Nalan Yanran pondered those words carefully and found herself agreeing more and more with Xiao Chen. The light that had dimmed in her eyes gradually began to return.
Xiao Zhan and the two Xiao Family elders furrowed their brows, unable to figure out what Xiao Chen was scheming.
But what happened next was simply beyond everyone present's comprehension. Just as Nalan Yanran thought the engagement would be broken off peacefully, Xiao Chen said something that nearly crashed her brain.
"So you mean to say, you agree to break off the engagement?"
Nalan Yanran glanced at Xiao Zhan, who sat motionless in the seat of honor, and cautiously asked.
Xiao Chen's lips curled into a smile. He nodded. "Breaking off the engagement is fine, but... just one Qi Gathering Powder? Miss Nalan, are you looking down on the Xiao Family, or underestimating your own worth?"
"The eldest daughter of the prestigious Nalan Family and the future Misty Cloud Sect Master is worth just one Qi Gathering Powder?"
Nalan Yanran felt her mind short-circuit. She had brought the Qi Gathering Powder to break off the engagement, but how had it become a ransom in Xiao Chen's mouth?
Still, Nalan Yanran had her pride. She had resolved to break off the engagement no matter what, so even if Xiao Chen wanted to raise the price, she was willing to pay. "Then tell me, what will it take for you to agree?"
"Ten Qi Gathering Powders, three Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pills, one Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill, and five million gold coins!"
Even though Nalan Yanran had prepared herself for Xiao Chen to demand an exorbitant price, she still froze for a moment when she heard the figure.
Nalan Yanran wasn't the only one stunned. Ge Ye, who had come with her, nearly jumped out of his chair.
Xiao Zhan's hand trembled so badly that the cup he held shook. Five million gold coins was one thing—the Misty Cloud Sect was a wealthy, powerful organization and could afford it.
But among Xiao Chen's demands were also three Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pills and one Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill. Those were top-tier treasures, desperately sought after by all. Even if the Xiao Family sold everything it owned, it probably couldn't afford them. His son wasn't just demanding an exorbitant price—he wanted to swallow the sky whole!
"Impossible! Three Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pills? Don't even dream of it. The Sect Master would never agree!"
Before Nalan Yanran could respond, Ge Ye sprang to his feet. He was genuinely afraid she might agree in a moment of rashness, leaving him in an impossible position.
Could the Misty Cloud Sect afford what Xiao Chen was asking for? If it truly wanted to, it could manage.
But if Nalan Yanran agreed to such a plainly unfair price, she would surely be fine once they returned. What about him? Wouldn't the Sect Master chop him into mincemeat?
Xiao Chen looked at Ge Ye, who had jumped up to interfere, and curled his lip in disdain. "Elder Ge Ye, shouldn't Miss Nalan be the one to decide this, rather than you?"
"What? Could it be that you're also engaged to someone in the Xiao Family? Are you looking to break off your engagement too?"
Xiao Chen's words set the Xiao Family members present laughing. The Second Elder stroked his beard with a beaming smile. "Elder Ge Ye is quite handsome, if I do say so myself. If he were to marry one of the younger generation in the Xiao Family, I'd wholeheartedly approve!"
"Oh? Since the Second Elder approves, then so do I!"
The First Elder seized the opportunity to chime in. On any other day, they naturally wouldn't have dared offend an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.
But today was another matter. Faced with such enormous benefits, what did Ge Ye matter? They could offend him if they wanted. The First Elder didn't believe the Misty Cloud Sect would trouble the Xiao Family over such a small matter.
Ge Ye was so furious that he trembled and pointed at Xiao Chen. "You insolent brat! How dare you humiliate me!" But no matter how angry he was, he didn't dare act rashly. After all, this wasn't the Misty Cloud Sect—it was the Xiao Family.
The Misty Cloud Sect's name carried weight, but not enough to let him do whatever he pleased.
There was nothing for it. He was only an outer sect elder. If he were an inner sect elder, the Xiao Family members wouldn't dare mock him like this.
"Elder Ge Ye, what are you talking about? I never meant to insult you. You're clearly humiliating yourself!"
Xiao Chen wasn't about to meekly take the blame. Instead, he turned the accusation back on Ge Ye. "I'm speaking with your sect's future Sect Master. Who are you to jump in and make decisions for her?"
"Ahem! Elder Ge Ye, come back! Don't bring shame upon the Misty Cloud Sect!"
Nalan Yanran was simply too young. Xiao Chen had flattered her with that string of titles—the Misty Cloud Sect's Young Sect Master and its future Sect Master—and left her utterly giddy.
Ge Ye could only return to his seat with a dark expression, glaring viciously at Xiao Chen as though he wanted to devour him alive.
Xiao Chen paid him no mind. He simply looked at Nalan Yanran, waiting for her to decide.
Nalan Yanran knew how valuable those items were, but there was no turning back now. She could only try to bargain. "I can't get you three Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pills. I can discuss it with my master when I return and give you one!"
"I can give you the Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill and the Qi Gathering Powder too. As for the five million gold coins, there are eight million on this card!"
Nalan Yanran tossed a gold-colored card onto the table, then quietly watched Xiao Chen, waiting for his answer.
Xiao Chen had never expected to get everything he asked for. A Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill and a Three-Pattern Spirit Clearing Pill were already an enormous haul, so he was ready to quit while he was ahead. "Since Miss Nalan is so sincere, then naturally we'll dissolve the engagement!"
"Good. Someone from the Misty Cloud Sect will bring the items in three days. Elder Ge Ye, let's go!"
Having gotten the result she wanted, Nalan Yanran breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to leave with Ge Ye. When she reached the hall's entrance, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Xiao Chen. "Thank you. I didn't come to break off the engagement because of your strength. I just didn't want to spend the rest of my life with someone I'd never met!"
Nalan Yanran had no idea why she'd felt compelled to explain herself. As soon as she finished speaking, she quickly turned away and hurried out.
"Sigh! Yan'er, you've grown up!"
Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Chen with eyes full of affection. In his view, Xiao Chen had done all this solely to benefit the Xiao Family.
"Third Young Master, this old man wronged you earlier. I hope you'll forgive me!"
With such substantial benefits now in hand, the First Elder found the "Third Young Master" much more agreeable. He even apologized.
The Second Elder quickly added that he'd been narrow-minded before and would never make that mistake again.
For a time, the Xiao Family reception hall was filled with warmth and laughter. Xiao Chen couldn't help reflecting on the influence of profit. With enough at stake, even loved ones could turn against each other, while enemies could bury the hatchet.
This was brought to its fullest expression in a certain someone. Compared to that, the Xiao Family's squabble was small potatoes. Even though the two elders disliked Xiao Yan, it had never crossed their minds to harm him for the sake of a few benefits.
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