Annulment Agreement

"Hehe! Is the Misty Cloud Sect really that strong? On the Dou Qi Continent, your Misty Cloud Sect can barely be considered a second-rate force." Xiao Xun'er walked out from the crowd to Xiao Yan's side. A tiny wisp of golden flame suddenly surged within her autumn-water-like eyes.

"Who are you? What is your relationship with the Xiao Clan?" Ge Ye stared at the tiny golden flames in the girl's eyes, and his body suddenly trembled. He was no longer as arrogant as before.

"Who I am is not important. What matters is that if you cannot honor the wager, I will make sure you do not leave Wutan City." Although Xiao Xun'er spoke gently, everyone present could sense the chill in her words.

Ge Ye glanced at Nalan Yanran. At this point, there was nothing he could do. Though he did not know Xiao Xun'er's true identity, the golden flames in her eyes were enough to prove that she was no ordinary person.

Nalan Yanran knew there would be no peaceful resolution today. She could not avoid this. She directly shook off Ge Ye's support and walked with difficulty to the prepared desk. Dipping the brush in ink, she said to Xiao Yan, "Tell me how you want it written!"

At this moment, Nalan Yanran no longer had the arrogant attitude she had displayed upon arriving at the Xiao Clan. Tears kept welling in her eyes, while the brush in her hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Xiao Yan would not pity Nalan Yanran. Those who humiliated others would themselves be humiliated. If he, Xiao Yan, had lost today, Nalan Yanran would not have shown him any mercy either.

"Write this: I, Nalan Yanran, am arrogant and look down on everyone. Relying on my status as the Nalan Clan's young lady and as the disciple of Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect's leader, I often abused my power to bully others. I am selfish and self-serving, caring only about my own interests and never considering the feelings of others. I defy my elders, act impulsively, and will stop at nothing to achieve my goals. Someone like me is truly unworthy of becoming the Xiao Clan's daughter-in-law. I hereby write this Annulment Agreement as proof!" Xiao Yan said flatly.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Nalan Yanran's chest heaved with rage, and the hand holding the brush trembled continuously.

If she truly wrote this, how could Nalan Yanran ever walk the continent again?

"Isn't this going too far?" Ge Ye was somewhat displeased after hearing what Xiao Yan wanted Nalan Yanran to write.

"Hehe, Brother Xiao Yan is absolutely right!" Xun'er chimed in from the side.

Nalan Yanran was silent for a long while before rapidly writing down everything Xiao Yan had said. Once she finished, she picked up her sword and cut a deep wound across her palm.

Her bloodstained palm left a glaring crimson print upon the white paper.

Nalan Yanran heavily slapped the bloodied Annulment Agreement against Xiao Yan's chest.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Hehe, you were the one who came to the Xiao Clan to annul the marriage, yet now you act like the victim! Who are you putting on this pitiful act for? There is no longer any relationship between us. Please leave!" Xiao Yan said with a cold sneer.

Ge Ye let out a deep sigh and prepared to take the two of them away from the Xiao Clan. What had happened today had truly exceeded all his expectations.

Yet after taking only two steps, Nalan Yanran halted. Turning back to Xiao Yan, she said, "What happened today was my mistake, Nalan Yanran's mistake. But my mistake should not be borne by my sect. Do you dare compete with me again? Three years from now, I will wait for you at the Misty Cloud Sect. If I lose, I will be your servant for the rest of my life, at your disposal. Should I break this vow, may Heaven and Earth destroy me. But if you lose, you must hand over this contract and apologize to me before everyone in the Misty Cloud Sect. Do you dare?"

"I have already won. Why should I accept some Three-Year Agreement with you? I do not have that much time to waste," Xiao Yan said indifferently.

"You do not have to agree, but the Misty Cloud Sect is stronger than the Xiao Clan. That is a fact. If someone from the sect comes to the Xiao Clan to cause trouble..." Nalan Yanran said with a hint of threat.

"Hehe, fine! It is only a Three-Year Agreement. I accept! But when someone loses again, do not start talking about dying for the honor of the Misty Cloud Sect or something!" Xiao Yan said mockingly.

"Hmph! I will personally wash away the humiliation I suffered in the Xiao Clan today. Let's go!" Nalan Yanran snorted coldly and turned to leave.

I need to go out and gain experience as soon as possible. But before that, I should first refine some healing medicine for the Xiao Clan in case of emergencies. Xiao Yan watched Nalan Yanran leave and thought to himself.

Although the Jia Lie Clan was far weaker than before, that was precisely why it might lash out desperately. For example, it might invite Liu Xi ahead of time. Once an alchemist joined them, the situation could turn around in an instant.

After Nalan Yanran's annulment was settled, Xiao Yan seized the opportunity to leave the Xiao Clan and headed to the Mitel Auction House to collect the medicinal cauldron and the ingredients for refining Blood-Coagulating Powder.

As usual, Xiao Yan went to a secluded corner and changed into a black cloak. After changing, he did not immediately head for the Mitel Family. Instead, he asked Medicine Elder, "Teacher, I want to go out and gain some experience. What do you think?"

"Go out and gain experience? But your coming-of-age ceremony is only a year away. Why not wait until after it is held? Could it be because of Nalan Yanran?" Medicine Elder asked doubtfully.

"Nalan Yanran? She is not worthy of being the reason!" Xiao Yan said disdainfully.

"Oh? If it is not because of Nalan Yanran, then is it because of Xiao Xun'er?" Medicine Elder teased.

"I only want to become stronger. Why does there have to be so many reasons?" Xiao Yan snapped in embarrassment after being exposed.

"Fine, I will stop asking! But if you want to go out and gain experience, you will need to prepare a large amount of supplies for surviving in the wilderness. Since we are going to the Mitel Auction House this time, we can prepare them together," Medicine Elder said seriously, putting away his smile.

Since this was not Xiao Yan's first visit to the Mitre Auction House, everyone working inside was already familiar with his strange appearance. Thus, the moment they spotted the figure in the black cloak from afar, they quickly notified Ya Fei and Gu Ni.

After hearing the report from their subordinate, Ya Fei and Gu Ni swiftly set aside their work and went to the auction house entrance to lead Xiao Yan into the reception room.

"Everything the old gentleman required—the medicinal ingredients and the medicinal cauldron—has been prepared. However, since you purchased such a large quantity of medicinal ingredients, Ya Fei took the liberty of including a Storage Ring as a gift." Ya Fei smiled as she picked up the Storage Ring from a maid's tray and handed it to the black-robed figure.

"Hehe, you are quite thoughtful. But it is only a Storage Ring. This old man will not take advantage of you. Add it to the bill as well! Also, prepare a set of wilderness survival supplies for me. I will come collect them directly in a few days." Medicine Elder handed a blue jade card to Ya Fei.

Ya Fei had truly intended to give the Storage Ring to the old man, because a Fourth-Grade Alchemist was worth winning over. But since the old gentleman would not accept it, Ya Fei naturally would not force it on him. That would be too deliberate; not only would it fail to earn the old man's favor, it might even provoke his displeasure.

After settling the bill, Xiao Yan picked up the Storage Ring and casually slipped it onto his finger. "Then I'll be leaving first. There is no need to see me off."

Watching the black-robed figure leave, Ya Fei frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Why did the old gentleman ask us to prepare wilderness survival supplies? Could it be that a Fourth-Grade Alchemist like him is going out to gain experience?"

"Hehe, do you remember what I said before? This old man may have accepted a disciple in Wutan City," Gu Ni said with a smile.

"You mean..." Ya Fei suddenly understood.

"Yes. If someone disappears from Wutan City soon, that person is very likely to have been accepted as this old gentleman's disciple," Gu Ni said calmly.

"Hehe, I wonder whose child is fortunate enough to be accepted as the disciple of a Fourth-Grade Alchemist," Ya Fei sighed softly.