"Is that... Yanran?"
Beside Chen Yang, Yun Yun also saw that flower of the high peaks surrounded by the crowd. In two and a half years, Nalan Yanran had grown from a green girl into a graceful young woman.
However, Yun Yun hadn't expected that while she was away, the Grand Elder would actually send Nalan Yanran, the Young Sect Leader. For a mere Family in a small place, even if Mo Cheng had once served as an Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect, it wasn't worth the Young Sect Leader's presence to celebrate his birthday, was it?
'That old fellow Yun Ling has probably taken benefits from Mo Cheng,' Yun Yun thought to herself.
In the crowd, Nalan Yanran, receiving various compliments, had an indifferent expression. Like Yun Yun, she had a cold and aloof temperament, appearing in some ways like a replica of Yun Yun.
Setting aside her behavior of breaking the engagement in the original plot, or looking at her current self, she was definitely an excellent successor for the Cloud Mist Sect.
"The Young Sect Leader has already achieved so much at such a young age. In the future, the Jia Ma Empire will likely have another Dou Huang expert!" a white-bearded old man said flatteringly to Nalan Yanran.
Nalan Yanran gave him a lukewarm smile, while Ge Ye stood by, greeting and casually chatting with this elderly, white-bearded man whose Disciple served as a Deacon in the Cloud Mist Sect.
However, as Ge Ye chatted with the man, he suddenly noticed that Nalan Yanran, who was usually indifferent and serious, was staring blankly at three people not far away—more accurately, at the youth leading them.
"Xiao... Xiao Yan???" Ge Ye looked at Xiao Yan and cried out in shock. No matter what, he could never forget this youth.
At this moment, Nalan Yanran's entire mind was focused on Xiao Yan. As for who stood behind him, she no longer had the heart to pay attention.
Otherwise, given the years she had spent with Yun Yun day and night, she would have recognized Yun Yun's identity even if she was masked.
In fact, even though Yun Yun was masked, Ge Ye beside her also felt she looked familiar; he just hadn't connected her to his own Sect Master yet.
"Deacon Ge Ye, it's been two and a half years. Your demeanor is as elegant as ever!" Xiao Yan cupped his hands toward Ge Ye and said with a smile.
Two and a half years ago, this man had appeared at the Xiao Family as a Seven-Star Great Dou Shi, insufferably arrogant, his every word exalting the nobility of a Cloud Mist Sect Deacon.
But two and a half years later, in his eyes, this person was nothing more than a slightly stronger ant. A Two-Star Dou Ling? Mere clay chickens and pottery dogs!
"Xiao Yan, why are you here?" Seeing that Nalan Yanran's expression was off, Ge Ye stepped forward to shield her behind him and asked in a low voice.
"Although Elder Ge Ye is an Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect, isn't this reaching a bit too far?" Xiao Yan remained smiling with his hands behind his back.
"Young Master Xiao Yan has a Three-Year Agreement with our Young Sect Leader. If you were to accidentally die here in Yan City, people might say the Cloud Mist Sect sent someone to kill you!" Ge Ye said in a sarcastic tone.
"Thank you for your concern, Deacon Ge Ye!" Xiao Yan waved his hand, not even looking at Nalan Yanran as he walked straight into the hall. After finding a seat and sitting down, Xiao Yan said slowly, "However, my life and death need not trouble Deacon Ge Ye. I don't think anyone in Yan City would be so foolish as to offend a Third-Grade Alchemist who isn't even eighteen yet, right?"
Hearing this, Ge Ye finally noticed the alchemist robe Xiao Yan was wearing and the Third-Grade Alchemist badge pinned to his chest.
"How is that possible?" Ge Ye cried out in disbelief.
"Uncle Ge!!!" Nalan Yanran stepped forward and stood in front of Ge Ye. Others turned their gazes over, preparing to watch the unfolding drama.
"Xiao Yan, it was my fault for rashly going to the Xiao Family to break the engagement two and a half years ago. I've already made reparations, and you've received them. What more do you want?" Nalan Yanran glared at Xiao Yan with her almond-shaped eyes, clearly unable to control her emotions.
Clearly, Xiao Yan's status as a Third-Grade Alchemist slapped her hard in the face at this moment. The badge didn't seem to be announcing his identity but rather telling her—'You, Nalan Yanran, are short-sighted and have brought shame upon the Cloud Mist Sect and the entire Nalan Family!'
"Miss Nalan, please understand one thing!" Xiao Yan looked at the emotionally unstable Nalan Yanran and shook his head slightly. "Those resources were bought with my dignity. But I also know that on this Fighting Qi Continent, strength is respected, and the weak do not deserve dignity before the strong."
"Fortunately, I am young, so I made this Three-Year Agreement with you to reclaim my dignity with my own hands. I thought our next meeting would be at the peak of Yun Lan Mountain in six months, but I didn't expect to run into you during my travels!"
"Miss Nalan, at this very moment, seeing my status as a Third-Grade Alchemist, what are your thoughts?"
Do you care?
Or do you not?