"Heh, the Third Young Master does have a point. My surname is not Xiao; it's Gu. Strictly speaking, I am indeed not a member of the Xiao family. Over the years, I have relied on the care of Uncle Xiao, several elders, and various uncles and aunts."
"Here's the deal: recently, I plan to travel. I will hand over my medical clinic in Wutan City to the Xiao family as a way to repay their care over the years."
"Xun'er, since the Third Young Master has already said this, let's spare him this time."
"Besides, someone like the Third Young Master, I could crush with a single finger. His angry roars have no effect on me."
Gu Changqing smiled, slowly walking forward, and looked at the trembling Xiao Yan, speaking casually.
"Not to mention that Xiao Yan is not even a Fighter right now."
"Pfft!"
Nalan Yanran was amused by Gu Changqing's words, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked in his direction.
She couldn't argue with Xiao Yan, not because she lacked reason, but because Xiao Yan was skilled at shifting concepts and arguing forcefully.
It wasn't until Gu Changqing pointed out Xiao Yan's shamelessness and hypocrisy that she had an epiphany.
Feeling immense gratitude towards Gu Changqing, she realized that her previous humiliation over Xiao Yan's annulment was unnecessary.
"How degrading!"
"Swish!"
"Out of respect for Uncle Xiao, I will spare you this time. The Xiao family did raise me, but it's unrelated to you, Xiao Yan. I will repay the Xiao family's kindness in my own way. Third Young Master only needs to keep his mouth shut."
Xiao Xun'er withdrew her golden flames, gave Xiao Yan a cold warning, and turned to walk towards Gu Changqing.
Creak!
Creak!
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, making cracking sounds, and looked at Xiao Xun'er's graceful back with a sense of bitterness.
"Xiao Xun'er, today you have humiliated me like this. When I rise in the future, I will make you my slave beneath my feet!"
Xiao Yan roared with rage in his heart, but dared not speak a word.
"Alright, the farce is over. I should check on my patients at the clinic. Xun'er, let's go."
Gu Changqing called out to Xun'er and walked leisurely towards the hall exit.
"Wait!"
Seeing Gu Changqing about to leave, Nalan Yanran instinctively called out.
When Gu Changqing stopped and turned with a hint of curiosity, she took a few steps forward, feeling a mix of anxiety and hope.
"Thank you for helping me. My name is Nalan Yanran."
"It's nothing. I just couldn't stand certain people's rudeness."
Gu Changqing waved his hand and walked out without looking back.
Nalan Yanran opened her mouth but ultimately swallowed her words as she saw Gu Changqing leave without a backward glance.
However, she firmly remembered Gu Changqing's appearance.
It was the first time someone so genuinely understood her and supported her decision to annul the engagement.
She felt she had found a confidant, even though she didn't know him well.
"Hmph, Gu Changqing, I'll remember you!"
Watching her crush fixate on Gu Changqing's disappearing figure, the handsome young man narrowed his eyes slightly, formulating a vicious plan.
After leaving the hall, Gu Changqing did not immediately head to his clinic.
Instead, he asked Xiao Xun'er to help gather some herbs from the market.
He then turned and used an invisibility spell, heading towards the Xiao family's back mountain.
In the back mountain, Gu Changqing changed into a black masked outfit, completely blending into the mountain. Ordinary people could not detect him with their eyes or spiritual sense.
This is the marvel of the cultivation world's invisibility technique.
"Young Master Changqing's methods are indeed extraordinary. This concealment technique is something even I cannot easily detect."
In the shadows of the mountain, Ling Ying, who had been sent by Xiao Xun'er to protect Gu Changqing, marveled at Gu Changqing's concealment.
He was a Dou Huang with a dark attribute, skilled in stealth.
Even so, when Gu Changqing used the invisibility technique, he could not detect him at all if he stayed still.
A fighter being able to hide from a dark attribute Dou Huang's senses highlights Gu Changqing's impressive abilities.
Gu Changqing remained motionless, concealed within the mountain.
Ling Ying was puzzled as to why Gu Changqing was hiding here—was he perhaps practicing some unique technique?
Until a figure exuding an ominous and violent aura arrived at the location.
Ling Ying's expression turned strange.
"Ah."
"Gu Changqing, Xiao Xun'er, you have opposed me and embarrassed me since childhood!"
"Today, you have further humiliated me. In the future, I will make you repay this debt of blood a thousand times over!"
Xiao Yan ran to the peak of the Xiao family's back mountain, gazing up at the sky, venting his anger and frustration.
He had never felt such intense humiliation before!
Even the three years of being treated as a waste, he had endured.
But today, Gu Changqing had come out to expose his final shred of dignity; Xiao Xun'er had come to kill him when he was unable to fight back.
This humiliation would make him remember for life, never to forget!
He swore not to be Xiao Yan unless he avenged this grievance!
"Heh, little kid, it looks like you need some help, huh?"
Just as Xiao Yan buried a seed of hatred in his heart, an old, eerie laughter suddenly reached his ears.
Xiao Yan's face changed, and he quickly turned around, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, but he couldn't see anyone.
"Hehe, don't look for me. I'm on your finger."
The eerie voice came clearly again, causing Xiao Yan to tremble in shock.
He immediately looked at the black ring on his right hand.
"Are you the one speaking?"
Xiao Yan forced himself to calm his pounding heart and asked with a trembling voice.
"Not bad for a little kid, you didn't even get scared off."
A teasing laugh came from the ring.
"Who are you? Why are you in my ring? What do you want?"
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and quickly asked his questions.
"Who I am is not important. As long as I won't harm you, it's fine. Ah, after all these years, finally, I've met a person with a strong enough soul. It's quite lucky. Hehe, but thanks to you for the past three years of offerings. Otherwise, I would still be in deep slumber."
The old voice carried a hint of mockery and malice.
But to Xiao Yan, it was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.