Xiao Yan had lived two lives and possessed the experience of an adult, along with the keen observation granted by his powerful Spiritual Power.
He could clearly tell that Nalan Yanran and Zhang Yuan had known each other for a long time, and that Nalan Yanran clearly harbored feelings for his cousin.
If the engagement were transferred to Zhang Yuan and Nalan Yanran, the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan could preserve their dignity instead of becoming enemies. Not to mention that behind Nalan Yanran stood the Yunlan Sect and a Dou Huang master.
With Zhang Yuan's talent, matching Nalan Yanran was more than sufficient. The Yunlan Sect and the Nalan Clan would certainly have no objections.
Everyone would be happy, except for him, the waste whose talent had vanished, who would lose all face.
But over the past three years, the Xiao Clan and Zhang Yuan had spent vast resources on him, a so-called waste, without ever voicing dissatisfaction. If he made a small sacrifice now, what did it really matter?
"Don't talk nonsense." Zhang Yuan tossed a sugar-roasted chestnut at Xiao Yan.
If he dared agree right now, setting aside the difficulty of dealing with a certain queen-like virtuous wife in the future, there was also that poisonous woman who would be impossible to explain to. Xun'er would probably be the first to go berserk.
This top-tier white-rich-beauty of the Dou Qi Continent had been accidentally charmed by him when they were young. There was no reason to give her up now.
"Marriage alliances between great clans are not child's play." Finding a dignified excuse, Zhang Yuan said sternly, "Nalan Yanran came in such a high-profile manner. This matter cannot possibly be hidden."
"I propose this. There are still three years until you both turn eighteen. At that time, the two of you will have a duel at the Nalan Clan in the imperial capital."
"If Nalan Yanran wins, the marriage will naturally be annulled, but she must still compensate the Xiao Clan for today's reckless actions."
"If Brother Yan wins, today's humiliation will be washed away, and Nalan Yanran must compensate the Xiao Clan twice over."
"What do you all think?"
Afraid that Xiao Yan might say something that would drag him into a disastrous situation, he could only take matters into his own hands.
"Wait!"
Before Xiao Yan or Nalan Yanran could speak, Ge Ye spoke first. "Young friend, Miss Yanran is ultimately a disciple of the Yunlan Sect, so…"
"So what?" Zhang Yuan cut him off before he could finish. "The Jia Ma Empire does not bear the Yun surname. No matter how powerful your Yunlan Sect is, it is still only an affiliated sect within the empire."
"The Xiao Clan may have declined, but it was once a Dou Wang clan. When the marriage alliance with the Nalan Clan was established, the Yunlan Sect was not involved. You have no right to interfere in matters between the two clans. We are not asking for Nalan Yanran's life."
Zhang Yuan had long been thinking of ways to resolve the conflict between the Yunlan Sect and the Xiao Clan, to avoid becoming mortal enemies and causing losses on their side.
The Yunlan Sect's backing, the Hall of Souls, was easy enough to deal with. As long as Yun Shan realized he was being used, he would immediately turn hostile.
Of course, to be safe, Zhang Yuan needed allies. That was why he had joined the Jia Ma Empire's military.
At the very least, for now, the imperial family was still the true ruler of the empire.
"I agree." Ge Ye was about to say something else, but Nalan Yanran interrupted him. "Fine, I accept. Today's events were indeed my recklessness. Brother Zhang's proposal has no issues. This matter truly has nothing to do with the Yunlan Sect. The duel will be held at the Nalan Clan. Win or lose, I will provide compensation."
Since the person involved had spoken, Ge Ye could say nothing more.
With his strength and status, he was not qualified to object anyway.
"Wait, I have an objection." Xiao Yan raised his hand, feeling helpless. "Cousin, I think you are trying to harm me. With my current condition, how am I supposed to beat her three years from now?"
Because of Zhang Yuan's involvement, many things had changed. Xiao Yan had not been angered to the point of shouting about rivers flowing east and west.
He understood his own situation and would not foolishly make empty boasts.
"You dare say that about me. Be careful, I beat you like when we were kids." Zhang Yuan said irritably.
The future Flame Emperor, Brother Yan, had to be beaten from a young age so he would not become too arrogant later.
"I am just telling the truth." Xiao Yan argued.
"If I did not have confidence in curing your inability to cultivate, would I issue this challenge for you?" Zhang Yuan countered.
Crack.
Xiao Zhan crushed the armrest of his chair, unable to hide his excitement as he asked, "Yuan'er, you can cure Yan'er?"
The Xiao Clan elders and juniors all looked at Zhang Yuan with hope, while Xiao Yan himself trembled with excitement.
"Before returning, I only had a thirty percent chance. Now, about ninety percent." Zhang Yuan smiled. "I came back for this matter. I did not expect to run into such excitement."
"Good. I accept the three-year agreement." Xiao Yan spoke, then grabbed Zhang Yuan's wrist. "Cousin, let's go."
As a transmigrator from Earth, given the chance to wield great power personally, he longed for cultivation more than most.
He had long since had enough of living as a waste.
"Alright." Zhang Yuan knew how much Xiao Yan had endured and did not refuse. He turned to Xiao Zhan and said, "Uncle, I will leave things here to you."
"Go ahead. I will handle matters here." Xiao Zhan nodded immediately.
Zhang Yuan then exchanged a glance with Xun'er and nodded before leaving with Xiao Yan.
"Gentlemen, our Xiao Clan is small, so we will not be keeping you for a meal."
After Zhang Yuan and Xiao Yan left, Xiao Zhan directly issued an order to see the Yunlan Sect group out.
They had already been bullied to this extent. He did not even want to maintain surface-level courtesy.
Just as Zhang Yuan said, reasonable people always start with courtesy before force. The Yunlan Sect had done the opposite, revealing their arrogance.
This Jia Ma Empire did not bear the Yun surname.
"Uncle Xiao, this niece apologizes for today's events. In three years, I will visit again with proper compensation." Nalan Yanran bowed to Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan wanted to say something harsh, but what Xiao Yan could see, he naturally saw as well.
Thinking of Zhang Yuan, he simply closed his eyes and chose to ignore it.
Seeing this, Nalan Yanran bowed again, then called Ge Ye and the others, her steps light as she walked toward the exit.
Today, she had indeed acted recklessly due to her youth, but at least her objective had been achieved, and she had seen the person she had thought of for half a year.
After three years, once she regained her freedom, she could pursue the life she truly wanted.
On the other side, Xiao Yan was already gossiping with Zhang Yuan. "Cousin, what is your relationship with that Nalan Yanran?"
Zhang Yuan glanced at him and said calmly, "After leaving the Xiao Clan two years ago, Elder Brother and Second Brother went to Rock Desert City to establish a mercenary group. They wanted to build a foundation for you in case your talent never recovered."
"As for me, after training in several places, I chose to join the empire's military. That place tempers people the most. As long as one earns enough military merit, one can exchange it for Qi Methods, pills, and anything else I want."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately thought of the 2nd Tier alchemist who had come half a year ago to examine his condition. His heart filled with emotion.
He was a reincarnated visitor from Earth, carrying memories of his past life. At first, he had viewed this world with scrutiny and caution.
But his father Xiao Zhan, his elder brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, and his cousin Zhang Yuan had warmed him with familial affection, allowing him to accept this world.
Especially after he became a waste, the four of them treated him even better, filling his heart with warmth and making him determined to repay them with everything he had.
In the past, he could only think about it. But if his talent recovered, he would definitely become the strongest step by step and lead his family to rise together.
Zhang Yuan did not know Xiao Yan's thoughts and continued, "Half a year ago, Qing Shi Town near the Magical Beast Mountain Range was hit by a beast tide. I was ordered to lead troops to clear the tributaries. During that time, I assisted several Yunlan Sect disciples who were out training."
"The leader among them was called Yun Yan. She was the weakest, yet also the head of that group. She followed my command for a period. That Yun Yan was Nalan Yanran."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan waggled his eyebrows. "A hero saving a beauty, huh? Did anything happen between you two?"
"No." Zhang Yuan shook his head.
At the time, he was focused on becoming stronger and had no interest in romance.
As for whether Nalan Yanran had any special thoughts, that had nothing to do with him.
"Cousin, you are really lacking in romance. From what I see, Nalan Yanran probably has feelings for you. Just look at how nervous she was earlier." Xiao Yan laughed. "Do not worry. Three years from now, I will go easy on her and not let her lose too badly."
Zhang Yuan: "..."
As expected of you, King of Pretenders. Your talent has not even recovered, and you are already putting on airs.
"Then perhaps I should wait three years before helping you fix your body, so you do not have to hold back against Nalan Yanran." Zhang Yuan said teasingly.
"Cousin~" Xiao Yan deliberately dragged out his tone.
A chill ran through Zhang Yuan as he thought about carrying a recording stone in the future to document all of the future Flame Emperor's dark history.
"Stop being disgusting. Close the door and let us begin solving your problem." Zhang Yuan said.
The two had arrived at a secret chamber, a cultivation room built by the Xiao Clan. Zhang Yuan naturally had the authority to use it.
"Understood." Xiao Yan's expression turned solemn as he closed the chamber door.
He then sat across from Zhang Yuan, waiting for his actions.
Zhang Yuan did nothing, instead saying, "Throw away the ring Aunt left you."
Xiao Yan was stunned, but out of trust in Zhang Yuan, he immediately complied and threw the ring far away.
Zhang Yuan stood in front of Xiao Yan and said to the ring, "You sneaky fellow. You have been absorbing my cousin's Dou Qi for three years. Are you still not coming out?"
Xiao Yan hid behind Zhang Yuan, his eyes fixed warily on the ancient ring.
"Interesting."
The ancient ring slowly floated into the air, and a transparent elderly figure appeared from within, smiling faintly.
Xiao Yan's pupils shrank as he cursed, "What the hell. Is this Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio? I have been raising a ghost this whole time. And not even a beautiful ghost, but an old one. I am contaminated."
Zhang Yuan: "..."
Yao Chen: "..."
(End of Chapter)
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