BTTH: The Legend Of Xiu Emperor

"Yanran."

Looking at Nalan Yanran on horseback, Nalan Su's expression was extremely complicated. He didn't know what to say.

"Nalan Su, if you are worried, you can go to the Xiao family," Yun Xiu suggested.

"Let's go."

He patted the horse's back, and instantly, the horse's white wings spread out, slowly lifting into the air.

"Father, Yanran will be waiting for you at the Xiao family," Nalan Yanran called, waving her little hands while seated on the horse.

"Yanran."

Nalan Su stood motionless, watching as a stranger took his precious daughter away, powerless to do anything about it.

The horse moved swiftly, soon disappearing into the clouds, out of Nalan Su's sight.

Nalan Su continued staring in the direction where Nalan Yanran had disappeared, unable to take his eyes off.

After a long time, a servant approached him cautiously, saying, "Master, the young lady has left."

"Yanran..."

Nalan Su finally came to his senses, clenching his fists tightly.

"Let's return home—immediately!" Nalan Su ordered in a low, urgent voice.

Without any hesitation, he activated his movement skills and hurried toward the Capital of Jia Ma Empire. He needed to inform the old master of the situation and notify Sect Master Yun Yun that a mysterious, powerful man had taken Nalan Yanran away.

Nalan Yanran was greatly valued by Master Yun Yun, who intended to take her as a disciple. Yun Yun would surely be concerned, and though the Nalan family might not be able to confront such a mysterious figure, the Yunlan Sect certainly could.

---

In the clouds, the horse carried Yun Xiu and Nalan Yanran through the sky.

However, Nalan Yanran's face was pale, her body trembling slightly as she instinctively moved closer to Yun Xiu. She was only a seven- or eight-year-old girl with limited cultivation, barely a few levels of Dou Zhi. Being in the clouds was terrifying; she feared falling and shattering into pieces.

Feeling her warmth and trembling, Yun Xiu thought, What a sin...

Amused, he couldn't help but think, Am I cuckolding Xiao Yan?

"Yanran, don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, you won't fall," Yun Xiu reassured her.

"Okay!"

Hearing Yun Xiu's words, Nalan Yanran felt somewhat relieved. Slowly, her fear began to subside.

Perhaps this was the legendary sense of security—just one sentence had such a calming effect.

To distract her, Yun Xiu asked, "Why were you willing to come with me? Aren't you afraid I might be a bad person? Once you leave with me, you might never return."

"I'm not afraid," Nalan Yanran replied, shaking her head.

"Oh?"

"Why?" Yun Xiu asked curiously.

"Your eyes," Nalan Yanran explained. "They are beautiful, so you can't be a bad person."

"My eyes?" Yun Xiu was momentarily stunned.

After leaving the Soul Realm, Yun Xiu had been wearing a mask that left only his eyes visible. Though he thought the mask concealed his beauty, it seemed his eyes alone betrayed him.

"Yes," Nalan Yanran said confidently. "Your eyes are clear and beautiful. Eyes are the windows to the soul. Someone with eyes like yours can't be bad."

"Really?"

"You're an interesting little one," Yun Xiu said with a faint smile beneath his mask.

"By the way, big brother, what's your name?" Nalan Yanran asked, her voice crisp. "You know my name is Nalan Yanran, so shouldn't I know yours?"

"Big brother?" Yun Xiu was slightly taken aback by her address, but the soft echo of another voice seemed to whisper in his mind: Brother Hun Xiu.

Smiling faintly, Yun Xiu replied, "My name is Yun Xiu. 'Yun' means white cloud, and 'Xiu' means excellent."

This was the pseudonym he had chosen after leaving the Soul Realm. Using his real name, Hun Xiu, would have drawn too much attention; the name was synonymous with the number one power on the mainland—the Soul Palace. Thus, he had created a pseudonym by modifying his real name.

"Yun Xiu?" Nalan Yanran repeated softly. Then, with a cheerful voice, she said, "Big brother, can I call you Brother Xiu'er?"

Yun Xiu paused for a moment before replying, "As you wish."

"Alright, Brother Xiu'er!"

Yun Xiu nodded slightly, though hearing the name stirred memories of another little girl who had once ridden on his back, laughing.

"Hehe," Nalan Yanran giggled, clearly delighted.

If she knew that Yun Xiu's mind was occupied with another girl her age whenever he heard "Brother Xiu'er," how heartbroken would she be?

---

Meanwhile, in the Capital of Jia Ma Empire.

The Nalan family was in chaos upon Nalan Su's return.

Old Master Nalan Jie sat at the head of the hall, his grim expression exuding a strong oppressive aura.

Nalan Su stood in the hall, cold sweat dripping as he kept his head low, not daring to meet his father's gaze.

With a loud slam, Nalan Jie shattered the table into dust.

"You are a Dou Ling expert, yet you couldn't even keep watch over Yanran, who is at the second stage of Dou Zhi!" Nalan Jie bellowed. "What use are you?"

"My Nalan family will one day be ruined because of your incompetence!"

"Father..." Nalan Su muttered weakly, his head hanging low. "If not for the sudden appearance of a mysterious expert, I would have brought Yanran back."

"Excuses!" Nalan Jie roared. "You only know how to make excuses. How could someone like you come from my bloodline?!"

Cough, cough, cough...

His rage caused him to cough violently, black blood staining his palm.

"Father! Are you alright?" Nalan Su rushed forward in concern.

Nalan Jie glared at him. "You'll be the death of me one day! Have you informed Sect Master Yun Yun yet?"