Inside the meeting hall.
Xiao Yan's gaze fell on Nalan Yanran, and a faint note of appreciation flickered in his eyes.
He had to admit, Nalan Yanran was indeed stunningly beautiful.
Her pale-moon-colored dress accentuated her graceful figure. Her skin was as white as snow, her brows and eyes were like a painting, and beneath her cool demeanor lay a touch of innate pride.
Standing there, she looked like a proud snow lotus in full bloom, impossible to look away from.
Among the young women of the Xiao Family, only Xiao Xun'er could outshine her.
But only by a little. In terms of looks, the two were actually evenly matched, each with her own charms.
As for her cultivation—
Xiao Yan swept her with his soul power and immediately understood.
Three-Star Dou Zhe.
In a small place like Wutan City, she could indeed be considered a heaven-blessed prodigy.
It was just a pity...
A faint smile tugged at Xiao Yan's lips.
A Three-Star Dou Zhe was simply no match for him, a Three-Star Dou Emperor.
Their gazes met in midair.
A complicated look flashed through Nalan Yanran's eyes: scrutiny, curiosity, and a hint of concealed disdain.
Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly, then looked away.
No matter how beautiful a woman was, she was still just a woman.
In his previous life, what kind of beauty enhanced by filters hadn't he seen online?
Besides—
Xiao Yan shook his head to himself.
Though Nalan Yanran was beautiful, she carried an air of arrogance that made him uncomfortable.
She held herself as if she were above everyone else, as though she were looking at an ant.
He didn't like it.
Xiao Yan turned his gaze away and cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan and the three elders at the head of the hall.
"Father, Third Elder, Second Elder, Great Elder!"
His voice was calm, neither servile nor overbearing.
"Heh... Yan'er, you're here. Come, have a seat."
Xiao Zhan paused his cheerful conversation with the guests, nodded at Xiao Yan, and gestured for him to sit.
His face was alight with unconcealed delight, his eyes full of relief and pride.
The reactions of the three Xiao Family elders were even more striking.
"Xiao Yan, come, come... Sit over here with us!"
The Great Elder spoke first, his face wreathed in a kind smile. He even stood up to welcome him warmly.
"That's right, that's right, Xiao Yan. Sit on my side!"
The Second Elder hurriedly chimed in, unwilling to be outdone.
"My spot is the best—it gets plenty of light. Xiao Yan, come sit here!"
The Third Elder patted the chair beside him, his eyes crinkling into slits as he smiled.
The three elders' attitudes were worlds apart from how they had acted before.
As it turned out—
A chair had already been prepared beside Xiao Zhan and the three elders.
It had been placed even closer to the front than the elders' seats, second only to Xiao Zhan's place at the head.
Clearly, it had been prepared especially for Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan saw it and couldn't help finding the whole thing amusing.
It was a complete reversal of the original story, when they had deliberately failed to prepare him a seat.
There was no doubt—
Xiao Yan's astonishing display of strength the previous day had completely cowed the three Xiao Family elders.
No matter how Xiao Yan had managed to advance to Dou Wang, it meant he was now the strongest person in the Xiao Family!
A fifteen-year-old Dou Wang!
Such talent promised limitless potential!
These old men had already reached the end of the road. How could they possibly keep competing with Xiao Yan for the position of clan leader?
Besides—
A fifteen-year-old Dou Wang!
What level would he reach after a few more years?
Dou Emperor?
Dou Zong?
Or even higher?
By then, the Xiao Family would surely rise to prominence thanks to Xiao Yan!
And these elders would benefit right along with him.
If they didn't curry favor with him now, when would they?
However—
In response to the three elders' eager invitations, Xiao Yan merely smiled and shook his head.
He turned to Yao Chen beside him and bowed slightly, speaking with respect.
"Medicine Elder, please take the seat of honor."
Medicine Elder gave a slight nod and didn't decline. With his hands behind his back, he walked toward the chair prepared especially for Xiao Yan.
White-haired and clad in gray robes, he carried an otherworldly air, every step exuding the bearing of a master.
He sat down with commanding ease and swept his gaze across the hall. His eyes held a hint of appraisal and detachment, as if he were looking at a room full of ants.
Xiao Yan stood quietly at Medicine Elder's side, respectful in his manner.
The sight caused a commotion among those present.
Xiao Zhan inwardly kicked himself.
How could he have forgotten Medicine Elder, that venerable senior?
He had been so focused on preparing a seat for Yan'er that he'd forgotten this Eighth-Tier alchemist!
He was a big shot whom even the Jia Ma Imperial Family had to treat with the utmost respect!
Wasn't he supposed to be a soul in a spirit form? Why did he look no different from someone with a normal physical body today?
Xiao Zhan was a little puzzled. He had thought Medicine Elder would stay inside the ring as usual.
"Come, come, Xiao Yan. Sit in my seat first."
The Great Elder reacted fastest. He stood up at once and offered Xiao Yan his chair.
"You can sit in mine too!"
The Second Elder also hurried to his feet.
"I didn't prepare properly. I'll go get another chair right now..."
The Third Elder went so far as to head outside to fetch a chair.
Each of the three elders was more eager than the last.
However—
Just then—
"Brother Xiao Yan, you can sit here!"
A soft, smiling voice suddenly rang through the hall.
It was clear and sweet, touched with a young girl's endearing innocence, yet carried a composure beyond her years.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Xiao Xun'er was seated at one side of the hall, dressed in purple, her face breathtakingly beautiful.
She sat quietly, like an orchid blooming unseen, unconcerned with the world around her yet impossible to ignore.
At that moment, she smiled sweetly at Xiao Yan, her eyes full of tenderness.
"Good!"
Xiao Yan smiled back.
He paid no attention to the three elders' eager invitations and walked straight toward Xiao Xun'er.
What could beat sitting beside a pretty young woman? Surely it was better than sitting with a few old geezers.
Besides—
Xiao Xun'er was the heroine of the original story, a Daughter of Luck.
He still had to fleece her for her Luck Points and points.
Xiao Yan walked over to Xiao Xun'er and sat in the chair beside her.
A faint, delicate fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, refreshing his mind.
Xiao Xun'er turned her head and smiled radiantly at Xiao Yan, her eyes full of delight.
Her smile was as bright as spring sunshine.
[Ding——]
The system's notification rang in Xiao Yan's mind.
[Detected the fated heroine Xiao Xun'er, who displayed strong affection for the host in front of the destined protagonist Xiao Yan! Successfully suppressed the destined protagonist, destined fortune value -300!]
[宿主气运值+300!]
[获得超级大反派积分+100!]
[Heh heh heh......]
[Keep it up, host. You really cuckolded the destined protagonist!]
The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth lifted slightly.
Not bad, not bad.
He'd only just sat down, and points were already rolling in.
Today's show was getting more and more interesting.
Meanwhile—
Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
What was going on?
That good-for-nothing with Three-Stage Dou Qi was actually so highly regarded in the Xiao Family?
Even the elders of the Xiao Family were giving up their seats to him?
And that beautiful girl...
She didn't seem ordinary either. Her bearing was far beyond that of a girl from an ordinary family.
And she was so favorably disposed toward a good-for-nothing like Xiao Yan?
Nalan Yanran was completely baffled.
Wasn't Xiao Yan just a good-for-nothing with Three-Stage Dou Qi?
Did you really have to treat him like that?
Before you continue