Revising the Three-Year Pact

Upon hearing Ge Ye's words, Nalan Yanran and Liu Ling were unwilling to accept it, but neither dared say another word.

They knew that Xiao Ni's power was most likely borrowed and did not truly belong to him, but so what? No matter what methods one used, as long as one could win, one was king. Even Elder Ge Ye had backed down—where would they find the courage to provoke Xiao Ni?

"Since Mr. Ge Ye has admitted defeat, let us discuss the Three-Year Pact." Xiao Ni flew back to the ground and withdrew the wings behind his back. In an even tone, he said, "Nalan Yanran, you only said what you would do if Xiao Yan lost the challenge three years from now. You never said what you would do if Xiao Yan won. That is unfair to Xiao Yan."

"How about this? If Xiao Yan wins, you will serve me like an ox or horse for a year. If Xiao Yan loses, I will serve you like an ox or horse for a year."

"Brother Ni..." Xiao Yan wanted to say something, but Xiao Ni raised a hand and stopped him.

"Do not get sentimental in front of me. I believe you will not lose." Xiao Ni spoke with absolute certainty, and everyone in the Xiao Household immediately thought much more highly of him.

They had not expected Xiao Ni to stand up for Xiao Yan and even stake himself on the wager. He was truly willing to go all out for Xiao Yan.

"Fine, I accept." Nalan Yanran glanced lightly at Xiao Yan and decisively accepted Xiao Ni's proposal.

Although she did not know why Xiao Ni believed in Xiao Yan so much, Xiao Yan could never surpass her. Even if she gave him another ten years, it would still be impossible.

As for Xiao Ni, he could temporarily wield the power of a Dou Wang. Having him serve her like an ox or horse would not only be immensely satisfying, but would also help her solve many problems. Why would she refuse?

"Now that the wager has been settled, let us discuss the conditions of the Three-Year Pact." A peculiar smile rose at the corner of Xiao Ni's lips.

"Conditions?" Nalan Yanran frowned slightly, unable to understand what Xiao Ni meant.

"Over these three years, Xiao Yan may challenge you six times. As long as he wins four matches, you will serve me like an ox or horse for a year. These six challenges must be completed within three years, and the loser must initiate the next challenge. If the loser lacks the courage to issue another challenge, the next spar will take place half a year later. Of course, if the loser truly has no confidence, they may concede one match or simply admit defeat outright." A strange light flickered in Xiao Ni's eyes. He intended to push Nalan Yanran into the abyss.

With Yao Lao around, Xiao Yan could already defeat Nalan Yanran. Now that there was also Xiao Ni, Xiao Yan would probably be winning by unfair means.

"This..."

"Fine, it is settled." Just as Ge Ye was about to speak, Nalan Yanran decisively accepted Xiao Ni's revisions to the Three-Year Pact. "However, I must make one thing clear. Xiao Yan may use certain methods to temporarily increase his strength, but it may not exceed three stars. Otherwise, it will count as his loss."

Nalan Yanran was not stupid. She felt that since Xiao Ni could instantly raise his strength by several realms, he might be able to teach Xiao Yan similar methods. If she lost to Xiao Yan because of that, it would be far too frustrating.

Three stars were already the greatest allowance she could give Xiao Yan. In her view, even if Xiao Yan could raise his strength by three stars, he still could not possibly be her match.

"Even with my true level, I will defeat you!" Xiao Yan stepped forward two paces, his eyes brimming with dominance.

He now knew why his Dou Qi had been leaking away. As long as he cultivated diligently, with his talent, Xiao Ni's guidance as his future teacher, and the miraculous pills Yao Lao refined, defeating Nalan Yanran four times within three years might not be impossible.

"Fine, I will wait for you to defeat me! Elder Ge, let us go." Nalan Yanran's gaze swept over Xiao Ni. Just as she was about to turn and leave, Xiao Ni called out to stop her.

"Do not be in such a hurry to leave!"

"What else is there?" Nalan Yanran knitted her brows, asking with some displeasure.

"Since the Three-Year Pact has already been changed like this, then to make it easier for you and Xiao Yan to spar, we will go stay temporarily at the Misty Cloud Sect after some time. Once your Three-Year Pact has been completely decided, we will leave the Misty Cloud Sect." Xiao Ni looked calm, as though he were merely stating something perfectly ordinary.

Upon hearing Xiao Ni's words, everyone in the Xiao Household was dumbfounded.

Why was Xiao Ni always so unexpected? He actually wanted to take Xiao Yan to the Misty Cloud Sect. Was that not sending Xiao Yan into the tiger's den? With Xiao Yan's current strength, would he not be stymied at every turn if he went to the Misty Cloud Sect?

"What trick is that brat Xiao Ni playing now?" Xiao Zhan stroked his chin. Though the broken engagement had left him with a terrible impression of the Misty Cloud Sect, this matter had now become one between Xiao Yan and Xiao Ni. It was better to let the two young men decide for themselves.

The Misty Cloud Sect was the number one force in the Jia Ma Empire. Even though today's events had turned rather tense, they probably would not make things too difficult for Xiao Ni and the others, would they?

"I will report everything that happened today to my teacher." Nalan Yanran made the remark coldly, then turned and left.

Ge Ye glanced at Xiao Zhan before departing the Xiao Household with Liu Ling.

"Xiao Yan, I made the decision to take you to the Misty Cloud Sect on my own. Will you blame me for it?" Xiao Ni turned to Xiao Yan and asked solemnly.

"Do not worry, Brother Ni. I will not hate the entire Misty Cloud Sect because of what happened today." Xiao Yan grinned, appearing quite at ease.

"But Ge Ye and Liu Ling do not seem like good people. Once they return, they will certainly stir up trouble within the Misty Cloud Sect. If we go there, I am afraid we will face no small amount of trouble." Xiao Ni's expression remained grave.

He intended to take Xiao Yan to the Misty Cloud Sect partly to get close to Yun Yun, and partly so he could keep an eye on every move the Misty Cloud Sect made and prevent the tragedy of the Xiao Household's destruction.

As for Xiao Yan's growth, they only needed to occasionally venture into dangerous places such as the Magic Beast Mountain Range and the Tagor Desert for training.

Strange. Why did he feel as though he was becoming more and more like Xiao Yan's teacher?

"If I want to become stronger, I cannot be afraid of trouble. Brother Ni has already given me the chance to beat up Nalan Yanran a few more times. How can I possibly back down?" Xiao Yan wore a radiant smile, already looking forward to the day he defeated Nalan Yanran.

"I wonder how long Brother Xiao Ni's Dou Wang strength can last?" At that moment, Xiao Xun'er moved closer to Xiao Ni and asked softly.

"Not long. About ten minutes." Xiao Ni answered with a faint smile.

At those words, everyone's faces except Xiao Xun'er's turned green.

Big brother, would it kill you not to show off? Was ten minutes of Dou Wang strength not enough? If they had such a method, they would be content even if it only lasted ten breaths.

"Hehe, when does Brother Xiao Ni plan to go to the Misty Cloud Sect? Xun'er wants to go with you too." Xiao Xun'er asked with a smile.

"Probably within the next month or two." Xiao Ni answered somewhat vaguely.

In truth, he did not know when he would take Xiao Yan to the Misty Cloud Sect, because he did not know what the system's next mission would be. If that mission tied him down again, he really would have no way to go to the Misty Cloud Sect.

"By the way, Xun'er, you should have already finished one bottle of the Foundation Elixir I gave you, right?" After pondering for a moment, Xiao Ni asked with a smile.

He had used up his Foundation Elixir in two days. Xun'er's talent was so exceptional that she should not absorb the Foundation Elixir any slower than he did.

"Brother Xiao Ni, are you joking with me? Foundation Elixir is not something you drink. How could it possibly be used up so quickly? By Xun'er's estimate, the first bottle should still last for at least another five months." Xiao Xun'er looked Xiao Ni over in surprise, and Xiao Ni immediately revealed an awkward yet polite smile.

It seemed he had overthought things. Apparently, he was the only one who absorbed the Foundation Elixir that quickly.