A deep, powerful voice echoed beside the two, causing both to twitch their eyelids slightly.
If nothing was amiss, the man before them had to be the mysterious expert who had severely injured Hao Qian with a single strike in Black Rock City.
According to rumors, his strength must be at least at the Dou Huang level to exert such an overwhelming presence.
Moreover, Yun Yun, sensing his aura, could not accurately gauge his exact power, but she could clearly feel that this white-robed giant was far stronger than herself.
Someone like him would be a top-tier figure in the Jia Ma Empire.
Yet, his attitude toward Xiao Yan was so respectful, it was less like a bodyguard and more like a devoted servant.
The two of them exchanged glances, reading the gravity in each other's eyes.
Xiao Yan's sect was indeed unfathomably powerful.
Even more shocking was how naturally Xiao Yan treated the white-robed man with respect, as if it were only right.
This alone gave Xiao Yan and the Xiao family enough prestige to command the attention of many forces in the Jia Ma Empire.
Sensing their gaze, Xiao Yan smiled slightly and explained, "This is my sect-assigned bodyguard, who also serves as the protector elder of the Xiao family. You may call him White Protector."
Hearing this, both nodded quickly. For the first time, Yun Yun showed a hint of solemnity:
"I've long heard of the White Protector injuring Hao Qian in Black Rock City with a single strike. Seeing you today, the stories are indeed true."
Though not skilled in social graces, as the head of her sect, Yun Yun knew how to show respect to a peer, or even someone stronger.
What slightly embarrassed her was that the White Protector merely nodded in acknowledgment, offering no courtesy in return.
To this former lord of the Demon Beast Mountains, in the vast Jia Ma Empire, only Xiao Yan seemed worthy of respect.
Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs were nothing but trash to him.
However, his indifference didn't last long once Xiao Yan lightly cleared his throat in a cold tone.
"You dare to be rude to your future mistress? If not for all these witnesses, I'd have given you a good kick in the rear."
Xiao Yan glanced at Bai Han with some displeasure. The latter's formerly indifferent face instantly turned warm and accommodating.
"Oh, haha, you flatter me, you flatter me."
Those present were not fools—they immediately noticed how deeply the White Protector feared Xiao Yan, intimidated by nothing more than a cold hum.
This scene left the four visitors shocked. Even Nalan Yanran and Nalan Su, hearing Yun Yun's words, could discern the true identity and power of the white-robed man.
Yet seeing him bowing to Xiao Yan left them even more astonished, rendering Xiao Yan an enigma.
"How could such a mere Dou Shi achieve this?"
While internally shocked by Xiao Yan's behavior, they now treated him with heightened respect.
With Bai Han diffusing the awkwardness, Yun Yun breathed a small sigh of relief.
As head of the Yun Lan Sect, she hadn't faced such awkwardness in years. Normally, it wouldn't matter, but this opponent was far stronger than her.
Thanks to Xiao Yan easing the tension, she looked at him with both surprise and gratitude.
When her eyes met Xiao Yan's dark gaze, memories of Gu He from the Yun Lan Sect resurfaced. Yet compared to Gu He, Xiao Yan's eyes were bolder, hotter, and even carried a hint of possessive affection.
"This brat, such a pervert. I wonder if it's good or bad for Yanran to truly end up with him."
Yun Yun mentally scolded him, though she felt no real aversion to his gaze.
"Pervert, daring to eye your teacher!"
Nalan Yanran, witnessing this, twitched slightly, her displeasure toward Xiao Yan increasing.
Yet Xiao Yan's eyes seldom lingered on her; even when they met, they were calm, with minimal emotion.
With Bai Han's presence, the atmosphere lightened somewhat.
Nalan Yanran remained indifferent, but Nalan Jie and Nalan Su treated Bai Han with great warmth, subtly attempting to curry favor.
At the same time, their admiration for Xiao Yan only grew.
The look they gave him was even more tender than toward their own sons or grandsons.
Xiao Yan's lips curved slightly at this display, thinking to himself: these elders are predictable.
While they appeared deeply loyal, they remained silent in the face of danger. Nalan Yanran, though a little spoiled, held stronger feelings toward those around her.
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