... a compliment?"

Nalan Yanran stood frozen for a moment. Xiao Yan's voice and gaze lacked the coldness she had felt when he first arrived.

Her heart was a mess.

She couldn't deny that she felt something for the young man before her—this "Yan Xiao"—whose strength far surpassed his unassuming appearance. At the same time, there was an unwillingness inside her, a stubborn refusal to admit defeat.

Perhaps that was why she had abandoned her usual aloofness when speaking to him. For the first time in years, she had softened her tone for someone other than her elders.

Though their interactions had been brief, Xiao Yan had displayed talent so extraordinary that it was impossible to ignore.

He held a strange flame in his hands, curing a poison even Dan King Gu He couldn't handle.

He had competed in the Alchemist Conference, defeating geniuses from across the nation, ultimately turning the tide of battle and accomplishing what others deemed impossible.

Heroes admire beauty, but beauty, too, admires heroes.

That day, when "Yan Xiao" stood up to protect the Gama Empire's Alchemist Guild, perhaps he hadn't done it for glory. But to the people of the empire, he was a hero.

And no matter how proud or indifferent Nalan Yanran was, she was still a woman. She had watched him stand in the spotlight, basking in the admiration of thousands, his brilliance undeniable.

Yet now, the man she secretly admired had turned out to be Xiao Yan—the very person she had cast aside years ago.

Only those who have experienced such cruel irony would understand the turmoil raging in her heart.

Just as Xiao Yan prepared to make his next move, a voice rang out.

"Xiao Yan, for the sake of the Yunlan Sect, please go easy on Yanran. In return, I will overlook your earlier disrespect!"

It was Yun Leng, the very elder Xiao Yan had insulted before.

Xiao Yan's gaze flickered toward the source of the voice. Then, he sneered.

"Yun Leng, you old dog... you truly have no shame."

On the high platform, Yun Leng's expression darkened. Xiao Yan's mockery was plain to see.

If he had known this would happen, he would have dealt with Xiao Yan the moment he had the chance.

Nearby, another elder, Kuzu Ye, suddenly spoke in shock, "Great Elder, Xiao Yan… he's the one who killed Mo Cheng!"

Yun Leng's eyes narrowed sharply.

"Are you certain?"

"I wasn't before," Ge Ye admitted. "But now… I am absolutely sure!"

Yun Leng had been waiting for an excuse to act against Xiao Yan. Kuzu Ye's words had just handed him the perfect opportunity.

On the battlefield below, Nalan Yanran spoke once more.

"Xiao Yan, you have won. According to our past agreement, if I lost, I was to become your servant…"

Her lips curled into a sorrowful smile.

"However, for the sake of my sect's reputation, I must break that promise."

She paused before continuing, her voice laced with regret.

"In hindsight, the way I handled things with the Xiao family was… improper. If you ever see Uncle Xiao again, please convey my apology."

With those words, Nalan Yanran slowly raised her hand.

A sword, belonging to a nearby Yunlan Sect disciple, suddenly flew into her grasp.

She gritted her teeth, lifted the blade—

—and swung it toward her own throat.

Gasps of shock filled the square.

The Yunlan Sect disciples and elders watched in horror, too far to intervene as the sword tip rushed toward her pale, slender neck.

Then—

Ding!

The sound of metal meeting flesh never came.

Instead, two fingers, appearing from nowhere, caught the blade just before it could touch her skin.

Xiao Yan had moved.

With the distance between them so small, stopping her had been effortless.

"Nalan Yanran."

Her wide eyes met his.

"I have long since stopped caring about the past. I have no interest in making you my servant. You don't need to do something so foolish just to preserve your sect's reputation."

He paused, then said, "You are free. Live your own life."

With that, he turned and walked away.

His business here was done.

"Wait."

Yun Leng's voice rang out once more.

"My Yunlan Sect has a matter that requires your confirmation."

Xiao Yan halted mid-step. His expression darkened as he turned to face the elder.

"Old dog, what do you want now?"

His voice carried an unmistakable killing intent.

He had been willing to let Yun Leng walk away unscathed today. But if the old man insisted on seeking death, Xiao Yan had no reason to show mercy.

The crowd's attention locked onto him once again.

"Why is Xiao Yan acting this way? Could it be that he and Yun Leng have some kind of grudge?"

In the distance, hiding among the trees, Haibodong frowned.

"Xiao Yan is being reckless. This is the Yunlan Sect's territory. If he truly pushes them too far, he might not make it out alive…"

Nalan Yanran, still recovering from the earlier shock, looked at Xiao Yan with concern.

In her eyes, he was being far too bold. Right now, he was not strong enough to challenge Yun Leng head-on.

Meanwhile, Yun Leng's face twisted in fury.

"Xiao Yan, answer me! Are you responsible for the death of Mo Cheng, the Mo family member who served as our sect's outer deacon?"

Xiao Yan didn't hesitate.

"Yes. I killed that bastard."

His voice was cold and firm.

"He dared to kidnap my friend for human experimentation. He deserved to die. What, are you planning to avenge him?"

The square fell silent for a moment.

Then, Yun Leng's voice rang out, loud and commanding.

"You all heard it! This Xiao Yan has admitted to murdering a Yunlan Sect deacon and has repeatedly insulted this elder! If our Yunlan Sect does not act today, how will we maintain our standing in the Jia Ma Empire?"

A storm was brewing.