40: The three-year agreement has been reached, Xiao Chen, log in!

Time passed quickly, like a white horse passing a crevice.

Exactly three years have passed since the day Nalan Yanran came to break off the engagement with Xiao Chen.

In these three years, the winds and clouds of the Eastern Barrens have shifted.

The Yunlan Sect remains that high-and-mighty behemoth, and Nalan Yanran's reputation as a Genius has grown even louder.

Meanwhile, the Hidden God Sect is still that dilapidated Sect hidden deep in the mountains, nearly forgotten by the world.

However, no one knows.

In the deepest part of this dilapidated Sect, within an unremarkable tower, thirty years have passed.

"Creak—"

With a soft sound, the long-sealed doors of the time cultivation tower slowly opened.

A slender figure stepped out from within.

Still in those simple hemp clothes, still with that handsome face.

But his temperament was completely different.

The boy of the past had eyes filled with unwilling resentment.

The young man of today has eyes as calm as a bottomless ancient well, with all his sharpness restrained within; only in the occasional flicker of his gaze does a terrifying Sword Intent leak out, enough to sever the stars.

Just by standing there quietly, he seemed to merge with heaven and earth.

【Name: Xiao Chen】

【Realm: Golden Core Realm (Peak)】

【Actual Combat Power: Capable of slaying Nascent Soul】

"Revered Master."

Xiao Chen walked up to Li Daoxuan, who was sunbathing on a lounge chair, and bowed respectfully.

"Hmm, you've finished your seclusion?"

Li Daoxuan didn't even lift an eyelid, lazily rolling over. "Your cultivation is alright, barely passable. It's just that your aura isn't restrained well enough; you're like a hedgehog, prickly."

Hearing this, the Sword Intent on Xiao Chen's body vanished without a trace, and he returned to being an ordinary-looking youth.

"This Disciple is slow-witted."

"Enough, stop with the pleasantries."

Li Daoxuan sat up, took an apple from a nearby fruit plate, and tossed it over.

"Speak, what do you want with your Revered Master?"

Xiao Chen caught the apple but didn't eat it.

He placed the apple on the table, took a deep breath, and bowed solemnly to Li Daoxuan.

"Revered Master."

"Today is the final day of the three-year period."

Xiao Chen's voice was calm, devoid of any emotional heat.

"I wish to personally settle this Disciple's Karma."

"The cause planted back then should bear fruit today."

Li Daoxuan looked at him.

Looking at this first Disciple he had personally pulled out of the mire.

He smiled.

"You've thought it through?"

"I have." Xiao Chen nodded. "I once thought that humiliation was my Heart Demon. But now I understand it wasn't a Heart Demon; it was just a whetstone."

"Now that the blade has been sharpened, it's time to test its edge."

"Good."

Li Daoxuan stood up and brushed the dust off his hands.

"As expected of my, Li Daoxuan's, eldest Disciple. You have backbone."

"Since it's your Karma, your Revered Master won't interfere."

Hearing this, a flash of emotion crossed Xiao Chen's eyes: "Thank you for your blessing, Revered Master!"

"But..."

Li Daoxuan's tone shifted, a playful curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Although your Revered Master won't act, we must ensure the presentation is grand enough."

"We of the Hidden God Sect can be low-key when out and about, but we must never lose face."

"If you walk there, people might think our Sect is so poor we can't even afford a donkey."

Saying this, Li Daoxuan whistled toward the doghouse in the corner where someone was napping.

"Phew—"

"Da Huang, stop sleeping, get up and receive a guest!"

In the doghouse, Da Huang lazily lifted an eyelid and yawned, looking like he hadn't woken up yet.

Li Daoxuan kicked the doghouse in annoyance.

"Stop faking, I know you're awake."

"Your eldest Senior Brother is going out to show off today. Go be his mount and bolster the scene."

Hearing this, Da Huang's dog face was full of resistance.

"Woof! (Not going! How can this Emperor serve as a mount for a Mortal?)"

"One Phoenix wing." Li Daoxuan held up a finger.

Da Huang didn't move.

"Two, plus a jar of Monkey Wine."

"Swish!"

A yellow blur flashed.

The next second, Da Huang was sitting in front of Xiao Chen, his tail wagging like a propeller, his dog face covered in a fawning smile.

"Woof woof! (Eldest Senior Brother, please take your seat! Just say the word where you want to go! I guarantee it won't be a bumpy ride!)"

Li Daoxuan nodded in satisfaction.

Then, under the stunned gazes of everyone, he gave Da Huang's butt a light pat.

"Transform."

"Boom—!!!"

A vast and majestic Demon Emperor's Qi erupted!

The seemingly ordinary Mutt rapidly expanded and transformed within the golden light.

Scales sprouted, Dragon horns broke through, auspicious clouds swirled, and divine flames burned!

In the blink of an eye.

A majestic Qilin Divine Beast, over ten zhang tall, covered in golden scales and treading on auspicious clouds and flames, appeared in the center of the square!

The supreme pressure originating from the depths of its Bloodline made the entire Fallen Mountain Range tremble!

"This... this is... Da Huang?!"

The hoe in Shi Tian's hand fell to the ground with a clang, his mouth open wide enough to fit a dinosaur egg.

Leng Yanran's beautiful eyes were also wide with disbelief.

Although they knew Da Huang was extraordinary, they never expected this fellow's true form to be the legendary Auspicious Beast, the Qilin?!

"What are you standing there for?"

Li Daoxuan kicked the dazed Xiao Chen's butt.

"Log on!"

"Go."

Li Daoxuan looked at his first Disciple, his eyes full of gratification and encouragement.

"Not only must you win, you must win beautifully."

"Let them see what is meant by 'do not look down on a youth for being poor'."

"And let them know the consequences of bullying someone from my Hidden God Sect."

"Remember."

Li Daoxuan's voice suddenly became incomparably domineering.

"Behind you stands the entire Hidden God Sect!"

Xiao Chen felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head.

He nodded heavily, his eyes slightly reddened.

"This Disciple understands!"

He no longer hesitated, leaping up and landing steadily on the Qilin's broad back.

On his back, wrapped in rags, was the immortal slaying sword capable of slaying immortals.

Beneath him was the Demon Emperor Qilin treading on auspicious clouds.

Three years ago, he left his Family in disgrace like a stray dog.

Three years later, he will descend like a god, ruling over all!

"Revered Master, Junior Brother, Junior Sister, I'm off."

Xiao Chen cupped his fists to everyone.

"Roar—!!!"

Da Huang (Qilin) roared to the heavens, carrying Xiao Chen as he turned into a golden stream of light, instantly tearing through the sky and shooting toward the Yunlan Sect!

That speed was at the absolute limit!

Like a golden bolt of lightning cutting through the darkness!

...Meanwhile.

Yunlan Sect.

Today, Yunlan Mountain was decorated with lanterns and streamers, bustling with noise.

Countless prominent Sects and powers from the Eastern Barrens sent representatives to witness the event.

Because today was the day of the promised duel between the Yunlan Sect Young Lord, Nalan Yanran, and that Trash whose engagement she broke off three years ago.

In everyone's eyes, this wasn't a duel at all.

It was a complete and utter... execution.

Upon the high platform, Nalan Yanran was dressed in white, looking like an ethereal immortal.

She enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention, a faint, confident smile playing on her lips.

In three years, her cultivation had progressed significantly; she was already at the Foundation Establishment Peak, a step away from Golden Core.

And what about that Xiao Chen?

A loser hiding in the deep mountains; even if he isn't dead, he's probably still struggling in the Qi Refining Stage.

She had even thought it out.

When that loser arrives, she'll decide what posture to use to defeat him in a single move to show off her reputation as a Genius.

"Senior Sister, the auspicious hour is approaching."

A Yunlan Sect Disciple stepped forward to remind her, "Will that guy called Xiao Chen... actually show up?"

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran covered her mouth and chuckled, her beautiful eyes filled with contempt and disdain.

"He'll come."

"After all, a loser like him has nothing left but his ridiculous pride."

She looked up toward the direction of the Hidden God Sect, her voice like heavenly music yet bone-chillingly cold.

"I just wonder... if he's prepared to die?"