In the five years that passed, Xiao Ranyu's strength rose like a silent wildfire—slow, unseen, and utterly unstoppable.
From a 4-star Dou Grandmaster, he surged to 7-star. Then, after swallowing a Three-Lines Great Spirit Pill and a Purple-Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, he forcefully pushed himself to the very peak of 9-star Dou Grandmaster. But he didn't break through. Not yet.
He kept the breakthrough suppressed with the calm restraint of someone waiting for the right moment to strike. Only when his foundation felt unshakable did he finally advance.
By his eleventh birthday, he stood at the peak of Dou Grandmaster.
And his alchemy? It followed close behind—advancing swiftly to the peak of Tier 4, with a subtle pressure that made seasoned alchemists take notice.
---
But Xiao Ranyu didn't just transform himself.
In those quiet, formative years, he changed others too—sometimes with no more than a sentence. One such moment, seemingly casual, gently bent the course of history.
It happened one evening, over steaming cups of medicinal tea and the muted rustle of night wind.
> "Father…" Ranyu asked lightly, "Third Brother and Nalan Yanran don't even know each other. Do you think it's wise to marry off two children who've never met?"
Xiao Zhan paused mid-sip, brow furrowing. "What brought this up?"
Xiao Ranyu shrugged, his voice mild.
> "Wouldn't it make more sense if they met first? People keep promises better when they understand them."
He bowed respectfully and left, his robes whispering against the floorboards. Behind him, Xiao Zhan remained deep in thought.
By morning, a carefully worded letter had been sent to the Nalan clan.
To Xiao Zhan's mild surprise, Nalan Jie replied quickly—and favorably.
> "Let the children meet. There is no harm in that."
And so, history shifted.
Where once there had been humiliation and a cold, public rejection… now, a meeting was set.
A beginning—quiet and full of potential.
---
Three Years Ago — Nalan Estate, Jia Ma Empire
Nalan Jie sat in his study, Xiao Zhan's letter resting on the polished desk. He tapped the parchment thoughtfully before calling out:
> "Yanran."
His granddaughter entered, robed in pale blue, her expression curious.
> "Yes, Grandfather?"
He handed her the letter.
> "Xiao Zhan invites you to Wu Tan City. He wishes you to meet your betrothed in person. What do you think?"
Her breath caught.
She had, just last night, been contemplating escaping to Wu Tan City on her own—to dissolve the engagement before it wrapped too tightly around her future. Her satchel was still half-packed beneath her bed.
And now this?
> "I… I think it's a good idea," she replied quickly, too quickly. "It's better to meet early than… regret things later."
Nalan Jie studied her flushed face for a moment, then nodded.
> "Very well. Pack your things. You leave at dawn."
---
Three Days Later — Wu Tan City
A winged beast descended in a whirlwind of wind and dust. From its back stepped a poised young lady—Nalan Yanran of the Yunlan Sect, radiant and composed.
Xiao Zhan welcomed her warmly. But her eyes weren't on him.
They were locked on the boy standing a few paces behind—calm, quiet, arms crossed over his chest, gaze level and unreadable.
> "So," she said, tilting her head, "you're Xiao Yan?"
He didn't flinch.
> "And you must be the fiancée who doesn't want to be one."
Her eyes widened—but then she laughed.
> "At least you're not boring."
Watching from the shade, Xiao Ranyu folded his arms behind his back, eyes gleaming.
---
Garden Stream
The garden echoed with soft birdsong and the trickle of running water. Nalan Yanran wobbled atop a narrow, mossy training log, arms flailing for balance.
Xiao Yan watched from the bank, unimpressed.
> "You're going to fall."
> "I won't," she snapped. "I'm from Yunlan Sect, not some clueless market girl!"
> "Market girls probably wouldn't try flying before walking," he muttered.
A slipper shot past his ear.
And then—splash.
He doubled over laughing.
> "Yunlan elegance, huh?"
> "I slipped."
> "You slipped three times."
> "And you just stood there!"
> "I was observing. Very different."
From behind a tree, Xiao Ranyu quietly grinned, scribbling something in his notebook:
Operation: Make Them Talk
Step 7: Strategic teasing = high bonding potential
---
Lakeside Pavilion
The two teens sat on the edge of a pier, legs dangling, silence hanging between them—not awkward anymore, just… quiet.
> "…You're not as annoying as I thought," Yanran said finally.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.
> "Is that your idea of a compliment?"
> "It's the best you're getting."
> "Then let me return the favor—you're not as stuck-up as I expected."
She smirked.
> "We're really bad at this."
> "At what?"
> "Being betrothed."
> "Yeah." A beat. "But we're getting better."
She looked at him. He didn't look away.
---
Month Two — Training Grounds
They trained side by side now.
Teasing turned to teamwork. Hesitation became habit. Mistakes became lessons, shared and corrected without pride getting in the way.
She didn't frown when he gave advice.
He didn't scoff when she adjusted his stance.
They fought mock battles—sometimes as rivals, sometimes as allies.
Either way, they were growing together.
---
Month Three -
> "I'll be back before the leaves fall," Yanran said, gripping her reins.
> "You better," Xiao Yan replied. "I'm not sparring with Ranyu again. He cheats."
> "It's not cheating," Ranyu called innocently, sipping his tea. "It's called strategy."
Yanran hesitated, then leaned down and pressed something into Xiao Yan's hand—a smooth, carved jade token.
> "I figured we match now," she said.
Xiao Yan flushed.
> "…Yeah. We do."
He stood alone as the wind lifted around him, watching her silhouette vanish into the clouds. Then he looked down at the token, still warm.
> "Before the leaves fall…" he whispered. "I might not want her to leave at all by then."
From the shaded veranda, Xiao Ranyu closed his notebook with a satisfied smile.
Operation: Make Them Talk
> Step 19: Emotional attachment secured.
Obje
ctive: Long-term harmony — 47% complete.
---
No prideful betrayal.
No public cancellation.
No bitter grudge buried in humiliation.
Just two teenagers—growing.
Under the quiet guidance of someone who remembered what shouldn't happen.
And made sure it didn't.