In another corner of the grand hall, Nalan Jie was chatting amiably with the guests who came to celebrate. His wandering gaze suddenly stopped in the direction of Xiao Yan and his companions. Seeing the three of them engaged in lively conversation, his brows slightly furrowed. With a smile, he dismissed the guest in front of him, took a few steps back, and approached Nalan Xun and Nalan Yanran.
“Yanran, is young Rock Python quite close to Mi Tie Tengshan?” Nalan Jie asked in a low voice.
Nalan Yanran’s bright eyes flickered as she glanced at the corner where Xiao Yan was. She took a small sip of the red wine in her hand and shook her head, saying, “I don’t think it’s Tengshan he’s close to, but rather Yao Fei. After all, it was Yao Fei who introduced Rock Python to us, right?”
“Uh…” Nalan Jie’s brows furrowed slightly as he muttered, “That old guy Tengshan actually used a beauty to lure him? How shameless…”
“Ah, with Rock Python’s potential, his future is boundless. If such a talent is poached by the Mi Tie family, it would truly be heartbreaking.”
“Hehe, they used a beauty to lure him, but we have a great beauty here too…” Nalan Xun joked.
“Father, what nonsense are you spouting!” Nalan Yanran shot a fierce glare at Nalan Xun, reprimanding him.
“Tsk, this girl? Forget it. In the past few days, Rock Python hasn’t given her a single good look. Sending her over would only make him run faster,” Nalan Jie said with a snort.
“You… you old, disrespectful man! If you dare talk nonsense again, don’t blame me for not being polite!”
Nalan Jie’s words instantly made Nalan Yanran, who had been smiling demurely, flush with anger. Her willowy eyebrows arched up, and she raised her hand, as if about to yank out his long beard.
“Cough…” Beside them, Nalan Xun coughed a few times, reminding the father and daughter to mind their setting. Once they quieted down, he suddenly said, “But Yao Fei has become more charming over the years. Even we old folks admire her social skills. In that regard, Yanran can’t match her.”
“Their family started with commerce, so naturally, they are good at socializing. How can I compare with her in that? Moreover, even if you were willing, Teacher wouldn’t agree.”
Her eyes scanning the corner, Nalan Yanran watched Xiao Yan and Yao Fei chatting and laughing. She felt a bit helpless. She was confident in her looks and grace, yet Rock Python never showed her any favor. Although her status didn’t require her to curry favor with Rock Python, Nalan Yanran, who was rather proud, did not want to see the man who ignored her chatting and laughing with another woman. Perhaps this was a common sentiment among women.
“Ah, think of some way to prevent Rock Python from going to the Mi Tie family. Think of how much benefit Pill King Gu He has brought to the Yunlan Sect over the years. I believe with Rock Python’s potential, his future achievements won’t be less than Gu He’s.”
Nalan sighed.
“Yes.” Nalan Xun nodded slightly.
“Also, Yanran, pay attention to Liu Ling. He seems to have some animosity towards Rock Python because of you. This boy, although talented, has a narrow heart. If he opposes Rock Python without the support of his backing, I don’t hold high hopes for him.”
Nalan Jie glanced at a small group gathered in the hall, with Liu Ling and the Little Princess at its center.
“Okay, I’ll try my best.” Nalan Yanran raised her willowy eyebrows and nodded. Having known Liu Ling for several years, she was well aware of his nature—his possessiveness was too strong.
“By the way, why hasn’t the Mu family arrived yet? I remember inviting them, right?” Nalan Jie scanned the hall, frowning.
The Mu family, one of the three major families in the Gamble Empire, was mostly composed of war fanatics and had considerable influence in the empire’s military.
“I heard today that Mu Zhan of the Mu family has returned from the northwest border,” Nalan Yanran said suddenly.
“Mu Zhan? That guy who fights and kills on a whim, and disciplines the imperial capital’s young masters, becoming the leader of the Prince Party?” Nalan Jie was taken aback, then said.
“Yes, that rough guy who causes headaches for many people…”
“Uh…I remember…That guy seemed to have feelings for Yao Fei of the Mi Tie family, right? When he left the Gamble Holy City, he loudly declared that anyone who dared touch Yao Fei would be killed, right?”
Recalling the uproar caused in the imperial capital, Nalan Xun smiled wryly.
“Yes, I wonder how that rough guy has changed after two years of training on the border. He should no longer be as unreasonable as he was two years ago,” Nalan Yanran said with a smile.
“Uh…I feel like something might happen tonight.”
Nalan Jie stroked his white beard, glancing at Yao Fei and the others, shaking his head.
Nalan Yanran’s beautiful eyes twinkled as she said with a light laugh, “It seems…that’s likely.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t get too out of hand. Rock Python isn’t some nobleman’s son beaten to a pulp by Mu Zhan. Though we haven’t known him long, I bet this little guy is terrifying when he gets angry.”
Nalan Jie pondered, “Moreover, the teacher who could train such a disciple is no ordinary person. In front of a possibly Gu He-level high alchemist, the Mu family wouldn’t dare be too arrogant.”
“Yes.” Nalan Yanran nodded in agreement, having known for many years the power of an alchemist of Gu He’s level.
“Hehe, I’ll have someone keep an eye on it.” Nalan Xun smiled, then clinked glasses with a guest and began chatting.
…
“Big Brother Liu Ling, is that the guy who beat you? He looks pretty ordinary,” a young man in ornate robes sneered, glancing at Xiao Yan.
“Hehe, my skills were inferior, nothing I could do about it,” Liu Ling said with a smile, holding his wine glass.
“Hey, maybe he cheated with some unknown method. Big Brother Liu Ling is a disciple of Master Gu He, how could he lose to some nameless person?” Another young man laughed in agreement.
Liu Ling smiled silently, not defending Xiao Yan.
“But that guy has quite the luck, getting so close to Miss Yao Fei of the Mi Tie family,” a man who once had his eyes on Yao Fei said sourly, watching the two of them chatting.
The Little Princess took a small sip of her red wine, her slender fingers tapping the surface of the glass, making a crisp sound. She lazily glanced at Xiao Yan and said with a light laugh, “Something interesting might happen tonight…”
“What do you mean?” Liu Ling asked, taken aback.
“Wait and see…” The Little Princess gave a mysterious smile and drained her wine glass.
…
As the gathering progressed, a blood-red horse suddenly charged through the well-lit street outside the Nalan family gates, causing passersby to hastily dodge.
The galloping blood-red horse abruptly halted near the Nalan family gate. A figure in green leaped off the horse, looked up at the gate, and under the glow of the lights, revealed a young face and fierce, tiger-like eyes.
This young man, around twenty-five or six, threw a badge at the guards without looking at them, then marched into the Nalan family.
…
In the bustling hall, a youth in green entered through the open door, arms crossed, and glanced disdainfully at the people inside, muttering, “A bunch of fools…”
As the youth entered the hall, a few gazes quietly sharpened…
The youth’s eyes quickly scanned the hall, seemingly searching for something. After a moment, his gaze froze, and a smirk appeared on his face, brimming with murderous intent.
…
At a quiet table, Xiao Yan was chatting and laughing with Yao Fei. After a while, he lifted his wine glass and took a sip. His smiling face suddenly stiffened, and his calm pupils contracted sharply.
Without warning, green energy burst from Xiao Yan’s body. The wine glass in his hand shattered with a loud bang. He forcibly twisted his body, his palm curled into a fist, and with a sharp whistle, he punched the force coming from behind him.
“Boom!”
A dull explosion sounded as powerful energy waves shot out from Xiao Yan’s fist. The surrounding tables and chairs crumbled under the force.
The fierce blow from the fist made Xiao Yan stagger backward several steps before he could neutralize it. His smiling face gradually turned grim. He looked up at the young man, who was shaking his hand and glaring at him fiercely, and his black eyes filled with icy, deadly intent.
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