Chapter Nineteen: Xiao Xun'er Issues a Challenge

"That's right, it's just that simple!"

"If you don't believe me, you can try cultivating right now and see if the Dou Qi you refine still vanishes without reason!"

Lin An said this with a smile.

Xiao Yan was skeptical, but nevertheless settled into a state of cultivation.

Soon, he opened his eyes in delight.

Indeed, just as Lin An had said, he could now cultivate again, and the Dou Qi he refined no longer disappeared inexplicably.

This meant his talent had returned.

He didn't know what had caused it, but Xiao Yan understood that from this day forward, no one would be able to call him useless again.

"Since I've accomplished what I promised, we won't trouble you any further!"

"Let us see whether, in three years, your strength will astonish the world!"

With that, Lin An and his companions prepared to leave.

But just as he finished speaking, they were stopped by Xun'er.

"I'm not sure what you mean by this, Miss Xun'er?" Lin An asked in confusion.

Even Xiao Yan didn't understand why Xun'er would stop Lin An and his party at a time like this.

"You've already reached the rank of Dou Master, haven't you?" A gleam flashed in Xun'er's eyes as she asked.

As soon as Xun'er spoke, both Nalan Yanran and several of the Xiao clan's younger generation stared at Lin An in shock.

They clearly hadn't expected someone as young as Lin An to have already broken through to the level of Dou Master.

Nalan Yanran, too, looked at Lin An in surprise. If she remembered correctly, it hadn't been long since Lin An had advanced from Dou Qi Stage Nine to Nine-Star Fighter.

And now, in such a short time, he'd reached the Dou Master realm.

She couldn't even imagine what level Lin An might achieve in three years.

In any case, Xiao Yan certainly couldn't hope to catch up with Lin An.

"That's right. Is there a problem?" Lin An responded directly, not shying away.

At the same time, he silently resolved that once he returned to the Yunlan Sect, he must seek out a technique to conceal his true cultivation. Having his realm so easily discerned by everyone was truly irritating.

He was also puzzled as to why Xun'er was asking him such a question at this moment.

"It's nothing," Xun'er replied, "I just felt an itch to challenge you!"

"Xun'er, what are you doing?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

"Brother Xiao Yan, don't worry. It's just a friendly spar. Nothing will go wrong," Xun'er said confidently.

She was doing it for Xiao Yan. Right now, Xiao Yan was only at Dou Qi Stage Three. Even with three years, reaching the Dou Master level would not be easy.

But his rival had already achieved the rank of One-Star Dou Master. Who knew what level he might reach in three years?

So she had to act—to deliver Lin An a crushing blow, at least to hinder his cultivation for a year or two!

At present, she was a Three-Star Fighter, though to the rest of the Xiao clan, she appeared to be only at Dou Qi Stage Nine.

With her family's secret techniques, she could even stand against a Great Dou Master, let alone Lin An, who was merely a Dou Master.

However, using that secret art came at a heavy cost. Even with medicinal aid, full recovery would likely take a month or two.

But for Xiao Yan's sake, she was willing to bear it.

"Give me a reason—why must I spar with you?" Lin An wasn't foolish; he didn't want to engage in something so thankless.

"Name whatever stakes you want. I'll accept them all," Xun'er declared.

"Even if I asked you to be my maid?" Lin An's words were barely out when he felt a terrifying pressure descend upon him.

He knew without looking that this must be the ancient clan master protecting Xun'er in secret.

To suggest that the princess of the ancient clan serve as anyone's maid was tantamount to courting death.

But Xun'er simply shook her head, and the oppressive force vanished instantly.

"If you dare to spar with me, and defeat me, then so what if I must be your maid?" Xun'er said, full of confidence.

"Xun'er, this is utter nonsense. I won't allow you to participate in this match!" Xiao Yan blocked her. By now, he could guess her intentions—this was all for his sake.

But the price was too great, the risk too high, especially when the opponent was already a genius Dou Master.

"Brother Xiao Yan, just trust me this once—I have a way to defeat him," Xun'er insisted.

"No. No matter what you say, I won't let you do this," Xiao Yan replied, equally firm.

Since the discussion had reached an impasse, Xun'er stopped arguing and, puffing with frustration, left the hall.

"Three years from now, I will come to Yunlan Sect myself. And then, I will defeat you with my own hands. The humiliation I have suffered, I will return to you in full!"

With that, Xiao Yan ordered his clan to see the guests out.

Lin An, naturally, had no wish to overstay his welcome and left promptly with his party.

Back at the inn, he discussed with Elder Ge Ye when they should set off for Yunlan Sect.

Though their mission had not been entirely fulfilled, it had gone well enough. Once they returned, they would be able to give the Sect Leader a satisfactory account.

"In that case, there's no reason to remain in Wu Tan City any longer. At dawn tomorrow, we'll depart for Yunlan Sect," Ge Shan said.

"I'll follow Elder Ge's arrangements in all things," Nalan Yanran replied.

"Junior brother, since there's still daylight left, why don't you join me for a walk? Let me show you the sights of Wu Tan City," Nalan Yanran suggested as soon as she left Ge Ye's quarters, eager to explore the city with Lin An.

Lin An considered it. He truly had nothing pressing at the moment, so a stroll seemed agreeable.

To be honest, since arriving in the world of Battle Through the Heavens, apart from Yunlan Sect, he had yet to truly experience the unique customs of this foreign land.

After he nodded, Nalan Yanran happily led Lin An out of the inn.

Naturally, Yao Chen followed closely behind Lin An.

What Lin An and Nalan Yanran did not expect was that, though only half a day had passed since the dissolution of the engagement, the entire city of Wu Tan seemed to know all about it.

Many people could even recognize Nalan Yanran by sight.

"Isn't that Nalan Yanran, the one who went to the Xiao clan to break the engagement? She's truly a beauty. That useless Xiao Yan really doesn't deserve such a prodigy. And I hear Nalan Yanran is quite likely to become the next leader of Yunlan Sect. An enormous power like Yunlan Sect could never allow its future leader to remain bound by such an old engagement!"

"It's a pity, though. They say Nalan Yanran's talent is among the best in Yunlan Sect. She's already a Three-Star Fighter. If I were her, I'd break the engagement without hesitation too!"

"True, but to come straight to their door and break it off so bluntly—that's a real blow to the Xiao clan's pride. Youths rarely see the bigger picture!"