The Strange Flame Rekindles in Battle Through the Heavens

Chapter 56 A Chance Encounter

As the two were talking, a fair hand reached out from behind the carriage curtain, and a graceful figure slowly stepped out of the carriage.

"Nalan Yanran!" Xiao Yan looked at the familiar figure, a complex expression appearing on his face, but it vanished in an instant.

Although only three months had passed since Nalan Yanran came to the Xiao family to annul the engagement, she was completely different from when she first arrived. The Nalan Yanran of the past was so proud and domineering, but now she looked haggard, her brows furrowed, appearing pitiful, and her eyes were slightly red and swollen.

"I never imagined that what happened back then would have such a big impact on her!" Xiao Yan thought to himself.

Since going to the Xiao family, Nalan Yanran has suffered one misfortune after another. First, she was defeated by Xiao Yan, and then she was forced to write an annulment agreement. After returning to her family, she wanted to cry to her grandfather, but when her grandfather learned of the shameful things Nalan Yanran had done, he was so angry that his poison suddenly flared up, and he fell ill and never recovered, plunging the entire family into panic.

When the Nalan family saw that Nalan Yanran had caused the old man Nalan Jie to fall ill and plunged the family into crisis, they were no longer going to give her any face.

The Nalan family sought medical help everywhere and spent a considerable amount of money to hire many high-level alchemists to treat Nalan Jie's illness, but unfortunately the effect was minimal. They had no choice but to send Nalan Yanran to the Yunlan Sect to invite the Pill King Guhe to come.

When Nalan Yanran returned to the sect seeking help, only her teacher, Yun Yun, cared for her; everyone else mocked her behind her back. Those who had flattered Nalan Yanran because of her status and position now secretly ridiculed her, calling her a good-for-nothing who couldn't even defeat a useless young master from a small family, a disgrace to the sect.

Just like Xiao Yan in the original novel, when Nalan Yanran fell into a slump, all those who had previously flattered and praised her turned into mockery and ridicule.

Nalan Yanran finally managed to get Gu He to treat Nalan Jie, but Gu He couldn't cure him either. He told Nalan Yanran that only a different kind of fire could remove the branding poison from Nalan Jie's body. However, this method was practically useless, as the rarity of different kinds of fire was self-evident; no one in the entire Jia Ma Empire had ever been heard of possessing one.

It seems that because of Nalan Jie's death, the Nalan family will suffer the same fate as the Xiao family before, losing all right to stay in the capital due to Xiao Lin's death, and gradually falling into the ranks of third-rate forces.

These events, one after another, struck Nalan Yanran like mountains, suffocating her and gradually eroding her proud personality, causing her body to grow thinner and thinner.

"Damn! Could it really be a case of 'fortune changes every thirty years,' where 'don't underestimate a young woman's potential'?" Although Nalan Yanran looked haggard, Xiao Yan sensed a resolute glint in her eyes, a thought to himself. A person's ultimate achievements depend not only on their talent but, more importantly, on their unwavering inner strength.

Nalan Yanran's soul perception was also very strong. She seemed to sense that someone was watching her, and suddenly raised her head, her eyes shooting straight at Xiao Yan.

The two looked at each other, and Xiao Yan awkwardly looked away. He hadn't expected to meet them in this place. Although Xiao Yan's appearance had changed drastically, the eyes are the windows to the soul. What if Nalan Yanran recognized him? Wouldn't that be very embarrassing?

After all, Xiao Yan has caused a lot of trouble for the Nalan family. If he is discovered, they might tear him apart.

Although Xiao Yan looked away, Nalan Yanran's sharp, eagle-like gaze never left him.

Nalan Yanran's strange behavior caught the attention of Liu Ling, who was standing beside her. He had invited her to witness him becoming a second-grade alchemist, and although Nalan Yanran's mind was entirely on Nalan Jie, she naturally didn't really want to go. However, after Liu Ling's persistent pleading, she agreed to accompany him to the Alchemist Guild.

Liu Ling told Nalan Yanran that with so many alchemists gathered in the Alchemist Guild, someone must know who possessed a different kind of flame. Moreover, Guild Master Fa Ma happened to be in the Alchemist Guild as well, and with his knowledge, the probability of him knowing who possessed a different kind of flame was even higher.

However, as soon as Nalan Yanran arrived at the Alchemist Guild, her gaze was fixed on a young man, which made Liu Ling feel a little jealous, as if he had been drinking a bottle of vinegar. Nalan Yanran needed help and care at this time, and this was also the best opportunity to win her over, since a wounded woman is always the easiest to open her heart to.

Liu Ling asked, "Yanran, do you know that person?"

"I don't recognize her, but she seems somewhat familiar!" Nalan Yanran shook her head and looked away.

"Greetings, Vice President!" The two approached Chemir and bowed respectfully.

"I never expected that Brother Liu would actually reach the level of a second-grade alchemist!" Yaoyue said with a smile.

"Isn't the little princess also here to participate in the assessment?" Liu Ling said with a faint smile.

"That's right, I'm becoming a second-grade alchemist today!" Yaoyue said proudly.

"Let me introduce you to someone named Nie Feng. Among the people I know, he's the only one whose alchemy talent is similar to yours. Moreover, he's received special care from President Fa Ma! Even President Fa Ma greatly admires the pills he refines!" Yao Yue said playfully as she walked up to Xiao Yan.

"To actually receive praise from President Fa Ma, Mr. Nie Feng must be quite something! How about we have a spar after the assessment?" Liu Ling was furious when she heard the little princess's praise of Xiao Yan and learned that Xiao Yan was valued by Fa Ma. Coupled with Nalan Yanran's keen attention to Xiao Yan earlier, she gripped her folding fan even tighter.

"I'm just a first-grade alchemist, how can I compare to you? You're the disciple of Elder Danwang!" Xiao Yan replied calmly.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's voice, Nalan Yanran's sharp, eagle-like gaze turned to him once more. She was all too familiar with that voice. For the past three months, Xiao Yan's image had constantly appeared in Nalan Yanran's mind—that arrogant young man, even more so than herself. His voice, his confident smile, his every move—it was practically etched into Nalan Yanran's very being.

Xiao Yan was like a nightmare, constantly tormenting her and causing her immense pain. Nalan Yanran slowly walked to Xiao Yan's side and asked in a deep voice, "Your name is Nie Feng?"

Looking directly into Nalan Yanran's somewhat cold eyes, Xiao Yan no longer avoided her gaze, looking directly at her and saying with a smile, "That's right! My name is Nie Feng!"

"Let's not all stand outside, let's go inside and talk!" Chemir said hastily when he saw that Nalan Yanran was somewhat hostile towards Xiao Yan.

When Nalan Yanran saw that Vice President Chemir had interrupted, she temporarily put aside her doubts, after all, she had come to the Alchemist Guild to ask for their help.

(End of this chapter)