First Meeting with Xun'er! The Yan Emperor Was Still Young Then

"Young Master Gu, please."

Nalan Yanyun gestured for Gu Han to take the seat of honor.

"No need. You are the main character today. I am merely here on behalf of the sect to deliver gifts."

As Gu Han spoke, he walked to the third chair and sat down. His cold, decisive bearing, paired with his handsome face and otherworldly aura, set the young women's hearts fluttering as they shot him flirtatious glances.

Nalan Yanyun did not insist. After giving a slight nod, she walked over and took the seat of honor. The Nalan Family's Dou Ling sat in the second chair.

After exchanging pleasantries with Nalan Su for a while, Xiao Zhan instinctively turned the conversation toward Gu Han. "Brother Nalan, may I ask who this young hero is?"

In truth, Xiao Zhan had already recognized Gu Han as a Misty Cloud Sect disciple from his clothes. He asked only because he wanted to know more.

"This is Gu Han, an Outer Disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect and my worthy nephew," Nalan Su introduced him with a kindly expression. "He began cultivating at six. Though not yet fifteen, he is already a Five-star Dou Practitioner. His talent even surpasses that of my daughter, Nalan Yanran, and he has earned the favor of Sect Leader Yun Yun."

"This time, Sect Leader Yun sent my worthy nephew out to gain experience and had him accompany me as well, so he could broaden his horizons."

Everyone present was shrewd. Naturally, Nalan Su would not bluntly state that Gu Han was the Misty Cloud Sect's representative sent by Yun Yun to personally see that the Engagement matter was resolved properly.

It was enough to reveal Gu Han's talent and standing within the Misty Cloud Sect. Xiao Zhan would know what to do.

And that was indeed the case. The look in Xiao Zhan's eyes changed instantly as he looked at Gu Han, and he smiled. "So you are an outstanding disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect. Welcome to the Xiao Family. If you are not in a hurry, you may stay a few more days and exchange pointers with the younger generation of my Xiao Family."

Gu Han rose and cupped his fists toward Xiao Zhan, neither obsequious nor overbearing. "Thank you, Xiao Family Head, for the invitation, but on this journey, I will follow Uncle Nalan's arrangements."

Nalan Su felt immensely proud and laughed heartily. "Brother Xiao, that is hardly fair. Sect Leader Yun already said I was to look after my worthy nephew, yet you are inviting him over my head."

"And you invite him, but not me?"

"Given our relationship, do you still need a formal invitation?" Xiao Zhan smiled as well. "You must stay at the Xiao Family for a few more days. Let Young Friend Gu offer some guidance to the Xiao Family juniors, so they understand that there is always someone stronger. No problem with that, right?"

Though the question seemed directed at Nalan Su, Xiao Zhan kept his gaze fixed on Gu Han. Clearly, he knew who had the final say.

"Since I will be imposing on the Xiao Family, there is naturally no issue with doing what I can," Gu Han said without refusing.

It was also the perfect opportunity for him to display his talent from every angle and try to attract investment from Gu Xun'er or the few Guards secretly protecting her.

Thinking of Xun'er, he could not help turning his head toward the girl seated in the corner of the hall.

Like a secluded orchid blooming alone in an empty valley, she sat quietly there with her head lowered, flipping through an ancient book.

Her delicate face was like carved jade, and her skin was even more exquisite than white jade. Though her youth still lent her a touch of childishness, she had already grown into a graceful young beauty. One could imagine that she would surely become a peerless beauty in the future. Her unique temperament was even more unforgettable, leaving an imprint upon one's soul that could never be erased.

Sensing someone studying her intently, Xun'er slightly raised her head and met Gu Han's gaze.

He was the most handsome and distinguished young man she had seen so far, but what surprised her even more was the calmness and pure appreciation in his eyes.

She knew very well how attractive her appearance and temperament were to men. This was the first person who, upon seeing her, had not revealed the kind of gaze she detested.

Still, she was only mildly surprised. Not the slightest ripple stirred within her heart.

The world did not revolve around her. Gu Han's cultivation talent placed him among the Prodigies of the Jia Ma Empire, so it was perfectly normal for him not to be so shallow as to care only about appearances.

After their gazes met, they lingered for only an instant before both withdrew them, neither pausing any longer.

Just then, the voices of the Xiao Family Steward and guards speaking came from the entrance.

Before long, a kindly old man led in a properly dressed young man whose eyes and expression were silent, his body slightly hunched.

The future Yan Emperor. I wonder how many fellow villagers' memories he still carried. Gu Han's restrained gaze fell upon the young Xiao Yan.

When he reached the center of the hall, Xiao Yan slightly raised his head and swept his gaze across every face in the room.

When he saw the middle-aged man seated beside his father, his pupils suddenly contracted.

The man looked even younger than Xiao Zhan, yet on his chest was an emblem of a silver crescent moon surrounded by nine golden stars, indicating that he was a Nine-star Dou Grandmaster.

In the more than ten years since returning from the Imperial Capital to Wutan City, this was the strongest person Xiao Yan had ever seen.

As he pondered the man's identity, the youth looked toward the seats on his right.

Seated at the foremost position was a young girl, more beautiful than Xiao Mei and the other girls in the clan. She was slightly inferior to Xun'er, who resembled a Green Lotus, but her blend of innocence, allure, and fragility was even more capable of stirring a man's urge to protect and possess her.

Yet what shocked him more than her appearance and bearing was that she looked about his age, yet was already a One-star Dou Practitioner.

Unless she had relied on external means to awaken her strength, she was a genius.

Taking a slight breath inwardly, Xiao Yan moved his gaze and saw an unfathomable old man in the second position, followed by the third.

"How is this possible?!" Xiao Yan's pupils shrank sharply, and a tempest rose in his heart.

This young man wore a moon-white robe. He was about Xiao Yan's age, handsome, and stood tall with an exceptionally captivating presence.

But what was astonishing was still not his appearance. It was the emblem on his chest, bearing five golden stars, which represented that the youth was a Five-star Dou Practitioner.

Even if his former talent had remained, he would not dare claim that he could have reached such a height at this age.

This was an absolute genius!

"Just who are these people who came today?!" Xiao Yan racked his brains.

Remembering what Xiao Zhan had said the night before, anticipation rose in his heart. He felt that these people might have been invited by his father to examine the problem with his body.

"Father, Three Elders."

Though countless thoughts raced through his mind, Xiao Yan did not move slowly as he greeted Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders.

"Hehe, Yan'er is here. Take your seat first." Xiao Zhan gestured for Xiao Yan to sit in the first seat at his right.

This only made Xiao Yan more certain of his guess.

Ever since he had become a Waste, his status and treatment within the Xiao Family had worsened by the day.

If this group had not come for him today, then let alone the first seat, he might not even have been given a seat at all.

"Yes, Father." Xiao Yan took a deep breath, walked to his place, and sat down.

After Xiao Yan sat, Xiao Zhan spoke. "Yan'er, can you guess who this person beside me is?"

Xiao Yan had been pondering that question ever since he first saw the man.

Normally, children only began forming memories after the age of three.

But Xiao Yan was not normal. He knew of the Xiao Family's former "glory," and he also knew that the Xiao Family had once been acquainted with many powerful figures.

Among them, the one with the closest relationship...

"Could it be Uncle Nalan?"

Xiao Yan's dark eyes gleamed frighteningly as his gaze instinctively swept over Nalan Yanyun.

So this was the one Father had once mentioned... his fiancée!?