Chapter 71: Teacher, These Three Years Were So Painful—Wuwuwu!
Bro… my dear bro, are you trying to kill me? Give me back my feelings!
Xiao Yan looked at the letter Jiang Lin had sent, his face darkening with a helpless, bitter smile.
He had just been deeply moved—and now he felt like he'd been duped. And it wasn't as if Jiang Lin could've guessed Nalan Yanran's real purpose in coming. Xiao Yan himself couldn't have predicted it.
"Brother Xiao Yan, what are you looking at? Let Xun'er see too." Nearby, Xiao Xun'er noticed the odd expression on his face and couldn't help but approach curiously—wondering what that sly Jiang Lin had written this time.
"No—don't—it's nothing!" Xiao Yan, still bitterly smiling, was startled by her sudden approach. He quickly stuffed the letter into his chest, stammering nervously.
Honestly, Xiao Yan didn't hold any real affection for Nalan Yanran. If she had wanted to break off their engagement, a private conversation would've sufficed. He wouldn't have refused. What truly enraged him today—causing him to declare "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west, don't bully the poor youth" and slam a divorce letter in her face—was how Nalan Yanran's actions humiliated his father, who had stood beside him with a forced smile.
If given the choice, Xiao Yan would have always chosen the one who silently supported him from behind—Xiao Xun'er—if only he were worthy.
Though he declared a "three-year agreement" today, Xiao Yan had little confidence deep down. Still, with Nalan Yanran stepping on him like that, how could he not fight back? If that damned ring didn't activate soon, he'd take it off and train on his own. Whether Dou Practitioner or Dou Master, he'd challenge Yunlan Sect even if it killed him.
If he was going to die, he'd die standing.
Too fiery? Hey, his name is Xiao Huo Huo ("Little Fire Fire")! If you mess with him, he'll burn with you!
…But still.
"Really… Ah—no, Xun'er, there's really nothing to see—!" Xiao Yan tried to resist, but he was only a mere Dou Qi stage 3 waste. How could he stand against Xiao Xun'er, the genius who was already at stage 9? In the end, she snatched the letter from his hands.
"…"
Xiao Xun'er stared at the line of text in silence for a long moment. Then, suddenly, she smiled radiantly.
For some reason, Xiao Yan felt a chill run down his back at that smile. There was something ominous behind it.
"Hehe, so that's all it says? And here I thought it was something important, Brother Xiao Yan."
Her tone was sweet, but there was a hint of teeth-gritting fury buried in it.
"Aww, what a shame for Sister Yanran. So beautiful… and even Jiang Lin thinks you two make a great couple."
"…"
Xiao Yan's brain buzzed. Fortunately, Xiao Xun'er didn't continue. She simply left with a sunny smile, giving Xiao Yan a moment of relief.
Linh-ge… you're dead, Xiao Yan thought silently, a little pleased despite his own chaos.
Xiao Yan had always sensed Xiao Xun'er's feelings for him. Three years ago, he had truly liked her too. But his "fall from grace" left him lacking confidence—like a man who bet everything, lost it all, and didn't dare return home to face his wife.
Xiao Xun'er's background was special. Xiao Yan understood. Back when he was a proud genius, he had the courage to love her. But now, feeling like he'd lost everything… sigh.
—
That evening, in the Xiao Clan's back mountains, Xiao Yan lay on the grass, arm under his head, quietly gazing at the old black ring on his necklace under the moonlight.
After a while, he shook his head and smiled bitterly. Maybe this is my fate. All those shortcut treasures—none of them were meant for me.
With only three years left, Xiao Yan's gaze gradually firmed. Even if he died, he'd die as a Dou Practitioner or a Dou Master—not relying on some mysterious old man in a ring.
From now on, I'll follow Lin-ge! Xiao Yan's eyes lit with resolve as he yanked the ring from his necklace, his mind made up thanks to Jiang Lin's antics.
'Lin-ge… I'm all in with you now!'
And then—
"Hehehe, little brat, wanna get stronger?"
A mysterious old man's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.
Ring Grandpa had finally gone online!
Yao Chen (Yao Lao) felt quite helpless. This wasn't how he'd imagined his dramatic entrance… but if he waited any longer, this boy he had his eye on would hand him over to someone else.
Truthfully, Yao Lao had been awake for a while now, silently observing Xiao Yan's personality. To be honest, it was mediocre at best. And because of that damn Jiang Lin, Xiao Yan hadn't truly been cornered—something Yao Lao found very unsatisfying.
But earlier today, watching Xiao Yan stand up in the Xiao Clan hall and show real backbone—that stirred something in him.
And then tonight, watching Xiao Yan struggle and ultimately resolve to rely only on himself rather than illusions, Yao Lao finally confirmed: this boy had the mindset of a top-tier powerhouse!
But then—
"I do! Ring Grandpa, help me! You have no idea how miserable these three years were—wuwuwu!"
Yao Lao watched, speechless, as the same black-robed youth who just vowed to walk his own path was now kneeling, tears streaming, holding the ring in both hands and banging his head on the ground.
Yao Lao: "…"
Well, okay. Being flexible and knowing when to switch gears is a virtue… and it saved Yao Lao a whole lot of explanation.
"…Fine. I've accepted your offerings for three years anyway. I guess I'll reluctantly take you as my disciple. You know what an alchemist is, right? I'll teach you how to become one."
Though Xiao Yan's personality had taken a bit of a turn—corrupted, perhaps, by prolonged exposure to certain mischievous elements—Yao Lao genuinely approved of his mentality. After all, true strength came from knowing when to advance and when to retreat.
Of course, Jiang Lin, that little rascal with no filter and lightning-fast reactions, had rubbed off on Xiao Yan a little too well. Yao Lao couldn't help but harbor a slight grudge.
And just to be clear: that grudge had nothing—absolutely nothing—to do with the fact that Jiang Lin had alchemist potential but chose to become a blacksmith instead.
"An alchemist?! Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"
Xiao Yan dropped to his knees and kowtowed—unstoppable and eager.
Illusions? Nah.
His Ring Grandpa was real, baby!
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1