Do Not Bully the Poor Young Man!

After the brief interlude, Ge Ye exchanged a few pleasantries with Xiao Zhan and introduced Nalan Yanran. At last, under Nalan Yanran's urging gaze, he gave a soft laugh and said,

"Clan Leader Xiao, we have come today with an unwelcome request concerning Yanran. Moreover, this matter was personally raised by the Sect Leader."

The moment they heard the words "Sect Leader" from Ge Ye, Xiao Zhan and the others' expressions changed instantly. Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Yunlan Sect, was a Dou Emperor and one of the Jia Ma Empire's newly ranked Ten Great Experts. She was also one of the few Dou Emperor-class experts among those ten, ranked at least within the top three in the Jia Ma Empire!

It was clear that they had all already guessed the purpose of Nalan Yanran's visit.

Xiao Zhan's expression became especially grim. When he caught sight of Yang Chen resting with his eyes closed from the corner of his eye, his heart sank even further.

The three great elders of the Xiao Family, however, wore mocking smiles. They had originally worried that Nalan Yanran's arrival would allow Xiao Zhan to seize sole control, but once Xiao Yan was publicly rejected, Xiao Zhan would have no face left to remain as clan leader.

As for the possibility that the engagement might not be dissolved? What a joke. The Yunlan Sect had even sent a mysterious expert of unfathomable strength. Even if Xiao Zhan insisted on maintaining the engagement, they would have to force him to agree to its dissolution.

"Mr. Ge Ye, please speak!"

Xiao Zhan's lips had begun to tremble. Beneath his sleeves, his hands clenched tightly into fists, his teeth gritted as he spoke in a dry voice.

Seeing this, Ge Ye's expression turned slightly awkward, though it lasted only an instant. The next moment, recalling the Sect Leader's favor toward Nalan Yanran, he steeled his heart and said coldly,

"The Sect Leader has heard that Yanran and the Xiao Family's third young master have an engagement. However, the sect has certain special rules, so the Sect Leader hopes that Clan Leader Xiao can dissolve this engagement!"

Crack!!

Even though he had long expected it, when Ge Ye truly spoke of dissolving the engagement, Xiao Zhan still lost control for a moment and crushed the teacup in his hand.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's extremely gloomy face, a trace of apology flashed across Nalan Yanran's face. She did not dare meet his eyes and could only secretly tug at Ge Ye's sleeve, prompting him to speak.

"Clan Leader Xiao, I know this puts you in a difficult position, but please, for the Sect Leader's sake, dissolve the engagement!"

Amid the mocking gazes of the Xiao Family elders, Xiao Zhan first glanced at Yang Chen, who was still resting with his eyes closed. The anger rising in his heart was suppressed once more. He sighed softly and was just about to speak when Xiao Yan suddenly stood up.

"Mr. Ge Ye, the Xiao Family understands why you have come. However, the Xiao Family will never agree to this matter today!"

Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran with complicated eyes and spoke in a firm tone.

Nalan Yanran was indeed beautiful. Among all the women Xiao Yan knew, only Xun'er could rival her. But Xiao Yan was not the kind of man who let his lower half do his thinking.

It was not as if Xiao Yan had to marry Nalan Yanran. She was outstanding, immensely talented, and stunningly beautiful—but was Xiao Yan any worse?

Back then, Xiao Yan had also been a gifted youth. Though three years had left his cultivation not only without progress but regressed to the third stage of Dou Qi.

But now, his talent had fully returned. More than that, he had an uncle—an uncle with formidable strength and an extraordinary background. How could his future achievements possibly be low?

Young hearts were fragile and sensitive, and their pride was especially strong. Xiao Yan could not endure someone coming to his home to annul an engagement, much less allow his father to suffer such humiliation!

"Xiao Yan, when is it your place to speak here?"

The Xiao Family's Second Elder, seated in the place of honor, darkened his face. He still remembered what had happened earlier, and now that he had found an opportunity, he naturally intended to vent his anger.

"I know you feel terrible, but we will stand up for you. Do not interrupt."

An older elder spoke calmly, but Xiao Yan ignored him. He merely turned to Nalan Yanran and looked down at the proud, noble young girl before him.

"I know you, Nalan Yanran, look down on me, Xiao Yan. But in truth, I never thought much of you either. Not everyone is like that lapdog beside you, eager to cling to you, the heaven-favored daughter."

Nalan Yanran's brows immediately furrowed, and her expression turned cold. From childhood to adulthood, Nalan Yanran had never been looked down upon by anyone. What right did this cripple, stuck at the third stage of Dou Qi, have to claim that he did not fancy her?

Still, she did feel somewhat guilty about this matter, so she did not flare up immediately. Instead, she said softly,

"I know this is hard for you to accept, so I am willing to offer you some compensation. I specifically asked Elder Gu He to refine this Qi Gathering Powder. If you are willing, I can also let you cultivate the Yunlan Sect's profound techniques. What do you say?"

The proud young girl simply did not understand that while the adult world placed profit above all else, young people had many things they could never let go of—such as dignity!

"Heh, I do not care. I do not care for the Yunlan Sect's so-called profound techniques, nor do I care for the Qi Gathering Powder in your hand. And I care even less for a fiancée as gifted and peerlessly beautiful as you!"

Xiao Yan's tone suddenly became calm, but his faintly twitching face still spoke of the anger and resentment in the young man's heart.

"You came to my Xiao Family because you wanted to get rid of me, your useless fiancé, didn't you? Fine. I will grant you your wish!"

Grabbing the short sword from the table, Xiao Yan's face hardened. He slashed his palm, and blood instantly gushed forth. Using his hand as a brush and his blood as ink, the young man swiftly wrote a passage on the paper.

His palm descended, then withdrew!

Xiao Yan thrust the blood-written letter before Nalan Yanran and said coldly,

"Let this letter of repudiation stand as proof. From this day onward, you, Nalan Yanran, and I, Xiao Yan, will have nothing to do with each other."

Seeing the glaring white paper covered in bloody words and Xiao Yan's blood-soaked palm, Nalan Yanran froze completely, staring at Xiao Yan in disbelief.

"You dare repudiate me?"

Xiao Yan did not answer. He merely slapped the blood-written letter of repudiation before Nalan Yanran and said coldly,

"For the sake of the friendship once shared by our families' elders, Xiao Yan offers you a few words of advice: Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—do not bully the poor young man!"

"Good! Do not bully the poor young man! Worthy of the bloodline of my Yang Clan—what spirit!"

Even Yang Chen, who had cultivated for many years and possessed a will as firm as steel, suddenly opened his eyes wide upon hearing Xiao Yan speak those words. A brilliant gleam burst from his eyes as he shouted excitedly.

Xiao Zhan, who was equally stirred, could only awkwardly open his mouth after Yang Chen had stolen his words.