Chapter 52 Elder, shall we go down the mountain together?

Chapter 52: Elder, Why Don't You Come Down the Mountain with Me?

Xiao Yan was carried away on a stretcher by Outer Sect disciples.

One of the Disciples habitually checked Xiao Yan's breathing.

Feeling a breath of air, he quickly stopped another Disciple who was about to cover Xiao Yan with a white cloth.

"He's not dead!" he said urgently.

At that moment, Gu He walked over. He raised an eyebrow and took charge of the situation.

"Throw him out of the Sect."

"Even if he's not dead, our Cloud Mist Sect won't treat him."

He pointed at a Disciple at random. "Remember to call a physician for him at a clinic outside. That can be considered doing our utmost for him."

Strictly speaking, Xiao Yan and the Cloud Mist Sect shared no kindness but only resentment; the Cloud Mist Sect had no obligation to provide Medicinal Pills or lodging to treat Xiao Yan.

Watching Gu He handle the matter so decisively, Nalan Yanran's eyes reddened slightly. Then, a mouthful of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, its vivid color contrasting against her rosy lips, looking poignantly beautiful and enchanting.

The long-suppressed exhaustion of her entire body surged forward. Her delicate frame softened, and she was about to fall straight to the ground.

Gu He quickly caught her. A faint, rich fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose—it was Nalan Yanran's body fragrance.

At this moment, her sleeping face was finally no longer knit with worry, but relaxed and peaceful, as beautiful and tranquil as a cloud.

Gu He used his perception to check her physical condition and found that she only needed some recuperation to recover fully. He breathed a slight sigh of relief.

...

The Three-Year Agreement between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan finally ended with Yanran's victory.

The experts of the Empire watching the scene had already felt that the Cloud Mist Sect was doomed to lose when they saw Xiao Yan summon two different flames.

"I didn't expect this Xiao Yan to have gained so many fortuitous encounters, even being able to master Heavenly Flames..."

"Is he... creating his own Dou Technique?!"

The various experts were shocked again and again, their faces filled with horror.

Then, the experts saw the former Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, Yun Shan—a man who usually remained unfazed even if a giant peak collapsed before him—suddenly stand up, his eyes staring anxiously at the field.

When Xiao Yan merged the flames into a red and white lotus seat, the entire audience fell silent!

They no longer knew what to say to express their shock.

This move would be hard even for a Dou Wang to endure! Even an expert who had just entered the rank of Dou Huang would have to deploy their full defenses and avoid its brunt!

And this move was launched by Xiao Yan, a Great Dou Master, against Nalan Yanran, who was also a Great Dou Master. One could imagine how tragic the battle would be!

Yun Shan and Yun Yun almost flew into the protective barrier to intercept Xiao Yan's terrifying attack, but Gu He stopped them.

"An agreement values fairness above all. If we interfere in their duel, we will surely lose all face!"

After hearing this, Yun Shan calmed down quickly.

In truth, in his heart, if Nalan Yanran were defeated, the Cloud Mist Sect would have no face left anyway.

But seeing Gu He's firm expression, he remained silent. However, Yun Yun spoke up quickly, voicing his doubt.

"I have never heard of anyone being able to possess two types of Heavenly Flames at the same time!"

Gu He then explained it to the two of them.

"...He only borrowed it from somewhere else."

"A lion without claws will still struggle to the death."

Yun Shan nodded, the depth in his eyes growing as he looked at Gu He, while Yun Yun felt a bit more relieved for Nalan Yanran.

With such a powerful opponent, Yun Yun only hoped that Nalan Yanran could stay safe and preserve a thread of life.

The subsequent battle, however, exceeded everyone's expectations!

As the smoke dissipated,

Nalan Yanran was completely unharmed!

Her moon-colored clothes fluttered without wind, her Aura raging wildly, and petals fell around her like the weeping blood-droplets of a cuckoo.

"Xiao Yan, this Three-Year Agreement shall finally be ended by my own hands!"

This clear yet stern voice resounded through the entire square, showing signs of echoing around the green mountains of the Sect.

Many experts were shaken by it!

Nalan Yanran was actually unharmed under Xiao Yan's self-created Dou Technique, while Xiao Yan instead collapsed from exhaustion.

In this battle, Nalan Yanran won! The Cloud Mist Sect won!

Tales of the victory and the Sect's prestige instantly spread throughout the entire Imperial Capital!

...

After three days and three nights of recuperation, Nalan Yanran finally woke up.

"Yanran, you're awake?" Yun Yun helped her up.

Leaning against the bed rail, Nalan Yanran was a bit dazed and confused, murmuring,

"How many days have I been unconscious?"

"Three days."

Nalan Yanran's face looked stunned. "The result... did Xiao Yan win, or did I?"

Yun Yun reached out and touched her forehead. "It's not hot. Why are you so confused?"

"Of course you won!"

Hearing her teacher's certain voice, Nalan Yanran finally let her heart settle.

"I thought it was a dream, a beautiful dream..."

"Silly child!" Yun Yun sighed.

"Even if you had lost, Teacher would have protected you." Although Nalan Yanran had won the Three-Year Agreement, Yun Yun still wanted to express her feelings.

"Mm!" Yanran nodded.

Looking at her face, which still carried a trace of illness, Yun Yun gently pinched her cheek.

"In Teacher's eyes, you are always the best!"

Nalan Yanran smiled shyly. Her shifting gaze suddenly saw a figure in black robes at the door.

"Elder Gu!" her charming voice carried a hint of excitement.

Yun Yun looked toward the door; it was indeed Gu He.

Gu He came to Yun Yun's side and, with a wave of his sleeve, placed a whole row of jade bottles on the simple wooden table in the middle of the room.

Yun Yun said with a smile, "More healing medicine? Yanran is already awake, and the medicine you gave before was quite enough."

Gu He looked at Nalan Yanran, who was forcing herself to sit up straight and looking at him with bright eyes, and laughed heartily.

"These are for Yanran to keep for emergencies!"

Yun Yun shook her head helplessly and told Nalan Yanran to rest well.

"Gu He, I'm going to tell Old Man Nalan that Yanran has woken up. Stay here and keep her company."

"Alright."

Yun Yun departed.

Gu He took the opportunity to sit on the stool she had left.

"Are you feeling better? You can try to circulate your Dou Qi to see if there's anything wrong with your body."

Nalan Yanran nodded and began to circulate her Dou Qi.

After a few cycles,

"Elder Gu! I feel like I'm fine! I was a bit tired just now, but now that the Dou Qi is flowing smoothly through my meridians, it feels completely different!"

Nalan Yanran seemed much more energetic. She pulled back the quilt, revealing her feet in thin white socks and her snowy white thighs, and deftly put on her short boots before Gu He's eyes.

She tidied her hair and hopped around on the floor tiles like a rabbit.

"Elder, see? I'm fine, right?"

She acted like a charming young girl acting spoiled, making it impossible to tell that she actually just didn't want Gu He to worry.

Gu He nodded and pressed her back down, letting her sit on the edge of the bed.

"Even if you're fine, you should rest more."

"You suffered a great loss of Origin Qi in this battle..."

Yanran pouted, her small face turning slightly red.

"But Elder... I'm hungry."

Gu He was stunned; he hadn't expected this turn of events.

"Then I'll go to the Food Hall to get some food for you."

The Sect had a place specifically for cooking meals, and there were also chefs who only prepared food and snacks for Elder-level figures like them.

Nalan Yanran shook her head. She half-knelt in front of Gu He, her hands reaching out from her wide, plain-colored sleeves. Her fingertips grasped Gu He's fingers and shook them.

"I want to go down the mountain and eat outside the Sect..."

A faint, strange light seemed to flash through her eyes.

"I want to go out for some fresh air..."

After she woke up and confirmed she had indeed won the match, she felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. But for some reason, looking at Gu He's face and thinking of his guidance and the sword manual he had personally given her, she felt a strange sensation in her heart.

Gu He felt the tickle in his hand. His other hand patted her head.

"Then why aren't you washing up yet?"

"You're all smelly. How can I take you out?" His voice was filled with laughter, giving his silent consent to Yanran's request to go out together.

"Okay!"

...

Thanks to book friend 20191022154158021 for the monthly ticket~ (P.S. That's a really long name)