Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran

Within the Xiao Clan estate, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on his bed, bare-chested, slowly circulating his cultivation technique as he absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from the air. Just as the clan disciples said, Xiao Yan's success was not merely due to talent, but also hard work.

After completing one circulation, Xiao Yan let out a long breath, expelling a wisp of scorching turbid air from his mouth.

"Without realizing it, it's almost been fifteen years." Xiao Yan lowered his head and muttered to himself.

In his previous life, Xiao Yan had merely been an exceedingly ordinary member of the common masses. Money, beautiful women—such things had been like parallel lines to him, never destined to intersect. Thus, after arriving on this Dou Qi Continent, Xiao Yan had reflected deeply and devoted himself desperately to cultivation.

Perhaps because of his experiences across two lives, his soul was far stronger than that of ordinary people. This was also one of the key reasons why Xiao Yan's cultivation yielded twice the results with half the effort.

Xiao Yan's eyes suddenly flashed as he looked toward the door. Before long, a knock sounded, followed by Xiao Zhan's voice. "Yan'er, are you asleep?"

Hearing that it was Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan got dressed, walked to the door, and opened it. Looking at his kindly father outside, Xiao Yan smiled. "Not yet. I just finished cultivating."

Xiao Zhan said helplessly, "Yan'er, Yan'er, cultivation can't be food. You need to take care of your body. You cultivate until late every night, then get up early in the morning to practice Dou Techniques. Do you really think you're made of iron?"

Although Xiao Zhan was scolding him, he could not hide the gratified smile at the corners of his mouth. Looking at his son standing beneath the moonlight, he found himself more and more satisfied. A true genius needed both inspiration and sweat; neither could be lacking.

What cultivation feared most was giving up halfway or becoming arrogant and complacent. Seeing that his son had not grown smug because of the halo of genius, but still persisted in cultivating every day, naturally made him happy as a father.

"You're fifteen now, aren't you? In another year, you can hold your coming-of-age ceremony. By then, you'll be the true young clan head of the Xiao Clan." Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. Before he knew it, this son of his was about to become an adult, while he himself was getting old. Time truly passed swiftly.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly and listened in silence before saying, "Father, did you come this late just to tell me that?"

Seeing that Xiao Yan had seen through him, Xiao Zhan coughed twice. Then his expression turned serious. "Tomorrow, that 'fiancée' from the Nalan Clan will come to the Xiao Clan."

At those words, Xiao Yan's expression also grew more restrained. He had known about this engagement long ago. It had been arranged by Xiao Yan's grandfather, Xiao Lin, and the former head of the Nalan Clan, Nalan Jie. In essence, Xiao Lin had sacrificed his life for Nalan Jie, and Nalan Jie had intended to use the engagement to bind the two clans together and protect the declining Xiao Clan after it lost Xiao Lin.

"No matter what you think of this engagement, I hope you'll meet her tomorrow," Xiao Zhan said seriously.

Xiao Yan nodded seriously as well.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan did some simple stretches in his room when a familiar voice came from outside. "Brother Xiao Yan, are you awake?"

!!!

Xiao Yan's heart jolted. He hurriedly changed his clothes and pushed open the door. Sure enough, it was Xun Er.

Xiao Yan swallowed as he looked at Xun Er before him. She seemed as gentle as a spring breeze, dressed in an elegant pale skirt with a smile on her face. For some reason, though, he felt a slight chill run down his back.

That smile felt a little deadly!

Xiao Yan stepped out of the room and walked shoulder to shoulder with Xun Er. Touching his nose, he asked somewhat awkwardly, "Xun Er, why are you here so early today?"

Xun Er covered her mouth and laughed softly. Her eyes glanced faintly at Xiao Yan, and a flash of golden light passed through them—though he did not know whether it had been an illusion. With an unusual hint in her voice, she smiled. "Uncle Xiao said a distinguished guest has arrived, so I came especially to call Brother Xiao Yan to the main hall."

Xiao Yan swallowed again, sweat already forming on his forehead. Naturally, he knew who the distinguished guest Xun Er referred to was. He had simply not expected Xun Er to know as well.

Before long, Xiao Yan and Xun Er arrived at the main hall. The hall was spacious, and quite a few people had gathered inside. Seated at the very top were Xiao Zhan and the three clan elders. Below them, on the left, sat several respected elders of the clan who possessed considerable strength, alongside some outstanding members of the younger generation.

It could be said that all the upper ranks of the Xiao Clan had gathered, showing just how much importance they attached to this meeting.

When Xiao Yan arrived, all the younger generation greeted him with smiling faces and utmost respect. After all, strength reigned supreme on the Dou Qi Continent, and Xiao Yan was the most gifted genius of the Xiao Clan—the role model and goal of every Xiao Clan disciple. He could even be called the spiritual pillar of all the disciples, the Xiao Clan's spiritual totem!

"Young Clan Head, good morning."

"Morning, Brother Xiao Yan."

"Cousin Xiao Yan, you're so handsome!"

It was as though they had seen their idol make an entrance. If the elders had not been present, they probably would have started screaming.

"Hehe, Yan'er, you're here. Come, take a seat." Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, Xiao Zhan nodded at him and waved.

Xiao Yan nodded with a smile and walked straight to the seat below the Third Elder. Xiao Yan's current status was actually nearly equal to that of an elder; it could be said that they were on equal footing. Xun Er was seated beside him.

Of course, Xiao Yan was not the only protagonist today. The distinguished guest Xun Er had mentioned had already arrived. The girl was about the same age as him, and her appearance was actually several degrees more beautiful than Xiao Mei's. Within this clan, perhaps only Xun Er, who resembled a green lotus, could firmly surpass her.

Green jade pendants hung from the girl's delicate earlobes, producing clear, crisp chimes as they swayed, abruptly revealing a hint of nobility. Moreover, three golden stars were pinned beside her exquisite, still-developing chest, representing her rank as a Dou Zhe.

This girl was undoubtedly Nalan Yanran of the Nalan Clan, Xiao Yan's fiancée.

Quite a few Xiao Clan disciples had also heard the gossip and knew about some of the matters between the Nalan Clan and the Xiao Clan.

"So that's Cousin Xiao Yan's fiancée?" Xiao Mei, standing in a corner, stared at Nalan Yanran. When she saw the three glittering golden stars on her chest, her expression turned sour. "Hmph, she's only a three-star Dou Zhe. She can't compare to our Brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Ning beside her also nodded inwardly. "Although a three-star Dou Zhe is already a genius, Cousin Xiao Yan is a genius among geniuses. I heard she was accepted as a disciple by the Misty Cloud Sect, so I thought she was something incredible. She's only a three-star Dou Zhe."

The fact that Xiao Yan had reached seven-star Dou Zhe was already known throughout the entire Xiao Clan. Thus, seeing that Nalan Yanran was only a three-star Dou Zhe, many of Xiao Yan's admirers silently felt indignant on his behalf, believing that Nalan Yanran was not worthy of him.

Despite the idle chatter from the Xiao Clan members, Nalan Yanran's expression remained unchanged. Even after Xiao Yan appeared, her face still showed neither joy nor sorrow, as calm and indifferent as the wind.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, an old man beside Nalan Yanran slowly rose to his feet. With a gentle smile on his face, he clasped his hands toward Xiao Zhan and the others. After a moment of silence, he said, "Clan Head Xiao Zhan, we have come this time on behalf of the Misty Cloud Sect, hoping that the Xiao Clan can dissolve the engagement with the Nalan Clan."