Leaving Wutan City

Under my imposing presence, Galeo did not even dare to leave behind a threat before fleeing in disgrace with his lackeys.

The Xiao Family market guards arrived belatedly. Facing the Guard Captain whose moment in the spotlight I had stolen, I felt not the slightest guilt and teased, "Pei En, why so late?"

Pei En looked deeply ashamed. He first apologized to Xiao Yan and Xun Er, then thanked me, saying that he was grateful for my intervention. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

I laughed heartily and stopped paying attention to this minor extra. Stepping forward, I threw an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulders and said, "Xiao Yan Gege, that must have given you quite a scare. Come on, let's have some wine to settle your nerves!"

I then turned to look at Xun Er beside him. Her flowing purple dress made her seem detached from the world, her cool and refined bearing carrying a trace of youthful innocence, like a green lotus just beginning to bloom.

"Little Sister Xun Er... come along too. Haha, come along, all of us should go!"

I stared for a moment, somewhat dazed, then covered it up with two awkward laughs.

Xun Er turned her gaze toward Xiao Yan and softly said, "I'll do as Xiao Yan Gege says."

Xiao Yan had complicated feelings toward me—or rather, toward the Nalan Family—and probably did not want to go. Yet under my enthusiastic invitation, he ultimately nodded in agreement.

The three of us left the market along with the guards and arrived at a restaurant in the city. Once we were seated, food and wine were promptly served.

I poured Xiao Yan a drink, then looked at Xun Er with a smile. "Little Sister Xun Er, would you like wine or tea?"

"Of course she'll have tea."

Yet it was Xiao Yan who answered. Looking at Xun Er's youthful body and face, he gave a dry cough and said, "Xun Er is still young. How could she drink wine? It wouldn't be good for her health."

Xun Er obediently nodded. Watching them feed me this lovey-dovey display made me rather annoyed. I could only give Xiao Yan a teasing smile before turning around and loudly cursing outside the private room.

A commotion immediately broke out outside the room. Before long, a pot of fine tea was delivered. I poured Xun Er a cup; its fragrance was clear and pure, truly excellent tea.

I drained my Fine Wine in one gulp and began reminiscing with Xiao Yan about the glorious days of old... Of course, not my and Xiao Yan's glorious days, but the glorious days of my Old Man and Xiao Yan's grandfather.

My Old Man—Yanran Jie's biological grandfather, the former head of the Nalan Family, its strongest expert, Dou Wang Nalan Jie! He and Xiao Yan's biological grandfather, Xiao Lin, had been the closest of friends. It was also the two of them who arranged the marriage agreement between Xiao Yan and Yanran Jie...

I recounted the stories I had learned from Dad, while Xiao Yan spoke of the things he had heard from his father. The two of us got along rather well.

After chatting for a while and filling our stomachs with food and drink, I asked, "Xiao Yan Gege, what are your plans for the future?"

I asked because the Three-Year Agreement no longer existed!

With me present at the scene of the broken engagement, there naturally could not be any Three-Year Agreement. Before the annulment, I had specifically told Yanran Jie not to say a word, and Yanran Jie truly did not like talking.

Thus, during the annulment, those idiots from the Yun Lan Sect did all the blustering from beginning to end. Xiao Yan's anger was naturally drawn entirely toward those fools. With me mediating as well, Xiao Yan did not hold much resentment toward Yanran Jie or the Nalan Family.

Yet because of this, many parts of the story had changed...

Xiao Yan turned to look at Xun Er, then withdrew his gaze and rubbed his nose. "Naturally, I'll stay in Wutan City for now. I still haven't completed my Coming-of-Age Ceremony... Once I'm an adult, I'll probably go out to gain experience."

I asked, "Go rely on your two blood-related older brothers?"

Xiao Yan nodded. "Possibly. Or perhaps I'll train on my own."

After finishing the food and wine, Xun Er, Xiao Yan, and I left the restaurant and parted at its entrance. I watched the two of them recede into the distance, a faint smile appearing on my lips as I murmured, "Very good, very good..."

Without the Three-Year Agreement, would Xiao Yan become mediocre from this point onward? No! He absolutely would not be mediocre, because his little girlfriend was named Xun Er, and his teacher was named Yao Lao!

For Xun Er's sake, Xiao Yan would naturally strive to become stronger. For Yao Lao's sake, he would naturally come into conflict with the Hall of Souls!

But would nothing change?

No, things had already begun changing quietly.

With the disappearance of the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan would still shine brilliantly at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. He would still meet Ya Fei through alchemy, still stir up trouble in Wutan City, and still encounter Canaan Academy's recruitment team... But by then, he would probably go directly to Canaan Academy with Xiao Yu and Xun Er, right?

At that academy renowned across the continent, Xiao Yan would meet more opponents and gain a better cultivation environment. Perhaps he would grow even faster... He would embark on a brand-new legendary journey!

The next morning, outside Wutan City's northern gate.

As heavy wheels began to roll and dozens of hooves trampled the road, my convoy slowly set off toward the distance.

Sitting inside the carriage, I stuck my head out the window and looked behind me. Outside Wutan City's northern gate stood a young man and a young woman. Their names were Xiao Yan and Xun Er, and they had come to see me off.

I suddenly waved my arm at them and shouted, "The green hills remain, the waters flow on! Brother-in-law, little sister-in-law, until we meet again!"

Xiao Yan raised the small box I had given him and waved it. Xun Er smiled reservedly, holding an identical small box in her hand. They were the gifts I had given them.

I burst out laughing, pulled myself back inside, and reclined against the carriage. My expression gradually turned cold as I called to the driver, "Change course. We're going to Green Mountain Town."

Dad was somewhat displeased. As an elder of the Nalan Family, he had already spent quite some time delayed in Wutan City and had no time to indulge my nonsense.

Thus, Dad took one guard and returned directly to the Nalan Family. As for me, I led all the remaining guards toward Green Mountain Town.

Sitting in the carriage, I watched Dad's departing back, then turned to look toward Wutan City. Yet all I saw were endless green mountains; Wutan City had long since been left behind.

I laughed wildly. I knew that I had finally escaped Xiao Yan's shadow. I would begin my own legendary journey and fully live out the brilliance that belonged to me!

Green Mountain Town, Little Fairy Doctor—I, Nalan Ye, have arrived!