Chapter Seventy-Eight: Cloud Mist Sect, Duel of Life and Death (2)

Several days later, at the break of dawn, a lone figure approached the foot of the Cloudmist Sect’s mountain, a pitch-black heavy sword slung across his back.
“This is the Cloudmist Sect. Outsiders are forbidden from entering!”
The sect disciples stationed at the entrance swiftly noticed him and hurried forward.
“Inform Lin An that I, Xiao Yan, have come to fulfill our agreement.”
Xiao Yan spoke calmly and without emotion.
“You are Xiao Yan? Senior Lin An has been waiting for you. Come, follow me into the Cloudmist Sect.”
One of the disciples scrutinized Xiao Yan carefully. Lately, there was hardly anyone who hadn’t heard Lin An’s name.
Xiao Yan nodded, and under the disciples’ guidance, walked toward the sect.
Three years had passed. Every time he recalled Lin An slapping him mercilessly before the entire Xiao family, Xiao Yan vowed not only to make Lin An taste the shame he once endured, but to exact a bitter price from him.
A killing intent had even taken root in his heart.
All these years, he could still feel the burning pain on his cheek.
Now, finally, the time for vengeance had arrived.
He had tested Lin An once before; by his estimation, Lin An was at most a three-star Battle Spirit, while Xiao Yan himself had reached the terrifying realm of a one-star Battle King.
With three types of strange fire in his command, as well as powerful earth-tier battle skills, Xiao Yan could not believe Lin An would defeat him again.
By the time Xiao Yan was brought up, the sun had already risen.
At the end of the long stone steps, mist wound around a vast plaza paved entirely with massive stones, lending it an air of antiquity.
At the center stood a monumental stone tablet, recording the names of past sect leaders and those who had rendered great service to the sect.
Surveying the square, nearly a thousand people sat cross-legged in a semicircle, all clad in pale moon-white robes with cloud-patterned long swords at their sleeves—a mark of Cloudmist Sect disciples.
Meanwhile, the sound of figures slicing through the air echoed now and then; evidently, many were drawn by this contest.
Few could have imagined that just days after their duel at the Alchemist Assembly, Xiao Yan and Lin An would face off once more, this time in martial combat.
Those present were either wealthy or noble, and even outside the sect, many eyes were fixed on Cloudmist.

They too wished to know whether Xiao Yan would ultimately appear before the sect.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan had arrived, alone, and just this courage set him apart from ordinary men.
“You are Xiao Yan of the Xiao family?” asked an elder in white robes seated at the center. He glanced at Xiao Yan for a long moment before speaking slowly.
He was Elder Yun Ling, the grand elder of Cloudmist Sect and the host of the three-year pact between Xiao Yan and Lin An.
“Yes, I am Xiao Yan,” replied Xiao Yan.
“This three-year agreement will be presided over by me. The purpose of this contest is to exchange skills, and…”
Before Yun Ling could finish, Xiao Yan interrupted him: “Life and death are governed by fate. Today, only one of us will walk away alive. The other will become a corpse, forever buried in Cloudmist Sect.”
“Lin An, do you have the courage to sign a duel of life and death with me?”
Xiao Yan’s words took everyone by surprise; none expected such audacity. A duel of life and death meant one would live, the other perish, and both would sign the pact.
No matter the outcome, neither side could seek vengeance afterward.
“Young master, I think it’s best not to agree to a duel of life and death. The original agreement was merely a contest to determine the victor,” advised Yao Chen, worried.
“Judging by Xiao Yan’s demeanor, the opportunities he’s gained must not be underestimated.”
Lin An, however, disregarded Yao Chen’s warning. Honestly, even if Xiao Yan hadn’t proposed the duel, Lin An would have raised it himself when the match began.
He clearly understood that Xiao Yan, too, saw him as a great threat.
So long as Xiao Yan lived, Lin An’s heart could never rest.
In such a short time, Xiao Yan had gained such fearsome strength. Lin An had no doubt that given twenty years—or even less—no one on the continent would be able to stop him.
Even now, Xiao Yan’s power was enough to terrify many.
If he wasn’t killed today, it would only become harder in the future.
Crucially, Lin An was curious: if he killed Xiao Yan, what form would the mysterious Yan Luo Hall, which had been assisting Xiao Yan’s cultivation, finally take?

And whether he could claim it for himself.
In short, Lin An had plenty of reasons to want Xiao Yan dead.
Moreover, this was a world where the strong ruled.
“No problem, I am well prepared. Here are two life-and-death pacts; I’ve already signed mine. The other is for you.”
As he spoke, Lin An produced two documents; one bore his signature, the other was handed to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan smiled, recognizing that Lin An shared his resolve. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have signed the pact in advance.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan signed his name.
“Although Xiao Yan is indeed guilty of many crimes, such a young sixth-grade alchemist’s death would be a loss for the continent—let alone Lin An, a seventh-grade alchemist. Either would be a pity!”
“Who would have thought that a simple wager would turn into a duel of life and death!”
“Senior Lin An must win! Not only is Cloudmist Sect’s honor at stake, but all of the Jia Ma Empire’s hopes rest on him. He must kill the traitor Xiao Yan!”
“It’s impossible to predict who will win. Xiao Yan became the strategist of Chuyun Empire and inflicted great harm upon Jia Ma Empire—I doubt that was his entire strength.”
“In any case, this battle will be no less thrilling than the Alchemist Assembly.”
…
No one could have foreseen such a scene.
Nalan Yanran, too, watched Lin An anxiously, quickly stepping up to him.
She said nothing, nor did she ask why Lin An had agreed to Xiao Yan’s demand. She only wished to convey that, whatever decision Lin An made, she would support him unconditionally.
“Brother Lin An, I trust your choice!”
Her words scattered dog food around the crowd, formally declaring her relationship with Lin An.