With that comparison, everyone found themselves rather more taken with the unfamiliar girl before them.
Who exactly was she?
"Ahem." Just then, the white-robed elder seated at the head of the room gave a light cough. He rose, cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan, and smiled. "Clan Leader Xiao, we have come to your family today chiefly to ask a favor!"
"Hehe, Mr. Ge Ye, please speak. If it is within our power, the Xiao Family should not refuse." Xiao Zhan dared not neglect this elder. He hurriedly stood and replied politely, though, not knowing exactly what the man wanted, he dared not promise too much.
"Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, do you recognize her?" Ge Ye smiled faintly, pointing to the girl beside him.
"Er... forgive my poor eye. This young lady..." Xiao Zhan paused at those words, looked the girl up and down, then shook his head with some embarrassment.
The marriage between Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family and Nalan Yanran had been arranged by Old Master Xiao Lin. When Xiao Lin was still alive, he had often traveled through the Magical Beast Forest and maintained close ties with the Nalan Family.
But, truth be told, Xiao Zhan had been somewhat unwilling to accept this marriage.
No matter how far the Xiao Family declined, every one of its clan leaders knew that it was an ancient family of the Dou Qi Continent.
The mere Nalan Family was not worthy of his Xiao Family, but he had been unable to prevail against Xiao Lin.
Throughout all these years, Xiao Zhan had never visited the Nalan Family. Had he approved, the two prospective in-laws would surely have visited each other often.
Of course, the reason a distinguished Dou Wang expert, the Jia Ma Empire's Marshal Lionheart, would betroth his own granddaughter to the Xiao Family might well have included his knowledge that it was an ancient family.
Naturally, Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family had not disgraced that ancient family's name either. He had begun cultivating Dou Qi at four and become a Dou Zhe at twelve, his name resounding throughout the Jia Ma Empire.
Yet even now, Xiao Yan had never met his fiancée, and Xiao Zhan had likewise never maintained contact with the Nalan Family.
Nalan Jie, by contrast, had never proposed breaking the engagement, regardless of the Xiao Family's fortunes or decline.
Later, Xiao Yan had lost his talent and fallen into the dust. By then, the Xiao Family had lacked the face to approach the Nalan Family about the marriage.
Having never met Nalan Yanran, Xiao Zhan naturally did not recognize the Nalan Yanran before him now.
"Ahem... her name is Nalan Yanran."
"Nalan Yanran? Old Master Nalan's granddaughter, Nalan Yanran?" Xiao Zhan first froze, then his face lit up with delight, evidently recalling the old arrangement. He immediately offered the girl a gentle smile. "So it is my niece Nalan. Your Uncle Xiao has never met you before. Please don't blame me for failing to recognize you."
This sudden turn left everyone slightly stunned. The Three Elders exchanged glances, their brows involuntarily furrowing...
"Uncle Xiao, I have never come to pay my respects. I am the one who ought to apologize. How could I possibly blame you?" Nalan Yanran said with a sweet smile.
"Hehe, niece Nalan, I heard before that Lady Yun Yun had taken you as her disciple. At the time, I thought it was a rumor. I never expected it to be true. You truly have remarkable talent..." Xiao Zhan praised her with a smile.
"Yanran was merely lucky..." Nalan Yanran smiled faintly, but could not help feeling disappointed. Even after I joined the Misty Cloud Sect, they actually thought it was a rumor. They never took me seriously at all. Is this my so-called fiancé?
A fiancé like this, in-laws like these-I am better off without them!
Still, Nalan Yanran found Xiao Zhan's enthusiasm a little overwhelming. Beneath the table, she gently tugged at Ge Ye beside her.
"Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, the favor I wish to ask today concerns Yanran. Moreover, the Sect Master herself has spoken on the matter..." Ge Ye chuckled softly, his expression growing somewhat solemn as he mentioned the Sect Master.
Xiao Zhan's expression shifted slightly, and his smile faded. Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect Master, was an important figure in the Jia Ma Empire.
A mere clan leader like him could not afford to offend her in the slightest. Yet with her strength and influence, what could she possibly need the Xiao Family's help with? Ge Ye had said it concerned his niece Nalan. Could it be? At the thought of a certain possibility, the corners of Xiao Zhan's mouth twitched uncontrollably. His large hands trembled slightly, but fortunately, his sleeves concealed them, and no one noticed. Forcing down the fury in his heart, he said gravely, his voice quivering, "Mr. Ge Ye, please speak!"
"Ahem..." A trace of embarrassment suddenly appeared on Ge Ye's face. But remembering the Sect Master's affection for Nalan Yanran, he could only grit his teeth and smile. "Clan Leader Xiao, you know that the Misty Cloud Sect has strict rules. The Sect Master also has very high expectations for Yanran. By now, she is essentially grooming her to become the next Misty Cloud Sect Master... and because of certain special rules, the Sect Master's successor must not become involved with any man before formally taking office..."
"After questioning Yanran, the Sect Master learned that she still had a marriage arrangement with the Xiao Family. So... so the Sect Master would like to ask Clan Leader Xiao to... dissolve this engagement."
"Crack!" The Jade Cup in Xiao Zhan's hand exploded into a cloud of powder.
The hall fell somewhat silent. The Three Elders seated above were also shaken by Ge Ye's words, but a moment later, their gazes toward Xiao Zhan carried a hint of mockery and ridicule.
Hehe, they have come right to your door to force you to dissolve the engagement. Let's see what authority you, the clan leader, have left to manage the family after this!
Faced with Xiao Zhan's utterly dark expression, Nalan Yanran dared not raise her head either. She lowered it, nervously twisting her fingers together.
She was a girl, after all. When the matter of her lifelong marriage came up, she inevitably felt somewhat bashful and found it difficult to speak.
"Clan Leader Xiao, I know this request puts you in a difficult position, but since there is no affection between the Xiao Family and the Nalan Family as prospective in-laws, please dissolve the engagement out of consideration for the Sect Master..." Ge Ye sighed helplessly and spoke in an even tone.
Xiao Zhan clenched his fists. Pale green Dou Qi gradually covered his body, eventually gathering faintly into an illusory lion's head around his face.
The Xiao Family's supreme cultivation method: Raging Lion's Wrath! Rank: mid-level Xuan Tier!
At Xiao Zhan's reaction, Ge Ye's expression immediately grew grave. He placed himself in front of Nalan Yanran, his hands abruptly curling like eagle claws. Green Dou Qi gathered within them, giving off fine, razor-sharp sword qi.
The Misty Cloud Sect's advanced cultivation method: Green Wood Sword Art! Rank: Profound Tier Low Grade!
As their auras erupted, the weaker youths in the hall abruptly turned pale, their chests tightening.
Just as Xiao Zhan's breathing grew increasingly rapid, the Three Elders' stern shout rang through the hall like a thunderclap: "Xiao Zhan, stop at once! Do not forget that you are the Xiao Family's clan leader!"
His body abruptly stiffened. The Dou Qi surrounding Xiao Zhan slowly receded, finally disappearing completely.
Dropping back into his chair, Xiao Zhan gazed impassively at Nalan Yanran, who kept her head lowered without speaking. His voice was somewhat hoarse. "Niece Nalan, what boldness you have. Nalan Su truly has an enviable daughter!"
Her delicate body trembled slightly. Nalan Yanran faltered, "Uncle Xiao, I don't understand what you mean..."
"Hehe, just call me Clan Leader Xiao. I cannot bear the title of uncle. You are the future Misty Cloud Sect Master, and one day you will be a towering figure on the Dou Qi Continent. My Yan'er is merely someone of mediocre talent. He truly is unworthy of you..." Xiao Zhan waved a hand dismissively and spoke coldly.
"I think you are being too harsh, Uncle Xiao. It should be Yanran who is unworthy of the Xiao Family!" Now that the matter had been laid bare, Nalan Yanran relaxed somewhat.
"You have come to our door to break off the engagement, niece Yanran, so why say such a thing? The Xiao Family as it stands now is certainly no match for the Misty Cloud Sect or the Nalan Family!" Xiao Zhan sneered.
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