Different from what Nan Lan Yanran had expected, after she spoke, the young man before her suddenly shook violently—his body trembling with intensity—and slowly lifted his head. The delicate, youthful face that had been so fresh and gentle now seemed fierce and even terrifying. Though for three years he had endured constant mockery, in Linxi’s heart there had always been a hidden line of dignity. Nan Lan Yanran's lofty, almost patronizing actions now squarely stepped upon that last remaining sense of self-respect. "Ah—" startled by the young man's stern demeanor, the girl hastily stepped back. The handsome young man at her side swiftly drew his long sword and cast a cold gaze upon Linxi. "I... I really want to cut you down!" With each word trembling from his teeth, Linxi clenched his fists; the black eyes burned with fierce anger. "Son, don't be unreasonable!" At the head of the table, Xiao Zhan was also taken aback by Linxi’s behavior and quickly interjected. After all, the Xiao Family could not afford to offend Yunlan Sect now. Holding his fists tightly, Linxi bowed slightly at first, then gently raised his head again—though the fierce intensity had now softened into calmness. Over these three years, though he had faced relentless discrimination and ridicule, precisely because of that, Linxi had cultivated a strength far beyond ordinary standards of endurance. Nan Lan Yanran was Yunlan Sect’s favored daughter. If he were to act against her now, it would surely bring his father endless complications. Therefore, he could only endure. As they watched the young man who had so swiftly composed himself, both Ge Ye and Nan Lan Yanran felt a growing sense of unease. "This boy—if he remains nothing but an underachiever throughout his life, then perhaps that will be fine. But if he ever truly develops strength, he will absolutely become a dangerous figure," Ge Ye thought seriously in her mind. "Linxi, although I don’t know why your actions have moved you so deeply, I still wish to dissolve our engagement!" Taking a deep breath, Nan Lan Yanran regained composure and said quietly. Her face was now slightly serious. "Please remember that my visit to the Xiao Family has been personally approved by my teacher—the Master of Yunlan Sect!" With her lips slightly pursed, she added with mild resignation: "You can see this as a form of pressure. Yet you also know well—there’s no absolute fairness in life. Though I don’t intend to sound harsh, you clearly understand the gap between us. We… have little chance at all." "Basically, not much hope..." Hearing the girl's seemingly divine judgment, Linxi let out a quiet chuckle: "Miss Nan Lan—you should know that in the Battle Qi Continent, when a woman withdraws an engagement, it often brings profound embarrassment to her partner. Indeed, I have a thick skin and can handle such moments quite well. But my father—he is the head of our family. If today he agrees to your request, how will he manage to lead the Xiao Family? How will he maintain his standing in Wutan City?" Looking at the young man whose face was flushed with anger, Nan Lan Yanran slightly frowned. She glanced toward her father, Xiao Zhan, who now seemed noticeably older and more worn. A subtle sense of regret stirred within her. With a gentle bite on her lower lip, she paused thoughtfully before softly saying: "Today's matter—indeed, I acted rather impetuously. I will temporarily withdraw my request to dissolve the engagement. But I would like you to agree to one condition!" "What kind of condition?" Linxi asked, frowning. "Let me delay this request for three years," Nan Lan Yanran said calmly. "After that, you shall come to Yunlan Sect and challenge me personally. Should you lose, I will publicly dissolve the engagement at that time. By then, you should have completed your family’s coming-of-age ceremony—so even if you lose, it won't be a significant embarrassment for your uncle, Xiao Zhan. Will you accept this?" "Hmm," Linxi smiled with a mixture of resignation and bitterness. "If I lose after three years, yes—I will certainly bear the shame of failure for life. This woman... truly is merciless!" "Miss Nan Lan, how could you not know the current state of Linxi? What should he challenge me with? How can this be seen as anything but a humiliation?" Xiao Zhan slammed his palm against the table and stood up in anger. "Regarding an engagement dissolution—it always requires someone to bear responsibility. If it weren’t for your father’s dignity, I would have insisted on immediately dissolving the engagement and announcing it publicly!" After several attempts to delay her demands, Nan Lan Yanran grew impatient and turned sharply toward the silent Linxi, coldly demanding: "Since you don't wish to compromise your uncle's face, then accept this agreement. Choose between now or in three years—what will it be?" "Miss Nan Lan," Linxi said, standing tall against her firm posture. "You’ve never truly needed to make such a statement. You don’t need to see me as merely a humble young man from a small family. For your part, I’ll personally go to Yunlan Sect and restore today’s disgrace." With eyes glistening slightly, Linxi bowed deeply before rising and walking resolutely toward the hall's exit. As he passed by Nan Lan Yanran, his steps paused briefly, and with a calm, clear voice, he said: "In three years, I’ll find you!" The young man’s silhouette stretched long under the sunlight—lonely and graceful in its quiet solitude. Nan Lan Yanran’s mouth hung open as she stared at the retreating figure. The contract now in her hands suddenly felt heavy as though it weighed thousands of pounds. "Thank you all," said Xiao Zhan, watching the departing young man, his expression calm yet composed. His hand hidden within his sleeve was clenched so tightly that his fingers had turned white. "Master Nan Lan, I wish to sincerely apologize for today’s incident," he bowed slightly to the now composed and distant-faced master of the family. "Should you have time in the future, please come to our home for visits!" With a graceful bow, she stepped forward and began to move toward the hall's entrance. Ge Ye and the handsome young man quickly followed. "Take the jade box too!" Xiao Zhan waved his hand, and the box on the table flew out with a quiet, dismissive motion. Ge Ye reached back, catching it firmly before gently placing it into her ring. "To Miss Nan Lan of the Yunlan family," she said softly as the group prepared to leave, "I hope you will not regret today’s actions. And remember—not only does Yunlan Sect provide support, but across the vast Battle Qi Continent, there are many who surpass even Yunlan in strength and influence." At that moment, the three paused momentarily—eyes shifting toward the corner where the elegant purple-clad girl was gently turning through her books. Sunlight poured through the window seams and surrounded her perfectly. From a distance, she appeared like a lotus blooming among the common world—pure, serene, untouched by dust. Noticing their gaze, the girl lifted her beautiful face from the ancient pages. In her eyes, two delicate golden flames flickered gently, rising as though lit by an unseen warmth. Watching those small golden flames in the depths of her gaze, Ge Ye suddenly stiffened—his old, composed demeanor replaced instantly with a look of profound astonishment. With shaking hands, he grasped both Nan Lan Yanran and the young man beside her, then hurried out of the hall like someone fleeing from a sudden crisis. As others observed this scene, most were now wide-eyed in surprise, stunned by Ge Ye’s reaction.