"Yes, she has been informed."
"I believe Sect Master Yun Yun will arrive shortly," Nalan Su said quickly.
He had already dispatched someone to notify the Yunlan Sect the moment he returned to the Nalan estate.
"Good."
Hearing this, Nalan Jie finally let out a sigh of relief and allowed Nalan Su to help him into his chair.
"Father, your injuries…"Nalan Su asked quietly, clearly concerned.
The old man was the foundation of the Nalan Clan's strength in the Jia Ma Empire. If he were to fall, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Cough…"
Nalan Jie coughed violently.
"Still alive… barely. But this brand poison is growing more savage by the day."
He pointed a trembling finger at Nalan Su.
"Brat, Yanran is the future of our Nalan Clan. If anything happens to her—you're dead."
"Yes, Father. It's all my fault."
Nalan Su lowered his head, deeply remorseful.
Suddenly, a calm, noble voice echoed through the hall.
"Old Master Nalan… I heard the disciple I chose has been taken by someone."
A woman in a purple-gold-trimmed robe appeared silently in the hall.
Her long, dark hair was styled into an elegant phoenix bun. Her bearing was regal and serene, her beauty refined—like a clear spring hidden deep within a secluded mountain. Her noble presence inspired awe, yet her gentle grace stirred quiet admiration.
In her hand was a long sword, glowing faintly with an azure light—exotic in design, yet dangerous.
She seemed like a celestial being—far too radiant to belong to the mortal world.
This woman was none other than Yun Yun, current Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect.
"Sect Master Yun Yun!" ×2Both Nalan Jie and Nalan Su immediately rose and bowed respectfully.
Yun Yun's eyes swept across the room, pausing on Nalan Jie.
"Old Master Nalan… your poison is worsening."She frowned slightly.
"An old affliction. I appreciate Sect Master Yun Yun's concern," Nalan Jie said with a hearty laugh—
—but a fit of coughing overtook him once more.
"Please take care of yourself, Old Master," Yun Yun said seriously."The Jia Ma Empire still needs you."
"Mm."Nalan Jie nodded, then changed the subject.
"Sect Master Yun Yun, I'll have to trouble you with the matter of Yanran."
"You may rest assured, Old Master," Yun Yun quickly replied."I took a liking to Yanran and already declared my intent to make her my disciple. Now that she's been taken by a scoundrel, I won't just sit back and do nothing."
"Then I am relieved," Nalan Jie said, stroking his white beard with a satisfied expression.
"With Sect Master Yun Yun personally involved, no lowlife would dare act out in her presence."
Yun Yun didn't respond—her silence was enough of a confirmation.
The Yunlan Sect was the most powerful force in the Jia Ma Empire. Even the imperial family tread lightly around it.
Yun Yun turned her piercing gaze on Nalan Su.
"Clan Leader Nalan, tell me everything that happened in detail."
"Yes, Sect Master."And so Nalan Su recounted the entire story respectfully.
"I see…"
Yun Yun's expression remained calm, but her eyes sharpened.
"Would you be willing to accompany me to Wu Tan City?"
"Of course."Nalan Su nodded without hesitation.
"Then let's go."
Without further delay, Yun Yun and Nalan Su departed the Nalan estate, heading straight toward the Xiao Clan of Wu Tan City.
Wu Tan City — Xiao Estate
At the main gate—
A man in white robes and a mask, holding a wooden sword, arrived leading a white horse.
On the horse sat a small girl in a moon-white dress, wearing twin ponytails—Nalan Yanran.
Yun Xiu approached the guards and cupped his fists politely.
"Greetings. My name is Yun Xiu. I've come to see Miss Xun'er of your noble house."
The guards noticed Yun Xiu's extraordinary bearing. The white robes, the sword, the mask… this was clearly no ordinary traveler. Even the horse was no common beast—it radiated power.
They exchanged a quick glance, nodded slightly, and one of them responded:
"Please wait a moment, sir. I'll inform the Clan Leader right away."
"Very well."Yun Xiu nodded slightly.
Seated behind him, Nalan Yanran gazed at the massive Xiao estate, nervous and uncertain.
She was about to meet her fiancé—a boy she had never seen before. Her heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
What kind of person is the one I've been betrothed to since birth?
When Xiao Zhan, the Xiao Clan's leader, heard that someone had come looking for Xun'er, and that the guest seemed extraordinary, he immediately dispatched someone to find Xun'er and rushed to the gate himself.
"Clan Leader Xiao," Yun Xiu greeted with a slight bow.
He could instantly sense the man's cultivation—a Da Dou Shi (Great Fighter).
In the Xiao Clan, only one person matched that level: its current leader, Xiao Zhan.
"May I know your name, sir?"Xiao Zhan bowed slightly, extremely courteous.
The man's snowy white robe and refined aura made him seem like an exiled immortal untouched by mortal dust.The mysterious mask only exposed a pair of deep, commanding eyes—adding to his enigmatic presence.
And then there was the wooden sword…
What kind of powerhouse walks the land with only a wooden sword unless they're confident enough to not need more?
Xiao Zhan needed only a glance to know—this was someone the Xiao Clan could not afford to offend.
"I am Yun Xiu," the man replied."I am Xun'er's older brother. You may call me Yun Xiu—or if you don't mind, simply Xiu'er."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan instantly realized this man might be from one of the Ancient Clans, and responded with even greater deference:
"Of course, Xiu'er."
"He really didn't hesitate," Yun Xiu mused internally.
"Please, both of you—this way."
"Mm."
And so, Yun Xiu led Nalan Yanran into the Xiao estate, following behind Xiao Zhan.
Yanran didn't speak along the way. She was busy curiously looking around the grand estate—left, right, everywhere—filled with wonder.
Meanwhile, in a quiet courtyard—
A servant respectfully approached Xun'er.
"Miss Xun'er, the Clan Leader requests your presence in the main hall."
"Understood."
Xun'er stopped cultivating and nodded.
"What does Uncle Xiao want with me?"
She followed the servant, still wondering.
"Do you know why he wants to see me?" she asked casually.
"I'm not sure, Miss," the servant replied."But I heard someone came to visit you, and even the Clan Leader personally greeted them."
"Oh?"
Xun'er nodded lightly, now even more puzzled.
Who would come looking for me? No one even knows I'm here…
Main Hall
Xiao Zhan sat at the head seat. Yun Xiu and Nalan Yanran sat to his left.
At this point, Xiao Zhan still had no idea that the moon-robed little girl beside Yun Xiu was in fact his future daughter-in-law.
He turned to Yun Xiu and said respectfully:
"Xiu'er, I've already sent someone to notify Xun'er. She should be here shortly."
"Thank you, Clan Leader Xiao."
"Think nothing of it."
Just then, a girl in a flowing purple dress entered the hall.She carried herself with cool, elegant grace—like a lotus untouched by worldly dust.
"Uncle Xiao."