Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan, who had been speaking fervently with indignation written across his face, felt a little embarrassed after hearing Yang Chen's words and softly called out.

"Uncle!"

That one word—uncle—left everyone present utterly stunned.

Until then, everyone in the Xiao Family had assumed Yang Chen was also an expert from the Yunlan Sect. Even Xiao Xun'er had thought so. No one had expected him to be Xiao Yan's uncle.

The three from the Yunlan Sect looked back and forth between Xiao Yan and Yang Chen, who had risen to his feet, in disbelief. Ge Ye's expression also grew tense.

Earlier, Ge Ye had assumed this man was merely a guest invited by the Xiao Family, so he had not paid him much mind. Even though the man's unfathomable strength made Ge Ye deeply wary, it had not seemed like much of a problem. After all, no fool would make enemies of the Yunlan Sect over an unrelated Xiao Family.

But things were different now. This mysterious expert had suddenly become Xiao Yan's uncle, making the situation far more troublesome. If they truly angered him, leaving this place today might prove difficult.

Of course, in Ge Ye's eyes, it was only somewhat troublesome, not truly worrying. In the Jia Ma Empire, no one dared disregard the Yunlan Sect, even if they had humiliated Xiao Yan first.

Xiao Zhan carefully examined Yang Chen, a trace of suspicion flashing in his eyes. The Xiao Family's First Elder, seated nearby, furrowed his aged brows tightly. After racking his memory for a moment, he suddenly came to a realization.

"You're that orphan from the Yang Clan in the imperial capital back then, Yang Tianlin's youngest son? I never thought you'd grown so much in the blink of an eye!"

But the moment the First Elder finished speaking, a fierce gaze fell upon him. Yang Chen tightly gripped the black folding fan in his hand and said coldly.

"Is Yang Tianlin's name something you're worthy of uttering?"

"Boy from the Yang Clan, don't think that being Xiao Zhan's brother-in-law gives you the right to run wild in my Xiao Family. This isn't your Yang Clan. Besides, your Yang Clan is already gone!"

The Xiao Family's Second Elder's face darkened. He had completely forgotten the pressure Yang Chen had imposed upon them earlier—or perhaps he had simply instinctively ignored it. After all, the Yang Clan was not the Yunlan Sect.

"Shut your mouth. You're not worthy!"

Yang Chen's expression sank. With a sweep of his sleeve, a burst of force shot out and struck the Xiao Family's Second Elder, instantly sending him flying. The tremendous power pulverized the chair beneath him into dust, and the Second Elder slammed into the wall behind him, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"Pfft!!"

Everyone in the Xiao Family stared dumbfoundedly at the sudden scene, their faces filled with disbelief.

The Xiao Family's Second Elder was a Grand Dou Master, an expert even within the entire Jia Ma Empire. Yet in the hands of Xiao Yan's mysterious uncle, he could not withstand even a single exchange.

No, not even an exchange. He had been injured by a casual strike from the other party. This excessively young and excessively powerful expert might not even have used his true strength.

"Hiss!!"

At that thought, many Xiao Family experts sucked in cold breaths. Even the way they looked at Xiao Yan now carried a few more traces of reverence.

Everyone understood that from this day forward, even if Xiao Yan truly remained nothing more than trash, no one would dare offend him or show him the slightest disrespect. He had a powerful uncle who clearly doted on him!

Xiao Yan also noticed the change in the gazes around him. For a moment, his feelings were complicated—there was joy, but also bitterness.

Meanwhile, the three members of the Yunlan Sect standing there looked rather grim. Ge Ye immediately moved to shield Nalan Yanran behind him, afraid that Yang Chen might strike at her in a fit of fury.

Yang Chen's cold, proud eyes swept sidelong over Xiao Zhan and the others before finally settling on Ge Ye. Seeing Ge Ye's little movement, he snorted.

"Hmph! I'm not so low as to bully the young with my seniority or use my power to oppress others!"

Though Yang Chen's tone was exceedingly proud, to Ge Ye's ears, it was like heavenly music. And what was wrong with being proud?

Geniuses naturally had certain privileges. Not to mention someone like Yang Chen, who was both a genius and an immensely powerful expert. A powerhouse ought to have the pride of a powerhouse.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, sir!"

Ge Ye respectfully cupped his fists toward Yang Chen. Watching the Yunlan Sect expert, who had been arrogant before but was now so deferential, Xiao Yan suddenly came to an understanding.

So-called dignity was ultimately earned with one's fists. Earlier, Ge Ye had only been two stars above his father, yet he had dared to disdain the entire Xiao Family by himself.

Now, without even needing his uncle to say a word, Ge Ye had taken the initiative to bow respectfully. This was strength!

"If I'm not mistaken, today's matter was your own idea, wasn't it?"

Yang Chen's gaze fell upon Nalan Yanran. Though she felt no overwhelming pressure from him, when she met those imposing eyes, a sense of reverence still rose within her.

This stirred a stubbornness in the normally proud Nalan Yanran. In many ways, her temperament was quite similar to Xiao Yan's. It was only that Xiao Yan had been tempered for three years and had become steady and reserved.

Nalan Yanran gritted her teeth and stared directly at Yang Chen, her face stubborn and unwilling. Tears glimmered faintly in her eyes as she spoke with a mixture of grievance and indignation.

"This is my own matter. Why should they decide it for me? I know that perhaps I was wrong today, but I will never agree to this marriage contract."

Nalan Yanran truly felt somewhat despairing. Coming here on her own to annul the engagement without her grandfather's consent had already placed her under immense pressure. Now Xiao Yan had such a powerful uncle. When the time came, even her teacher might not take her side.

"Correct. This marriage contract concerns you and Xiao Yan, so naturally, the two of you should decide it yourselves. Whether it is the Lionheart Marshal, Yun Yun, or myself, none of us will—or can—interfere in this matter."

Upon hearing Yang Chen's words, Nalan Yanran abruptly raised her head and stared at him in disbelief. Yang Chen's face remained cold as he spoke again.

"In my view, the two of you should compete three years from now. If you win and still insist on dissolving the engagement, you may announce it publicly atop Cloud Mist Mountain."

"If I, Nalan Yanran, lose, then whether I become his servant or maid will be entirely up to Xiao Yan!"