Three days later, Wang Pan came to Spiritual Paper Island for the duel.
The sect rules are established: upon reaching the Ming Qi Realm, one may bring twenty Powerful Warriors, ride a Cloud Ascending Flying Boat, wear a Verdant Water Vestment Robe, carry the Evil-suppressing Jade Pendant, and wield the Purple Copper Short Spear. In addition to himself, Wang Pan also brought several sect comrades, including Feng Zhen, and a few brothers from his noble family. Altogether, thirty-six flying boats descended upon Spiritual Paper Island at once, creating an awe-inspiring display of grandeur and dominance.
Wang Pan was determined to secure victory this time, vowing to snatch the True Disciple position from Zhang Yan. To ensure absolute success, he not only carried the sect-bestowed Purple Copper Short Spear but also wore a Sound Escape Flying Sword, a prized Dharma Treasure. His ensemble was completed with the protective Jade Pendant and vestment robes. Furthermore, he had two Jade Tokens in his possession, gifted by esteemed masters when he was one year old and ten years old, each capable of withstanding an attack from a Dharma Treasure.
The landscape of Spiritual Paper Island was markedly different from other places. Feng Zhen surveyed his surroundings with great fascination. Having cultivated on Pan Chi Island since the age of seven, he had spent twenty-eight years refining his Mysterious Skill without ever setting foot elsewhere. This rare outing left him visibly intrigued.
A woman stood beside Feng Zhen, her height nearly matching his. Her icy complexion and jade-like physique exuded an isolated coldness, unyielding and aloof, with not a trace of blood on her face. Others instinctively kept a three-foot distance from her. This was his younger sister, Feng Yao, who had trained in the "Absolute Gathering Life and Death Technique," a Yin Absolute Mysterious Technique that left her surrounded by deathly chill, estranging her from living people.
Feng Zhen glanced downward and casually asked, "Second Sister, what do you think of Wang Pan?"
Feng Yao replied indifferently, "Elder Brother, I know your intentions. You only wish for me to become Daoist couple with Wang Pan."
Having his thoughts laid bare by his younger sister, Feng Zhen couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward. Yet, the matter would eventually need addressing. He sighed and said, "Second Sister, you and I are but a minor branch within the family, born without support or protection. Though your talent is unparalleled, within the family, we remain isolated and powerless. The Wang Family is a noble family, and Wang Pan is our sect comrade. If, in the future—"
Before he could finish, Feng Yao interrupted decisively: "There is no need to speak further. Father promised mother long ago that my affairs would be left to my own judgment. Brother, I appreciate your goodwill, but that is enough."
Feng Zhen shook his head slightly, but his mind churned on how to change Feng Yao’s stance. Suddenly, he noticed Wang Pan heading not to the duel, but rather toward a northern corner of the island, where he seemed to be clandestinely meeting with Tang Yan.
Feng Zhen, intending to match Feng Yao and Wang Pan, found himself displeased by Wang Pan’s desires. Seeing his impatience, Feng Zhen frowned. A golden streak enveloped his body, and in the blink of an eye, he shot down from his flying boat like a rapid bolt of lightning.
"Yan Lady..." Wang Pan burst through the straw cottage door with a bang, shouting.
Tang Yan stood inside, gazing at him in a daze. Her beautiful eyes reddened as if about to shed tears, but she turned her face away and said, "So you have finally come."
Wang Pan, seeing Tang Yan’s sorrowful and aggrieved expression, laughed heartily, ready to move forward and pull her into his embrace. But unexpectedly, he felt a hand clamp onto his shoulder, rendering him immobile. Slowly turning his head, he found Feng Zhen standing behind him, shaking his head with a solemn air and saying, "Junior Brother, the duel has not been decided yet. How can you lose composure?"
Wang Pan’s heart skipped a beat, and he nodded. Though he did not believe Zhang Yan could defeat him, the duel’s outcome still hung in the balance. Tang Yan was technically Zhang Yan’s companion, and acting rashly now would make him seem overly impatient, inviting ridicule. As a disciple of Du De, he had to uphold the reputation of his sect.
Seeing Wang Pan stopped, Tang Yan felt a flash of disappointment, glaring resentfully at Feng Zhen. However, her face suddenly emitted a dazzling luminosity. Her eyes stung, and she involuntarily staggered back several steps, shocked: "Is this man truly Wang Pan Senior Brother? This aura clearly belongs to one who has reached the Xuan Guang Realm. Who could he be?"
When she managed to look again, Wang Pan was already stepping toward the door. She hurriedly called out, "Master Wang..."
Wang Pan froze mid-step, standing still with his back to her. "What is it?" he asked.
Tang Yan hesitated momentarily before shaking her head. "Nothing. Please, be careful..."
Wang Pan said nothing more and strode out the door.
Tang Yan sighed deeply. She had wanted to warn Wang Pan that Zhang Yan might possess the ability to ascend the clouds, but recalling Wang Pan’s pride, she feared he would misunderstand her concern as doubt in his abilities, sparking unnecessary displeasure. Thus, she ultimately kept her words to herself.
Wang Pan indeed felt irked. "Be careful? Be careful of what? Zhang Yan has been cultivating in the sect for merely three months. Even if Ning Chongxuan has imparted some secret techniques or spells, how skilled could he possibly be? There’s no way I would lose to him. What foolish thinking from a woman."