Xiao Yan (41k)

Xiao Yan fell silent, involuntarily recalling that Xun'er had once spoken of Old Master Nalan in the same way. His thoughts twisted and turned, mingling the joy of having his "great vengeance fulfilled," bewilderment at what to do next, and a hollow sense of loss...

"Get ready. The Nalan Family should arrive in Wutan City within the next few days..." Xiao Zhan said no more, leaving Xiao Yan some space.

After Xiao Zhan left, the ring on Xiao Yan's finger flickered faintly. A translucent, elderly figure drifted out and looked at him with amusement in his eyes. "Little fellow, it looks like that girl who broke off your engagement is going to become... heh heh!"

Xiao Yan ignored Yao Lao's teasing. He was deeply troubled right now. With the Nalan Family about to visit the Xiao Clan to apologize, perhaps even reinstate the engagement, he had absolutely no idea what to do.

He hated Nalan Yanran, of course, but he also felt a trace of pity for her, and even some delight in her misfortune!

Old Master Nalan must have forced Nalan Yanran into this "reversal of the broken engagement." She was losing face even more badly than he had!

Despite himself, his fondness for Old Master Nalan grew severalfold. This really did soothe his anger! He could imagine how difficult it had been for the old master to go this far. After all, Nalan Yanran was the Misty Cloud Sect Master's disciple! How exalted her status was!

"Teacher, what do you think I should do?" Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao, his young face miserable.

"Heh heh, what else can you do? Why turn down a wife handed to you for free? Once you're married, you can 'avenge your humiliation' properly and discipline her thoroughly. Wouldn't that be delightful? Heh heh..." Yao Lao wore a wicked grin.

This rotten old man is wicked to the core! Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at Yao Lao. Still, he had to admit that the scene... was exciting!

Xiao Yan shuddered and hurriedly came back to his senses. Sinful! Sinful! It's all Yao Lao's fault. What sort of things does he think about all day?

Outside Wutan City, two graceful figures arrived together. They were Liu Yu and Yun Yun.

They had traveled separately from the Nalan Family's party. Nalan Jie and the others would probably arrive soon as well.

Matters in the Imperial Capital had mostly been settled. The wisp of source power he had given Ya Fei had greatly improved her cultivation talent. Even if she simply cultivated steadily in the future, she would be able to reach Dou Zong! She was now also the Mittel Family's Supervising Elder, managing most of the family's affairs!

Once he had met Xiao Yan, he would begin dealing with the Snake-People Tribe's affairs. Oh, right, there was also the Great Flying Lion! He would need her help with the tribe's migration.

"So this is Wutan City?" Yun Yun asked softly.

Although Wutan City was one of the Jia Ma Empire's major cities, it barely ranked among them thanks to the geographical advantage of backing onto the Magical Beast Mountain Range. It was little wonder Yun Yun was unfamiliar with it.

"Why are you so invested in this matter?" Yun Yun looked curiously at Liu Yu beside her. She had asked him before, but he had brushed it off with a vague answer. She could not understand it. She certainly did not think Liu Yu was the sort who enjoyed meddling in other people's affairs!

"Just a passing whim. I simply felt that Xiao Yan was rather pitiful. Tell me, if I ended up like him one day, what would you do?" Liu Yu chuckled, deftly changing the subject.

Yun Yun paused, then answered with complete seriousness, "I would take you back to the Misty Cloud Sect and support you for the rest of your life!"

"Ha, let's hope that day never comes!" Liu Yu offered no firm response. Yun Yun might be willing, but the rest of the Misty Cloud Sect would never agree.

Suddenly, a massive Flying Magical Beast slowly appeared on the distant horizon.

Have they arrived? Liu Yu thought as he watched the Flying Magical Beast. He and Yun Yun had departed several days after the Nalan Family, but they had flown directly here using Dou Qi Wings, even stopping for a while in several major cities along the way.

As the flying beast slowly descended, the Nalan Family's party came into Liu Yu's view.

"Elder Liu, Sect Master Yun, you've arrived too!"

A hearty laugh rang out as a burly old man flew toward them using Dou Qi Wings.

"You made good time too, Old Master Nalan!"

After exchanging pleasantries with Nalan Jie for a while, the party headed toward the Xiao Clan in a grand procession.

The Xiao Clan's reception hall.

The hall was spacious and held quite a crowd. Five seats stood empty at the head of the hall; Xiao Zhan and the three elders had all gone out to welcome their distinguished guests. The scene felt familiar, yet it was also very different!

Naturally, word of what had happened outside the city had reached the Xiao Clan. A massive Flying Magical Beast! Powerful auras! The Nalan Family had arrived!

Now, Xiao Yan had arrived as well!

Unlike last time, when no seat had been prepared for him, Steward Mo led him straight to the seats of honor and had him occupy one of the five empty places. How ironic!

The Xiao Clan's younger generation in the hall, especially the males, all stared at Xiao Yan with jealousy written across their faces. Why him? Why would something like this happen to that useless trash? Was heaven blind?

Still sitting in a corner, Xiao Xun'er wore a calm expression, but her eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yan. She had never expected the Nalan Family to come and "reverse the broken engagement." How would Brother Xiao Yan handle this?

Xiao Yan naturally noticed Xun'er's gaze and smiled at her. There were few people in this clan he cared about, and Xun'er was certainly one of them!

He could not be bothered with the others' envious, jealous looks. From the moment his talent returned and he met Yao Lao, these people had been destined to inhabit a different world from his!

While everyone in the hall entertained their own thoughts, Xiao Zhan and the three elders entered with ingratiating smiles, leading a group whose auras were variously powerful, unfathomable, or noble!

In Xiao Yan's eyes, the burly old man leading the group must have been Old Master Nalan!

What briefly arrested Xiao Yan's gaze, however, was a silver-haired, red-eyed youth dressed in luxurious purple brocade robes. His smooth, fair, delicate face nevertheless held a trace of sharply defined, cool handsomeness, a union of contradictions that stirred ripples in the heart. His thick brows, high nose, and exquisitely shaped lips all proclaimed nobility and elegance!

Xiao Yan could not help marveling. He looked like a noble young lord who had stepped out of a novel!

Even Xiao Yan, who was steadier than his peers, reacted this way, let alone the clan's naive young girls. They were utterly spellbound. Among them, Xiao Mei's lips parted slightly, her lovely eyes shining with fascination. Even Xiao Xun'er gave the youth a few extra glances, though she soon looked away.

Beside the youth stood a poised woman in simple azure clothing, her face covered by a light veil. Although Xiao Yan could not see her features clearly, he knew there must be an exquisite face beneath that veil! It was his intuition as a man!

But as Xiao Yan's gaze swept onward, he saw a beautiful girl he recognized—Nalan Yanran!

His body stiffened, and his fists clenched instinctively. Once again, he was facing the girl who had subjected him and his father to such humiliation!

Perhaps because of how this matter had developed, however, he no longer felt much anger.

"This must be Xiao Yan. An impressive young man indeed!" Nalan Jie looked at the refined-looking youth in the seat of honor and laughed.

"Yan'er, hurry down and pay your respects to Old Master Nalan!" Xiao Zhan reminded Xiao Yan when he saw him sitting motionless.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan hurriedly rose, approached Nalan Jie, and cupped his fists in greeting. "This junior, Xiao Yan, pays his respects to Old Master Nalan!"

Xiao Yan could feel no dislike for Nalan Jie. The old master's fierce spirit was rather endearing! He quite liked him.

Nalan Jie stepped forward and helped Xiao Yan straighten, then "lightly" patted his back, nearly killing him on the spot. He laughed heartily. "Good!"

Watching Xiao Yan stagger slightly, Liu Yu found it rather amusing. As a Dou Wang expert, even when Nalan Jie restrained his strength, he still placed tremendous pressure on Xiao Yan, who was not yet even a Dou Zhe.

Xiao Yan could only endure it all in silence. He knew Old Master Nalan had not done it deliberately. He had only his own weakness to blame!

"Come, Xiao Yan, let me introduce him. This is Elder Liu, Grand Elder of both the Mittel Family and the Alchemist Guild! He is also a Grade Six Alchemist. I invited him especially to examine you!"

Nalan Jie introduced Liu Yu to Xiao Yan, sending towering waves crashing through Xiao Yan's heart! Of course he knew the Mittel Family and the Alchemist Guild. One was among the Imperial Capital's three great families, while the other was a colossal power in the Jia Ma Empire. Yet this noble-looking youth, who was about his own age, was actually the Grand Elder of both forces! And a Grade Six Alchemist!

Xiao Yan was dumbfounded. What was wrong with this world?

Seeing Xiao Yan's shock, Xiao Zhan explained to Nalan Jie and the others, "Old Master Nalan, Elder Liu, Yan'er has been immersed in cultivation these past few months and knows little of what has happened outside, so..."

"It's no trouble. I greatly admire Xiao Yan's dedication to cultivation! Ah, speaking of which, I am ashamed. Because of me, Yanran did something so outrageous. Clan Leader Xiao, Xiao Yan, allow me to apologize to you both!"

With that, Nalan Jie bowed to Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan!

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan were overwhelmed by the honor. This was the Jia Ma Empire's Lionheart Marshal! A Dou Wang expert, no less!

Xiao Zhan hurriedly helped Nalan Jie straighten. "Old Master Nalan, you mustn't!"

Xiao Yan was deeply moved as well.

Liu Yu watched silently. Now that was a masterful play. He's won over both father and son outright. Liu Yu was full of "admiration" for Nalan Jie's "flashy maneuvers" over the past month. He was forcibly "whitewashing" the whole affair!

Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran stood expressionless to one side, her thoughts impossible to discern.

"Xiao Yan, your engagement to Yanran was arranged jointly by your grandfather and me! When Yanran came to break it off last time, she acted on her own without my consent. It doesn't count!" Nalan Jie said, looking at Xiao Yan.

"Old Master Nalan, I know that you and my grandfather arranged this engagement together. I also know your granddaughter doesn't want to be with someone she doesn't like, which is why she came to break it off. I understand! Besides, I'm not worthy of your granddaughter, so perhaps this engagement should still..."

Xiao Yan drew a deep breath and lowered himself, choosing his words tactfully. Out of respect for Old Master Nalan, he gave Nalan Yanran a way to step down gracefully, preserving both sides' dignity.

"Xiao Yan, what are you saying? How are you unworthy of Yanran? You were once a genius renowned throughout Jia Ma, with even greater cultivation talent than hers. These past few years, the bright pearl has merely been covered in dust. Besides, affection can be nurtured!"

Nalan Jie's expression grew solemn as he addressed Xiao Yan with great earnestness.

Hearing Old Master Nalan affirm his talent, a trace of pride welled up deep in Xiao Yan's heart. Yet he still harbored resentment over the matter of Nalan Yanran. Faced with the old master's sincere attitude, however, he did not know how to refuse!

Indeed, Nalan Jie had shown him every possible respect. Not only had he publicly revealed Nalan Yanran's various wrongdoings in breaking off the engagement without permission, but he had now come in person to apologize!

As the atmosphere grew somewhat frozen, Liu Yu decided it was time to make his "dazzling" entrance!

"Old Master Nalan, why don't I first examine Little Yan... Xiao Yan's condition?"

Liu Yu spoke, breaking the frozen atmosphere.

"Quite right, Elder Liu! Xiao Yan's health comes first. We can discuss the engagement later! Please, Elder Liu!"

Nalan Jie laughed and stepped aside.

Liu Yu slowly approached, his every movement leaving the Xiao Clan's young girls utterly infatuated.

Xiao Yan looked at Liu Yu nervously. Yao Lao won't be discovered, will he? Yao Lao could be considered his second-greatest secret!

"Don't be nervous. Give me your hand!" Liu Yu said with a chuckle. I'm not going to eat you. What are you afraid of?

Xiao Yan could only obediently extend his hand to Liu Yu, his heart filled with unease.

Imitating a traditional physician taking a pulse, Liu Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and laid his fingers on Xiao Yan's wrist. In truth, alchemists generally used Soul Perception to examine patients. He merely wanted to tease Xiao Yan.

As Liu Yu took his pulse, Xiao Zhan and Nalan Jie's hearts rose into their throats. Nalan Jie in particular prayed silently that Elder Liu could identify the cause and cure Xiao Yan. That way, he could not only recover his dignity on this visit but also gain a son-in-law whose cultivation talent surpassed Yanran's!

Standing nearby, Nalan Yanran also looked toward Liu Yu with some curiosity. If Xiao Yan could truly be cured, she might be willing to give her former fiancé a chance. She had arrived at this thought after much reflection lately. She admitted she had gone somewhat too far that day, tarnishing the Xiao Clan's dignity and burdening that youth with a terrible humiliation!

She had noticed Xiao Yan's changes as well. His youthful face had grown resolute, and his fair skin had taken on a faint yellowish cast. Clearly, he had suffered greatly during this time!

Now, Liu Yu exerted his power, sending an immense wave of Soul Power directly over Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan felt a terrifying force envelop him, along with the sensation that his entire body had been laid bare. He involuntarily tensed, suppressing his discomfort. His only concern now was whether Yao Lao would be discovered.

Because of the Bone Flame Ring, Liu Yu's Soul Power did not detect Yao Lao's presence. Still, he naturally knew Yao Lao must be inside that ring. Otherwise, an unconscious soul could never escape a full examination by his Soul Power at mortal realm great perfection, even with the ring's ability to conceal souls!

What astonishing Soul Power! To possess such Soul Power at this age... the younger generation truly deserves respect! But my Bone Flame Ring is no pushover either. Heh heh... No one knew Yao Lao's thoughts inside the Storage Ring.

A moment later, Liu Yu withdrew his hand and smiled at Xiao Yan. "Seventh Stage Dou Qi! Your cultivation talent must have returned some time ago, hasn't it?"