As a female character given considerable attention in the original novel, Yun Yun possessed undeniable charm. She had the looks, the figure, and an indescribable air about her.
If one were to ask what sort of women attracted men most, women like Yun Yun and Ya Fei would probably have a slight edge.
Still, aside from stealing a couple of appreciative glances, Xiao Yan entertained no improper thoughts.
He gave Yun Yun a perfunctory nod, then withdrew his gaze.
Yun Yun paused in slight surprise, but she recognized who he was.
To think the mysterious expert who suddenly appeared at the Mittel Auction House yesterday was also a high-level master alchemist, Yun Yun thought.
Unfortunately, this mysterious master alchemist wore black robes and even a mask. Clearly, he had no intention of revealing his identity, or she would certainly have tried to make his acquaintance.
Nalan Yanran, meanwhile, secretly found it odd. For some reason, the mysterious person before her felt familiar, as though they had met somewhere before.
Yet even after racking her brains, she could not recall ever having crossed paths with this Master Yan Xiao.
Before she could think any further, Nalan Jie's sudden shout stopped her short.
Nalan Jie's face was stern. Even with so many people present, he spared Nalan Yanran no dignity whatsoever.
"Yanran, you wretched girl, so you still remembered to come back to the Nalan Family?
I thought you would hide in the Misty Cloud Sect and never return."
Faced with Nalan Jie's angry questioning, Nalan Yanran's eyes filled with stubborn defiance.
Even though he was the grandfather who had treated her with both care and strictness since childhood, she answered without hesitation:
"The Nalan Family is my home. Why wouldn't I dare come back?
I know I acted too rashly when I went to the Xiao Clan to break off the engagement, without considering their dignity.
But pursuing my own life wasn't wrong either. I simply failed to think things through."
Nalan Yanran's eyes reddened slightly, but her gaze remained resolute.
"Besides, I've already suffered the consequences I deserved. Xiao Yan repudiated me and stripped me of all dignity. I accepted that.
But after three years, I'll go to the Xiao Clan myself and pick up the dignity I lost with my own hands."
Those were inspiring words!
Even Xiao Yan, standing nearby, nodded inwardly, his opinion of Nalan Yanran rising a notch.
Not bad!
On the other side, Nalan Jie still resented the fact that Nalan Yanran had gone to the Xiao Clan to break off the engagement without their permission.
Yet as he looked at the Nalan Yanran before him, who now dared to act and take responsibility, a trace of gratification flickered through his clouded eyes.
Now that was a woman of the Nalan Family!
Very well. Once my injuries heal, I'll visit the Xiao Clan myself.
I must at least offer them an apology. Otherwise, when I pass on a hundred years from now, how could I face that old friend of mine down below?
After considering it, Nalan Jie asked Nalan Su curiously, "By the way, I heard that little fellow Xiao Yan was a genius too. How strong is he now?"
"Well..." Nalan Su looked slightly awkward at the question. After a moment's hesitation, he answered, "Father, the Xiao Clan held its Coming-of-Age Ceremony some time ago. According to the reports from Wutan City, Xiao Yan seems to be a Da Dou Shi."
Nalan Jie immediately fell silent.
He quietly turned to look at Nalan Yanran, who had trained hard for a year and taken all manner of pills, only to barely break through to Dou Shi.
At that moment, even Yun Yun silently lowered her head.
To think the disciple she had personally taught had been utterly outclassed by a boy from a small clan in a remote little city.
Who could she possibly appeal to over that?
How humiliating!
Xiao Yi Xian could not hold back and let out a snort of laughter.
She knew Xiao Yan's strength all too well.
She could already picture the scene when Nalan Yanran challenged Xiao Yan two years later.
But the moment she laughed, Xiao Yi Xian realized something was wrong and hurriedly apologized. "Sorry, sorry. Normally, I don't laugh-unless I really can't help it."
Although Nalan Su and Nalan Jie had not expected the black-robed figure who had remained silent all this time to sound so young, they politely waved it off.
"It's all right. Yanran's courage is commendable, but compared with that little fellow Xiao Yan, she truly does fall short."
Beside them, Nalan Yanran's pretty face flushed crimson. After a long while, she could only force out a single sentence.
"I'll train twice as hard. Who'll be stronger two years from now is still up in the air!"
Xiao Yan gave Nalan Yanran an appreciative look.
Well said! You've got ambition!
After this little interlude, the steward soon arrived carrying a vividly colored medicinal herb.
Clearly, this was the seven illusory azure spirit saliva!
"Master Yan Xiao, here is the payment you requested: seven illusory azure spirit saliva."
Xiao Yan stood on no ceremony. With a sweep of his hand, he swiftly stored the seven illusory azure spirit saliva in his Storage Ring.
Yun Yun's gaze sharpened slightly at the sight.
This Master Yan Xiao's hand...
It looks so young!
A trace of curiosity stirred in Yun Yun's heart. She felt that this Master Yan Xiao might not be as old as he made himself appear.
However, she was not one to pry into other people's secrets, so she soon put the matter out of her mind.
Just then, Xiao Yan said, "Since I've obtained the seven illusory azure spirit saliva, it's time this old man took his leave."
Although Nalan Jie still wanted to entertain him with the Nalan Family's highest honors, "Master Yan Xiao" had already said his piece, leaving him no choice but to abandon the idea.
Nalan Jie coughed and told Nalan Yanran, "Girl, see Master Yan Xiao out."
"Yes, Grandfather!" Nalan Yanran answered respectfully.
With a respectful air, she escorted Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian out of the Nalan Family estate.
Once they were outside, Nalan Yanran thanked him again. "Master Yan Xiao, thank you for saving my grandfather."
Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
"It was simply a mutually beneficial exchange."
Nalan Yanran shook her head. "Regardless, Master Yan Xiao has shown our Nalan Family a great kindness. Please accept my bow."
With that, she bowed deeply to Xiao Yan.
Looking at her sincere expression, he had to admit she was quite a filial granddaughter.
Back at the inn, Xiao Yan took out the seven illusory azure spirit saliva and asked, "Teacher, how are you going to handle this stuff? Refine it into a pill, or use it directly?"
Yao Lao sighed. "I do know a pill recipe that uses seven illusory azure spirit saliva as its main ingredient. Unfortunately, the other ingredients are far too rare. I'm afraid it would be difficult to gather them all in the Jia Ma Empire."
Xiao Yan shrugged. "So the only option is to use the seven illusory azure spirit saliva directly?"
"That's indeed our only option," Yao Lao said helplessly. "Unfortunately, using the seven illusory azure spirit saliva directly won't bring out its full effects."
As he spoke, Yao Lao's soul flew out of the Bone Flame Ring.
Xiao Yi Xian stood right beside them, but neither Xiao Yan nor Yao Lao made any attempt to hide from her.
Xiao Yi Xian paused in surprise as she looked at Yao Lao, who stood before her with something of an immortal sage's bearing.
So this was the old man inside Xiao Yan?
Yao Lao even greeted Xiao Yi Xian.
"Xiao Yi Xian, we finally meet. This old man has heard Xiao Yan praising all your good points quite often in private."
Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face reddened slightly at his words.
"Greetings, Senior. I'm really not that wonderful. Xiao Yan was just talking nonsense."
Despite saying that, Xiao Yi Xian could not help casting Xiao Yan a coyly reproachful glance, as though asking, Is that really true?
At the sight, Yao Lao chuckled and stroked his beard, thinking to himself.
Little Yanzi, this is as far as your teacher can help you.
Before you continue