In the Soul Power showdown between Yun Tianming and Xiao Xun'er, most people were basically unaware.
However, judging from the destroyed letter in mid-air, it seemed that Yun Tianming had gained the upper hand.
"Brother Tianming, thank you!"
Nalan Yanran hugged his arm, her beautiful eyes like water, faintly revealing a certain emotion in the depths, and her face was filled with gratitude.
Xiao Yan's resignation letter, if she had truly accepted it, would not only lead to her own downfall but also bring immense shame to the Nalan Family and even disgrace the Misty Cloud Sect. This is precisely the outcome Xiao Xun'er aims to achieve.
In her eyes, both the Nalan Family and the Misty Cloud Sect are insignificant entities, merely serving as stepping stones for Xiao Yan's growth. That, in her view, would be the best use for them.
"Xun'er, are you okay?"
Xiao Yan, with a worried expression, watched Xiao Xun'er's figure. His instinctive attempt to reach out and touch her was halted as he remembered his actions earlier. His hand remained suspended in mid-air and eventually dropped with a sense of despair.
"Exhale~"
Xiao Xun'er took a deep breath, quickly adjusting the fluctuations in her Soul Power and suppressing the fire power within her body.
"I'm fine, Brother Xiao Yan."
Xiao Xun'er slightly turned her head, offering a reassuring smile, and then turned back to gaze steadily at Yun Tianming in front of her.
"I lost this match."
Surprisingly, Xiao Xun'er, the proud daughter of the Gu Clan, openly admitted her defeat without any attempt to conceal it.
"It was just a stroke of luck, Miss Xun'er"
Yun Tianming's tone returned to its previous humble demeanor. This was not an act; the Soul Power competition this time was not an easy victory for him. After all, his current mastery of Soul Technique was not yet proficient, sometimes effective and sometimes not. There was an element of luck in successfully executing it.
"Luck is also a kind of strength."
Xiao Xun'er sighed lightly. She blamed herself for not mastering the power of the heavenly fire. It was her fault for staying too long in the comfort of the Xiao Family circle, almost never truly engaging in combat with others. Today's defeat served as a wake-up call, shattering the arrogance in her heart.
To be able to let go is to be able to pick up, to handle with ease is to be a carefree person.
Having understood this, Xiao Xun'er's gaze towards Yun Tianming gradually became more friendly.
To lose in the physical sense but not in spirit, to face defeat without anger, always maintaining a positive and upward attitude.
Yun Tianming couldn't help but feel a hint of admiration for Xiao Xun'er. This girl had a broad mind and great aspirations. No wonder, in the original work's conclusion, she could become one of the Five Emperors who broke through the heavens!
The two exchanged smiles, seemingly not needing many words. As mutually acknowledged opponents, they secretly appreciated each other.
Yun Tianming had no romantic interest in the girl, while Xiao Xun'er had a lover on her mind. Both knew that the other had no ulterior motives, so their communication was honest.
But what unfolded before the eyes of others was not perceived the same way.
"Hey, don't you guys think Yun Tianming and Xun'er are a great match?"
"Yeah, both of them are geniuses, much better than Xiao Yan, that waste!"
"If Misty Cloud Sect could form a marital alliance with our Xiao Family, it would undoubtedly bring immense benefits to the family!"
Members of the Xiao Family whispered among themselves, casting ambiguous glances from time to time at Yun Tianming and Xiao Xun'er.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's face turned livid, and he roared in his mind, "What the heck, pairing with your family, talking nonsense!"
Nalan Yanran raised her eyebrows, glaring, equally indignant. "Senior Tianming is mine! Wretched Xiao Family, you won't take him away!"
"Cough, cough!"
"As the saying goes, a forced melon is not sweet. I suggest putting an end to the engagement between Xiao Family and Nalan Family!"
"Even if the marriage doesn't happen, we can still be friends, right?"
Xiao Zhan, the head of the Xiao Family, who had been silent all along, finally seized the opportunity to stand up. Sensing a slight easing of the tension, he cautiously played the role of a peacemaker.
"Chief Xiao is right! Misty Cloud Sect is willing to maintain a friendly relationship with Xiao Family!"
Yun Tianming immediately stated his position.
"That's right! This matter will not affect the generational friendship between our Nalan Family and Xiao Family."
Nalan Yanran also didn't want to escalate the conflict with the Xiao Family too much. After all, her visit to end the engagement was kept secret from her family. If her grandfather found out, it would likely lead to a major uproar!
Ge Ye furrowed his brows; what he wanted to say was that the small Xiao Family wasn't worthy of equal communication with Misty Cloud Sect. However, when he thought about the mysterious Xiao Xun'er, he immediately closed his mouth, unwilling to speak.
"Xun'er, I'll go along with your decision."
Xiao Yan looked towards Xiao Xun'er, his eyes filled with unconditional trust.
"Friends?"
Xiao Xun'er pondered for a moment, realizing a significant deviation from her initial "Brother Xiao Yan Development Plan."
Without the entanglement of Nalan Yanran's engagement and the stoking of Misty Cloud Sect's hatred, Xiao Yan's imaginary enemy would cease to exist.
As if understanding Xiao Xun'er's thoughts, Yun Tianming spoke, "I have a proposal, everyone might want to listen."
Instantly, everyone turned their curious gaze to Yun Tianming, even Xiao Xun'er looked at him with a hint of anticipation.
"We can establish a three-year agreement."
"Three years later, Xiao Yan, you personally come to Misty Cloud Sect to challenge Yanran."
"Here, I want to emphasize one point. This battle is a friendly exchange between Nalan Family and Xiao Family, regardless of victory or defeat."
Following the original plot, Yun Tianming quietly altered the core content of the three-year agreement. He transformed the originally life-and-death duel into a friendly exchange.
"This, isn't this inappropriate?"
"Misty Cloud Sect friends, you are not unaware of Yan'er physical condition. What are you making him use to challenge? Isn't this a disguised humiliation?"
Xiao Zhan frowned, displeased
"Chief Xiao's words are not accurate. I have heard that Xiao Yan was once the first genius to resonate throughout the Jia Ma Empire. He cultivated Qi at the age of four, became a Ninth Stage Dou Disciple at ten, and successfully condensed a Dou Qi Vortex at eleven, becoming the youngest Dou Practitioner in the empire! In the same period, Yanran and I were only Eighth Stage Dou Disciples."
Yun Tianming spoke the truth, recounting Xiao Yan's brilliant achievements.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but raise his head proudly, reminiscing about the glorious history when he was admired by everyone.
Nalan Yanran remained silent, and there was a hint of seriousness in her gaze as she looked at Xiao Yan. She understood that Yun Tianming was reminding her not to underestimate the challenge and that she must strive to become stronger for the upcoming three-year agreement.
"However, that is all in the past. Now, Yan'er... Alas."
Xiao Zhan's face was filled with a troubled expression, and he hesitated to continue speaking.
"Uncle Xiao, rest assured. Xun'er believes that Brother Xiao Yan will definitely reclaim his own strength!"
Xiao Xun'er declared with determination. However, her surprised gaze involuntarily turned towards Yun Tianming, secretly thinking, "This person can actually see through my intentions. He truly is a rare talent"
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