Breaking Off the Engagement

"What are people from the Misty Cloud Sect doing here?"

Xiao Yan asked in a low, puzzled voice.

Xun'er hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Maybe it has something to do with you, Brother Xiao Yan."

"Me? How is that possible? I don't even know them." Xiao Yan froze for a moment, then immediately shook his head in denial.

"Do you know the name of that young woman?"

Before Xiao Yan could answer, Xiao Shuang, who was beside him, opened his eyes instead.

"Nalan Yanran!"

Xiao Yan paid no attention to when Xiao Shuang had woken up. At that moment, all his attention was fixed on the name Nalan Yanran.

"Nalan Yanran? That... that fiancée who was betrothed to me before I was born?"

Xiao Yan's expression stiffened. He had no idea why she had come, and now that he was nothing but a cripple, the unease in his heart grew even stronger.

Seeing the change in Xiao Yan's expression, Xun'er's beautiful eyes curved slightly, and her voice was gentle.

"Five years ago, Nalan Yanran was personally accepted as a disciple by Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. Over these five years, Nalan Yanran has displayed exceptional talent in cultivation and earned Yun Yun's great favor."

After a brief pause, Xun'er gathered her thoughts and continued, "In the Jia Ma Empire, it would not be an exaggeration to call her one of heaven's favored. She now has the right to choose to get rid of things she dislikes... Unfortunately, what displeases her is her engagement to you, Brother Xiao Yan!"

"You mean she came to break off the engagement?" Xiao Yan's expression changed, and anger rose within him. He had suppressed himself for far too long, and this provocation could easily make him lose control.

"Calm down. We still don't know what her purpose is. Don't lose your composure."

Xiao Shuang grabbed Xiao Yan's hand, afraid that he would lose control and do something irrational.

"I'm not that impulsive." Xiao Yan forced a smile, but his eyes remained fixed tensely on Nalan Yanran.

Taking a light breath, Xiao Yan found that both his hands had turned somewhat cold. He could not help thinking, If I were a Dou Master now, who would dare humiliate me?

Just as he calmed himself down, Xiao Yan's face darkened. Under Nalan Yanran's repeated meaningful glances, he saw the old man slowly rise to his feet.

"Heh, the Misty Cloud Sect... what an enormous mountain indeed!" Xiao Yan sneered, unable to suppress the fury surging in his heart.

"Cough, cough. Clan Leader Xiao, we have come today mainly to ask a favor." The white-robed elder cupped his hands and smiled.

"Heh, Mr. Ge Ye, please speak. If it is within our abilities, the Xiao Family will not refuse." Xiao Zhan did not dare show the slightest disrespect toward this elder and hurriedly rose to his feet. However, since he did not know what the other party wanted, he left himself some room to maneuver.

"Heh, Clan Leader Xiao, do you recognize her?" Ge Ye pointed at the young woman behind him.

"This young lady?" Xiao Zhan examined her, then awkwardly shook his head.

"Cough, cough. She is Nalan Yanran."

"So it is Niece Nalan. Uncle Xiao has not seen you for many years. Do not blame your uncle for failing to recognize you."

"Uncle Xiao, I am the one who should apologize for never coming to pay my respects," Nalan Yanran said with a smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ge Ye let out a soft laugh.

"Clan Leader Xiao, the matter I have come to request today concerns Yanran. It was personally raised by the Sect Leader."

Xiao Zhan's expression changed. Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, was an important figure in the entire Jia Ma Empire. The Xiao Family could not afford to offend her in the slightest.

Moreover, under these circumstances, Xiao Zhan had already formed some unpleasant suspicions.

"Mr. Ge Ye, please speak!"

"Clan Leader Xiao, you also know that the Misty Cloud Sect has strict rules, and the Sect Leader has high expectations for Yanran." Ge Ye coughed lightly, gritted his teeth, and said, "After the Sect Leader learned that Yanran had an engagement, she sent us here in hopes that Clan Leader Xiao would dissolve it."

Crack! The stone cup in Xiao Zhan's hand shattered instantly, and the atmosphere in the hall changed dramatically.

"Clan Leader Xiao, I know this request is rather unreasonable, but please consider the Sect Leader's standing and dissolve this engagement." Ge Ye could only sigh helplessly as he spoke evenly.

Xiao Zhan's face turned livid. Looking at Xiao Yan seated nearby, pale green Dou Qi covered his body.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's reaction, Ge Ye stepped in front of Nalan Yanran. The Dou Qi within his body also burst forth, blocking Xiao Zhan's imposing aura.

"Xiao Zhan, what are you doing? Don't forget that you are the Clan Leader of the Xiao Family!" The three elders exchanged glances before the Great Elder sternly rebuked him.

Xiao Zhan's body stiffened suddenly. He looked once more at his Yan'er, and a powerless sense of helplessness rose in his heart. The Dou Qi covering his body gradually receded as well.

"Niece Nalan, what nerve you have!" Xiao Zhan seemed to have aged several years in an instant as he slumped back into his seat.

"Uncle Xiao..."

"Heh, I cannot bear that title of Uncle Xiao. You will become a figure of great renown in the future, while my Yan'er truly is not worthy of you."

Xiao Zhan waved his hand weakly, his voice indifferent.

"Thank you for your understanding, Clan Leader Xiao." Ge Ye was delighted upon hearing this. He smiled apologetically at Xiao Zhan and said, "Clan Leader Xiao, the Sect Leader knows that our actions are somewhat discourteous, so she specially asked me to bring an item as compensation."

As he spoke, Ge Ye took a jade box from his storage ring. Inside lay a jade-green pill, and a rich medicinal fragrance wafted from it.

It was clearly a Qi Gathering Powder!

"Heh, this was personally refined by Elder Gu He. I am sure all of you have heard of his esteemed name, have you not?"

Xiao Shuang glanced at Xiao Yan beside him. Xiao Yan was already on the verge of being unable to suppress the anger in his heart. Heh, bringing out a Qi Gathering Powder as compensation—was this meant for Xiao Yan?

They surely knew all too well about Xiao Yan's condition. Would this pill ever reach Xiao Yan's hands? Bringing out this Qi Gathering Powder now was truly humiliating!

Just as Xiao Shuang expected, Xiao Yan spoke in a calm voice that barely concealed his anger. "Heh, Elder Ge Ye, you should take the pill back! The Xiao Family may not agree to today's matter."

The hall fell silent. Looking toward the speaker, the Second Elder roared, "Xiao Yan, who gave you the right to speak here? Shut your mouth at once!"

"Second Elder, Brother Xiao Yan is the person directly involved. You should stop interfering." Xun'er's clear voice rang out. The elders in the hall exchanged glances and could only nod helplessly.

Nalan Yanran was also startled by this unexpected turn of events. Soon afterward, she looked at Xiao Yan with some anger.

"Then what more do you want? If one Qi Gathering Powder is not enough, I'll give you three! You can even cultivate the high-level Dou Techniques of the Misty Cloud Sect! Is that enough?"