Chapter 173: Lost Xiao Yan, Not Going to Jia Nan Academy

"Eh What!?"

"Yanran, you want me to look after Tianming for you?"

As if hearing some absurd request, Yun Yun's face looked strange, and the corners of her rosy lips twitched crazily.

"Ha ha~"

Yun Tianming couldn't help but burst into laughter, but he quickly restrained himself.

"Teacher? Is there anything strange about this request?"

"You are the elder I respect the most. There's nothing strange about this request. Yanran can only entrust you with it."

Nalan Yanran blinked innocently, not understanding what was so strange about her request.

"But..."

"No, I mean..."

Yun Yun opened her mouth, but for a moment, she was speechless, feeling a mix of emotions inside.

"Oh my~"

"With Sister Yun'er and Sect Master watching, even if you gave me a hundred guts, I wouldn't dare to be unfaithful."

Yun Tianming teased Yun Yun with a playful expression, gesturing for her to agree quickly.

Yun Yun also noticed the teasing look in his eyes, and a hint of embarrassment flushed her fair cheeks.

Before this, they had always tried to avoid Nalan Yanran finding out about their meetings. But now, with her suggesting that Yun Yun "look after" Yun Tianming, it was like giving her permission to steal the apple from the tree!

"Alright! Teacher, please don't refuse me!"

"This matter is settled then!"

Nalan Yanran's attitude was firm, as if saying, "If you don't agree, then I won't enter the Gate of Life and Death."

"This, since it's Yanran's earnest request, then, this teacher can only reluctantly agree."

Yun Yun casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, hiding the fleeting embarrassment on her face. Things had developed to this point, and she didn't even know where to start complaining!

"Don't worry, Yanran."

"When you're not around, I'll take good care of Sect Master's daily life for you."

Yun Tianming gently stroked her head, his face showing a kindly "fatherly" expression.

'Your kind of care in daily life... Seriously?'

Yun Yun's eyes, now devoid of their former sparkle, showed a strong disdain for Yun Tianming's words!

"Good!"

"Then we've made a deal!"

Nalan Yanran nodded earnestly, then reached out a hand.

Yun Tianming skillfully clasped it, eliciting a subtle look from Yun Yun nearby, as if to say: How did you become so skilled at this?

But before Yun Yun could react, Nalan Yanran grabbed her hand and placed it on the back of Yun Tianming's hand.

"Teacher, thank you for everything you've done for me."

Nalan Yanran's eyes reddened, and she couldn't help but shed a tear.

Her teacher was undoubtedly the kindest person to her in this world, more than even her own relatives!

...

After leaving Misty Cloud Sect.

Xiao Yan soon woke up from his coma.

"Who are you?!"

Looking at the unfamiliar figure in front of him, Xiao Yan questioned loudly with caution written all over his face.

"I am who I am. Please forgive me for not being able to reveal my identity."

"But with the Soul Power within you, you should be able to understand a thing or two."

Ling Ying said thoughtfully, his gaze fixed firmly on the cedar Spatial Ring in Xiao Yan's hand.

Yao Chen hails from the descendants of the Gu Clan. To obtain cultivation resources, he must exert greater effort than others.

"Could it be that you are sent by Xun'er?"

Xiao Yan wasn't naive. In his mind appeared the image of an ethereal and extraordinarily beautiful girl. Judging from appearances alone, it's hard to imagine her making such subtle moves behind the scenes.

But when he remembered three years ago, Xun'er forcefully intervened in the engagement and orchestrated the three-year agreement, it was clear that the girl's mind was not simple!

"Believe what you want."

Ling Ying didn't give a direct answer, turning away, leaving behind a mysterious silhouette.

"My task is to protect you thoroughly, until you come down from Misty Cloud Sect."

"Now that the task is completed, I should return."

Though seemingly incongruous, Xiao Yan gleaned some understanding from these words.

"Swoosh~"

With his pitch-black Dou Qi Wings spread out, Ling Ying soared into the air, but before departing, he left a reminder: "Xiao Yan, relying on others' strength is not the right path. You must grow quickly! Otherwise, you won't be able to stand by the Miss's side!"

"..."

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted, instantly understanding the implied meaning in Ling Ying's words.

"He's already gone."

A phantom figure drifted out of the Spatial Ring.

Yao Chen's Soul body hovered around Xiao Yan for a moment.

"Xiao Yan, what are your plans next? Follow the original plan and go to Jia Nan Academy?"

Before the words fell, Xiao Yan suddenly shook his head.

"Why? Didn't you make a promise with that little girl?"

Yao Chen furrowed his brows, puzzled.

"Yes, I promised Xun'er that after resolving the three-year agreement, I would go to Jia Nan Academy to find her."

Xiao Yan's face showed a bitter smile, his hands clenched tightly, allowing his nails to pierce his palms, blood seeping through the gaps in his fingers.

"But."

"As a loser now, what face do I have to appear in front of Xun'er?"

Xiao Yan is a person with strong self-esteem.

According to his original plan, he intended to win the Alchemist Competition, defeat Nalan Yanran in Misty Cloud Sect, gain fame, and then go to Jia Nan Academy with confidence to stand proudly by Xun'er's side. He wanted to boldly proclaim to the world that he, Xiao Yan, was worthy of Xun'er!

But now, not only did he fail to achieve a good ranking in the Alchemist Competition, he also lost the most important three-year agreement.

Under this double blow, Xiao Yan's self-esteem plummeted to the bottom. At this moment, how could he have the mood to talk about love with Xun'er?

"You... ah" 

Yao Chen sighed deeply, understanding Xiao Yan's thoughts.

The depth of Xun'er's background is daunting, even for him, the Medicine Sovereign. What's more, for Xiao Yan. Without strength, he can't even lift his head in front of such a proud woman! Just like during the three years when Xiao Yan was considered useless, facing Xun'er's gentle care, he always kept his distance.

At this moment, the lurking sense of inferiority in Xiao Yan's memory resurfaced, causing him great pain.

Yao Chen had no good solution for this. It was a demon of the heart on Xiao Yan's path of growth that he must overcome himself!

"If you don't want to go to Jia Nan Academy, then go to the Black-Corner Region!"

"It's a notorious dangerous place on the continent, perfect for training, and you can also cultivate your own power there. After experiencing Misty Cloud Sect, I believe you should understand that relying solely on personal strength is very difficult."

"Moreover, the Black-Corner Region is not far from Jia Nan Academy, conveniently within the range of my Soul Power sensing."

"If the Heavenly Flame erupts in the inner courtyard, we can take advantage of the situation and seize the opportunity."

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