Rustle! Rustle!
Hearing the conversation between Xiao Zhan and Nalan Su, Xun Er kept her head down, calmly flipping through the ancient-looking booklet in her hand. The expression on her cool and otherworldly face remained unchanged.
This was not the reaction one would expect upon hearing about the engagement of someone they had feelings for. It wasn't even the reaction one would have upon hearing about a mere acquaintance's marriage.
This was somewhat beyond Gu Han's expectations, but upon careful consideration, it made sense.
The original author was just a writer; he didn't truly understand Battle Through the Heavens.
Xun Er was the daughter of an imperial clan's patriarch. It was no exaggeration to say she had a Dou Venerable watching over her in secret, and with the Gu Clan's resources, sending a Dou Venerable was not an issue.
Dou Emperors like Ling Ying and Ling Xiao were merely the weakest guards she could directly command on the surface, and they consisted of men and women of all ages, adaptable to any situation.
Not a single one of these guards would stand by and watch their young miss have her bones felt by a member of the opposite sex, even if the parties involved were just children.
"But if the future Xiao Yan becomes a Dou God, then with the friendship they formed in their youth, everything would fall into place naturally."
"Just as Xun Er said in the novel, if one can become a Dou God, they can have their pick of any woman on the continent."
Suppressing the thoughts in his heart, Gu Han closed his eyes and began to visualize the Black Tortoise Shell.
His Mortal Realm Middle Stage spiritual power emanated outwards, mobilizing the world's energy to gather around him.
Unbeknownst to him, a middle-aged woman's voice sounded in Xun Er's ear. "Young Miss, that disciple from the Cloud Mist Sect is a six-star Dou Fighter and possesses a Mortal Realm Middle Stage soul."
"Oh?" Xun Er's page-turning paused for a moment, a trace of surprise flashing through her beautiful eyes.
Whether it was a five-star Dou Fighter, a six-star Dou Fighter, or even a six-star Dou Master or six-star Dou Grand Master, none of it would have stirred much emotion in her.
Within the Gu Clan, those who couldn't become a Dou King before the age of twenty, or a Battle Ancestor before thirty, were all considered ordinary geniuses who would be eliminated. They couldn't be called prodigies, let alone core seeds.
Gu Han lacked an imperial clan's bloodline and resources, having grown up in a barren place like the Jia Ma Empire. If he had the strength of a Dou Grand Master now, it would be worthy of affirmation. Reaching the Dou Spirit realm would make him a continent-level genius.
But to have a Mortal Realm Middle Stage soul at the Dou Fighter level—this indicated that Gu Han was a top-tier genius. As long as he developed smoothly, breaking through to Battle Ancestor would not be a problem, and with enough opportunities, he could even reach Dou Venerable.
After all, the spiritual realms of most Dou Venerable experts were stuck at the peak of the Mortal Realm, unable to reach the Spirit Realm.
In the Xiao Family, she only saw Xiao Yan in a different light because he already possessed a Mortal Realm Initial Stage soul while still in the Dou Disciple stage.
Although his cultivation had dropped to the third stage of Dou Disciple over the years, his spiritual realm had somehow improved, making his future even brighter.
"Aunt Ling, go investigate," Xun Er's lips moved slightly.
"This subordinate has already sent Ling Ying to investigate. We will have results soon," Ling Xiao's voice carried a hint of eagerness.
Xun Er once again flipped a page in her book, a smile in her eyes. "Aunt Ling wants to invest in him?"
"This subordinate does indeed have this thought," Ling Xiao reported truthfully.
She was a peak Dou Emperor of the ice attribute. Her cultivation, cultivation methods, and Dou Skills were a rarity in the Jia Ma Empire and its surrounding empires.
But within the Gu Clan, she was merely a failure who had been eliminated from the Black Annihilation Army's assessment.
With the merit of having protected Xun Er, breaking through to Battle Ancestor after returning to the clan would not be a problem.
However, the possibility of reaching the Dou Venerable level in her lifetime was not very high.
Upon seeing Gu Han, she was intrigued and willing to form a good connection.
Of course, she first had to confirm that Gu Han had a clean background, exceptional talent, and a reliable character.
"Then be a bit more meticulous in your investigation." The corners of Gu Xun'er's lips curled up slightly. "If he can become Aunt Ling's disciple, he can be considered one of my Gu Clan. Talent alone is not enough."
"This subordinate understands," Ling Xiao's voice was filled with excitement.
This was Gu Xun'er's promise to her. If Gu Han's character and talent were both acceptable, he could be brought back to the Gu Clan for nurturing in the future.
For the time being, Gu Han was unaware of all this. He just focused on his quiet cultivation, "accidentally" revealing his talent.
Meanwhile, on the path to the Xiao Family's back mountain, Xiao Yan's palms were sweaty, and he subconsciously clenched his fists.
He was also aware of his current situation. He had no future to speak of. For "Nalan Yanran" to be with him would be a waste of her life.
"When did I become so indecisive? Just because I'm not worthy, does that mean I have to cling to her?"
"A dragon does not dwell with snakes. One must know one's place."
Xiao Yan let out a self-deprecating laugh and a long sigh of relief. "Lady Cousin, you should be aware of my situation, right?"
"What situation is my Lord Cousin referring to?" Nalan Yanyun smiled faintly with her eyes lowered. Looking at the young man before her who looked as if he was about to risk everything, she felt a little curious. "Are you referring to how you were once a genius who began practicing Qi at four, possessed ninth-stage Dou Disciple at ten, and at eleven, successfully condensed a Qi Cyclone, becoming the youngest Dou Fighter in the Xiao Family in a century?"
"Or how your strength has regressed for three consecutive years, finally settling at the third stage of Dou Disciple, gradually turning you into a good-for-nothing who is scorned by most people around you?"
"It seems my Lady Cousin is very well-informed about my situation." Xiao Yan sighed deeply. "Then you should know that I am not worthy of you."
"That's not necessarily true." Nalan Yanyun shook her head lightly. "My Lord Cousin was once a genius. It's just that your cultivation has regressed for some unknown reason. Perhaps your talent will recover in the future. Then you'll have a chance to return to being a Dou Fighter, or even become a Dou Master or a Dou Grand Master."
"But I'm different. For the rest of my life, I can only be a one-star Dou Fighter. I am the real piece of trash."
"Ah!?" Xiao Yan's eyes widened in disbelief. "You broke through to a one-star Dou Fighter at such a young age. How could you possibly remain at this level forever?"
"Does my Lord Cousin know when I became a one-star Dou Fighter?" Nalan Yanran tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"When?" Xiao Yan asked.
"When I was thirteen." Nalan Yanyun's gaze dimmed. "Two years have passed, and I am still a one-star Dou Fighter. Senior Pill King Gu He diagnosed me and could only confirm that I was poisoned, but he doesn't know what kind of poison it is."
"Even a sixth-tier Alchemist can't solve my problem. Do you think I still have any hope?"
"This... this..." Xiao Yan was at a loss for words. After a long moment, he looked at her with a complicated expression. "To have Pill King Gu He personally attend to you... as expected of the Cloud Mist Sect Master's prized disciple. So, are we some kind of league of failures?"
Suddenly, he found this marriage alliance acceptable. They were two lost souls in the same boat, huddling together for warmth.
"You're mistaken." A flash of astonishment crossed Nalan Yanyun's eyes. She then extended a hand. "Lord Cousin, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nalan Yanyun."
"Nalan Yanyun!?" A look of shock appeared on Xiao Yan's handsome face. "Isn't it Nalan Yanran?"
"That's my older cousin." A smile appeared in Nalan Yanyun's eyes. She clasped her hands behind her back, fingers intertwined, and explained with a light laugh, "Here's what happened. My sister became the Young Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, and Grandfather is a man who honors his promises, and as for me..."
Nalan Yanyun laid bare the inside story of the marriage swap, including the benefits each person would receive from it.
"Isn't this making me live off a woman!?" Xiao Yan's train of thought was peculiar, and he felt a little uncomfortable.
Nalan Yanyun, a one-star Dou Fighter, would marry him with a dowry provided by four parties: the Nalan Family, Nalan Jie, Nalan Yanran, and the Cloud Mist Sect.
A year later, when he came of age, he would be sent out to manage their properties, and his life would be better than that of many other family disciples.
His father could even arrange some benefits for him under the pretext of taking care of Nalan Yanyun.
And the family would have absolutely no objections!
"Lord Cousin, please don't think of it that way. We are each getting what we need," Nalan Yanyun refuted Xiao Yan's statement and said seriously, "If I don't marry you, I don't know who I'll be married off to in a few years. If my husband is domineering, my life will not be easy."
"Besides, I'm also making a bet. I'm betting that my Lord Cousin's talent can be restored, and that in the future, you'll grow strong enough to find out who harmed me and my parents, giving me a sliver of a chance for revenge."
"By agreeing to this, my cousin Yanran owes me a favor, and the family has to compensate me. I can use this to have them invite Pill King Gu He to examine your body."
"I only ask that my Lord Cousin does not fail me!"
The young lady's voice was firm, her eyes filled with the resolve of someone risking everything, the obsession of a gambler betting their life, a stubborn refusal to yield to fate, and earnest hope.
Xiao Yan's lips trembled. Thinking of his own experiences over the past three years, his eyes also turned crazed.
If it was the number one Alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire, he should be able to figure out what was wrong with him, right!?
"If you do not fail me, I will never fail you!"
Xiao Yan reached out and grabbed Nalan Yanyun's hand. This was his oath, on which he gambled everything.
Inside the ring, Yao Chen was speechless. "..."
Why does it feel like I've completely messed this up!?
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