Nalan Yanran, We Finally Meet!

Xiao Yan wore a faint smile as he pushed open the door and stepped out.

Medicine Elder followed closely behind, his white hair and grey robes framing a gaunt face, while an ethereal, otherworldly aura emanated from him.

Although he was merely a soul entity, under the radiance of the Lotus Lantern, his soul body was so solidified that it was indistinguishable from a living person; unless one possessed the perception of a Dou Huang, it was impossible to spot any flaws.

Just like that—

Xiao Yan brought Medicine Elder out, appearing openly before the members of the Xiao Family.

When the Xiao clansmen saw an old man of such extraordinary temperament accompanying Xiao Yan, they were immediately struck with shock and stopped to watch.

"Who... who is that?"

"What a distinguished-looking 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 gaze sweeping over the crowd with a faint, scrutinizing, and detached air, as if he were looking at a group of ants.

After all, as the former Medicine Venerable, playing the part of an expert was second nature to him.

This immediately left the Xiao family members even more suspicious and uncertain.

"Do you think... this mysterious old man is the key to the Third Young Master's cultivation skyrocketing to the Dou Wang level?"

Someone whispered a guess.

"Very likely!"

"The Third Young Master has been biding his time for the past three years; perhaps he has been training under this senior!"

"Look at that old man's bearing; he is definitely no ordinary person!"

"He might be some hidden master!"

The more they thought about it, the more it made sense.

Three years ago, Xiao Yan's cultivation had suddenly regressed, and three years later, it had suddenly surged to the Dou Wang level. Who would believe there wasn't an expert guiding him?

"In my opinion, Young Master Xiao Yan must have taken a master long ago!"

"This senior must be his teacher!"

"With such an expert's guidance, it's no wonder Young Master Xiao Yan was able to break through to the Dou Wang level!"

The crowd nodded one after another, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at Medicine Elder.

Meanwhile, many others began to speculate about Medicine Elder's identity.

"Wait, wait—do you think... could this old man be a powerful figure from the Cloud Mist Sect?"

Someone suddenly exclaimed.

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was instantly energized.

"That's right!"

"The Third Young Master's fiancée is visiting today, and she chose this exact moment!"

"And Young Master Xiao Yan happened to reveal his true cultivation yesterday, with a mysterious old man by his side..."

"Hiss—"

"Could this mysterious old man really be a senior from the Cloud Mist Sect?"

"He must have been secretly guiding the Third Young Master all along!"

"Today, the Third Young Master's fiancée is visiting in person, likely to take this opportunity to solidify the marriage contract in front of everyone in the Xiao Family!"

"Perhaps even... to announce that Young Master Xiao Yan is officially joining the Cloud Mist Sect?"

Once this speculation surfaced, the crowd collectively gasped.

The more they thought about it, the more logical it seemed!

The more they thought about it, the more possible it became!

"I was wondering, why would a heaven-gifted girl like Nalan Yanran suddenly come to a small place like our Xiao Family!"

"So that's it! That's it!"

"I knew it! Young Master Xiao Yan was a genius back then; how could the Nalan Family possibly want to break off the engagement?"

"It turns out this was all arranged from the start!"

The crowd suddenly realized the truth, their faces filled with excitement.

Previously, they had speculated that a heaven-gifted girl like Nalan Yanran had come to break off the engagement.

After all, Xiao Yan's reputation as a "trash" over the past three years had been far too loud.

Who would think that a genius disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect would be willing to marry a piece of trash with only the third stage of Dou Qi?

But now—

Because of the terrifying strength Xiao Yan had displayed, coupled with the "Medicine Elder" by his side, the Xiao family members began to think: how could Nalan Yanran possibly be here to break off the engagement?

It was clearly meant to bolster Xiao Yan's reputation!

"In that case, who in the Xiao Family could ever compare to Xiao Yan's status from now on?"

Someone sighed with emotion.

"Isn't that the truth?"

"Young Master Xiao Yan is a Dou Wang now, a fifteen-year-old Dou Wang!"

"And he has the backing of the Cloud Mist Sect!"

"The future Patriarch of the Xiao Family is undoubtedly him!"

"Forget the Xiao Family Patriarch! I'm afraid that in the entire Gama Empire, no one can compare to the Third Young Master's fame!"

The crowd nodded one after another, their eyes filled with envy and awe.

"In other words..."

Someone swallowed hard, their voice trembling slightly.

"After today, our Xiao Family will be climbing up the towering tree that is the Cloud Mist Sect?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted.

The Cloud Mist Sect!

That was one of the top sects in the Gama Empire!

If the Xiao Family could latch onto the Cloud Mist Sect, who in Wutan City would dare to provoke them in the future?

"The Xiao Family will flourish! The Xiao Family will flourish!"

Someone was so excited their face turned bright red.

In an instant, the gazes of the Xiao Family members toward Xiao Yan grew even more fervent.

However—

Facing the discussions and speculations of the Xiao Family members around him, Xiao Yan did not care in the slightest.

His expression was calm, his pace steady, as he walked straight toward the assembly hall.

How could he not know what these people were thinking?

It was just that...

Everything they guessed was wrong.

Nalan Yanran had indeed come to annul the engagement.

And he, Xiao Yan, had absolutely no need for any support from the Cloud Mist Sect.

They would have a good show to watch in a moment.

A playful smile curled at the corner of Xiao Yan's mouth as he continued forward.

Unexpectedly—

Just as he passed through the corridor, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Xiao Yan paused his steps and looked up.

He saw Xiao Mei standing not far ahead, dressed in a light cyan dress, her figure slender and her face lovely.

At this moment, she was holding a food box, a hint of shyness on her face, her expression somewhat unnatural.

Seeing Xiao Yan walk over, a complex emotion flashed through her eyes.

There was nervousness, anticipation, and even a trace of... regret.

"Xiao... Xiao Yan."

Xiao Mei bit her lip, walked up to Xiao Yan with her head lowered, and handed the food box over.

Her voice was as low as a mosquito's, carrying a hint of caution.

"You probably haven't had breakfast yet..."

"Here... for you."

She looked up, her eyes filled with anticipation as she watched Xiao Yan.

That appearance was clearly the posture of a young girl; where was even a shred of her former arrogance?

Xiao Yan was slightly stunned.

Xiao Mei?

The Xiao Mei from the original story who distanced herself from Xiao Yan when he was down on his luck, and later regretted it deeply when she saw him rise?

Now...

She was actually taking the initiative to deliver breakfast?

Xiao Yan looked at the face before him, filled with shyness and anticipation, and couldn't help but feel a wave of astonishment.

Was this still the arrogant Xiao Mei?

This change was far too drastic, wasn't it?

However—

Though he was taken aback, there wasn't the slightest ripple in Xiao Yan's heart.

He remembered clearly how Xiao Mei had distanced herself from him in the original story when he was at his lowest.

While she hadn't kicked him while he was down like some of the other clansmen, she had still chosen to look on with cold indifference.

Now that she saw him rising to prominence, she came running to fawn over him?

A faint smile curled the corners of Xiao Yan's lips, yet it carried a sense of detachment.

"No need, thank you."

His voice was flat, devoid of any warmth.

Having said that, he walked straight past Xiao Mei and continued forward.

He didn't even spare her a second glance.

Xiao Mei froze in place, the food box in her hand still held out in the posture of offering.

Her face was filled with loss and bitterness.

[Ding—]

The system's notification sound rang out in Xiao Yan's mind.

[Hehehe...]

[By virtue of your extraordinary charm, you have actually attracted Xiao Yan's former little fan-girl, and she admires you endlessly!]

[The Host is simply incredible!]

[Destined Protagonist Luck Value -100!]

[Host Luck Value +100!]

[Obtained Super Villain Points +66!]

Xiao Yan's mouth twitched slightly.

This works too?

However, he did not look back and continued on his way.

Behind him, Xiao Mei watched Xiao Yan's departing back, her eyes turning slightly red.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat dry and couldn't utter a single word.

Xiao Yan...

Do you hate me that much?

[Ding—]

The system's notification sound rang out once more.

[Well done, Host! That's right, just like that!]

[Late-coming affection is cheaper than grass! String her along ruthlessly, toy with her feelings!]

[Make her suffer in agony and regret it deeply!]

[Host obtained Super Villain Points +200!]

Xiao Yan: "..."

He could get points for this too?

He shook his head, speechless.

However—

He really wasn't trying to "string" Xiao Mei along on purpose.

He was simply...

Not interested.

When he was down and out, she hadn't cared at all.

Now that he had risen, she came to fawn over him?

In this world, how could there be such a cheap deal?

Xiao Yan's expression remained calm as he led Medicine Elder straight into the assembly hall.

Behind him, Xiao Mei stood dazed in place, watching that figure disappear behind the door, until her tears finally couldn't help but fall.

"Xiao Yan..."

She murmured to herself, her voice filled with remorse.

"Is it... that I have completely lost my chance?"

She recalled the years when Xiao Yan was still a genius, and she had always loved following behind him, calling him "Brother Xiao Yan."

Back then, Xiao Yan had been gentle and courteous toward her.

But later...

Xiao Yan's cultivation regressed, and he was reduced to a waste.

She gradually distanced herself from him.

Although she never mocked or bullied him like the others, the closeness of the past was gone.

Thinking back on it now...

What a foolish choice that had been!

"Indeed..."

Xiao Mei gave a bitter smile, her vision blurring with tears.

"You and Nalan Yanran are a match made in heaven."

"She is so beautiful, and the pride of the Cloud Mist Sect..."

"How could I... how could I ever have had a chance?"

She gripped the food box tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Her heart was filled with bitterness and regret.

If only she hadn't distanced herself from Xiao Yan when his cultivation regressed these past three years...

If only she had continued to treat him as she once did...

Would there...

Would there still have been a chance?

Alas, there are no "ifs" in this world.

Xiao Mei gazed toward the direction of the great hall, remaining silent for a long time.

The sunlight spilled over her, yet it could not dispel the gloom in her heart.

Inside the great hall.

Xiao Yan stepped inside.

In the hall, Xiao Zhan sat in the main seat with a grave expression.

Several elders were also present, and the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

When Xiao Yan's figure appeared at the entrance, everyone's gaze shifted toward him in unison.

Xiao Yan's expression was calm as his eyes swept across the hall.

He noticed a strange old man sitting beside Xiao Zhan.

The old man wore a grey robe, his face was stern, and an aura of a powerhouse faintly emanated from him.

And beside the old man—

A young girl dressed in a moon-white dress sat upright in her chair.

She appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a stunning face and a cold temperament, her brows carrying a sense of composure and pride that belied her age.

Her gaze landed on Xiao Yan, a flicker of complex emotions crossing her eyes.

There was scrutiny, curiosity, and a hint of... faint disdain.

The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth curled upward slightly.

Nalan Yanran—

We finally meet.