The people who came from all directions remained calm and did not make any rash noises to break the silence.
Although many powerful Yunlan Sect disciples were aware of the arrival of these guests, they did not react and remained quietly seated on the ground, seemingly already aware of the matter.
The spacious square was quiet and still; time passed silently.
In the sky, the orange-red sun slowly climbed to its peak, and its scorching sunlight poured down, enveloping the entire mountaintop.
At this moment, the sound of light footsteps quietly rose from the bottom of the bluestone steps, and the soft sound slowly drifted over, causing the many Yunlan Sect disciples sitting in the square to turn their heads.
Many Yunlan Sect disciples opened their eyes, their gazes fixed on the bluestone steps, from which came the light and heavy footsteps.
On the stone platform, Nalan Yanran opened her bright eyes and stared at the spot. For some reason, her heart, which had been calm, suddenly skipped a few beats.
The footsteps grew closer and louder, so much so that the dozen or so white-robed elders on the stone platform all opened their eyes and turned their gazes to the same spot.
Suddenly, sunlight streamed down from the distant sky, shining through the wispy clouds and landing precisely on the last step of the stone steps.
There, a tall and slender figure quietly appeared in the countless gazes.
Under the watchful eyes of nearly a thousand people in the square, the young man in black robes took a step, climbed the last step, and arrived at the edge of the square.
His eyes, sharp as torches, swept across the vast plaza, finally settling on the woman atop the stone platform.
He took three steps forward, lifting his foot lightly and then setting it down, the only sound of his deep footsteps echoing in the quiet square.
After taking three steps, he looked up at the woman and spoke softly.
"The Xiao family, Xiao Yan!"
The calm words rang out, slowly drifting across the huge square, causing a ripple of energy to emanate from the crowd.
Countless Yunlan Sect disciples turned their gazes toward this young man.
These people were no strangers to this young man named Xiao Yan. His relationship with Nalan Yanran made him a topic of conversation among many Yunlan Sect disciples.
Of course, most people would express a slight disdain and sarcasm when this name is mentioned.
A disciple from a small family wants to marry Nalan Yanran, whose status in the Yunlan Sect is as noble as that of a princess.
In their view, this was undoubtedly an overestimation of their own abilities.
Especially after the three-year agreement spread within the sect, the mockery became even more pronounced.
Of course, there was a hint of jealousy in the sarcasm!
As the unapproachable young sect leader of the entire Yunlan Sect, she is regarded as the goddess of countless Yunlan disciples.
When you meet her in person, she always maintains a calm and aloof demeanor, and anyone who tries to get closer to her will end up failing.
However, this guy named Xiao Yan almost became Nalan Yanran's husband, which naturally aroused everyone's jealousy.
"This is Xiao Yan? He's not that good-looking!"
"I heard he's a notorious good-for-nothing in the area. I don't know how he got the nerve to be a toad trying to eat swan meat, daring to dream of marrying the young sect leader Nalan. Bah!"
"However, this person is quite bold, daring to come to my Yunlan Sect alone. He can be considered a remarkable person!"
Upon seeing Xiao Yan introduce himself, the Yunlan Sect disciples began to discuss amongst themselves.
The Yunlan Sect members had a very poor impression of Xiao Yan, whom they had never met before. In their daily conversations, they mostly belittled him, as if they would not stop until they had made Xiao Yan look worthless.
At this moment, one could see that the young man maintained a calm expression even when surrounded by nearly a thousand disciples of the Yunlan Sect.
Some of the more astute disciples, after setting aside their negative emotions, felt a great sense of awe.
Such a calm and composed demeanor is quite unlike the good-for-nothing Xiao family member that his fellow disciples usually talk about.
"Perhaps things are far more complicated than they seem!"
This strange thought popped into the minds of many Yunlan Sect disciples.
On the stone platform, Nalan Yanran stared intently at the slightly slender young man not far away, her gaze lingering on his handsome face.
She could vaguely make out the boy's features from back then, but three years had passed, and time had worn away his naivety and sharp edges.
The young man who appeared before them no longer possessed the sharp and aggressive spirit that had suddenly erupted in the Xiao family hall years ago; instead, he exuded a profound and reserved demeanor.
"He has really changed."
Suddenly, these words popped into Nalan Yanran's mind, and her eyes held a complex expression.
She never imagined that the good-for-nothing from back then would actually dare to come to the Yunlan Sect alone, and remain calm and composed in the face of nearly a thousand disciples of the Yunlan Sect, without the slightest bit of tension.
"The Nalan family, Nalan Yanran!"
Nalan Yanran slowly stood up, her upright figure like a proud snow lotus, her eyes fixed on Xiao Yan.
"Is that the little guy from the Xiao family? Didn't they say he was a good-for-nothing who couldn't cultivate battle qi?"
On the giant tree, Jia Xingtian, the guardian of the royal family of the Jia Ma Empire, looked at Xiao Yan with a hint of surprise in his eyes and chuckled, "Judging from his current demeanor, it doesn't seem like he's putting on an act."
"Moreover, even if it's an act, being able to remain so composed under the imposing aura of those old guys from the Yunlan Sect is something that ordinary people can't do."
Fa Ma, who was not far from Jia Xingtian, nodded after hearing his words. His turbid eyes slowly swept over Xiao Yan. This person was the president of the Alchemist Association of the Jia Ma Empire, a fifth-grade peak alchemist with the strength of a Dou Huang.
After a moment, his gaze lingered on the latter's face. He suddenly frowned and said, "For some reason, I feel a sense of familiarity with him."
"Hehe, do you feel that way too?"