Breaking Off the Engagement

"Cough, Clan Leader Xiao, we came this time because there is an important matter that needs to be handled," Ge Ye said awkwardly.

"Elder Ge, please speak freely. If it is something the Xiao Family can do, we will not delay," Xiao Zhan said politely, though he had already sensed something from the Old Man's strange demeanor.

"Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, this matter concerns Yan Ran. And the Sect Master has personally spoken as well..."

Xiao Zhan seemed to realize something. The smile on his face gradually vanished, and the teacup in his broad hand trembled slightly. Forcing down his fury, Xiao Zhan said, "Elder Ge Ye, speak plainly."

"Cough, cough. Clan Leader Xiao, you know that the Misty Cloud Sect's rules have always been strict. The Sect Master has taught Yan Ran for many years and is extremely fond of her, with high hopes for her. She wishes to raise her as the next generation's successor... And the Misty Cloud Sect has always had a rule: before a woman becomes Sect Master, she cannot have any entanglements with men... marriage." Elder Ge Ye lacked confidence as he spoke, but thinking of the Misty Cloud Sect's power and Yan Ran's future, he gritted his teeth and continued.

Xiao Zhan snorted coldly and said sternly, "I have never heard of such a rule."

"Clan Leader Xiao, Yan Ran still has an engagement with your Xiao Family. After the Sect Master learned of it, she gave her word as well. I hope... for the sake of our Sect Master, you will allow Third Young Master Xiao Yan and Yan Ran to dissolve their engagement..." Ge Ye sighed helplessly.

Bang! The teacup in Xiao Zhan's hand shattered into powder.

The three elders were also stunned by Ge Ye's words and could not help frowning. If this happened, it would undoubtedly be a blatant slap in the Xiao Family's face. But... Xiao Zhan's branch of the family would likely lose all its prestige, and their authority over the Xiao Family would be greatly diminished in the future.

The three elders looked at Xiao Zhan with ridicule and sympathy in their eyes. This way, their own branches would grow stronger.

Many of the younger generation had not known that Xiao Yan had an engagement. After asking the adults about it, they all began mocking the silent young man sitting in the corner with his head lowered.

"Clan Leader Xiao, this matter is indeed asking too much of your Xiao Family. But I hope you can grant our request!" Ge Ye clasped his hands and bowed.

Xiao Zhan said nothing. He merely clenched his fists as faint Green Dou Qi burst from his body and wrapped around him, condensing into an illusory lion's head before his face.

Profound-tier Intermediate Cultivation Method: Raging Lion Fury Aura!

Ge Ye's expression turned grave. He stepped in front of Nalan Yanran, swept his sleeve, and gathered Green Dou Qi from within his body into his palm, where strands of wandering Sword Qi radiated outward.

Profound-tier Intermediate Cultivation Method: Green Wood Sword Art!

The auras of the two Da Dou Shi began to collide. Energy ripples swept through the entire hall, turning many juniors pale.

"Xiao Zhan, stop at once! Do not forget your identity. You are the Xiao Family's clan leader and represent the entire Xiao Family!" Seeing Xiao Zhan preparing to act, the three elders grew anxious and shouted sternly.

Xiao Zhan's body stiffened. After hesitating for a while, he could only sigh helplessly, disperse his Dou Qi, and slump back into his chair. Xiao Zhan raised his eyes and stared coldly at Nalan Yanran, who stood below with her head lowered. "Hmph. It seems I have quite the capable niece."

Hearing Xiao Zhan's icy words, Nalan Yanran's delicate body trembled. She looked at him with a complicated expression and murmured, "Uncle Xiao..."

"You should call me Clan Leader Xiao. I cannot bear the title of uncle. You are the Misty Cloud Sect's future successor, with boundless prospects ahead of you. My Yan'er is merely an ordinary junior, hardly worthy of you..." Xiao Zhan's tone dripped with sarcasm.

"Clan Leader Xiao, the Sect Master knows that breaking off this engagement is also extremely discourteous to the Xiao Family. Therefore, she specifically ordered me to bring some treasures as compensation for the Xiao Family." Seeing signs that Xiao Zhan's attitude had softened, Ge Ye quickly gestured for the disciple carrying the items to step forward, open the chest, and take out a jade box.

Ge Ye carefully opened it. A rich, peculiar fragrance wafted out and spread through the entire hall.

Inside the jade box lay a jade-green Pill the size of a longan. That peculiar fragrance came from it.

"This is... Qi Gathering Powder!" The three elders were shocked and could not help crying out.

Once everyone recognized it, their eyes turned fiery as they stared fixedly at the medicinal Pill in the jade box.

When a person cultivated to the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, they needed to form a Qi Vortex within their body before they could become a true Dou Zhe. Yet forming a Qi Vortex was extremely difficult, so the failure rate was very high. An ordinary person would need several, perhaps even over a dozen attempts before succeeding. And after each failure, their Dou Qi would fall back to the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi. The price was no small thing.

Qi Gathering Powder, however, could raise the user's chance of breaking through to one hundred percent! Its value went without saying.

"This Qi Gathering Powder was refined by Lord Gu He, our sect's honorary elder. Its effects are even more potent. After using it to break through to Dou Zhe, one's Dou Qi will be denser than that of ordinary people!" Ge Ye looked at the three Xiao Family elders, who had lost their composure. He became even more certain of his position, and his manner lost much of its earlier respect.

"It was actually refined by Pill King Gu He. Then its value must be several times greater." The three elders exchanged glances, each seeing the fervor in the others' eyes. They had to obtain such a good thing!

"Also, this chest contains some Magical Cores from magical beasts we killed while dealing with the Beast Tide. We will give them to the Xiao Family as well!" Elder Ge Ye could not help feeling pleased with himself. Making a worthless cripple break off this hopeless engagement and still receiving such lavish gifts—no matter how one looked at it, the Xiao Family was making a tremendous profit.

"Certainly, certainly, this engagement..." The Great Elder beamed, but before he could finish, a clear, cold voice interrupted him.

"Mr. Ge Ye, you should take these things back. I will not agree to today's matter!"

The atmosphere in the hall froze. Everyone looked toward the voice and saw Xiao Yan standing up, his gaze locked on the girl behind Ge Ye.

"Xiao Yan, what right do you have to speak here?" the Third Elder shouted.

"Stand down. We know you feel unwilling, but this is a matter for adults. We will handle it for you," an Old Man said indifferently.

"You mean you'll accept this Qi Gathering Powder on my behalf, right?" Xiao Yan sneered.

"You! Do you not know how to respect your elders?" The Old Man grew furious and pointed at him as he berated him.

"Three elders, if it were your sons or grandsons whose engagement had been broken off, would you still agree so calmly?" Ignoring the Old Man, Xiao Yan looked mockingly at the three White Robe elders seated loftily above.

"You! We have been far too lenient with you! With such poor upbringing, you should have been expelled from the family long ago!" The hot-tempered Third Elder cursed outright, Dou Qi beginning to stir within his body.

"An elder of the great Xiao Family actually wants to attack a junior. I have learned a little of the Xiao Family's family traditions today!" Just then, a woman's voice rang through the hall. The woman named An Lan sat with one leg crossed over the other, mockery and disdain gleaming in her bright eyes.

"Miss An Lan, this is an internal matter of the Xiao Family. I hope you will not interfere excessively." The Third Elder clasped his hands in greeting. He had to show some courtesy to a Da Dou Shi.

Ge Ye also looked at An Lan in surprise. He had not expected this woman to speak for a worthless cripple she had never even met.

"Three elders, may Xun Er have a say in this matter?" Xiao Xun'er, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, sat in a corner and slowly spoke. "Brother Xiao Yan is right. He is the person involved. Whether you have selfish motives or not, you should not interfere."

Hearing the Young Girl speak, the three elders looked at one another helplessly before nodding in agreement. It was as though they were extremely wary of Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Yan gave Xiao Xun'er a deep look, suppressing the doubts in his heart. He strode forward into the center of the hall. First, he bowed to Xiao Zhan, then he offered Xia Anlan a salute in thanks. After that, he turned and looked directly at Nalan Yanran before him. "Miss Nalan, I would like to ask: regarding this broken engagement, did Old Master Nalan agree?"

"Hmph! My father agreed." Naturally, the Young Girl showed no pleasant expression toward Xiao Yan for blocking her. She answered reluctantly. He doesn't want to break off the engagement because he wants to cling to me and gain benefits, doesn't he?

"What about your grandfather?" Xiao Yan demanded.

"He did not, but this is my own matter. Why should elders restrain me?" Nalan Yanran replied as though it were only natural.

"Then I am sorry, but my father cannot make this decision either. This was an agreement between two old men. If they have not said it should be dissolved, we have no right to destroy it. Am I right, three elders?" Xiao Yan smiled, though his tone remained icy.

The pressure now fell upon the three elders and the people of the Misty Cloud Sect.

"You! Sophistry! What will it take for you to agree to dissolve the engagement? One Qi Gathering Powder isn't enough, is it? Fine, I'll give you three, and let you choose a high-grade cultivation method above the Mysterious Rank from the Misty Cloud Sect. How about that? Is that enough?" Xiao Yan's attitude enraged Nalan Yanran, and her Young Miss temper flared. She pointed at Xiao Yan as she spoke.

The conditions the Young Girl offered made the three elders' hearts beat faster and faster. The people below were tempted as well.

"Hehe..." Xiao Yan laughed, but to others, the sound was utterly chilling. The young man raised his head, his face twisted in fury as bloodshot eyes fixed themselves on Nalan Yanran.

"You..." Nalan Yanran was frightened. She had never seen such an expression on anyone her age. It felt as though a wounded lone wolf had fixed its gaze on her.

A man often broke down in a single instant.

Xiao Yan was truly enraged. For three years, he had endured countless taunts and humiliations, seen the coldness and fickleness of the world. Nalan Yanran's contemptuous words had utterly trampled what remained of this young man's self-respect.

"Do you know? I truly want to kill you." Blood seeped from Xiao Yan's clenched fists, where his nails had dug into his flesh.

"Yan'er! Do not be disrespectful! Calm down!" Xiao Zhan was frightened by Xiao Yan's appearance and hurriedly shouted at him.

Xiao Yan lowered his head again, his body trembling for a long while before he raised his face once more. The violent expression had vanished, leaving only a deep calm in his eyes.

Endure! In these three years, Xiao Yan had made no progress in anything else. He had only learned that one word. He could not act impulsively. Even if there was a chance he could beat Nalan Yanran here, what would become of the Xiao Family afterward?

"Xiao Yan... this day would come sooner or later. Though I do not know why you are so angry, this engagement should still be dissolved." Nalan Yanran calmed herself, and her attitude softened considerably. "You understand the gap between us. That gap will only grow wider, so even if this engagement remains, it will bear no result."

"Miss Nalan, do you think I covet your noble body? On the Dou Qi Continent, when has there ever been a woman who broke off an engagement with a man? How laughable would that make us? I have endured it for three years. My skin is thick, so it does not matter. But my father is the clan leader and one of my few remaining relatives! If I agree to you, will his authority as clan leader remain? How will he stand firm in Wu Tan City?" Xiao Yan's tone grew more agitated, and by the final sentences, he was shouting.

Looking at the young man's stubborn appearance and Xiao Zhan slumped in his chair as though he had aged several years, guilt gradually rose in the Young Girl's heart. After thinking for a moment, she spoke softly. "I can delay the dissolution of the engagement, but I have one condition."

"Speak."

"Starting today, I will give you three more years. Three years from now, you will come to Misty Cloud Mountain and challenge me yourself. If you lose, I will publicly dissolve the engagement. How about it? By then, you will be an adult, so the impact on Uncle Xiao will not be as great."

"Miss Nalan, do you not understand Yan'er's condition? Even if his talent returns from this moment onward, how can he catch up to you, who are a whole major realm ahead, in three years? If you want to humiliate him, just say so!" Xiao Zhan's expression darkened as he rose in fury.

"Father, I accept!" Xiao Yan said calmly.

Nalan Yanran raised an eyebrow, not expecting him to agree so quickly.

Xiao Yan's face was full of mockery as he said coldly, "Nalan Yanran, stop acting as though everything is yours to decide. I, Xiao Yan, will not accept that. You want to break off the engagement for no other reason than that my cultivation has vanished, I have become a cripple, and I am no longer worthy of you. But you should know that I was the one who created the record for the youngest Dou Zhe in the Jia Ma Empire. If I can create a miracle once, I can create one a second time! Three years? For all you know, I might encounter some opportunity three months from now and surpass you in minutes. With talent like yours, before I lost mine, I would not even have looked at you!" Xiao Yan's temper flared again, and he began berating her outright.

Nalan Yanran's face shifted from green to purple from his words, yet she could find no point to refute him.

"I am telling you this: thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Do not bully the poor young man!" Xiao Yan's resounding declaration stunned Nalan Yanran.

"Good! 'Do not bully the poor young man'—that is the backbone of our Xiao Family! That is my, Xiao Zhan's, son!" Xiao Zhan slammed his hand heavily on the table and praised him repeatedly.

Nalan Yanran came to her senses and gritted her teeth. "Three years from now, if you are still this worthless, you had better obediently hand over the agreement to dissolve the engagement."

Xiao Yan laughed loudly. He grabbed pen and paper and began writing furiously on the table. After finishing, he pulled a dagger from behind his back, sliced open his palm, and slammed it heavily onto the paper.

"There is no need to wait three years. I, Xiao Yan, have no interest in a genius wife like you! I do not need any agreement to dissolve the engagement. I will expel you from the Xiao Family! From now on, you, Nalan Yanran, have nothing whatsoever to do with our Xiao Family!" Xiao Yan shouted, throwing the completed Letter of Divorce at Nalan Yanran.

Nalan Yanran stared at the bloody Letter of Divorce, her eyes widening as she shrieked, "You dare divorce me?"

It was long, wasn't it? Don't you dare say I'm short!