And indeed, as Yun Yun listened, her anger eased slightly. Yet her expression turned odd.
Not during the day… does that mean at night it's fine?
She was not opposed to her disciples having relationships, but both of them were still so young. Could they truly control themselves?
Too much indulgence would harm the body and weaken one's cultivation foundation. She had always seen Ye Chen as her successor, even planning to hand Yunlan Sect to him one day.
How could she watch him throw away his future for momentary pleasure?
Still, she hesitated. Am I interfering too much? Matters of love… are ultimately theirs to decide.
While Yun Yun wrestled with her thoughts, Nalan Yanran's heart swelled with gratitude.
Ye Chen had taken all the blame for her.
Senior Brother, you're so good to me…
Her embarrassment faded, replaced by even deeper affection.
Even if she had to choose again, she would still have given herself to him...perhaps even more willingly.
"Your injury is already healed?" Yun Yun finally asked, her tone calmer now.
"Yes, Teacher. Thanks to Junior Sister's care, I've nearly recovered."
Ye Chen bowed. In truth, his wound had healed days ago.
He had simply used it as an excuse to spend time with Yanran....and succeed in winning her heart completely.
Yun Yun gave him a long look, then glanced at Nalan Yanran. Her eyes turned strange.
"Yanran… you certainly took good care of your Senior Brother."
The implication made Yanran's cheeks burn. She lowered her head, utterly flustered.
After a pause, Yun Yun sighed. "Since you're healed, starting tomorrow you will resume training at the back mountain.
You've practiced Thunderclap Spear for some time now. Tomorrow, I'll personally test your progress."
Hearing her shift topics, Ye Chen secretly exhaled in relief.
"Yes, Teacher. I will not disappoint you," he said respectfully.
Yun Yun nodded. "In one month, the Inner Sect Competition will be held.
I expect you to focus fully on your cultivation. Strive for first place."
She turned her gaze to Yanran. "As for you, Yanran....you must also devote yourself to training. For the next month, the two of you should avoid meeting too often… lest you be distracted."
Her words carried hidden meaning, which neither Ye Chen nor Yanran could miss.
Ye Chen nodded calmly, while Yanran blushed furiously and dared not raise her head.
"Very good. If you can take first place, Ye Chen, you may request one thing of me. I will do my utmost to grant it."
Yun Yun's voice was steady, but the promise carried immense weight.
Ye Chen's heart skipped a beat. Teacher… could you perhaps… give me a child?
The thought flashed through his mind, wicked and absurd, but he dared not speak it aloud.
Even he knew that crossing that line would mean expulsion.
Suppressing the thought, he bowed deeply. "Thank you, Teacher."
"Both of you, conduct yourselves well," Yun Yun said at last. She rose gracefully, about to leave, when she suddenly paused.
Her brows furrowed as she looked back at Nalan Yanran.
"Yanran, if I recall correctly… you still have an engagement, don't you?"
The words froze Yanran in place. Her face turned pale, panic rising in her chest as she instinctively glanced at Ye Chen.
But Ye Chen only gave her a gentle smile and shook his head slightly, silently assuring her.
He had long known about her engagement to Xiao Yan. It was no surprise to him.
Seeing his calm, Yanran steadied herself and lowered her voice. "Yes, Teacher."
Yun Yun's eyes hardened. "Since you and your Senior Brother are already of one heart, then that engagement must be dissolved. When the time comes, I will personally host your wedding."
Yanran's eyes widened, her heart flooding with joy.
"Thank you, Teacher!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with happiness.
Senior Brother… I'm sorry."
After Yun Yun left, Nalan Yanran lowered her head, her face filled with guilt as she looked at Ye Chen.
She seemed as if she had committed some terrible crime.
Though she had been under Yun Yun's guidance for less than half a year, she had already fallen deeply in love with her senior brother. In her heart, she vowed: I will marry no one but Senior Brother in this life.
Yet, the engagement tied to her name weighed heavily on her mind.
Compared to her talented and handsome Senior Brother, her fiancé was utterly useless—a complete disappointment. Any woman would choose the skilled, dashing Senior Brother over a hopeless fiancé.
Naturally, Nalan Yanran was no exception.
To win Ye Chen's heart, she had never dared to reveal her prior engagement.
What if Senior Brother minds?
She had originally planned to speak with Yun Yun privately, quietly dissolving the engagement and ending the matter once and for all.
But fate had other plans. Today, Yun Yun had brought it up in front of Ye Chen.
Thankfully, it seemed he didn't mind.
Senior Brother… you're truly amazing!
"It's alright. This isn't your fault," Ye Chen said, watching her shyly bowing head.
Indeed, the blame did not belong to Nalan Yanran. If anyone was to blame, it was her family, with their ridiculous arranged marriage.
Even then, if he truly minded, would he have accepted her feelings?
It's just an engagement… what's the big deal?
Even if they were already married, Ye Chen wouldn't care. He wasn't trying to be some villainous usurper. It was simply a matter of mutual desire—everyone was taking what they wanted.
"Senior Brother, don't worry. I'll dissolve the engagement as soon as possible," Nalan Yanran said, relieved that he was unconcerned. She made the promise carefully, afraid he might dislike her for it.
Ye Chen thought for a moment and said, "Let me handle the engagement. I don't trust you, a young girl, to deal with that alone."