"Respecting the Old and Cherishing the Young"

Tsk tsk tsk... It was truly worth coming here today... Watching Xiao Yan kneel on the ground and kowtow heavily to Xiao Zhan, Ning Chen revealed a satisfied smile.

In truth, he had originally intended to just watch the show, but he had gotten a bit too excited and couldn't help but chime in with a few words about Nalan Yanran.

To be fair, having spent many years lurking on forums in his past life, Ning Chen tended toward a different perspective.

Nalan Yanran's desire to pursue freedom and reject an arranged marriage was not wrong in itself; her greatest mistake lay in that high-and-mighty method of breaking off the engagement, which showed absolutely no regard for the other party's dignity.

But thinking about it, that made sense; the author was only nineteen at the time, a mere kid, so how could he have truly seen the kind of ruthless, soul-crushing "bad women" that exist in the real world?

Compared to those, Nalan Yanran's level of conduct could almost be considered that of a good woman.

Unlike Ning Chen, who was purely there to enjoy the spectacle, Xiao Xun'er, standing to the side, felt a mix of shock and suspicion.

She was shocked because Ning Chen had just casually mentioned top-tier factions in the Central Plains, his tone as mundane as if he were discussing neighbors, which all but confirmed her suspicion that he hailed from the Central Plains.

She was suspicious because, since when had the Central Plains produced such an eccentric powerhouse?

Why would a grandmaster, presumably from the Central Plains, deign to stay in this "backwater" Northwest Continent and mingle with a group of people from the Xiao Clan whose highest cultivation was merely at the Da Dou Shi level?

What about his dignity and majesty as a powerhouse? This was completely illogical!

"What a great 'do not bully the young because they are poor'! Resounding and utterly satisfying!"

Ning Chen clapped lightly and walked slowly toward the newly risen Xiao Yan, an appreciative smile on his face.

However, his tone shifted, becoming somewhat profound.

"Youthful spirit and sharp edges are good things, but being too rigid makes one prone to breaking. Being too headstrong is not always a blessing."

He looked at Xiao Yan's slightly stunned expression and continued.

"If it were me, I would have accepted that bottle of Juqi Powder. Not only would I accept it, but I would even use the opportunity of the engagement not yet being fully severed to fight for more tangible resources. As for that fifteen-year agreement... why not agree to it? The longer the time, the more thorough the preparation."

Ning Chen patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder gently.

"Kid, remember, you only have one life. While letting your blood boil is exhilarating, if you die, then everything is truly gone."

"Only by staying alive are there infinite possibilities."

"This..."

Xiao Yan was stunned by Ning Chen's overly "realistic," perhaps even "mercenary," remarks, leaving him speechless for a moment.

Weren't the powerhouses he imagined supposed to be those who acted on impulse and never bent?

Why was this Mr. Ning's philosophy of life... so different?

However, Xiao Zhan and the elders to the side nodded secretly upon hearing this.

Having experienced more of the world's hardships, they knew that Ning Chen's words were the truly prudent and mature advice.

In the face of an absolute gap in strength, temporary forbearance and fighting for one's own best interests was not shameful; it was the wisdom of survival.

Xiao Yan was not stupid. After the initial shock, he carefully ruminated on Ning Chen's words, combined with the Xiao Clan's current predicament and the vast power of the Yunlan Sect...

A cold sweat of hindsight quietly soaked his back.

Three years! In his impulsiveness, he had actually shortened the fifteen-year agreement to three years!

This meant he had to possess strength at least comparable to a Da Dou Shi, or perhaps even stronger, within three years to step onto the Yunlan Sect!

The difficulty and risks involved were unimaginable!

Damn it! What's the point of telling me this now!

Xiao Yan couldn't help but wail internally.

However, this pressure did not make him retreat; instead, it ignited an even stronger fighting spirit.

He did not regret his choice. If he had to do it all over again, he would still write that letter of divorce and set the three-year agreement!

This concerned his dignity and his father's honor; there was no room for compromise!

Watching the complex expressions of realization, annoyance, and then renewed determination flash across Xiao Yan's face, Ning Chen chuckled, as if he had seen through his thoughts.

"However, it is precisely this unyielding spirit of yours that I find quite admirable."

Ning Chen flipped his wrist, and a warm jade bottle appeared in his palm, which he tossed to Xiao Yan.

"This bottle of Pulse Solidifying Pill is of no use to me, so I'll give it to you. The grade isn't particularly high, but it should be of some benefit for you to stabilize your meridians and solidify your foundation at this stage. Consider it a gesture of goodwill."

Xiao Yan subconsciously caught the jade bottle, feeling its slight chill. He looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Mr. Ning, this..."

"Accept it."

Ning Chen waved his hand, cutting him off, his tone casual. "Cultivate well. I look forward to your performance in three years."

Just then, a flash of inspiration struck Xiao Zhan on the main seat. Recalling what Ning Chen had said earlier, especially the names of those Central Plains factions, he suddenly understood something.

He looked sharply at Ning Chen and asked cautiously, "Mr... Mr. Ning, your memory..."

To Xiao Zhan's probing, Ning Chen neither denied nor confirmed it, merely offering a faint smile.

"I am a bit tired. I will return to rest first."

Having said that, he ignored the varied expressions of the crowd, turned around leisurely, and left the hall, which was still filled with complex emotions.

With the most important matter of the broken engagement concluded, there was no need to stay in Wutan City any longer. All that remained was to give Yao Chen another scare to farm some Surprise Points, collect the items purchased from the Mittel Auction House, and then he could leave this place.

As for the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade... that had never been a consideration for Ning Chen.

To him, this thing was purely a chicken rib—tasteless to eat but a pity to discard; as long as it didn't fall into the hands of Hun Tiandi, it would be fine.

Watching Ning Chen's departing back, the members of the Xiao Clan were filled with mixed emotions, especially Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er, whose hearts were stirred by turbulent waves.

Xiao Zhan was worried that if Ning Chen's memory returned, it would be impossible to tell whether it would be a blessing or a curse for the Xiao Clan.

As for Xiao Xun'er, she was worried about much more.

Recalling all of Ning Chen's actions over the past few days, her gaze gradually became firm.

"I must take action..."

After walking out of the main hall, Ning Chen did not return to his quarters. Instead, he wandered around a garden for a while, roughly estimated the time, and then headed toward the back mountain of the Xiao Clan.

Just as he approached the back mountain, a familiar, profanity-laden outburst filled with rage came cutting through the wind, articulated with perfect clarity and raw emotion.

"F*** your mother!!!"

"That feels better."

Ning Chen smiled with satisfaction.

Being in another world, hearing such "intimate" native slang actually provided a subtle sense of comfort, like meeting an old friend in a foreign land.

When he leisurely climbed to the top of the cliff, he saw Xiao Yan standing alone at the edge, his expression exceptionally complex. Shock, anger, and confusion intertwined and shifted across his young face.

Seeing Ning Chen arrive, Xiao Yan hurriedly hid his right hand behind his back and then feigned composure.

"Mr... Mr. Ning, weren't you going to rest? Why did you suddenly come... come to the back mountain?"

"What? Is little brother Xiao Yan not welcoming of my presence?" Ning Chen chuckled softly and strolled over to stand in front of Xiao Yan.

"Of course not! Mr. Ning is an honored guest of the Xiao Clan; how could I dare to be unwelcoming?"

"Heh."

Ning Chen still wore that refreshing, gentle smile. He reached out to pat Xiao Yan on the shoulder, but his gaze swept over that antique black ring with a seemingly casual, condescending air.

"Uh... Mr. Ning, I'm feeling a bit tired myself, so I won't disturb you any longer. I'll be taking my leave now..."

Xiao Yan tried to leave with a dry laugh, only to suddenly discover that the hand Ning Chen had placed on his shoulder was as heavy as a mountain, pinning him so firmly he couldn't move an inch!

This sudden turn of events made Xiao Yan break out in a cold sweat instantly.

And the words that Ning Chen calmly spat out next were like a thunderclap, shaking his very soul.

"Little fellow from the Starfall Pavilion, are you not coming out yet?" Ning Chen's tone was indifferent, devoid of its usual gentleness.

"Ah? Mr... Mr. Ning... what are you talking about? Starfall Pavilion? I have no idea." Xiao Yan was bewildered, having no clue who Ning Chen was referring to.

"I'm not talking to you."

Ning Chen stopped looking at him, his gaze locked steadily onto the black ring on Xiao Yan's finger, and he said nothing more.

The atmosphere on the cliff top suddenly stagnated, becoming suffocatingly heavy.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to buckle under the pressure and spill everything about the anomaly in the ring, a weary, aged sigh drifted out from the ring, echoing across the silent cliff.

"Sigh... I should have expected this long ago..."