Breaking Off the Engagement? Xiao Yan: "It Wasn't You Who Rejected Me—It Was Me Who Cast You Aside!"

Xiao Zhan's gaze fell upon Xiao Xun'er, and a trace of gratitude flashed through his eyes.

That young girl's casual remark had resolved a deadlock that could have humiliated his son.

He withdrew his gaze and turned toward the elderly man seated among the guests, who seemed hesitant to speak. In a steady voice, he said, "Mr. Ge Ye, has your visit to the Xiao Clan been for some matter requiring our assistance?"

The old man called Ge Ye heard Xiao Zhan's words, and the smile on his face stiffened slightly.

He coughed lightly and rose under the subtle urging of the young girl beside him. He cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan, forcing a smile back onto his face as he spoke politely and cautiously. "Clan Head Xiao, I have indeed come to your esteemed clan to request something."

"Hehe, Mr. Ge Ye, please speak freely."

Xiao Zhan hurriedly rose to his feet, his manner respectful and without the slightest hint of negligence.

His voice carried just the right degree of warmth, yet retained the reserve of a clan head. "If it is within our ability, the Xiao Clan will surely not refuse."

Though his words sounded accommodating, Xiao Zhan did not know what the other party wanted. He was no fool, so he left himself some room to maneuver.

"Clan Head Xiao, do you recognize her?" Ge Ye smiled faintly and turned sideways, pointing at the young girl beside him with an air of deliberate mystery.

"Uh... forgive my poor eyesight, but this young lady..."

Xiao Zhan froze for a moment, looking the girl over from head to toe as an awkward smile appeared on his face.

He truly did not recognize her.

When Nalan Yanran had been accepted as Yun Yun's disciple, she had only been ten years old, still a little girl who had not yet grown into her features.

After cultivating in the Misty Cloud Sect for five years, she had changed greatly as she grew. The graceful young lady before him no longer resembled the immature little girl in his memories.

"Her name is Nalan Yanran."

"Nalan Yanran? Nalan Elder's granddaughter, Nalan Yanran?"

Xiao Zhan was stunned at first, then his face lit up with delight. He had clearly remembered the engagement from years ago.

He hurriedly turned toward the girl, revealing a gentle, friendly smile. His voice carried the fondness unique to an elder. "So it is Niece Nalan. Uncle Xiao has not seen you for many years. Do not blame your uncle for failing to recognize you."

This sudden turn of events left everyone in the hall slightly stunned.

The three elders exchanged glances, their brows furrowing in unison.

Nalan Yanran. No one present was unfamiliar with that name.

"Uncle Xiao, I should be the one apologizing for never coming to pay my respects. How could I dare blame Uncle Xiao?"

Nalan Yanran smiled sweetly. Her voice was crisp and pleasant, and her manner was poised and generous, without the slightest breach of etiquette.

"Hehe, Niece Nalan, I heard long ago that Lady Yun Yun had taken you as her disciple. I thought it was only a rumor, but it turned out to be true. You truly are gifted..."

Xiao Zhan praised her with a sincere smile.

As the personal disciple of Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, she held an honor few could claim in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

"Yanran was merely fortunate."

Nalan Yanran gave a faint smile, seemingly unable to bear Xiao Zhan's enthusiasm any longer. Beneath the table, she lightly tugged at Ge Ye's sleeve.

Ge Ye understood. Clearing his throat, he took over the conversation. "Hehe, Clan Head Xiao, the matter I have come to request today concerns Yanran. Moreover, it was personally raised by the Sect Leader..."

When he mentioned the words "Sect Leader," Ge Ye's expression became noticeably more solemn, as though he were speaking of someone who could not be offended.

Xiao Zhan's expression changed slightly, and his smile slowly faded.

Yun Yun, Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, was a major figure in the Jia Ma Empire, one of its ten strongest experts, with the cultivation of a Two-Star Dou Emperor.

He, Xiao Zhan, was merely a Five-Star Great Dou Master. In Wutan City, he could still be considered someone of importance, but before the Misty Cloud Sect, he was not even worthy of carrying their shoes.

With Yun Yun's strength and influence, what could she possibly need the Xiao Clan to help with?

Ge Ye said it concerned Niece Nalan. Could it be...

Thinking of a certain possibility, Xiao Zhan's lips could not help twitching. His broad palms trembled faintly.

Fortunately, his sleeves concealed them, and no one in the hall noticed.

He forcibly suppressed the fury in his heart. His voice already trembled slightly, as though squeezed out through clenched teeth. "Mr. Ge Ye, speak."

"Cough..."

An awkward look appeared on Ge Ye's face. But recalling the Sect Leader's affection for Nalan Yanran, he could only grit his teeth and force a smile. "Clan Head Xiao, you know that the Misty Cloud Sect has strict rules, and the Sect Leader holds great expectations for Yanran.

By now, she is essentially being raised as the next Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect."

He paused, carefully choosing his words. "And because of certain special rules, the Sect Leader's successor cannot become involved with any man before formally becoming Sect Leader..."

"After asking Yanran, the Sect Leader learned that she still had an engagement with the Xiao Clan. Therefore... therefore, the Sect Leader wishes to ask Clan Head Xiao to... dissolve this engagement."

Crack!

The jade cup in Xiao Zhan's hand turned into a cloud of powder the instant his five fingers clenched. Fine jade fragments sifted through the gaps between his fingers like a silent snowfall.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.

Even the three elders seated above were shaken by Ge Ye's words.

A moment later, when they looked at Xiao Zhan, there was now ridicule and mockery in their eyes, as though they were watching a joke about to fall from great heights.

"Hehe, having someone come to your door and forcibly dissolve an engagement—let's see what authority you, the clan head, will have left to manage the clan."

The First Elder lifted his teacup and took a sip, an almost imperceptible smile hanging from the corner of his lips.

The younger generation initially did not know of Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran's engagement. But after asking their parents nearby, their expressions immediately became quite colorful.

Some felt regret, some pity, and some openly mocked him without restraint.

Whispers slithered through the crowd like snakes, every word barbed.

As one of the people involved, Xiao Yan's expression remained as calm as stagnant water. Seated beside Xiao Xun'er, his gaze rested on empty space within the hall. He showed neither anger nor shame, as though none of this had anything to do with him.

Xiao Ning watched this scene, and a wave of satisfaction rose in his heart.

He assumed Xiao Yan was pretending to be strong and barely maintaining his last shred of dignity. Leaning close to a companion beside him, he lowered his voice, which was full of gloating. "What a useless piece of trash. His own fiancée came to reject him, and he has made the Xiao Clan lose face because of it."

His voice was not loud, but it was enough for several people nearby to hear every word clearly.

Xiao Yan did not even lift an eyelid.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's utterly grim expression, Nalan Yanran lowered her head deeply. Her fingers twisted together nervously, and she did not dare look up.

"Clan Head Xiao, I know this request is somewhat difficult to accept."

Ge Ye sighed helplessly. His tone was soft yet firm, with needles hidden in cotton. "But please, for the Sect Leader's sake, dissolve this engagement."

Xiao Zhan did not answer.

His fists slowly tightened, veins bulging across the backs of his hands.

Faint green Dou Qi surged from within his body, gradually covering him. At last, it vaguely gathered around his face into the phantom image of a lion's head—eyes wide with rage, mane flaring wildly, majestic and ferocious.

The Xiao Clan's top cultivation technique, Wild Lion Fury. Intermediate Mystic Tier.

Xiao Zhan's aura surged sharply at that moment, like an enraged male lion ready to pounce upon its prey at any time.

Sensing Xiao Zhan's change, Ge Ye's expression immediately turned grave.

He shifted slightly, placing himself before Nalan Yanran. His eagle-claw-like hands curled sharply, green Dou Qi gathering at his fingertips and giving off fine, piercing sword energy. Like an eagle extending its talons, he stood ready to strike.

The Misty Cloud Sect's profound technique, Azurewood Sword Art. Low Mystic Tier.

The two currents of Dou Qi collided and pressed against each other in the hall, making even the air feel heavy.

The weaker youths suddenly turned pale, their chests tightening. Some had already covered their mouths and begun to retch.

The three elders exchanged glances and nodded in tacit agreement.

The First Elder lifted his teacup, about to speak and persuade Xiao Zhan to stop, bringing this farce to an end—

"Father."

A calm voice rang out from the corner of the hall. It was not loud, yet every person present heard it clearly.

"This matter began because of me. May I handle it myself?"

Xiao Yan stood up.

Xiao Xun'er tilted her head slightly to look at him. A trace of worry flashed through her eyes, but there was even more trust. She did not stop him, merely lowering her gaze again.

"Yan'er..." The Dou Qi around Xiao Zhan dissipated. He looked at his son with complicated eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing. He called his name once, then could not say another word.

Xiao Yan said nothing more. He merely gave his father a reassuring look.

That gaze was calm and composed, even carrying a certainty unfamiliar to Xiao Zhan.

He turned and looked at Nalan Yanran.

"To be honest, I personally agree with your idea."

Xiao Yan spoke, his tone as flat as though discussing the weather. "Because I also hate so-called arranged marriages. Having one's family decide whom one will love in the future is indeed difficult to accept."

Nalan Yanran abruptly raised her head, her eyes filled with astonishment.

She had prepared herself—for this young man's fury, resentment, and hysterics after being humiliated in public.

She had even prepared herself for him to cling to her stubbornly and refuse to end the engagement.

But she had never expected Xiao Yan's first words to be agreement.

Agreement with her ending the engagement.

"However," Xiao Yan changed his tone. It remained calm, but now carried a trace of chill, "the way you handled this is laughable."

Nalan Yanran's expression stiffened.

"If you truly wished to end this engagement, you could have invited Sect Leader Yun or Elder Nalan to discuss it, rather than tearing all civility apart in this manner."

Xiao Yan shook his head. His gaze swept over Nalan Yanran, then paused briefly on Ge Ye. "The Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan had decades of friendship. Because of this scene you caused, it is completely finished."

Nalan Yanran opened her mouth, wanting to say something, only to realize she had nothing to say.

She remembered the hesitant expression on her teacher Yun Yun's face before their departure, and Ge Ye's silence throughout the journey.

At the time, she did not understand the meaning behind those complicated looks. Now, she did.

Her approach had indeed been wrong.

The hall fell quiet for a moment.

Xiao Yan's words were like a stone dropped into a lake, stirring faint ripples.

Some nodded, some became thoughtful, and the way some looked at Nalan Yanran changed.

Nalan Yanran bit her lip and suppressed the trace of guilt in her heart.

She had already come this far. Her path of retreat had long since been cut off.

She took a deep breath, raised her head, and met Xiao Yan's gaze directly. Her tone was firmer than before. "Xiao Yan, what will it take for you to agree to end this engagement?"

She paused, accepting an exquisite jade case from Ge Ye and raising it before her. Her voice was clear. "I know this is difficult for you to accept, but I will give you the compensation you deserve. A Qi-Gathering Powder. Is that enough?"

The instant the jade case opened, a rich medicinal fragrance spread out and filled the entire hall.

The young men and women in the hall abruptly widened their eyes. Their burning gazes locked onto the jade case as they greedily inhaled the fragrance that made even their souls tremble.

Qi-Gathering Powder.

A Fourth-Grade Pill capable of helping someone at the Ninth Stage of Dou Zhi Qi condense a Dou Qi Cyclone and break through into the realm of a Dou Practitioner.

Even poor-quality pills of this kind were worth more than two hundred thousand gold coins, while superior ones could sell for over five hundred thousand.

And behind Nalan Yanran stood the Misty Cloud Sect. How could the item she had brought possibly be inferior?

Even the three elders' eyes became heated.

They had lived for most of their lives and seen plenty of fine treasures, but even they did not come across Fourth-Grade Pills whenever they pleased.

Everyone's gaze gathered on Xiao Yan.

One Qi-Gathering Powder in exchange for a written dissolution of engagement.

No matter how one looked at it, he would not be losing out.

Xiao Yan glanced at the jade case, then at Nalan Yanran.

He shook his head.

Nalan Yanran frowned, immediately feeling that Xiao Yan was being too greedy.

One Qi-Gathering Powder was not enough?

She was about to offer more when Xiao Yan began speaking unhurriedly.

"Nalan Yanran, since you have said this much, I, Xiao Yan, will make things clear as well."

His voice was not loud, yet every word was distinct, like iron striking stone.

"The engagement can be ended. But it will not be you rejecting me."

He paused for a moment, looking directly into Nalan Yanran's eyes. The corner of his lips rose slightly in a smile without warmth.

"It will be me casting you aside."

A pin-drop silence fell over the hall.

Everyone stood frozen in place, including Nalan Yanran. They stared at Xiao Yan as though he were mad.

A useless trash with only Three-Level Dou Zhi Qi, humiliated by his fiancée coming to reject him, not only refused to humbly accept the "compensation," but even said something like, "I will cast you aside"?

What gave him the right?

"What did you say?" Nalan Yanran came back to her senses, her face livid and her voice cold as ice.

Xiao Yan did not answer. He turned and walked to the table, spreading out paper, grinding ink, and picking up a brush.

The sound of the brush tip touching paper was light, but in the deathly silent hall, that soft scratching was magnified countless times. Stroke after stroke, it was like a blade scraping across Nalan Yanran's heart.

"A piece of trash with Three-Level Dou Zhi Qi dares to cast aside Junior Sister Nalan?"

A young voice exploded from the guest seats.

The handsome young man in his early twenties who had been sitting beside Nalan Yanran slammed his palm onto the table and rose to his feet, anger at the insult written across his face.

He was an inner disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect, a Five-Star Dou Practitioner. He had come with Ge Ye merely to accompany them, never expecting to witness a piece of trash humiliating his junior sister like this.

Dou Qi surged beneath his feet as his body shot forward, his fist smashing toward Xiao Yan.

A thin layer of pale green Dou Qi condensed over his fist, and the sound of it tearing through the air was sharp and piercing.

If this punch landed, then with Xiao Yan's apparent Three-Level Dou Zhi Qi cultivation, he would be crippled even if he survived.