Yunlan Sect, one of the foremost and most powerful forces in the Gamma Empire, has its main hall situated on a majestic mountain only十余 miles from the imperial capital. This mountain, named after the sect, is thus known as Yunlan Mountain. The mountain's terrain is steep, with cliffs on three sides and only one road leading to the summit—making it a naturally fortified stronghold that is difficult to attack. Throughout the mountain, Yunlan Sect disciples conduct rigorous patrols, turning the entire range into a well-organized fortress. Just two miles beyond the mountain's base, five ten thousand imperial cavalry are stationed, ostensibly guarding the capital. Yet anyone can see that the imperial rulers are actually keeping a close watch on this powerful tiger poised near the capital. … On the summit of Yunlan Sect's rear mountain range, mist swirls gently, creating a scene like a fairyland. On a projecting black rock at the edge of the cliff, a woman dressed in a moon-white robe is gently forming hand seals for meditation, her eyes closed. With each breath, a perfect cycle is established, and between each cycle, a gentle flow of pale blue energy seeps from the dense atmosphere around her, spiraling around her body before being steadily absorbed and refined within her. Once the final thread of blue energy is drawn into her, she slowly opens her eyes. A faint blue glow passes through her gaze, and her flowing hair, previously still, instantly stirs and gently waves. "Master Nalan, Master Nalan Su has arrived at Yunlan Sect. He said you should meet him." Seeing the woman exit her meditative state, a servant who had been waiting there promptly bowed and spoke respectfully. "Father? What does he wish to discuss?" Upon hearing this, the woman furrowed her brows, shook her head in confusion, and with graceful poise rose to her feet, standing at the edge of the cliff. The gentle breeze sweeping in from the front brushed her moon-white robe tightly against her slender, graceful form, accentuating her curves and making her even more alluring. With a lazy gaze, she scanned the deep, unfathomable depth of the cliff below. Then, she lightly brushed her jade hands over the moon-white folds of her robe and turned, leaving the sanctuary she had dedicated to her practice. Within the family, who doesn't know that Nalan Jie is extremely proud of his dignity? Now, Nalan Yanran's actions will surely be interpreted by others as Nalan family, seeing Xiao family's influence waning, having grown indifferent to marrying into them, and thus abandoning their original intentions. These idle remarks have driven Nalan Jie to rage constantly within his home. If he weren't confined to his current condition, he would have already been dragging his nearly failing body up the Cloud Lian Mountain long ago. As for the marriage alliance between his family and the Xiao family, to be honest, Nalan Su himself wasn't particularly enthusiastic. After all, back then, Xiao Yan was almost synonymous with a mere failure—marrying his daughter, whose appearance and cultivation potential were both outstanding, to someone so unremarkable, truly didn't sit well with him. However, that was then. According to the information he had gathered, the young man from the Xiao family today no longer carries the label of a failure, and his cultivation progress is even more astonishing than what he himself achieved at his peak during his childhood. At this point, Xiao Yan's evident potential had undoubtedly earned the respect of Na Lan Su, yet Na Lan Yan's private actions had turned their relationship into a cold,僵固 one, leaving Na Lan Su deeply embarrassed. Should the situation remain as it was, not only would he lose a promising, limitless future daughter-in-law, but he might even come to harbor resentment toward the Na Lan family itself. The thought of a future powerful contender, capable of reaching the Duke Rank, possibly viewing the Na Lan family with hostility filled him with both fear and frustration, prompting him to grow increasingly agitated. "This girl is growing bolder by the day..." As his anger mounted, Na Lan Su suddenly slammed his teacup down hard on the table, sending tea splashing across the surface and startling the attendant maid, who quickly and carefully replaced the cup. ... "Father, why didn't you inform Yan when you came to Yunlan Sect?" Just as Nalan Su was about to lose his temper, a clear, bright voice suddenly rang out in the hall. A delicate figure in moon-white robes slowly stepped forward from behind the silk curtain, smiling sweetly at Nalan Su. "Hmph! Do you still see me as your father? I thought once you became Yun Yun's disciple, you'd completely forgotten what the Nalan family stands for!" Observing his daughter growing more graceful and radiant with each passing day, Nalan Su's anger slightly softened, and he coldly added, "Hmph." Seeing Nalan Su's less-than-pleasant expression, Nalan Yanran shook her head in helpless resignation, then waved a hand to a maid standing beside her, sending her away. "Father, it's been over a year since I last saw you. The moment you arrived, you scolded me! Next time I go back, I'll definitely tell Mother!" As soon as the maid had stepped out, Nalan Yanran furrowed her delicate nose, sat down beside Nalan Su, and pouted playfully. "Back? Do you dare go back?" Nalan Su's lips curled into a smile. "If you dare go back, just watch your grandfather break your legs Scoffed slightly, knowing full well the implication in Nalan Su’s words, Nalan Yanran naturally understood his meaning. “Shouldn’t you know my purpose for coming here?” Nalan Su said, drinking deeply from his teacup, his face stern. “Is it about my broken engagement?” Nalan Yanran replied calmly, gently playing with a strand of her dark hair. Seeing Nalan Yanran’s composed demeanor, Nalan Su was instantly furious, slamming his palm down on the table and shouting, “The engagement was personally agreed upon by your grandfather. Who authorized you to dissolve it?” “It’s my engagement, and I certainly don’t intend to marry anyone as per your wishes. My matter, I shall decide myself! Whether it was your grandfather or anyone else who approved it, I only know this—by the agreement, it was supposed to be me, not him!” When speaking of this matter, Nalan Yanran’s expression grew slightly displeased. As someone with a strong sense of independence, she disliked having her major decisions dictated by others, even if those others were her elders. "You don't think I'm unaware, do you? You merely believe that Xiao Yan, back then, was merely a useless recruit unfit for you, right? But now, his potential doesn't fall short of yours! Given your status at Yunlan Sect, shouldn't you have already received updates on his growing strength?" Lan Su said, voice rising with anger. Lan Yan's dark brows furrowed slightly, and in her mind, the image of that once-tenacious young man surfaced. With her lips slightly pressed, she replied calmly, "Indeed, I've heard some news about him. I didn't expect him to truly shed the 'useless' label—this is truly surprising." "Surprising? That's all? Your grandfather has asked you to visit Wutan City again, at your earliest convenience, preferably to offer an apology and ease the strained relations." Lan Su said, frowning. "An apology? Impossible!" Upon hearing this, Lan Yan raised her brows sharply, immediately rejecting the request with firm determination, and scoffed, "Xiao Yan may no longer be a useless recruit, but I, Lan Yan, will still not marry him!" Besides asking me to apologize, what could you possibly expect? If you'd like, go yourself—after all, I won't be going back to Wutan City at all! "How can you possibly refuse this? It's your fault all along—you must go and settle this matter for me!" Seeing Lan Yanran firmly decline, Lan Su instantly lost his temper. "I won't go!" With a composed expression, Lan Yanran lifted her porcelain chin, a natural grace evident on her cheeks. "Xiao Yan has proven himself quite capable, hasn't he? When he once agreed to a three-year commitment back then, I, Lan Yanran, will simply wait at Yunlan Sect for him to challenge me. If I lose to him, I'll serve as his servant or maid, at his discretion. Hmph! If not, then you'll never get me to apologize." "You're ridiculous! If you lose that three-year agreement and end up serving him, wouldn't that also tarnish the honor of our Lan family?" Lan Su shouted angrily. "Who says I'll lose to him? Even if Xiao Yan regains his innate talent, how can I possibly fall short of him?" Moreover, Yunlan Sect boasts an extensive collection of profound cultivation techniques and high-level combat skills. There's also Grand Master Guo He, the renowned herbalist, who has specially crafted pills for me. How could a young nobleman from a small family possibly possess such resources? To be frank, merely searching for high-level cultivation techniques might take him over a dozen years! Feeling belittled by Nalan Su's condescension, Nalan Yanran instantly reacted like a cat whose tail has been stepped on—she particularly detests being compared to the once-utterly-ignored, useless person she had previously scorned. With her daughter so publicly vocalizing her frustration, Nalan Su was furious, his cheeks flushed and eyes narrowed, rising abruptly and raising his palm to deliver a sharp slap to Nalan Yanran. "Nalan brother, please don't be so hasty!" A white figure swiftly darted in, stepping in front of Nalan Yanran. "Ge Ye, you useless fool! I heard you accompanied Yanran to the Xiao family last time?" Nalan Su's anger surged even further upon seeing the figure blocking his path, shouting in outrage. With a somewhat embarrassed smile, Ge Ye sighed, "This is the Master's decision—I can't really do anything about it." "What is Yun Yun up to? She's letting Yanran carry out all these foolish things! If Xiao Yan truly defeats Yanran in three years, won't Yun Yun then have to serve her as a servant or a maid? Listening to the word 'Master,' Lan Su's anger slightly subsides, though there's still a good deal of resentment in his tone. After all, who wouldn't feel uneasy when suddenly losing a promising son-in-law and gaining a powerful new rival? "Hehe, Lan Brother, don't worry so much. The matter has already been settled—now it's too late to make any difference. Even if you ask Yanran to apologize, it won't fully restore the relationship between the two families. Why go to all that trouble and make things worse for yourself?" As for the three-year agreement, you needn't worry—Master Zhong has recently descended to the mountain, personally securing the final ingredient needed for Yanran's medicinal formula. Once Elder Gǔhé successfully refines the elixir, Xiao Yan will absolutely be unable to keep up with Yanran's cultivation progress. As long as Yanran shows a little leniency at the time of the three-year agreement, he should be able to calm his lingering anger. "What kind of prescription has such effects?" Lan Su asked, frowning slightly. "Heh, I can't yet reveal the full details. This prescription was accidentally discovered by Elder Gǔhé last year during one of his expeditions deep into the mountains. It's likely a legacy from an earlier generation. As for its effects, you'll find out when the time comes," said Ge Ye mysteriously. Without saying a word to Ge Ye, Nalan Su grew impatient, waved his hand toward Nalan Yanran, who remained stubbornly resolute behind the leaves, and finally sighed, tapping his foot with frustration. "Well, I'll just have to put up with you. If things go south and you end up serving as a warm blanket for someone else, don't tell me Nalan family has any connection—then I'd lose face." With that, he stormed out of the hall, his grievances still fresh. Choking on a smile and shaking her head, Ge Ye sighed, "I just can't help but feel that little one is rather odd..." She pursed her lips, her jade-hand holding the teacup tightening slightly, her gaze fixed on the pale green tea. Inside, she muttered coldly, "I won't believe you actually manage to climb over my head! With just over a year and a half left, do you think you can rise from Three-Star Duelist to any level at all?" "I, Nalan Yanran, of Yunlan Sect, will be waiting for you! Come and meet me as agreed—show me your strength!"