Imperial Capital Wind and Clouds, Each with Their Own Schemes

The Yun Lan Sect Master was taking on a Personal Disciple and had directly designated her as one of the Sect Master Candidates.

This alone was enough to draw the attention of the Jia Ma Empire's upper echelon.

Furthermore, the girl herself was the cherished jewel of the Nalan Family, one of the Three Great Families. Thus, a mere disciple-taking ceremony had drawn over more than half of the powerful figures in the imperial capital.

Amid the bustling, lively plaza, numerous powerful figures sat high in the Yun Lan Sect's VIP Seats. The most conspicuous among them were the Family Heads of the Three Great Families.

Meanwhile, an equally solemn ceremony was underway in the plaza.

"Let us invite the Sect Master to grant the seal!"

Following an elder's loud cry, at the center of the magnificent Yun Lan Sect Plaza, beneath the gaze of the masses, a beautiful woman in a moon-white robe moved with graceful steps and slowly approached a girl kneeling on the ground.

The woman in white possessed a face beautiful enough to topple nations. Her long black hair, dark as ink, was coiled beneath an Exquisite Phoenix Crown.

A gentle breeze brushed past her moon-white robes, outlining her nearly perfect curves. Though beautiful as a painting, her delicate face carried the majesty of one in power, adding a touch of noble elegance to her bearing.

This woman was none other than Yun Yun, the current Yun Lan Sect Master and a Dou Emperor expert!

As for the girl kneeling before Yun Yun, though she still appeared rather youthful, her tall figure was obvious even while kneeling.

Having been raised in the Nalan Family since childhood and having spent several years by Yun Yun's side, although the girl was still in her early teens, her exquisite little face had already acquired some of the same noble temperament as her teacher.

Though the two looked different, anyone with discerning eyes could tell that once this little girl grew up, she would likely become a beauty no less stunning than her teacher.

"Yanran, from today onward, you are my Personal Disciple."

Looking at the girl before her, a rare trace of a smile appeared on Yun Yun's noble and elegant face. Her red lips curved slightly upward, making the hearts of many young Yun Lan Sect disciples pound fiercely.

Nalan Yanran's aptitude was not inferior to Yun Yun's in her youth. Furthermore, her personality bore some resemblance to Yun Yun's own, making Yun Yun greatly fond of this disciple.

Otherwise, she would not have placed her in the Yun Lan Sect's Sect Master Successor Sequence while she was still at the Dou Zhe stage.

As she spoke, Yun Yun formed a strange hand seal with her jade-like hands. It immediately turned into a streak of light and entered Nalan Yanran's forehead.

The next moment, the mark of the Yun Lan Sect appeared upon Nalan Yanran's smooth forehead. Only after a long while did it slowly fade away.

This mark possessed no special function. It was merely a symbolic seal.

In the future, once Nalan Yanran activated it, it would naturally reveal her identity as a personal disciple of the Yun Lan Sect.

Within the Jia Ma Empire, such an identity was unquestionably extremely prestigious.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Though she was kneeling on the ground, there was still a hint of delight on Nalan Yanran's pretty little face.

Clearly, becoming a Sect Master Candidate of the Yun Lan Sect had made the girl feel a small measure of pride.

Watching the master and disciple standing at the center of the plaza, Nalan Jie, seated in a prominent position among the spectators, let out a soft breath. His aged face was filled with smiles.

"Heh, look at how pleased you are, you old fellow. Your Nalan Family's luck is truly heaven-defying."

Beside Nalan Jie, Mu Chen, the Mu Clan Leader, glanced at him with an acidic tone.

"Having such an outstanding granddaughter would have been enough, yet you somehow have an even more heaven-defying future grandson-in-law.

Sigh, I truly wonder what kind of terrifying combination those two will become if they really end up together in the future."

Hearing Mu Chen's almost jealous tone, Nalan Jie could not help but chuckle. The smile on his aged face became even brighter.

Heaven had indeed treated the Nalan Family well. Having such an exceptional granddaughter was one thing, but the child he had casually betrothed through an Engagement by Promise had turned out to be even more outstanding than his granddaughter, Nalan Yanran.

A twelve-year-old Alchemist—such terrifying talent was difficult to find even throughout the history of the entire Jia Ma Empire. That level of monstrosity far surpassed Nalan Yanran, who was receiving the ceremony below.

Just as Nalan Jie was laughing proudly, he sensed a slightly cold gaze coming from behind him.

When he turned around, he saw a white-haired old man in hemp robes looking at him indifferently, his aged face neither joyful nor sorrowful.

That single glance caused the three Dou Wang Family Heads of the Three Great Families to rise to their feet.

Although Dou Wangs were already considered top experts of the empire, even if the three of them joined forces, they might not be able to endure more than a few exchanges against this man.

This man was the protector of the Imperial Family, the Eight-Star Dou Emperor, Jia Xingtian.

"Cough, cough, Elder Jia, I never expected such a small ceremony to draw even you here."

Made somewhat uneasy by Jia Xingtian's glance, Nalan Jie hurriedly laughed.

"Hehe, this is no small ceremony. Just as Mu Chen said, your Nalan Family may well become the empire's foremost family in the future."

The indifference on Jia Xingtian's face slowly faded, replaced by a smile.

Yet that smile made Nalan Jie's heart tremble slightly.

Naturally, he understood that while the Nalan Family's strength did not seem to have increased greatly at present, once those two young people with terrifying potential grew up, the Nalan Family's power would far surpass that of the other two great families.

Especially that child whom he had not seen for a long time. With him around, surpassing even the Imperial Family might not be difficult for the Nalan Family.

The imperial household had always been full of suspicion. If the Nalan Family possessed two such terrifying young talents, would they one day harbor ambitions of replacing the Imperial Family, or become another colossal force like the Yun Lan Sect?

Everything about this made even Jia Xingtian, an Eight-Star Dou Emperor, wary.

"Hehe, Elder Jia, no matter what achievements these two children attain in the future, my Nalan Family will always remain a part of the Jia Ma Empire.

Besides, this old body of mine is afflicted with a terrible poison. I fear I will not live to see the day these two children rise to prominence."

Nalan Jie deliberately lowered his stance as much as possible, hoping to avoid creating any unnecessary threat.

Jia Xingtian said nothing more in response to his deliberate display of weakness. However, the single sentence he left behind caused the expressions of many powerful figures present to change slightly.

"This old man will have a day when he too grows old. I only hope that if the day of a change in regime truly comes, the Gama Imperial Capital will shed a little less blood."

As his words fell, the hearts of many powerful figures skipped a beat.

Jia Xingtian's words were practically a show of weakness.

This meant that he, too, was somewhat wary of the Nalan Family's future.

And aside from a small part of that wariness coming from Nalan Yanran in the plaza, most of it likely stemmed from that youth whose talent was nearly unprecedented even in the history of the Jia Ma Empire.

After all, such aptitude was enough to shock even top experts like them. Moreover, the sect behind that youth was likely an equally terrifying force.

In response to Jia Xingtian's words, Nalan Jie could only offer a respectful, bitter smile.

No matter what the future held, at least for now, if he calmly accepted those words, the Imperial Family's hostility toward the Nalan Family would likely rise instantly to a terrifying level.

Quietly observing the conversation between Jia Xingtian and Nalan Jie, Mittel Teng Shan, the Family Head of the Mite'er Family, sat elsewhere and watched the scene in silence, a concealed sinister smile flashing through his eyes.

"Nalan Jie, don't celebrate too soon, you old fool. Although Xiao Yan is an unparalleled genius, he is ultimately just a hot-blooded youth.

I only fear that before your granddaughter grows into a beauty capable of sinking fish and causing geese to fall, someone from our Mite'er Family will have already beaten her to the prize."

Thinking of the almost intimate relationship between Ya Fei and Xiao Yan in Wu Tan City, Teng Shan's sinister smile nearly reached the corners of his lips.

Even without the matter involving Hai Bodong, once Teng Shan learned that Xiao Yan stood so firmly on Ya Fei's side, he had unhesitatingly made Ya Fei a key focus of the family.

Not to mention the information Ya Fei had sent regarding Hai Bodong.

"Hai Bodong is still alive!"

Those six short words had stirred monstrous waves in Teng Shan's heart. He had even wanted to mobilize the family's forces that very day to search for Hai Bodong.

However, after a brief period of contemplation, Teng Shan had chosen to remain silent for the time being.

Though he did not know where this mysterious information had come from, he keenly sensed that the matter behind it was likely far from simple.

But regardless, the news still thrilled him greatly.

Once Hai Bodong returned successfully, the Mite'er Family's strength would instantly surpass that of the other two great families.

And if Ya Fei could quietly win over that young man with limitless prospects, then the Mite'er Family would be the final victor.

On the elevated platform, the old fellows in the VIP Seats each harbored their own schemes. Yet below the VIP Seats, Nalan Yanran, who had already completed the seal-granting ceremony, slowly rose to her feet.

Her clear, beautiful eyes looked at her noble and elegant teacher. A trace of admiration flashed through Nalan Yanran's gaze, before her eyes shifted and she looked at Yun Yun with a slightly coquettish expression.

"Teacher, after some time, I want to make a trip to Wu Tan City."

"Wu Tan City?"

Looking at her prized disciple, Yun Yun frowned slightly. Then, as if suddenly understanding, she smiled at Nalan Yanran. "What? Have you already grown impatient to meet your fiancé?"

At Yun Yun's teasing, Nalan Yanran's little face flushed slightly. After a moment, she spoke as though it were only natural, "After all, he is my fiancé in name, although I do not acknowledge him yet.

The reason I want to go to Wu Tan City is to see whether this fellow suits my tastes.

If he is not the type I like, then even if he is an unparalleled genius, I will not be with him."

Hearing her disciple speak this way, Yun Yun could not help but laugh softly. She affectionately stroked Nalan Yanran's head and said with a light laugh, "

A twelve-year-old Alchemist—even I have never seen such a monstrous talent in all my years.

Never mind what kind of person he is, at the very least, his talent and excellence are beyond reproach.

You may say that, but deep down, you are probably also looking forward to meeting that little fellow."

Having her thoughts exposed by Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran's cheeks flushed even more. She lightly bumped Yun Yun with her little head before lowering her voice shyly. "Teacher is so annoying, teasing Yanran like this."

"Hehe."

Yun Yun was indeed extremely fond of Nalan Yanran, so she nodded in agreement.

"Very well. I am also quite curious about this unparalleled genius who became an Alchemist at the age of twelve.

How about this? After some time, we will go to Wu Tan City together and properly see this legendary monster for ourselves."