Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 200: Contending for the Right to Preside

The simple, calm words drifted through the vast square, slightly disrupting the atmosphere that had filled the space.

Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan.

Xiao Clan, Mo Yu.

In the square, countless disciples of the Yun Lan Sect turned their eyes toward the two young men, one in a green robe and the other in a black robe, standing on the stone steps. They looked at them with various emotions. They weren't unfamiliar with the Xiao Clan or the names Mo Yu and Xiao Yan.

The Xiao Clan was a small family from Wu Tan City, insignificant in the vast Jia Ma Empire. If it weren't for the Three-Year Agreement, no one in the capital would have paid attention to this small family.

As for the title "Twin Dragons of the Xiao Clan," the members of the Yun Lan Sect had mixed feelings. Whenever Xiao Yan's name was mentioned in the past, it was often accompanied by disdain and mockery. A young man from a small family wanting to marry someone as noble as Nalan Yanran, who held a princess-like status in the Yun Lan Sect, was seen as overreaching.

This sentiment grew even stronger when the Three-Year Agreement became widely known within the sect. Of course, some of the mockery stemmed from jealousy.

However, Mo Yu's emergence forced them to reconsider their disdain. Even the most outstanding disciples of the Yun Lan Sect had to admit that Mo Yu, who had destroyed the Mo Clan and easily defeated Mu Zhan, was a rare genius. As a result, even the proud disciples of the Yun Lan Sect had to restrain their arrogance when facing Mo Yu.

Today, as they watched Xiao Yan, who stood alongside Mo Yu and was also known as one of the Twin Dragons of the Xiao Clan, maintain his calm and composed demeanor despite facing the combined aura of nearly a thousand Yun Lan Sect disciples, they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Such composure was not something they expected from the so-called "trash" of the Xiao Clan that they had heard about.

Nalan Yanran's bright eyes were fixed on Mo Yu in the distance before shifting to Xiao Yan beside him. For some reason, the strong confidence she had felt began to waver as she recalled the stories of the Twin Dragons of the Xiao Clan and Mo Yu's powerful and domineering methods.

"Nalan Clan, Nalan Yanran..."

Standing up slowly, a look of determination flashed in Nalan Yanran's eyes. Xiao Yan had reasons he couldn't afford to lose, and so did she!

In the square, after Nalan Yanran stood up, the dozen or so white-robed elders above her also slowly opened their eyes. When they looked toward Mo Yu on the stone steps, a hint of confusion appeared in their eyes.

Had the Xiao Clan also sent someone to observe?

Mo Yu's reputation was not small within the Jia Ma Empire, especially in the capital. But these elders, who had spent most of their time in seclusion, were not very familiar with him.

"You two are the Twin Dragons of the Xiao Clan?" The white-robed elder in the center seemed to recall something and looked at Mo Yu and Xiao Yan before slowly speaking.

"And you must be the Grand Elder of the Yun Lan Sect?" Mo Yu replied, his eyes sweeping over the white-robed elder without a hint of politeness.

Hearing this, the elder's face immediately stiffened. As the Grand Elder of the Yun Lan Sect and a high-level Dou Wang, he had never been spoken to so lightly.

"I am indeed the Grand Elder of the Yun Lan Sect, Yun Leng," the elder said, his face darkening slightly. "It seems the Yun Lan Sect did not invite anyone from the Xiao Clan to observe. May I ask why you are here..."

Before he could finish, Mo Yu interrupted, "Ridiculous! This duel is part of the Three-Year Agreement between my cousin Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. The Xiao Clan is one of the parties involved, and we don't need the permission of the Yun Lan Sect to send someone to observe."

"Furthermore, to ensure the fairness of the upcoming match, the Xiao Clan must have someone participate in presiding over the event. Since our elders are busy with other matters, I was entrusted with this responsibility."

"Haha, what a bold young man," one of the eccentric elders invited by the Yun Lan Sect couldn't help but laugh out loud. Some even gave Mo Yu a thumbs up in approval.

The idea that a small clan like the Xiao Clan would dare to stand on equal footing with the Yun Lan Sect might be unrealistic, but his audacity commanded respect.

Hearing Mo Yu's words, Yun Leng was momentarily stunned before he sneered, "The Sect Leader has not yet returned, so I will be presiding over the Three-Year Agreement. As for you, you're not qualified to preside."

Mo Yu frowned slightly and responded calmly, "What's this? Is the Yun Lan Sect planning to cheat? Or is the sect so unsure of Nalan Yanran's abilities that it needs to shield her?"

"Watch your tongue!" Yun Leng's face turned dark, and he said coldly, "You insolent brat! The Yun Lan Sect is not something you can slander. A mere Xiao Clan wretch dares to dream of defeating our sect's future leader? Preposterous!"

"Oh? Then why not allow someone from the Xiao Clan to help preside over the match?" Mo Yu replied indifferently.

As Mo Yu persisted, Yun Leng's frown deepened. Just as he was about to suppress the matter with force, Nalan Yanran suddenly spoke up, "Grand Elder, please allow Mo Yu to co-preside over the match. Given that this duel involves both parties, it's reasonable for the Xiao Clan to send someone."

Nalan Yanran's words made Yun Leng's frown deepen. Mo Yu's demand had irritated the Grand Elder, who held a high status within the Yun Lan Sect. Although he knew Xiao Yan had shed his reputation as "trash," Nalan Yanran's talent was also exceptional. With the Yun Lan Sect's rigorous training, her progress had been astonishingly rapid. When it came to a real battle, Yun Leng still doubted that Xiao Yan could win.

"Young man, don't be too arrogant. But since you insist, go ahead. Just know that the outcome of the match will not change," Yun Leng said with a cold smile.

Even if Mo Yu participated in presiding over the match, Nalan Yanran was almost certain to defeat Xiao Yan, and Mo Yu would only be a witness to that outcome.

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Mo Yu's mouth. He didn't care about Yun Leng's thoughts; securing the right to preside was all that mattered.

"Xiao Yan, leave the Yun Lan Sect to me. All you need to do is defeat Nalan Yanran," Mo Yu said, turning to the black-robed young man beside him.

Seeing how Mo Yu had regained dignity for the Xiao Clan and himself, Xiao Yan nodded solemnly and said, "Thank you, Cousin Mo Yu. You can leave the rest to me!"

With that, Xiao Yan's expression gradually became more composed. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his ruler, then suddenly stepped forward. As his foot landed, cracks spread from beneath his heel across the hard stone floor. Torrential cyan Dou Qi, mixed with faint blue flames, surged from his body.

"Let's begin," Xiao Yan said calmly, his eyes cold as he looked at Nalan Yanran.

Seeing this, Mo Yu glanced at Yun Leng, who wore a cold smile, and Mo Yu's own lips curled into a slight smile. He then stepped back, clearing the area for the upcoming duel.

Would Xiao Yan emerge victorious, or would Nalan Yanran win? The result was sure to surprise everyone...

(End of Chapter)

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