Three-Year Pact

The entire hall fell silent.

Everyone was stunned by Xiao Yan's words.

Nalan Yanran's face alternated between green and white. Looking at that single word, "divorce," she found it unbearably glaring.

Nalan Yanran took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the fury in her heart.

"Fine!"

"Three years from now, I'll be waiting for you at the Misty Cloud Sect!"

With that, Nalan Yanran left behind three Qi Gathering Powders, then swept away with Ge Ye in tow.

She had achieved her goal of breaking off the engagement, yet there was not the slightest joy in her heart. Instead, she was filled with humiliation and resentment.

Only after leaving the gates of the Xiao Family did Ge Ye cautiously speak.

"Young Sect Leader, next..."

"To the Miter Auction House."

The coldness returned to Nalan Yanran's face. "I want to pay Master Xuan a visit."

Miter Auction House.

Ya Fei was seated in her office on the top floor, sorting through a stack of documents.

Over the past month, while Xuan Jin had been in seclusion, aside from going to Tianxiang Tower each day to attend to him, she had spent the rest of her time consolidating the resources of the Mite'er Family's forces around Wutan City.

It was not only for the development of the Miter Auction House, but also for

Just then, a maid knocked and entered.

"Manager, someone outside claiming to be from the Misty Cloud Sect wishes to see you. They specifically asked for you."

"The Misty Cloud Sect?"

Ya Fei paused, a trace of surprise appearing on her alluring face.

What were people from the Misty Cloud Sect doing in Wutan City? And why were they looking for her?

"Let them in."

A moment later, the maid led Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye inside.

"Oh my, who do we have here? It's Yanran."

The moment Ya Fei saw Nalan Yanran, she rose to her feet with a warm smile.

She and Nalan Yanran were old acquaintances. Back in the Imperial Capital, they had addressed each other as sisters, though Nalan Yanran had not yet become the Young Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect then.

"Ya Fei."

Nalan Yanran greeted Ya Fei.

"What brings you to a little place like Wutan City, Yanran? Is something the matter?"

Ya Fei asked with a smile, leading the two of them to the reception area to sit.

"Ya Fei, I'll get straight to the point."

Nalan Yanran came right out with it.

"I heard that a Master Xuan has arrived in Wutan City. He is a Sixth Grade Alchemist, and he has a close relationship with you."

"I would like to ask you to introduce me to him."

At the mention of "Master Xuan," Ya Fei's smile faded slightly.

She studied Nalan Yanran as countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

Why were people from the Misty Cloud Sect looking for the young master?

"Yanran, your information network is quite efficient." Ya Fei lifted her teacup and took a light sip. "However, this isn't something I can decide."

"I'll need to ask my young master first."

"Young master?"

Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye were both taken aback.

Everything they had heard referred to "Master Xuan." Why had he become "young master" when Ya Fei spoke of him?

"Ya Fei, are you saying that Master Xuan... is very young?" Nalan Yanran asked tentatively.

"More than just young."

Ya Fei set down her cup, pride curving her lips. "My young master is a refined young gentleman."

A young gentleman?

Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye exchanged another look, the shock in their hearts beyond measure.

A young gentleman, and a Sixth Grade Alchemist?

How was that possible!

Even Pill King Gu He had only broken through to the sixth grade after reaching middle age!

The image of the black-robed young man on the mountain road surfaced in Nalan Yanran's mind again.

Could it be him?

That thought became stronger than ever.

"Then... I'll have to trouble you, Ya Fei," Nalan Yanran said politely, suppressing her excitement.

"Not a problem. Please wait here for a moment."

With that, Ya Fei rose and left the office.

Tianxiang Tower.

Ya Fei stood respectfully before Xuan Jin and reported Nalan Yanran's request for an audience in full detail.

"Oh? Nalan Yanran?"

Xuan Jin found it rather amusing.

She had just gone to the Xiao Family to break off an engagement, and now she was coming to find me?

What did she want? To win me over? To recruit a Guest Elder for the Misty Cloud Sect?

"Young master, what do you think?" Ya Fei asked carefully.

"Let her come."

Xuan Jin spoke indifferently. He was also curious about what this future sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect was plotting.

"Yes, young master."

Ya Fei accepted the order and turned to leave.

Very soon, Ya Fei brought Nalan Yanran and the other two to the top floor of Tianxiang Tower.

The instant the door was pushed open.

Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye froze in their tracks.

Inside the room, a black-robed young man stood before the window with his back to them.

That silhouette was one they knew all too well!

It was the terrifying expert they had encountered on the mountain road!

Ge Ye's legs went weak, and he nearly dropped to his knees on the spot as all color drained from his face.

Nalan Yanran's delicate body trembled, and even her breathing stopped.

It was him!

It really was him!

The mysterious expert who had left her so unsettled was actually the Sixth Grade Alchemist whose name had been spreading through Wutan City like wildfire!

This... this was far too absurd!

As the two were reeling in shock, Ya Fei had already stepped forward and respectfully bowed to that figure.

"Young master, Nalan Yanran has arrived."

The room was deathly silent.

Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye remained frozen at the doorway.

Behind them, the Misty Cloud Sect disciple who had spoken disrespectfully on the mountain road rolled his eyes the instant he saw Xuan Jin's face and fainted from fright.

Yet no one had the attention to spare for him now.

Ge Ye's legs shook violently, barely able to support his weight.

It was him!

The terrifying expert whose mere sidelong glance on the mountain road had nearly caused his mind to collapse!

And now, Ya Fei of the Mite'er Family was calling him young master?

A Sixth Grade Alchemist, and an unfathomably powerful expert at that, was actually so young?

Ge Ye's mind was a complete mess. Cold sweat trickled down from his temples, drop by drop.

Nalan Yanran's body was taut as a bow, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her dress.

It really was him!

He was the legendary Sixth Grade Alchemist, "Master Xuan"?

This realization was even more shocking and absurd to her than the humiliation of being "divorced" at the Xiao Family.

There was no other reason for it—Xuan Jin was simply too young. He looked no older than twenty.

Standing to one side, Ya Fei took in both of their reactions.

So what if she was the Young Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect?

Before the young master, she still had to tremble in fear.

Ya Fei became even more thankful for her original decision to stake everything on this mysterious young master.

This was the wisest investment she had ever made in her life.

Xuan Jin slowly turned around.

He paid no attention to the disciple who had collapsed on the floor, nor did he look at the pale-faced Ge Ye.

His gaze fell directly upon Nalan Yanran.

"May I ask what business the Young Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect has with me?"