If You Won't Let Me Sit, Then Nobody Sits

The next morning, Xiao Yan had yet to wake up when Steward Mo arrived to call for him.

"Third Young Master, the Patriarch requests your presence in the main hall."

Xiao Yan gave a grunt of acknowledgment before climbing out of bed.

The old steward sighed with a pang of heartache as he looked at Xiao Yan; after all, he had watched the boy grow up.

Yet, Xiao Yan's current state was truly different, stripped of the decadent air he had carried before.

Upon arriving before the reception hall, Xiao Yan specifically sensed the area and confirmed that Hai Bodong was already nearby.

Only then did Xiao Yan push open the doors and step inside. The hall was quite spacious.

Seated at the very top were the Patriarch, Xiao Zhan, and the three Elders. These three Elders held high positions and immense influence, their power not much less than the Patriarch's own.

Seated further down were the pillars of the clan, elders with significant say in clan affairs, and the outstanding members of the younger generation.

On the other side, only three people sat.

The crescent moon on the chest of the old man in the center was adorned with seven gleaming golden stars.

A Seven-Star Great Dou Shi—this must be Ge Ye, the Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect.

Flanking Ge Ye were a man and a woman, both dressed in identical attire.

The man had five golden stars embroidered on his chest, representing his strength as a Five-Star Dou Zhe.

The remaining woman must be Nalan Yanran. Similarly, she had three golden stars on her chest, proving her strength as a Three-Star Dou Zhe.

Nalan Yanran possessed a fresh and refined face, making her quite beautiful, yet that air of arrogance about her was truly grating.

"Father, three Elders!" Xiao Yan stepped forward quickly and bowed to the four of them.

"Sit down quickly, Yan'er." Xiao Zhan said happily as he looked at Xiao Yan.

The three Elders, however, did not even acknowledge Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan sneered inwardly, thinking, You old fossils, you don't know when to appreciate a gesture. Since that's how it is, I have nothing to be concerned about.

Because Xiao Yan knew they hadn't arranged a seat for him, he had no way to sit. These old fossils wanted to humiliate him in front of so many people.

In the book, it was Xun Er who had smoothed things over for him, but this time, Xiao Yan did not intend to let it slide.

Xiao Zhan noticed at this moment that Xiao Yan had nowhere to sit. A flash of anger crossed his face as he frowned at the old man beside him: "Second Elder, you!"

"Cough, my deepest apologies. I actually forgot about the Third Young Master, heh heh. I shall have someone prepare a seat immediately!" The yellow-robed old man, glared at by Xiao Zhan, gave a faint smile and tapped his forehead in "self-reproach," though the mockery in his eyes was barely concealed.

Before Xun Er could speak up to resolve the situation for Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan let out a cold laugh.

"If you won't let me sit, then you don't need to sit either!"

Xiao Yan's voice immediately drew everyone's attention, and even Ge Ye and his companions cast their gazes over.

The Second Elder slammed the table fiercely and said angrily, "You little piece of trash, what did you say? Who gave you the guts to speak to me like that?"

Xiao Zhan had not expected Xiao Yan to retort in such a way, but he could not stand by and watch.

"Second Elder! What do you think you are doing?"

The Second Elder snorted coldly, staring at Xiao Yan as he said, "Is there truly no one left to discipline you? Lawless! Someone, drag Xiao Yan out and apply the clan rules."

Xiao Xun Er felt a sense of unease. She had sensed that Xiao Yan was acting strangely yesterday, but with her present, she would not let him suffer any grievances.

"Old Hai, I'll have to trouble you."

No sooner had Xiao Yan spoken than a figure appeared beside the Second Elder.

With a lift of his hand, he grabbed the Second Elder by the throat and tossed him out of the hall as if he were a mere toy.

Everyone in the Xiao clan stood up in shock, staring at Hai Bodong with terrified eyes.

Even Xiao Xun Er was somewhat bewildered.

Xiao Zhan asked with a hint of doubt, "A Dou Ling expert!"

For the Second Elder, a Great Dou Shi, to be tossed out without the slightest ability to resist, it could only mean that the person standing before them was a Dou Ling expert.

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Father, do not be nervous. Elders, there is no need to be nervous either. This is Old Hai, a friend of mine."

Hai Bodong nodded at Xiao Yan and then sat down in the Second Elder's seat.

Xun Er smiled at Xiao Yan and said, "Brother Xiao Yan, come sit with me."

Xiao Yan walked over to where Xun Er was and sat down beside her.

The members of the Xiao clan remained standing, not a single one daring to sit.

It was not until Xiao Yan said, "Everyone, please, take your seats!"

Only then did the people of the Xiao clan sit down one after another, though their contempt for Xiao Yan had diminished significantly.

Having a Dou Ling expert as a friend was weight enough on its own. After all, there wasn't a single Dou Ling expert in all of Wutan City.

The Second Elder, having been tossed outside, stood up in a rage, but facing a Dou Ling expert, he dared not vent his temper recklessly.

However, having been thrown out on such an important occasion and seeing his seat occupied by another, he had no face left to return inside.

He had no choice but to flick his sleeves and leave the place.

Xiao Yan felt incredibly satisfied at this moment, but knowing the art of acting cool, he had to appear calm and indifferent.

His desire for strength grew even more intense.

Xun Er whispered to Xiao Yan, "Brother Xiao Yan did that on purpose, didn't you? Just to embarrass them."

Xiao Yan thought to himself that since he had already transmigrated, there was no way in hell he was going to suffer any grievances!

However, he still teased Xun Er, saying, "I just wanted them to know that the person they bullied can bully them back at any time."

After Xiao Yan's disruption, no one dared to speak loudly anymore.

Everyone glanced at Hai Bodong, who was sitting there, from time to time, fearing that he might flip the entire hall over if he became displeased.

After everyone had chatted for a while, Ge Ye could no longer hold back and spoke up, "Clan Leader Xiao, do you know who she is?"

Xiao Zhan looked at Nalan Yanran and shook his head.

Xiao Yan knew they were about to bring up the annulment of the engagement.

Ge Ye continued, "Her name is Nalan Yanran."

Xiao Zhan was stunned for a moment, then said happily, "So it is my niece Nalan. Forgive my poor eyesight for not recognizing you."

Nalan Yanran also spoke up at this time, "I have never come to pay a visit, so how could I blame Uncle Xiao?"

Ge Ye interrupted the two of them, "The reason for our visit this time concerns Yanran. Furthermore, it was the Sect Master who personally gave the order..."

"Oh?" A bad premonition arose in Xiao Zhan's heart.

However, he suppressed his anger and said, "Please speak, Mister Ge Ye."

Ge Ye first glanced at Hai Bodong, who was resting with his eyes closed, and then said, "Clan Leader Xiao, you are aware that Yanran has become the Sect Master's disciple and is being groomed as the next successor. Therefore, the engagement between her and your son may have to be annulled, as the sect has a rule that one cannot have entanglements with men during this period."

"Crack!"

Xiao Zhan crushed the teacup in his hand into powder, his eyes turning red with rage.