Xiao Long sat up straight on the tree branch and raised an eyebrow. Xiao Xun'er had just said they had distinguished guests coming today, but he hadn't expected them to arrive so soon.
He brushed the leaves off his clothes and asked casually, "What distinguished guests? What big shots could possibly come to this palm-sized place?"
The maid shook her head and lowered her voice. "I think they're from somewhere called the Misty Cloud Sect. All the clan elders are keeping them company in the front hall. They've made quite an entrance.
"I also saw a young lady dressed in white. She looked like a fairy, but she had no expression at all. She seemed awfully cold."
At the words "Misty Cloud Sect," Xiao Long's mind buzzed. His expression barely changed, but inwardly, everything turned upside down.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Never bully a young man for being poor.
Was that iconic scene about to happen?
"The Misty Cloud Sect?"
Xiao Xun'er seemed to think of something and climbed down after Xiao Long, looking somewhat tense. Xiao Long glanced at her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Um... Brother Xiao Long, do you know Nalan Yanran?"
Xiao Long raised an eyebrow. "I heard of her when I visited Jia Ma Holy City before. She's the disciple the Misty Cloud Sect Master recently took in, right?"
"She's also the Nalan Family's daughter by the principal wife. I hear she's quite pretty..."
Xiao Xun'er instinctively pouted at his words, only to hear Xiao Long continue, "But she definitely can't compare to Xun'er!"
Seeing the pair still chatting, the maid hurriedly said, "Young master, young miss, please hurry! Won't the clan leader get angry if you keep him waiting?"
"What's there to be angry about? I'm not the main character. I heard she's engaged to my younger brother. They're probably here to fulfill the engagement!"
Of course, Xiao Long was only saying that offhandedly.
After all, he knew this plot was the granddaddy of broken-engagement stories. But judged by the standards of later years, Nalan Yanran actually counted as a good girl.
She even offered compensation when she broke off the engagement.
In later years, never mind compensation-you wouldn't even get your betrothal gifts back.
After all, back then, the worst woman the god who created this world could imagine was someone like Nalan Yanran.
Walking beside Xiao Long, Xiao Xun'er shook her head. "I hear that girl has lofty ambitions. I'm afraid there might be some twists to this."
"Especially since the rumors that Xiao Yan has become useless have long since spread."
"I've already gotten a handle on my little brother's situation. It should be resolved before long. After all, we're the Xiao Clan's twin stars."
Xiao Long smiled. He remembered that Yao Lao would appear not long after the engagement was broken, and he hadn't been idle over the years either.
He had used the Sheep Talisman to enter the Storage Ring their mother had left them, taking advantage of the fact that the old man who sucked away people's vital energy was almost entirely asleep.
He had used the Sheep Talisman to add plenty of extra ingredients to him. After all, this was his little brother's destined opportunity, and he had already swooped in and taken Xiao Xun'er.
He would leave Yao Lao to Xiao Yan. Later on, Xiao Yan wouldn't have beauties flocking around him, but he would have an old master wholly devoted to him.
He would surely still soar. After all, in the original story, Yao Lao hadn't laid all his cards on the table for Xiao Yan; even his gold drops had come in intermittent bursts.
After Xiao Long's modifications, Xiao Yan would find it much easier to shake the old geezer down for loot.
"What twin stars... If you ask me, Brother Xiao Long is the greatest genius of all!!"
"They just don't recognize quality!"
Xiao Xun'er wrinkled her delicate nose. In her heart, Xiao Long was the best. Xiao Yan had indeed been pretty good before, but that was all-pretty good.
"That's hard to say."
Xiao Long didn't continue. After all, in this life, Xiao Yan was his little brother, and there wasn't much of an age gap between them.
They were on fairly good terms.
"Even if there are complications, that's normal. After all, she's the Misty Cloud Sect Master's disciple. It's understandable that she wouldn't want a useless man. Compared to the likes of Po Kong and Basha..."
"Nalan Yanran counts as a good girl if all she does is refuse to honor the engagement!"
Before long, Xiao Long and Xiao Xun'er could see the reception hall's open doors in the distance, with figures moving inside and snatches of conversation drifting out.
"Let's go in. Don't keep Father waiting." Xiao Long gestured to Xiao Xun'er with his lips, then stepped over the threshold first.
There were indeed quite a few people in the hall. Xiao Zhan sat at the head, with the first, second, and third elders seated in order on either side, each wearing a different expression.
Several people in moon-white robes occupied the guest seats below. Blue cloud patterns were embroidered on their chests, and silver trim lined their cuffs. One glance was enough to identify them as members of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Their leader was a middle-aged man with half-gray hair and a lean face. Holding a teacup, he swept his gaze around the hall before finally settling on Xiao Long, who had just entered.
The first elder spotted Xiao Long first. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and the corners of his mouth dipped slightly.
Over the past few years, Xiao Long's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. He had formed his qi cyclone at nine, and now, at seventeen, he was already a Nine-Star Dou Zhe-a talent worth showing off even across the entire Jia Ma Empire.
What was even more aggravating was that his younger brother, Xiao Yan, had displayed even greater talent in his early years. Fortunately, his cultivation had later regressed for no apparent reason.
Otherwise, if both brothers had truly come into their own, what weight would the words of old fellows like them carry in the clan?
All that displeasure piled onto his face, but he couldn't lash out in front of guests. He could only turn his gaze away toward the vase in the corner.
Xiao Long paid no attention to any of that. Upon entering, he first cupped his hands to his father. "Father."
Xiao Zhan nodded at him, then glanced behind him. His expression eased slightly when he saw Xiao Xun'er had come along.
Ge Ye set down his teacup, looked Xiao Long over, and said, "Xiao Long... The other genius among the Xiao Clan's twin stars. A seventeen-year-old Nine-Star Dou Zhe-you certainly deserve the title of genius.
"I've seen plenty of outstanding young people in the Misty Cloud Sect, but not many have reached your level at your age."
Xiao Long smiled and cupped his hands. "You flatter me, senior."
Even as he spoke, his eyes had already drifted toward the guest seats.
Five people sat there in total. Aside from Ge Ye, there were four young disciples, three men and one woman, all wearing the Misty Cloud Sect's inner disciple attire.
The woman stood out particularly clearly. Her long pink hair fell to her waist, and her features were exquisite. She looked about his age and sat perfectly upright, her hands resting on her knees, her eyes turned toward him.
Nalan Yanran.
The name immediately popped into Xiao Long's mind.
This girl had provoked his dear younger brother Xiao Yan into making the Three-Year Agreement on the spot. You could say that if Hun Tiandi were reborn, his first move ought to be to take her out. Otherwise, where would Xiao Yan have found the drive to charge all the way up to Dou Di?
Nalan Yanran made little attempt to hide her scrutiny. Her gaze moved from his face to his shoulders, then from his shoulders to the half-exposed wrist beneath his sleeve, as though she were weighing up some object.
Xiao Long's looks were indeed impressive. With sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, he stood half a head taller than his peers. His broad shoulders and long legs made him particularly eye-catching in the hall.
Yet, perhaps because he had fused with the Shendu template and the Rainbow Stone, there was always an indescribably sinister air about his features.
It was especially obvious when he wasn't smiling. Occasionally, when his eyes shifted, a flash of dark red would pass through the depths of his pupils, making him look like anything but an upright man.
Ge Ye spoke again, this time addressing Xiao Zhan. "Clan Leader Xiao, we have come on the orders of Sect Master Yun Yun of the Misty Cloud Sect, specifically to pay the Xiao Clan a visit..."
Before he could finish, Xiao Xun'er suddenly reached out and gently tugged Xiao Long's sleeve.
Xiao Long paused and looked down at her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Xiao Xun'er's voice was soft, her face expressionless, but she held on to Xiao Long's cuff and wouldn't let go. "My hands feel a little cold."
Nalan Yanran glanced at Xiao Xun'er, was briefly struck by her beauty as well, then withdrew her gaze.
Xiao Xun'er gave a soft huff.
Before you continue