The next morning, Xiao Yan was still asleep at the crack of dawn.
Steward Mo came to call for Xiao Yan from outside.
"Third Young Master, the Clan Head requests your presence in the main hall."
Xiao Yan acknowledged him, then climbed out of bed.
Looking at Xiao Yan, the old steward sighed with pity. After all, he had watched Xiao Yan grow up.
But Xiao Yan truly seemed different now, no longer carrying that air of dejection from before.
When he arrived outside the reception hall, Xiao Yan deliberately sensed his surroundings. Hai Bodong was already nearby.
Only then did Xiao Yan push open the doors and enter. The hall was quite spacious.
At the very top sat Clan Head Xiao Zhan and the three elders. These three elders held high status and great authority; their power was not much less than the Clan Head's.
Below them sat the pillars of the clan, some elders with considerable influence, as well as outstanding members of the younger generation.
On the other side, only three people were seated.
The crescent moon insignia on the old man's chest was adorned with seven gleaming golden stars.
A seven-star Da Dou Shi. This must be Ge Ye, an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.
A man and a woman sat on either side of Ge Ye, both wearing the same attire.
The man had five golden stars embroidered on his chest, representing the strength of a five-star Dou Zhe.
As for the remaining woman, she must be Nalan Yanran. Likewise, three golden stars adorned her chest, proving that she was a three-star Dou Zhe.
Nalan Yanran had a fresh, refined face and was indeed exceptionally beautiful. However, that air of arrogance about her was rather irritating.
"Father, Elders!" Xiao Yan strode forward and bowed to the four of them.
"Come, sit down, 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. These old bastards refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Since that's the case, there's nothing left to hold back.
Xiao Yan knew they had not arranged a seat for him, so naturally he had nowhere to sit. These old bastards wanted to humiliate him in front of so many people.
In the original story, Xun Er had helped him out of the awkward situation, but this time, Xiao Yan did not intend to let it go so easily.
Xiao Zhan also noticed 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—"
"Ahem, my sincerest apologies. I actually forgot about the Third Young Master. Hehe, I'll have someone prepare a seat at once!" The yellow-robed old man glared at by Xiao Zhan smiled faintly and "remorsefully" slapped his forehead, though the ridicule in his eyes was barely concealed.
Before Xun Er could speak up to help Xiao Yan out, Xiao Yan sneered.
"If I can't sit, then neither will you!"
Xiao Yan's words immediately drew everyone's attention. Even Ge Ye and the others turned to look at him.
The Second Elder viciously slammed the table and said angrily, "You little piece of trash, what did you say? Who gave you the nerve to speak to me like that?"
Xiao Zhan had not expected Xiao Yan to retort like this, but he could not simply stand by and do nothing.
"Second Elder! What are you trying to do?"
The Second Elder snorted coldly and stared at Xiao Yan. "No one can control you anymore, is that it? Utterly lawless! Men, drag Xiao Yan away and punish him according to clan rules!"
Xiao Xun'er was somewhat nervous as well. She had sensed yesterday that something was off with Xiao Yan, but with her here, she would not let him suffer any grievance.
"Old Hai, I'll have to trouble you."
The moment Xiao Yan finished speaking, another person appeared beside the Second Elder.
He raised a hand, seized the Second Elder by the throat, and tossed him out of the hall as though he were throwing away a toy.
Everyone in the Xiao Clan shot to their feet in fright, staring at Hai Bodong with terrified eyes.
Even Xiao Xun'er was somewhat puzzled.
Xiao Zhan asked with some uncertainty, "A Dou Ling expert!"
The Second Elder was a mighty Da Dou Shi, yet he had been thrown out without any ability to resist. This could only mean that the person standing before them was a Dou Ling expert.
Xiao Yan smiled. "Father, there's no need to be nervous. Elders, there's no need for you to be nervous either. This is Old Hai, one of my friends."
Hai Bodong nodded at Xiao Yan, then sat down in the Second Elder's seat.
Xun Er smiled at Xiao Yan. "Brother Xiao Yan, sit with me."
Xiao Yan walked over to Xun Er and sat beside her.
The members of the Xiao Clan remained standing, and not a single one dared to sit.
Only when Xiao Yan said, "Everyone, sit down as well," did they finally take their seats one after another.
However, they now looked down on Xiao Yan far less than before.
Having a Dou Ling expert as a friend was significant enough on its own. After all, there was not even a single Dou Ling expert in all of Wutan City.
The Second Elder, who had been thrown outside, rose to his feet in fury. But when facing a Dou Ling expert, he did not dare throw a tantrum.
Yet at such an important occasion, he had been tossed out in front of everyone, and someone else had taken his seat. He no longer had the face to go back inside.
He could only flick his sleeves and leave.
Xiao Yan felt incredibly satisfied, but as someone well versed in the art of showing off, he knew he had to appear calm and detached.
His desire for strength also grew even stronger.
Xiao Xun'er secretly asked Xiao Yan, "Brother Xiao Yan, you did that on purpose, didn't you? You wanted to embarrass them."
Xiao Yan thought, I've already transmigrated, and I'm still supposed to put up with this crap?
But he still teased Xiao Xun'er, saying, "I only wanted them to understand that the person they bully can bully them back at any time."
After Xiao Yan's disruption, no one dared speak loudly anymore.
From time to time, they would glance at Hai Bodong sitting there, afraid that if he became displeased, he might overturn the entire hall.
After everyone chatted for a while, Ge Ye could no longer hold back and said, "Clan Head 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 matter of breaking off the engagement.
Ge Ye continued, "Her name is Nalan Yanran."
Xiao Zhan was briefly stunned, then said happily, "So it is Niece Nalan. Forgive my poor eyesight for failing to recognize you."
Nalan Yanran also said, "This niece has never come to visit either. How could Uncle Xiao be blamed?"
Ge Ye interrupted the two of them. "The reason for our visit concerns Yanran as well. Moreover, it was personally raised by the Sect Leader..."
"Oh?" Xiao Zhan had a bad feeling.
Still, 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, before continuing, "Clan Head Xiao, you know that Yanran has become the Sect Leader's disciple and is being groomed as the next successor. Therefore, the engagement between her and your son may have to be dissolved for now, because the sect has rules prohibiting entanglements with men during this period."
Crack!
Xiao Zhan crushed the teacup in his hand into powder, his eyes turning red with rage.
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