A One-Move Pact

Crack!

After hearing that Nalan Yanran and the other two had come to annul the engagement, the jade cup in Xiao Zhan's hand was instantly crushed into powder.

For a moment, the hall fell utterly silent.

Some looked at Xiao Zhan, thinking that after this incident, this clan leader would lose all dignity; others looked at Xiao Yan, their faces full of mockery...

Meanwhile, upon seeing Xiao Zhan's grim expression, Nalan Yanran could not help lowering her head, her fingers twisting together nervously.

"Clan Leader Xiao!"

Ge Ye sighed inwardly, then continued, "I know this matter is indeed asking too much, but for the sake of our Sect Leader, please dissolve this engagement..."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan clenched both fists. Pale cyan Dou Qi gradually began to cover his entire body, finally gathering around his face into the phantom image of a lion's head.

It was the Xiao Clan's top-tier cultivation art, the mid Xuan-rank Raging Lion Fury!

Seeing Xiao Zhan's reaction, Ge Ye's heart tightened.

Though he was somewhat stronger than Xiao Zhan, this was the Xiao Clan's home ground. If the Xiao Clan truly made a move, there was no way he could hold them off alone!

Even so, Ge Ye swiftly stepped in front of Nalan Yanran. His hands curled slightly like eagle claws, and cyan Dou Qi instantly spread out, carrying threads of fine, sharp sword energy.

It was one of the Cloud Mist Sect's profound cultivation arts, the low Xuan-rank Azure Wood Sword Art!

As Xiao Zhan and Ge Ye unleashed their auras, the faces of many weaker people in the hall instantly turned pale, and even their chests began to feel tight.

But just as Xiao Zhan's breathing grew increasingly ragged and he was about to strike in fury, the voices of the Xiao Clan's three elders suddenly rang out.

"Xiao Zhan, stop at once!"

"Xiao Zhan, do not forget that you are the clan leader of our Xiao Clan!"

Hearing the three elders' shouts, Xiao Zhan's body stiffened. The Dou Qi surrounding him gradually withdrew before finally vanishing completely.

After sitting back down, Xiao Zhan's voice had turned somewhat hoarse. "Niece Nalan, you truly have courage! Nalan Su is truly fortunate to have a daughter like you!"

At those words, Nalan Yanran's delicate body trembled. She then said haltingly, "Uncle Xiao..."

"Heh heh!"

Xiao Zhan waved a hand, cutting off Nalan Yanran's next words. He then said coldly, "Just call me Clan Leader Xiao. You are the future Sect Leader of the Cloud Mist Sect. I cannot bear the title of uncle."

"Clan Leader Xiao!"

Ge Ye reached out and touched the ring on his hand. A simple jade box with a green sheen appeared in his palm. "Our Sect Leader also knows that today's request is somewhat improper, so he specifically had me bring a gift of apology!"

Ge Ye opened the jade box, and an unusual fragrance immediately filled the hall, making everyone within feel more refreshed.

"This is Qi Gathering Powder personally refined by our sect's honorary elder, the Pill King, Lord Gu He!"

Seeing the expressions of the people in the hall, Ge Ye could not help feeling rather pleased. "Surely all of you have heard of his esteemed name!"

"This medicine was actually made by the Pill King Gu He?"

Sure enough, after hearing Ge Ye's words, the people in the hall became even more shocked. Even the three elders were no exception.

After all, the Pill King Gu He wielded enormous influence throughout the Jia Ma Empire. His alchemy was unfathomably miraculous, and countless experts wished to curry favor with him!

Just as everyone in the hall was thinking about how to get the Qi Gathering Powder into their own hands, Xiao Yan, seated beside Xiao Xun'er, finally stood up!

"Elder Ge Ye, you should take this Qi Gathering Powder back."

Xiao Yan took two steps forward and said calmly, "Today, our Xiao Clan may not grant your wishes."

As Xiao Yan rose to his feet, everyone in the hall shifted their gazes onto him.

But to their surprise, even in such an embarrassing situation, Xiao Yan's expression remained calm, as though nothing had happened.

"Xiao Yan, is there any place for you to speak here?"

"Xiao Yan, step back first!"

"We know you are feeling awful right now, but we will make the decision in this matter!"

The three elders spoke one after another.

However, Xiao Yan ignored them. He first bowed respectfully to Xiao Zhan, then looked calmly at Nalan Yanran. "Miss Nalan, may I ask whether Elder Nalan agreed to this annulment today?"

"Grandfather did not agree, but this is my own matter. I should be the one to decide it!"

Looking at the young man who had once been betrothed to her, Nalan Yanran said solemnly, "My fate should be decided by me. Whom I marry should also be my own decision!"

[Yue Buqun: As the saying goes, "Parents' orders and the matchmaker's words." This Nalan Yanran has gone too far!]

[Pang Bo: What Nalan Yanran said is not wrong, but she truly failed to consider the consequences of her actions!]

As soon as Nalan Yanran finished speaking, the hall became even quieter.

Everyone looked toward Xiao Yan. They all wanted to know how he would respond.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

A burst of applause suddenly rang out in the hall. Everyone turned toward the sound, only to discover that Xiao Yan himself was clapping.

"To decide your own fate—Miss Nalan, you said that very well!"

Xiao Yan smiled. "I, Xiao Yan, already have someone in my heart. This engagement naturally should be annulled!"

Hearing this, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.

The Xiao Clan's three elders felt that the Qi Gathering Powder had been secured, while Ge Ye and the others thought Xiao Yan was merely putting on a brave front...

As for Xiao Xun'er, when she heard Xiao Yan say that he already had someone in his heart, her face instantly flushed red, and her thoughts began to run wild.

Yet at that moment, Xiao Yan continued, "However, you did not discuss this with the elders who arranged the engagement in the first place. Then, before such a large audience, you demanded that my father dissolve it. Would that not cause my father to lose all prestige and dignity, while turning my Xiao Clan into a laughingstock in the future?"

"You..."

After being lectured by Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran froze slightly, unable to find any words to refute him. In a fit of anger, she laid everything bare. "Hmph! After saying all that, do you think my compensation is too little? Just say it. What exactly will it take for you to agree to dissolve the engagement? I can have my teacher give you three more Qi Gathering Powders. Besides that, I can also allow you to enter the Cloud Mist Sect to study profound Dou Qi cultivation arts. How about it?"

Upon hearing Nalan Yanran's words, many of the Xiao Clan's younger generation swallowed hard. Nearly all of them were drawn in by those generous terms!

At that moment, they almost wished they were the ones whose engagement had been annulled!

Nalan Yanran proudly raised her fair chin, waiting for Xiao Yan's answer like a proud princess.

But to her surprise, Xiao Yan was not overjoyed as she had expected. Instead, he said with utter calm, "Annul the engagement? Simple!"

"I am not an unreasonable person. As long as you can receive one move from me, this engagement shall be annulled!"