The Dou Zun Pressure on Misty Cloud Mountain

Xiao Chen's voice was calm, devoid of anger or rebuke, yet it carried the judgmental air of one looking down from on high, as though a god above the nine heavens were interrogating a lowly ant.

This invisible pressure was more terrifying than any harsh reprimand.

Nalan Yanran's delicate body trembled violently, and her face turned deathly pale. She felt as though her very soul had frozen. Under the gaze of those profound eyes, all her past pride and convictions seemed laughable and utterly fragile.

She remembered the arrogance with which she had ridden the Misty Cloud Sect's influence to the Xiao Family three years ago and forcibly annulled the engagement.

She remembered the contempt in her voice when she called Xiao Yan "trash" in the Misty Cloud Sect plaza.

She remembered even more clearly how her actions had indirectly led to Xiao Zhan's abduction, nearly brought about the destruction of the Xiao Family, and driven Xiao Yan into a bloody battle against the Misty Cloud Sect...

Actions she had once believed were "only natural" or "unavoidable" were now magnified without limit before the mysteriously returned Xiao Chen, turning into crushing sins that nearly left her unable to breathe.

"I... I..." Nalan Yanran's lips trembled as she tried to defend herself, only to find that any words would be pale and powerless at this moment. Before absolute power and undeniable facts, every reason she had was merely an excuse.

In the end, she lowered her head deeply. All her defenses completely collapsed, and tears slid from the corners of her eyes. Filled with boundless regret, she forced out several difficult words. "Yanran... admits her guilt."

Xiao Chen looked at her without the slightest ripple in his eyes.

"Your crime does not lie in annulling the engagement. Marriage should be based on mutual consent to begin with. There is no use in forcing it."

Nalan Yanran suddenly raised her head, a trace of bewilderment flashing through her eyes.

Xiao Chen continued, his voice still icy. "Your crime lies in your arrogance and your contempt for others! You used the power of your sect to bully a family that had lost its pillar. That is your first crime!"

"Your crime lies in your narrow-mindedness and failure to recognize a true dragon! My Brother Yan may have lain dormant for a time, but he was never one to remain trapped in a pond. You were shortsighted, judging a hero only by temporary success or failure. That is your second crime!"

"Your crime lies in dragging the family into this and bringing calamity upon us! If not for what you did that day, why would the Misty Cloud Sect and my Xiao Family be at war today? Why would my father have been imprisoned? Why would my brother have nearly died time and again? That is your third crime!"

Each question was like a heavy hammer striking fiercely against Nalan Yanran's heart, making her face grow whiter and her body sway as though she might collapse at any moment.

Xiao Yan listened from the side, and the resentment that had been buried in his heart for years seemed to ease by more than half. Looking at his brother's imposing back, his eyes were filled with warmth and admiration. His brother was not only powerful, but also saw matters with remarkable clarity.

"Since you still retain a trace of remorse and came here in person today," Xiao Chen said, his tone easing slightly though the pressure remained undiminished, "you may be spared from death. But you must give my Xiao Family and my brother a true accounting."

Nalan Yanran took a deep breath, as though she had exhausted all her strength. She turned toward Xiao Yan, the youth she had once regarded as trash, who had now grown to a point where she could only look up to him.

Slowly, she bent at the waist and gave Xiao Yan an extremely solemn bow, the kind normally reserved for one's elders or teachers.

"Xiao Yan, what happened back then was Nalan Yanran's fault. I was arrogant and blind. I am sorry!" Her voice carried a sob, yet every word was exceptionally clear. "I am willing to annul the engagement and publicly announce it to the world: the fault lies with me, Nalan Yanran, and has nothing to do with you, Xiao Yan, or the Xiao Family! From this day forth, I, Nalan Yanran, owe the Xiao Family an immense debt of gratitude. Should you ever call upon me, so long as it does not violate righteousness, I would not refuse even at the cost of my life!"

After saying this, she remained bent over, waiting for the final judgment.

The hall fell silent.

Xiao Zhan watched the scene with countless emotions stirring in his heart, yet he did not speak. This was a grievance between the younger generation and ought to be settled by them alone.

Xiao Yan looked at the woman before him, who had completely set aside all her pride, with a complicated gaze. Did he hate her? He once had. But after experiencing so much, especially after his brother's return and his overwhelming everything with absolute strength, that hatred seemed to have faded considerably. He knew that Nalan Yanran had never been the true enemy.

He was silent for a moment before finally speaking slowly, his voice somewhat hoarse. "The engagement should have been annulled long ago. I accept your apology. From now on, all grievances between us are settled."

Upon hearing the words "all grievances are settled," Nalan Yanran's body trembled slightly. It felt as though something inside her had shattered completely, yet she also felt an inexplicable sense of release. She straightened up, tears still staining her face, and bowed once more to Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan. Then, after taking another deep look at the unfathomable Xiao Chen, she said softly, "Thank you. The Nalan Family will remember today's promise."

With that, she did not linger. She turned and left the Xiao Family hall with somewhat unsteady steps. Her departing figure was desolate, entirely different from the anxiety and faint stubbornness she had carried upon arriving.

Watching Nalan Yanran leave, Xiao Chen nodded slightly. This was the most appropriate resolution. It preserved the Xiao Family's dignity without driving her to ruin, while also making the Nalan Family owe them a great favor—something that would benefit the Xiao Family's future development in the Jia Ma Empire.

"Father, Brother Yan, this trivial matter has been settled." Xiao Chen turned around, warmth returning to his face. "I have been gone too long and know little of the situation at home. Brother Yan, your injuries have yet to heal, so rest properly for now. Since your brother has returned, the sky will not fall upon the Xiao Family again."

His words carried incomparable confidence and responsibility.

Xiao Zhan let out a long breath of relief, feeling safer than ever before. Xiao Yan also nodded. With his brother here, he truly could set down his burdens for the time being and focus on healing and cultivation.

However, just as everyone in the Xiao Family was immersed in the joy of surviving the crisis and the shock of Xiao Chen's return—

Suddenly, a terrifying aura that was cold, vast, and saturated with the stench of blood descended like dark clouds overhead, abruptly enveloping all of Wutan City!

This aura was far stronger than Yun Shan's earlier presence. It even made those who had just endured the pressure of a Dou Zun feel suffocating oppression once more!

"Hehehehe... What deep brotherly affection. What a Xiao Family!"

A sinister, eerie laugh, like the cry of a night owl, came from above the nine heavens and echoed through every corner of Wutan City.

"Who would have thought that in this tiny Jia Ma Empire, aside from that old fellow Yao Chen, there would be a Dou Zun like you hidden away? This guardian is truly surprised!"

The voice came from the direction of the Misty Cloud Sect!

Xiao Chen abruptly lifted his gaze toward the Misty Cloud Sect. Within his pupils, icy killing intent instantly condensed into something almost tangible.

"Those Soul Hall scum... have they finally lost their patience?"

A cold curve lifted at the corner of his mouth.

"I had intended to let you live a few more days. Since you have delivered yourself to my door..."

"Then I'll settle this all at once!"