"What is there to fear?" Xiao Yan straightened his back and agreed without the slightest hesitation.
"As expected of someone from my Xiao Family — he has backbone!" Xiao Tian stepped forward and declared loudly, "I also believe that Yan-di will recover his original talent in the future. Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to the west — do not bully a young man into poverty!"
"Tian Ge speaks well!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
Nalan Yanran turned her gaze to Xiao Tian, her brows slightly furrowed. "Who are you?"
"Who I am has nothing to do with you, and you don't need to know," Xiao Tian replied expressionlessly.
"You…" Nalan Yanran's pretty face turned ashen with anger.
Xiao Yan cut in coldly before she could continue, "Nalan Yanran, besides your looks, this young master doesn't care for anything else about you. I have zero interest in a so-called genius wife like you."
He walked straight to the desk, wrote furiously, then bit his palm and pressed his blood-stained handprint onto the paper. Slapping the document onto the table beside Nalan Yanran, he said firmly:
"Also, if I win three years from now, there's no need to annul the engagement. This young master will personally divorce you from the Xiao Family!"
Hearing those words and staring at the divorce letter, Nalan Yanran's face filled with disbelief. The sudden reversal left her stunned.
"How dare you! How can you insult Junior Sister Yanran like this?!" The male disciple accompanying her shouted sternly.
"What are you? Do you have the right to speak here?" Xiao Tian turned and stared at the man with sharp eyes. A faint trace of silver lightning flashed deep within his gaze.
The man felt as if he had been struck by an invisible pressure and instantly shut his mouth, not daring to utter another word.
Nalan Yanran finally snapped out of her daze. "You… you actually dare to divorce me?!"
Xiao Yan gave her one last cold glance, then ignored her completely. He turned, knelt before Xiao Zhan, and kowtowed heavily.
"Father, three years from now, Yan-er will personally wash away today's humiliation for you!"
After speaking, Xiao Yan stood up straight and left the hall without looking back.
Nalan Yanran no longer wished to stay. She rose, gave a silent bow to Xiao Zhan, and walked toward the exit.
"Take your things with you." Xiao Zhan flung the jade box containing the Qi Gathering Powder. Ge Ye caught it steadily and followed Nalan Yanran out.
As she passed Xiao Tian, he spoke coldly, "Nalan Yanran, I hope you won't regret today's actions in the future."
Nalan Yanran paused, gave Xiao Tian a deep, meaningful look, then left without another word.
"Everyone may leave. Tian-er, stay behind," Xiao Zhan waved his hand.
Xiao Tian turned to Xun'er and said softly, "You go back first. I'll come find you later."
Xiao Xun'er nodded obediently and walked out.
Once the hall was empty, Xiao Zhan gripped Xiao Tian's shoulders tightly, his hands trembling with emotion. "Tian-er, what is your current strength?"
"Four-star Dou Practitioner," Xiao Tian answered truthfully.
"Good! Good! Good!" Xiao Zhan laughed excitedly. "Tomorrow, I'll open the Dou Qi Pavilion for you to choose a suitable cultivation technique."
"Father, I already have one," Xiao Tian said. "Xun'er gave it to me."
Far away, on her way back to her courtyard, Xiao Xun'er suddenly felt a strange warmth in her heart and murmured, "Is Brother Xiao Tian thinking of me…?"
Xiao Zhan was no longer surprised upon hearing that Xun'er had provided the technique. He simply nodded. "We'll still open the pavilion. It can serve as a cover."
"Yes, Father. You are indeed thoughtful," Xiao Tian replied seriously.
While Xiao Tian and his father were talking, Xiao Yan had already reached the peak of the rear mountain. There, he had just discovered the phantom soul body responsible for his declining Dou Qi over the past three years. He was currently pointing at Yao Lao and cursing loudly.
Of course, he was soon coaxed by Yao Lao's sugar-coated promises and his own burning desire for strength, leading to the formal apprenticeship ceremony.
After bidding farewell to Xiao Zhan, Xiao Tian headed toward Xiao Xun'er's courtyard. On the way, he ran into Xiao Yan coming down from the back mountain. Seeing his brother's hesitant expression, Xiao Tian instantly understood.
"Want to borrow money?" he asked directly.
"How did you know?" Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly.
"You and I are brothers. I can guess what you're thinking with just one look. Tell me, how much?"
Xiao Yan held up one finger. "One thousand gold coins."
Two jade cards appeared behind Xiao Tian's back. He quickly transferred the amount from his black card to the light blue one, reducing his balance from five thousand to one thousand. He then handed the black jade card over.
"Here, one thousand gold coins. Remember to repay one thousand five hundred."
He stuffed the card into Xiao Yan's hand and turned to leave.
Xiao Yan reacted a second later. "Tian Ge! Wait! Didn't you say we're brothers? You're actually charging me interest?!"
"You don't need to thank me. Just remember to repay the money," Xiao Tian waved without looking back.
Xiao Yan stared at the jade card and muttered to Yao Lao inside the ring, "Teacher, I hope your Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid is reliable… I'm already heavily in debt before even starting."
"Don't worry, once you try it, you won't be able to stop. Also, your brother is not simple. There's a deeply hidden, violent lightning aura inside him that even I can't fully sense."
After making a small profit, Xiao Tian arrived at the entrance of Xun'er's courtyard.
He closed the system interface in his mind, then knocked gently on the door.
Footsteps sounded, and the courtyard gate opened. The young girl's face lit up with joy when she saw him.
"Brother Xiao Tian, you're here!"
Xiao Tian noticed she had changed out of her earlier outfit into a fresh, elegant dress — the same one from the manga when she went shopping with Xiao Yan. He couldn't help teasing, "Oh? Little beauty, you're dressed so nicely today. Do you have a date with someone?"
"Yes, yes! Someone promised to come find me today, so of course I have to dress up beautifully!" Xun'er replied with a playful giggle, her eyes curving into crescents.
Xiao Tian took her soft hand and smiled. "Then let's go, beautiful Miss Xun'er. I'll take you to explore Wu Tan City."
Leaving the Xiao Family compound, the two walked and chatted happily as they made their way to the bustling market under the Xiao Family's control. After greeting Uncle Payne, they continued browsing the lively stalls.
While Xiao Xun'er stopped at a jewelry stall to admire some delicate pieces, Xiao Tian turned his attention inward and spoke to the system.
Just then, a clear and slightly arrogant voice rang out nearby:
"Oh? Isn't this Miss Xun'er? What a coincidence to meet you here! Miss Xun'er, would you grace me with your presence and have a meal together?"