Master's Husband? Did that not mean her teacher's husband?
Nalan Yanran mechanically turned her head to look at her teacher.
"Yanran, Xiao Tian will be your Master's Husband from now on. That is to say, he is my husband."
Yun Yun's face flushed faintly beneath Nalan Yanran's questioning gaze, and she admitted it openly.
Nalan Yanran was instantly stupefied. Someone of her own generation, who was also her former fiancé's elder brother, had suddenly become her Master's Husband.
The revelation immediately made Nalan Yanran's mind short-circuit.
"Yanran, I understand this is somewhat difficult for you to accept, but it is the truth."
Yun Yun came to Xiao Tian's side, happily linking her arm through his.
"This is a welcoming gift from your Master's Husband."
Xiao Tian produced two jade bottles containing a Nine Profound Pill and a Dou Spirit Pill respectively.
Xiao Tian had originally considered giving a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill to make Xiao Yan's challenge a bit more difficult, but after some thought, he decided against it. What if Xiao Yan had to resort to a Fire Lotus to win, and both ended up gravely injured?
If Yun Yun saw her disciple battered and bruised by her own younger brother and then kicked him out of bed, that would hardly be ideal.
"Is this the Nine Profound Pill from your competition? The other one looks somewhat familiar. What is it?"
Nalan Yanran recognized one of the pills in Xiao Tian's hand.
"The other is a Dou Spirit Pill."
"A sixth-grade intermediate Dou Spirit Pill? The one that boosts a Dou King's strength by one star without any side effects?"
Nalan Yanran exclaimed.
"That is correct."
Xiao Tian smiled and tossed the pills to Nalan Yanran.
She quickly reached out and caught the flying jade bottles, cradling them in her arms as though they were priceless treasures.
"Are you a sixth-grade Alchemist? Did you hold back during the competition? And do not casually toss such precious items around. What if they shattered?"
"Not exactly. I merely obtained them through a stroke of fortune."
Xiao Tian shrugged and spread his hands.
Beside him, Yun Yun also revealed a look of surprise, not expecting Xiao Tian to possess such items.
Seeing the relatively harmonious atmosphere between the two, Yun Yun breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"Do not be surprised. I have even finer pills for you tonight."
Xiao Tian whispered softly into Yun Yun's ear.
Nalan Yanran observed the two whispering intimately as though no one else were present and instantly felt a crushing wave of malice from the world.
Yan Xiao inexplicably surfaced in her thoughts.
She hastily shook her head. *How can I be affected by such matters?*
"You two, master and disciple, continue your chat. I have some matters to attend to."
Xiao Tian stroked Yun Yun's hair, speaking gently.
"Mm. Be careful."
Yun Yun did not ask what Xiao Tian intended to do. She was not the type to meddle in everything. She straightened his collar, offered him a sweet smile, and whispered.
Nalan Yanran's composure nearly shattered entirely. Was this truly her ordinarily aloof teacher?
Xiao Tian nodded, turned, and left the main hall.
"Teacher, how did you end up with that man? Are you not robbing the cradle?"
"Are you implying your teacher is old? You are asking for a beating."
"..."
The sounds of their playful banter trailed behind him. Xiao Tian smiled, shook his head, and disappeared entirely from the main hall.
Leaving the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Tian went directly to Xiao Yan's room.
Xiao Yan opened the door, and Xiao Tian stepped inside.
"Broken through to a two-star Great Dou Master?"
Xiao Tian sensed Xiao Yan's newly stabilized aura.
"I broke through to a two-star Great Dou Master last night after consuming the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill."
Xiao Yan did not deliberately conceal his aura from Xiao Tian.
"Xiao Tian, I did not expect your alchemist talent to be so exceptional."
Yao Lao materialized not far from the two, observing Xiao Tian with a smile.
"I was fortunate enough to encounter some opportunities, which is how I attained my current strength. I hope Yao Lao will continue to guide me in the future."
Yao Lao was no longer as frail as before. His soul form was now remarkably solid, appearing no different from a living person.
It seemed the soul herb had proven exceedingly beneficial to him.
"Of course. Should you have any questions, you may ask me. I will share everything I know."
After leaving those words, Yao Lao retreated back into the Bone Flame Ring.
"Tomorrow is the three-year agreement. Are you confident?"
Xiao Tian sat upon a chair, hands clasped, and asked.
"Three years of tempering, all for tomorrow. I can scarcely wait."
Seeing the confidence in Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Tian stood and patted his shoulder. "Seeing you like this puts my mind at ease. It appears you have grown considerably over these three years."
"You may face Nalan Yanran with full confidence tomorrow. As for the rest, I will handle it for you. I will also have Elder Hai accompany you."
Xiao Yan understood what Xiao Tian meant by "the rest"—that if he won, the Misty Cloud Sect would lose face and might attempt to strike at him in secret.
"Thank you, Brother Tian."
A trace of emotion flickered in Xiao Yan's resolute eyes. His elder brother had doted on him immensely since childhood, and Xiao Yan had always held him in the highest esteem.
The help Xiao Tian had extended to him had always been tremendous, whether it was the Heavenly Flame, the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill, or countless other aspects.
As for the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill, he suspected that Xiao Tian's disappearance that night might have been intentional, knowing something beforehand and planning to grant him this opportunity. Otherwise, Fa Ma would never have sought him out.
"Mm. We are brothers. No words are necessary."
"Rest well. Many people may come to observe tomorrow. I look forward to your performance."
"However, do not be too surprised when you see me again tomorrow. I have already settled some scores on your behalf."
After Xiao Tian left these cryptic words, he departed from Xiao Yan's room.
Xiao Yan heard Xiao Tian's final sentence and scratched his head in bewilderment, unable to grasp its meaning.
It was not until the following day that Xiao Yan fully understood those words.
---
Xiao Tian returned to the Mittel family's quarters and, with a thought, entered the Eternal Dream Realm.
"Your movements are far too hesitant. When you act, you must be decisive. Your hesitation is your opponent's opportunity, and it is irresponsible toward your own life."
The moment Xiao Tian appeared in the lakeside pavilion, Xiao Yi Xian's stern voice echoed through the space.
Looking toward the source of the sound, he saw Xiao Yi Xian holding a jade ruler, sparring with Ya Fei.
The ruler landed continuously on Ya Fei's body, making Xiao Tian's heart ache. It looked painful, and he itched to massage her wounds.
"Speed alone is insufficient. You must also combine your movements and employ Dou Techniques in conjunction to catch your enemies off guard."
Xiao Tian's voice reached the ears of the three.
The three paused and turned their heads to see Xiao Tian seated in the pavilion.
"Young Master, you have returned!" Qing Lin activated Ground Shrinking, and with a few flickers, she flung herself before Xiao Tian.
Ever since the two of them had implicitly and explicitly revealed their feelings for one another, Qing Lin was no longer so bashful.
Xiao Tian caught Qing Lin, drew her into his embrace, and lovingly stroked her small face.
Xiao Tian was exceedingly fond of the considerate and adorable Qing Lin.
"It seems Qing Lin has been working very hard as well. Young Master's heart aches just watching."
Xiao Tian took Qing Lin's hand and channeled wood-element Dou Qi to heal the red welts upon it.
Finally, he circulated it throughout her body, mending her entirely.
"Mm, mm. Qing Lin also wishes to help Young Master fight bad people, so I must work even harder."
Qing Lin's eyes gleamed with determination.
"It is just that Sister Xian'er is so strict, completely different from her usual self."
Qing Lin nestled in Xiao Tian's arms, pouring out her grievances. Suddenly, she felt Xiao Tian's hand signaling her, and a chill raced down her spine. Her body stiffened.
"I understand that Sister Xian'er's strictness is for my own good. Sister Xian'er is the best person. I like Xian'er the most!"
Before she could finish, she was plucked from Xiao Tian's arms by Xiao Yi Xian.
"Then I shall give you some extra special training."
Xiao Yi Xian's voice echoed in Qing Lin's ears like a demon's whisper.
Qing Lin, her face full of misery, was carried to the training ground without daring to resist, remaining utterly motionless throughout the entire process.
Xiao Tian was quite delighted watching Qing Lin like this. At least this little girl was no longer as timid as before, now appearing playful and lively.
"You are killing me, and you do not even feel the slightest bit sorry."
A charming, alluring, and intoxicating voice drifted over. After the sound faded, a jade-like hand was extended before him.