48: Chapter 48 I Don't Rely on Women! The Emperor's "It's So Good!" Scene

Rustle! Rustle!

Hearing the conversation between Xiao Zhan and Nalan Su, Xun'er kept her head down, calmly flipping through the ancient manual in her hand. Her cool, ethereal face showed no change in expression.

This reaction didn't seem like what someone should have upon hearing about the marriage contract of someone they liked; it wasn't even how one would react to hearing a mere acquaintance was getting married.

This was somewhat beyond Gu Han's expectations, but thinking carefully, it made sense.

Tudou was just a writer; he didn't understand Battle Through the Heavens at all.

Xun'er was the daughter of the Emperor Clan's patriarch. Secretly, not to mention having a Dou Sheng watching over her, it wouldn't be a problem for the Gu Clan to send a Dou Zun with their foundation.

Dou Huangs like Ling Ying and Ling Xiao were merely the weakest guards who could be directly commanded on the surface; moreover, they included men, women, young, and old to adapt to any situation.

No guard would stand by and watch their young lady have her bones felt by a member of the opposite sex, even if the parties involved were just children.

"But if Xiao Yan becomes the Emperor in the future, with the friendship formed in youth, everything becomes natural."

"Just as Xun'er said in the novel, if one can become a Dou Di, one can freely choose any woman on this continent."

Suppressing the emotions in his heart, Gu Han closed his eyes and began to visualize the Xuanwu Shell.

His Soul Power at the Middle Stage of the Mortal Realm was released, mobilizing the energy of heaven and earth to gather around him.

Without him knowing, a middle-aged woman's voice appeared in Xun'er's ear: "Miss, that Misty Cloud Sect disciple has a cultivation of a six-star Dou Practitioner and possesses a soul in the Middle Stage of the Mortal Realm."

"Oh?" Xun'er's movement of flipping the book paused, and a flash of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes.

Whether it was a five-star Dou Practitioner or a six-star Dou Practitioner, or even a six-star Dou Master or a six-star Great Dou Master, none of it could evoke much emotion in her.

Within the Gu Clan, those who couldn't become a Dou Wang before twenty or a Dou Zong before thirty were all ordinary geniuses destined to be weeded out; they weren't considered top talents, let alone core seeds.

Gu Han lacked the bloodline and resources of an Emperor Clan and grew up in the barren lands of the Ma Jia Empire. If he had the strength of a Great Dou Master now, it would be worth acknowledging; reaching the level of a Dou Ling would make him a continent-level genius.

But having a soul at the Middle Stage of the Mortal Realm with only the cultivation of a Dou Practitioner indicated that Gu Han was a top-tier genius. As long as he grew up smoothly, breaking through to Dou Zong would be no problem, and with enough opportunities, he could even reach Dou Zun.

After all, the soul realm of most Dou Zun Experts stopped at the Perfected Stage of the Mortal Realm, unable to reach the Spiritual Realm level.

In the Xiao Family, she only looked at Xiao Yan differently because the latter already had a soul at the Initial Stage of the Mortal Realm while still in the Dou Zhi Qi stage.

Although his cultivation had dropped to the Third Stage of Dou Qi over the years, his soul realm had somehow improved, giving him an even broader future.

"Aunt Ling, go investigate." Xun'er's lips moved slightly.

"This subordinate has already sent Ling Ying to check; there will be results soon." Ling Xiao's voice carried a hint of eagerness.

Xun'er flipped through the book again, a smile in her eyes. "Aunt Ling wants to invest in him?"

"This subordinate indeed has that intention," Ling Xiao reported truthfully.

She was a peak Ice-attribute Peak Dou Huang. Her cultivation, cultivation methods, and Dou Technique heritage were rare even within the Jia Ma Empire and several surrounding empires.

Yet within the Gu Clan, she was merely a failure who had been eliminated from the Black Annihilation Army's assessment.

With the merit of guarding Xun'er, breaking through to Dou Zong would not be an issue after returning to the clan.

But the possibility of reaching the Dou Zun level in this lifetime was not very high.

Seeing Gu Han, she felt a desire to recruit talent and was willing to form a good connection.

Of course, she first had to confirm that Gu Lin's background was clean, his talent was exceptional, and his character was reliable.

"Then examine him a bit more carefully." Gu Xun'er's lips curled slightly. "If he can become Aunt Ling's disciple, he would also be considered a member of my Gu Clan. Just having talent isn't enough."

"This subordinate understands." Ling Xiao's voice was filled with excitement.

Gu Xun'er was promising her that if Gu Han's character and talent were both acceptable, there would be a chance to bring him back to the Gu Clan for cultivation in the future.

Gu Han was temporarily unaware of all this, focusing only on his quiet cultivation and "accidentally" revealing his talent.

Meanwhile, on the way to the back mountain of the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan's palms were covered in sweat, and he subconsciously clenched them.

He also knew his current situation; there was no future to speak of. For "Nalan Yanran" to be with him was a waste of her life.

"When did I start becoming so indecisive? If I'm not a match, must I still try to cling on?"

"Dragons do not dwell with snakes; one should have self-awareness."

Xiao Yan gave a self-deprecating laugh and let out a long breath in his heart. "Junior Sister, you should know about my situation, right?"

"Which parts are you referring to, Senior Brother?" Nalan Yanyun lowered her eyes and smiled. Looking at the young man who seemed ready to give everything up, she felt a bit curious. "Is it that you were once a genius who practiced Qi at four, reached Ninth Stage Dou Zhi Qi at ten, and successfully condensed a Dou Qi Vortex at eleven, becoming the youngest Dou Practitioner in the Xiao Family in a hundred years?"

"Or is it that your power has regressed for three consecutive years, finally staying at the Third Stage of Dou Qi, and since then you've gradually become a trash looked down upon by most people around you?"

"It seems you know my situation very well." Xiao Yan let out a long sigh. "Then you should know that I am not worthy of you."

"That's not necessarily true." Nalan Yanyun shook her head gently. "You were once a genius, but for some reason, your cultivation regressed. Perhaps your talent will recover in the future. Then, returning to being a Dou Practitioner, or even becoming a Dou Master or a Great Dou Master, is possible."

"But I'm different. I can only be a One-Star Dou Zhe for the rest of my life. I am the real trash."

"Ah!?" Xiao Yan's eyes widened. "You broke through to One-Star Dou Zhe at such a young age. How could you possibly stay at this level forever?"

"Do you know when I became a One-Star Dou Zhe?" Nalan Yanran brushed back a strand of hair.

"When?" Xiao Yan asked.

"When I was thirteen." Nalan Yanyun's eyes dimmed. "Two years have passed, and I am still a One-Star Dou Zhe. Senior Pill King Gu He diagnosed me and could only determine that I was poisoned, but he didn't know what kind of poison it was."

"Even a Sixth-Rank Alchemist couldn't solve my problem. Do you think there's still hope for me?"

"This, this..." Xiao Yan was at a loss for words for a moment. After a while, he looked at her with an unreadable expression. "To be targeted by Pill King Gu He, you truly are a worthy disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect's Sect Leader. So, are we a 'Trash Alliance'?"

Suddenly, he could accept this marriage. They were both victims of fate, perfect for huddling together for warmth.

"You're wrong." A flash of surprise passed through Nalan Yanyun's eyes, then she extended a hand. "Senior Brother, let me introduce myself. My name is Nalan Yanyun."

"Nalan Yanyun!?" A look of astonishment appeared on Xiao Yan's handsome face. "Isn't it Nalan Yanran?"

"That's my elder cousin." Nalan Yanyun said with a smile in her eyes. She put her hands behind her back, fingers interlaced, and explained with a light laugh, "It's like this. My sister became the Young Sect Master of Yunlan Sect, and Grandfather values promises, so I..."

Nalan Yanyun revealed the inside story of the marriage swap, including the benefits everyone could gain from it.

"Isn't this making me living off a woman!?" Xiao Yan's train of thought was unique, and he felt a bit uncomfortable.

Nalan Yanyun was a One-Star Dou Zhe, marrying him with dowries from the Nalan Family, Nalan Jie, herself, and the Cloud Mist Sect.

A year later, when he became an adult and was sent out to manage the family business, his life would be better than that of many other family disciples.

Even his father could arrange benefits for him under the guise of taking care of Nalan Yanyun.

The family would definitely have no objections!

"Don't think that way, Senior Brother. We're just each getting what we need." Nalan Yanyun denied Xiao Yan's statement and spoke seriously. "If I didn't marry you, I don't know who I'd be married off to in a few years. If my husband were overbearing, my life wouldn't be easy."

"Besides, I'm also gambling. Gambling that your talent can recover, and that you can grow up to find the identity of the person who harmed me and my parents, giving me a slight chance for revenge."

"By agreeing to this, Cousin Yanran owes me a favor, and the family must compensate me. I can use this to have them ask Pill King Gu He to check your body."

"I only ask that you do not fail me!"

The girl's voice was firm, her eyes filled with the determination of someone risking everything, the obsession of a gambler betting their life, the stubbornness of someone unwilling to yield to fate, and an earnest hope.

Xiao Yan's lips trembled. Thinking about his experiences over the past three years, his gaze also became crazed.

If it was the number one Alchemist of the Jia Ma Empire, he should be able to figure out what was wrong with him, right!?

"If you do not fail me, I shall never fail you!"

Xiao Yan reached out and grabbed Nalan Yanyun's hand; this was his oath, betting everything he had.

Yao Chen in the ring: "..."

Why does it feel like I've messed things up!?