Yun Yun’s Invitation
"Master, during your seclusion, Yun Yun, the sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect Sect, sent an invitation hoping you could visit to witness the three-year agreement between her disciple Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family."
Linglong stepped forward and handed the envelope from Yun Yun to Li Xiao.
Hearing this, Li Xiao took it and glanced at it, surprised that the three-year agreement had arrived so soon. Without the Green Lotus Core Flame, it would be difficult for Xiao Yan to be a match for Nalan Yanran.
Yun Yun had obtained many techniques and elixirs to enhance Nalan Yanran's strength at the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. Now that the three-year agreement between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan was nearing, Nalan Yanran's strength must have reached its peak. Li Xiao wondered if Xiao Yan could redeem himself after three years of humiliation.
Li Xiao shrugged. In that case, he might as well go and watch the show.
"Bai Ling, you'll come with me."
"Yes, sir."
Bai Ling bowed to Li Xiao. As a Nine Transformation Dou Venerate, she was considered a top-tier expert wherever she went. Even on the Central Plain, she would be regarded as a prodigy.
With her around, there was no need to fear encountering other strong experts. Besides, Li Xiao had already ascended to the Dou Emperor realm. With the support of Heaven-class techniques, he was invincible within the Dou Emperor realm.
The Misty Cloud Sect was built atop Misty Cloud Sect Mountain, which was only a few dozen miles from the Jia Ma Empire's capital. The two places were close to each other, like two giant entities facing off.
With his Dou Qi wings, Li Xiao did not need to ride the Amethyst Winged Lion King anymore. The distance between the Magic Beast Mountain Range and Misty Cloud Sect Sect wasn't that far, and the travel wouldn't take that much time. Moreover, there was also an option for Bai Ling to tear through space, practically making them reach the destination just in a blink of an eye if they wished to.
In the end, he decided to go there by flight. After all, flying was a man's romance.
After a while, they reached the foot of Misty Cloud Sect Mountain and trod the path leading to the peak. At the end of the long stone steps, shrouded in mist, lay a huge square. The square was entirely paved with massive stones, giving it an ancient and imposing look.
In the center of the square stood a gigantic stone tablet. Inscribed on it were the names of the previous leaders of the Misty Cloud Sect Sect and those who had made significant contributions to the sect.
When Li Xiao and his companion arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect Sect, Yun Yun, under the watchful eyes of her disciples, personally greeted them.
"Pavilion Master Li, you've arrived," Yun Yun said warmly.
"No need for formalities, Sect Leader Yun," Li Xiao replied calmly, waving his hand. "I heard that one of your disciples is about to fulfill a three-year agreement and have a showdown with a disciple from the Xiao family, correct?"
Yun Yun bit her lip and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, sighing. "Yes, back then, Yanran was young and impulsive, causing irreparable harm to the Xiao family... So..."
Seeing Yun Yun's regretful expression, Li Xiao shook his head. Although Yun Yun had agreed to let Nalan Yanran dissolve the engagement, she had not forced her to retract it. Because of this engagement, the Xiao family had suffered great humiliation, and the family head had lost all face. But what could be done?
The damage was already done, and there was no point in dwelling on it.
"Master, is this the esteemed Pavilion Master Li Xiao of Heaven Ascending Pavilion you often mention?"
At that moment, the protagonist of the three-year agreement came running over with a smile. "Pavilion Master, it's an honor to meet you. I often hear my teacher praise Heaven Ascending Pavilion's prowess. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to break through to the Dou Spirit realm so quickly."
Li Xiao scrutinized Nalan Yanran's figure. From her aura, he could tell she had just entered the Dou Spirit realm. Such talent in cultivation was indeed astonishing.
Yun Yun had once auctioned a Tier-6 medicine at Heaven Ascending Pavilion. This pill could increase the strength of anyone below the Dou Spirit level by three ranks. It seemed that Nalan Yanran must have consumed it.
Li Xiao softly remarked, "Little Sect Master Nalan is indeed impressive and as beautiful as your teacher."
Blushing, Nalan Yanran replied, "Senior, you're joking. Compared to my teacher, I still have a long way to go."
Yun Yun affectionately patted Nalan Yanran's head. With half an hour left until the three-year agreement, she wondered if Xiao Yan would arrive on time.
The square was vast, able to accommodate thousands of people. However, it was eerily silent, save for the whistling wind.
Furthermore, a thousand disciples of Misty Cloud Sect Sect had already gathered, sitting cross-legged. Without exception, they all wore light blue robes with cloud and sword motifs at the cuffs, exuding a heroic aura.
Yun Yun introduced, "These are the disciples of our Misty Cloud Sect, all here to witness the three-year agreement."
Li Xiao glanced around at the Misty Cloud Sect disciples. Among them, there were dozens of Dou Spirits, indicating the profound strength of the Misty Cloud Sect.
If it weren't for the Misty Cloud Sect's policy of non-interference in imperial affairs, they might have long replaced the Jia Ma Empire.
At this moment, the disciples' gazes were all fixed on Li Xiao. It was their first time seeing the master of Heaven Ascending Pavilion, and naturally, they wondered who he was and why their sect leader treated him with such respect. Even the highly admired Nalan Yanran treated him with such politeness. Could he be a hidden expert?
Li Xiao naturally sat in the main seat, surprising the surrounding onlookers.
"Who is this person, sitting in the main seat of the Misty Cloud Sect? So arrogant!"
"Yeah, Sect Leader Yun Yun is sitting beside him. Damn, who is this guy?"
The murmurs and curses of the crowd grew louder, all questioning his identity. Since the establishment of the Misty Cloud Sect, no one had ever seen their leader show such humility. Let alone someone sitting in the main seat.
Grand Elder Yun Leng, hearing the increasingly harsh comments, sternly rebuked, "Silence! Who do you think you are to speak disrespectfully of the Pavilion Master of Heaven Ascending Pavilion? Have your elders never taught you to bow and salute when you see Master Li Xiao?"
At these words, the crowd immediately fell silent.
Master of Heaven Ascending Pavilion? Never heard of him!
Was he famous? No idea...
The disciples pouted. Throughout the Jia Ma Empire, they had never heard of Heaven Ascending Pavilion.
"Tch, what is the Grand Elder talking about? Why should this guy sit in the sect leader's seat? Just a reckless brute."
"Yeah, so arrogant."
Jia Xingtian stroked his small beard and chuckled, "Heh, these Misty Cloud Sect disciples have never left the Jia Ma Empire, so naturally, they don't know about Heaven Ascending Pavilion in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. If they knew there were Dou Venerate experts in Heaven Ascending Pavilion, would they be scared to death?"
President Fa Ma looked up at the sky, catching a falling snowflake with his hand, and remarked with a look of surprise, "Do you feel that something is off with these snowflakes? They contain an extremely terrifying Dou Qi."
Hearing this, Jia Xingtian, somewhat skeptical, caught a snowflake. Upon sensing the violent energy within, his expression changed dramatically.
He suddenly turned to look at Bai Ling beside Master Li Xiao.
In an instant, a thunderous roar echoed through the Misty Cloud Sect. All the flying magical beasts in the rear mountains broke free from their restraints, rioting.