Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun'er at Odds

Only after Yang Chen had vanished from sight did everyone in the hall finally come back to their senses. Then, as they stared at the jade bottle in Xiao Xun'er's hand, their expressions turned strange.

Nalan Yanran in particular looked at Xiao Xun'er with undisguised hostility. After all, whether men or women, everyone had a possessive streak.

Although Nalan Yanran had come intending to break off the engagement, until it was officially dissolved, she and Xiao Yan were still betrothed.

Yet now, this good-for-nothing whom she had considered stuck at the third stage of Dou Qi for three full years had somehow won the favor of a heavenly daughter whose beauty and talent were no less than her own. An inexplicable flame of anger rose within Nalan Yanran's heart.

Especially since, before leaving, Yang Chen had deliberately given Xiao Xun'er a gift. It all showed that Yang Chen acknowledged her—or, more bluntly, that in Yang Chen's eyes, Xiao Xun'er was his nephew Xiao Yan's future wife.

Nalan Yanran had possessiveness, and as for competitiveness, the young and headstrong Nalan Yanran had enough of it to fill an ocean.

"That's a fourth-tier pill!"

A flash of shock passed through Nalan Yanran's eyes. Even as the future Young Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect, obtaining a fourth-tier pill was no easy matter for her, even one like Qi Gathering Powder that was not especially valuable among fourth-tier pills.

If Elder Gu He had not done Yun Yun a favor, Nalan Yanran would have had to expend considerable effort to obtain that Qi Gathering Powder.

Yet Yang Chen had casually given one to Xiao Xun'er. Moreover, with Nalan Yanran's discernment, she could naturally tell that this pill was an exceptional product even among fourth-tier pills.

Compared to Nalan Yanran, who was merely a Dou Zhe, Ge Ye sensed things more carefully and was immediately even more astonished.

"No, the medicinal fragrance of this pill is constantly seeping out even through the jade bottle. It may have already formed pill patterns!"

Pills with pill patterns were often worth an entire tier more. In other words, this pill might be worth even more than many fifth-tier pills.

Among pills, healing pills were already the most valuable—the better the effect, the higher the price. Then, among pills of the same tier, the higher the quality, the more expensive they were. This pill possessed both advantages.

"Hiss!!"

Upon hearing this, the Xiao Family's experts all sucked in cold breaths. The way they looked at Xiao Yan now held not only reverence, but also a hint of ingratiation.

That was an alchemist—and one of an extremely high rank at that. At the very least, he was a fifth-tier alchemist, perhaps even someone capable of standing alongside the Pill King, Gu He.

"No wonder he did not take my Yunlan Sect seriously at all. With his alchemy, even if he is not Elder Gu He's equal, he cannot be far behind. More importantly, he is far younger than Elder Gu He!"

Ge Ye's remark made everyone's hearts tighten. Only then did they remember that Yang Chen seemed far too young.

The Xiao Family's First Elder, who had recognized Yang Chen earlier, thought back for a while before suddenly laughing. With a touch of schadenfreude, he said, "Heh, if this old man remembers correctly, that man... ah, Xiao Yan's uncle, is only twenty this year, isn't he? A Dou King and an alchemist above the fifth tier—hehe, someone is going to lose sleep now!"

Several old men of the Xiao Family immediately thought of something as well, and gloating expressions appeared on their faces. One of them even said, "What are you standing around for? Can't you see the Young Clan Leader's hand is injured? Hurry and bandage it. Also, go to the storeroom and fetch a healing pill."

The moment the old man finished speaking, a middle-aged man pulled out a small bottle of healing medicine from his sleeve. Another reacted just as quickly, taking a clean strip of cloth and beginning to dress Xiao Yan's wound.

Before Xiao Yan could even react, two people had appeared at his sides and started bandaging his injury without a word. He recognized both of them—they were Dou Shi-level experts with no small standing in the clan.

Over the past three years, Xiao Yan had not even been worthy of a second glance from them. Yet now, without him saying anything, two Dou Shi experts were personally bandaging the wounds of a "waste" at the third stage of Dou Qi.

Sitting in the corner, Xiao Xun'er watched the complicated yet helpless expression on Xiao Yan's face and could not help smiling playfully. But then her eyes shifted, meeting the gaze of Nalan Yanran, who had been staring at her.

Seeing the hostility in Nalan Yanran's eyes, Xiao Xun'er froze for a moment before smiling faintly and saying, "Miss of the Nalan Clan, do not think that having the Yunlan Sect behind you means you can act without restraint. The Fighting Qi Continent is vast, and there are quite a few people stronger than Yun Yun."

Nalan Yanran's pupils contracted. Her instincts told her that this noble and elegant young girl had an extraordinary background—perhaps even one greater than her own.

There was no reason for it. It was simply a woman's intuition, especially when facing a "love rival"—that indescribable, unmatched intuition. And almost subconsciously, Nalan Yanran believed it.

"You're right. I know your origins are extraordinary, but status and background are ultimately external things. Personal strength is what truly matters."

Hearing Nalan Yanran's words, Xiao Xun'er was momentarily stunned. She had not expected the recent upheaval to bring Nalan Yanran to such an understanding. Still, she was only mildly surprised.

"It seems Miss Nalan has grown quite a bit. However, temporary strength or weakness proves nothing."

"Indeed. Temporary strength or weakness proves nothing. Sometimes, even talent proves nothing. In the end, it all comes down to who can truly prove themselves in battle. I hope I will still see you three years from now!"

Xiao Xun'er's previously indifferent expression disappeared, and her still-youthful face turned serious. Their gazes met in midair, and faintly, sparks seemed to flicker between them.

"Fine. When the time comes, I will accompany Brother Xiao Yan to pay you a visit!"

Xiao Xun'er suddenly chuckled, rose to her feet, and walked over to Xiao Yan, whose wound had already been bandaged. She openly wrapped her arms around one of Xiao Yan's arms and waved at Nalan Yanran with a sweet smile. "Also, the Xiao Family has many matters to attend to today, so we will not keep Miss Nalan for a meal."

"No need. Farewell!"

Nalan Yanran's expression instantly turned cold, and the way she looked at Xiao Yan became dangerous. Suppressing the inexplicable anger in her heart, she gave a cold snort and said this.

However, as she passed Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran suddenly stopped. Turning to look at him, she said softly, "What happened today was my impulsiveness. I look forward to seeing how far you will have grown in three years. I will be waiting for you on Cloud Mist Mountain!"

With that, Nalan Yanran strode away. Behind her, Ge Ye could not help shaking his head and sighing, "What a mess," before hurriedly following after her. Before leaving, he casually tossed Mo Li's corpse into his storage ring.