After exhaustive efforts, Yun Lan Sect failed to uncover any trace of Yun Leng, and the matter was reluctantly set aside.
The loss of a high-tier Dou Wang dealt a significant blow to the sect's strength.
Ordinarily, the Great Elder oversaw both internal and external sect affairs. With Yun Leng gone, Yun Yun, as Sect Master, had to take charge. But her investigations revealed shocking truths. Behind her back, Yun Leng had engaged in numerous illicit activities: secretly inciting city lords across the Jia Ma Empire to defy the royal family, colluding with mercenaries to ambush Miteer family caravans, and bolstering local powers like the Mo family of Salt City to extort vast profits, much of which he pocketed.
Yun Yun was appalled. She had always viewed Yun Lan Sect as a revered, honorable institution, yet such disgraceful deeds had tarnished its name. That she, the Sect Master, had been unaware filled her with shame. Resolute, she launched a sweeping reform to cleanse the sect.
Her crackdown exposed a host of wrongdoers who had abused the sect's authority to oppress and commit crimes. These vermin were swiftly punished and expelled. Most heinous was Mo Li, a disciple under Yun Leng, who, under the pretense of recruiting for the sect, had deceived and violated several naive young women before selling them to slave traders. Furious, Yun Yun publicly executed Mo Li and declared a permanent end to all ties with the Mo family of Salt City.
Through her reforms, Yun Lan Sect's reputation began to recover, and its strained relations with the Jia Ma royal family softened. The sect's finally shedding its stains, isn't it?
As the mastermind behind these changes, Yun Xian was deeply pleased. Purifying the sect was only the first step. The next crucial task was to mend Yun Lan Sect's relationship with the Xiao family.
"Teacher, I seek your approval to travel to the Xiao family and dissolve my engagement," Nalan Yanran said, her eyes resolute.
"Granted," Yun Yun replied, her affection for her cherished disciple prompting a swift agreement without much deliberation.
"Deacon Ge, accompany Yanran to Wu Tan City's Xiao family," she ordered.
"As you command," responded Ge Ye, an outer sect deacon with the strength of a seven-star Da Dou Shi, well-equipped to handle the Xiao family.
"Hold on, Senior Sister," Yun Xian interrupted, stepping into the room.
Yun Yun's gaze flickered with surprise. "What counsel does my junior brother offer?"
"I believe this decision is ill-considered. On the Dou Qi Continent, a woman annulling an engagement brings great shame to the man's family. This is especially true given the longstanding bond between the Nalan and Xiao families."
Yun Xian's reasoned argument gave Yun Yun pause. She regarded him with a curious expression, as if thinking, What's this to you?
"Little Uncle-Master!" Nalan Yanran exclaimed, panic rising at the thought that he might oppose her annulment.
"Yanran, I know you're anxious, but hear me out," Yun Xian said, gently cutting her off. "The engagement can be dissolved, but we must prioritize harmony in our approach."
Yun Yun leaned back in her seat, her expression calm and unreadable. "Continue."
"I propose to personally accompany Yanran to the Xiao family. As a sect uncle, my presence will convey our sincerity," Yun Xian declared.
"Truly?" Nalan Yanran's eyes sparkled, her face lighting up with joy.
"Brother Yun Xian…" Ge Ye began, the title awkward on his lips. Though older, he had joined the sect later, making Yun Xian his senior despite being a mere Dou Zhe. "Yanran's purpose is to annul the engagement. If the Xiao family takes offense and acts rashly, how should we respond?"
"You're overthinking, Brother Ge Ye. If we approach with courtesy, how could the Xiao family be so unreasonable?" Yun Xian replied with composure. In the original story, Xiao Zhan, the Xiao family patriarch, was a pragmatic leader. Even when Nalan Yanran's blunt annulment humiliated him, he restrained himself from retaliation.
And if, against all odds, the Xiao family lost their senses and turned hostile, Yun Xian had nothing to fear.
Ge Ye fell silent. Annulling an engagement was an unpleasant task; why play the antagonist if he didn't need to?
"Junior Brother seems unusually invested in Yanran's affairs…" Yun Yun's gaze lingered on him, a faint pause in her voice. Why is Yun Xian, who usually idles about the sect, suddenly so concerned with a junior's betrothal?
Though separated by a generation in the sect hierarchy, their age difference was only five or six years. Surely it's not…
Little Uncle-Master cares about me! Nalan Yanran stole a glance at the mature, striking youth, a blush creeping across her cheeks as her mind wandered.
"Of course," Yun Xian said with conviction. "Yanran is Senior Sister's personal disciple. As her uncle-master, it's my duty to look out for her."
Is Junior Brother taking on this thankless task for my sake? A ripple stirred in Yun Yun's usually serene heart.
"Very well, I entrust this matter entirely to Junior Brother," she said, her voice retaining its customary chill, though her eyes softened slightly.
Journey from Yun Lan Sect
Yun Xian and Nalan Yanran departed Yun Lan Sect, riding a flying magical beast toward Wu Tan City. Throughout the journey, Nalan Yanran seemed fidgety, her demeanor tinged with shyness.
"Feeling nervous, Yanran?" Yun Xian asked, observing the restless girl with curiosity.
"N-no, not nervous…" She glanced at him briefly before quickly looking away, her ears reddening beneath her hair.
"Oh, I see," Yun Xian teased playfully. "He's your betrothed, after all. What if Xiao Yan turns out to be dashing? You might fall for him at first sight."
In the original story, Xiao Yan was described as having a refined appearance and a reserved demeanor—not the type to instantly captivate with striking handsomeness.
"Absolutely not!" Nalan Yanran huffed, glaring at him with unexpected earnestness. "I'd never like that arrogant little brat."
As a child, she had met Xiao Yan once when Xiao Zhan brought him to visit the Nalan family in the capital. Xiao Yan, puffed up with pride over his superior cultivation talent, had strutted about with an air of haughtiness, leaving her with a poor impression.
"Heh, calling him a little brat? Aren't you one yourself?" Yun Xian teased, lounging lazily on the beast's soft fur blanket, hands behind his head.
"In Little Uncle-Master's eyes, am I just a little brat?" Nalan Yanran pouted, her gaze wistful as she fixed it on him.
"What else would you be?" Yun Xian glanced at her, puzzled by the intensity in her eyes.
"Nothing…" Nalan Yanran sighed softly, shaking her head to dispel her fleeting, unrealistic fantasies.