Yanran Returns

The Gale Family had vanished.

This was the news Xiao Yan received the next day.

It was not the broad sense of vanishing through ruin and death, but a true disappearance—they had simply evaporated from the world.

The Gale Family's residence, clan members, guards, assets, businesses, even its records—everything related to the Gale Family had disappeared without a trace, as though the Gale Family had never existed in Wutan City.

Clearly, everyone in Wutan City still remembered the Gale Family, yet it was like an illusion that had never truly existed.

Everyone in Wutan City's first reaction was that the Xiao Family had done it, that the Xiao Family had completely erased the Gale Family from Wutan City.

After all, the Xiao Family had just clashed with the Gale Family, and then the entire Gale Family vanished right afterward. No one would believe it had nothing to do with the Xiao Family.

Yet the truth was that the Gale Family and the Xiao Family were both among Wutan City's three great families. Even if there was a gap in their strength, it could not have been that great. The Xiao Family absolutely lacked the ability to erase them so thoroughly without leaving a trace.

Thus, the matter became an inexplicable mystery in Wutan City.

Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders were all utterly shocked by the news, while Xiao Yan was also deeply puzzled.

Just one night had passed, yet every trace of the Gale Family's existence had been wiped away completely.

Destroying a family was simple, but erasing every trace that an entire family had ever existed? Even the Jia Ma Empire Imperial Family and the Jia Ma Empire's greatest sect, the Misty Cloud Sect, likely did not possess such capability!

Unlike Xiao Yan, Yao Chen was not surprised by the news.

The Gale Family's disappearance must have been arranged by the force behind Xiao Xun'er at her command.

After All, the Gale Family's disappearance was an established fact. The people of Wutan City discussed it fervently for three days, but gradually, fewer and fewer people mentioned the Gale Family, until they eventually forgot about them entirely.

Then something interesting happened.

The Oba Family, one of Wutan City's three great families alongside the Xiao Family and the Gale Family, should have fought the Xiao Family for the fixed assets that had once belonged to the Gale Family, standing against the Xiao Family as an equal force in Wutan City.

However, to everyone's Never Expected, only a few days after the Gale Family vanished, Oba Pa, the Oba Family's Clan Leader, sold all of the Oba Family's fixed assets in Wutan City at extremely low prices and moved his entire family out of Wutan City overnight.

Though Oba Pa also believed deep down that the Xiao Family had not done it, he could not suppress the fear in his heart.

What a joke! The Gale Family had disappeared without a trace overnight. How could the Oba Family fare any better?

Who cared whether the Xiao Family had done it? Staying alive was what mattered!

Just like that, within only a few days, Wutan City's three great families had been reduced to the Xiao Family alone. Then, under Xiao Zhan's direction, they acquired the marketplaces of the Gale Family and the Aoba Family, becoming Wutan City's undisputed great family in one leap.

Although Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders were deeply confused by the matter, the Xiao Family had indeed benefited from it, and they truly had no need to investigate what had really happened.

The turmoil in Wutan City finally came to an end, and the Xiao Family was about to welcome its annual Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony was followed by the New Year, and now that the Xiao Family had become Wutan City's sole great family, the entire clan was exceptionally festive. Lanterns and decorations filled the place, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.

Within the Xiao Family Training Ground, numerous disciples gathered in small groups, making festive items such as lanterns and paper cuttings. After all, no families other than the Xiao Family celebrated the New Year, so naturally no shops sold such goods.

Since the Xiao Family disciples had nothing to do around the New Year anyway, they simply made them themselves. Yao Chen also watched the things they made with great curiosity.

Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Mei, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Ning sat in a circle, chatting as they worked.

"The Gale Family really disappeared so suddenly. Such a huge family just vanished without a trace."

Holding a pair of scissors, Xiao Ning sighed and curled his lips in displeasure.

He had only learned what had happened afterward, and Xiao Yu had also told him why Xiao Yan had gone alone to the Gale Family. After Listening, Xiao Ning had been so furious his lungs nearly burst!

What the hell was Gale Ao? You actually dared to abduct someone in broad daylight! And the person you wanted to abduct was my sister?! Xiao Yan only broke your four limbs—that was letting you off easy!!!

At the time, Xiao Ning had wanted to lead the Xiao Family disciples straight to the Gale Family to demand an explanation, but Xiao Yu had whipped him into obedience with a few lashes. He had temporarily settled down, though he had still secretly planned to take people to cause trouble for the Gale Family someday.

Yet Never Expected, the entire Gale Family evaporated the next day. Xiao Ning had a bellyful of anger with nowhere to vent it, leaving him utterly stifled.

"Did they offend someone?"

Xiao Mei lightly tapped her chin in confusion. Xiao Yu, beside her, spoke indifferently.

"Perhaps they suffered heaven's punishment."

Although Xiao Yu's tone was casual, her gaze occasionally drifted toward Xiao Xun'er. Xiao Ning did the same.

Xiao Yu and her brother had both noticed that Xiao Xun'er's identity was mysterious. Only foolish Xiao Mei had not sensed anything at all.

Xiao Xun'er also noticed their occasional glances, but her expression remained composed as she Looked Towards Xiao Yan and asked with a light smile.

"Brother Xiao Yan, when will Sister Xiao Jing and Sister Xiao Li return?"

"They sent a letter some time ago. They said they would definitely make it back before the New Year."

Xiao Yan answered with a smile, a hint of longing appearing on his face.

Xiao Jing and Xiao Li were Xiao Yan's eldest sister and Second Sister. The Two People had always cared greatly for their younger brother, and after Xiao Yan's mother passed away, their care became even more excessive. At its worst, they had even insisted on tending to Xiao Yan every day as he washed and dressed.

Every year, those of the Xiao Family who had gone out to seek their fortunes would try their best to return before the New Year. Naturally, Xiao Jing and Xiao Li were no exception.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan walked in from outside the Training Ground with his hands behind his back. The Xiao Family's development over the past two days had put him in an excellent mood. The Gale Family had disappeared, and the Oba Family had fled. The people who normally gave him headaches had vanished in only a few days. He could not have been happier.

"Yan'er, how are the preparations coming along?"

Xiao Zhan walked over to Xiao Yan and asked. Xiao Yan replied.

"The progress is quick. We should be able to finish everything today."

"Good, good~ Try not to delay tomorrow's Coming-of-Age Ceremony."

Xiao Zhan chuckled. Suddenly, a Xiao Family servant entered from outside the gate, clasped his hands in salute, and called out sharply.

"Clan Leader! A guest requests an audience outside!"

"A guest?" Xiao Zhan frowned slightly. "Who is it?"

"A young woman who calls herself Nalan Yanran."

!!!!!

Upon hearing that name, Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er's hands instantly stopped moving, and their expressions visibly darkened.

Xiao Yu naturally noticed their reactions. She turned to Xiao Ning and asked.

"Who is Nalan Yanran?"

"She's Cousin Xiao Yan's fiancée. She previously came here with great fanfare saying she wanted to marry Cousin Xiao Yan."

Xiao Ning answered softly, and Xiao Yu's Pupils contracted slightly.

A fiancée... She had indeed heard Grandfather mention that Xiao Yan's grandfather and the old master of the Nalan Family had arranged a marriage between their families.

At this thought, Xiao Yu's eyes dimmed slightly.

"Niece Nalan? Why is she here?"

Upon hearing Nalan Yanran's name, Xiao Zhan also began to wonder.

Could she be here to urge the marriage again?