"Weren't you the one who asked to cancel the engagement?" Looking at the utterly stunned Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan handed her the written annulment with a light smile. "Congratulations, Miss Nalan. You're free now. As for the Qi Gathering Powder, I won't be accepting it. Take your gifts and go."
Staring at the young man with a brilliant smile, Nalan Yanran felt fury boil within her. She had always lived a life of comfort and superiority—when had she ever been humiliated like this? Gritting her teeth, she snapped, "What gives you the right to repudiate me?! In status and talent, I surpass you! What right do you have?!"
"Because until just now, I was your fiancé," Xiao Yan said calmly, "Of course, now you'll have to put 'former' in front of that."
"As for talent…" He gave a cold laugh. A deep blue Dou Qi surged on his body, forming a shimmering Dou Qi veil. Glancing at the stunned Nalan Yanran and the three-star Dou Zhe badge on her chest, he said expressionlessly, "Someone who proudly wears their level on their chest and still hasn't reached Dou Shi dares to talk to me about talent?"
"Dou Shi…" Gasps echoed throughout the main hall. Xiao Yan was still under fifteen years old. To reach the Dou Shi stage at such an age—his future potential was unfathomable! Compared to this, Nalan Yanran's three-star Dou Zhe cultivation was simply laughable.
In the Dou Qi Continent, those who reached Dou Shi before twenty were considered top geniuses. If Yunlan Sect had known that Xiao Yan had reached this level so early, they wouldn't have allowed Nalan Yanran to cancel the engagement—instead, they would have tried to rope him in at all costs.
Elder Ge Ye, standing nearby, regretted deeply after witnessing Xiao Yan's reveal. Even the founder of Yunlan Sect hadn't possessed such a terrifying talent. If they could bring him into their fold, he would surely become the pillar of the sect. But now, because of this ridiculous engagement, their relationship was likely soured beyond repair.
After regret, a trace of killing intent surfaced in Ge Ye's heart. If they couldn't recruit this boy, then they had to destroy him—before he matured into a threat that Yunlan Sect could no longer suppress. If not for Xiao Zhan's presence and his surprising strength, Ge Ye might have already made a move to cripple him.
"So what if you're a Dou Shi?! Just because you can beat me now doesn't mean you'll always be stronger!" Though her face paled, Nalan Yanran's pride wouldn't let her yield. "In a few years, I might surpass you!"
"If getting stronger only took talking big, then yes, you might have a chance," Xiao Yan waved his hand casually. "Enough nonsense. Go. Or do you want me to escort you out?"
"You—!" Nalan Yanran's teeth ground together. After a moment of hesitation, she seemed to harden her resolve and declared, "Xiao Yan! Do you dare make a bet with me?"
"Why should I?" Xiao Yan looked at her like she was an idiot.
"What? Are you scared now?" she taunted.
"Your goading is primitive and weak," Xiao Yan shook his head, not even bothering to respond.
Frustrated by his indifference, Nalan Yanran stomped her foot. "Xiao Yan! If you've got the guts, then agree to a three-year duel! In three years, I'll surpass you! I'll challenge you at Yunlan Sect, and if you lose, you'll kneel and beg me for forgiveness!"
"And what's in it for me?" Xiao Yan took a sip of tea, his tone flat.
"If I lose, I, Nalan Yanran, will become your servant—willing and without complaint!"
On the roof, Qing Lin, who was eavesdropping with Zi Yan, almost jumped down to beat Nalan Yanran on the spot. It took all of Zi Yan's effort to hold her back.
"Calm down, Qing Lin! She can't even beat Xiao Yan—he'd never have to kneel to her!"
"You heard her, right? 'Become his servant'? Who does she think she is?! Trying to take my spot? I'm his only servant! I should go slap her right now!" Qing Lin huffed.
"…Can you not be so embarrassing?" Zi Yan muttered.
Below, Xiao Yan raised his head slightly and glanced up at them before smiling faintly. "There's no need for a servant. I'm not interested in you. Besides, with your personality, even if you lost, you'd probably find a way to back out. I don't want to waste my time."
"No matter what you say, the bet is made!" Nalan Yanran shouted. "In three years, I'll be waiting at Yunlan Sect. If you don't show, you'll be the biggest coward in the continent!"
"Xiao Yan," Ge Ye added, "for the sake of Master Xiao Lin, I'll give you some advice: 'Three years in the east of the river, three years in the west—don't bully a poor girl!'"
"..." Hearing that phrase, Xiao Yan suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu—like he had once stood in this same place, saying the exact same thing to another person. But that was impossible, right? He didn't have any such experience in his past life. So why did it feel so familiar?
As he watched Nalan Yanran's entourage disappear, Xiao Yan sighed. "Arguing with her is like bickering with a schoolgirl. So childish… But seriously, where did she get the confidence that she'd beat me in three years?"
The others around him shared silent glances. Indeed, Xiao Yan was already a Dou Shi—at his current rate, he could easily reach Da Dou Shi or even Dou Ling within three years. How could Nalan Yanran possibly match up?
Of course, they didn't know that Xiao Yan was already a Dou Zong. If they had, they might not just be stunned—they'd probably pity Nalan Yanran outright.
"Looks like things are about to get interesting," Xiao Yan's lips curved upward. "If I don't crush her until she's mentally broken, she might really think the title 'Demonic Wrath Saint' was just for show."
(End of Chapter)
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