Breaking Off the Engagement? She Should Be Thanking Me!

Nalan Yanran savored these words, finding them increasingly reasonable, and the dim light in her eyes gradually began to brighten.

Xiao Zhan and the two elders of the Xiao Family furrowed their brows, unable to fathom what medicine Xiao Chen was hiding in his gourd.

However, what happened next completely exceeded the comprehension of everyone present. Just as Nalan Yanran thought the annulment would end peacefully, a single sentence from Xiao Chen nearly caused her brain to crash.

"So, your meaning is that you agree to the annulment?"

Nalan Yanran glanced at Xiao Zhan, who sat motionless in the main seat, and asked cautiously, testing the waters.

At these words, a smile curled at the corners of Xiao Chen's mouth as he nodded. "The annulment is fine, but... just one Qi Gathering Powder? Miss Nalan, are you looking down on the Xiao Family, or are you simply underestimating your own value?"

"A dignified young lady of the Nalan Family, the future Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, is only worth one Qi Gathering Powder?"

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran felt as if her mind couldn't keep up. She had brought the Qi Gathering Powder to annul the engagement, but in Xiao Chen's mouth, it sounded as if she were paying a ransom.

Yet, Nalan Yanran had her own pride. She had already made up her mind that she must annul the engagement no matter what, so even if Xiao Chen wanted to raise the price, she would not hesitate. "Then tell me, what will it take for you to agree to the annulment?"

"Ten Qi Gathering Powders, three Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pills, one Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill, and five million gold coins!"

Even though she had braced herself for Xiao Chen to make an exorbitant demand, Nalan Yanran was momentarily stunned upon hearing the price.

It wasn't just Nalan Yanran who was shocked; even Ge Ye, who had accompanied her, nearly jumped out of his chair.

Xiao Zhan's hand, holding his teacup, began to tremble. Five million gold coins were one thing—the Cloud Mist Sect was wealthy and could afford it.

But the compensation Xiao Chen demanded also included three Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pills and a Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill. These were top-tier, highly sought-after treasures; the Xiao Family couldn't afford them even if they sold everything they owned. His son wasn't just making an exorbitant demand; he was trying to swallow the heavens!

"Impossible! Three Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pills—don't even think about it! The Sect Master would never agree to that!"

Before Nalan Yanran could speak, Ge Ye stood up first. He was genuinely afraid that Nalan Yanran might act on impulse and agree, which would leave him in an impossible position.

Could the Cloud Mist Sect afford what Xiao Chen wanted? In truth, if they really wanted to, they could produce them.

But if Nalan Yanran agreed to such an obviously unfair price, she might be fine when she returned, but what about him? Wouldn't the Sect Master mince him into meat paste?

Xiao Chen looked at Ge Ye, who had jumped up to intervene, and curled his lip in disdain. "Elder Ge Ye, this matter should be decided by Miss Nalan, not you, right?"

"What? Could it be that you also have an engagement with my Xiao Family? Are you trying to annul it as well?"

Xiao Chen's words immediately drew a burst of laughter from the Xiao Family members present. The Second Elder stroked his beard with a grin. "I find Elder Ge Ye to be quite handsome and refined. If he could tie the knot with one of our Xiao Family's juniors, I would raise both hands in approval!"

"Oh? Since the Second Elder approves, then I approve as well!"

The First Elder seized the opportunity to chime in. Under normal circumstances, they would never dare to offend an elder of the Cloud Mist Sect.

But today was a different matter. In the face of such massive benefits, Ge Ye was worth nothing; if he was offended, so be it. The First Elder did not believe the Cloud Mist Sect would trouble the Xiao Family over such a trivial matter.

Ge Ye was infuriated, pointing a trembling finger at Xiao Chen. "You insolent brat, how dare you insult me so!" But no matter how angry he was, he dared not act rashly. After all, this was not the Cloud Mist Sect; it was the Xiao Family.

The reputation of the Cloud Mist Sect was great, but not great enough to let him do whatever he pleased.

There was no helping it; he was only an outer sect elder. If he were an inner sect elder, the Xiao Family members would never have dared to mock him like this.

"Elder Ge Ye, what are you saying? I have no intention of insulting you; you are clearly bringing this humiliation upon yourself!"

Xiao Chen naturally wouldn't honestly carry this blame; instead, he countered. "I am speaking with the Young Sect Master of your sect; who do you think you are? How dare you jump out and make decisions for the future Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect?"

"Cough! Elder Ge Ye, come back! Do not disgrace our Cloud Mist Sect!"

It must be said that Nalan Yanran was still too young; she had been left dizzy by the string of flattery from Xiao Chen, calling her the Young Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect and the future Sect Master.

Hearing this, Ge Ye could only return to his seat with a dark face, glaring fiercely at Xiao Chen as if he wanted to swallow him whole.

Xiao Chen ignored this, merely watching Nalan Yanran, waiting for her decision.

Nalan Yanran knew the rarity of these items, but things had reached this point, and she had no way back. She could only attempt to negotiate. "I cannot produce three Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pills. I can go back and discuss it with my master, but I can give you one!"

"The Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill and the Qi Gathering Powders can also be given to you. As for the five million gold coins, there are eight million in this card!"

Nalan Yanran tossed a golden card onto the table and then waited quietly for Xiao Chen's reply.

Xiao Chen had never expected to swallow everything. Getting one Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill and one Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pill was already a massive harvest, so he prepared to quit while he was ahead. "Since Miss Nalan is so sincere, then this engagement shall naturally be dissolved!"

"Good. The items will be delivered by the Cloud Mist Sect in three days. Elder Ge Ye, let's go!"

Having obtained the desired result, Nalan Yanran breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to leave with Ge Ye. As she reached the entrance of the hall, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Xiao Chen. "Thank you. I didn't come to annul the engagement because of your strength; I just didn't want to spend the rest of my life with someone I had never met!"

Nalan Yanran didn't know why she had felt compelled to explain herself, but after speaking, she quickly turned her head and hurried away.

"Sigh! Yan'er, you have grown up!"

Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Chen with eyes full of tenderness. In his view, Xiao Chen had done this entirely to secure benefits for the Xiao Family.

"Third Young Master, I have offended you greatly in the past. I hope you can be magnanimous!"

With massive benefits now firmly in his grasp, the First Elder looked at this "Third Young Master" much more favorably and even offered an apology.

Seeing this, the Second Elder also hurriedly expressed that he had been narrow-minded in the past and would never make such a mistake again.

For a time, the Xiao Family's reception hall was filled with harmony. Xiao Chen couldn't help but sigh; this was the influence of profit. As long as there were sufficient benefits, even kin could become enemies, and enemies could turn their swords into silk.

This situation was perfectly embodied by a certain someone; the Xiao Family's affairs were, at best, a minor squabble. Even when the two elders were displeased with Xiao Yan, they had never thought of harming him for the sake of profit.