A Happy Outcome! Distinguished Guests Arrive

"I'm afraid they haven't brought good news."

The Nalan Family had suddenly sent someone with a letter. The Xiao Family's upper ranks, including Xiao Zhan, all felt that it could not be good news.

After all, Xiao Yan had been a Waste for three years, while Nalan Yanran had become the Personal Disciple of a Dou Emperor powerhouse and the future Young Sect Master of the Jia Ma Empire's foremost sect. Their statuses and achievements were utterly mismatched.

Ending the marriage was inevitable. The only question was how both sides would handle it, minimizing the impact while preserving everyone's dignity.

After all, the Engagement had been proposed by Nalan Jie himself in gratitude for Xiao Lin once saving his life. It had not been something the Xiao Family had begged for.

Whether Nalan Jie wished to honor his promise or simply preserve his reputation, he had to give the Xiao Family an explanation to resolve this matter.

"I only hope the Nalan Family won't go too far. In the end, it is our Xiao Family that has declined. I had thought Yan'er might have a chance to lead the family to prosperity again." Xiao Zhan sighed inwardly before saying, "Bring them in."

"Yes!" a guard answered from outside.

The Elders exchanged glances, and the Third Elder took the initiative to speak. "Clan Chief, if the Nalan Family intends to cancel the Engagement, what should we do?"

There seemed to be a trace of schadenfreude in his voice. He had not considered at all that the family shared both glory and ruin.

"The situation leaves us with no choice. What else can we do but accept it?" The Great Elder answered in Xiao Zhan's stead. "I only hope the Third Young Master won't be too devastated when he learns the news."

"I wonder whether the Nalan Family will offer compensation for taking the initiative to cancel the Engagement."

Those words made Xiao Zhan clench his fists beneath his robes.

Back then, the Xiao Family's main line had all gone to develop in the Imperial Capital. Among the branch lines, only those whose strength had reached Da Dou Shi or above had gone with them.

Twelve years ago, when the family returned to Wutan City and all the Dou Ling powerhouses had either been severely injured or died, those branch Elders had been fairly obedient toward him as Clan Chief. Especially after Xiao Yan displayed his talent, they had followed his every word.

But as Xiao Yan became a Waste, all the resources the family had invested over the years had gone to waste, and each of them began harboring their own little schemes.

With hearts divided, the group became hard to lead. They were even enjoying the misfortune of one of their own.

"Clan Chief, the visitor has arrived."

Before long, the Nalan Family's messenger was brought in.

Judging from the badge on his chest, he was actually a Seven-star Dou Master. The Elders immediately wiped the expressions from their faces.

"Greetings, Clan Chief Xiao Zhan. I am Nalan Zhuo. I have a letter personally written by our Clan Chief. Please read it."

Nalan Zhuo looked arrogant. After taking a letter from his Storage Ring, he handed it to the waiting guard beside him.

"A distinguished guest has come from afar, and we failed to welcome you properly. Please, have a seat." Xiao Zhan forced a curve onto his lips and gestured for Nalan Zhuo to sit.

"No need." Nalan Zhuo refused directly. "Once I confirm that Clan Chief Xiao has finished reading the letter, I must return and report."

Xiao Zhan's right hand clenched beneath his robes, but his face remained calm as he said, "Then I won't insist."

With that, he reached out and took the letter delivered by the guard.

Opening the envelope and taking out the paper, he began reading carefully.

When he saw the beginning, Xiao Zhan's brows drew tightly together, anger gathering in his heart.

But when he reached the middle, his expression relaxed, and delight appeared in his eyes instead.

After reading it all, he carefully put away the letter and laughed heartily. "I have finished reading it. You may return and inform Brother Nalan that the Xiao Family will sweep our halls clean and await your arrival tomorrow."

"Farewell." Nalan Zhuo cupped his fists perfunctorily and turned to leave.

Once he had left the Council Hall, the Great Elder could not help asking, "Clan Chief, is this good news?"

"You could say that." Xiao Zhan smiled faintly and handed the letter to the Great Elder.

At first, it contained a few pleasantries. Then it mentioned that Nalan Yanran had entered the Misty Cloud Sect and had been named Young Sect Master. From then on, matters concerning the Engagement would no longer be decided by the Nalan Family, and the Misty Cloud Sect had even compensated the Nalan Family for Nalan Yanran.

No wonder anger had appeared on Xiao Zhan's face. He had just said that the Nalan Family would not betray their promise, yet now they had sent a letter declaring that the Engagement between the Xiao Family and the Nalan Family no longer counted.

But when the Great Elder saw the later contents, his eyes widened.

The Nalan Family had not gone back on the marriage or canceled the Engagement. Instead, they intended an Exchange Marriage.

The bride to be married into the Xiao Family was also Old Master Nalan Jie's biological granddaughter. Her talent had once surpassed even Nalan Yanran's. Unfortunately, someone had apparently poisoned and framed her, leaving her unable to improve her cultivation any further. Even so, she was a One-star Dou Practitioner not yet fifteen years old.

Furthermore, because the Exchange Marriage had been proposed by the Nalan Family, they would offer Xiao Yan compensation, while Nalan Yanyun's Dowry would be more than doubled.

"Good heavens!" The Great Elder's eyes turned red with envy.

In other words, that Waste Xiao Yan could still become the grandson-in-law of a Dou King powerhouse and the brother-in-law of the future Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect.

With such status and backing, even if he had become a Waste, not many people in the Jia Ma Empire would dare provoke him.

"Congratulations, Clan Chief! Congratulations, Third Young Master!"

The Great Elder handed the letter to the Second Elder and immediately began offering his congratulations.

It was not too late to repair their relationship. It might not compare to helping in someone's hour of need, but it was at least adding flowers to brocade.

Several Elders passed the letter around and quickly followed with their congratulations.

"This is a Marriage Alliance with the Nalan Family. Once it succeeds, I need not explain how many benefits it will bring." A delighted smile appeared on Xiao Zhan's face, sweeping away the gloom of recent years. "The Nalan Family will arrive tomorrow. Don't let anything go wrong. Go make preparations immediately."

"Yes!" All the Elders accepted the order.

Realizing this was the best possible outcome for Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan still could not put his mind at ease and personally arranged and supervised the family disciples' preparations.

By the time everything was ready, the moon hung like a silver disk and stars filled the sky.

Only then did Xiao Zhan think to find Xiao Yan, but he discovered that Xiao Yan was not in his courtyard.

"He must have gone there again."

With a smile on his face, Xiao Zhan headed toward the summit of the Xiao Family Back Mountain.

When he arrived, he saw Xiao Yan shouting at the cliff, "Fuck your grandmother!"

"Heaven, did you bring me into this world just to make me a Waste?"

"Fuck..."

After venting all kinds of furious shouts, Xiao Yan raised his hand and looked at the ancient black Ring on his finger. His mother's increasingly blurry face surfaced in his mind, and longing filled his eyes. His fingers gently stroked the Ring. "These past few years, I really have failed Mother's expectations..."

That Ring was his mother's keepsake and the last thing she had left him.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan looked to the side, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Father, you're here?"

Although his cultivation was only at the Third Stage of Dou Qi, his soul perception was very strong.

When he mentioned his mother, he had keenly sensed movement from within the woods.

At this time and in this place, the only person capable of approaching him silently while harboring hostility could only be Xiao Zhan.

"Hehe, Yan'er, why are you still awake so late?"

Xiao Zhan strode over to Xiao Yan with the bearing of a dragon and tiger, his rugged face carrying a natural air of boldness.

"Father, aren't you still awake too?" Xiao Yan asked softly.

"Are you still thinking about this afternoon's test?" Xiao Zhan asked with concern.

"Hehe, what is there to think about? It was expected."

Xiao Yan shook his head as though unconcerned, yet he gave the impression of a youth pretending to be mature.

"Ah..."

Looking at Xiao Yan's handsome face, six or seven parts similar to his late wife's but more youthful and carrying a touch more firmness, Xiao Zhan let out a long sigh.

"Yan'er, you're fifteen now, aren't you?" Xiao Zhan seemed to be confirming it.

"My birthday was a few days ago." Xiao Yan nodded slightly.

"In another year, you must attend the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. You understand the family rules." Xiao Zhan's voice trembled. "As Clan Chief, I must be fair and impartial. When the time comes, you..."

"Father, your son understands." Xiao Yan spoke first, his expression serious. "Whatever must be done will be done. There is still one year left. I will strive to break through to the Seventh Stage Dou Qi."

That was practically bragging. Even if Xiao Yan still possessed his cultivation talent, he could not accomplish it.

But Xiao Zhan did not question him. He patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and said, "Let's not talk about this for now. It's getting late. Go back and rest first."

"Tomorrow, distinguished guests will visit the family. You will be the main figure then. Rest well and don't embarrass yourself."

"Distinguished guests? Who are they?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

"You'll find out tomorrow." Xiao Zhan kept him in suspense and even joked, "Don't worry. It's a good thing."

Xiao Yan: "..."

"Father, you might as well not have told me in advance."

Xiao Yan shook his head and left with Xiao Zhan.

Neither of them noticed that a faint, strange gleam flashed across the surface of the ancient black Ring Xiao Yan wore, only to vanish in an instant.

"Tomorrow, something good truly will happen."