I Don't Live off a Woman! Yan Emperor's "Smells So Good" Moment

Rustle! Rustle!

Hearing the conversation between Xiao Zhan and Nalan Su, Xun'er kept her head lowered as she calmly flipped through the ancient booklet in her hands. There was not the slightest change in expression on her cool, ethereal face.

That reaction was unlike what one should have upon hearing that someone they liked had an engagement. It was not even how one would react upon hearing that an acquaintance was about to marry.

This was somewhat beyond Gu Han's expectations, but upon careful thought, it was only natural.

Potato was merely an author. He did not understand Battle Through the Heavens at all.

Xun'er was the daughter of the Ancient Clan Chief, an Imperial Clan. Not to mention that a Dou Saint watched over her in secret, it would not be difficult for the Ancient Clan to dispatch a Dou Venerate with its foundations.

Dou Emperors such as Ling Ying and Ling Xiao were merely the weakest guards she could directly command in the open. There were men and women, young and old among them, capable of adapting to any situation.

No guard could possibly stand by and watch their Young Miss have her bones examined by someone of the opposite sex, even if both parties were only children.

"But if Xiao Yan became an emperor in the future, with the friendship they had formed in their youth, everything would make sense."

"Just as Xun'er said in the novel, if one could become a Dou Emperor, one could freely choose any woman on this continent."

Suppressing his inner emotions, Gu Han closed his eyes and began visualizing the Black Tortoise Shell.

His Mortal Realm Mid-Stage Soul Power spread outward, drawing Heaven and Earth Energy to gather around him.

Unbeknownst to him, the voice of a middle-aged woman sounded beside Xun'er's ear. "Young Miss, that Misty Cloud Sect disciple is a Six-star Dou Practitioner and possesses a Mortal Realm Mid-Stage soul."

"Oh?" Xun'er paused in the middle of turning a page, a trace of surprise flashing through her beautiful eyes.

Whether it was a Five-star Dou Practitioner, a Six-star Dou Practitioner, a Six-star Dou Master, or a Six-star Da Dou Shi, none of them could stir much emotion in her.

Within the Ancient Clan, anyone who could not become a Dou King before twenty or a Dou Zong before thirty would be eliminated as an ordinary genius. They could not be considered prodigies, much less core seeds.

Gu Han had neither the bloodline nor resources of an Imperial Clan and had grown up in the barren land of the Maga Empire. If he possessed the strength of a Da Dou Shi now, that would be worthy of recognition. Reaching the Dou Ling realm would make him a continental-level genius.

But for a Dou Practitioner to possess a Mortal Realm Mid-Stage soul meant that Gu Han was a top-tier genius. As long as he developed smoothly, breaking through to the Dou Zong realm would not be a problem. With sufficient opportunities, he could even break through to the Dou Venerate realm.

After all, the Soul Realm of most Dou Venerate experts stopped at Mortal Realm Perfection, unable to reach the Spirit Realm.

Within the Xiao Family, she had only regarded Xiao Yan differently because he possessed a Mortal Realm Early-Stage soul while still at the Dou Qi stage.

Although his cultivation had declined to the Third Stage of Dou Qi over the past few years, his Soul Realm had somehow improved instead, making his future even broader.

"Aunt Ling, investigate him." Xun'er's lips moved slightly.

"I have already sent Ling Ying to investigate. There will be results soon." Ling Xiao's voice carried a note of eagerness.

Xun'er flipped another page, smiling with her eyes. "Aunt Ling wishes to invest in him?"

"I do have that intention." Ling Xiao reported truthfully.

She was a peak ice-element Dou Emperor. Her cultivation, techniques, and Dou Technique inheritance were exceedingly rare within the Jia Ma Empire and several neighboring empires.

Yet within the Ancient Clan, she was merely an eliminated candidate who had failed the Black Mist Army assessment.

With the merit of guarding Xun'er, breaking through to the Dou Zong realm after returning to the clan would not be a problem.

But her chances of reaching the Dou Venerate realm in her lifetime were not great.

Upon seeing Gu Han, she felt the urge to take him under her wing and was willing to form a good connection.

Of course, she first had to determine that Gu Lin's background was clean, his talent exceptional, and his character reliable.

"Then examine him more carefully." Gu Xun'er's lips curled slightly. "If he can become Aunt Ling's disciple, he will count as one of my Ancient Clan. Talent alone will not suffice."

"This subordinate understands." Ling Xiao's voice was filled with excitement.

Gu Xun'er was promising her that if Gu Han's character and talent were both satisfactory, he could be brought back to the Ancient Clan for cultivation in the future.

Gu Han knew nothing of this for the time being. He only focused on cultivating quietly, "accidentally" revealing his talent.

Meanwhile, on the Xiao Family's road to the Back Mountain, Xiao Yan's palms were covered in sweat as he unconsciously clenched them.

He also understood his current circumstances. His future held no prospects. Being with him would only delay "Nalan Yanran."

When did I start acting so hesitant? Just because I'm not worthy, must I cling to her anyway?

A dragon does not dwell with snakes. One must know one's own place.

Xiao Yan gave a self-mocking smile and let out a long breath. "Junior Sister, you should know about my situation, right?"

"Which matter does Senior Brother mean?" Nalan Yanyun lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. Looking at the young woman before her, who seemed ready to throw everything aside, she felt somewhat curious. "That you were once a genius, cultivated Dou Qi at four, possessed Ninth Stage Dou Qi at ten, condensed your Dou Qi Vortex successfully at eleven, and became the youngest Dou Practitioner in the Xiao Family's Hundred Years?"

"Or that your cultivation declined continuously for three years, leaving you at the Third Stage of Dou Qi, after which you gradually became Waste in the eyes of most people around you?"

"It seems Junior Sister knows my circumstances well." Xiao Yan sighed. "Then you should know that I am not worthy of you."

"Not necessarily." Nalan Yanyun gently shook her head. "Senior Brother was once a genius. Your cultivation merely declined for some unknown reason. Perhaps your talent will recover in the future. Then you may return to the Dou Practitioner realm, or even become a Dou Master or Da Dou Shi. There is still a chance."

"But I am different. I can only remain a One-star Dou Practitioner for the rest of my life. I am the true Waste."

"Ah!?" Xiao Yan's eyes widened. He said incredulously, "You broke through to the One-star Dou Practitioner realm at such a young age. How could you possibly remain at this level forever?"

"Senior Brother, do you know when I became a One-star Dou Practitioner?" Nalan Yanran brushed aside her hair.

"When?" Xiao Yan asked.

"When I was thirteen." Nalan Yanyun's gaze darkened. "Two years have passed, and I am still a One-star Dou Practitioner. Senior Pill King Gu He diagnosed me and could only determine that I had been poisoned, but he did not know what poison it was."

"Even a Sixth-grade Alchemist cannot solve my problem. Do you think I still have any hope?"

"This, this..." Xiao Yan did not know what to say for a moment. Only after a long while did he look at her with an unreadable expression. "To have Pill King Gu He personally treat you, you truly are worthy of being the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect's prized disciple. So, does this make us a Waste alliance?"

He suddenly found himself able to accept this marriage alliance. Both were fallen souls at the ends of the world; it was only right for them to huddle together for warmth.

"Wrong." A trace of astonishment flashed through Nalan Yanyun's eyes before she extended a hand. "Senior Brother, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nalan Yanyun."

"Nalan Yanyun!?" An astonished expression appeared on Xiao Yan's delicate face. "Aren't you Nalan Yanran?"

"She is my Cousin." Smiling, Nalan Yanyun placed both hands behind her back and intertwined her fingers. "The matter is like this: my sister became the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, Grandfather values his promises, and as for me..."

Nalan Yanyun laid out the inside story behind the Exchange Marriage, including the benefits each person could gain from it.

"Isn't this making me live off a woman!?" Xiao Yan's train of thought was unusual, and he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Nalan Yanyun, a One-star Dou Practitioner, was marrying him with dowries provided by the Nalan Family, Nalan Jie, Nalan Yanyun herself, and the Misty Cloud Sect.

After a year, once he came of age and was sent out to manage the family businesses, his life would still be better than that of many family disciples.

His father could even arrange certain benefits for him under the pretext of having him care for Nalan Yanyun.

The family would absolutely have no objections!

"Senior Brother, do not think of it that way. We are simply taking what we each need." Nalan Yanyun rejected Xiao Yan's description and spoke earnestly. "If I do not marry Senior Brother, I do not know whom I may be married to in a few years. If my Husband is overbearing, my life will not be easy."

"Besides, I am also gambling—gambling that Senior Brother's talent can recover, that you can grow stronger in the future, discover the identities of those who harmed my Parents and me back then, and give me a sliver of a chance for revenge."

"If I agree to this, Cousin Yan Ran will owe me a favor, and the family must compensate me as well. I can use that to have Pill King Gu He examine your body."

"I only ask that you do not betray me!"

The young woman's voice was resolute. Her eyes held the determination to stake everything, the obsession of a gambler wagering her life, the stubborn refusal to yield to fate, and earnest hope.

Xiao Yan's lips trembled. Thinking of everything he had experienced over the past three years, his gaze also turned crazed.

If it is the First Alchemist of Jia Ma Empire, he should be able to figure out what is wrong with me, right!?

"If you do not fail me, I will never fail you!"

Xiao Yan reached out and grasped Nalan Yanyun's hand. This was his oath to stake everything.

Yao Chen in the Ring: "..."

Why did it feel like he had messed this up!?