Parting

The sun shone brightly, and the weather was mild.

Like a butterfly, Nalan Yanran stood gracefully beside Xiao Huo. A faint fragrance unique to young girls drifted from her body, her lovely figure outlining alluring curves. With her delicate hands, she helped Xiao Huo straighten his clothes, while a trace of reluctance lingered in her beautiful eyes.

This one night was enough.

Even though nothing had happened between them, Still...

In this life, Nalan Yanran had already found the one she recognized in her heart.

As long as he was there, that was enough.

"It's time to go," Xiao Huo said with a light smile, looking at the stunning girl in his arms. Unfortunately, happy times were always too short. They would eventually have to part. When they met again, what kind of scene would it be?

"Mm."

Nalan Yanran was dejected as she answered softly. Holding Xiao Huo's hand, she walked with him out of the Xiao Clan's gates. Along the way, countless envious and jealous gazes stabbed into their backs.

Nalan Yanran remained silent the entire way, quietly keeping to herself.

Xiao Huo did not know what to say either.

He could feel the girl's disappointment. Three years apart would probably be painful for Nalan Yanran, wouldn't it? Yet Xiao Huo also knew that separation would only make their feelings grow deeper.

In the world of Battle Through the Heavens, when Nalan Yanran came to break off the engagement, Xiao Yan declared, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river," then later publicly humiliated her atop the Misty Cloud Sect. In this life, when Nalan Yanran took the initiative to marry him, Xiao Yan would become a bootlicker...

Sure enough, Xiao Yan... a thirty-year-old uncle whose nature could not be changed!

Xiao Huo knew that, given Xiao Yan's temperament, he would definitely hide somewhere to cultivate and would never submit.

Three years later, Xiao Huo would personally go to the Misty Cloud Sect, publicly defeat Xiao Yan, and marry Nalan Yanran!

He would protect his own girl himself!

That bastard Xiao Yan did not deserve her!

"Young Master Xiao!" At the entrance of the Xiao Clan, Ge Ye stood in place and bowed respectfully to Xiao Huo at a ninety-degree angle. With fearful eyes, he looked at Xiao Yan and clasped his fists, terrified of offending the young man before him.

"Protect Yanran well."

"Over these three years, if anything happens to her, the entire Misty Cloud Sect will be buried with her!" Xiao Huo said calmly, transmitting his voice directly to Ge Ye. He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes still indifferent.

"Yes!"

Ge Ye trembled all over, his face deathly pale as he hurriedly agreed. Even his voice shook. He had not expected Miss Yanran to hold such weight in Young Master Xiao's heart!

She was even more important than the entire Misty Cloud Sect!

Ge Ye knew that the young man before him was a genuine Dou Emperor expert! His cultivation was not inferior even to Yun Yun's! Moreover, he was an unknown alchemy genius who did not even regard Gu He highly.

How far would Xiao Huo grow in three years?

Ge Ye did not dare make a judgment.

He only knew this:

If Xiao Huo wished to destroy the Misty Cloud Sect three years from now, he could do so with a flick of his finger!

Ge Ye could only smile bitterly, though he also felt fortunate. Such a gifted young man was Yanran's fiancé. From this day onward, the entire Misty Cloud Sect would shine even more brilliantly because of him!

"Keep everything about me confidential."

"If it gets out, you understand what will happen, don't you?" A chilling killing intent emerged from Xiao Huo's cold gaze, making Ge Ye shudder involuntarily. He hurriedly nodded in agreement.

This was an existence on the level of a young ancestor!

If the information leaked, no one would be able to save Ge Ye!

"This pill can help you rise four levels in a row and break through to Dou Ling." Xiao Huo smiled gently, and all the frost on his face vanished. He placed the white jade bottle into Ge Ye's hand.

"Ah?!"

Ge Ye was utterly flustered. Even his hands were trembling!

The gap between a Da Dou Shi and a Dou Ling was as vast as heaven and earth! At his age, breaking through to Dou Ling was extraordinarily difficult, yet Xiao Huo's pill could allow him to achieve it with ease!

"This... how could I possibly accept this?" Ge Ye cried out repeatedly. Such a pill was incredibly precious. If it appeared on the market, how many people would fight over it? Rising four levels in a row—what kind of concept was that?

"If I tell you to take it, then take it." Xiao Huo did not explain further to Ge Ye and directly forced the jade bottle into his hands. "Within the Misty Cloud Sect, I do not wish for anyone to bully Yanran."

"I trust that you understand." Xiao Huo patted Ge Ye's shoulder. He had first pressured him with his might, then given him benefits. Although Yanran was Yun Yun's disciple, Xiao Huo did not want anyone bullying her.

"I understand!"

Ge Ye solemnly bowed and dropped to one knee. "For Young Master Xiao's command, this old man would not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths! I will certainly fulfill it!"

There was even a trace of fervor in his eyes...

This concerned his fate!

Once he broke through to Dou Ling, Ge Ye's standing within the Misty Cloud Sect would rise greatly! And he had completely submitted to Xiao Huo... This young man had given him such a precious pill without the slightest hesitation!

It was simply trust!

Ge Ye knew that once this news leaked out, countless people would come to kill Xiao Huo.

"I'm fine. In the Misty Cloud Sect, no one would dare bully me." Nalan Yanran smiled faintly, warmth filling her heart. With her delicate sensibilities, she could naturally feel Xiao Huo's feelings for her.

"Fool." Xiao Huo held Nalan Yanran's delicate hand and wrapped an arm around her soft body, whispering into her ear, "In this world, only I can bully you. No one else can!"

"I know..."

"Thank you, Brother Xiao Huo."

Nalan Yanran gathered her courage and pressed herself into Xiao Huo's arms, taking the initiative to kiss the young man before her.

Xiao Huo did not hesitate either, fiercely kissing Yanran's lips.

A long, long time later, Nalan Yanran's pretty face was slightly flushed as she reluctantly pulled away. She walked to Ge Ye's side, then looked back with a radiant smile.

"Brother Xiao Huo, I'm leaving."

"In three years, remember to come to the Misty Cloud Sect and marry me."

"Yanran, wait for me."

Nalan Yanran smiled, enchanting enough to captivate all beneath heaven. Her graceful figure seemed to unfurl at that moment, incomparably moving. She turned around and left with Ge Ye, their figures gradually blurring before vanishing into the horizon.

From beginning to end, Nalan Yanran never found the courage to look back again...

Her eyes had long since grown moist, tears silently slipping down her cheeks. She did not dare turn around. She only wanted to leave her most beautiful side for Brother Xiao Huo. She would cultivate diligently at the Misty Cloud Sect and wait for him to come marry her.

Three years later, what would it be like when she saw Brother Xiao Huo again?

A smile cast back could charm a hundred souls; before it, the beauties of the six palaces lost all color. Xiao Huo silently praised her. Having a girl like that waiting for him was enough in this Battle Through the Heavens world. He relaxed slightly and let out a sigh.

"Huo'er..."

"If you truly want to marry her, then cultivate diligently. Only strength can protect the one you love." Xiao Zhan's voice came from behind him. At some point, he had already appeared behind Xiao Huo, patting his shoulder, concern still lingering in his eyes.

"I will." Xiao Huo replied calmly, though his gaze burned with anticipation. Over these three years, he would thoroughly suppress Xiao Yan's growth.

Determination remained in Xiao Huo's eyes.

These three years, would be the battle between him and Xiao Yan!

Only one protagonist could exist on the Dou Qi Continent!