"Then don't blame me for asking more from you."
After careful calculation, Gu Han closed his eyes again, maintaining mental focus while visualizing the Black Tortoise Shell.
Through the Black Tortoise Shell, he could precisely calculate the growth of his soul power. In about two more months, he would reach the middle stage of the Mortal Realm.
Barring any accidents, he would reach the peak of the Mortal Realm within a year.
Essence, energy, and spirit complemented each other.
Once he reached the peak of the Mortal Realm, he would hit a bottleneck. Only after breaking through to the Dou Spirit level could he continue to advance and attempt to break through to the Spirit Realm.
Even so, this was much faster than Xiao Yan. Although the latter, as an Alchemist, always focused on improving his soul power, it wasn't until he reached the Aura Ancestor level that he obtained a soul cultivation method and broke through to the Spirit Realm soul.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the hour of Si.
The sun rose, casting its light over the land once more.
In the capital of the Jia Ma Empire, at the Nalan family residence, Nalan Jie once again received Yun Yun.
"Old Master Nalan, two days have passed. What have you decided?" Yun Yun sat in the first seat on the left, her beautiful face wearing a confident smile.
Over these two days, she had come to understand the clever, interlocking nature of Gu Han's method.
The first step was to present resources substantial enough to sway the entire Nalan family under the guise of rewards and gratitude.
On the surface, this merely weakened the familial bonds that restrained Nalan Yanran due to the family's upbringing.
In reality, however, it created clear divisions within the Nalan family over interests, with Nalan Su and the Elders urging Nalan Jie to prioritize the family.
This used the greater cause of the family to suppress Nalan Jie's personal sense of righteousness and gratitude.
At the same time, it was a subtle threat, forcing him to make a choice.
Option one: Nalan Yanran would have no further ties to the Nalan family. The family's debt of gratitude would be repaid by the Cloud Mist Sect. Nalan Yanran is the Young Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect; your marriage arrangement with Nalan Jie is void—find a way to resolve it yourself.
Option two: Nalan Yanran remains connected to Nalan Jie, and the Cloud Mist Sect will continue to support the Nalan family, maintaining close ties. You must resolve the marriage matter.
The Nalan family cannot oppose the Cloud Mist Sect, and they no longer hold the moral high ground to involve the royal family. Either way, the marriage issue must be resolved.
So, unless Nalan Jie is a fool, he knows what choice to make.
"Sect Master Yun Yun, do you think you have me cornered?" Nalan Jie tightened his grip on the jade cup, his expression extremely dark.
After being repeatedly persuaded by the family's higher-ups these past few days, and with the resources from the Cloud Mist Sect already accepted by Nalan Su, he knew he had to agree.
But this feeling of being forced into compliance infuriated his hot-tempered nature.
"Yanran." Yun Yun didn't want to provoke Nalan Jie further and signaled Nalan Yanran with a glance.
"Grandfather, your granddaughter has found a solution that benefits everyone." Nalan Yanran stood up and bowed, her demeanor radiant.
Before returning to the Cloud Mist Sect, Gu Han had sent her a letter with some words.
She believed that by repeating those words, she could surely achieve the outcome she desired.
"Oh?" Nalan Jie was somewhat displeased with his granddaughter, but with Yun Yun present, he couldn't say much. He snorted coldly, "Then I'd like to hear the esteemed opinion of the Young Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect."
Nalan Yanran knew her grandfather was still angry but paid no mind to his attitude. She turned and called out to the outside, "Sister Yan Yun, please come in."
A young woman in brocade robes soon entered from outside. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she possessed a delicate charm with skin so fair it seemed to glow. While slightly less striking than Nalan Yanran and incomparable to Yun Yun, she carried a unique fragility that stirred men's innate protective instincts.
"Grandfather, my solution is to substitute the marriage candidate," Nalan Yanran declared confidently, repeating Gu Han's teachings. "With Second Uncle and Aunt deceased, I know you've long worried about Yanyun's marital prospects."
"My cousin once demonstrated greater talent than me, but after being poisoned by villains, she can no longer cultivate. Years later, she remains a one-star Dou Fighter."
"No family of equal status would marry her, while lesser families are beneath our Nalan House."
"The Xiao Family, with their Dou King heritage and current dominance in Wutan City, would be an ideal choice."
"Since our families already have a marriage agreement, sending your own granddaughter would satisfy all parties."
"Though her talent was destroyed, she remains a genuine Dou Fighter. That Xiao Yan with his mere three-star Dou Disciple level would be separated from the main family upon adulthood - he hardly deserves her!"
"If he marries my cousin, Uncle Xiao Zhan could use this to assign Xiao Yan to a better position."
"We'll provide Yanyun with substantial dowry, ensuring her voice carries weight in the Xiao Family."
"You needn't worry about her being mistreated while resolving the marriage issue."
"I can focus on cultivating at Cloud Mist Sect to grow stronger and support our family."
"The Xiao Family saves face, and Xiao Yan marries my cousin."
"Wouldn't this satisfy everyone?"
Nalan Jie:!!!
In that moment, he was thoroughly convinced.
Both Nalan Yanyun and Nalan Yanran were his biological granddaughters.
Had Yanyun been born three months earlier, she would have been the chosen one.
As the eldest daughter of the primary line, Yanran held precedence, while Yanyun, from the secondary branch, was actually more suitable for political marriages.
Logically, Yanyun's substitution was perfectly feasible.
The Xiao Family would maintain the alliance through marriage, and Xiao Yan would be marrying above his station by wedding Yanyun.
The Cloud Mist Sect, Nalan House, and Xiao Family would all preserve their dignity and interests.
This solution could only be described as: brilliant!
"Yanyun, what are your thoughts?" Nalan Jie turned to seek her opinion.
"Grandfather, your granddaughter is willing to marry and shall accept it gladly." Nalan Yanyun knelt in formal salute.
As a ruined cultivator, she would likely remain a one-star Dou Fighter for life.
Rather than marry some unknown person later, she preferred wedding Xiao Yan who shared similar misfortunes.
Moreover, this would make the family, grandfather, Nalan Yanran, and even the Cloud Mist Sect indebted to her.
She wouldn't need to fear mistreatment in the Xiao Family.
If Xiao Yan's talent ever recovered, she might still have hope of uncovering the truth behind her poisoning.
"Excellent."
Hearing Yanyun's wholehearted acceptance, Nalan Jie couldn't let stubborn pride override practical benefits.
Faced with the Cloud Mist Sect's dual pressures, he had no alternative.
"Su, draft a letter to Xiao Zhan explaining the situation. In seven days, personally escort Yanyun to the Xiao Family to finalize matters."
"Inform him that Yanyun's dowry will be substantial. They must not mistreat my dear granddaughter. I recognize Xiao Yan as my official grandson-in-law and will support the young couple if needed."
This pledge from a Dou King expert was enough to intimidate any troublemakers within or outside the Xiao Family.
"Yes, Father." Nalan Su beamed with relief.
The vexing matter weighing on many hearts had finally found its perfect resolution.
Yun Yun gave a light smile and said, "At that time, our Cloud Mist Sect will also send a disciple to deliver a congratulatory gift."
"Those with good talent from the Xiao Family may join the Cloud Mist Sect."
By doing this, whether it was the Xiao Family or other forces, especially the imperial family, they would have nothing to say.
After all, the Xiao Family was once a Dou King family, having fought and bled for the empire, and still
possessed some connections.
With the matter resolved satisfactorily, Yun Yun immediately returned to the Cloud Mist Sect with Nalan Yanran, whose joy was evident on her face.
"Yanran, go and call Gu Han over."