Fiancée

"Nalan Yanran... that name sounds familiar."

Xiao Yan quickly searched his memory and immediately recalled who she was.

Nalan Yanran was the granddaughter of Nalan Jie, the Jia Ma Empire's Lionheart Marshal, and Xiao Yan's fiancée, betrothed to him before they were even born.

Back then, Xiao Yan's grandfather, Xiao Lin, had also been a Dou Wang expert. He and Nalan Jie had been friends through life and death, and he had saved Nalan Jie's life on several occasions.

Later, when Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were born at almost the same time, Xiao Lin and Nalan Jie had agreed to arrange this childhood betrothal.

Unfortunately, when Xiao Yan was three, Xiao Lin had suffered grievous wounds fighting an enemy and died of his injuries.

From then on, the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Family had gradually drifted apart.

But Nalan Jie valued his reputation above all else. Even after the Xiao Clan fell into decline, he had never rescinded the marriage agreement.

As a result, over all these years, Xiao Yan had only heard her name. He knew nothing else about her.

"Hehe, she's Brother Xiao Yan's fiancée. What could she want, coming all this way to Wutan City? Don't tell me she's come to your door to propose marriage herself? Actually, that makes sense. My Brother Xiao Yan is quite the catch."

Sitting beside Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er teased him with a mischievous expression.

Her words left Xiao Yan unsure how to answer.

"Oh, so you dare tease me, Xun'er? Just watch how I deal with you."

Feigning anger, Xiao Yan slowly reached both hands toward Xiao Xun'er, intending to tickle her.

"Mercy, Brother Xiao Yan!"

Xun'er twisted aside to dodge him. The two played around in the solemn council hall, completely ignoring everyone else present.

"All right, Yan'er. Our honored guests will be here soon. You should at least mind appearances."

Only when Xiao Zhan finally spoke did Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er stop and return to their seats.

"They're from the Misty Cloud Sect. I need to greet them at the entrance myself, or we'll be neglecting our manners. What about you, Yan'er?"

Xiao Yan waved a hand. "Father, I'm not particularly interested in matters outside the clan. I'll stay out of it."

Xiao Zhan said nothing more and took several elders to the Xiao Clan's gates to welcome their guests.

Xiao Zhan stepped out through the gates with a broad smile. "I heard we had honored guests arriving today, and it turns out to be my niece Nalan. Why didn't you send word before coming to Wutan City? Someone, hurry and prepare food and wine. The Xiao Clan must not neglect its manners."

Xiao Zhan promptly ordered a banquet prepared. He dared not slight Xiao Yan's fiancée in the least.

Though he had never expected the Xiao Clan in its current state to perch on the Nalan Family's lofty branch, his son had now become so accomplished that a match with Nalan Yanran would hardly be beneath her.

"There's no need for a banquet. I came without telling my teacher or grandfather. Let me introduce Old Ge, Ge Ye, a steward of the Misty Cloud Sect."

Hearing that he came from the Misty Cloud Sect, and seeing Nalan Yanran's attire, Xiao Zhan immediately understood something.

The Misty Cloud Sect was the largest sect in the Jia Ma Empire. Exceptionally gifted, Nalan Yanran had been accepted as a direct disciple by its sect master, Yun Yun, several years earlier.

Perhaps, a few decades later, she would become the Misty Cloud Sect's new sect master.

For precisely this reason, her standing had risen like a boat on a rising tide. Even the Nalan Family could no longer easily control her.

"So you're Old Ge. Niece Nalan, Old Ge, outside is no place to talk. Please come in."

Xiao Zhan ushered the pair into the hall, while Xiao Yan had long since been waiting inside, his eyes nearly worn out with anticipation, eager to see what his fiancée looked like.

The moment Nalan Yanran entered the hall, both she and Xiao Yan widened their eyes.

"It's you?!"

Both Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were astonished. Neither had expected the other to be the person they had met earlier at the Treasure Stall.

Ge Ye, on the other hand, smiled inwardly. He had expected this all along.

After all, Xiao Yan's reputation as a genius had already reached the Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Imperial Family.

In all of Wutan City, Xiao Yan was probably the only person who could reach the Dou Shi level in his teens.

One reason Ge Ye had refrained from intervening when Nalan Yanran was afflicted by the Qi-Sealing Powder was that he had already determined this youth must be Xiao Yan.

That way, their encounter would leave them with a favorable first impression of each other.

After all, both the Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Imperial Family paid close attention to a genius like Xiao Yan.

As a steward of the Misty Cloud Sect, he naturally had to consider its interests and use Nalan Yanran's connection to bind Xiao Yan to the sect.

Perhaps, a few decades from now, the Misty Cloud Sect would have two Dou Huang experts at once!

"Hehe, no wonder Brother Xiao Yan wouldn't tell me where he went. So he had a romantic encounter. This Sister Nalan really is quite pretty."

Seeing Xiao Yan's reaction, Xiao Xun'er felt somewhat conflicted. But she could only pretend not to care, concealing her thoughts behind the sort of teasing she usually enjoyed with him.

"Hahaha, so Yan'er and my niece Nalan have already met. That saves me the introductions. Since you're here to see Yan'er, you young people can talk in private. We old fellows won't interfere."

"There's no need, Uncle Xiao Zhan. Some things are easier to resolve if they're said openly in front of everyone."

Nalan Yanran then looked at Xiao Yan. "I came to Wutan City for my own sake. My grandfather and the Xiao Clan's old patriarch arranged a marriage between Xiao Yan and me, but I don't approve of what they did. I should choose my own destiny!"

Her words made the expressions of the Xiao Clan members present turn grave. Even Ge Ye's expression grew somewhat unpleasant.

In truth, many members of the Xiao Clan had already sensed that Nalan Yanran's sudden visit probably meant nothing good. The worst possibility was that she intended to break off the engagement unilaterally.

Just then, Nalan Yanran drew her sword and pointed it at Xiao Yan. "Although I don't accept the engagement my grandfather arranged, don't say I never gave you a chance. Fight me. Prove you're qualified to become my husband."

Nalan Yanran's purpose for this trip was clear. She wanted to test the strength of this so-called Xiao Clan genius.

Winning her approval was simple. All he had to do was defeat her.

Hearing Nalan Yanran's words, every member of the Xiao Clan present breathed a sigh of relief.

Yet those very expressions provoked her displeasure. "Uncle Xiao, what do you mean by that? Do you really think I can't beat Xiao Yan?"

Although Xiao Yan had displayed considerable strength earlier, the cultivation method he practiced was of a relatively low grade.

As the Misty Cloud Sect Master's direct disciple and a Nine-Star Dou Zhe, she might not necessarily be weaker than this genius.

"Niece Nalan, that's not what I

"meant. What I mean is... you're still too young. It's understandable that you aren't Yan'er's match yet."

The corners of Xiao Zhan's mouth kept twitching, as though he were desperately holding back laughter. After all, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were the same age. How could youth be an excuse?

He might have worried about Xiao Yan before, but after seeing his son's strength, he no longer had any concerns.

Even some of the Dou Zhe among the Xiao Clan members present could see the situation clearly. If Xiao Yan had been a One-Star Dou Shi, she might have been able to put up a fight thanks to her superior foundation.

The problem was that Xiao Yan was now a fifteen-year-old Six-Star Dou Shi. How was she supposed to fight that?

Even Ge Ye, standing behind her, could not help shaking his head. His worries had been entirely unnecessary.

But the more they acted this way, the angrier Nalan Yanran became.

She was the proud daughter of heaven of the Misty Cloud Sect, yet not a single person favored her chances against someone her own age.

"Xun'er, should I beat her or lose on purpose?"

In truth, Xiao Yan had no feelings for Nalan Yanran whatsoever. Even breaking off the engagement would mean little to him.

"Of course you should win. But she is a girl, after all. Brother Xiao Yan, you mustn't make her defeat too embarrassing."

Naturally, Xiao Xun'er did not want Xiao Yan to marry someone else, but she knew very well that it would be difficult for her and Xiao Yan to be together.

If there truly was a girl who accepted Xiao Yan wholeheartedly, she would give them her blessing too.

"All right. Since you say so, little sister Xun'er, just watch me take her down."