Threats Come at a Price

"Uncle, you..."

Xiao Yan was somewhat stunned. He had never expected his uncle to help him establish this so-called three-year agreement.

"Xiao Yan, remember this: a man earns his dignity with his own fists. Or are you afraid?"

Yang Chen's sword-like brows furrowed slightly, and Xiao Yan's expression turned solemn. With a youth's unwillingness to admit defeat, he hurriedly replied.

"No. Three years it is. Back then, I, Xiao Yan, became a Fighter at twelve. Given three years, I, Xiao Yan, can surpass you, Nalan Yanran!"

However, Xiao Yan failed to notice the flicker of amusement in Yang Chen's eyes when he said this. Medicine Elder, hidden within the storage ring, sighed as he watched his future disciple get led by the nose.

But when he remembered that he himself had already boarded the other man's pirate ship and become his accomplice, a crafty smile appeared in Medicine Elder's eyes as well.

"Kid, your uncle told me to take good care of you. Don't worry, your master will definitely dote on you properly. Hehe!"

Whether he sensed something or not, Xiao Yan suddenly felt a chill rise along his back, making him shudder.

"Good. That's more like a descendant of my Yang Family. As for becoming servants, there's no need. If Xiao Yan wins, then Xiao Yan will naturally decide this marriage."

Yang Chen first smiled and praised him, then turned to Nalan Yanran.

"Fine."

After hesitating briefly, Nalan Yanran saw that Xiao Yan had no reaction and did not insist further. She gently nodded in agreement.

But at that moment, Mo Li, the Yunlan Sect male disciple who had been standing beside Nalan Yanran without speaking, could no longer remain still.

In Mo Li's eyes, Nalan Yanran had always been his prey. As long as he won over the Yunlan Sect's young sect mistress, once Yun Yun passed the position on to Nalan Yanran in the future, he would be able to possess the entire Yunlan Sect.

Even this time, Nalan Yanran had impulsively come to annul the engagement because of Mo Li's meddling. His purpose was to eliminate all his rivals.

Xiao Yan was someone Mo Li had specifically investigated after learning that Nalan Yanran had a marriage agreement. He had once been a genius, with talent even greater than Nalan Yanran's.

Although, for some unknown reason, his talent had vanished overnight three years ago, and his Dou Qi had fallen all the way back to the third stage of Dou Qi, with no progress whatsoever in the past three years.

Mo Li was still uneasy. He feared that one day Xiao Yan's talent might suddenly return. Judging by the talent he had displayed in the past, even if he could not surpass Nalan Yanran, he would certainly catch up to her. When that happened, what chance would Mo Li have left?

Therefore, Mo Li absolutely could not stand by and watch Nalan Yanran fail to annul the engagement. He had to make sure that Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan severed their marriage agreement completely.

As for Yang Chen, though his strength was impressive and his background rather mysterious, Mo Li was a direct descendant of the Mo Family of Salt City in the northwest. Moreover, he had Yun Leng, the Yunlan Sect's Great Elder, behind him. Naturally, he did not fear Yang Chen.

Seeing that Nalan Yanran had actually been persuaded, Mo Li naturally could not stay silent. He immediately spoke.

"Junior Sister Yanran, don't believe his nonsense. Have you forgotten the Great Elder's instructions before we departed? If you do not annul the engagement, I'm afraid your position as young sect mistress will be lost!"

After saying that, Mo Li ignored the irritated look on Nalan Yanran's face. He pointed directly at Yang Chen and said coldly.

"Your Excellency may be powerful, but this matter concerns the Yunlan Sect and the Xiao Family. It would be best if Your Excellency did not interfere. Otherwise, the Yunlan Sect is not to be trifled with!"

"Are you threatening me?"

Yang Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, and his voice turned low. Unfortunately, too few people understood his temperament. Otherwise, Ge Ye beside Mo Li would have already dragged Nalan Yanran away.

"If Your Excellency insists on understanding it that way, then it isn't—"

Before Mo Li could finish, silver light flashed before Yang Chen. The black folding fan he had been holding suddenly transformed into a three-pointed, double-edged spear gleaming with cold silver light.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

In the next instant, Yang Chen flicked his wrist, and the three-pointed, double-edged spear spun rapidly in his hand, producing sharp sounds as it tore through the air. It stabbed straight through Mo Li's heart, leaving his unfinished words buried there forever.

Ge Ye, standing nearby, stared in horror at Mo Li, who had been lifted by the spearhead. Then he looked at Yang Chen's profile as he gripped the end of the spear and raised Mo Li with one hand, feeling as though his heart had nearly stopped.

"When had Yang Chen ever tolerated threats from others?"

Yang Chen had not opened his eyes to look at Mo Li even once from beginning to end. Even when he thrust the spear, he had remained turned sideways toward Mo Li.

"You... you..."

Mo Li pointed at Yang Chen, wanting to say something, but he no longer had the strength to voice the fear and shock within his heart.

Whoosh!

Bang!

Clang!

With a twist of his wrist, Yang Chen flung Mo Li from the spearhead. Mo Li crashed onto the ground with a dull thud. Then Yang Chen planted the three-pointed, double-edged spear on the floor, and a crisp clang echoed through the hall.

"Threats come at a price!"

As he spoke, Yang Chen's gaze swept over Ge Ye, frightening Ge Ye into immediately lowering his head and cupping his hands in salute. As for avenging Mo Li, with his little arms and legs, he had better forget it.

Besides, Mo Li was merely a Fighter, yet he had dared threaten someone who was very likely already a Dou King. Wasn't that simply courting death? Who could he blame?

The Xiao Family members in the hall stared at Yang Chen in shock. They had never expected Xiao Yan's uncle to be so bold as to directly kill a Yunlan Sect disciple.

Xiao Zhan was also deeply uneasy, worried that this would bring retaliation from the Yunlan Sect. He opened his mouth several times, yet ultimately said nothing.

"Hmph. Don't worry. I'll explain today's matter to Yun Yun in the future. It has nothing to do with your Xiao Family!"

Seeing Xiao Zhan's appearance, Yang Chen could not help sneering. Ignoring Xiao Zhan, he walked over to Xiao Yan, put away the three-pointed, double-edged spear, and turned it back into a black folding fan in his hand. Smiling, he patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder.

"Your uncle will come see you again after some time."

Yang Chen did not hurry to give Xiao Yan the meeting gift he had prepared. Instead, he planned to replace it with something else. That beast flame could serve as a congratulatory gift for Xiao Yan's breakthrough to Fighter.

Having said that, Yang Chen ignored everyone else and walked straight out of the hall. Yet when he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at Xiao Xun'er, who was sitting quietly there. With a gentle smile, he took out a jade bottle from his robes and handed it to her.

"Consider it a meeting gift from me. I hope you won't dislike it."

Only after Yang Chen left did Xiao Xun'er come back to her senses. Her face instantly turned crimson, making her exceptionally enchanting.