A flurry of words made Xiao Zhan finally understand.
So it turned out, Jiang Xian'er believed that her awakening had failed, leaving her with a deep sense of resentment.
That's why she transformed into a sly snake, relentlessly pestering him to form a contract with her. To ensure success, she even deliberately brought along a beautiful girl to provoke him.
After hearing this, Xiao Zhan felt deeply insulted, not only by her but by himself.
All those years of genuine dedication, and in her eyes, his character was so unbearable?
If Ye Youlong hadn't shown up today, Xiao Zhan would never have come to the Contract Room, nor would he plan to bother Jiang Xian'er again in the future.
From now on, the two of them would be strangers walking separate paths.
Letting go was a form of love's fulfillment!
Xiao Zhan refused to selfishly use so-called feelings to coerce or bind her. His dignity would not permit him to do such a thing.
But now...
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Zhan's lips. He truly felt as though his sincere affections had been fed to the dogs.
Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly, releasing his pent-up frustration.
Xiao Zhan's body felt lighter than before. He had held on to a faint hope earlier—that slim chance of what he should do if Jiang Xian'er actually wanted to form a contract with him.
But now, he saw clearly that fantasy was just that—a fantasy, completely detached from reality.
Perhaps this was for the best, as he could no longer be accused of betraying the feelings between them.
Agreeing to unite with Ye Youlong was undeniably a reluctant decision, yet it had left a knot in his heart. But now, that knot slowly began to dissolve.
"Jiang Xian'er, you might have misunderstood. I didn't come here to provoke you. Ye Youlong and I are here purely to form a contract. If this has caused you any distress, I apologize," he said.
Xiao Zhan's tone was colder than ever, like a farewell meant for a stranger.
In the realm of adult relationships, unions and separations were inevitable. There was no need to argue until faces turned red or voices cracked with fury.
Fate brought people together, and when fate dissipated, so too would the bond...
Jiang Xian'er trembled slightly upon hearing this, her complexion paling as a strange, uncomfortable tightness mounted in her chest.
It was the first time she had heard Xiao Zhan speak in such a tone.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
She felt uneasy, disturbed—completely unaccustomed to this side of him.
She didn't know how to respond to his words.
Just then, Xiao Zhan's tone shifted again, his voice carrying a new wave of intensity. "And one more thing—you've really let me down. I once believed the feelings between us had some depth. Reality separated us, and I accepted that calmly."
"But now I understand. To you, I was nothing all along."
"You disgust me."
With those parting words, Xiao Zhan turned and walked away.
Jiang Xian'er froze in place, utterly stunned and at a loss.
It felt as though she had lost completely, utterly defeated!
But in the blink of an eye, another thought gripped her.
Defeated?
Why should I feel defeated?
The one who should feel defeated is him!
After all, I'm the S-class here. He's just an F-class… What right does he have to criticize me?
As she pieced the picture together, Jiang Xian'er realized what had happened. Xiao Zhan's actions ultimately came down to his wounded pride!
His attempt to condemn their relationship was merely a desperate ploy to reclaim the respect he lost because of his trashy talent.
Otherwise, he could've approached her in private to have a civilized conversation. Why would he create such a public spectacle, humiliating her in front of everyone?
All of this was just an effort to retain some sense of presence.
Now, nearly all eyes were focused on her.
Mockery, disdain, judgment...
Jiang Xian'er felt her face burn with embarrassment as an unbearable heat rose through her skin. "Hmph, Xiao Zhan, if you dare to step on me, then don't blame me for being merciless when I step back!"
Steeling herself, she was about to call out to Xiao Zhan, but at that moment, another figure appeared at the entrance of the Contract Room.
Once again, the crowd instinctively parted to make way.
Lin Dong appeared with an enthusiastic and excited expression as he rushed up to Jiang Xian'er.
"Xian'er, sorry for the wait! My apologies for the delay—I got held up on the way. Let's go ahead and begin the contract now," he said eagerly.
Lin Dong, a genius from the neighboring Fiery Fire Spirit Academy, had awakened an S-class Spirit Master talent and was now Jiang Xian'er's equal contract partner.
As for why he was here and how he became Jiang Xian'er's contract partner, it was undoubtedly tied to Xiao Zhan's downfall and Lin Dong's powerful family connections.
During a previous academy exchange event, Lin Dong met Jiang Xian'er and fell for her at first sight.
At that time, neither of them had awakened yet, and Jiang Xian'er remained close to Xiao Zhan, who was renowned as an outstanding student. Thus, Lin Dong had no choice but to bide his time and observe from a distance.
But such passive waiting was a torment for him.
He had assumed that his chances with Jiang Xian'er were nonexistent. Yet Xiao Zhan's unforeseen failure turned out to be a marvelous stroke of fortune for him.
Upon discovering that Xiao Zhan was deemed worthless and that Jiang Xian'er had awakened with an S-class Artifact Spirit Form, Lin Dong wasted no time leveraging his family's influence to negotiate with the leadership of Changchi City Spirit Academy. He made it clear that he wanted to form a contract with Jiang Xian'er.
Additionally, he offered to drop out of the Fiery Fire Spirit Academy and join Changchi City Spirit Academy himself.
Moreover, he pledged an annual financial contribution to Changchi City Spirit Academy.
Hearing such enticing benefits, the academy leaders wasted no time in summoning Jiang Xian'er.
Jiang Xian'er and Xiao Zhan were both orphans with no family ties. When she heard that Lin Dong, with his S-class talent, wanted to form a contract with her, her initial reaction was hesitation.
After all, an S-class Artifact Spirit left the possibility, however slim, of finding an SS-class Talent Spirit Master.
An Artifact Spirit could be compatible with someone of a higher grade.
The academy leaders, aware of her concerns, carefully reasoned with her. They reminded her that SS-class Spirit Masters were also selective and might not even consider her.
Additionally, the scarcity of prodigies in the area this year made it far more challenging for Jiang Xian'er to successfully connect with an SS-class Spirit Master.
Chances were high she'd end up pairing with someone of the same grade as herself in the end.
Furthermore, the academy leaders knew how to sweeten the deal, suggesting that she could form a temporary contract for the time being. If she came across a better option later, she could always replace it.
Not to mention, Lin Dong's wealthy and powerful family guaranteed that Jiang Xian'er would never lack cultivation resources.
She could take significant shortcuts in her development.
Thinking this through, Jiang Xian'er eventually agreed.
Upon learning of her acceptance, Lin Dong had rushed over without hesitation.
Seeing Jiang Xian'er, pure and graceful like an immortal celestial maiden, standing there demurely filled Lin Dong with overwhelming pride.
But he quickly noticed that Jiang Xian'er's current mood seemed less than ideal.
"Xian'er, what's wrong?" Lin Dong asked, concern evident in his tone.
Jiang Xian'er didn't reply.
Lin Dong frowned slightly, following her gaze until he realized the reason for her distress.
Xiao Zhan.
Lin Dong knew Xiao Zhan, as well as his relationship with Jiang Xian'er. He also knew that Xiao Zhan was now nothing more than worthless garbage.
Seeing Xiao Zhan here, Lin Dong assumed he had come out of toxic bitterness, intending to unload his resentment on Jiang Xian'er.
"Hah, a piece of trash dares to bully my Xian'er? He must be courting death!"
Lin Dong was nothing if not hot-blooded. With wealth and power backing his family, coupled with his own prodigious talent, he'd exercised restraint before awakening. But now, the situation had fundamentally changed. There was no reason to endure any longer.
Especially not for someone like Xiao Zhan—someone who dared to pick on the girl he pursued.
Worse, someone who was nothing more than a failure.
So, without hesitation, Lin Dong shouted directly at Xiao Zhan!
"Xiao Zhan, get over here and apologize to Xian'er!"