Returning from Hei Yan City aboard a flying Magic Beast, passing through several transit cities, there were no unexpected incidents along the way, and finally, they safely arrived at the Imperial Capital.
"We're finally back, and Imperial Capital is still so comfortable!"
Ge Ye was the first to jump off the flying Magic Beast. Looking at the familiar bustling city in front of him, his whole spirit lifted.
"This old guy."
Nalan Yanran frowned and muttered softly, "Acting like a coward back at the Xiao Family."
Ge Ye was assigned to assist Nalan Yanran in her divorce from the Xiao Family. He had to withstand the pressure from the angry Xiao Family, but unexpectedly, a single glance from Xiao Xun'er scared him off, and he dared not say a word. If Yun Tianming hadn't intervened, she couldn't imagine what the outcome would have been!
"Things have been resolved satisfactorily, be careful!"
Yun Tianming's face changed, and he quickly pulled Nalan Yanran's waist, retreating rapidly.
"Ding ding ding~"
Several crossbow arrows were seen stuck in the place where the two had been standing.
"What? Can't even be at peace in the Imperial Capital!"
Ge Ye's face was full of bitterness and resentment. He released his Dou Qi Armor with a powerless sigh, but upon seeing that the two were unharmed, he stopped in his tracks.
"Swoosh swoosh~"
Two soldiers clad in black armor closed in from both sides, attacking Yun Tianming and Nalan Yanran.
"Suction Palm!"
Yun Tianming raised his hand and grabbed a table from the side, lifting it into the air and smashing it towards the soldier in front.
"Clang!"
Nalan Yanran drew her sword, blocking the soldier's attack. Upon noticing the red lion emblem on the armor, she couldn't help but exclaim, "You're from the Lionheart Legion!"
Yun Tianming's eyes flickered as he released Soul Perception and then turned his head.
On top of a high building stood an elderly man like an iron tower. His long beard curled upward, resembling a lion's mane, and just his presence exuded a nonchalant pressure.
"The Empire's Lionheart commander, Nalan Jie?"
Ge Ye swallowed hard, immediately dispersing the Dou Qi Armor around him.
"Grandfather, Grandfather."
Nalan Yanran looked up at Nalan Jie, her pretty face slightly pale, and her lips trembling. The strict upbringing by Nalan Jie since childhood had instilled a natural psychological fear in her.
"Don't be afraid, Yanran."
"Tianming Senior."
Under Yun Tianming's reassurance, Nalan Yanran's complexion improved slightly.
Nalan Jie immediately cast a sharp gaze and emitted a cold snort.
"What follows is a matter within my Nalan Family. Please, Misty Cloud Sect's people, leave."
Although he said "please," the tone left no room for doubt, akin to issuing an eviction order.
"Yes, Elder Nalan."
Ge Ye cupped his hands, decisively stepped back, and also signaled to Yun Tianming beside him, "Tianming Junior, let's return to the sect first."
"Um."
Nalan Yanran instinctively tightened her grip on Yun Tianming's sleeve, casting a pitiful look.
"Tianming?"
Seeing Yun Tianming not moving, Ge Ye furrowed his brows. He thought, for a Dou King-level expert's words, how could you dare not listen? Moreover, this is a matter within the Nalan Family, and outsiders shouldn't interfere.
"Elder Ge, you go back first."
"I'll leave in a moment."
Yun Tianming responded with indifference.
"Ah, you!"
Seeing this, Ge Ye no longer tried to persuade and left alone.
Nalan Jie remained silent, his gaze coldly fixed on Yun Tianming, an invisible pressure enveloping the latter.
Yun Tianming showed no fear. The pressure of a mere 3-Star Dou King was not enough to make him retreat.
"Kid, quite audacious!"
Nalan Jie scrutinized Yun Tianming with an appraising gaze.
"Grandfather!"
Nalan Yanran's voice brought Nalan Jie's attention back.
"Hmph! Yanran, do you still remember you have me as your grandfather?"
Nalan Jie's gaze shifted, and he angrily focused on Nalan Yanran, grinding his teeth as he reprimanded, "Did you secretly go to the Xiao Family to annul the engagement without informing the family? Is this true?"
Despite the low profile of the Misty Cloud Sect group, Nalan Jie, as a high-ranking figure in the Imperial military, had eyes and ears throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire. How could he not know about their quiet visit to the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City? Coupled with Nalan Yanran's "mischievous" nature, Nalan Jie almost immediately understood her intentions.
Seeing the situation exposed, Nalan Yanran no longer concealed the truth, lifting her head to respond, "Yes! I don't want to marry someone I don't like. Is there something wrong with that?"
"Wrong! Absolutely wrong!"
"This engagement was personally arranged by your grandfather and a close friend from the Xiao Family. It represents the blood pact between the Nalan Family and the Xiao Family. How dare you, a junior, ruin it!"
Nalan Jie scolded angrily.
"I believe in the freedom of marriage, which is a basic right for everyone."
"The decision regarding my marriage, it should be mine to make!"
Nalan Yanran firmly remembered the words Yun Tianming spoke at the Xiao Family.
"Freedom of marriage? Where did you learn such twisted ideas?"
Nalan Jie's face darkened. With his stubborn personality, he held deeply rooted traditional and ethical beliefs. Simultaneously, he cherished his reputation and believed that any engagement he entered into must be fulfilled no matter what.
"Grandfather, I've already broken off this engagement!"
"Nonsense! Matters of marriage are not to be taken lightly. You, as a junior, absolutely cannot act recklessly!"
Nalan Jie remained firm in his attitude.
"Elder Nalan, if you're worried about damaging the friendship between the Nalan Family and the Xiao Family, I believe there's no need to be concerned."
"This annulment is based on mutual consent, and Misty Cloud Sect has compensated the Xiao Family. They have accepted it."
Yun Tianming explained with reason and evidence.
"Shut up!"
"When did I allow an outsider like you to meddle in the affairs of my Nalan Family?"
Nalan Jie suddenly cast a malevolent gaze.
"Grandfather, this has nothing to do with Senior Tianming; it's my own decision."
Nalan Yanran was about to explain, but Nalan Jie interrupted her with a wave of his hand.
"You, shut up!"
"Yanran, if you don't want to marry a useless person, I can understand. But do you know what happened after you left?"
"Your fiancé, Xiao Yan, not only regained his former outstanding talents but also took a mysterious Alchemist as his mentor. His future is limitless!"
A complex expression appeared on Nalan Jie's face. Not only Xiao Yan, but also Xiao Zhan, the head of the Xiao Family, with the help of the Pill, had made rapid progress and become a Dou Spirit powerhouse. After dealing with the Jia Lie family, they immediately took action against the Ao Ba family, allowing the Xiao Family to completely dominate Wu Tan City!
Nalan Jie believed that the rise of the Xiao Family would inevitably return to the Imperial Capital, becoming a powerful family not inferior to the Nalan Family. Therefore, whether out of loyalty or self-interest, the alliance between the Nalan Family and the Xiao Family was a good thing that maximized the interests of the family. Yet, his granddaughter, unaware of the benefits, dared to go to the Xiao Family for a divorce!
"."
Upon hearing the unexpected news, Yun Tianming's eyes flashed with a thoughtful expression.
Yao Chen took preemptive action, resolving the concerns of the Xiao Family, creating a favorable environment for Xiao Yan's growth.
It seems that there can be no room for the slightest relaxation in the upcoming three-year agreement!
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