The Engagement Is Broken, Xiao Heng Takes Action

It was not until the next morning that Xiao Heng slowly woke up.

He threw off the quilt and got out of bed, only to see Xiao Yan sitting cross-legged on the floor. Dou Qi from the air was continuously entering Xiao Yan's body.

Has Old Yao already awakened? That makes sense. With him as a comparison, Xiao Yan has worked even harder these past few years, so it's only natural that Old Yao woke up a few days early. Xiao Heng thought to himself.

Before long, Xiao Yan opened his eyes as well. "You're awake!" he said, then looked at Xiao Heng with a resentful expression.

"What's with that look? Why are you staring at me like that? You're making me feel weird."

Xiao Yan patted his backside and stood up, continuing to glare at him resentfully. "Tsk! The hearts of men have changed! Not only did you occupy my bed for an entire night, you even reached Fighter Three-star without telling me."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't look at me like that, all right? It's weird! I was just afraid of hitting your confidence! But it should be fine now. What? Have you found the reason your Dou Qi disappeared?" Xiao Heng was also quite skilled at shifting the blame, and he quickly changed the subject.

"I found it. I took a Master, and he cured me. Don't worry, it won't be long before I surpass you." Although his tone was calm, Xiao Heng could still hear the heavy resentment in it.

"I'm hungry. Are you hungry?" Xiao Heng pretended not to understand what he was talking about and forcefully changed the subject.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan had no choice. "All right, Young Master! Let's go eat together. But you're paying."

Xiao Heng laughed. "You really don't let any opportunity slip by! I don't have any money these past few days. How about you, Young Master Xiao, pay first? I'll return it to you next month!" o()o

"Damn, you shameless bastard! I must have been blind to acknowledge you as my friend. Bah!"

"Oh, come on! You can't eat your face. Since you already agreed to treat me, I don't mind being shameless. So, what are we eating?"

Pfft! Xiao Yan felt a mouthful of old blood spray out in his heart. He was just about to argue further with this shameless fellow when a knock sounded at the door.

"Third Young Master, the Clan Leader requests your presence in the main hall."

"Mm, all right!" Hearing that Xiao Zhan was looking for him, Xiao Yan gave up arguing with this shameless fellow, Xiao Heng.

He said viciously, "Just you wait!"

Xiao Heng seemed to suddenly remember something as well. He said solemnly, "Wait. I'm coming with you."

Although Xiao Yan was puzzled as to why Xiao Heng had suddenly become serious, he did not think anything would happen, so he said nothing and merely nodded.

"Young Master Xiao Heng, you're here too!"

Xiao Heng smiled. "Mm. Steward Mo, did the Clan Leader say what this is about?"

The old man in blue shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure either. It seems some guests have arrived."

Xiao Heng nodded, basically confirming that the Misty Cloud Sect had come to break off the engagement. He said, "All right, we understand."

When they pushed open the door and entered, the main hall was already filled with people, leaving no seats. Xiao Heng did not mind. Seeing that there was nowhere to sit, he simply stood to the side. Xiao Yan could have had someone make room for him, but when he saw Xiao Heng standing there, he also went over and stood beside him. Now that he could cultivate again, his mentality was much better than in the original story.

After that, the plot proceeded smoothly. Once Ge Ye had finished stating all the conditions, he finally said,

"I hope Clan Leader Xiao will dissolve this engagement."

After saying this, Xiao Zhan was already furious. Dou Qi erupted from his body, and the pressure of a Da Dou Shi suppressed everyone present. Ge Ye also secretly circulated his Dou Qi, preparing to protect Nalan Yanran and retreat at any moment. The atmosphere instantly became oppressive. Those who did not know what was happening pitifully continued making sarcastic remarks from the sidelines.

Xiao Yan stepped forward and faced Nalan Yanran. Although he was furious, he continued controlling his emotions.

He said calmly, "You're simply bullying me because you think my talent is gone and you have the backing to do so. But what if my talent has already recovered? I wonder if you'll regret this. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—do not bully the young for being poor. Miss Nalan!"

"Yan'er, you!" Xiao Zhan wanted to say something, but Xiao Yan interrupted him.

"Father, listen to me. Miss Nalan, let me tell you this: even if the engagement is to be dissolved, you aren't the one dissolving it. It's me, Xiao Yan, who is casting you aside. I, Xiao Yan, don't want you anymore."

"Nalan Yanran, after today, we will have no further relationship. But remember this: I'm the one who cast you aside. I'm the one who didn't want you. Don't go out and say otherwise." After saying this, he revealed a trace of relief.

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone present looked at Xiao Yan in shock. Nalan Yanran's expression, meanwhile, shifted repeatedly.

Yan'er, you've grown up. Xiao Zhan revealed a gratified smile.

"You dare—how dare you cast me aside! I'm the Misty Cloud Sect's favored daughter, while you're nothing but a good-for-nothing. What qualifications do you have to cast me aside?" In a fit of rage, she drew her long sword and stabbed it toward Xiao Yan.

No one had expected Nalan Yanran to suddenly attack—except Xiao Heng...

Clang!

The crisp sound of metal striking metal rang out. Nalan Yanran's sword was only an inch from Xiao Yan's chest, yet no matter how hard she tried, she could not move that final inch. The tip of her sword had been blocked by another sword held horizontally. The hand gripping that sword belonged to Xiao Heng.

"Miss Nalan, I mean no offense. But if you want to fight now, why not let me keep you company?" Xiao Heng smiled lightly. His smile was gentle, but the force behind his sword was anything but.

"Yanran, lower your sword!" Ge Ye was frightened as well. This was the Xiao Family, after all. If Xiao Zhan attacked, they would all die here. Although the Misty Cloud Sect would not let the Xiao Family off afterward, that was a matter for later.

Hearing Ge Ye's words, Nalan Yanran's expression grew even uglier. She had never suffered such humiliation before. But she was not a fool and knew this was not the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Hmph!" she snorted resentfully and withdrew her sword.

Xiao Heng turned his wrist and slid the sword back into the Sword Scabbard of the person who had not even realized his sword had been taken. He then retreated to the back.

Xiao Yan cast Xiao Heng a grateful look before continuing to speak to Nalan Yanran. "Miss Nalan, I know you feel humiliated, but I don't care about that. How about this? Three years. Three years from now, I'll personally go to the Misty Cloud Sect and settle everything. If I lose, I'll let you deal with me however you wish. But if you lose..."

"If I lose, I'll become your slave and servant and let you deal with me however you please. And if you lose, I won't ask much of you either. Just admit that you were the one whose engagement was broken." Before Xiao Yan could finish, Nalan Yanran took over.

"Elder Ge, let's go!" She did not issue any more threats, only shooting Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan a vicious look as she left.

"Yes!" Ge Ye also knew that the situation was not good. He gathered up the items they had brought earlier, then followed Nalan Yanran out.

Thus, the Three-Year Pact was established, though Xiao Yan's heart was far calmer than before.

After Ge Ye left, some people continued making cynical remarks, saying that they should not have offended the Misty Cloud Sect and the like. In the end, Xiao Zhan brought the farce to a close.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you were really impressive just now!" Of the three walking together, the beautiful girl was the first to speak.

"What, only Brother Xiao Yan was impressive? I was impressive too! If it weren't for me, your sweetheart would have been injured. Shouldn't you praise me as well?"

"Stop talking nonsense. What sweetheart?" Xiao Yan had calmed down by now. He glanced at Xiao Heng as he spoke.

Xun Er did not refute him, however. She merely blushed and said, "Thank you, Brother Xiao Heng."

Over the past three years, Xiao Heng had often spent time with Xiao Yan, so his relationship with Xiao Xun'er had also grown much closer.

Xiao Heng chuckled. "I won't disturb you two lovebirds. I still have something to do, so I'll head back first."

"Mm. Goodbye, Brother Xiao Heng."

Xiao Yan said nothing and merely nodded.

When Xiao Heng returned to his courtyard, a new function had just appeared in his system.

He summoned the panel. Seeing the new content displayed on it, Xiao Heng's heart filled with excitement.

Host: Xiao Heng

Cultivation: Fighter Three-star

Technique: Innate Skill

Dou Techniques: Basic Martial Arts, Vertical and Horizontal Swordplay

Skill Points: Sixteen

Energy Points: Four

Heavenly Dao Points: Five (Can be obtained by changing the plot; can be used for Lottery Draws. One Heavenly Dao Point can be used for one draw.)

Xiao Heng was extremely excited about the newly appeared function.

System, one Lottery Draw.

As Xiao Heng silently recited the command, his Heavenly Dao Points decreased by one. A virtual box opened.

Black and White Profound Cut (Mysterious Grade Mid-level Weapon, upgradeable)

"Damn, what great luck! I'll try another one. System, one Lottery Draw."

Another treasure chest opened.

Third-grade Alchemy Experience (Can be used to learn alchemy.) Immediately afterward, Xiao Heng felt his mind flooded with a vast amount of knowledge. There was information about medicinal ingredients, as well as more than twenty kinds of formulas from First-grade to Third-grade. Most of it consisted of various insights into alchemy. Of course, he had not looked through those formulas yet. Otherwise, he probably would have fainted on the spot.

"System, three consecutive draws."

White Lotus Fire (A powerful newborn Heavenly Flame. In Ancient Times, there was a lotus that belonged to Water and Wood, yet grew atop Sun Peak. Every day, it was scorched by True Sun Fire. When the flower bloomed, its petals transformed into flames. As long as the sun did not extinguish, the flames would never die! Not refined!)

Ten Kirin Fruits (Legend has it that these fruits grew where Kirin Blood was spilled. Consuming them can increase one's cultivation.)

One Dou Ling Eight-star Card (Using it grants Dou Ling Cultivation for one hour!)

"What a surprise!" Xiao Heng was delighted. At last, he had a cheat of his own, giving him the capital to catch up with Xiao Yan, that cheat of a man.

The items drawn by the system had already been placed in the System Space. Unfortunately, the System Space could only store things obtained from the system.

"Getting so many good things all at once is really taking some getting used to!" Xiao Heng had once suspected that there was something behind the system. But after thinking it over carefully, he realized that if some powerful figure wanted to toy with him, there would be no need to go to such lengths. Thus, he was reassured about the system. Of course, he would not rely on it completely.

"I'll try Black and White Profound Cut first!" With a thought, two swords—one black and one white—appeared in his hands. Although he had never used them before, he could feel a faint chill radiating from them simply by holding them.

"Looks like I'll have to get two Sword Scabbards made."

Xiao Heng then looked at the White Lotus Fire. Its scorching temperature seemed capable of melting him even through the System Seal. He had no intention of merging with it now. His current strength was not enough. He planned to merge with the flame after reaching Dou Shi.

Finally, Xiao Heng took out a Kirin Fruit. It was not large, only about the size of a grape. The moment he placed it in his mouth, it transformed into pure energy and entered his body.

He circulated the Innate Skill with all his strength, feeling the surging energy within him.

"This is probably almost as effective as a Third-grade Pill, right?" Although he had never eaten a Third-grade Pill, he imagined it could not be much better than this.

After the medicinal power was fully digested, his cultivation reached Fighter Four-star. He had to remember that he had broken through to Fighter Three-star less than a month ago!

"At this rate, I can definitely reach Dou Shi within a year! No—even half a year!" Light flashed in Xiao Heng's eyes.

At this rate, he would be able to leave Wutan City after some time. After all, he had coveted Purple Cloud Wings for a long while. With Old Yao's accumulation over all those years, Xiao Heng did not believe he lacked even a Flying Dou Technique. Flying Dou Techniques were precious, but at Old Yao's level, they were nothing special. Thus, he felt no guilt at all about taking Purple Cloud Wings.