Xiao Yan's lips curled into a faint smile as he pushed open the door and stepped outside.
Medicine Elder followed close behind. With white hair and gray robes, his gaunt face and the air of transcendence surrounding him made him seem like someone untouched by the mortal world.
Though he was only a soul, the light of the Lotus Lantern had made his spirit body so solid that he was nearly indistinguishable from a living person. Unless someone had the perception of a Dou Emperor, they wouldn't spot a single flaw.
And so—
Xiao Yan brought Medicine Elder out in full view of the Xiao Family.
When the Xiao Family members saw the extraordinary old man accompanying Xiao Yan, surprise spread across their faces. They stopped in their tracks and stared.
"Th-that's... who?"
"What an imposing old man!"
"He doesn't look like an ordinary person at all!"
The crowd began to whisper among themselves.
Medicine Elder walked with his hands behind his back, his eyes sweeping over the crowd with a hint of scrutiny and detachment, as if he were looking at a swarm of ants.
After all, he had once been Venerable Yao. Putting on the airs of a great master came as naturally to him as breathing.
This only made the Xiao Family members more suspicious and uncertain.
"Do you think... this mysterious old man could be the key to the Third Young Master's sudden rise to Dou Wang?"
someone whispered.
"Very likely!"
"The Third Young Master's been keeping a low profile for the past three years. Maybe he's been training under this senior!"
"Look at the old man's bearing. He's definitely no ordinary person!"
"He might be some hidden master!"
The more they thought about it, the more sense it made.
Xiao Yan's cultivation had suddenly regressed three years ago, then surged to Dou Wang three years later. Who would believe that he hadn't received guidance from some great master?
"I reckon Young Master Xiao Yan became his disciple ages ago!"
"This senior must be his master!"
"With a master like that guiding him, no wonder Young Master Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Wang!"
The crowd nodded in agreement, their eyes full of awe as they looked at Medicine Elder.
Many more began guessing at Medicine Elder's identity.
"Wait, wait... do you think there's a chance this old man is a powerful figure from the Misty Cloud Sect?"
someone suddenly exclaimed.
At that, everyone perked up.
"Right!"
"The Third Young Master's fiancée came to visit today—and she just happened to choose this very moment!"
"And Young Master Xiao Yan just happened to reveal his true cultivation yesterday, with a mysterious old man at his side..."
"Hiss—"
"Could this mysterious old man really be a senior from the Misty Cloud Sect?"
"Maybe he's been secretly guiding the Third Young Master all along!"
"His fiancée came to visit today, and she's probably taking this opportunity to make the betrothal official in front of the whole Xiao Family!"
"Maybe... she's even here to announce that Young Master Xiao Yan is officially joining the Misty Cloud Sect?"
The crowd drew in a sharp breath at the thought.
The more they considered it, the more convincing it seemed!
The more likely it seemed!
"I was wondering why a heaven's favorite like Nalan Yanran would suddenly visit a backwater place like our Xiao Family!"
"So that's it! It all makes sense now!"
"I knew it! Young Master Xiao Yan was a genius back then. Why would the Nalan Family ever break off the engagement?"
"So all of this was arranged from the start!"
The crowd finally saw the light, excitement written all over their faces.
At first, they had suspected that a heaven's favorite like Nalan Yanran had come to break off the engagement.
After all, Xiao Yan's reputation as a "good-for-nothing" over the past three years had been all too well known.
Who would believe that a gifted disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect would willingly marry a good-for-nothing with three segments of Dou Qi?
But now—
Xiao Yan had revealed his terrifying strength, and there was "Medicine Elder" at his side. The Xiao Family members had begun to think that Nalan Yanran hadn't come to break off the engagement at all.
She'd come to lend Xiao Yan her support!
"With things like this, who in the Xiao Family could ever match Xiao Yan's standing from now on?"
someone remarked.
"Exactly!"
"Young Master Xiao Yan is a Dou Wang now—at fifteen!"
"And he has the Misty Cloud Sect backing him!"
"He's the only one who could become the next Xiao Family patriarch!"
"Forget the Xiao Family patriarch! No one in the entire Jia Ma Empire could match the Third Young Master's renown!"
Everyone nodded, their eyes full of envy and awe.
"So that means..."
someone said, swallowing hard, his voice trembling.
"After today, our Xiao Family will be climbing a mighty tree like the Misty Cloud Sect?"
At those words, the crowd erupted.
The Misty Cloud Sect!
It was one of the Jia Ma Empire's top sects!
If the Xiao Family could gain the Misty Cloud Sect's favor, who in Wutan City would dare provoke them?
"The Xiao Family is on the rise! The Xiao Family is on the rise!"
Someone's face flushed with excitement.
For a moment, the Xiao Family members looked at Xiao Yan with even greater fervor.
However—
Xiao Yan paid no heed to the discussion and speculation around him.
His expression was calm, and his steps unhurried as he headed straight for the meeting hall.
How could he not know what they were thinking?
It was just that...
They were all wrong.
Nalan Yanran had indeed come to break off the engagement.
And Xiao Yan didn't need the Misty Cloud Sect's support at all.
There'd be a good show soon enough.
A playful smile tugged at Xiao Yan's lips as he continued on.
Unexpectedly—
Just as he passed through the corridor, a graceful figure appeared in front of him.
Xiao Yan slowed and looked up.
Xiao Mei stood a short distance ahead, dressed in a pale green gown. Her figure was slender, and her face lovely.
She held a food box in her hands. A trace of shyness showed on her face, and she looked somewhat uneasy.
When she saw Xiao Yan approaching, a complicated look flashed through her eyes.
Nervousness, anticipation, and a hint of... regret.
"X-Xiao Yan."
Xiao Mei bit her lip and lowered her head as she walked up to him, offering him the food box.
Her voice was soft as a mosquito's buzz, tentative and cautious.
"You probably haven't had breakfast yet..."
"H-here. This is for you."
She looked up at Xiao Yan, her eyes full of hope.
She looked like a bashful young girl. There wasn't a trace of her usual arrogance left.
Xiao Yan paused.
Xiao Mei?
The Xiao Mei from the original story, who had distanced herself from Xiao Yan when he fell on hard times, only to regret it bitterly once he rose again?
And now...
She'd come to bring him breakfast?
Xiao Yan looked at her face, shy and expectant, and couldn't help feeling startled.
Was this really the same arrogant Xiao Mei?
That was quite a change.
However—
He may have been surprised, but he felt nothing at all.
He clearly remembered how Xiao Mei had distanced herself from him when he was down on his luck in the original story.
She hadn't been as bad as the clan members who had kicked him while he was down, but she'd still chosen to stand by and watch.
Now that he'd risen again, she was here trying to curry favor?
A faint smile touched Xiao Yan's lips, but it held a trace of distance.
"No need, thanks."
His voice was flat and utterly cold.
He walked right past Xiao Mei and continued on.
He didn't even spare her a second glance.
Xiao Mei froze in place, the food box still held out in her hands.
Her face was full of hurt and disappointment.
[ Ding—]
The system notification rang out in Xiao Yan's mind.
[ Heh heh heh...]
[ With your extraordinary charm, you've managed to draw over Xiao Yan's former little admirer, who's now completely smitten with you!]
[ You're simply too awesome!]
[ Heaven's chosen protagonist's fortune -100!]
[ Your fortune +100!]
[ Obtained +66 Super Villain Points!]
Xiao Yan's lips twitched.
That worked too?
But he didn't look back. He kept walking.
Behind him, Xiao Mei watched Xiao Yan's retreating figure, her eyes turning red.
She parted her lips, wanting to say something, but her throat was dry. Not a single word came out.
Xiao Yan...
Do you really hate me that much?
[ Ding—]
The system notification rang out again.
[ Well done, host! That's right, just like that!]
[ A late-arriving affection is cheaper than grass! Keep her dangling and toy with her feelings!]
[ Make her suffer, and regret everything!]
[ Host obtained +200 Super Villain Points!]
Xiao Yan: "..."
That earned points too?
He shook his head, feeling utterly speechless.
But—
He hadn't meant to keep Xiao Mei dangling.
He simply...
Wasn't interested.
Back when Xiao Yan was down on his luck, you ignored him.
Now that he'd risen, you came running to curry favor?
Things in this world didn't come that cheaply.
Xiao Yan remained calm as he entered the meeting hall with Medicine Elder.
Behind him, Xiao Mei stood rooted to the spot, staring at the figure that had vanished through the doorway. At last, tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Xiao Yan..."
she murmured, her voice thick with regret.
"Is... is there really no chance for me anymore?"
She remembered how, when Xiao Yan had still been a genius, she'd always loved following him around and calling him "Brother Xiao Yan."
At the time, Xiao Yan had treated her with warmth and courtesy too.
But later...
Xiao Yan's cultivation regressed, and he became a useless good-for-nothing.
She gradually distanced herself from him.
Though she never mocked or bullied him like the others, she was no longer as close to him as she once had been.
Looking back now...
What a foolish choice that had been!
"Yeah..."
Xiao Mei gave a bitter smile, tears blurring her vision.
"You and Nalan Yanran are the ones made for each other."
"She's so beautiful, and she's the Misty Cloud Sect's gifted young lady..."
"I... how could I possibly have a chance?"
She clutched the food box tightly, her knuckles turning white.
Her heart was full of bitterness and regret.
If she hadn't distanced herself from Xiao Yan over these past three years because his cultivation had regressed...
If she had still treated him as she used to over these past three years...
Would there...
Would there still have been a chance?
Unfortunately, there were no "ifs" in this world.
Xiao Mei gazed toward the meeting hall, silent for a long time.
Sunlight fell upon her, but it could not dispel the gloom in her heart.
Inside the meeting hall.
Xiao Yan strode in.
Xiao Zhan sat at the head of the hall, his expression stern.
Several elders were seated there as well, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
As soon as Xiao Yan appeared in the doorway, everyone's eyes turned toward him in unison.
Xiao Yan's expression was calm as his gaze swept across the hall.
Beside Xiao Zhan sat an unfamiliar old man.
The old man wore a gray robe, his face stern, and an aura of strength emanated faintly from him.
And beside the old man—
A young woman in a moon-white dress sat upright in a chair.
She looked about sixteen or seventeen. Her features were stunning, her bearing cool, and there was a composure and pride about her that seemed beyond her years.
Her gaze settled on Xiao Yan, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
There was scrutiny, curiosity, and even a hint... of disdain.
Xiao Yan's lips curved slightly.
Nalan Yanran—
At last, we meet.
Before you continue