Inside the Nalan Family reception room.
"Miss Ya Fei, regarding the matter of GrandmasterXiao Huohuo..." Nalan Su said hesitantly.
"Rest assured, Family Head Nalan. Once GrandmasterXiao Huohuo returns, I will certainly convey your words and implore him to treat Elder Nalan." Ya Fei did not make any guarantees; she only promised to convey the message and plead. As for whether Xiao Se would come, that was no longer her concern.
"Thank you for the trouble." Nalan Su could hear the perfunctory tone in Ya Fei's voice, but he also knew how difficult it was to invite a high-RankAlchemist. Thus, he could only treat a dead horse as if it were still alive. If Nalan Jie were to fall, his Nalan Family would be in danger, and they might very well follow in the footsteps of the Xiao Family from years ago.
Just then, the Nalan Family steward walked in. He first bowed slightly to Ya Fei, then walked over to Nalan Su's side.
Seeing that the steward seemed to have something to discuss with Nalan Su, Ya Fei naturally wouldn't make a nuisance of herself. She bowed slightly and said, "Family Head Nalan, Ya Fei will take her leave now."
"Please go ahead, Miss Ya Fei." Nalan Su stood up to escort Ya Fei to the door, then watched as she left.
"Speak! What is it?" Nalan Su said calmly, his back turned to the steward.
"Family Head, the Old Family Head can be saved! The Young Miss just returned and said that the Alchemist who possesses a Heavenly Flame has been found. It is none other than GrandmasterXiao Huohuo, who won the championship at the Alchemist Convention three years ago. The Young Miss also said that GrandmasterXiao Huohuo will visit in a few days." The steward said excitedly.
Hearing this, Nalan Su's eyes lit up, and his face revealed undisguised excitement. "Where is Yanran? Bring her to see me immediately."
The steward shook his head and said, "The Young Miss said she was tired and went straight to her room, but..."
"But what?" Nalan Su asked.
"The Young Miss seemed to have been crying when she returned. Could it be that someone bullied her?" The steward asked hesitantly.
"Looking across the entire Jia Ma Empire, it would be good if she didn't bully others. Unless..." A cunning smile tugged at the corners of Nalan Su's mouth. Unless she saw Xiao Huohuo again and was moved to tears of joy.
Thinking of this, a beautiful plan formed in Nalan Su's mind. Perhaps he could let Nalan Yanran spend more time with Xiao Huohuo; if they could seal the deal, that would be even better...
On the other side, Ya Fei was walking elegantly along the bluestone path of the Nalan Family courtyard when Nalan Yanran's voice suddenly rang out from behind her, "Sister Ya Fei, please wait a moment. Let me see you off..."
Ya Fei turned to look, and Nalan Yanran walked over quickly.
"Is there something you need, Yanran?" Ya Fei lightly covered her red lips and asked as she walked.
"I saw Brother Xiao Se today." Walking side-by-side with Ya Fei, Nalan Yanran glanced sideways at Ya Fei's enchanting and charming face, seemingly wanting to see something in her expression.
Unfortunately, Ya Fei was a master of social interaction; how could she be shaken by a little girl like Nalan Yanran? She feigned surprise and said, "You mean that Xiao Se from Wutan City who is famous far and wide?"
"Doesn't Sister Ya Fei know?" Hearing this, Nalan Yanran was stunned, a trace of surprise flashing through her beautiful eyes.
"Know what?" Ya Fei put on a puzzled expression, while thinking to herself, This girl probably saw that fated enemy of hers getting together with her teacher and is feeling unbalanced! She wants to find something out from me, but unfortunately, her goal is too obvious.
"Oh... nothing." Seeing that Ya Fei didn't seem to be lying, Nalan Yanran didn't ask further. If she had made a mistake and exposed Brother Xiao Se's identity, she would feel uneasy. She immediately changed the subject, "Recently, there have been rumors in the Imperial Capital that Brother Xiao Huohuo and Sister Ya Fei have a very good relationship. I wonder if that's true?"
"Mm, that's right, our relationship has always been quite good." Ya Fei said with a smile.
Hearing this, even Nalan Yanran, who was not adept at social interaction, could tell that the other party was being evasive!
"Sister Yanran, you can stop here. If you want to know more about GrandmasterXiao Huohuo, why don't you explore it yourself?" Ya Fei smiled beautifully and stepped out of the Nalan Family gate.
Watching Ya Fei's enchanting figure walk away, Nalan Yanran fell into deep thought. After a while, she murmured to herself, "Is she telling me to go and pursue him myself?"
...
Cloud Mist Sect Council Hall.
"So, the Soul Hall Protector has always been the one looking for you unilaterally!" Xiao Se asked Yun Shan.
Yun Shan nodded with a grave expression. Although the secret technique the Hall of Souls had left in his body had vanished, the crisis facing the Cloud Mist Sect was far from resolved; that Soul Hall Protector could return at any time.
"Then do you have any way to contact him?" Xiao Se continued to ask.
"Now that you mention it, I do recall something." Yun Shan took a black jade tablet with the character 'Soul' on it from his storage ring and said, "This was left by that Soul Hall Protector. He told me that after I broke through to the Dou Zong Rank, I should closely monitor the movements of the Xiao Family, and if there were any major discoveries, I could crush the jade tablet to send him a message."
Xiao Se nodded, a thought-provoking smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Very well, contact him directly and tell him that a powerful Soul entity using a ghostly white flame has been discovered on the Xiao Family brat, and that for the Three Year Agreement, the Xiao Family brat will come to the Cloud Mist Sect."
"You mean to use that Xiao Family brat as bait to lure the Soul Hall Protector into revealing himself?" Yun Yun, sitting beside Xiao Se, asked in surprise.
"Correct. If it were any other reason, the Soul Hall Protector might grow suspicious, but for this reason, even if he knows it's a trap, the Soul Hall Protector will definitely jump into it." Xiao Se explained with a smile.
Yun Shan swallowed hard. "Wouldn't this be too risky? That Soul Hall Protector's strength is..."
"I know. The Hall of Souls has a strict hierarchy. The Protectors alone are divided into three Ranks: Human-Grade, Earth-Grade, and Heaven-Grade, corresponding to low-Rank Dou Zong, mid-Rank Dou Zong, and high-Rank Dou Zong respectively. The Protector who contacted you is, without a doubt, an Earth-GradeProtector. If his scheme had succeeded—if he had devoured your Soul and the Souls of most of the Cloud Mist SectDisciples to break through to high-Rank Dou Zong—then I would still be wary. But a mid-Rank Dou Zong? I am confident I can make him fall here." Xiao Se explained.
"There are actually high-Rank Dou Zong..." Yun Shan gasped. In that moment, he felt as if he had aged several decades. If the Protectors were already this strong, he dared not even imagine what was above them.
"I believe in you." Yun Yun held Xiao Se's hand and said gently.
Hearing this, Xiao Se returned a gentle, reassuring smile. Then he continued to say to Yun Shan, "SeniorYun Shan, you need not be overly worried. Although the Hall of Souls is strong, they cannot station too many personnel in the Jia Ma Empire, a small country on the edge of the Fighting Qi Continent. As far as I know, in the surrounding countries and even the Black-Corner Region, there are only two Soul Hall Protectors. The other one is even weaker than the Protector who contacted you, and we won't see him in the short term. But as long as we kill the Protector who contacted you, everything will be worry-free."
"Then when is the appropriate time to notify that Soul Hall Protector?" Yun Shan asked.
"Three days before the Three Year Agreement!" Xiao Se pondered slightly and said, "If we notify him too early, there is no guarantee that the Soul Hall Protector won't call upon the other one. If either of them escapes, the consequences would be unimaginable. By doing it three days in advance, even if he wants to notify the other, there won't be enough time. At that time, so as not to alert the enemy, I will project the aura of a Dou Huang, so that at the critical moment, I can catch him by surprise."
Next, Xiao Se discussed the specific details of the ambush plan with Yun Shan and Yun Yun. An hour later, he finally brought Yun Yun out of the Council Hall.
Walking out of the main door, Xiao Se put on the Xiao Huohuo mask once again. Under the envious or awestruck gazes of the Cloud Mist SectDisciples and Elders, he walked toward the Cloud Mist Sect gate, hand in hand with Yun Yun.
"I really don't understand you. You're already so strong, yet you still insist on wearing a mask." Feeling the subtle gazes around them, a faint blush appeared on Yun Yun's pretty face. She turned her head to look at Xiao Se's disguised profile and said somewhat gloomily.
"Before possessing absolute strength, it is better to keep a low profile. I don't want the Hall of Souls to know that I come from the Xiao Family; it's better to let that Xiao Yan brat attract the fire." Xiao Se smiled amusedly.
"That Xiao Family brat really had terrible luck meeting you." Yun Yun rolled her eyes and said. Although it was a coquettish rebuke, she didn't think Xiao Se was being excessive. She was naturally indifferent; she only cared about the people she valued. As for those who had nothing to do with her, she wouldn't care if they died.
"Without experiencing the wind and rain, how can one see a rainbow? That Xiao Yan brat has acted arrogant and cocky since he was small; suffering a few more beatings from society will do him good." Xiao Se pursed his lips.
"As you wish." Yun Yun said, "By the way, there is something I want to ask you."
"What is it?" Xiao Se asked in confusion.
"Was ElderYun Ling killed by you?" Yun Yun asked casually.
"Mm, at the Mittel Auction House, because I bought an Earth Rank low-level Dou Technique, he tried to kill me and seize the treasure. I just conveniently sent him on his way and even scattered his ashes." Xiao Se pursed his lips and said half-jokingly, "What? Yun'er, you aren't going to avenge that old guy, are you?"
"If I wanted revenge, I wouldn't have suppressed this matter. When I returned from the Magical Beast Mountain Range, I heard that ElderYun Ling had gone missing. After some investigation, I linked it to you." Yun Yun glared at him with her beautiful eyes and said somewhat resentfully, "However, although ElderYun Ling was in the wrong first, he was, after all, the Grand Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect and represented the face of the Cloud Mist Sect. I beg you not to publicize this matter."
"Publicize what? Yun Ling? Have I ever met this person?" Hearing Yun Yun's words, Xiao Se immediately feigned amnesia.
Seeing Xiao Se's expression, Yun Yun couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, you should go to the Nalan Family. Yanran must be waiting anxiously."
Hearing this, Xiao Se was stunned and asked in confusion, "Aren't you going?"
"I still don't know how to face Yanran." A flash of panic crossed Yun Yun's beautiful eyes. After all, Yanran was her Disciple. Knowing that her Disciple liked Xiao Se, yet still entering into a relationship with him—even if it was passive—she couldn't avoid the awkwardness.
"Then just wait outside. As for the poison on that old guy Nalan Jie, I can clear it just by sneezing." Xiao Se held Yun Yun's hand and smiled.
"Mm." Yun Yun nodded. Having only reunited with Xiao Se for less than a day, she was reluctant to part with him so soon.
A short while later, Xiao Se and Yun Yun arrived at the Nalan Family residence.
Because Yun Yun still didn't know how to face Nalan Yanran, she chose to wait in the sky.
"Hmm? That's that girl Ya Fei." Hovering in the sky, Yun Yun was looking around in her spare time when she happened to see Ya Fei just getting off a carriage at the Mittel Auction House headquarters. Recalling the rumors outside about Ya Fei and Xiao Se, Yun Yun hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to go and ask for the truth.
Meanwhile, the disguised Xiao Se, under the guidance of the Nalan Family steward, walked into the Nalan Family residence.
"Lord Xiao Huohuo, please wait here for a moment. I will go and notify the Family Head and the Young Miss." The steward said respectfully.
"No need. I am in a hurry. Take me to see Elder Nalan immediately." Xiao Se said somewhat impatiently. Just now, his spirit power had sensed that Yun Yun seemed to have gone to the Mittel Auction House. It was a sign that things might go wrong.
"This..." After hesitating for a moment, the steward gave a look to a maid, instructing her to notify Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran, while he led Xiao Se toward Nalan Jie's living quarters.
"Old Family Head, GrandmasterXiao Huohuo has come to remove the poison for you." As soon as they entered the room, the steward hurried over and helped Nalan Jie, who was lying on the bed, to sit up.
Nalan Jie's skin was largely pitch black, he was as thin as a skeleton, his body was trembling slightly, and he was breaking out in a cold sweat, clearly enduring immense pain. Seeing Xiao Se enter, he said in a very weak voice, "Little friend Xiao Huohuo, it is embarrassing. I am plagued by the Branding Poison. If there is any lack of hospitality, please do not take offense."
Xiao Se waved his hand without replying. He suddenly reached out his right hand, golden light pulsing in his palm, and wisps of the invisible, intangible Fallen Heart Flame quietly seeped into Nalan Jie's body.
The next moment, Nalan Jie's heart-wrenching scream echoed through the room, "Ah!"
"Lord Xiao Huohuo, what are you doing..." The steward's face showed panic; he hadn't figured out what exactly was happening.
"Removing the poison." Xiao Se replied calmly with two words.
At this moment, Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran, who had been attracted by Nalan Jie's screams, also rushed over.
At this time, Xiao Se had just finished removing the poison. He slowly withdrew his palm, and in it rested a pitch-black pill that was emitting waves of black mist.
"Brother Xiao Huohuo, what is this?" Nalan Yanran scanned the room, looked at Nalan Jie whose skin color had returned to normal, then looked at the panicked steward, and finally fixed her gaze on Xiao Se, unable to help but ask.
"The Branding Poison has been completely removed from his body. After recuperating for a period of time, your grandfather will wake up." Xiao Se went about his business, placing the pitch-black pill into a jade bottle, tossing it into his storage ring, and then patted Nalan Yanran's shoulder, saying, "Yanran, I have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."
As he spoke, Xiao Se ignored Nalan Su and the others in the room and walked out of the room on his own.
"Ah, oh! Let me see you off." Hearing this, Nalan Yanran was slightly stunned. When she reacted and chased out of the room, Xiao Se's figure was already nowhere to be seen.
She gazed into a certain direction in the sky, a trace of shyness and secret joy appearing on her beautiful face. She thought to herself, *He actually called me Yanran just now.*
Inside the room, Nalan Su, having just finished checking Nalan Jie's body, took in Nalan Yanran's behavior. Although he was very puzzled as to why Xiao Huohuo seemed to have some aversion to the Nalan Family, it seemed that his precious daughter got along quite well with him.
He then walked out of the room, patted Nalan Yanran's shoulder lightly, and said with a dry laugh, "Daughter, he's already gone. It's time to come back to your senses."
(End of Chapter)
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