The So-Called Honored Guest

The next day, in the Guest Reception Hall.

After being mocked by the Three Elders, Xiao Yan sat somewhat absentmindedly beside Xun'er, listening to her chirpy whispers.

"Brother Xiao Yan, it has been three years since you last sat alone with Xun'er, hasn't it?"

"Brother Xiao Yan, did you read the book Xun'er sent you before?"

"Brother Xiao Yan..."

Seeing him respond only halfheartedly, a deep resentment appeared on Xun'er's little face. She could not help reaching out with her soft hand and quickly poking the tender flesh at Xiao Yan's waist.

"Hiss, you girl!"

Xiao Yan instantly snapped back to his senses as if waking from a dream. He sucked in a breath through gritted teeth and, seeing that no one around them had looked their way, finally relaxed a little.

He lowered his voice. "Xun'er, what are you doing?"

"Brother Xiao Yan, do you have something on your mind?" Pouting, Xun'er said plaintively, "During the Family Test yesterday, Brother Xiao Yan left without waiting for Xun'er. Xun'er had such a hard time looking for you."

Xiao Yan's expression stiffened slightly at those words, and he gave an awkward laugh.

"Uh... Xun'er is a genius of the family now. Wouldn't it be easy for you to find someone to keep you company? Why care about me?"

"Xun'er doesn't need them to keep her company." Xun'er's bright eyes shifted slightly. Realizing that he probably had something on his mind, she stopped dwelling on the matter and softly asked,

"Brother Xiao Yan, are you wondering about the identities of those people on the platform?"

"...Yes."

From Xiao Yan's observations just now, the leader among those three was likely not the powerful Da Dou Shi, but the Cold and Glamorous Girl wearing a Green Earring to the old man's right.

At the center of the hall, the Three Elders and Xiao Zhan were conversing enthusiastically with the old man. Yet the old man seemed to have something difficult to say. Whenever words reached his lips, he would abruptly and stiffly switch to another topic, making his words seem disconnected.

Even Xiao Yan found the comical scene rather absurd. The pampered girl who appeared to be their leader even shot the old man an annoyed glare.

Once or twice was nothing, but after the old man repeatedly changed the subject, Xiao Yan lost interest in watching the spectacle. Instead, he kept recalling his conversation with the Mysterious Girl yesterday, which was why he had seemed so distracted just now.

Hearing Xiao Yan, unusually, willing to continue the conversation, Xun'er closed the ancient book she had been holding in her palms. Her gaze was clear, and she smiled. "Brother Xiao Yan, do you want to know who they are?"

"You know?" Xiao Yan turned toward her curiously and asked in surprise.

"Look at the glowing accessory on their sleeves."

"Oh?" Xiao Yan's heart stirred as he looked toward the sleeves of the three people. Sure enough, each of them bore a Cloud-shaped Silver Sword, glinting beneath the reflected light.

"Cloud-shaped Silver Swords... so they're from the Misty Cloud Sect. What are they doing at our family?"

"Perhaps... it has something to do with Brother Xiao Yan."

"Me? How could I possibly have any dealings with them?"

The Xiao Family, where Xiao Yan belonged, could be considered a dominant force in Wutan City. But the Misty Cloud Sect was a true titan of the entire Jia Ma Empire.

The gap between them was like a vast chasm. No wonder he did not think he could have any connection with them.

Though he said so, when he recalled the riddle-like words left by the Mysterious Girl yesterday, Xiao Yan felt as though a huge stone had lodged in his chest. An indescribable sense of oppression filled his heart.

"Could this special matter be referring to the Misty Cloud Sect?"

Seeing the young man's face darken somewhat, Xun'er lightly glanced at the pampered girl seated on the platform and softly said, "Her name is Nalan Yanran. Brother Xiao Yan should understand now, right?"

"Nalan Yanran..."

"Five years ago, Nalan Yanran was taken in as Yun Yun's personal disciple. Her performance did not disappoint Yun Yun, and her exceptional talent for cultivation earned her Yun Yun's great favor. Her only connection to Brother Xiao Yan is..."

"Xun'er."

Xiao Yan waved his hand, his voice carrying a barely suppressed tremor. "No need to say any more."

That tremor was not born of fear, but of rage brewing to its limit.

It was obvious. Nalan Yanran had come for only one reason: to annul the engagement—the engagement she regarded as a thorn in her eye and flesh, the engagement tying her to him, the disgraced Xiao Family Waste!

In truth, Xiao Yan had never hoped to forge any wonderful union with her. Setting aside their disparity in status, how much affection could he expect from a fiancée he had never met in fifteen years?

He did not think himself that charming.

If she had treated the matter as though it had never existed, Xiao Yan would not have said anything. But if she demanded to dissolve their engagement before everyone, it would not only disgrace him—his father, the Clan Leader, would lose all face as well.

His face was as still as water as he finally understood the meaning of last night's riddle—

That delicate Mysterious Girl who called him Third Young Master had somehow learned of this matter long ago. She had even planted deep suspicion in his heart beforehand. Her purpose was obvious: she had been waiting for this very moment.

Such scheming sent a chill through Xiao Yan's heart.

"Brother Xiao Yan..."

The young man lowered his head in thought, making it difficult for Xun'er to see his expression clearly. A trace of worry appeared on her ordinarily calm and youthful face.

Just as countless thoughts churned through Xiao Yan's mind, Ge Ye in the center of the hall finally could no longer sit still.

He stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Clan Chief Xiao, we have come today mainly to ask a favor."

"Hehe, Mr. Ge Ye, please speak freely. If it is within Xiao's power, I certainly will not refuse." Xiao Zhan did not dare neglect him and answered very politely.

Still, since he did not know what the other party wanted, Xiao Zhan did not make any absolute promise.

"Clan Chief Xiao, do you recognize her?" Ge Ye gave a dry laugh and pointed to the girl beside him.

"Uh, forgive Xiao's poor eyesight, but this Miss..." Xiao Zhan froze, looked the girl over from head to toe, then shook his head awkwardly.

"Ahem, her name is Nalan Yanran."

"Nalan Yanran? Old Master Nalan's granddaughter?" Xiao Zhan was stunned for a moment, then his face broke into a smile, as though he had recalled events from years ago. "So it is Nalan's niece. Uncle Xiao has not seen you for many years. Do not blame your uncle for failing to recognize you."

"Uncle Xiao, this niece has not come to pay you a visit all these years. I should be the one apologizing."

At his words, Nalan Yanran politely nodded and returned Xiao Zhan's smile with one that was slightly stiff.

Ge Ye's face was full of smiles. "Hehe, Clan Chief Xiao, you may not know this, but the matter we have come to request today concerns Yanran. Moreover, Sect Master personally brought it up."

"Sect Master?"

As the sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect was such an exalted figure in the Jia Ma Empire, what could she possibly need from him, the leader of a small clan?

Thinking of a certain possibility, the corner of Xiao Zhan's mouth twitched violently several times. His broad, thick hand could not help trembling slightly.

Seeing the smile on Xiao Zhan's face freeze, Ge Ye simply stopped concealing it. Steeling himself, he said, "Clan Chief Xiao, the Misty Cloud Sect has always forbidden a sect master's successor from becoming involved with the opposite sex before becoming the official sect master... so could you please... dissolve this engagement?"