Chapter 2920

"Uh-huh." Yan Xiwan nodded, then explained, "I practice with Master in the morning. In the afternoon, I preview other subjects at the Cheng family. I heard physics and chemistry start in second year, so I’ve been studying those lately."

"Aren't you starting first year? Why skip grades?" Ouyang Tianyun asked.

"I don't plan to skip. If I skip now, where will I go after high school? Down to the countryside?" Yan Xiwan shrugged. "It’s better to learn step by step and gain more knowledge."

"Don't you want to attend the Workers' and Peasants' University?" Ouyang Tianyun looked at her. For someone like Yan Xiwan, getting in wouldn't be a problem. She was already registered with the Institute President. With the Cheng family and Old Yuan backing her, a recommendation was guaranteed.

Yan Xiwan smiled lightly. "I really want to go to university, but I prefer a specialized medical school. You know, the Workers' and Peasants' University might not have that major."

Ouyang Tianyun hummed. "True. Things are a bit chaotic right now."

"But I believe if I take it slow, I might wait until the college entrance exam is restored," Yan Xiwan said.

Ouyang Tianyun glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. Seeing her vibrant energy, she smiled. "If the exam is restored, that’s best. But if not, I suggest you try the Workers' and Peasants' University. Your knowledge doesn't strictly need a university system, but the degree is important for you."

"Okay, I’ll remember that." Yan Xiwan knew she meant well, so she nodded seriously.

"So, you have nothing else this afternoon?" Ouyang Tianyun asked.

"Basically nothing. Just going home to study. Why?"

"I’ll take you somewhere," Ouyang Tianyun said with a smile.

"Where?" Yan Xiwan asked curiously.

"The First Research Institute."

The institute had several locations. In the capital, the First Research Institute was the most mysterious. Only top-tier talents were allowed entry, and Ouyang Tianyun was one of them.

"The First Research Institute?" Yan Xiwan’s eyes widened. "Can I go? Isn’t it highly classified? People don’t even know where it is. And don’t they check everyone? Even garbage collectors need background checks."

"It’s exaggerated, but yes, it’s strict," Ouyang Tianyun said. "But you are different."

"How am I different?" Yan Xiwan asked, surprised.

Ouyang Tianyun sighed. "You are different because I’m bringing you in personally. I’ll tell people you’re my junior sister. Who would dare question it?"

"But we aren’t senior and junior siblings. Your research is different from what I study," Yan Xiwan raised an eyebrow. "If anyone investigates, they’ll find the truth quickly."

"You’re wrong," Ouyang Tianyun laughed. "You are my junior sister, favored by the Institute President. So I can bring you into my project."

"You’re finding a loophole," Yan Xiwan realized. With the President’s backing, no one would suspect anything.

"Most importantly, you’ll be my shield," Ouyang Tianyun said.

"What shield?" Yan Xiwan asked.

"I’ll say you’re my betrothed, arranged since we were in our mothers' wombs." Ouyang Tianyun’s words were shocking.

Yan Xiwan nearly choked on her saliva. "What are you saying? How did I become your betrothed?"

"I’m borrowing your name," Ouyang Tianyun explained. "You don’t know, I’m only twenty. People in the institute keep trying to set me up. So I told them I have a betrothed, arranged when we were ten. They didn’t believe me. Now that you’re here, I have a candidate."

"Heh," Yan Xiwan looked at him. "I feel like you’re saying this on purpose."

"I have to. Because we cultivators can’t marry mortals," Ouyang Tianyun dropped another bombshell.

"You’re a cultivator too?" Yan Xiwan was stunned. No wonder she had felt a familiar aura around her earlier. Now it made sense; they shared the same nature.

"Yes," Ouyang Tianyun nodded. "There is some spiritual energy in this world, but I never found another cultivator until I saw you a few days ago. Then I realized you’re like me."

Yan Xiwan pondered. "Besides us two, there really isn’t a third cultivator?"

"This world is transitioning into a Dharma-Ending Age. Spiritual energy is decreasing. There isn’t enough to support a third cultivator." Ouyang Tianyun didn’t hide the truth.

Yan Xiwan sighed. "I didn’t expect this world to become a Dharma-Ending Age."

"Every world cycle involves transformation. Many small worlds are like this. The fact that this world still has some spiritual energy is already remarkable for us who need a foundation," Ouyang Tianyun understood her disappointment. Once the Dharma-Ending Age begins, no new cultivators will be born.

"Then what is your cultivation level, Brother Tianyun?" Yan Xiwan asked, her curiosity overriding her sadness.

"Early Golden Core stage," Ouyang Tianyun said.

"No wonder you saw through me. I’m only at the early Foundation Establishment stage," Yan Xiwan said.

"You’re only ten. That’s very fast," Ouyang Tianyun said. "So, do you still have an excuse to refuse me?"

Yan Xiwan looked at him. "According to what you said, if I agree, it’s not an excuse anymore. It’s a fact."

"A fact is good. You know, there are only two of us in this world. We can’t marry mortals when we grow up. That would harm them. At least we can have each other’s company, right?"

Ouyang Tianyun was straightforward, showing no sign of just making an excuse.

Yan Xiwan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Let’s make it an excuse for now. I’m still young."

"Yes, you’re still young." But only they knew that today’s excuse might become tomorrow’s reality. To reassure their families, they could only rely on each other.

Ouyang Tianyun didn’t mind Yan Xiwan being her partner. Although she was only ten, she could wait.

Yan Xiwan looked at him and said slowly, "I don’t know if it will become a fact in the future. But for now, let’s go with this."

This was her tacit approval.

"Thank you, Guai Guai," Ouyang Tianyun smiled. He stopped the car by the roadside, flipped his hand, and a bracelet appeared. "This is the Ouyang family’s betrothal chain. I’ll put it on you. From now on, you are my fiancée."

"It’s just an excuse, why make it so formal?" Yan Xiwan was slightly stunned.

"Even if it’s an excuse, it will inevitably become a fact," Ouyang Tianyun thought. Since they were to marry, she might as well raise her himself. she liked her personality. Let’s settle it.

"And do you think you can back out after agreeing?" Ouyang Tianyun remained gentle, but Yan Xiwan felt that if she said yes, she might become very dangerous.

"There’s no such thing," Yan Xiwan hurriedly said.

"Good. Come, put it on." He placed the bracelet on Yan Xiwan’s wrist.

The moment it touched her skin, Yan Xiwan noticed the bracelet absorbed a drop of her blood and fused into her wrist, leaving a faint mark invisible to the naked eye. More importantly, she felt a new connection with Ouyang Tianyun through it.

"What’s happening?" Yan Xiwan asked.

"This chain was refined with my blood and essence. There are two. One is fused in my body, the other is yours. If one of us goes missing, the other can find them using this. If one dies, the bracelet will break, and the other will feel it," Ouyang Tianyun explained with a smile.

"Damn," Yan Xiwan was stunned. "I just put on a bracelet, and I’ve sold myself."

Indeed, she realized she had sold herself just by wearing the bracelet.

"What are you saying?" Ouyang Tianyun laughed scoldingly. "You haven’t sold yourself. I’m just proving you are my fiancée."

"You’ve escaped the sea of bitterness, but I’m doomed," Yan Xiwan hit her head. "If my dad and godfather knew I sold myself like this, they’d beat me to death."

"They won’t," Ouyang Tianyun said seriously. "The two fathers-in-law won’t beat you. Given how much they value you, they’ll only beat me."

"You knew they’d beat you, yet you still schemed against me?" Yan Xiwan glared at him.

Yan Xiwan was young but smart. She just lacked life experience, so she was outsmarted by Ouyang Tianyun this time.

"This isn’t scheming. It’s facing reality early," Ouyang Tianyun said seriously. "Guai Guai, do you really plan to marry a mortal in the future?"

"No. I’m studying now, waiting for the college entrance exam to be restored. Then I’ll take it." As a cultivator, she had her own intuition. Ouyang Tianyun knew she wasn’t lying.

"But even if you take the exam and grow up, do you think your parents will allow you to remain unmarried forever? And remember, once cultivators start practicing, their appearance remains youthful forever."