Why, why?
For the first time, she had someone she liked.
And she had also found a way to cure her grandfather's Imprint Poison.
Two joys overlapped.
This double joy brought even more and more joy.
She should have already obtained a dream-like happy time.
However, why did it turn out like this?
The person she had been thinking about for three years, in the end, actually liked her teacher.
Clearly, she had liked him first.
Unwillingness, envy, helplessness, sadness, and many other emotions flashed through Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes. Mist blurred her vision, and her eyes rippled with emotion.
"Yanran, you..." Seeing Nalan Yanran in this state, how could Yun Yun not guess what the former was thinking? She sighed and was about to speak, but Nalan Yanran's forced, smiling voice echoed throughout the back mountain plaza.
While shaking her head, she said: "Teacher, it is fine. I am very happy that you can find your own happiness. And..."
Nalan Yanran pondered slightly, her beautiful eyes looking deeply at Xiao Se: "And in this world, only someone like Brother Xiao Se is worthy of you, Teacher."
By the end, Nalan Yanran could no longer hold it back, and a line of clear tears quietly fell from her beautiful face.
"Yanran, you..." Seeing Nalan Yanran like this, a look of pain appeared on Yun Yun's beautiful face.
As her Disciple, Nalan Yanran had followed her since she was ten years old. Sometimes, they were not like master and Disciple, but more like sisters. Seeing her own sister crying now, and knowing that she and the man she loved were the culprits, how could she bear it?
Xiao Se did not speak throughout the whole process, only quietly observing Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran. Matters of the heart could not be forced. Although he did have some desire for Nalan Yanran's body and had fantasized more than once about having both the master and Disciple, it was obviously not realistic right now. He could not balance the relationship between Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, so he could only wait to resolve it 'in the future'.
"Sorry, some sand accidentally blew into my eyes." Nalan Yanran turned around and wiped away her tears. She took a deep breath and, without looking back, said respectfully: "Brother Xiao Huohuo, I will leave my grandfather's matter to you. I will wait for you at the Nalan Family."
As she spoke, Nalan Yanran activated her flying Dou Technique, flapped her wings, and left Xiao Se and Yun Yun with a lonely, beautiful silhouette, gradually disappearing into the horizon.
"Yanran." Yun Yun reached out her right hand, wanting to open her Dou Qi wings to chase after her, but her jade hand was held by Xiao Se. He hugged Yun Yun and said softly: "Yun'er, let her calm down for now."
"Mm." Yun Yun responded softly, quietly snuggling into Xiao Se's embrace. Xiao Se's embrace was very warm, and the scent on him was also very pleasant, emitting a faint, lingering medicinal scent that made her feel somewhat intoxicated.
Meanwhile, outside the Gama Holy City, in a certain valley.
As Xiao Yan opened his eyes, his Aura suddenly surged. The gray-white flame Dou Qi gauze that had originally swirled around his body gradually condensed, turning into a set of Dou Qi Armor that tightly wrapped around his entire body.
"Is this the Dou Qi Armor exclusive to a Great Dou Master?" Xiao Yan examined the gray-white flame Dou Qi Armor on his body, his heart filled with extreme excitement. He clenched his right fist and punched a giant rock inside the cave. With a loud bang, the entire cave trembled, and the giant rock shattered into dozens or hundreds of pieces.
"Teacher, I succeeded, I succeeded. I have finally become a Great Dou Master, and thanks to the effect of the Three-Pattern Clear Spirit Pill, I broke through directly from the Peak of Dou Master to a two-star Great Dou Master. With this unprecedented feeling of power, I believe that I will definitely not lose to Nalan Yanran." Xiao Yan looked with excitement at Yao Lao, who was guarding the cave entrance for him. "Teacher, you..."
The voice came to an abrupt halt. Under his shocked gaze, Yao Lao's Soul body seemed to have become more illusory and transparent than ever before, as if it would dissipate at any moment.
"Cough, cough." Yao Lao coughed lightly and gave a bitter smile. "It is nothing, it is just that the consumption of Soul power has been too frequent during this period. I am afraid I will not be able to accompany you to the Cloud Mist Sect. I will fall into a deep sleep before long. The upcoming Three Year Agreement will have to depend on yourself."
Because he lacked the Green Lotus Core Flame, Yao Lao had been continuously capturing Tier 3 to Tier 5 Demonic Beasts for Xiao Yan for nearly a year to seize Beast Fire. The consumption of Soul power was enormous, and even with the help of the Soul Fusion Pill, it was just a drop in the bucket. Now, refining the Tier 4 Three-Pattern Clear Spirit Pill had caused his Soul power to be almost completely exhausted, and he would soon fall into a deep sleep again.
"How can this be? Teacher, then quickly absorb my Qi. You can absorb as much as you want, as long as you can recover." Xiao Yan's face showed panic and anxiety.
It was not entirely out of affection for his teacher; it was because he knew that the Cloud Mist Sect was a den of tigers and wolves.
If he lost the Three Year Agreement, the Xiao Family's reputation would be completely destroyed.
Conversely, if he won, he could certainly maintain the Xiao Family's reputation and prove to everyone in the entire Jia Ma Empire that he, Xiao Yan, was not a piece of trash.
However, if that happened, the Cloud Mist Sect would lose face. If the other party disregarded their status and bullied the weak, he might very well not be able to walk down Yun Lan Mountain.
"There is no need to be so dejected. I am only falling into a temporary deep sleep; it does not mean I will actually die." Hearing Xiao Yan offer to let him absorb his Qi, a look of gratification appeared on Yao Lao's old face. It seemed he had truly not chosen the wrong Disciple.
"Teacher, tell me, what can I do to save you?" Xiao Yan was unwilling to give up. Yao Lao was his capital for running rampant along the way; he could not lose this guardian deity.
Yao Lao shook his head, his figure becoming increasingly illusory, and sighed: "Heaven And Earth Treasure that can restore Soul power are rare and hard to come by, and Medicinal Pills are even more precious. Even a Dou Huang expert or even a Dou Zong would be tempted if they encountered them. Moreover, even if you obtained a Medicinal Pill that could restore Soul power, with your current Alchemy skills and flame ability, it would be difficult to refine it into spirit liquid."
"Medicinal Pill? That is right, the Soul Fusion Pill. Teacher, didn't a mysterious person give you a Soul Fusion Pill in the Magical Beast Mountain Range last time? Tell me where he is. As long as we find him, he can definitely help you recover." Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan automatically ignored the exotic items for restoring Soul power, but there might still be a chance with the Medicinal Pill.
Yao Lao sighed: "Do you know who he is?"
Xiao Yan shook his head, not understanding.
Seeing Xiao Yan's ignorant appearance, Yao Lao felt a bit unbearable, but he also knew that if Xiao Yan did not have any fortuitous encounters, he might never see this Disciple again. Although the Flame Mantra had infinite possibilities, with Xiao Yan's ability, he could not subdue any kind of Heavenly Flame. At that time, with his current Profound Rank Low-level Flame Mantra, I am afraid Xiao Yan's upper limit would stop at a Dou Huang, or even a Dou Wang. A Dou Huang's lifespan was limited; by the time he woke up, things would have long since changed.
"Forget it, matters have come to this, I will tell you."
"Teacher, please speak?" Xiao Yan frowned.
Yao Lao said solemnly: "The person who made the deal with me is Xiao Se."
"How is that possible? That is a real Dou Huang expert. It has only been a few years since Xiao Se broke through to Dou Ling. Even with whatever fortuitous encounters he had, it is impossible for him to promote to a Dou Huang in just two years." A strong sense of unwillingness flashed in Xiao Yan's heart. Why? Clearly, he was the number one Genius of the Xiao Family. Xiao Se was just an insignificant person in the Xiao Family. Even if he relied on some fortuitous encounters to latch onto Medusa, and hooked up with the person in charge of the Mittel Family, Ya Fei, he believed that as long as he was given enough time, surpassing the other party in the future would be a matter of course.
"No, to be precise, he is already a Dou Zong expert now." Yao Lao said with a solemn expression.
Back at the Mittel Auction House headquarters, when he met Xiao Se again, Yao Lao had vaguely sensed that Xiao Se was extraordinary. Although the latter had a strange secret technique to hide his Aura, making him unable to see through the other's exact cultivation level, the sense of crisis he had developed over many years could not be wrong.
A Dou Huang expert absolutely could not give him a sense of death crisis. Even if his Soul power was insufficient, as long as he attached himself to Xiao Yan, escaping would be absolutely no problem, and he was even confident in killing some low-level Dou Huangs. Only a Dou Zong expert could truly give him a sense of death crisis.
"Dou Zong. Gulp." Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his face ashen. He did not know whether to cry or laugh. He was like a madman. If Xiao Se were a Dou Ling, with Yao Lao's guidance and the special nature of the Flame Mantra, he would still have great confidence in surpassing him, but now...
Seeing Xiao Yan looking as if he had been struck by lightning, Yao Lao sighed helplessly. Knowing that his Soul power was about to be exhausted, he did not have time to sigh and instructed: "This trip to the Cloud Mist Sect for the Three Year Agreement is extremely dangerous. If possible, I hope you do not go, but given your personality, I am afraid you will not listen. I also know that your pride will not allow you to beg Xiao Se. So, you only have one path now."
"Teacher, please speak, this Disciple will remember it." Xiao Yan's eyes lit up.
"Go make another deal with Xiao Se." Yao Lao said helplessly.
"Teacher, he is now a Dou Zong expert, how could he look at my things?" Xiao Yan said, "Moreover, I once heard my father say that the reason Xiao Se left the Xiao Family seems to be because he has resentment towards the Family. Back when the Xiao Family suffered a mishap, Xiao Se's parents died because of it. But when Xiao Se was three years old, the Xiao Family shut him out. It was not until he was six, when those Elders of the Xiao Family took a fancy to Xiao Se's talent, that they brought him back to the Xiao Family. So Xiao Se is unwilling to have any contact with anyone in the Xiao Family. I am the son of the Xiao Family head; he will definitely not listen to me."
"Oh?! It seems that a lot of things happened in the Xiao Family during the time I was asleep! I did not expect Xiao Se to have such an experience." Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Lao was thoughtful. This life experience was so similar to his own, only Xiao Se's parents were luckier than his parents, at least they entered the Family ancestral hall. His parents... never mind!
"You are right, it seems he does not look at these things of mine, but there is one thing he cannot refuse." Yao Lao said.
"What thing?" Xiao Yan asked suspiciously.
"Alchemy." Yao Lao said: "Xiao Se's Soul power has already reached that of a Peak Tier 7 Alchemist. But because the time he has spent practicing alchemy is too short, and he has had no one to guide him, he has been stuck in a neither-up-nor-down level among Peak Tier 7 Alchemists. I could tell from that Soul Fusion Pill last time. You go and tell him that as long as he ensures your safety during the Three Year Agreement, I will guide him in Alchemy before the Three Year Agreement. I believe he will agree."
"Peak Tier 7 Alchemist?!" Xiao Yan took a deep breath. A self-deprecating look appeared on his delicate face. No wonder he could conquer Medusa, no wonder someone as arrogant as Ya Fei would be so dependent on him, no wonder Xun'er would 'change her heart', no wonder Xiao Yu, whose talent was average, could break through to a Great Dou Master at the age of seventeen. With such strength and talent, it was no wonder...
However, I, Xiao Yan, will not admit defeat!
So what if you are leading for now?
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully the young for being poor!
Three years ago, I was humiliated and had my engagement annulled, but when did I ever give up lightly!
Just wait, Xiao Se. It is only because you have practiced for three years longer than me. I have the Flame Mantra, which is even more mysterious than a Heaven Rank technique. In the future, I will swallow Heavenly Flames, and my future will be boundless.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan felt much better.
"Teacher, since Xiao Se is a Peak Tier 7 Alchemist, then what tier are you?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.
Yao Lao hesitated for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Peak Tier 8..."
"Peak Tier 8." Xiao Yan was shocked. While horrified at Yao Lao's power, he said with some worry: "Teacher, if you teach him Alchemy, then wouldn't he..."
Xiao Yan did not finish his sentence, because Yao Lao's figure had already begun to dissipate.
Yao Lao said: "Xiao Yan, do not let jealousy cloud your mind, remember my words..."
By the end, Yao Lao's voice became weaker and weaker, and finally, his entire figure turned into a wisp of forest-white light and entered the pitch-black storage ring on Xiao Yan's finger.
"This Disciple will remember." Xiao Yan murmured. He clenched his hand that was not wearing the storage ring, and because he used too much force, it creaked!
Of course, Yao Lao could not see all of this.
Jia Ma Holy City, Nalan Family.
"Young Miss, you are back! The Master is currently entertaining Miss Ya Fei from the Mittel Family. I will take you there right now!" As soon as Nalan Yanran returned home, the butler of the Nalan Family greeted her.
"No need. Tell my father that the Alchemist who possesses Heavenly Flame has been found. It is Brother Xiao Huohuo. He will visit the Nalan Family in a few days. I am tired and am going to rest." Nalan Yanran's eyes were red. She threw her sword to the butler and walked straight to her room.
Watching Nalan Yanran's receding figure, the butler looked confused: "Strange, didn't the Young Miss like that Lord Xiao Huohuo very much? Why is she unhappy that Lord Xiao Huohuo is coming to treat the old master!" Shaking his head helplessly, the butler turned and walked in the direction he came from.
Inside the room, Nalan Yanran was lying on the bed.
Silent tears quietly fell from her beautiful face.
"Are we destined to have fate but no affinity?" Nalan Yanran sniffled. Suddenly, she recalled Ya Fei, whom the butler had just mentioned. Her beautiful eyes lit up. She wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and muttered to herself: "No, rumors outside say that Ya Fei and Brother Xiao Se have an ambiguous relationship; this is definitely not groundless. Ya Fei's cultivation talent is clearly inferior to mine, but her cultivation level is able to surpass mine. This must be inseparable from Brother Xiao Se's help. And the Mittel Family has not clarified this matter. They would not take the risk of offending Brother Xiao Se. Then there is only one possibility. Apart from the teacher, Brother Xiao Se has other women."
Thinking of this, the depression in Nalan Yanran's heart instantly disappeared, and she suddenly became enlightened. Perhaps she could...
(End of Chapter)
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