Simple, calm words drifted slowly across the vast plaza, causing a subtle disturbance and disorder in the already pervasive atmosphere of harmony. Throughout the arena, countless disciples of Yunlan Sect gazed at the black-robed young man standing at the stone steps, each with a distinct expression. They were not unfamiliar with this young man, Xiao Yan—his connection to Na Lan Yanran made him a regular topic of conversation among many of them. Yet, whenever his name was mentioned, most carried a touch of condescension and mockery. To a young disciple from a minor family hoping to marry Na Lan Yanran, who held a status within Yunlan Sect akin to a princess, seemed utterly ambitious—especially when the three-year pledge began to circulate throughout the sect. Such criticism grew even more pronounced. And naturally, beneath the surface of the mockery, there lay a certain envy. As the lofty, almost divine Young Deputy Master of Yunlan Sect, countless Yunlan disciples regarded him as a goddess in their hearts. Day in and day out, they encountered him with the same composed, serene countenance—his refined features always exuding calm elegance. Anyone wishing to engage with him beyond this surface-level interaction invariably found themselves falling short. And naturally, Xiao Yan, the man who had nearly married Na Lan Yanran, was especially prone to envy from some of the more peculiar disciples. Nalan Yanran's bright eyes were fixed intently on the young man standing slightly frailly in the distance, her gaze lingering upon his refined face. There, she could just make out the outlines of the youth she had known years ago. Yet, three years of time had smoothed away his youthfulness and sharp edges. The young man before her no longer carried the sudden brilliance and sharpness that had once radiated from the Xiao family hall. Instead, he now exuded a deep, quiet composure. "He... has truly changed," a quiet thought formed in her mind. Her expression carried a subtle complexity—she had never imagined that the once-inept youth would not only come to Yunlan Sect with unwavering confidence, but also remain calm and composed, as if untouched by the presence of nearly a thousand disciples. "Nalan family, Nalan Yanran—" Gently rising to her feet, Nalan Yanran straightened her graceful form, like a snow lily with proud stems, her eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, her voice as calm and steady as his. "That's the young lad from the Xiao family? Isn't he supposed to be a useless one, incapable of storing qi?" On the great tree, Jia Xingtian gazed at Xiao Yan, his eyes flickering with a few traces of astonishment. He chuckled lightly, "Heh. But the air of confidence he now carries—clearly not something forced or artificially maintained. Even if it were staged, to remain so composed within the deliberately unified aura created by the elder masters of Yunlan Sect, that's no ordinary feat." The furrows on Fa Ma's brow deepened slightly as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan, yet said nothing more. "Hey, Lan elder, this is the Xiao family boy who almost became your daughter-in-law's husband, right? He doesn't seem like the useless lad we were told he was. This demeanor and character—among the young men I've met, there aren't many like him." Wood Chen turned to smile at Lan Jie, whose eyes had remained locked on Xiao Yan. The smile carried a touch of reluctant satisfaction—someone once deemed a waste and discarded now outshone even some of the so-called prodigies. While Lan Jie wouldn't feel regret so profound as to be heartbroken, he certainly couldn't help but feel a measure of annoyance. Lan Jie glared sharply at Wood Chen, his expression displeased. It was rare that he had to endure such small talk, and though he managed to offer a cold chuckle, he continued to fix his gaze on the refined young man, his mind swirling with thoughts. Although Lan Jie had long known that Xiao Yan had already shed the title of a mere waste, the clarity of mind and unwavering composure he now displayed still left Lan Jie deeply astonished. Amidst his astonishment, he could only offer a sigh of惋惜—by now, no further words could do any good. He could only hope that, upon the fulfillment of this three-year agreement, the tensions between Xiao Yan and Lan Yan would gradually dissolve, and that they might once again become close friends. Of course, this might well be an idealistic hope. Even if they ultimately could not reconcile, if Xiao Yan no longer harbored resentment toward the Lan family, that would at least ease Lan Jie's burden. After all, in Lan Jie’s eyes, this young man now essentially possessed all the qualities necessary to become a true powerhouse—exceptional mental strength and focus, outstanding cultivation potential, and the steadfast determination to persevere for three years in pursuit of a single promise. With these qualities, Xiao Yan’s path to strength would undoubtedly become smoother and more assured. To be remembered and held against by a young talent of such untapped potential, Lan Jie found it far from pleasant. "It seems we'll have to send someone to get in touch with the Xiao family..." With a soft sigh, Nalan Jie shook his head and focused his attention back onto the arena. At this moment, all he could do was wait for the three-year pact that was about to begin. "I am Yunlan Sect's Senior Elder, Yun Ling." Before Xiang Yan could interject, the elder continued on his own, "The Sect Master has not yet returned, so this three-year agreement will be overseen by me. This trial is meant for mutual refinement—just touching points, without pressing too hard." A soft voice suddenly broke in, cutting off Yun Ling's words. The gaze of the audience shifted in unison, finally settling on the quiet young man in black robes. Their expressions varied—many were surprised that Xiang Yan would speak thus. After all, his opponent was the Sect's carefully cultivated successor to the Sect Master. "Ah, such determination!" Some of the more eccentric elders perched high in the trees could not help but chuckle, several even raising their thumbs in approval. Nalan Yan lifted her gaze, fixing her eyes on the young man in black. In her dark pupils, subtle stirrings seemed to ripple—was it resentment? After a moment, she gave a slight nod, her voice cool. "Then proceed as you wish." Hearing Lan Yanran's response, Yun Ling's brows furrowed slightly. Xiao Yan's sudden interruption had left the senior elder—whose status within Yunlan Sect was quite high—somewhat displeased. He knew Xiao Yan had long since shed his reputation as a mere "waste," yet Lan Yanran's own talent was no less impressive, and with the training and development provided by Yunlan Sect, her progress had been nothing short of remarkable. Still, when it came to actual combat, Yun Ling did not feel confident in Xiao Yan's ability. "Young man," he said, waving his hand with a calm tone, "it's often wise to leave room for flexibility. But since you've made this request, I shall comply. As for life and death, let each follow their own destiny." A subtle curve formed at the corner of Xiao Yan's mouth, and he found himself unable to help but wish to chuckle—hadn't Lan Yanran once gone to great lengths to leave room for others? Had anyone ever truly given her that space? Gently grasping the handle of the ruler, he suddenly pulled it sharply, sending a gust of wind rushing forth as the ruler pointed diagonally toward the ground. The force of the wind stirred the dust on the surface, and a faint azure aura of combat energy curled around his body. Xiang Yan observed Lan Yanran, saying, "Three years have passed—I have come as promised. Today, let us settle the grievances of the past. The dishonor you bestowed upon my family back then—I now ask that you return it to me today." With a graceful hand movement, a jade ring on her hand glowed brightly, and a slender, pale green sword materialized, its blade inclined. Sunlight reflected off the blade, casting a cool, sharp radiance. Lan Yanran's beautiful eyes met his dark gaze, and she sighed slightly with a touch of regret, softly stating, "My own wedding matters—I will make my own decisions. Even after three years, I do not believe I made a mistake back then. I have the right to shape my own destiny. Perhaps at the time, my actions were somewhat awkward, but if time could be reversed, I believe I would still choose the same path." "Inappropriate conduct..." Xiao Yan chuckled softly—was that such a simple way to brush off his blunt actions? It seemed rather too straightforward. His expression gradually returned to calm, and the grip on the ruler handle tightened steadily. Then, suddenly, his foot advanced a step forward, and upon landing, the solid cobblestone beneath his sole cracked, spreading several fissures all the way to his soles. A surge of vibrant jade-colored qi, mingled with patches of jade-hued flames, erupted violently from his body surface.