The Engagement Cancellation

Xiao Jin refused the Great Elder's proposal, planning to find a corner and quietly watch the show.

But he still underestimated the influence that strength brought. The perceptive Second Elder immediately added another chair beside the empty seat.

Only after doing so did he say with a smile, "Young Master Xiao Jin, you and Miss Xun'er can sit together now."

Xiao Jin: "..."

Elders, don't do this.

I'm really panicking right now!

Xun'er was amused by Xiao Jin's flustered appearance. She tugged at the boy's sleeve and said softly, "Brother Xiao Jin, let's sit there."

Xiao Jin helplessly nodded. Since Xun'er had said so, what else could he do?

After seeing Xiao Jin take his seat, everyone present finally breathed a sigh of relief and returned to their places.

Before long, a guard hurried in to report, "Clan Leader, Elders, guests from the Misty Cloud Sect are here to pay their respects outside."

Xiao Zhan raised his hand. "Invite them in."

Soon, three people walked into the Council Hall.

The person at the front was an old man dressed in a moon-white robe. His face was full of smiles, and he looked vigorous and spirited. A silver crescent moon was strikingly embroidered on his chest, surrounded by seven golden stars.

Following behind him were a young man and a young woman. Their clothing was similar, clearly the sect's standard attire.

The young man's chest was embroidered with five golden stars, while the young woman's bore three.

The former was a five-star Dou Zhe, while the latter was a three-star Dou Zhe.

Xiao Jin nodded inwardly. These three should be Ge Ye, Liu Ling, and Nalan Yanran.

"I am Ge Ye, an executive of the Misty Cloud Sect. Greetings, Clan Leader Xiao." Ge Ye's etiquette was impeccable. Although he was somewhat stronger than Xiao Zhan, he still maintained a courteous attitude.

Though it was merely superficial courtesy, Xiao Zhan, unaware of the truth, cheerfully returned the greeting. He knew their identities and assumed Nalan Yanran had come to discuss the engagement.

Earlier, Xiao Zhan had already sent someone to look for Xiao Yan.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Xiao Yan hurried into the Council Hall. After looking around and confirming that several familiar faces were present, he found an empty seat in the corner.

After sitting down, he began observing the three guests in the hall. He was momentarily surprised when he sensed Ge Ye's cultivation.

Ge Ye was still exchanging pleasantries with Xiao Zhan. Taking advantage of the moment, Xun'er leaned close to Xiao Jin's ear and whispered, "Brother Xiao Jin, that should be Nalan Yanran of the Misty Cloud Sect."

"You know her?"

"No, but I've at least heard of her. They say this young lady is the daughter of the Nalan Clan in the Imperial Capital. Five years ago, she was accepted as a disciple by Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect's leader, and is greatly favored by Yun Yun."

"Not bad. Nothing happening in the Jia Ma Empire can escape Xun'er's eyes." Xiao Jin rubbed the girl's hair. The intimate gesture attracted Nalan Yanran's attention.

Ever since entering the Council Hall, she had noticed that excessively young-looking face.

Apart from Xiao Yan, who had just entered, everyone in the Council Hall was a core member of the Xiao Clan.

How could she not be curious when this young man was sitting in the second seat, with no one else objecting?

If she remembered correctly, the Xiao Clan's three elders were all Da Dou Shi. Could this young man also be a Da Dou Shi?

Otherwise, even if he were the Clan Leader's son, it would be impossible for him to bypass the three elders and sit below Xiao Zhan.

"Gasp..." Nalan Yanran drew in a sharp breath. Judging by the boy's age, he seemed to be about her age. If he had truly become a Da Dou Shi at fifteen, such talent would likely be unmatched anywhere in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

While she was thinking, Xun'er continued speaking to Xiao Jin. "I heard that Nalan Yanran once became engaged to Cousin Xiao Yan, but she strongly opposed the engagement. Back when she was in the Nalan Clan, because Nalan Jie possessed absolute authority, she had no choice but to endure it despite her unwillingness."

"Now that she has become Yun Yun's favored disciple and gained the capital to resist, Cousin Xiao Yan will probably face a tremendous trial this time."

Xiao Jin smiled. "Are you worried about Third Brother?"

Xun'er coquettishly rolled her eyes and glared at Xiao Jin, clearly annoyed.

Foolish Brother Xiao Jin, if Cousin Xiao Yan weren't your Third Brother, Xun'er wouldn't have gone to so much trouble to investigate all this.

Xiao Jin wasn't annoyed at being glared at. He cheerfully said, "Don't worry, Xun'er. My Third Brother isn't an ordinary man. Besides, his cultivation problem has already been resolved. If Nalan Yanran really came to cancel the engagement today, it won't be long before she regrets it."

The girl nodded earnestly. It wasn't because she believed Xiao Yan was destined to achieve extraordinary things in the future.

It was because these words had come from Xiao Jin. Whatever Brother Xiao Jin said, Xun'er was willing to believe.

While the two were whispering, the pleasantries in the hall also came to an end.

The smile on Ge Ye's face gradually faded, replaced by an awkward expression.

He gave a light cough, rose, and cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan. "Clan Leader Xiao, we've come to your clan today mainly because we have a favor to ask."

Xiao Zhan was confused, but he also rose and said with a hearty smile, "Mr. Ge Ye, please speak. If it's within our ability, the Xiao Clan naturally won't refuse."

Ge Ye beckoned to the girl beside him. She also rose and stood beside him.

"Clan Leader Xiao, this is the personal disciple of our Misty Cloud Sect's leader. Her name is Nalan Yanran."

Xiao Zhan suddenly understood. This was his daughter-in-law in name.

At that thought, the smile on Xiao Zhan's face grew even wider.

But before he could speak, Ge Ye quickly continued, "Clan Leader Xiao, you know that the Misty Cloud Sect has strict rules, and our leader's expectations for Yanran are also extremely high. By now, she is essentially being groomed as the next leader of the Misty Cloud Sect... And because of certain special regulations, the successor to the sect leadership is forbidden from having any entanglements with men before becoming the official leader..."

The smile on Xiao Zhan's face slowly disappeared. He more or less understood what Ge Ye was about to say.

Sure enough, Ge Ye continued, "After asking Yanran, our leader learned that she still has an engagement with the Xiao Clan. So... so our leader wishes to ask Clan Leader Xiao to dissolve this engagement."

"Crack!" The water cup in Xiao Zhan's hand instantly crumbled into powder, and his expression turned cold.

Before Xiao Zhan could speak, the Great Elder slammed his hand heavily onto the table.

"Mr. Ge Ye is quite imposing! You actually brought people to the Xiao Clan's territory to swagger around!"

The Second Elder also snorted coldly. "The Misty Cloud Sect has a vast foundation, so it's understandable that you look down on a small household like the Xiao Clan. But for your sect to act this way—isn't that going too far in looking down on my Xiao Clan?"

The Third Elder chimed in. "Hmph, you're clearly pressing the Xiao Clan's face into the dirt and trampling on it!"

Ge Ye was completely dumbfounded. Weren't the Xiao Clan's three elders supposed to be at odds with Xiao Zhan?

Why had the three elders leaped out to denounce him before Xiao Zhan had even said a word?