In a pavilion within the courtyard, several people sat facing one another.
"Sect Leader, you have come so suddenly. What brings you here?"
Gu He looked at Yun Yun before him, his expression refined and gentle.
Seated beside Yun Yun was a young woman in white, none other than Nalan Yanran.
Looking at the refined, easygoing, and handsome Gu He before her, Yun Yun could not help recalling how infatuated she had been during the last pill refinement. A slight ripple stirred in her heart, but she wore a tranquil smile. "Elder Gu He, I came this time mainly to bring Yan Ran here to express her gratitude."
Having said that, Yun Yun softly addressed Nalan Yanran beside her. "Yan Ran, Elder Gu He personally refined the Qi Gathering Powder for you during this annulment. You must remember this kindness."
Upon hearing Yun Yun's words, Nalan Yanran promptly rose and gave Gu He a slight bow. "Yan Ran thanks Elder Gu He."
"No need for such formality."
Gu He nodded lightly and smiled casually. "I watched Yan Ran enter the sect with my own eyes. Naturally, I could not stand idly by when it came to her affairs."
At that, a faint smile appeared on Nalan Yanran's lovely face.
She had always held a very favorable impression of Gu He.
When she had broken through to become a Dou Zhe, the Qi Gathering Powder she had taken had come from Gu He.
Moreover, Gu He's former self had feelings for Yun Yun, and he had always been gentle and refined toward Nalan Yanran, never once reprimanding her.
This undoubtedly deepened Nalan Yanran's fondness for Gu He.
Slowly raising her head, Nalan Yanran looked at Gu He with her beautiful eyes, her gaze somewhat unfocused.
After merging with the Immortal-like Demeanor, Gu He possessed an extraordinary bearing. Every gesture, every word, every smile carried a unique charm.
It was Nalan Yanran's first time seeing Gu He like this, and she was momentarily stunned.
When had Elder Gu He become so...
Good-looking?
"Yan Ran, do not be rude!"
Seeing Nalan Yanran staring at Gu He, Yun Yun's willow brows furrowed slightly as she spoke in a cool voice.
Only then did Nalan Yanran come back to herself. Remembering what she had just done, a blush rose to her lovely face. She hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, Elder Gu He. Yan Ran was discourteous just now."
Gu He did not think much of it, assuming only that the young girl had momentarily lost focus. He replied mildly, "It's nothing."
Looking at the bashful Nalan Yanran, Gu He suddenly thought of Xiao Yan and asked in an offhand manner, "Yan Ran, did the annulment go smoothly during your trip to Wutan City?"
"Did the Xiao Family agree to dissolve the engagement?"
At those words, Nalan Yanran immediately recalled what she had experienced at the Xiao Family, and her lovely face darkened slightly.
"The Xiao Family was unwilling to annul the engagement!"
After a moment of silence, Nalan Yanran answered in a somewhat subdued tone.
"They were unwilling? The Xiao Family truly does not know what is good for them." Gu He had naturally known the outcome long ago, but he now feigned anger.
"Are they not afraid that my Misty Cloud Sect will wipe them out? How could a useless member of the Xiao Family possibly be worthy of Yan Ran?"
Hearing the protectiveness in Gu He's words, warmth rose in Nalan Yanran's heart. Recalling the humiliation she had suffered at the Xiao Family, she immediately said with grievance, "Not only did the Xiao Family refuse the annulment, he... he even tore up the marriage contract himself and cast me aside..."
"What?"
"The Xiao Family dared to cast Yan Ran aside!"
Upon hearing this, Gu He appeared even more "furious." With a "gloomy" expression, he said, "In my opinion, there is no need for the Xiao Family to remain in the Jia Ma Empire."
"Elder Gu He, please do not act rashly!"
Yun Yun's expression changed at Gu He's words. She was deeply afraid that Gu He would directly wipe out the Xiao Family. If that happened, the reputation the Misty Cloud Sect had built over so many years would be ruined in an instant.
However, knowing that he was only trying to protect her disciple, Yun Yun felt no dissatisfaction. Instead, the look she gave Gu He became even more affectionate.
To prevent Gu He from taking action against the Xiao Family, Yun Yun immediately recounted everything Nalan Yanran had experienced at the Xiao Family in detail.
"So, as long as Yan Ran openly defeats Xiao Yan three years from now, the marriage will officially be dissolved?" After Yun Yun finished explaining the entire matter, Gu He spoke calmly.
"That's right." Yun Yun nodded slightly.
"Xiao Yan is nothing but trash. Three years from now, he will only bring humiliation upon himself." Gu He gave a light laugh, seemingly extremely confident in Nalan Yanran.
However, he was thinking about how to make Xiao Yan lose to Nalan Yanran three years from now.
In the original story, during the Three-year Agreement, Xiao Yan had defeated Nalan Yanran head-on before everyone, basking in glory.
This time, Gu He naturally would not let him have his way.
He wanted to see what Xiao Yan would look like when he suffered a crushing defeat at Nalan Yanran's hands after the Three-year Agreement.
However, to achieve that, he would have to raise Nalan Yanran's strength.
Should I give her an empowerment transmission?
The system had never stated that empowerment transmissions could only be performed on Gu He's disciples.
It was simply that doing so would not trigger the system's return mechanism, meaning he would gain no benefits whatsoever.
Gu He found that rather unprofitable.
It would be great if I could get Nalan Yanran to become my disciple.
Looking at Nalan Yanran before him, this thought suddenly arose in Gu He's mind.
However, Nalan Yanran had already taken Yun Yun as her master. As the Sect Leader's personal disciple, how could she possibly take him as her master as well?
Thinking of this, Gu He felt somewhat helpless and was about to abandon the idea.
Just then, a flash of inspiration crossed Gu He's mind.
His gaze shifted to Yun Yun, who sat opposite him, and the corners of his lips unconsciously curled upward.
If I can win Yun Yun over, wouldn't that make me Nalan Yanran's martial grandmaster?
A martial grandmaster should be about the same as a master, right?
If not, it shouldn't be hard to make the girl call me Master when the time comes.
Once this thought emerged, Gu He found it increasingly feasible.
More importantly, this method suited his wishes perfectly.
His gaze swept over Yun Yun's delicate, flawless face, further strengthening his resolve.
To take Nalan Yanran as his disciple, he would start by winning over Yun Yun!
Feeling Gu He's gaze occasionally pass over her, Yun Yun immediately felt uncomfortable all over.
Yet she pretended not to notice his gaze. Casually shifting her delicate body, she sat more properly and leaned forward slightly, making her figure even more prominent.
Seeing from the corner of her eye that Gu He was looking her over, Yun Yun's heart began to pound faintly, and she became even less daring to meet his eyes.
Why does Elder Gu He keep staring at me?
Could it be that he is interested in me?
As the thought flashed through her mind, a nearly imperceptible flush appeared on Yun Yun's face.
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