Chapter 123: It's Late… Why Don't You Stay the Night?
The process of removing the Luo Poison was uneventful. After three full hours of focused detoxification, the poison within Nalan Jie was completely purged.
As Xiao Yuan withdrew his finger from Nalan Jie's back, a surge of powerful aura burst forth, forcing Nalan Su—who had been holding a jade flower pot—and Nalan Yanran several steps back.
But soon after, the forceful aura quickly dissipated. Nalan Jie's face turned pale—freshly recovered from a grave illness, it was not advisable for him to recklessly use his Dou Qi.
"Heh, mission accomplished. Congratulations, Elder Nalan, the Luo Poison has been thoroughly removed from your body!"
Sitting closest yet unaffected, Xiao Yuan casually wiped the sweat from his brow. Seeing a trace of healthy color return to Nalan Jie's face, he announced with a bright smile.
As expected, part of the Luo Poison followed the Heavenly Flame back into his own body.
"Hoo…"
Nalan Jie exhaled a deep breath of turbid air—gone was the usual black miasma that accompanied his cultivation. No trace of poison remained within. Indeed, as Xiao Yuan had claimed, the toxin was completely eradicated.
"Such grace needs no thanks. You mentioned the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva—it's already here. As for the other rewards the family prepared, they're in this storage ring. But truly, my life is worth more than such items. Today, I, Nalan Jie, vow to repay this favor if ever I get the chance!"
Rising slowly to his feet, Nalan Jie looked solemn as he spoke to Xiao Yuan.
Xiao Yuan only smiled in return. Some promises were better heard than believed.
"This is the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva. It's said that when refined into liquid with a flame, it can rapidly restore an exhausted soul."
Nalan Su stepped forward with the flower pot, smiling as he spoke.
Xiao Yuan finally looked down at the plant and was instantly struck by its refreshing fragrance.
The potted plant glowed like emerald jade. At its top, a flower with seven vibrant hues slowly unfurled, its colors shimmering and cycling in a mesmerizing display.
"Heh, it took a lot to get this. In fact, I got poisoned by the Luo Poison while retrieving it…"
Nalan Jie said with a complicated smile.
"Mm. A fine treasure indeed."
Xiao Yuan nodded with appreciation.
"May I ask—your soul force is extremely strong. Do you truly need this yourself?"
Nalan Jie asked curiously.
"Oh, it's not for me. My brother, Xiao Yan, is participating in the Alchemist Grand Meeting, but he was injured during his recent training. His soul was heavily depleted. I need this to help him recover. With his strength, he can definitely win the championship."
Xiao Yuan casually spun the tale as he accepted the plant from Nalan Su.
"Oh, then it's certainly needed. A damaged soul is no joke. If left untreated, it will definitely hinder future achievements."
Nalan Jie nodded, stroking his beard in understanding.
"Yes, that's why I won't delay. My teacher is still waiting outside. Since the engagement is now dissolved, Miss Nalan is free, and I must help my brother recover. I'll take my leave now."
Xiao Yuan said politely, eager to be gone.
This house—he truly didn't care to linger in.
"Heh, I'll walk you out."
Nalan Jie offered with a smile.
"No need. You've just recovered—you should rest. A junior like me shouldn't trouble his elders."
Xiao Yuan declined with a warm smile.
"Come now, I'm still a Dou Wang. Without the poison, I'll be fully recovered soon. A few steps is nothing."
Nalan Jie chuckled heartily.
"Still, I'd rather not. My father would scold me for letting an elder see me off. Please, stay. I'll take my leave."
Xiao Yuan shook his head and left before Nalan Jie could respond.
"Yanran, go see him off."
Nalan Jie quickly urged, realizing Xiao Yuan had no desire to deepen ties with the Nalan family. Though he didn't show it on his face, he was secretly panicking.
"Oh."
Nalan Yanran didn't think much of it. Grateful for Xiao Yuan's help in saving her grandfather, she felt it right to see him off.
"Sigh…"
Nalan Jie could only sigh in frustration. His granddaughter was still so clueless.
"Oh! Make sure to tell him that although the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva can be stored in a ring, it needs at least one hour of sunlight daily or it will wither!"
He called out hurriedly.
"Got it!"
Nalan Yanran replied lazily from outside.
Back inside, Nalan Jie and Nalan Su exchanged a look and sighed in unison.
They should've just locked Yanran up years ago…
"With that strength, Xiao Yuan is no ordinary Dou Shi—he's likely a high-tier Da Dou Shi. Three hours using Heavenly Flame without running dry? That's the kind of Dou Qi reserve a Dou Ling would have. His techniques must be top-grade. I fear the Xiao family is about to rise again…"
Nalan Jie muttered.
"I spoke with his teacher. That man's likely a peak Dou Wang—possibly even a Dou Huang. Yanran was too impulsive. Such a promising match, carelessly annulled... sigh."
Nalan Su added with a bitter smile.
"His teacher… a Dou Huang???"
Nalan Jie blinked, suddenly feeling dizzy.
What a foolish granddaughter!
Meanwhile, outside, Nalan Yanran smiled brightly.
"Thank you for everything. If not for you, grandfather might've died. We owe you a huge debt."
"No need for thanks. Our grandfathers were friends. Helping him was the right thing to do—especially since the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva was fair payment. It'll help my brother. One life for another, you could say. If his cultivation had been stunted again… he might've lost his mind."
Xiao Yuan replied calmly.
To the Nalan family, he now only spoke in terms of transactions—not sentiment.
"Still, thank you. For saving Grandfather… and for everything between us."
Nalan Yanran said earnestly.
You should be thanking me!
Xiao Yuan thought wryly but said nothing as he waved to Hai Bodong.
"Hai Lao, I'm done here. Shall we go?"
"Mm, you sure took your time. I've already finished today's training."
Hai Bodong grumbled.
"Heh, thanks for waiting. Let's head home."
Xiao Yuan smiled as they walked out of Nalan Manor.
"Miss Nalan, this is where we part."
He said cheerfully before turning to the opposite residence.
At the gate, some servants were hanging a new plaque—each bore the Mittal family's crest.
As the two approached, the servants stopped to greet them:
"Young Master Xiao Yuan, Elder Hai!"
"Mm."
Hai Bodong nodded casually—it was clear Mittal Tengshan had prepared this.
Xiao Yuan was slightly surprised but quickly smiled and tossed a bag of coins to the nearest servant.
"It's hot today—this is for refreshments."
"Many thanks, Young Master Xiao Yuan!"
The servants beamed with gratitude.
Watching them enter the mansion, Nalan Yanran blinked, puzzled. Then her eyes widened.
The servants had just unveiled the golden plaque:
Xiao Residence.
Realizing something was off, she turned and ran back inside.
Within the courtyard, Xiao Yuan saw Ya Fei in her elegant cheongsam and Xiao Yan smiling as he stepped forward to greet him.
"Brother, Hai Lao! I went to the auction house and Ya Fei said you went to Nalan Manor, so she brought me here."
After a quick explanation, Xiao Yan added:
"You two chat. I'll go find ingredients at the Alchemist Guild and won't be back tonight."
"This brat…"
Xiao Yuan chuckled helplessly, then turned to the smiling Ya Fei.
"Thanks, Sister Ya Fei."
He didn't say what for—but she understood. Smiling with charm, she replied:
"No, it's me who should thank you. Thanks to you, I've secured my position in the family for years to come."
"Heh, it was the right thing to do. And today's annulment went smoothly too—Nalan Jie had no choice but to agree, especially after I saved him. I'm finally free!"
Grinning, Xiao Yuan slipped an arm around her waist.
Blushing, Ya Fei leaned into him and whispered:
"I still remember the first time we met—you were shorter than me. Now, you're someone I can lean on… Time flies."
"Yeah… give me ten years and I'll stand at the peak of the continent."
Xiao Yuan nodded solemnly.
"Mm. And I'll be right beside you."
Ya Fei smiled with gentle radiance.
"So… it's late. Why don't you stay the night?"
Xiao Yuan whispered, eyes locked on her under the moonlight.
"Why else would I have come?"
Ya Fei replied in a soft, sultry tone.
Muah.
Unable to resist, Xiao Yuan planted a kiss on her cheek.
Her face turned crimson, looking like a ripened peach.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yuan lifted her into his arms, summoned his Purple Cloud Wings, and—with her direction—flew toward the bedroom.
(END CHAPTER)
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