Breaking the Masked Man

Her tone carried a hint of reproach; she had been genuinely frightened by the fact that someone had managed to sneak in so silently.

"I'm afraid of trouble~" Yao Yan explained, while looking at Yun Yun and gazing into her clear eyes, teasingly said, "Besides, does it need to be this formal to meet a friend?"

"Friends?" Yun Yun was taken aback. When did she become friends with Yao Yan? The two of them had only met a handful of times.

Yao Yan didn't give Yun Yun a chance to refuse, forcibly making friends with her. Then, he changed the subject and said, "Thank you for your help with the Snake People. If it weren't for your help, Cai Die alone wouldn't have been able to transfer the Snake People to the Gama Empire so quickly."

"I will naturally take your matter to heart," Yun Yun replied with a faint smile.

"Has the old sect master emerged from seclusion?"

Yao Yan asked.

“Teacher has not yet emerged from seclusion. It is not easy for a Dou Huang to break through to Dou Zong…” A hint of worry appeared in Yun Yun’s eyes. For her teacher, this seclusion was undoubtedly a death trap. He would either break through to Dou Zong or die of old age in it.

That's just how her teacher is.

"The Jia Ma Empire is still too remote..." Yao Yan murmured to himself. The Jia Ma Empire is located in a corner of the northwest region, where the energy of heaven and earth is scarce. Even with the help of the Breakthrough Pill, it would take several years to break through to the Dou Zong level.

If one had the assistance of cultivation resources like the Blood Pool of Tianshan, the speed of breaking through to the Dou Zong realm would undoubtedly be several times faster. However, such a special region could not exist in the Jia Ma Empire, which is why Yao Yan wanted to go to Zhongzhou.

Cultivation can never be separated from resources.

This is even more true above the Dou Zong level.

"The old sect leader should be fine. His visit to Yunlan Sect is to invite Yunlan Sect to join the Heavenly Court. I have created a force in the Black Corner Region called the Heavenly Court. You can discuss the specifics with Elder Hai later. I have already handed over the management of the Heavenly Court in the Black Corner Region to the Mittel family." Yao Yan comforted him, and then got down to business.

"The Heavenly Court?" Yun Yun was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, and her moist lips moved slightly.

"It wasn't established for long... Not long ago, due to some events, I wiped out a force in the Black Corner Region. That force left behind a rather large base, so with the idea of ​​making the most of it, I established a force on its old site," Yao Yan explained casually.

"It seems that you have experienced quite a lot in the Black Corner Region, young master," Yun Yun said with a soft laugh.

"Quite a bit."

Yao Yan nodded in agreement.

Yun Yun smiled faintly, patted the slightly nervous little one beside her, and then said to Yao Yan, "Young Master, perhaps we should find another place to talk. We're fine standing here, but Yanran can't stand it~"

Medicine is naturally something that cannot be refused.

……

A small cottage in the woods.

A gentle breeze blows, and the bamboo forest rustles in the wind.

"Cuckoo~"

A wisp of clear spring water, shrouded in white mist, slid from the kettle, stirring the green leaves in the cup. A moment later, a refreshing fragrance wafted out, soothing the mind and spirit. Yun Yun pushed the brewed tea in front of Yao Yan, her eyes calm and serene: "Young Master, please."

"She has the air of a sect leader..." Yao Yan thought to himself, his opinion of Yun Yun rising even higher. Some women are pleasing to the eye just by looking at them, like the spring waters of Jiangnan.

"It smells delicious~" he said after taking a sip.

Yun Yun covered her mouth and chuckled. Yao Yan's evaluation was indeed quite unique. She couldn't help but laugh and say, "It seems that you don't drink tea much on a regular basis, young master."

"I'm too busy cultivating to have the time for that," Yao Yan said matter-of-factly.

Upon hearing this, Yun Yun pondered for a moment before asking, "What level has your strength reached, young master?"

"Just like your teacher before he went into seclusion."

Yao Yan didn't calculate his combat strength, but spoke frankly, in terms of his battle qi level alone, he was indeed a peak nine-star Dou Huang.

Yun Yun fell silent. Her gaze towards Yao Yan was no longer indifferent; it now held a complex expression, as if she were looking at a pervert. As the sect leader of Yunlan Sect, she believed herself to be quite talented. Moreover, she had already reached the Douhuang level before the age of thirty, and her future as a Douzong was promising.

But comparing this to a freak like Yao Yan... I inexplicably feel like everything is going dark.

It's a good thing she was thinking of telling Yao Yan that she had broken through to the Dou Huang level, but thankfully she didn't, otherwise she would have lost face big time.

"Surprised?"

Seeing Yun Yun's blank expression, Yao Yan waved his hand in front of her and teased her.

Yun Yun ground her back teeth, looking at Yao Yan's indifferent face, and felt a strange sense of annoyance and helplessness. How could someone have such talent? She nodded and said, "I'm very surprised."

"If there is an opportunity in the future, I might as well go to Zhongzhou to see it. The outside world is very big, and the Jia Ma Empire is too small."

Yao Yan looked into Yun Yun's eyes and said quite seriously.

"...Let's talk about it another time."

Yun Yun remained silent for a moment, then shook her head slightly. She was never the kind of person who valued strength above all else. Rather than venturing out into the world alone, she preferred to stay in a familiar place and protect the sect that gave her birth and nurtured her.

She looked down at Xiao Yanran beside her, a smile appearing on her lips: "Right now, I have to teach Yanran cultivation. We'll talk about it again when she's grown up."

Nalan Yanran blinked, not understanding what he meant, and stood obediently to the side.

"kindness."

Yao Yan did not continue the topic. He and Yun Yun quietly drank tea and admired the bamboo forest in the distance. For a while, neither of them spoke until Nalan Yanran fell asleep on Yun Yun's lap. Only then did Yao Yan break the silence: "I want to go to the forbidden area of ​​Yunlan Sect."

"The Gate of Life and Death? Why would Young Master be interested in that? That place is the final resting place of the successive sect leaders of the Yunlan Sect. Although there may be some special opportunities there, they should be useless to Young Master." Yun Yun frowned slightly and said.

"Just out of curiosity. If it doesn't work out, then pretend I didn't say anything," Yao Yan said softly.

“…In principle, that place is not for outsiders. Even among the disciples of the Yunlan Sect, only the next successor can enter. However, if it is you, young master, we can make an exception this time.” Yun Yun remained silent for a long time before speaking with a slightly serious expression.

She always remembered what her teacher had told her: rules are rigid, but people are flexible. If she could use this opportunity to get closer to Yao Yan, it would be good for the Yunlan Sect.

As the sect leader of the Yunlan Sect, how could Yun Yun not understand human relationships and social customs?

"Thank you."

Yao Yan raised his glass and laughed.

Yun Yun smiled and raised her cup as well, saying, "Didn't you say before that we were friends?"

Yao Yan was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, then blinked and teased, "Aren't you worried that my friend might have ulterior motives towards you?"

"?!" Yun Yun was stunned and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Yao Yan didn't point it out, but pointed to Xiao Yanran, who was practically drooling on her leg, and laughed, "Your clothes are going to get dirty~"

Yun Yun glanced down, then picked up Nalan Yanran. She rolled her eyes at Yao Yan and said, "Young Master, you should refrain from joking around in the future. No wonder Cai Die always says that you like to speak without thinking... If you say too much, others will take it seriously."

As she spoke, she carried Nalan Yanran into the house, leaving Yao Yan with a graceful silhouette.

"But many truths in the world are said in a joking tone~" Yao Yan muttered to himself. He didn't tell anyone this, nor did he choose to directly flirt with Yun Yun. Some women are better left unsaid; forcing your way in would only ruin the feeling.

Moreover, with Yun Yun's personality, neither force nor gentleness will work; only liking her will be effective.

Yao Yan held her teacup, gazing quietly at the distant bamboo forest, her thoughts drifting far away... (End of Chapter)

Chapter 204. The Gate of Life and Death, The Evil Spirit

204.

The Gate of Life and Death is a trial ground within the Yunlan Sect. Every successor to the sect leader must enter the Gate of Life and Death to undergo trials before becoming the sect leader. It is also the final resting place of the sect leaders after their deaths. To safely enter the Gate of Life and Death, one needs at least the strength of a Dou Ling level and must resonate with it in order to successfully step inside.

At this moment, Yun Yun brought Yao Yan to a canyon.

The valley is shrouded in mist, creating a hazy and dreamlike atmosphere. If you look closely, you will see a portal deep within the mist, where the space is slightly distorted, as if leading to another world.

Yun Yun looked at the gate in the distance, her clear, cold eyes turning to Yao Yan, and said softly, "Young Master, that is the gate to the Gate of Life and Death. However, to enter it, one must resonate with the Gate of Life and Death."

“Spatial power… It seems that the ancestors of the Yunlan Sect also had powerful figures.” Yao Yan’s soul swept over and he sensed the powerful spatial power, so he couldn’t help but say.

To wield spatial power to such an extent, one's strength cannot be lower than that of a Seven-Star Dou Zong.

He had fought against a Seven Star Dou Zong before and could roughly sense the strength of spatial power. The spatial power contained in the Gate of Life and Death before him far exceeded the range that a Seven Star Dou Zong could control. Moreover, the Gate of Life and Death was also connected to a training secret realm.

This method alone is something that ordinary Dou Zong (a high-level martial arts master) cannot accomplish.

"I once heard my teacher mention that the founder of the Yunlan Sect was a peerless expert at the Dou Zun level." Yun Yun said slowly, a hint of emotion in her eyes. After all, the Dou Zun level was far beyond her reach.

Dou Zun… Yao Yan was taken aback upon hearing this, then looked towards the Gate of Life and Death in the distance. After pondering for a moment, he looked at Yun Yun and asked, “Have you been inside before?”

Given Yun Yun's status, she should have been imprisoned back then.

“Yes, all the sect leaders and candidates throughout history have gone in... This is also a way to select the successor of the Yunlan Sect.” Yun Yun nodded slightly, then floated towards the Gate of Life and Death with Yao Yan and continued, “If you want to go in, young master, you can try to see if you can resonate with it.”

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the gates of life and death.

It was an ancient portal, with a slightly distorted space in the center, breathing in and out the energy of heaven and earth from all around. The mist was formed from this energy. Beside it was a tall stone wall with the three ancient characters "Gate of Life and Death" carved on it, exuding a magnificent aura.

Clearly, the person who wrote these words back then was no ordinary person.

"How do we test it?" Yao Yan looked at the rather large gate in front of him, a hint of interest in his eyes, and asked curiously.

"Simply place your hand on it."

Yun Yun pointed to the stone wall not far away with the words "Gate of Life and Death" engraved on it.

Upon hearing this, Yao Yan walked over. He was skilled and daring, and not worried about any unexpected events. He reached out and touched her. As the two made contact, a strange fluctuation instantly swept over his body, as if it were measuring his talent.

The next moment, the entire Gate of Life and Death trembled, and the slightly distorted spatial portal expanded instantly, while a powerful suction force instantly enveloped Yao Yan.

Yao Yan frowned slightly, and his body's power burst forth instantly, directly blocking the suction force. At the same time, he flashed and hugged Yun Yun, who was about to be sucked in. The blue and red bone wings behind him appeared and trembled slightly, resisting the strong suction force.

Yun Yun, no longer caring that Yao Yan was holding her, stared in shock at the scene before her. There had never been such a change before.

"It seems this isn't a resonance from the Gate of Life and Death."

Yao Yan looked at Yun Yun's expression and chuckled softly.