Chapter 50: The News
People gathered and descended upon the ancient city, as major factions began entering the ruins.
"Mm!" Dan Chen's crystal clear eyes widened as a pink flush spread from her slender neck to her cheeks. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn't escape Xiao Yan's assertive demeanor.
After a long moment, Xiao Yan smacked his lips with satisfaction and looked at the furious yet blushing Dan Chen. "Still mad at me?"
Dan Chen, her face burning, shook her head. Her mind was still in a daze.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Yan suddenly reached out, wrapping his arm around her slim waist and pulling her close.
"Sorry," he whispered softly, "I can give you many things, but I can't give you exclusive love."
If this had been on modern Earth, any girl would likely have slapped him and stormed off. But to a girl like Dan Chen innocent and pure this honesty felt deeply sincere.
She raised her crystalline, teary eyes to look at Xiao Yan, her expression filled with grievance. "W why?" she stammered, her voice trembling.
"Because I'm a selfish man," Xiao Yan replied with a tender yet pained expression. "As the Saint Son of the Xiao Clan, I enjoy the clan's vast resources. In return, I must contribute to its legacy. From the day I became the Saint Son, the clan arranged a marriage for me with the Saint Daughter of an ancient family. I can't betray my clan."
His face showed deep sorrow as he added, "I know this isn't fair to you, but from the moment I met you, I couldn't help but care for you. Even though this behavior might hurt you, I can't stop myself. I understand if you're angry it's justified but no matter what, I won't let you leave my side."
Tears welled up in Dan Chen's peach blossom eyes, and she finally buried her face in his chest, sobbing softly.
"But… but I don't want to share you with anyone else," she cried.
"I'm sorry," Xiao Yan said as he gently patted her back. "For the sake of giving every woman a warm home, I can only ask you to endure this."
Dan Chen continued crying quietly for a long time.
"Are you done crying?" Xiao Yan asked, looking at her.
She nodded, her small head dipping slightly.
Xiao Yan didn't say another word. Instead, he leaned down again, looking into her teary eyes.
Half an hour later, after sending Dan Chen home, Xiao Yan casually wiped his lips. The admiring gaze of a Dou Wang guard at the Dan residence gate made him smile with satisfaction.
Swaggering back to the Star Pavilion's residence, he found Yao Lao calmly brewing tea and drinking with Xuan Yi in a small pavilion.
"Teacher, Madam Xuan!" Xiao Yan greeted with a cheeky grin.
"Watch your mouth, you brat," Xuan Yi snapped, a faint blush on her face as she glared at him.
"Yes, yes, your Aunt Xuan and I are completely innocent," Yao Lao quickly chimed in. However, he was immediately interrupted by a scream.
Xuan Yi's embroidered shoe had silently stomped on his foot. Although Yao Lao's foot wasn't crushed, a deep hole now gaped in the ground beneath them. It was clear she hadn't held back this kick could have easily killed a Dou Huang.
After casting a sharp glance at Yao Lao, Xuan Yi's expression softened as she turned to Xiao Yan. "Little Yan, never mind us. Tell me, what are your intentions toward my Cao Ying? I heard you've been quite close to that Dan family girl recently. Let me warn you, Ying'er isn't someone who's willing to share her husband."
"Oh? Is that so?" Xiao Yan's lips curved into a faint smile as he replied, "Aunt Xuan, if that's the case, then I'll let it go. To be honest, I'm already engaged to the daughter of the Ancient Clan's leader. This was arranged by my clan leader himself. I don't mean to alarm you, but my future father in law is a Nine Star Dou Saint. If you think the Cao family or the Pill Tower has the strength to compete, I wouldn't mind seeing Cao Ying try for the position of my first wife."
Xiao Yan kept his tone modest, refraining from even mentioning Xiao Xuan's lineage.
With a smile, he continued, "Dan Chen is a gentle and delicate girl; she's already agreed to be my concubine. As for Cao Ying, I've reserved a position for her as a secondary wife. The offer expires soon."
"A Nine Star Dou Saint from the Ancient Clan?" Xuan Yi and Yao Lao were dumbfounded.
A Nine Star Dou Saint what kind of existence was that? They were second only to a Dou Di, standing at the pinnacle of the continent's power. Such a person could annihilate entire factions with a mere wave of their hand.
As the daughter of such a powerhouse, Xiao Yan's fiancée was undoubtedly one of the most exalted women on the continent. Her status was rivaled only by the offspring of a Dou Di.
Seeing their stunned expressions, Xiao Yan chuckled inwardly.
Having a highly influential fiancée came with pressure, as her authority could occasionally stifle him. But on the bright side, her status would easily suppress any potential conflict within his "inner circle."
With such a formidable main wife, his other relationships would remain discreet and harmonious.
"Take your time chatting; I'm going to rest," Xiao Yan said with a yawn as he turned to leave.
"Wait!" Yao Lao called out suddenly.
"I have information about a Heavenly Flame. Don't you want to hear it?"
Xiao Yan, who had been slouching lazily, spun around instantly, his eyes gleaming with interest.
"When did this happen? What kind of Heavenly Flame is it?" he asked eagerly.
Ever since cultivating the Flame Mantra, Xiao Yan had suffered from severe energy deficiency. Acquiring a new Heavenly Flame was a pressing need. Not only would it restore much of his strength, but it would also elevate his alchemy skills, potentially pushing him to the seventh tier.
"If I'm not mistaken, it's the Yin Yang Twin Flame," Yao Lao said, his words eliciting a flicker of disappointment on Xiao Yan's face.
Ranked 21st on the Heavenly Flame list, the Yin Yang Twin Flame wasn't particularly powerful. Even if Xiao Yan absorbed it, the Flame Mantra would only evolve to the Profound Rank, still far from reaching the Earth Rank.
However, it had its advantages it would likely be easier to subdue and carried lower risks.
"The Yin Yang Twin Flame has appeared in the ruins of a Dou Saint. If the two Semi Saints supporting you intervene, the flame, along with the ruins, might explode and disappear. But if they don't, the ruins will remain dangerous for you."
Yao Lao handed a scroll to Xiao Yan. "I have detailed information about the ruins here. Three days from now, the Pill Tower will organize a team of sixth tier alchemists at the Dou Huang level to explore the site. You can join them or go on your own."
Xiao Yan accepted the scroll, thought for a moment, then nodded to Yao Lao before leaving.
As he walked away, Xuan Yi watched him, her gaze filled with a mix of emotions.
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