"What the heck? Who's that? Is he also here for the assessment? But why aren't they queuing up?"
"Wait, that's not the point. Such beautiful girls, and four of them at that!"
"That one seems to be Nalan Yanran, one of the two most beautiful women of Yunlan Sect! I actually got to see Nalan Yanran, my life is complete. I came to Yunlan Sect just to see the girls of the sect."
"Pfft, you perv. But those other two, they seem to be Feilin and Xue Mei. They are also well-known alchemy prodigies, their teacher is a Four-Star Alchemist with a noble status. What brings them to Yunlan Sect as well?"
"Could it be, that's Lord Xu Ran?"
Suddenly someone shouted in surprise, staring at Xu Ran with wide eyes.
Only Xu Ran was worthy of such earnest attention from Nalan Yanran.
Otherwise, who would dare to be so close to Lord Xu Ran's woman?
Boom!
Upon hearing this news, the entire square became noisy.
Most of those who came to Yunlan Sect for the assessment were admirers of Xu Ran, and it was precisely because of their admiration for Xu Ran that they had come to the sect. Seeing their idol now, it was no wonder they were excited.
What's more, outside the sect, Xu Ran was long rumored to be an old man in his seventies or eighties.
Logically speaking, only an old man would be expected to possess such powerful strength.
Thus, when they heard that Nalan Yanran and Ya Fei were with Xu Ran, most people felt quite regretful. Even though Xu Ran was strong, Nalan Yanran and Ya Fei were beauties that could overthrow states.
If their goddesses were serving an old man, one could imagine how desperate that would be.
But after seeing Xu Ran's face, those people became even more admiring.
Their goddess being with such a young and outstanding man, truly a match made in heaven with talent matching beauty.
"Xu Ran, you're really popular," Xiao Yi Xian said, surprised. She didn't expect such an outburst from the crowd when Xu Ran was recognized. If she wasn't aware of the huge difference in their statuses, perhaps that crowd would have already come over to Xu Ran for autographs.
This world is just that crazy.
Celebrity worship is real here too, except what they chase after are the rising stars of the Cultivation World.
Qing Lin, Xue Mei, and Feilin were also left tongue-tied.
Wherever Xu Ran goes, he is the most dazzling presence there.
"Of course. In the entire Jia Ma Empire, even the whole Northwest Continent, countless people are looking for Xu Ran. Not to mention those youngsters, even the big forces can't hold back anymore. I've heard Elders in our sect say that several big sects in the surrounding countries are looking for Xu Ran, claiming they would pay any price to bring Xu Ran into their fold."
"And I've heard that those guys even tailored their offers, preparing lots of beauties. Even the sects that only take female disciples want to woo Xu Ran, promising him whatever he wishes for as long as he joins," Nalan Yanran said in a sour tone.
But these weren't rumors she'd made up on her own.
Those powers even came to Yunlan Sect, looking to pay a high price for information on Xu Ran's whereabouts. By revealing Xu Ran's location, they could gain untold riches.
However, Yunlan Sect naturally wasn't short-sighted, how could they possibly nurture a rival for themselves?
Dealing with one Mittel Family and one Xiao Family is troublesome enough for Yunlan Sect as it is.
With Xu Ran's ability to turn the tide with a flick of his wrist, if he decided to support the Xiao Family, they could rapidly become the number one family of the Jia Ma Empire. If Xu Ran decided to support the Mittel Family, it would only take moments for them to surpass Yunlan Sect.
As fantastical as it might sound, reality is just that magical.
Because of Xu Ran, the entire Northwest Continent is now in chaos. The major powers feared that the forces inferior to them would rise to the skies with Xu Ran's support. And the smaller forces placed their hopes of becoming stronger on Xu Ran.
"Brother Xu Ran, do you really want to join those sects? If you wanna join those sects, we'd understand, we wouldn't stop you," Nalan Yanran said coquettishly while sliding her hand to Xu Ran's waist. If Xu Ran's answer did not satisfy her, hmph...
"Impossible."
"Absolutely impossible!"
"The most beautiful girl in the entire Northwest Continent is in the Yunlan Sect, why would I go somewhere else? Even if they kicked me out, I wouldn't leave."
"Pfft." Hearing Xu Ran's answer, Xiao Yi Xian and the rest of the girls couldn't help but break into a Yan Ran smile.
Although Xu Ran was strong and of noble status, he didn't put on airs. In front of Xu Ran, even they could open up their hearts without any reservations.
However, Xu Ran's ways of making girls happy were indeed peerless.
Even though they knew those were just sweet nothings to cheer them up, they couldn't help but feel happy.
"Yunlan Sect Grand Elder pays his respects to Lord Xu Ran."
"Yunlan Sect Second Elder..."
"Yunlan Sect..."
While Xu Ran and Nalan Yanran were laughing and chatting, all the high-level officials of the Yunlan Sect appeared, hurried over to Xu Ran, and respectfully saluted him.
Almost forty people, usually even if there was an important meeting, it would be impossible to gather so many high-level officials. But to welcome Xu Ran, they had all come out in full force, all the Elders and deacons had arrived.
This scene deeply moved the Yunlan Sect disciples.
Those Elders were elusive figures, difficult for them to meet.
But now, everyone was here.
Because of Xu Ran, they also got to see these influential figures who could summon the wind and call the rain within the Yunlan Sect.
Seeing how respectfully the high-level officials of the Yunlan Sect treated Xu Ran, their admiration for Xu Ran deepened even more.
"Is this really Lord Xu Ran?"
"He's too powerful. Lord Xu Ran is so young, yet he's already at the peak of the world. Ahhhh, if only I could be as awesome as Lord Xu Ran."
"If we could be as strong as Lord Xu Ran, could we also have those beautiful girls?"
A group of Yun Lan Sect disciples watched with their blood boiling.
And at that moment, the seed of a strong heart was planted within them.
They profoundly realized the importance of strength. If they had great power, even the Elders and Sect Master would change their attitudes towards them. And then, if they wanted to woo pretty girls, wouldn't it be as easy as lifting a hand?
Even the high-level officials of the Yunlan Sect did not realize that they had unconsciously planted the seed of a strong heart in these disciples.
Usually, no matter how much they were taught, it was useless and could even become annoying. But witnessing such a scene, they finally understood what strength truly represented in this world.