Promise of the Marriage Pact

Morning mist, like shredded cotton, lightly enveloped the Xiao Family Mansion. Fine dew had gathered on the Bluestone Ground of the Training Ground; when stepped on, its damp chill spread through the soles of the shoes, carrying the crisp freshness unique to dawn. Xiao Yan sat cross-legged beneath the Old Locust Tree at the edge of the grounds, his back against the rough Tree trunk, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the black Storage Ring on his index finger—the ring's surface bore several blurred ancient patterns, and its jade-like chill against his skin made his scattered Thoughts grow clearer. Following the method Elder Yao had left behind after examining his meridians before falling asleep, he calmed his mind and slowly, carefully fed the nearly transparent trace of Dou Qi within him into the ring, as though watering a fragile sapling.

Yet the ring remained as silent as a bottomless cold pool. He Could not feel the slightest fluctuation of soul power; only an occasional faint warmth brushed his fingertips, like a Flickering candle in the wind, reminding him that the mysterious old man was still asleep. "It's already been three days, and Elder Yao still hasn't shown any sign of movement." Xiao Yan sighed softly, gradually withdrew his Dou Qi, and opened his eyes to gaze at the gray-white horizon stained by the morning mist. These past few days, he had spent every quiet dawn and peaceful midnight alone in the Training Ground nourishing the Storage Ring, but it had remained unchanged. He could not help feeling anxious—the day Nalan Yanran might arrive was drawing ever closer. He needed strength too badly. He needed Elder Yao's help too badly. Only then could he avoid ending up as wretched as he had in the "original story" when the coming storm arrived, and preserve what remained of his dignity.

Just then, a crisp clatter of hooves came from outside the manor gates. The "clop-clop" broke the morning silence like a stone cast into a still lake. Immediately afterward, the steward hurried toward the Training Ground, his face holding both panic and respect for the visitors. Panting, he called, "Young Master, visitors have arrived in the main hall. It's Miss Nalan of the Misty Cloud Sect, accompanied by two sect disciples. She says she must see you and the Clan Head."

Xiao Yan's heart sank sharply, as though crushed beneath a huge stone. The hand gripping his Storage Ring tightened unconsciously, his knuckles turning faintly white—Nalan Yanran had come after all. He drew a deep breath and forced down the turbulent emotions in his heart. Rising to his feet, he brushed the grass clippings and dew from his robes and said in a low voice, "Understood. I'll go at once." He strode quickly toward the main hall, his steps steady yet urgent, while countless thoughts raced through his mind. Would she, as in the "original story," arrive with the overbearing bearing of the Misty Cloud Sect and coldly present a letter breaking off the engagement before Xiao Zhan and the elders? How should he deal with it? Should he lose his temper like the original owner of this body, or accept it calmly? And if Xiao Ning and Xun'er were present, how would they react?

He had just reached the entrance to the main hall when he heard Xiao Zhan's rather stern voice from inside, carrying restrained displeasure. "Niece Yan Ran, you have suddenly arrived today with sect disciples. What important matter brings you here? If it concerns the marriage pact, please allow us to discuss it another day. Xiao Yan's cultivation has reached a critical point recently, and he should not be disturbed." Clearly, Xiao Zhan had already guessed Nalan Yanran's purpose, and his words held a protective intent toward Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan steadied himself, pushed open the door, and entered.

Inside the main hall, Nalan Yanran stood in the center of the room. Her Moon White Misty Cloud Sect disciple robes accentuated her slender figure, while a belt embroidered with silver cloud patterns around her waist made her seem even more delicate. Her long black hair was loosely gathered with an exquisitely carved white jade hairpin, several loose strands hanging beside her cheeks and swaying faintly with her breathing. Her brows and eyes carried the cool aloofness unique to sect disciples, yet compared to his memories of the "original story," there was an almost imperceptible trace of hesitation and difficulty. Behind her stood two Misty Cloud Sect disciples dressed in green, their expressions stern and their arms folded across their chests, as though ready to act at any moment. Clearly, they had come to back her up.

When Nalan Yanran saw Xiao Yan enter, her gaze paused slightly, and a flicker of complicated emotion passed through her eyes. Then she bowed faintly to Xiao Zhan, her tone respectful yet somewhat distant. "Clan Head Xiao, this junior truly came today because of the marriage pact with Brother Xiao Yan. However, this matter is not this junior's own wish. Several elders within the sect have been pressuring me relentlessly, and I have had no choice."

The moment she said this, not only was Xiao Zhan stunned, but even Xiao Yan was taken aback. He walked to Xiao Zhan's side and looked calmly at Nalan Yanran, though he had already prepared himself to face anything—whether it was a broken engagement or mockery, he could endure it. Xiao Zhan's expression eased somewhat, and his gaze toward Nalan Yanran became more probing. "Oh? What do you mean? Does Sect Master Yun Yun also approve of what the elders are doing?"

At the mention of Yun Yun, warmth flashed through Nalan Yanran's eyes, and her tone softened slightly. "My master has never supported the elders' idea of breaking off the engagement." She gently bit her lip, as though recalling something, then said slowly, "When Master learned that the elders were forcing me to come and break the engagement, she specifically spoke with me. She said, 'The marriage pact was arranged by the elders of both families. How can it be abandoned so easily merely because of a temporary change in circumstances? Xiao Yan was exceptionally talented in his youth. Though he has encountered a bottleneck now, that does not mean he will never rise again. If you truly do not wish to do this, then follow your own heart. Your master will help shield you from the sect's pressure.'"

Those words left Xiao Yan completely stunned. He recalled that in the "original story," he had only learned from Yun Yun years later that she had always opposed Nalan Yanran breaking off the engagement. Yet at the time, rage had clouded his mind, and he had never given her a chance to explain. Now it seemed that perhaps the butterfly effect caused by his transmigration had made Nalan Yanran speak these words in advance, completely diverting events from the "original story."

Xiao Zhan's expression finally relaxed completely. He nodded, his tone carrying approval. "Sect Master Yun Yun truly is a reasonable person. It was not in vain that she and the Xiao Clan were close in the past." He looked at Nalan Yanran. "Since your master does not support breaking off the engagement, you need not heed the elders' pressure. Why have you come here in person?"

Nalan Yanran did not answer. Instead, she took an exquisite Brocade Box from her sleeve. A lotus totem of the Misty Cloud Sect was carved onto its surface, and a ring of fine silver thread was set along its edges. At a glance, one could tell it was extremely valuable. Holding the box, she Stepped Forward before Xiao Yan and spoke seriously. "Brother Xiao Yan, I know you have encountered a bottleneck in cultivation these past few years, and there are inevitably idle rumors within your clan. As for several elders in the sect, they say in my ear every day, 'Xiao Yan is now nothing but trash, unworthy of a direct disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect.' They have forced me to dissolve the marriage pact as soon as possible, and have even said they would come personally to settle this matter through forceful means."

She paused, then raised her eyes to Xiao Yan. Her gaze was complicated, carrying concern, expectation, and a girl's stubbornness. "But I still remember when we were young. You taught me to practice fist techniques at the Foot of Misty Cloud Sect. I accidentally Fell down and started crying, but you crouched down to wipe my tears and said, 'Yan Ran, don't be afraid. As long as you still have a breath left, you must never admit defeat. Your brother will protect you from now on.' Back then, your eyes shone like stars. You were more impressive than every senior brother in the sect. So I do not want to give up like this. I do not want to become the sort of person the elders describe, someone who only follows the powerful."

The hand holding Xiao Yan's Storage Ring loosened slightly, and ripples Appeared in his heart. This was utterly unlike the Nalan Yanran from the "original story," who had coldly handed over a letter breaking off the engagement with contempt in every word. Looking at the girl before him, her moonlight-colored dress glowed softly beneath the morning light. Her clear eyes held no scorn whatsoever, only pure sincerity and a faint, well-hidden grievance. For a moment, he did not know how to respond.

Seeing that Xiao Yan did not take the Brocade Box, Nalan Yanran gently placed it on the table and continued, "Brother Xiao Yan, after much thought, I have decided to give you three years. During these three years, I will help you withstand the pressure from the sect elders and keep them from disturbing your cultivation again. You need not care about the opinions of others; simply focus on improving your strength. Three years from now, if you can ascend the Misty Cloud Sect and defeat me before every disciple and elder of the sect, then I will honor the marriage pact and become your true wife. From then on, as Madam Xiao Yan, I will Stand shoulder to shoulder with you. No matter how the sect elders oppose us, I will never waver again. But if, after three years, you cannot accomplish it, then it will mean we truly have no fate together. At that time, the marriage pact will dissolve on its own. I will personally step forward to ensure the elders no longer make things difficult for you, and I will never allow anyone to mock you in the slightest."

After saying that, she carefully opened the Brocade Box on the table. Inside lay three bottles of Qi Gathering Powder. The porcelain bottles were made from the finest white porcelain, their surfaces carved with the distinctive lotus patterns of the Misty Cloud Sect. Each bottle also bore a small yellow talisman slip, clearly intended to prevent the spiritual energy of the pills from leaking out. One glance showed that these were carefully refined high-grade ordinary pills from the Misty Cloud Sect, far superior in quality to the medicines the Xiao Clan could normally obtain.

"These are three bottles of Qi Gathering Powder. Master specifically had me bring them to you." Nalan Yanran's tone was gentle. "Master said that your meridians may be somewhat congested now. This Qi Gathering Powder can not only help stabilize your Dou Qi and speed up your cultivation, but also slightly clear your meridians. Perhaps it can help you achieve a Breakthrough as soon as possible. Brother Xiao Yan, I know these three years will be difficult for you. The cultivation environment of the Misty Cloud Sect is far better than that of the Xiao Clan, and I too will cultivate desperately during these three years. I will not stop and wait for you, so you must be prepared. But I believe you will not disappoint me, nor will you disappoint the spirited person you once were."

Xiao Yan looked at the Brocade Box on the table, then at Nalan Yanran, his heart filled with countless emotions. He recalled that in the "original story," he had only learned when he reunited with Yun Yun at the Misty Cloud Sect that, in order to stop the elders from forcing Nalan Yanran to break the engagement, she had even argued with several elders and been branded as someone who "favored outsiders." Now, Nalan Yanran had not only refused to break the engagement, but had also brought Yun Yun's goodwill and given him three years. That trust and expectation gradually dispersed the anxiety in his heart, replacing it with fierce fighting spirit.

He stepped forward and picked up the Brocade Box from the table. Its cool touch instantly cleared his mind. The box was light, yet it seemed to Carry immense power—it was Nalan Yanran's trust and Yun Yun's goodwill. Looking at Nalan Yanran, the complexity in his eyes was gone, leaving only calmness and resolve. "Yan Ran, thank you. And thank Sect Master Yun Yun for me as well. I accept the Three-Year Pact." He paused, his voice filled with unquestionable strength as he spoke Word by word. "Three years from now, I will surely ascend the Misty Cloud Sect and stand before you, all the elders, and all the disciples. I will prove with my strength that I, Xiao Yan, have not fallen into ruin, nor have I given up. When that time comes, I will defeat you and make you willingly fulfill the marriage pact. I will let everyone know that I, Xiao Yan, am worthy of you, worthy of this marriage pact, and even more worthy of the talent and glory I once possessed!"

Upon hearing his words, the tension at Nalan Yanran's lips finally gave way to a smile. Like melting snow, like a flower bud blossoming, it added softness and vitality to her cool temperament. She nodded firmly, her eyes bright. "I believe in you, Brother Xiao Yan. Remember, no matter what difficulties you face, never give up. I will wait for you at the Misty Cloud Sect." She bowed once more to Xiao Zhan and said respectfully, "Clan Head Xiao, this junior has finished her business today and will not disturb you further. Farewell." With that, she turned and led the two disciples behind her swiftly out of the main hall. Her Moon White figure soon vanished into the morning mist, as though she had never appeared at all.

Only after Nalan Yanran's figure had completely disappeared and the sound of hoofbeats outside the hall gradually faded did Xiao Zhan come back to his senses. He looked at the Brocade Box in Xiao Yan's hands, then at his son. A relieved yet excited smile appeared on his face, and his eyes even reddened slightly. "Yan'er, well done! Truly well done! That girl Yan Ran is sensible and values loyalty, and Sect Master Yun Yun is also a rare good person. This Three-Year Pact is both a challenge and an opportunity for you. You must seize it well. Do not betray Yan Ran's trust, and do not betray Sect Master Yun Yun's goodwill!"

Xiao Yan nodded and gripped the Brocade Box in his hand, feeling the weight of the three bottles of pills within and strength filling his heart. He knew that although these three bottles of Qi Gathering Powder were merely high-grade ordinary pills, they could resolve his urgent need. More importantly, Nalan Yanran's choice and Yun Yun's goodwill had shown him the possibility of changing fate—not only his own fate, but also the regrets left behind in the "original story." Perhaps in this life, he could not only rebuild his former peak, but also Make up for the misunderstandings he had once held toward Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, allowing everything to move in a better direction.

"Rest assured, Father. I will not disappoint you, and I will not disappoint Yan Ran or Sect Master Yun Yun." Xiao Yan's tone was firm. His gaze fell upon the Storage Ring in his hand, and he silently said in his heart, Elder Yao, whenever you awaken, I will give everything I have during these three years. Even without your help, I will rely on myself, these three bottles of Qi Gathering Powder, and the conviction in my heart to grow stronger step by step, ascend the Misty Cloud Sect, and fulfill this Three-Year Pact! I will let everyone know that Xiao Yan has never truly fallen!

Just then, the Storage Ring on his fingertip suddenly gave off a faint fluctuation. It was clearer and more real than the warmth from before, as though something inside the ring had lightly stirred. Immediately afterward, an extremely thin strand of soul power, as fine as a hair, brushed across his fingertip before swiftly vanishing. Xiao Yan's heart stirred. He hurriedly focused his mind to sense it, but the ring returned to stillness, as though the strange movement just now had only been his imagination.

Could Elder Yao be about to awaken? Xiao Yan's heart filled with anticipation, and it pounded wildly in his chest. Yet he forced himself to calm down. He knew that no matter when Elder Yao awakened, he could no longer rely on him as he had before. Over these three years, he had to walk forward step by step on his own and meet the coming challenges with his own strength.

He tightened his grip on the Brocade Box and turned toward the Training Ground. The morning mist gradually dispersed. Sunlight pierced through the Clouds, filtering through gaps in the leaves and casting dappled shadows across the ground like scattered gold. Xiao Yan drew a deep breath, feeling the fresh air and the warmth of sunlight on his body. His steps grew ever more resolute. The Three-Year Pact, the Misty Cloud Summit—he, Xiao Yan, would never betray this trust, nor would he betray himself.