"What is there to fear?" Xiao Yan straightened his back, his voice steady and firm.
"As expected of someone from my Xiao Family," Xiao Zhitian declared, stepping forward. His voice carried both authority and assurance. "He has backbone! I also believe Yan-di will recover his original talent in the future. Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to the west, no one should bully a young man into poverty!"
Xiao Yan's face brightened, and he exclaimed excitedly, "Tian Ge speaks well!"
Nalan Yanran's gaze shifted sharply to Xiao Zhitian. "Who are you?" she asked, her tone tinged with indignation.
"Who I am has nothing to do with you," Xiao Zhitian replied expressionlessly. "And you don't need to know."
"You…" Nalan Yanran's face paled, her composure faltering.
"Besides your beauty," Xiao Zhitian continued, his tone unwavering, "this young master doesn't care for anything else. Don't imagine I'm interested in a so-called genius fiancée. I have no concern for you whatsoever."
Before Nalan Yanran could speak, Xiao Yan quickly moved to the desk. With a swift motion, he drew a line across the paper, cut his palm, and pressed the blood-stained hand to the surface. He then lifted the paper, placing it firmly on the table before her. "Three years from now, if I win, there will be no need to annul the engagement. Instead, this young master will divorce you from the Xiao Family."
Nalan Yanran's face froze. Her eyes widened as disbelief washed over her. The sudden turn left her stunned, speechless.
"How dare you! How can you insult Junior Sister Yanran?" one of the men accompanying her shouted.
Xiao Zhitian's gaze sharpened. Lightning seemed to flare faintly in his eyes as he said, "What are you? Do you even have the right to speak here?"
The man immediately shrank back, intimidated by the sheer intensity of Xiao Zhitian's aura, and fell silent.
Nalan Yanran blinked, her composure returning in pieces. "You… actually dare to divorce me?"
Xiao Yan cast a cold glance at her, ignoring her words entirely. Instead, he knelt before Xiao Zhan, his kowtow deep and deliberate. "Father, three years from now, Yan-er will personally wash away today's humiliation for you."
Then, without waiting for a response, he rose and left.
Nalan Yanran, unwilling to linger further, gave a silent bow to Xiao Zhan and followed her entourage out of the hall.
The jade box containing the Qi Gathering Powder was thrown out by Xiao Zhan. Ge Ye steadied it, securing it before leaving with Nalan Yanran.
Xiao Zhitian's voice followed coldly, "Nalan Yanran, I hope you will not regret your actions today."
Nalan Yanran glanced back, her eyes briefly meeting his, then she left without another word.
Once the hall had emptied, Xiao Zhan waved his hand. "Everyone may leave. Tian-er, stay."
Xiao Zhitian looked at Xun'er. "You go back first. I'll come find you later."
Xun'er nodded and exited gracefully.
Xiao Zhan then turned to Xiao Zhitian, grasping his shoulders with an intensity that made even the elders take a step back. "Tian-er, what is your current strength?"
"Four-star Dou Zhe," Xiao Zhitian replied calmly.
"Excellent! Tomorrow, I'll help you open the Dou Qi Pavilion to obtain a set of cultivation techniques," Xiao Zhan said excitedly.
Xiao Zhitian shook his head slightly. "Father, I've already cultivated a technique. Xun'er gave it to me."
Xiao Zhan's eyebrows lifted, but he did not ask further.
Far away, Xun'er felt a faint stirring in her heart. A soft murmur escaped her lips. "Is Brother Xiao Zhitian thinking of me?"
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, who had left the hall earlier, stood atop the back mountain. The truth about his Dou Qi regression had been revealed: a phantom soul body had interfered with his cultivation over the past three years. Pointing at the golden finger of fate, he cursed silently.
Later, swayed by Yao Lao's promises and his desire for strength, Xiao Yan would undergo the apprenticeship ceremony, beginning his true path.
On his way to Xun'er's courtyard, Xiao Zhitian encountered Xiao Yan descending from the back mountain. Hesitation clouded the younger boy's expression.
Xiao Zhitian smiled faintly, discerning his predicament. "Want to borrow some money?"
Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly. "How did you know?"
"You and I are brothers. I can read your mind with a single glance," Xiao Zhitian said plainly. "How much do you need?"
"One thousand gold coins," Xiao Yan admitted.
Two jade cards appeared in Xiao Zhitian's hand. With a flick, he swiped the black card against the light blue one, adjusting the balance from five thousand to one thousand. He handed it to Xiao Yan, saying, "Here. Remember to repay one thousand five hundred gold coins."
Xiao Yan's jaw dropped. "Tian Ge! Didn't you just say we were brothers? Brothers! And you… want me to pay back so much?"
"You don't need to thank me. Just remember to repay," Xiao Zhitian waved lightly, already walking away.
Xiao Yan looked at the jade card in his hand and muttered to Yao Lao, "Teacher… I'm already heavily in debt before even starting. I hope the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid is reliable."
"Don't worry," Yao Lao replied from within the ring. "Once you use it, you won't be able to leave it. Also, your brother is not simple—there's a deeply hidden, violent lightning aura in him that even I cannot sense."
Reaching the entrance to Xun'er's courtyard, Xiao Zhitian quietly activated the system.
"System, check in."
"Ding! Checked in at Xiao Xun Er's courtyard. Reward obtained: Tranquil Jade Marrow Bracelet."
The bracelet calmed the mind, soothed the spirit, prevented disturbances during meditation, and eliminated the risk of qi deviation.
Xiao Zhitian frowned lightly. The bracelet was clearly a woman's style, but that was a minor inconvenience.
He knocked on the door. After a moment, it opened, revealing Xun'er's bright smile.
"Brother Xiao Zhitian! You're here!"
Xiao Zhitian took in her outfit, reminiscent of the day she went to the market with Xiao Yan. "Oh, little beauty, you're dressed nicely. Do you have a date with someone?"
Xun'er giggled. "Yes! Someone promised to come find me today, so I had to dress up!"
Xiao Zhitian extended his hand. "Then let's go, beautiful Miss Xun'er. I'll take you to explore Wutan City."
The two strolled into the bustling market under the Xiao Family's control. After greeting Uncle Payne, they browsed the stalls. Xun'er paused at a jewelry stand, picking out delicate trinkets.
Xiao Zhitian activated the system once more. "System, check in."
"Ding! Checked in at Xiao Family Market. Reward obtained: one million gold coins and a Dog Beating Staff."
Before Xiao Zhitian could react, a clear, familiar voice rang out.
"Oh! Isn't this Miss Xun'er? What a coincidence to meet you here! Miss Xun'er, would you honor me with a meal?"
Xiao Zhitian's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Trouble, it seemed, had come looking for them even in the market.