Xiao Mei

"This matter cannot be agreed to rashly, because it concerns the reputation of our Xiao Family. You also know that I am the clan leader; there are some matters I must discuss with the elders. So, I cannot give you a definite answer for the time being. Please forgive me. I promise this matter will be settled soon—after all, Xiao Yan is my son."

After hearing this answer, Xiao Zhan gave the matter some thought. After hesitating for a moment, he offered an ambiguous reply.

Regarding this matter, he truly could not agree outright. First, even if the other party was willing to help him, there was no guarantee Xiao Yan could recover completely.

If they went ahead and broke off the engagement, would that not mean losing the family's dignity while also causing his son to lose a powerful backer?

If Xiao Yan remained at this level for the rest of his life, yet still had a powerful fiancée like Nalan Yanran, then at least the latter half of his life would not be too miserable.

If this matter truly succeeded, then with Xiao Yan's future potential, he might become very powerful as well. By that calculation, it was indeed not a loss. However, the other elders in the clan might not agree, since they were not from the same faction as Xiao Zhan.

"That's alright. Please take your time considering it. Before that, though, I would like to see your son first."

Yun Shenwei replied with a smile. Xiao Zhan having such thoughts was actually within Yun Shenwei's expectations.

Xiao Zhan was the head of a family, after all. He could not casually gamble his family's future on his own son's future. That would have been rather selfish of him.

"Of course, that won't be a problem. My son encountered trouble in his cultivation again these past few days, and his realm has fallen once more... Sigh, it's hard to put into words. He's in a rather poor mood. Perhaps with Brother Shenwei there, you can properly counsel him."

The moment Xiao Zhan heard that Yun Shenwei wanted to see Xiao Yan, his face immediately lit up with joy.

People of the same age might have more in common. As Xiao Yan's father, Xiao Zhan instead had something of a generation gap with his son because of their age difference.

"Then Clan Leader Xiao should return and properly discuss this matter with the other elders. I'll go see your son first."

Yun Shenwei had no intention of wasting time here. Since he had already made his position clear, what happened next depended on Xiao Zhan's choice.

"Men! Take Brother Shenwei to see the Third Young Master!"

Xiao Zhan shouted loudly, and before long, several Xiao Family guards arrived.

Led by the guards, Yun Shenwei walked through the Xiao Family estate, stopping from time to time. Along the way, he saw quite a few members of the Xiao Family.

At last, the guards brought him to the Xiao Family Martial Arts Arena.

"Look, that's Yun Lan Sect's Head Disciple. I heard his name is Yun Shenwei."

"Oh my god, he's so handsome. And he looks about the same age as us, yet he's already a Dou Master."

"Yeah, as expected of someone from Yun Lan Sect, the number one Sacred Land of our Gama Empire. Only a place like that could cultivate such an outstanding young genius."

"Xiao Mei! Look, he's looking at you! Hurry up and go say hello."

Although there was plenty of discussion around him, Yun Shenwei did not pay much attention to it. His gaze settled on a youth at the very edge of the martial arts arena.

"So this is Xiao Yan? He's fairly handsome, but that dejected appearance of his is truly embarrassing for us people of Blue Water Star."

Before leaving, the guard had pointed out Xiao Yan's location to Yun Shenwei, so Yun Shenwei immediately spotted the legendary "trash" of the Xiao Family.

"That guy is incredibly arrogant. If I went up to greet him with a smile, it would only lower my own standing."

Yun Shenwei had initially planned to walk straight over, but on second thought, he felt that would be inappropriate. He had come as a representative of Yun Lan Sect—how could he possibly go and curry favor with someone else?

"Fine. Since there's nothing to do today, I'll give this guy a good stir. He may look dejected on the outside, but deep down, he still longs to become stronger. As long as I toss out a few bits of bait, I'm sure he'll come to me on his own. Then, the initiative will be in my hands."

Yun Shenwei's eyes shifted, and he immediately came up with an idea. As the art of war says: to capture, first let go; strike from the side.

"I am from Yun Lan Sect, the current Head Disciple. It is a pleasure to meet you all. Clan Leader Xiao asked me to come today and offer some guidance in your cultivation, so here I am. I hope everyone will show me some courtesy."

Yun Shenwei turned toward the Xiao Family youths who had been discussing him and warmly greeted them.

"Ah! You're too polite! We normally never get the chance to meet someone as impressive as you."

"Exactly, exactly. We've been hoping you could guide our cultivation. We heard yesterday that you had arrived at our family, but we didn't dare disturb your rest."

"Yes, yes! We also want to ask how we can cultivate more quickly. We heard that you have unique insights and experience in cultivation. Could you please enlighten us?"

The Xiao Family youths who had been whispering among themselves became extremely excited upon hearing Yun Shenwei greet them. They all gathered around him.

"Xiao Mei, hurry over! He's so handsome and accomplished at such a young age—he's definitely your ideal man! You must seize this opportunity. Once it's gone, it's gone."

Just as Yun Shenwei was speaking with the other Xiao Family boys and girls, a pretty young girl quickly approached from the other side of the crowd.

Yun Shenwei was incredibly perceptive and noticed her immediately. He turned to look.

The girl wore a purple dress. Her figure was well-developed, and her small face held a trace of charm. She truly suited her name.

"Xiao Mei? She looks fairly good. Compared to ordinary girls, she is indeed quite attractive, though she still falls short of a peerless beauty."

Yun Shenwei sized up the girl and quickly made his assessment inwardly.

He remembered that in the original story, this girl named Xiao Mei had been a fence-sitter. When Xiao Yan was in his glory, she called him Brother Xiao Yan at every turn. Once Xiao Yan lost his cultivation realm, Xiao Mei became a completely different person.

For a girl so young to do such things was enough to show what kind of person she would become when she grew up.

Of course, everyone had the right to choose their friends. Preferring the strong and disliking the weak was only human nature.

As Xiao Mei walked over, many Xiao Family youths voluntarily stepped aside, showing that her status among her peers was not low.

Yun Shenwei watched silently, unable to help finding it amusing. This girl had come over for no other reason than to curry favor with him.

Just as he had expected, after Xiao Mei came over, she immediately tried to close the distance. "Hello... Senior Brother Yun. I'm Xiao Mei. It's a pleasure to meet you."