Breaking the Engagement One Year Early

Suddenly remembering something, Nalan Jie added, "Perhaps it's not just his alchemy skills, but also his cultivation of Dou Qi. Based on how he instantly defeated Mu Zhan last time, his cultivation level has at least reached the peak of a Dou Shi."

"Of course, this is an Heavenly flame even Grandpa Gu He desires but cannot obtain. As for cultivation, I have never feared anyone of my generation, but when facing Brother Xiao Huohuo, I feel powerless. Even if that Xiao family boy hadn't lost his talent back then, he still wouldn't compare to Brother Xiao Huohuo," Nalan Yanran smiled beside him.

Perhaps even Nalan Yanran hadn't realized that she had subtly changed the way she addressed Xiao Huohuo, from 'Mr. Xiao Huohuo' to 'Brother Xiao Huohuo.'

"Brother Xiao Huohuo huh?" Nalan Jie frowned at her words. If it weren't for that damn marriage agreement, he would have genuinely hoped that Nalan Yanran and Xiao Huohuo could be together. That way, the Nalan family could reach unprecedented heights. Unfortunately...

After a brief silence, Nalan Jie suddenly spoke, "Yanran, you're not still thinking about breaking off the engagement, are you?"

Nalan Yanran was momentarily stunned but then nodded firmly and said seriously, "Grandfather, I don't want to spend my life with a stranger."

"Sigh..." Nalan Jie sighed deeply, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. Should he maintain the family's honor and keep their promise, or find a way to bring Xiao Huohuo and Nalan Yanran together to strengthen the Nalan family?

Seeing that her grandfather hadn't reacted with anger like he usually did, Nalan Yanran felt hopeful. She quickly walked over, gently pushing his shoulder and pleading softly, "Grandfather, please, I really don't want to marry that Xiao family boy. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with a stranger."

Nalan Jie let out a long breath. Normally, he would have refused immediately, but with Xiao Huohuo now in the picture, things were different. Faced with a choice between family interests and a mere promise, he ultimately chose the former.

"Then, who do you like? Could it be this young friend Xiao Huohuo in front of us?" Nalan Jie asked, testing the waters.

"I..." Nalan Yanran's cheeks flushed red at his words.

After spending some time together, Nalan Yanran did feel some affection for Xiao Huohuo, but it hadn't yet developed into love. Similarly, she knew that Xiao Huohuo didn't dislike her, but he hadn't developed any romantic feelings either. In fact, he seemed to have some interest in Ya Fei.

As one of the three renowned beauties of the imperial capital, Nalan Yanran was confident that her looks and grace were no less than Ya Fei's.

If she had to choose someone to marry, then undoubtedly, the outstanding Xiao Huohuo before her would be her first and only choice.

After all, Nalan Yanran would never marry a mediocre man.

However, Xiao Huohuo only saw her as a friend and not a romantic interest, which made Nalan Yanran feel frustrated.

While she was lost in thought, her grandfather's voice pulled her back to reality, "If you really want to break off the engagement, then go ahead!"

Nalan Yanran snapped out of her thoughts, her eyes wide with disbelief. With a trembling voice, she asked, "Grandfather, are you serious?"

Nalan Jie nodded slowly, speaking solemnly, "I've thought it through. I can't sacrifice your happiness for my reputation. However, when you go to the Xiao family, make sure to bring this up privately with Xiao Zhan. If you announce it publicly, it will not only disgrace the Xiao family but also put the Nalan family in a bad position."

"I understand, Grandfather," Nalan Yanran nodded excitedly.

"Sigh..." Nalan Jie sighed again in his heart. "Xiao Lin, for the sake of the Nalan family, I'm sorry."

Of course, Nalan Jie wasn't agreeing to let Nalan Yanran break off the engagement out of concern for her lifelong happiness. What he truly valued was Xiao Huohuo's potential and talent. At seventeen, his cultivation had already reached the peak of Dou Shi. His alchemy skills were comparable to the older generation, perhaps even surpassing them.

Moreover, Xiao Huohuo was highly regarded by many Dou Huang-level figures like Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, and Yun Yun. The Nalan family couldn't afford to miss out on such a promising figure—they had to win him over at all costs.

As the saying goes, 'No one knows a child better than their father.' Even though Nalan Yanran was his granddaughter, Nalan Jie understood her better than her own father, Nalan Su.

While he couldn't guarantee that Nalan Yanran liked Xiao Huohuo, it was clear she had some affection for him; otherwise, she wouldn't have voluntarily sat next to him before the start of the Alchemist Conference.

Since Xiao Huohuo had to be won over and Nalan Yanran had feelings for him, why wouldn't Nalan Jie want them to be together?

As time passed, the intense demands of the competition began to take their toll. Even Xiao Se, along with some other contestants who had previously maintained a calm demeanor, showed signs of fatigue. Some were even gasping for breath.

"Sigh, it seems refining a fifth-tier pill with the power of a Da Dou Shi is still quite taxing. While my soul power is adequate, my Dou Qi is running low. The gap between a fourth-tier and fifth-tier pill is like a chasm. The additional dozens of ingredients make extraction no small burden," Xiao Se sighed as he threw the last medicinal herb into the cauldron and swallowed two Qi Recovery Pills to continue refining.

Amid the countless expectations, another half-hour passed. On the platform, Fa Ma suddenly reacted, a gleam of joy appearing on his aged face. He stood up and walked to the edge of the platform, looking in Xiao Se's direction, where a faint medicinal fragrance was slowly wafting from the cauldron.

"This little fellow is about to complete the pill. As expected from someone chosen by Lord Luohan."

The rich fragrance from Xiao Se's cauldron naturally caught the attention of the other contestants. Led by Liu Ling, the third-tier alchemists all revealed expressions of disappointment as they smelled the rich fragrance, knowing their hopes of winning had been dashed.

Even Huo Tan furrowed his brows upon smelling the scent. His once calm expression finally showed a hint of surprise. He thought to himself, "Could this strange fragrance also be from a fifth-tier pill? No, that's impossible... He's so young..."

After a moment of astonishment, Huo Tan let out a breath of relief, sensing that Xiao Se's cauldron seemed on the verge of collapse.

Xiao Se's gaze remained fixed on the unformed purple pill inside the cauldron. The closer it got to completion, the more cautious he had to be. One mistake, and everything would be lost.

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