"I came here on my own… Teacher never permitted me to seek Mansion Master Xiao out." Nalan Yanran let out a bitter laugh, her voice tinged with awkwardness.
Xiao Hua only gave a slight nod. He was not surprised. With Yun Yun's character, even if she were to encounter a situation beyond her ability to resolve, she would never willingly come to him for help. That woman's stubbornness cut so deep it was enough to make one's heart ache.
The very fact that she deliberately erased her traces, hiding from him across the Central Plains, was proof of that obstinate determination.
"Mansion Master Xiao may not know this, but after Teacher and I arrived in the Central Plains, we joined the Flower Sect…" Nalan Yanran began slowly. "The sect is unique. It accepts only women. Unlike the great powers that endlessly compete for dominance, the Flower Sect keeps little aggression. If one were to describe it… it is more like a hermit sect, hidden from worldly strife."
"I know of it," Xiao Hua replied calmly, his tone carrying faint agreement. "Compared to the Profound Sky Sect, one of the Central Plains' two great sects, the Flower Sect indeed maintains an exceptionally low profile."
Even he had once been startled when his second elder sister, Xin Yu, mentioned that the sect was composed entirely of women and young maidens. He could not help but wonder what kind of Qi Methods and Dou Techniques were being practised within such a place to sustain such a peculiar existence.
"We joined only because Teacher liked the atmosphere," Nalan Yanran continued. "So she accepted the position of Guest Elder. We lived quietly within their territory. If no accidents occurred, neither Teacher nor I would have stirred any ripples in the Flower Sect. After all, with our strength, we could only be considered average among them."
Her words carried a faint bitterness as she went on, "But the situation changed in our second year. Teacher and I had chosen a mountain within the sect's territory as our residence. Normally, no one visited us, and we assumed we were the only ones living there. Who could have expected that, while wandering the mountain, Teacher would discover a hidden cave? Inside… was an old woman with crippled legs."
At that, a ripple flickered across Xiao Hua's calm eyes. His heart sank faintly.
"As expected… Yun Yun's path still leads to the same place," he thought, a trace of heaviness pressing in his chest.
Some fluctuations stirred within Xiao Hua's eyes upon hearing this. As expected, Yun Yun's path had not strayed from the one written in the novel…
Flame quietly listened as Nalan Yanran recounted the old woman's temperament, their fierce and violent first encounter, and Yun Yun's patience with tending her care. Despite being injured by the old woman, Yun Yun never failed to deliver food to her every single day for two years.
Only after those two years did the old woman finally step out of her cave, living together with them for a year.
Flame let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. "To deliver food for two years to someone who had once harmed her… just how kind must a person be to persist with such determination?"
Nalan Yanran continued without pause, describing how the old woman's temper gradually softened. They eventually learned her name, though her origins remained uncertain. Still, it was clear that the old granny's lifespan was nearing its end, and after a year, she reached the twilight of her life.
"Yet, just as she was about to breathe her last, she suddenly used a strange technique—without a word of explanation—to seal all of her Dou Qi into teacher's body. She even handed teacher a jade tablet, asking her to succeed her as the chief of the Flower Sect…"
Nalan Yanran let out a soft sigh upon reaching this part. Her throat dry, she lifted the teacup prepared for her and took a slow sip. Raising her gaze, she caught sight of Flame's peculiar expression.
A quiet, bitter laugh slipped from her lips as she continued, "Quite bizarre, isn't it? Teacher and I also felt it was unbelievable at the time. Teacher had personally examined Granny Hua when saving her, and there wasn't the slightest trace of Dou Qi within her body."
"However," she added softly, "judging from Granny Hua's display on her final day, she was undoubtedly an extremely powerful expert—one who had reached the peak of the Dou Zun class."
Flame's lips moved, yet no words emerged. He truly found their journey both amusing and absurd.
"Teacher was rather helpless in the face of such an abrupt situation. Yet she had no interest in becoming the so-called chief of the Flower Sect. Thus, after burying Granny Hua, she chose to simply remain there." Nalan Yanran continued with a faint smile.
Xiao Hua nodded. He could easily discern the reason behind Yun Yun's decision and her disinterest in assuming the chief's position. It stemmed from her past and the bonds she had yet to untangle…
"Who would have expected that half a year ago, the acting chief of the Flower Sect suddenly appeared, demanding teacher to hand over the chief's jade tablet? Teacher, not wishing to be meddlesome, eventually handed it over. Yet soon after, that woman came seeking us again—this time demanding the Dou Qi Granny Hua had sealed within teacher's body." Fury surfaced in Nalan Yanran's eyes as she spoke, her voice trembling with anger. "Clearly, she is the type to ask for an inch and take a mile."
"I assume this Acting Chief has some sort of backer. Otherwise, the Elders would never remain silent while she acted so brazenly…" Flame asked, his tone calm.
Nalan Yanran nodded slightly. "Her backer is her companion, Yaohua Liangjun. He possesses the strength of a six-star Dou Zun."
Flame stroked his chin, his gaze deep. "Since you are here, that must mean Yun Yun has yet to fully refine the Dou Qi Granny Hua left behind. Otherwise, there would be no reason for this so-called acting chief to behave in such a manner…"
"How could teacher possibly refine such an immense amount of Dou Qi in so short a time?" Nalan Yanran let out a bitter laugh, her voice soft but heavy. "The seal has already fused into her body. To tear it out would be to take her life. That woman clearly intends to kill teacher."
"Fortunately," she went on, "Granny Hua seemed to have made some arrangements before her passing. Quite a number of Elders now stand by teacher's side, and so that woman dares not attempt a direct snatch. However, she has already issued a challenge, insisting on a duel with teacher…"
"A duel should have been fair," Nalan Yanran's bitter smile deepened, "but the Flower Sect has a peculiar rule—men and women are permitted to fight as a pair. In other words, that woman can battle alongside Yaohua Liangjun…"
"Fight together, huh…?" Xiao Hua's brows furrowed, though he was not surprised by such a rule. He had long known of the Flower Sect's peculiar traditions.
"Perhaps teacher grew too weary of being constantly pestered… in the end, she agreed to this match. Yet even without Yaohua Liangjun, that acting chief is already a four-star Dou Zun." Nalan Yanran's voice carried helplessness.
"When provoked, she becomes single-minded to the extreme…" Flame rubbed his temples and sighed lightly. He knew all too well how Yun Yun acted once her patience reached its limit, yet even so, he could not help but feel she was far too reckless.
To accept this duel with such a condition—was this not akin to sending herself to death?
Lifting his head, his tone steadied. "I understand why you came. But since she has already agreed, I cannot simply appear and interfere, lest her reputation be stained…"
Just as he was pondering his next move, a voice as gentle as a tranquil lake suddenly resonated within the room.
"Since that is the case, why not let your disciple fight in your place? I can vouch for her participation, and she will certainly be willing. Moreover, this way, Yun Yun's reputation will remain unsullied…"
Nalan Yanran's heart trembled. Startled, she turned toward the empty chair beside her—only to find an elegant lady seated there, a serene smile resting on her lips.
"Sister Xin Yu… what do you mean by that?"
Xiao Hua—Flame, his clone—raised a brow and glanced toward Xin Yu. Her sudden appearance did not surprise him, for he had already sensed her arrival. What intrigued him were her words.
"Have you forgotten that I am a Guest Elder of the Flower Sect?" Xin Yu said with a soft sigh. "Granted, I rarely mention it, as I am always busy with the Hall of Souls and my disciples. But I have told you all before—if it concerns the Flower Sect, come to me and allow me to handle it."
Flame nodded. Among the five of them, Xin Yu indeed had the most disciples. In addition, she had recently taken another—a young lady named Hai Qingyao. Thus, she was always the busiest, personally watching over and guiding each one.
"Furthermore, I have heard from Lanxin that this Yaohua Liangjun once caused trouble for your disciple back when she was still at the Dou Zong class. Fortunately, Han Laoran and Lanxin were nearby and forced him to retreat. But ever since then, she has harbored a grudge…" Xin Yu added with a faint smile.
"He troubled Yan Xiaoyu? Why have I never heard of this before…?" Flame was startled, clearly shaken that his student bore such enmity toward Yaohua Liangjun without his knowledge.
Xin Yu was not surprised by his reaction. She calmly recounted the entire incident: Yan Xiaoyu had won a certain item at a casual auction, an item that a particular elder from Yaohua Liangjun's camp coveted. To curry favor with that elder, Yaohua Liangjun shamelessly schemed against her. Fortunately, Lan Haoran and Shui Lanxin happened to be present and lent their aid, forcing him to retreat. Even so, he brazenly stole the item before fleeing.
"She told them to keep quiet about it, since she intended to settle this debt herself. So it is not strange that you never heard of it…" Xin Yu concluded with a faint smile.
"Then how did Sister Xin Yu learn of it?" Flame's brows lifted slightly, finding it odd that Xin Yu knew while he did not.
"I happened to overhear Xiaoyu venting to Lanxin—her frustrations, her dissatisfaction… especially how that Yaohua Liangjun would flee at full speed whenever she appeared after she has reach Dou Zun class." Xin Yu replied casually, raising her cup and sipping her tea.
"And you became curious, then forced them to tell you the truth, didn't you…?" Flame laughed dryly and shook his head with a bitter smile.
No wonder she knew when he did not. After all, everyone was well aware of how chilling Xin Yu's cold smile could be—none would dare risk angering her.
Flame shook his head lightly before turning to Nalan Yanran. With a soft smile, he said,
"Regardless, since Sister Xin Yu has spoken, we will set out once everything is prepared…"
Nalan Yanran's face brightened with joy. Rising to her feet, she bowed slightly and spoke with a radiant smile,
"Thank you, Mansion Master Xiao! Thank you, Lady Serene Lake!"
Xin Yu inclined her head and asked in a gentle voice, "How much time remains until the match?"
"Half a month…" Nalan Yanran answered softly.
"Half a month, hmm… Xiaoyu is still in seclusion," Xiao Hua murmured, stroking his chin in thought.
"It takes no more than a few hours to reach the Flower Sect. If we depart at the last moment, your disciple should have emerged from her retreat by then," Xin Yu added calmly.
After discussing their plans in greater detail, Xiao Hua and Xin Yu took their leave, while Nalan Yanran was treated with the respect due to her position.
…
After leaving the hall, Flame returned directly to his abode to inform Xun Er, the Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan about Yun Yun's predicament.
"I see… I did not expect something like this to have happened to Sister Yun Yun…"
Xun Er's soft voice carried her surprise, her clear eyes reflecting both astonishment and concern as she listened to Yun Yun's turbulent situation.
"Elder Sister Yun Yun must have been thoroughly vexed by that Acting Chief's attitude and endless pestering. Otherwise, she would never have agreed to such a duel…" Zi Yan crossed her arms and nodded firmly.
"Indeed. I cannot help but wonder how many times she was pressed, and with what words, for her to accept despite knowing the absurdity and unfairness of the match…" The Little Fairy Doctor tilted her head thoughtfully as she set down a porcelain tea set upon the table, pouring tea for Xiao Hua with her usual grace.
Unlike Xun Er, who had never met Yun Yun, both Zi Yan and the Little Fairy Doctor shared a close bond with her. Whenever Yun Yun had free time, she would remain in the small valley, spending those tranquil days together with them.
"Since she left behind the jade tablet and such power, that mysterious Granny Hua must have been the previous Sect Chief of the Flower Sect—Hua Yun. An extraordinary and formidable figure indeed." Xun Er's slender fingers brushed against her snow-white chin as she spoke with quiet elegance.
She then lifted her head, her lips curving into a faint smile.
"If I recall correctly, she was haughty and had no shortage of enemies. Yet, she never once accepted a disciple in her life, for her nature was eccentric and she trusted no one easily. For Yun Yun to earn her trust and even inherit her legacy… one must say she is both steadfast and blessed."
Xiao Hua, Zi Yan, and the Little Fairy Doctor nodded, unable to disagree with Xun Er's words about Yun Yun's fortune.
"However," Zi Yan spoke softly, her violet eyes glinting with thought, "that Yaohua Liangjun is from the Profound Sky Sect. His sudden appearance cannot be mere coincidence."
"I believe their goal is to swallow the Flower Sect," the Little Fairy Doctor replied with a faint smile. "Zi Yan, you may not know this, but the Profound Sky Sect is both ambitious and ruthless. They crave dominance—devouring other factions and suppressing those who dare to rise."
"So, the Profound Sky Sect seeks to devour the Flower Sect?" Zi Yan's eyes widened in disbelief. "But isn't the Flower Sect's Great Elder an intermediate-level Dou Sheng? What a terrifying appetite they have…"
She understood well that within the structure of 'One Mansion, One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Three Pavilions', both the Flower Sect and the Profound Sky Sect held remarkable status. Though it might seem a matter of formality, reaching such a level of recognition was itself proof of immense strength.
However, even if the Flower Sect was slightly weaker than Profound Sect Sky, a direct clash between the two would inevitably bring about severe casualties on both sides.
It became clear to her then—the Profound Sky Sect sought to exploit this so-called "relationship" with the Acting Chief as a means to erode the Flower Sect from within, dismantling it piece by piece until it became nothing more than a subordinate branch, just like the Profound Xuan Sect.
And that would be the best possible outcome. If misfortune befell them instead, the women of the Flower Sect would end up as mere servants, forced to attend to the men of the Profound Sky Sect.
After all, the Flower Sect was a sect of women only—each disciple a beauty in her own right, a temptation far too enticing for men whose hearts were driven by greed and lust.
"Regardless, I intend to save Yun Yun…"
Bringing the topic back, Xiao Hua shook his head. Yet, his voice gradually grew awkward as he felt the incredulous gazes of his elegant lovers fall upon him.
After a moment of silence, Xun Er took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Her soft sigh carried both helplessness and understanding.
"I have long known about the ambiguous bond between Brother Xiao Hua and Yun Yun," she said gently. "So, I am not planning to scold you…"
The Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan exchanged glances before nodding in understanding. They knew Xun Er's temperament well—she was not one to be consumed by jealousy or anger. In truth, they had spoken before about Yun Yun's place in Xiao Hua's heart, and thus, none of them felt jealousy or resentment toward him.
Xiao Hua quietly released a sigh of relief. Though guilt still tugged at his heart, he was at least comforted to know that Xun Er, the Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan did not hold anger toward him. Judging from their calm reactions, Ya Fei and Cai Lin likely shared the same sentiment.
Even so, Xiao Hua could sense that Xun Er had not yet finished. He remained silent, his heart tightening slightly as he braced himself for her next words.
Seeing that he was listening, Xun Er's gaze softened. Her voice, soft yet filled with quiet strength, drifted through the air like a serene melody.
"Nonetheless, I believe this may not be an ill thing for the two of you. I understand that the air between you and Yun Yun is still heavy with awkwardness. It is better to face it openly—speak what lies in your hearts and dissolve the unease that has long lingered between you."
Her lips curved faintly, but the smile carried a hidden trace of melancholy. "But, Brother Xiao Hua," her voice softened into a whisper, her gaze unwavering, "do not forget that the path you tread is not one you walk alone. Sister Cai Lin, Sister Ya Fei, Sister Fairy Doctor, Sister Zi Yan… and I—we are already walking beside you."
Xiao Hua's chest tightened as he looked at Xun Er, her autumn eyes calm yet filled with quiet depth. His gaze then swept across the others—the gentle Little Fairy Doctor, whose faint smile concealed warmth beneath serenity; Zi Yan, whose golden-coloured eyes carried a stubborn spark; and in his mind, he pictured Cai Lin in secluded cultivation, her icy composure concealing the fierce devotion of a Snake Queen; and Ya Fei, taking care the affairs of the Moonlit Chaos Mansion, yet always watching over him with that mature and knowing smile.
"…Xun'er, Xian'er, Zi Yan," Xiao Hua finally spoke, his voice low and earnest. "I owe you all far more than I can ever repay. Whether it's Yun Yun or anyone else… I won't let any of you be neglected. This, I swear."
He drew in a deep breath, his expression soft yet resolute.
"You are all my heart's pillars," he said quietly. "Cai'er in her long retreat, Fei'er handling countless matters to assist me, and you three standing before me now… each of you has given me strength in ways words can't describe. No matter how wide the heavens stretch or how far this path leads, I will not let any of you down. I will protect what we share—even if I must fight against the will of heaven itself."
His words carried no fiery arrogance, only the calm conviction of a man whose heart had long been tempered by love and loss.
A brief silence followed. Then, Xun Er's gaze softened even further. She looked at him with quiet pride, a faint smile blossoming upon her lips. The Little Fairy Doctor lowered her eyes slightly, a gentle warmth flickering within them. Zi Yan crossed her arms, turning her head aside with a huff, yet her ears flushed faintly pink.
In that silent exchange, the air seemed to thrum with unspoken emotion—understanding, trust, and a bond far deeper than mere words could express.
Xun Er was the first to move. Her golden eyes shimmered faintly, reflecting a warmth that seemed to pierce through Xiao Hua's heart. She stepped closer, her gaze neither cold nor tender—merely calm, the kind of serenity that came from years of understanding.
"Brother Xiao Hua," she said softly, "you don't need to say such heavy words. We already know the kind of man you are."
Her voice carried the faintest quiver at the end, betraying the trace of emotion she tried to suppress. She looked away for a moment, as if afraid her calm façade might crack. "Just… remember not to let her suffer, as we once did."
The Little Fairy Doctor smiled faintly at that, her clear eyes glimmering like gentle spring water. "Sister Xun Er's right. You don't need to promise us anything, Xiao Hua. Just… come back safely. The world may see you as a peerless expert, a being that one should admire and envy, but to us, you're simply Xiao Hua—the man who has suffered numerous agonized pains to reach the level of where you at."
Her smile deepened a little, tinged with quiet affection. "If helping Yun Yun can ease your heart, then go. Don't hold back for our sake."
Zi Yan stood a step behind them, her partially tied up violet hair flowing gently like silk under faint spiritual light. Her golden-amethyst eyes shone with pride, and her tone was calm yet commanding.
"Hmph… you really don't know when to stop, do you?" she said, her words cold on the surface, but her voice wavered ever so slightly. "But since you've already decided, then go. I won't stop you."
Then, her gaze softened just a little, and her lips curved in a faint, imperceptible smile. "However, remember this—if you make her cry, then even if I cannot defeat you, I'll make you experience what it means to bear a Dragon Empress's wrath."
Xiao Hua couldn't help but smile at her words. Yet as he looked at the three women before him—Xun Er's autumn eyes filled with calm affection, the Little Fairy Doctor's serene gentleness, and Zi Yan's proud yet tender poise—his heart stirred deeply.
His thoughts drifted unconsciously to those not present—Cai Lin's silent and fierce love, Ya Fei's mature decision carried subtle traces of devotion.
At that moment, he understood clearly: the path he walked was not one of solitude, but one illuminated by the silent faith and love of the women who chose to walk beside him.
Xiao Hua smiled faintly. His gaze swept across them once more—his lovely fairy, his gentle healer, his proud dragon empress—and a warmth rose within his chest, steadying the storm in his heart.
He turned and began to walk toward the exit, his steps silent yet resolute. The faint glow of the setting sun poured through the hall, stretching his shadow long across the floor.
Behind him, Xun Er watched his departing figure, her eyes gentle yet distant. Her fingers tightened slightly around her sleeve as she murmured under her breath, "Brother Xiao Hua… no matter how far you go, don't forget—we always remain by your side."
The Little Fairy Doctor placed a soft hand on her shoulder, and Zi Yan stood silently beside them, her gaze fixed on the horizon. None of them spoke again, yet the unspoken promise lingered in the air—love that did not need words, trust that no storm could shake, and the quiet pride of women who chose to stand beside the man that have captured their heart.
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