Prelude to the Three-Year Agreement

Nalan Yanran raised her head, her gaze first passing over Yun Yun's gentle face before involuntarily drifting to Lu Heng, who stood nearby with an indifferent expression.

She opened her mouth, but in the end, she merely nodded.

"Teacher, I understand," she said softly.

Yun Yun looked at her disciple's expression and sighed quietly inwardly.

Some thoughts were better extinguished as early as possible.

She patted Nalan Yanran's hand and softened her tone.

"Yanran, for someone with cultivation talent like Lu Heng's, I'm afraid not even the entire Northwest Continent could produce another."

Nalan Yanran's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

She understood what her teacher meant.

Talent, opportunities, temperament, even the standing of those around him... this young man, who appeared to be the same age as her, had long reached a height she needed to look up to.

Aiming too high would only make her lose sight of herself.

"This disciple will remember Teacher's teachings." She lowered her eyes and bowed once more.

Then, she turned to Ya Fei and the others, bidding them farewell one by one. When she turned and left, her steps were far steadier than when she had arrived, and her back was a little straighter as well.

The rear courtyard fell quiet again.

Cai Lin leaned against a tree trunk, her golden eyes sweeping over the direction where Nalan Yanran had disappeared. She gave a faint snort through her nose.

"That girl has quite a few thoughts."

Ya Fei covered her smile with her lips, hooked her arm through Lu Heng's, and poked his chest with her other hand.

"Did you hear that? Even Sect Master Yun Yun said you're a treasure the entire Northwest Continent would struggle to produce. Satisfied now?"

Lu Heng let her do as she pleased, looking helpless. "Sister Ya Fei,