A Shock to the Entire Hall

Nalan Yanran naturally noticed Xiao Yu as well. When she saw that his gaze merely flickered over her before moving on, surprise flashed through her eyes, but she did not dwell on it. She only gave Xun'er, seated beside Xiao Yu, an extra look.

After all, dressed in green, Xun'er looked like a Green Lotus, standing apart from the world. Fortunately, she and Xiao Yu were seated in the farthest corner, so they did not attract much attention.

As Xiao Yu chatted with Xun'er, he also tried to communicate with the system in his mind. Just then, Xiao Yan entered from outside the hall, and at the same time, a voice rang out in Xiao Yu's mind: "Congratulations, Host, for successfully checking in. Reward: half a volume of the Pill Codex! Please receive it!"

Naturally, Xiao Yu did not accept the half-volume of the Pill Codex at this moment. If there were any adverse reactions, it would be difficult to explain.

Coming back to himself, Xiao Yu saw Xiao Yan looking somewhat at a loss and waved at him. Xiao Yan sighed in relief upon seeing Xiao Yu, then walked straight over and sat beside him.

"Thanks, Brother Yu," Xiao Yan said quietly.

Xiao Yu smiled lightly. "It's nothing."

Looking at the unfamiliar old man chatting animatedly with his father and the three Elders, Xiao Yan asked Xiao Yu, "Are these the distinguished guests who came to the family?"

Xiao Yu nodded. "That's right. Isn't the emblem of the Misty Cloud Sect embroidered on their cuffs? They're one of the dominant powers in the Gamma Empire!"

Xiao Yan muttered in a low voice, "What are they doing at the Xiao Family?"

Turning his head, Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Yan with a faintly amused smile. "I heard that the family once arranged a marriage contract with Nalan Jie, the Lionheart Marshal of the Gamma Empire, promising his granddaughter Nalan Yanran to you. They must be here to have you fulfill the marriage contract."

Xiao Yan was startled by Xiao Yu's words. Then his expression darkened as he said, "Why would the Nalan Family come to fulfill the marriage contract? They're probably here to break it off. Bringing the Misty Cloud Sect to pressure Father—what a fine scheme!"

"Let's wait and see." Though Xiao Yu knew Xiao Yan was right, he did not know what to say at this moment.

Xiao Yu turned to look in Xiao Zhan's direction. Sure enough, after Nalan Yanran repeatedly urged him on, Ge Ye, the Seven-Star Dou Grandmaster, finally stood and cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan. It seemed he was about to bring up dissolving the marriage contract.

Watching this classic scene, Xiao Yu could not help inwardly grumble, As expected of the genius who, by himself, ruined Hun Tiandi's efforts of countless years. If Hun Tiandi knew that this little girl before him would shatter his dream of becoming an Emperor-level powerhouse of the Dou Qi Continent, would he slap her to death right now?

"Break off the engagement?"

Xiao Zhan's face visibly darkened. Bang! The teacup in his hand instantly turned to powder.

The hall fell somewhat silent. The three Elders looked at Xiao Zhan with eyes full of mockery and ridicule. Xiao Zhan clenched his fists as pale green Dou Qi covered his entire body, and the faint phantom of a lion's head emerged over his face.

The Xiao Family's top cultivation technique, Mystic Mid-Rank—Furious Lion Aura!

At the same time, Ge Ye gathered his Dou Qi. His fingers formed a sword, and streaks of sharp Sword Qi coiled around them.

The young men and women in the hall who were weaker in strength were suppressed by the aura of the two Da Dou Shi. Their faces turned pale, and their chests felt tight.

Just as a battle was about to erupt, Ge Ye said in a grave voice, "I have also brought another proposal from the Sect Leader. As a solution to this matter, Clan Leader Xiao, why not sit down and hear it out?"

"Hm?" Xiao Yu, who knew the plot, sensed that something was wrong. Shouldn't the three Elders have stepped in to stop Xiao Zhan at this point, followed by Ge Ye using the Qi Gathering Pill to tempt the Xiao Family?

Hearing Ge Ye's words, Xiao Zhan froze. The surging Dou Qi around him gradually receded as he looked at Ge Ye and asked hoarsely, "Could it be that your Sect Leader wishes to arrange a marriage with my fourth son, Xiao Yu?"

Embarrassment flashed across Ge Ye's face. Behind him, Nalan Yanran's cheeks reddened slightly, and her fingers nervously twisted together, as though trying to ease her anxiety.

Seeing this, everyone immediately felt something strange. Their gazes shifted toward Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu.

What the hell? Xiao Yu was dumbfounded. Was this gossip somehow about to land on me?

Just as Xiao Yu prayed this was not real, Ge Ye gritted his teeth and said, "The Sect Leader said that since Xiao Yan has lost the qualifications to marry Yan Ran, while the Xiao Family does not wish to break off the engagement with the Nalan Family, she heard that Clan Leader Xiao's fourth son, Xiao Yu, is second only to Xiao Yan in talent. Therefore, this marriage contract may be transferred to Xiao Yu!"

As Ge Ye's words fell, Xiao Zhan's face alternated between green and white. Beneath his sleeves, Xiao Yan's palms trembled slightly, clearly suppressing his anger.

Meanwhile, Xun'er, who had been seated beside Xiao Yu all this time, suddenly tightened her grip on his small hand. A sharp golden glint flashed through her originally cool eyes. Feeling Xun'er's change, Xiao Yu gently patted her tightly clenched hand and comforted her, "Don't worry. In my heart, Xun'er is naturally the most important."

Hearing Xiao Yu's near-confession, Xun'er's face reddened slightly. Then she looked at him with resolute eyes and said, "In Xun'er's heart, there is only Brother Xiao Yu!"

After calming Xun'er down, Xiao Yu rose to his feet and declared loudly, "I do not agree to this marriage!"

Everyone present nearly had their eyes pop out. This reversal had come far too quickly, especially for the three Elders. They wished the marriage contract with the Nalan Family had been made with someone from their own branch. How could anyone possibly refuse?

Before Xiao Zhan could speak, Nalan Yanran stepped forward. Looking both embarrassed and angry, she said, "You... why don't you agree? Could it be that this young lady is not worthy of you?"

Xiao Yu smiled faintly. "Miss Nalan is excellent, but I already have someone I love. Therefore, I cannot agree to this marriage. Besides, Xiao Yan is my elder brother. I believe he can regain his strength. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—do not bully the poor young man!"

"Well said, Brother Yu!" Xiao Yan stepped forward and shouted.

"And don't think you have no interest in me while I'm interested in you. I can't stir up the slightest interest in you either. This marriage can be discarded!" Xiao Yan mocked. He then strode quickly to the table and began writing furiously.

A moment later, the brush stopped.

Xiao Yan then drew a short blade and sliced his left palm, leaving a bloody cut. With a smack, he pressed his blood-covered palm onto the white paper.

Xiao Yan sneered. "This is a letter of divorce. Remember, it is not you who is breaking off this young master's engagement. It is this young master who is divorcing you!"

Nalan Yanran's lovely face instantly turned icy, and a trace of killing intent filled her eyes as she coldly snapped, "Teacher merely thought Xiao Yu had potential and wished to bring the two of us together. Do not think I was begging you to establish a marriage contract!"

"Although Teacher intended to arrange this marriage, she still allowed me to decide for myself. It is best if you refuse. The man who becomes my, Nalan Yanran's, husband can only be one I choose!"

"You are unworthy!" Nalan Yanran declared proudly. The sword hanging at her waist flashed.

Clang!

A piercing sword cry rang out as a sharp streak of Sword Qi tore through the air and shot toward Xiao Yu!

"Careful!" Everything happened too quickly. Xiao Zhan had no time to react and could only shout a warning to Xiao Yu.

"Merely a Three-star Dou Zhe!" Xiao Yu smiled faintly. Clenching his left hand into a fist, he surged with Dou Qi and threw a punch. The devastating Sword Qi shattered with a boom, unable to harm Xiao Yu in the slightest!

Seeing Xiao Yu so effortlessly block the sharp attack, Ge Ye's pupils shrank. Xiao Yu was actually a Four-star Dou Zhe! How old was he? Ge Ye's heart was filled with shock.

Xiao Zhan, who had been somewhat tense, suddenly shook his head with a smile. How had he forgotten that this son of his was a prodigy as well? How could a mere Three-star Dou Zhe possibly hurt him?