Nalan Yanran: Teacher, What Have You Been Doing Behind My Back?

After Yun Yun left, Nalan Yanran strolled around the sect.

She had been in seclusion for several years, and now that she had finally emerged, she naturally didn't want to stay in her room to consolidate her cultivation. Instead, she wanted to go out and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Misty Cloud Sect.

To be fair, the scenery of the Misty Cloud Sect is indeed beautiful. As Nalan Yanran looked at the surrounding sea of clouds and the towering green peaks, her mood improved considerably.

Before she knew it, she had arrived at the plaza where the lower-level disciples practiced their Dou Technique.

She glanced at it casually.

The disciples here are mostly ordinary disciples at the level of Dou Zhe and Dou Qi. Those disciples who were familiar with her back then are now at least at the level of Dou Master. They have sect missions to carry out, so naturally they won't be cultivating Dou Technique here.

However, when Nalan Yanran saw the figure leading the disciples in cultivation at the forefront, she froze on the spot.

That's... Xiao Yan's cousin, right? I think her name is Xiao Mei?

Looking at the girl dressed in a moon-white disciple uniform with a light pink ribbon tied around her waist, whose pretty face, still somewhat immature, exuded a charming allure, Nalan Yanran's expression was one of astonishment.

She never expected to meet someone from the Xiao Family at the Misty Cloud Sect.

During the month she stayed at the Xiao Family's residence, she did have some interactions with Xiao Mei.

Of course, to be honest, her relationship with Xiao Mei was actually much better in her previous life than it is in this one.

In a sense, she and Xiao Mei were similar; both were women who missed out on Xiao Yan and regretted it for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, the two had some contact with each other, and over time, they became familiar with each other.

However, this life is different. Xiao Yan has always been shining brightly, and Xiao Mei is completely a fan of Xiao Yan. Her eyes sparkle when she mentions Xiao Yan, and she calls him "cousin "in her Xiao Yan affectionate and clingy manner makes it clear to everyone that she has feelings for Xiao Yan.

Now, at sixteen years old, Xiao Mei is already a Da Dou Shi. Judging from the respectful way the disciples around her treat her, it's clear that after her senior sister went into seclusion, Xiao Mei inherited her position.

However, Nalan Yanran didn't think too much about it. After all, given the relationship between Xiao Yan and her teacher, let alone Xiao Mei, the Misty Cloud Sect would be willing to accept even more members of the Xiao Family.

Moreover, now that the Xiao Family is developing in the Imperial Capital, it is natural for them to cultivate good relations with the major powers of the Jia Ma Empire in order to get things done.

However, since it was a rare opportunity to run into an acquaintance, Nalan Yanran wanted to chat for a bit. So, after Xiao Mei had finished teaching and the disciples began practicing on their own, Nalan Yanran went straight over and greeted them with a smile:

"Little sister Xiao Mei, I didn't expect you to come to the Misty Cloud Sect to cultivate as well?"

Upon hearing that somewhat familiar voice, Xiao Mei paused for a moment, then turned her head to look in the direction from which the voice came, a thought flashing through her mind.

She's no longer the little girl who begged her cousin Xiao Yan for a hug. Naturally, she knows about the complicated relationship between this Sister Nalan and her cousin. Of course, she has no right to say that other people's relationships are messy.

After all, although she wasn't accepted as a disciple by Yun Yun within the sect, she was personally taught by Yun Yun. According to the sect's rules, Sister Nalan was her legitimate senior sister.

But if we consider things privately, Sect Leader Yun Yun is his cousin-in-law, and she might even become his good older sister for life.

Nalan was the woman who could have been her cousin-in-law and a good sister for life.

With her intelligence, she naturally understood that if Nalan Yanran found out about her cousin Xiao Yan and cousin-in-law Yun Yun's affair, things would definitely go wrong. Therefore, she didn't show any unnatural expression on her face and went to greet them with a look of surprise and delight.

"Sister Nalan, you've finally emerged from seclusion!" She reached out and grabbed Nalan Yanran's hand, looking at her with envy. "Sister Nalan, you must be incredibly powerful now, right? That pressure you exuded just now was even stronger than the Sect Master's!"

Hearing Xiao Mei praise her so sincerely, Nalan Yanran naturally felt quite pleased.

It should be noted that in her previous life, as a member of the Xiao Family, although due to the remoteness of her bloodline, Xiao Mei's Dou Emperor Bloodline only allowed her strength to surge to the Dou Zong level, she later broke through to Xiao Mei Dou Sheng even earlier than her, thanks to the pills and other cultivation resources provided by the Xiao Family.

With Xiao Yan's heaven-defying Emperor- Alchemy, the direct descendants of the Xiao Family never lacked a single pill.

She was ahead in this life, and there was still a little joy in her heart.

"Fortunately, I managed to break through to the Dou Zun."

Nalan Yanran also spoke softly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mei's face stiffened slightly.

You got lucky too?

Looking at Nalan Yanran, whose speech had already become like that of Xiao Yan's cousin, Xiao Mei felt a pang of regret for her in her heart.

I don't know why Sister Nalan broke off her engagement with her cousin. They could have been as close as family, but now...

The thought of Yun Yun's relationship with Xiao Yan's cousin made Xiao Mei almost lose her composure.

"Wow, that's amazing! I'm a Da Dou Shi now!"

Xiao Mei quickly regained her composure and said with an expression of admiration.

"Hmm, a sixteen-year-old Da Dou Shi is already quite impressive!"

Nalan Yanran also said with a smile.

Actually, there's nothing wrong with what others said, but when Nalan Yanran said it, it took on a slightly different meaning.

After all, she had already reached the Dou Ling more than three years ago, when she was around fourteen years old.

However, Xiao Mei didn't care about that; she was already quite satisfied with her cultivation level.

A sixteen-year-old Da Dou Shi —in the Jia Nan Academy's admission standards, this already far exceeds the S-level potential rating.

Of course, he can't compare to his sixteen-year-old cousin Xiao Yan, Dou Zong is a Dou Zong.

In the Dou Qi Continent, most people are sixteen years old and may not even be Dou Zhe yet.

"By the way, does your Xiao Family have any news about Xiao Yan?"

Nalan Yanran was not simply there to catch up with Xiao Mei; her eagerness was palpable. After only a few pleasantries, she revealed her true intentions and got straight to the point.

"Cousin Xiao Yan? Hmm, I'm not too sure either. I only know that he's currently cultivating at the Danta in Central Plains. Two years ago, he took Sister Xiao Yi Xian to the Chu Yun Empire. Back then, he was still Dou Zong expert."

Xiao Mei relayed the information she could.

So, he was already Dou Zong before he was even sixteen?

And... the Danta?

Nalan Yanran felt a chill run down her spine.

She had originally thought that Xiao Yan would most likely cultivate at the Starfall Pavilion, but unexpectedly he went to the Danta. In that case, his relationship with the Danta must have been established as well.

Shouldn't I go to the Flower Sect then?

The thought that Yun Yun had just suppressed resurfaced in her mind. Although she didn't know how the matter of Venerable Yao's resurrection was progressing, she had heard that Xiao Yan had gone to a certain ruin in the Beast Domain before Yao Zun was resurrected. Old Yao usually have time limits for opening, so Old Yao probably hadn't been resurrected yet, and Xiao Yan might not be in a hurry to go to the Flower Sect?

Her mind raced as she considered what she should do next.

Got it!

Let's go ask Sister Ya Fei first. She's Xiao Yan's fiancée, so she should have more information than Xiao Mei, right?

Thinking of this, Nalan Yanran nodded to Xiao Mei:

"Oh, I see. Thank you so much, Xiao Mei."

Xiao Mei shook her head, indicating that she didn't need to be so polite about such a small matter.

"Then, Sister Xiao Mei, you go ahead with your work. I won't bother you any longer. We can find some time to have a proper chat later. I've been in seclusion for many years, and it seems that many of my former senior and junior sisters are no longer in the sect. I can only trouble you, Sister."

Nalan Yanran held Xiao Mei's hand and said with a friendly expression.

"Sister Nalan, you're too kind. Because of my cousin, Mei'er has always received guidance from the sect leader in the sect. In a way, I'm also Sister Nalan's junior sister. Sister, please feel free to tell me anything."

Xiao Mei could tell that Nalan Yanran had asked the question she wanted to know and was planning to end the conversation. Instead of pointing it out, she smiled and tried to get closer to Nalan Yanran.

This will also help Xiao Yan's cousin understand Nalan's thoughts and feelings!

She's so clever!

When Xiao Yan's cousin comes back, he'll definitely praise her for being smart!

Hehe, Cousin Xiao Yan...

"Okay, then you go ahead with your work, I'll come find you later."

Hearing Xiao Mei say this, Nalan Yanran much closer to her as well. She wasn't surprised at all that Yun Yun would personally teach Xiao Mei.

Back when she was at the Xiao Family, she could tell that her teacher was quite satisfied with Xiao Yan, even more so than with her, his own direct disciple.

There's no way around it, Xiao Yan is just too extraordinary. He's talented, hardworking, and has a charming way of speaking, always managing to make his teacher happy. Yet, he shows considerable respect to his senior sister, even showing some restraint, and has never been particularly close to her.

This is driving me crazy!

I need to learn from Sister Ya Fei!

Nalan Yanran acted immediately. With her current Dou Zun strength, going to the Imperial Capital was simply a matter of tearing through space.

After bidding farewell to Xiao Mei, Nalan Yanran tore through space and arrived directly in the Imperial Capital.

Although Nalan Yanran had never been to the Alliance headquarters before, she had grown up in the Imperial Capital city and was quite familiar with every part of the city. Therefore, she didn't need to ask anyone. She could simply look down from the sky above the Imperial Capital city and immediately recognize the Yan Alliance headquarters, which was much grander than the Imperial Palace.

So she headed straight for the magnificent building.

Just like in her previous life, she was quite sensitive to soul power, and in this new life, her sensitivity to soul power has increased.

Xiao Yan had previously told her that he hadn't experienced the things she knew about; he was merely an observer.

But she could tell from the soul fluctuations that it was Xiao Yan himself.

As for whether he was an observer, Nalan Yanran wasn't quite sure, but she was confident in her own perception that Xiao Yan's soul in this life was essentially the same as Xiao Yan's in the previous life.

With her current Dou Zun level, her soul power would not be weak, so she was able to lock onto Ya Fei's aura with just a slight sense.

To her surprise, next to Ya Fei's aura was another aura that she was extremely familiar with.

That was... her teacher Yun Yun?

Nalan Yanran didn't think there was anything wrong with it, assuming that the teacher was just chatting about work with Sister Ya Fei.

After thinking about it, she decided to go directly there. Anyway, her teacher knew that she liked Xiao Yan and supported her.

Perhaps she could even offer some advice to Ya Fei.

With Nalan Yanran's current cultivation level, she naturally wouldn't disturb anyone and quietly arrived at the door.

Just as she was about to knock on the door, she heard Yun Yun's sorrowful voice coming from inside:

"Ya Fei, how about I go to Central Plains to find Xiao Yan?"

Looking for Xiao Yan?

Nalan Yanran somewhat puzzled.

"You should have gone long ago. The Alliance's resources are ultimately limited. If you had gone to Central Plains earlier, you might already be Dou Zun expert. Would Xiao Yan treat you badly?" Ya Fei's voice echoed in the room. "You only thought of leaving after your disciple finished his seclusion. Even if we send a message to Xiao Yan now, won't your affair with him still be exposed when he returns?"

Upon hearing this, Nalan Yanran's face immediately turned several shades paler.

All she could hear now was Ya Fei's words. "Your affair with him will still be exposed eventually."

She's not stupid; how could she not know what those words meant?

"Sigh, in the end, it's me, as the teacher, who has wronged Yanran. I really don't know how to talk to her about this now."

Inside the room, Yun Yun sighed and said with some difficulty.

"What's there to apologize for? Your disciple broke off the engagement on his own initiative, and the feelings between you and Xiao Yan are genuine. Anyway, you and Xiao Yan are already engaged, and the deed is done. There's no going back now. Don't do anything stupid, or I'll immediately summon Elder Hai, Elder Yun, and Elder Jia to seal your Dou Qi. I'll personally keep an eye on you!"

Knowing that Yun Yun was easily swayed by matters of affection, Ya Fei gave her a serious warning.

She didn't want Yun Yun to have a moment of madness and do something like leaving in shame because she stole her disciple's man.

"Ya Fei! What are you saying? How could I possibly abandon Xiao Yan? Back then..."

Hearing Ya Fei speak so bluntly, Yun Yun naturally understood that her good friend, who only had eyes for Xiao Yan, had clearly misunderstood her. Just as she was about to explain herself, the door suddenly opened, interrupting her.

"Teacher! What exactly did you do while carrying me on your back?!"

Nalan Yanran pushed open the door and entered, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Yanran?"

Upon seeing Nalan Yanran suddenly appear here, Yun Yun's face turned deathly pale.

It's over!

Judging from her expression, she had clearly heard everything he had just said!

"Teacher, you and Xiao Yan are master and disciple, how can you be with him! You know how I feel about him, why, why are you doing this to me!"

Nalan Yanran couldn't hold back her tears, biting her lower lip with her teeth, looking at Yun Yun with a pained expression, as if she had suffered a great betrayal.