What Nerve, Coming to Annul the Engagement at Our Doorstep!

After passing through the rear courtyard, the old steward, Elder Mo, stepped forward and knocked on the door before pushing open the solemn doors of the main hall. The hall was spacious, with many people seated inside. At the head sat Xiao Clan Chief Xiao Zhan and several stern-faced elders.

Below them sat some of the clan's elders with considerable authority, as well as outstanding disciples of the clan.

As the doors opened, everyone turned to look. A tall, upright young man walked in, with another youth, Xiao Yan, following beside him!

His bearing was somewhat better than Xiao Yan's. His eyes held a young man's resolve and confidence, and most importantly, he wore splendid robes, making him look like the son of a prominent family.

At the table sat three spirited guests. Judging by the badges on their chests—seven stars—they were seven-star Great Dou Masters!

Xiao Yan's eyes widened. These three old men were actually two stars above his father. Their strength was certainly not to be underestimated.

When Xiao Yan appeared, a young woman seated there cast her gaze toward him. She was Nalan Yanran, blessed with an exquisite face.

Her figure was graceful and well-proportioned, and every movement she made exuded a captivating allure.

So he was Xiao Yan. They had met once when they were children, when Xiao Zhan had brought him along.

They had not seen each other for many years, and he had indeed grown up. However, she had come this time to cancel their engagement.

The three old men on the seats looked at Xiao Yan. They could not see the slightest trace of dejection on him; instead, he seemed full of vigor. They found it rather curious. By all rights, anyone at the third stage of Dou Qi would feel ashamed.

There was not a hint of sorrow or pain on Xiao Yan's face. Sure enough, this boy had already accepted his fate. He had no chance of ever making something of himself.

I heard that Xiao Zhan's eldest son had returned. This must be him, Elder Ge Ye, the leader of the three guests, muttered to himself with narrowed eyes.

Beside Ge Ye stood a handsome young man who looked to be in his twenties. His strength had already reached the level of a five-star Dou Practitioner.

"Father!"

Xiao Yan and Xiao Tian clasped their hands toward Xiao Zhan.

"Mm!"

Xiao Zhan smiled. Seeing Xiao Yan's beaming face, free of its former anxiety, put him much more at ease. It seemed he had talked a great deal with Tian'er yesterday and had probably felt much better.

At that moment, Xiao Yan noticed the Third Elder's disdainful gaze. Ever since he had become trash, some of the elders had found him increasingly unpleasant to look at.

Xiao Yan then sighed softly. "Big Brother, let's find seats and sit down."

There were no extra seats in the hall. The Third Elder stroked his beard and said, "Young Master, your seat is here! As for Young Master Xiao Yan's... I forgot!"

Xiao Zhan immediately flew into a rage. A flash of fury crossed his face as he slammed the armrest and shouted, "Third Elder... you!!"

The Third Elder showed a trace of contempt, then raised his hand to summon someone to make preparations. He wanted nothing more than to see Xiao Yan embarrass himself!

"Brother Xiao Yan!"

"Brother Xiao Tian!"

"You can sit here!"

At that moment, a voice called out. Xiao Tian looked over and saw a young woman sitting in the corner. Her temperament was elegant and refined. Her hands rested atop a book on her lap as she smiled, blinking beneath her long lashes and gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan walked over. At that moment, Xiao Xun'er turned her beautiful eyes toward Xiao Tian and slowly rose to her feet. "Hello, Big Brother Xiao Tian!"

Xiao Xun'er's temperament truly differed from that of other young women—noble, elegant, and unworldly. Xiao Tian nodded.

Xiao Xun'er had also learned about Xiao Tian. She had been greatly shocked when she first found out, never expecting Brother Xiao Yan to have an older brother.

Since he was Brother Xiao Yan's biological elder brother, then he was her elder brother as well.

Not far away, Nalan Yanran watched all of this, her gaze lingering on Xiao Tian for quite some time.

This suddenly appeared older brother of Xiao Yan's gave her an odd feeling. After thinking about it, she did not dwell on it further. She should first settle the matter she had come for today!

At that moment, Elder Ge Ye glanced around before slowly rising to his feet. He clasped his hands toward Xiao Zhan and said, "Now that everyone from your esteemed clan has arrived, I shall explain the purpose of our visit."

"Mr. Ge Ye, please speak freely. So long as it is within the Xiao Clan's ability, I will certainly do my utmost to accomplish it." Xiao Zhan did not dare show the slightest neglect toward this old gentleman. Formalities had to be observed, though he had no idea what the other party wanted.

"Clan Chief Xiao, do you recognize her?" Ge Ye asked, glancing at the beautiful young woman beside him.

"This is?" Xiao Zhan hesitated for a moment and looked at her, but could not recognize her at all. He shook his head. "I have never met her."

They had only met once when she was young. Girls changed greatly as they grew up, so naturally he did not recognize that the young woman before him was Nalan Yanran, the future daughter-in-law engaged to Xiao Yan.

"Uncle Xiao, I am Nalan Yanran!" The young woman finally spoke, clasping her hands toward Xiao Zhan with a polite and refined manner.

Xiao Zhan revealed a delighted expression. "You are Old Master Nalan's granddaughter, Nalan Yanran!" This was his future daughter-in-law. Seeing how grown-up and beautiful she had become, he was delighted beyond words.

"Uncle Xiao was too unobservant just now and failed to recognize you," Xiao Zhan added.

At this sudden development, the three Xiao Clan elders frowned slightly, their expressions changing. Nalan Yanran possessed extraordinary talent and was said to have been accepted as a disciple by the Cloud Mist Sect's Sect Master. Her future was limitless!

Xiao Yan was now fifteen years old and only at the third stage of Dou Qi. The purpose of her visit today was surely not so simple.

"Uncle Xiao, I am the one at fault for never having come to pay my respects to you." Nalan Yanran smiled as she spoke, then tugged lightly at Ge Ye's sleeve beside her, signaling him to hurry up.

Ge Ye was taken aback before hastily cutting off the conversation. "Clan Chief Xiao, today's matter concerns Nalan Yanran, and it has been personally approved by the Sect Master!"

Everyone in the Xiao Clan was shocked, because this Sect Master clearly meant the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect. She was a major figure of the Jia Ma Empire, a Dou Emperor of terrifying power. Who would dare provoke her? Small clans like theirs simply could not afford to offend her.

What puzzled them was why a force of such standing would seek something from a small clan like theirs.

Xiao Zhan suddenly frowned. There was only one possibility. As he thought of it, his hands clenched tightly beneath his sleeves, unnoticed by anyone. He forcefully suppressed his rage and said in a trembling voice, "Mr. Ge Ye, speak."

Ge Ye coughed dryly. Thinking of Nalan Yanran's importance to the Sect Master, he steeled himself and said, "Clan Chief Xiao, I believe you have already guessed. Nalan Yanran is someone valued by the Sect Master and is being groomed as the Cloud Mist Sect's next successor. Therefore, the Sect Master wishes for her to annul her engagement with Young Master Xiao Yan."

"This is for Young Master Xiao Yan's own good as well. After all, Nalan Yanran is the future Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect."

"The Sect Master hopes that she can devote herself fully to cultivation and have no entanglements with any man."

Xiao Zhan was instantly enraged, crushing the cup in his hand to pieces. "Mr. Ge Ye, do you know that on the Dou Qi Continent, having someone come to your door to annul an engagement is an insult to an entire clan!"

Several elders looked gleeful at his misfortune. Xiao Zhan, this is the son you were so proud of. Let's see how you clean up this mess today!

At that moment, Xiao Yan was completely stunned. His fists clenched tightly as he too felt overwhelming rage. Watching his father be mocked by others, he felt that all of this was because he was useless.

At that moment, Xiao Tian raised a hand and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Fourth Brother, you need not take this matter to heart."

"Because Big Brother will always be your big brother!" With that, he stood up directly. Since he had been reborn as the Xiao Clan's eldest young master, he could not simply do nothing. "The Cloud Mist Sect has some damned nerve, thinking the Xiao Clan has no one!"

Xiao Tian's aura erupted. In an instant, Ge Ye, the others, and Nalan Yanran were forced to the ground by a terrifying pressure, unable to move!

Everyone stared at Xiao Tian in shock, their eyes filled with disbelief!