"Make money, prove my worth, and change my fate."
"Master Gu Ni, stay and watch the auction house. I'll go to the Xiao Clan and discuss cooperation with Clan Chief Xiao Zhan."
Ya Fei picked up the scroll and walked away with noticeably cheerful steps.
Master Gu Ni: "..."
Women really were fickle. Alchemy was still better.
Ya Fei had no idea what Master Gu Ni was thinking. She happily arrived at the Xiao Clan and, by coincidence, ran into Xun Er.
The two women looked at each other for a long while before Xun Er suddenly smiled. "Work hard."
With that, she turned and left, light and graceful, without taking away a single wisp of cloud.
The smile on Ya Fei's face froze, and her small fists clenched tightly.
She realized that Xun Er was very clever. From Ya Fei's hurried arrival and a few unnatural reactions, Xun Er had discovered the little thoughts Ya Fei had hidden deep in her heart.
But Ya Fei also hated her own weakness. Back in the Imperial Capital, she had believed she was inferior to no woman. Yet now, before a girl from a backwater city, she actually felt somewhat inferior.
Or was she feeling guilty?
What was that encouragement from Xun Er supposed to mean? Mockery from the victor?
"It must be because I'm too weak." Ya Fei took a deep breath, her ample chest rising and falling as the light in her dark eyes grew increasingly brilliant.
Although her cultivation talent was poor, she refused to believe she could not succeed.
She stepped into the Xiao Clan's inner hall and discussed cooperation with Xiao Zhan.
Another day passed in the blink of an eye. News of the Jia Lie family and Ao Ba family's destruction spread outward from Wutan City, swiftly sweeping across the entire Northeast Province. Within a few days, it would likely spread throughout the Jia Ma Empire.
The destruction of two families whose strongest experts had not even reached the late stage of the Da Dou Shi realm should not have drawn so much attention, nor should the news have spread so quickly.
But once the destruction of those two families became tied to the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits, those "top celebrities," and the Black Armored Guard's involvement, it instantly gained massive exposure. Moreover, the person responsible for it all was a young genius, giving the story a naturally compelling quality. That was why it spread so quickly.
"A sixteen-year-old Five-Star Great Dou Shi. How long has it been since our Jia Ma Empire produced a genius like this?"
"Among the well-known Dou Emperor experts in the empire today, none of them were likely a match for Zhang Yuan when they were sixteen."
"This is a blessing for the Jia Ma Empire. In the future, we'll finally have something to brag about when visiting other empires."
"I'm different from all of you. While I'm also amazed by Zhang Yuan's talent and strength, I admire his wisdom even more."
"Exactly. With a single scheme, he helped the Xiao Clan resolve two traitorous families, then wiped out the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits and earned great merit. If only he were a member of my family."
"The Xiao Clan is truly fortunate. Before long, they may return to their peak."
"Hard to say. Zhang Yuan's surname is not Xiao, after all."
"You're just jealous. From what I know, Zhang Yuan values loyalty and righteousness greatly."
"The affairs of his family have nothing to do with us. But he eliminated the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits. If I ever get the chance to meet him, I must raise a cup to him."
"Indeed, indeed. Though the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits were merely a nuisance, they had disgraced the people of our Northeast Province for more than a decade. Now that they've finally been eliminated, we should celebrate with a grand drink."
"That's right. Our Northeast Province and the Southern Province each guard the empire's borders and contribute the most in dealing with the Chuyun Empire, yet we were constantly mocked over the mere Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits. Now they have finally been erased."
"Speaking of those little bastards from the Chuyun Empire, the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits were actually Dark Cloud Guard members."
"I heard that after Xu Dou Wang learned of this, he personally wrote to the commander of the Black Armored Guard, praising Zhang Yuan."
"The empire will certainly reward him generously."
"..."
Discussions were rampant within mercenary groups, taverns, teahouses, and among local military officers.
If this had been Earth, Zhang Yuan would have basically appeared on the Spring Festival Gala, becoming famous across the country overnight—and receiving nothing but praise.
Naturally, this news appeared on the desks of every upper-echelon power in the Jia Ma Empire at the earliest opportunity.
At the empire's northernmost edge stood several Floating Mountains known as Misty Cloud Mountain. Pavilions, towers, and cultivation grounds covered them, while countless disciples came and went.
On the broadest of those Floating Mountains stood a peak like a sharp sword thrust into the clouds. Upon it was built a magnificent palace complex: the Misty Cloud Sect Main Hall, divided into areas such as the council hall, the elders' hall, and the sect master's study.
At that moment, a dignified woman sat in the sect master's study. Her skin was as fair as beautiful jade, her features exquisite, and her demeanor serene and lovely. She wore a fitted golden robe inlaid with purple, while her long black hair fell naturally behind her, held by a sword-shaped hairpin.
She perfectly combined noble elegance with the unworldly purity of a mountain spring. One could tell at a glance that she was of high status, yet she also inspired the admiration one felt upon seeing a celestial maiden. She inspired awe, but also inevitably stirred a trace of romantic yearning.
She was Yun Yun, the ninth-generation sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect, renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire and many surrounding powers. Not yet thirty, she was already a Three-Star Dou Emperor.
After reading the reports and intelligence in her hand, Yun Yun turned her gaze toward Ge Ye, who was kneeling on one knee below. Her voice was calm. "Old Master Nalan refused because of his pride. Unable to withstand Yan Ran's repeated requests, I allowed her to personally cancel the engagement. But I specifically instructed her to discuss the matter properly first and not make too much of a scene. Yet you did not listen to a single word."
As a Dou Emperor and the sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun did not think the Xiao Clan was beyond offending.
However, when disciples acted too domineeringly, it damaged the sect's image and reputation. She did not like that.
The Misty Cloud Sect could not be insulted. She hoped her disciples would possess their own pride, but she did not want them abusing their strength to bully the weak and making others think the Misty Cloud Sect was tyrannical and overbearing.
A layer of sweat appeared on Ge Ye's forehead as he lowered his head. "This subordinate knows his mistake."
A mere Xiao Clan did not warrant a Dou Ling or Dou Wang expert personally stepping in; that would only make it seem like intimidation. He had voluntarily accepted the assignment, thinking that handling it well would earn the sect master's favor.
But he too had come from a family. Thus, after arriving in Wutan City, a sense of superiority naturally arose within him. He put on airs, using force before courtesy, and acted somewhat arrogantly.
He had never expected Zhang Yuan to slap him in the face.
"Since you know your mistake, go to the Disciplinary Hall and receive your punishment." Yun Yun spoke indifferently.
"Yes!" Ge Ye accepted the order and withdrew.
Only Yun Yun remained in the room. Her temperament shifted slightly, and traces of exhaustion and helplessness appeared between her brows.
She was the sect master's direct disciple and the strongest expert in the sect, so her position was secure. But she was still young, and her authority was not yet sufficiently established. Some disciples from families affiliated with the sect harbored their own ambitions, while the elders each had their own thoughts as well. They were united only when facing outsiders.
She had no interest in fighting for power. In her heart, she only wished to protect the Misty Cloud Sect in repayment for her master's kindness and grow stronger. Therefore, she hoped the sect's disciples could keep a lower profile and avoid attracting unnecessary trouble.
As sect master, she should have set an example. Yet by indulging her direct disciple once, she had nearly caused a negative impact.
"This Ge Ye even wanted the Three Year Agreement to take place at the Misty Cloud Sect. It seems he has grown accustomed to using power to oppress others," Yun Yun thought to herself.
If the Three Year Agreement were held at the Misty Cloud Sect and Nalan Yanran lost, the sect would lose face.
If Nalan Yanran won, it would be considered only natural, while the Misty Cloud Sect would still be accused of bullying others and acting arrogantly.
The marriage alliance between the Nalan family and the Xiao Clan was something the Misty Cloud Sect should never have involved itself in to begin with. A superficial stance was enough.
"Fortunately, there is someone who understands."
Yun Yun's beautiful jade-like hand picked up another report. It contained Zhang Yuan's detailed information.
"Courtesy before force, then force before courtesy. A very fitting summary."
"Though only sixteen, he acts with evidence and method, and his cultivation talent is outstanding."
"Although his Dou Qi is not wind-attributed and he cannot become my direct disciple, the Misty Cloud Sect can still nurture him."
Yun Yun decided to personally make a trip to Qingyun Town.
A genius like Zhang Yuan was absolutely worth it.
At the same time, directly south of the Misty Cloud Sect stood an enormous mountain range of magnificent scale, crouching like a giant dragon and faintly radiating soaring spiritual energy.
A grand palace complex stood atop it. It was the Jia Ma Sacred City.
In the Imperial Garden, the eldest princess, Princess Yaoye, stopped practicing with her spear and suddenly asked, "Great-Grandfather, what do you think of taking Zhang Yuan as a son-in-law?"
Jia Xingtian: "?"
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