"Hmm? Cancel the engagement?"
Yun Yun, who had been nervously worried that Nalan Yanran might have noticed something, froze in surprise when she heard those words.
Yanran quickly explained. Her grandfather and the old master of the Xiao Clan had once been sworn brothers. After learning each other’s situations, the two had agreed upon a marriage contract for the younger generation...
"Wu Tan City... Xiao Yan?" Yun Yun whispered softly.
"Yes. He was even called a cultivation genius once—he became a Dou Zhe at the age of eleven. But my marriage is something I should decide for myself. I cannot allow a childhood engagement to bind my future."
Nalan Yanran’s graceful steps carried her in front of Yun Yun as she said firmly:
"Besides, I’ve never even met him. We share no emotional foundation. If I blindly went through with such a marriage, I know I would regret it. That’s why I must annul it."
"But Yanran," Yun Yun hesitated before replying, "on the Dou Qi Continent, when a woman cancels an engagement, the humiliation to the other side is immense. If you do this, the Xiao Clan might not be able to stand tall in Wu Tan City again."
"But teacher, I can’t allow a single piece of paper to chain me for life. A marriage without willingness is doomed to end in tragedy."
Yanran’s tone was insistent, unyielding.
Yun Yun’s brows knitted together as she pondered. After a long silence, she finally said:
"Then don’t annul it openly. Do it in private. That way, at least the Xiao Clan’s dignity will be preserved. Add some valuable pills as compensation."
"Right—has Old Master Nalan agreed?"
Yanran frowned tightly, then answered:
"When grandfather was poisoned before, I didn’t bring it up. Now that his poison has been cured, I’ll ask him tonight."
Yun Yun nodded. "If Old Master Nalan agrees, then it can be resolved easily. Hold a private banquet, settle things discreetly—everything will be smoothed over."
"Annul the engagement? Impossible! Unless I die first!"
In the grand, luxurious hall, Old Master Nalan Jie had just lifted his teacup when he heard Yanran’s words. His hands trembled with fury as he slammed it down, glaring at her with wide eyes.
"That marriage with the Xiao Clan was personally arranged by me and Old Master Xiao himself! Now that he has passed, you want to cancel it? Tell me, how would the outside world view our Nalan Clan? How would they view me?"
"Grandfather, please calm your anger." Nalan Su quickly stepped forward to ease him, while turning to Yanran with a scolding look: "Yanran, stop saying such things! Can’t you see how upset you’re making him?"
"Grandfather, you can’t decide my marriage just because of your promise! I’ve never even met Xiao Yan. There’s no affection between us at all. You’re sacrificing my happiness for your honor!" Yanran argued, her voice firm.
With the poison gone from his body, she no longer held back.
"What happiness? Marriage is the command of your parents, arranged by your elders. That has always been the way. And what’s wrong with Xiao Yan? Becoming a Dou Zhe at eleven, a genius, and talented in appearance as well!" Read complete versıon only at 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
Nalan Jie was seething.
"No matter what you say, I won’t accept it. I’m annulling this marriage—even if you don’t agree! Besides, I’m returning to Misty Cloud Sect tomorrow to cultivate. You won’t be able to control me."
With that, Yanran spun on her heel and stormed out of the hall.
Nalan Jie’s chest ached with rage, and a wave of immense pressure burst from his body, threatening to lock Yanran in place.
But just then, Yun Yun appeared, effortlessly dissolving his Dou Qi pressure. Her voice was gentle as she said:
"Old Master Nalan, a melon forced from the vine will never be sweet. Let the younger generation make their own choices. If elders intervene too harshly, it may only backfire."
"This is the Nalan Clan’s family matter. Misty Cloud Sect has no authority to interfere." Nalan Jie’s voice was unyielding.
Yun Yun’s expression didn’t change. Her tone remained soft but steady:
"Yet Yanran is my disciple. With her temperament, even if the marriage went through, it would only create greater conflict in the future. Forcing it will strain relations between the Nalan and Xiao Clans even more.
Why not meet privately with the Xiao Clan and cancel the marriage? Who knows—they may not support it either."
"She’s right, grandfather. If you force me into this marriage, I’d rather die!" Yanran declared with unshakable resolve.
"You—cough, cough..." Nalan Jie’s anger exploded into violent coughs. "Are you trying to kill me?"
"Yanran, hurry and apologize to the old master!" Nalan Su scolded as he patted Jie’s back, then turned to add softly: "Grandfather, I agree with Sect Master Yun. A forced marriage will only end badly. Let the young ones resolve it themselves."
Nalan Jie’s eyes dimmed, and suddenly he seemed far older than before. After a long silence, he sighed heavily.
"Fine. Fine. If you must annul it, then do it yourself. I won’t say the words."
Supported by Nalan Su, he left the hall.
Once he was gone, Yanran stuck out her tongue mischievously and sighed in relief. Turning to Yun Yun, she whispered:
"Thank you, teacher."
Yun Yun stroked her disciple’s hair and smiled softly. "This way, you can cultivate with a calmer heart."
Yanran smiled faintly but said nothing more.
Moments later, Yun Yun suddenly asked, "Yanran, what is love?"
"Hm?" Yanran blinked in surprise. Teacher, you just lectured about so many lofty principles, and you don’t even know what love is?
Resting her delicate chin in her hand, Yanran thought for a moment. A handsome figure appeared in her mind, and she said softly:
"It’s when, even in quiet moments, your thoughts drift to one person. When at night, you can’t sleep because of them. That’s love."
"Then... Yanran, do you have someone you love?"
"Ah!" Yanran’s cheeks flushed red. "Teacher, what are you saying? But wait—does that mean you have someone you love?"
"...Yes." Yun Yun nodded.
Yanran froze at her teacher’s blunt response, then quickly asked: "Who? Is it Elder Gu He?"
Shaking her head, Yun Yun replied, "No. It’s someone you’d never expect."
"Someone I’d never expect...?"
The silver moon hung high, stars glittering across the night sky.
In a secluded, silent place—
Chen Mo summoned the Infernal Demon God Armor.
In an instant, a surge of molten-black magma erupted from beneath his feet, wrapping around his entire body.
The lava cracked apart, fragments shattering away before condensing together again. With a flash of dark light, a massive cloak unfurled across his back.
A crimson battle armor clung to Chen Mo’s body, glowing like it had been forged from magma itself. At the joints, black stone-like plating interlocked seamlessly—appearing fragile yet utterly indestructible. His figure radiated an aura of raw, domineering might.
According to the system’s introduction, the Infernal Demon God Armor held no defined grade, yet it was immune to both fire and water. Wearing it granted increased combat strength, along with a minor recovery effect—
In short, it restored Dou Qi.
But aside from that, it offered no physical defense at all.
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