Battle Through the Heavens: Flame Emperor, Please Restrain Yourself—This Elder Brother Is Truly Quite Simple

Most importantly, this connection would allow her to befriend Zhang Yuan and the alchemist behind Xiao Yan.

"Uncle."

As Xiao Zhan saw Master Gu Ni and Ya Fei out of the hall, Zhang Yuan returned with Xun Er, the latter wearing a calm, easy smile.

To Ya Fei, that smile looked like the smile of a victor. For no reason at all, irritation rose in her heart, and she took the initiative to sidle up to Zhang Yuan. "Little Brother Zhang Yuan, I chose to suffer a huge loss for your sake. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

She leaned in very close. A fragrance, whether her natural scent or perfume, drifted over. Zhang Yuan could see her exquisite collarbones at a glance; if he lowered his head, he would probably behold an absolutely breathtaking sight. But with Xun Er beside him, he would not do that.

"Sure." Meeting Ya Fei's eyes, Zhang Yuan said, "The next time I run into Mu Zhan, I'll beat him up and tell him you're the sister I've acknowledged. I'll make him stop pestering you. How about it?"

Ya Fei's beautiful eyes lit up as she laughed sweetly. "Little Brother, Mu Zhan is your brother. Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"Who told you to make such a huge sacrifice, Sister?" Zhang Yuan said seriously. "You're worth it."

Ya Fei shot Xun Er a somewhat smug glance and smiled. "Little Brother, you're so good to me."

"Pfft!" Xun Er covered her mouth and let out a string of silver-bell laughter.

"What are you laughing at!?" Ya Fei narrowed her peach-blossom eyes.

"Nothing. I just thought of a joke Brother Yuan once told me," Xun Er said solemnly.

"You're sure you weren't laughing at me?" Ya Fei eyed her suspiciously.

"No." Xun Er smiled sweetly. "As a young lady of the Xiao Clan, I received strict training. I wouldn't be so rude."

Unless I couldn't help it?

Zhang Yuan's expression immediately turned strange.

Xun Er had a talent for comedy too.

Seeing that Xun Er did not appear to be lying, Ya Fei did not pursue the matter. After teasing Zhang Yuan a few more times, she left in satisfaction.

Watching her retreating figure, Xun Er smiled and asked, "Brother Yuan, if she finds out later that you and Mu Zhan actually don't get along, do you think she'll want to bite you to death?"

Zhang Yuan fell silent for a few breaths before smiling. "We'll find out when the time comes. If she wants to bite me, I'll let her. I can take it."

Hearing this, Xun Er reproached him softly. "I know your body is no weaker than that of some third-tier magical beasts, and even stronger with Dou Qi Armor. Your speed is clearly fast enough, so don't take other people's attacks head-on next time. What if they have a trump card too?"

Zhang Yuan did not argue and immediately said he would keep it firmly in mind.

Arguing too much with a woman who cared about him would be too stupid.

Xiao Zhan and the Great Elder: "..."

Why did they feel so full despite not having breakfast?

"Great Elder, go arrange for someone to coordinate with the people from the Mittel Auction House," Xiao Zhan said to the Great Elder, who nodded and took his leave.

Once only the three of them remained, Xiao Zhan asked, "Yuan'er, where's Yan'er?"

"My strength stimulated him, so he went off to work hard," Zhang Yuan said with a smile.

Although the pressure from the Three Year Agreement was not as great as it had been in the original story, with him as a cousin for comparison, Xiao Yan would probably work even harder.

"That child has suffered enough. Fortunately, his hardship will finally bear fruit. As Yan'er's uncle, I should thank you on his behalf, Yuan'er." As Xiao Zhan spoke, he actually moved to bow.

Zhang Yuan immediately reached out to stop him, a trace of anger in his voice. "Uncle, are you trying to draw a line between us? Are we going to start talking like strangers from now on?"

Xiao Zhan's nose stung at those words. He raised his head to look at the sky, only then keeping his eyes from growing moist.

Whenever he saw Zhang Yuan's face, he thought of his late wife, of his biological younger sister and brother-in-law who had sacrificed themselves for the Xiao Clan.

By now, Zhang Yuan's true combat strength had likely surpassed his own. Even if he were to descend to the underworld at this very moment, he could proudly tell them that he had raised Yuan'er well.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Zhan placed a hand on Zhang Yuan's shoulder and said, "Your uncle was being too formal. Yuan'er, just treat what I said as nonsense and don't take it to heart."

A smile appeared on Zhang Yuan's face as he asked Xun Er, "Did Uncle say anything just now?"

Xun Er smiled and shook her head.

Xiao Zhan froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. "You two are still as in sync as ever, but you're becoming more and more well-matched too."

A flush instantly spread across Xun Er's fair little face. She secretly thought that this counted as receiving an elder's approval, didn't it?

Unfortunately, Brother Yuan still had a long way to go before gaining her father's approval.

"Uncle has good judgment," Zhang Yuan said with a smile.

The implication being that if he thought they were not well-matched, there was something wrong with his eyes.

Xun Er gave him a mildly reproachful look, but her heart felt sweet.

Xiao Zhan chuckled. "You still talk like such a rascal."

"Why should a nephew be polite with his own maternal uncle?" Zhang Yuan said as though it were only natural.

"Right, there's no need to be polite. I'm not only your maternal uncle, but also your uncle by marriage." Xiao Zhan patted Zhang Yuan on the shoulder, then asked, "So, Yuan'er, what exactly are you planning by deliberately provoking the Jia Lie family? Can you tell your uncle?"

Zhang Yuan's dark eyes flickered as he asked with slight surprise, "Uncle, you saw through it?"

(End of Chapter)