A Loving Father, Xiao Zhan

The next morning, Yun Shenwei gave Ge Ye, the Steward, a brief rundown of the situation and told him to wander around Wu Tan City for the time being. He himself prepared to find Xiao Yan for a chat.

"Well, Brother Shenwei, you're up early."

Xiao Zhan, the Xiao Family Patriarch, happened to be passing by when he spotted Yun Shenwei and greeted him with a hearty smile.

"Good morning, Patriarch Xiao."

Yun Shenwei returned the greeting with neither servility nor arrogance. No matter where one was, basic courtesy was essential. After all, this time he was representing the Yun Lan Sect.

When ordinary people caused trouble outside, others would only criticize the individual. But it was different for him. If he made a mistake outside, people would not only condemn him but also continually criticize the Yun Lan Sect behind him.

Although the Yun Lan Sect was currently powerful and prosperous in the Gama Empire, it could not casually tarnish its reputation.

The reason the Yun Lan Sect had stood firm for hundreds of years was not merely because its founding patriarch possessed extraordinary cultivation, nor because its successive sect masters had been exceptionally powerful. It was because the Yun Lan Sect had always won people over through virtue, never did anything shameful, and never casually bullied ordinary people.

Over the years, the Yun Lan Sect had trained countless disciples and earned a widespread reputation. Ordinary people would give it some face whenever they heard its name.

Where did that respect come from?

Naturally, from its reputation.

As the saying went, gold cups and silver cups could not compare to the praise of others.

Yun Shenwei's manners were impeccable, and Xiao Zhan felt quite pleased.

Though there was quite an age gap between them, they got along well enough. Yun Shenwei had read the original Battle Through the Heavens, so he naturally knew that this Xiao Family Patriarch was not only upright but also deeply cared for his "useless" son, Xiao Yan.

After Xiao Yan went from a genius to a useless cripple, many members of the Xiao Family could not stand the sight of him. Some mocked him, while others ridiculed him. As the family patriarch and Xiao Yan's father, Xiao Zhan had done everything he could. He had neither shown excessive favoritism nor been overly heartless.

The only pity was that he was captured by the Hall of Souls later on and disappeared for a long time...

All in all, he had performed quite well in the early stages and was indeed worthy of respect.

"Brother Shenwei, to be honest, my son was once considered a young genius. Within our family, he was a talent rarely seen in a hundred years. Our family once hoped he would bring us glory, but man proposed and Heaven disposed. In the end, all our efforts came to nothing."

Just as Yun Shenwei had expected, after chatting about everyday matters for only a short while, Xiao Zhan, who loved his son dearly, inevitably brought up his "useless" son, Xiao Yan.

"Over the past few years, his cultivation has kept declining. No matter what methods I tried, nothing had any effect. I once went out to seek some renowned masters of the martial world, but it achieved very little. It even nearly cost him his life. Whenever I think of it, I feel that I have failed his mother, who passed away many years ago..."

When Xiao Zhan spoke of this, he was grief-stricken, his expression terribly unsightly.

"Patriarch Xiao, there is actually no need for you to feel this way. Your son was once a genius, which proves that there is no issue with his talent. Although some unusual changes have occurred over the past few years, in my opinion, perhaps this is merely a trial sent by Heaven. If he can endure it, he may yet become a hero in his own right and lead your family to greatness. That is inevitable."

Yun Shenwei spoke calmly. The reason he dared say this was because he had read the original Battle Through the Heavens and understood Xiao Yan's character very well.

Xiao Yan was indeed rather lecherous, had plenty of issues with his character, and was a typical scumbag. The only thing that could be said in his favor was that he was willing to work hard.

As for cultivation, after meeting Yao Lao, he also worked diligently. The opportunities and luck he received were excellent, but even if an ordinary person encountered such good fortune, they might not necessarily have been able to persevere.

The evolution of the Flame Mantra was among the most terrifying things. How many people in this world dared devour Heavenly Flames?

And he had done so repeatedly!

That kind of courage truly did not disgrace the people of Blue Water Star.

Therefore, Yun Shenwei was certain that even if he changed Xiao Yan's fate, Xiao Yan would still continue striving forward. Perhaps he would deviate from the original storyline, but his future would not necessarily be worse. It might even develop into something more interesting.

"Brother Shenwei, could you help me with something? I have heard that your sect has a close relationship with Pill King Gu He. Could you ask him to think of a solution? If it succeeds, Xiao Zhan will be endlessly grateful. Whether it works or not, the Xiao Family is willing to submit to the Yun Lan Sect with absolute loyalty!"

Xiao Zhan was simply willing to give it a try. In his current situation, he was grasping at any straw. Over the years, he had sought countless renowned masters, yet none had been effective. Before long, it would be his third son Xiao Yan's coming-of-age ceremony.

If Xiao Yan still failed to reach the family's minimum requirement by then, even Xiao Zhan, as the patriarch, would have no way to keep his son in the main family. He could only send Xiao Yan to manage business affairs in a branch family and live out the rest of his life that way.

That was why he wanted to speak with Yun Shenwei. One had to hold onto hope—what if it came true?

The young man before him was the Chief Disciple among the Yun Lan Sect's younger generation. That status was truly extraordinary.

"Patriarch Xiao, since you have sincerely come to ask for my help, I will give you a clear answer. I have an eighty percent chance of making this happen, but Senior Gu He's temperament is hard to predict, so I cannot guarantee it completely. Moreover, I have one condition. If you can agree to it, then I will agree to this matter. If you cannot, then I am sorry—even if you kill me, it will be useless."

After pondering for a moment, Yun Shenwei felt that he could take this opportunity to make good use of the situation. He possessed many abilities, as well as a system. Most frightening of all, he also had the Multiverse Shop, where he could exchange for all kinds of rare treasures.

The core reason Xiao Yan's cultivation had kept regressing over the past few years was not because there was anything wrong with Xiao Yan's body, but because of the strange ring in his possession.

Ordinary people, including Xiao Zhan and the other members of the Xiao Family, all believed that Xiao Yan himself had a problem. That was why no matter what methods they used, they could never solve the actual issue.

"Brother Shenwei, are you telling the truth? If you truly have an eighty percent chance of persuading Pill King Gu He, even thirty percent—no, no! Even ten percent would be enough! I agree, I agree! As long as it is within my power, I will agree to anything!"

Xiao Zhan was like a man dying in the desert who had suddenly caught sight of water. His aura abruptly surged forth, and his eyes shone brightly.

"Very well, then let me put the unpleasant words first. I have heard that your son has a marriage engagement with the Nalan Family's treasured daughter, Nalan Yanran. Is that true?"

Yun Shenwei asked in a serious tone.

"That is indeed the case. The engagement was arranged by my father's generation and Nalan Yanran's grandfather."

Xiao Zhan did not evade the question and answered truthfully.

"Then if I ask Senior Gu He to resolve Xiao Yan's physical problem, would you be willing to annul the engagement between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan?"

Yun Shenwei stared directly at Xiao Zhan, and his tone suddenly changed. He was no saint. His willingness to listen to Xiao Zhan pour out his heart naturally meant he had something to gain.

The parents' command and the matchmaker's word—if Xiao Zhan agreed, then the negative impact on Nalan Yanran regarding the annulment would naturally be minimized!

It was just unknown whether Xiao Zhan would be willing to sacrifice his own face, as well as the face of the entire Xiao Family, for Xiao Yan.

"This...?"

Just as Yun Shenwei had expected, Xiao Zhan hesitated at this moment.

The scene fell into an eerie silence.