Chapter 997: Xun Er Blushes, Holding Hands_1

"Don't even think about it. No matter how impressive you are, I will never agree," Xun Er chided with embarrassment and annoyance as she threw a glare at Xu Ran. This guy, Xu Ran, was way too shameless, each and every sentence he spoke insinuated his desire to woo her, making him even more shameless than Galeo of the Gale family.

"Then I'll just have to talk to your father and the Gu Clan's Elders about it."

Xu Ran said with a smile. If he joined the Gu Clan, he would immediately become the strongest member. All he would have to do is make a request, and the Gu Clan leaders would probably marry Xun Er off to him in a heartbeat. In big powers like these, sentimentality was next to nonexistent, anything could be sacrificed for the benefit of the force.

"Hmph. My father would never agree," Xun Er said, sticking out her tongue. If Xu Ran really went to the Gu Clan proposing to marry her, perhaps her family would indeed agree. Being born into the Gu Clan, her future husband had to be a peerless powerhouse; her family would never marry her to someone with inadequate strength.

And Xu Ran's talent was certainly top-tier on the Continent.

If Xu Ran genuinely went to the Gu Clan, there was no doubt they would try to recruit him.

The greater the family, the more they valued attracting geniuses, as this ensured prolonged prosperity. Especially for families whose Dou Di bloodline was diluting over time, there was an increased sense of urgency.

If not for this reason, the family wouldn't possibly have sent her, a young lady of such extraordinary origin, to the Xiao family.

The Xiao family was once an ancient Dou Di family too, but...

"If he doesn't agree, I'll just whisk you away. Your father couldn't defeat me anyway," Xu Ran said with a grin. Gu Yuan was at the Nine-star Dou Sheng Peak, only a step away from Dou Di. But that one step was a chasm as vast as the heavens.

"Impossible. Do you know how formidable my father is?" Xun Er said with an amused smile.

Even if Xu Ran was stronger than her, there was no way he could surpass her father.

Her father was an existence at the pinnacle of the Continent.

Nine-star Dou Sheng Peak, that was already among the topmost powerhouses of this world.

As for Dou Di, it was extremely rare for the Continent to produce another powerhouse of such caliber.

If Xu Ran claimed that even her father was no match for him, was he insinuating that he was a Dou Di?

She didn't believe it for a second!

Men's mouths were full of nothing but lies!

"Forget it. If you don't believe me, let it be. One day you'll come to know your husband's strength," Xu Ran said.

"Get lost! You're not my husband! I haven't agreed to anything!"

Xun Er lifted her leg and gently kicked Xu Ran, speaking irritatingly.

She didn't even understand how things had come to this, how had she suddenly acquired a husband?

She had only just met Xu Ran, how could she have developed feelings for him so suddenly?

Even if she didn't end up with Xiao Yan, she wouldn't fall for someone else so quickly. Xu Ran's talents might be impressive, but the Gu Clan had no shortage of geniuses, and young Seventh Grade Alchemists weren't exactly rare in Zhongzhou either.

"Forget it. We'll discuss this later, let's head back for now," Xu Ran said as he took Xun Er's hand and walked towards the city.

"You!"

Xun Er looked at Xu Ran with a flushed face.

This Xu Ran always took liberties with her, despite her repeated reminders, he just wouldn't listen.

With her hand in Xu Ran's, her heart thumped chaotically.

Walking side by side with Xu Ran, she felt a strange sensation in her heart. Even Xiao Yan had never held hands with her like this.

A wonderful feeling spread through her body as if she had been electrocuted.

Gradually, as they entered the city, Xun Er still hadn't recovered from the sensation, and hadn't noticed how suggestive the sight of their handholding might appear to onlookers.

Especially since Xun Er was still draped in Xu Ran's clothes.

The rain had gradually stopped, and Wu Tan City's nightlife was still bustling. The streets were brightly lit, with many vendors selling their wares.

In Wu Tan City, Xun Er was a celebrity, renowned for her beauty, the dream lover of countless people. And Xu Ran holding her hand was a source of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

"Damn, who the hell is that guy?"

"Ahhh, how could Xun Er be with this person? And holding hands? What's going on here?"

"Wasn't Xun Er previously with that loser Xiao Yan? Well, that's better. What qualifications did that loser Xiao Yan have to be with Xun Er anyway?"

"That guy is no good either. Last time I saw him getting cozy with Xiao Mei, and they seemed very sweet together."

"Shit. I saw him at the auction house last time too, and it seemed like Miss Ya Fei was also interested in him."

As people spoke, everyone was dumbfounded.

Xiao Mei, Xun Er, and Ya Fei were the most outstanding beauties of Wu Tan City.

Especially Xun Er and Ya Fei, who were famous far and wide. Not only in Wu Tan City, but even throughout The Empire, they were among the top beauties. And yet, these beauties were all somehow connected to this man??

What was the situation?

Such beauties, if an ordinary person could get one, they could boast about it and invoke the envy of countless people.

But now, why were all three of the great beauties with someone else?

Xiao Mei was one thing, but Xun Er and Ya Fei were genuine beauties that could bring down an empire!

Xun Er, pure and gentle, had always preserved her chastity, so how could she suddenly be holding hands with a man? It should be known that even Xiao Yan had not been accorded such a privilege.

"Let go," she said faintly, coming back to her senses and blushing.

Seeing so many people around them pointing and talking, her face flushed even more.

"I won't let go," Xu Ran shook his head.

"It's you again?"

"Kid, I haven't settled the score with you for last time's incident. And now you dare to flirt with Miss Xun Er?"

Suddenly, a haughty voice rang out.

Galeo, looking at Xu Ran holding Xun Er's hand, felt an unbearable surge of jealousy.

Xun Er was Wu Tan City's known beauty, graceful and obedient, the perfect kind of woman to make a wife. And beautiful too, a real face-saver to take out. Although he liked Ya Fei, who was seductive, he fancied Xun Er even more.

If he could destroy the Xiao Family, then he could have Xun Er.

For many years, he had always felt he had a chance with Xun Er. By comparison, it wasn't that easy to pursue Ya Fei—her support at home was too powerful.

Of course, this was because Galeo did not know Xun Er's true identity. Xun Er was not of the Xiao lineage at all. She came from the Gu Clan, which was one of the most powerful and mysterious families in this world. But Xun Er's identity was something these people could never know in their lifetime. They didn't even know where Zhongzhou was.

"Is it you?"

Xu Ran turned to look at Galeo.

Now in Wu Tan City, the Gale Family had effectively become the top family, thanks to their alliance with the First-Grade Alchemist Liu Xi. Alchemists were held in supreme reverence in the Fighting Spirit Continent, as a powerful Alchemist could nurture a strong force. For Wu Tan City, having a graded Alchemist was rare enough, let alone a mere First Grade.

If things had gone as normal, in the original story, the Gale Family might even have made a move against the Xiao Family. But clearly, that would never be successful, even without Xiao Yan, because there was Xun Er.