Guests from Outside

Early in the morning, golden rays of sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the entire room.

Xiao Dongchen stretched lazily and casually worked his arms and legs, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Just then, an aged voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Young Master Chen, the clan head requests your presence in the main hall."

"Oh, alright. I'll be there right away."

Xiao Dongchen answered casually, lightly stroking his chin as the corners of his mouth curled upward.

So the annulment plot is about to begin? This should be entertaining!

["Ding! Key plot triggered. Random mission obtained—Do Not Bully the Young!"]

["The host must show off properly during the process. Upon meeting the mission's evaluation criteria, you will receive one random special Dou Technique draw!"]

Well then, he could make a fortune just by watching the show. The system really knew how to behave!

Xiao Yan, I'll be taking your luck value. I'm doing this for your own good, after all!

With a chuckle, Xiao Dongchen changed into an elegant white robe. With his hands behind his back, he crossed the courtyard leisurely and soon arrived outside the main hall.

With a flick of his sleeve, he stepped over the threshold and entered the hall.

The hall was built rather grandly, and quite a few people were already seated within. At the head sat the clan head, Xiao Zhan. Below him were the three great elders, followed by the other elders, while outstanding younger members of the household stood behind them.

Opposite them sat three guests, each bearing an extraordinary appearance.

The white-robed elder at the forefront looked as warm as a spring breeze, his long beard flowing. A sharp gleam flashed through his sunken eyes, and pinned to his chest was a badge engraved with a sun and a star, both shining brightly.

"A One-Star Dou Ling? Barely worth looking at."

Xiao Dongchen curled his lip, wholly unconcerned.

As for why he was a Dou Ling, Xiao Zhan was already a Nine-Star Da Dou Shi. If they had come looking for trouble, they surely would have investigated that beforehand.

Beside the elder sat a young man and woman, both dressed in moon-white robes. The man was handsome and the woman beautiful. The man appeared to be around twenty, tall and straight-backed, with nine golden stars on his chest. His head was tilted slightly upward, making him appear extremely arrogant.

After all, at an age when many people had yet to even touch the threshold of becoming a Dou Zhe, he had already reached the doorstep of becoming a Dou Master. If he did not brag about it everywhere, that already counted as modest.

The young man's attention, however, was focused on the girl beside him, and the admiration in his gaze was impossible to hide...

The girl stood gracefully. At only thirteen or fourteen, she had already grown into a uniquely delicate and lovely beauty. Her modestly developed chest and the rounded curve beneath her white dress were enough to make even some respectable gentlemen swallow hard.

A pair of emerald wind-chime earrings, a dazzling Purple Spirit Jade necklace, and the five golden stars on her chest made her appear even more outstanding and noble...

"Clan Head, I'm here."

Xiao Dongchen merely glanced over them before withdrawing his gaze and strolling forward.

"So my worthy nephew has arrived! Quickly, please take the seat of honor!"

The moment Xiao Zhan saw Xiao Dongchen arrive, he hurriedly invited him over. The Great Elder beside the main seat voluntarily rose and consciously gave up his place.

"No need. I'll just sit wherever."

Xiao Dongchen waved his hand and walked to a corner, casually finding himself a seat.

Tea and pastries were promptly served as well.

What was unusual was that the girl seated at the main table, who had originally carried a cold and aloof aura, flashed a trace of solemnity in her beautiful eyes upon seeing him. She seemed somewhat uneasy...

Before long, Xiao Xun'er entered the hall with a book in her arms. Her refined, elegant bearing and peerlessly exquisite face drew the attention of many talented young men. Even the girl at the main table could not help comparing herself to her in secret, only to feel inferior.

She swept her gaze around the hall, and only when she spotted Xiao Dongchen did she smile brightly. Amid the jealous gazes of countless young men, she walked over and sat beside him.

"Minor, we meet again."

The girl smiled sweetly, revealing adorable dimples. She then blinked playfully at the young man, her clear spring-like eyes beneath long lashes utterly captivating.

"Uh... Xun'er, I advise you not to seduce me. I can't withstand this kind of test."

Xiao Dongchen froze for a moment, then carefully stared at her pretty face again before instinctively murmuring.

Being pretty really lets you do whatever you want. No wonder she's the number one beauty in Battle Through the Heavens. She really is gorgeous!

"Hehe, I don't believe you. Brother Chen is the best at lying."

Xun'er seemed amused and mischievously stuck out her tongue.

"When have I ever lied to you? Alright, stop messing around. The main event is about to begin."

Xiao Dongchen rolled his eyes, feeling wronged, before his expression turned serious and he looked toward the entrance of the hall.

A figure in green robes entered. He was a dignified-looking youth, his face glowing with confidence as he strode in with the bearing of a dragon and tiger.

"Father, three elders, Xiao Yan has arrived!"

Xiao Yan stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"So it's Yan'er. You're here. Come, take a seat."

Xiao Zhan stopped exchanging pleasantries and nodded as he beckoned him over.

His words brimmed with confidence!

Xiao Yan had broken through to become a Dou Zhe yesterday, which had delighted him immensely. Not only had the label of trash been swept away in a day, but their branch of the family had immediately gained standing within the household!

Thinking of this, he could not help casting a grateful glance toward Xiao Dongchen. This mysterious Young Master Chen truly is a wonderful person!

Xiao Yan nodded, then held his head high and took a seat of honor, silently sipping his tea.

"Brother Chen, do you know who those guests are?"

While everyone's attention was focused on Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er extended a slender finger, pointing as she asked the young man beside her.

"I've heard of them. They're from the Misty Cloud Sect."

Xiao Dongchen curled his lip, his face full of disdain.

"Brother Chen truly is well-informed. Then can you guess what they came to the Xiao Household for?"

Xiao Xun'er lightly bit her lip, a mysterious expression on her face.

"Hehe, of course I know."

Hearing that, Xiao Dongchen could not help laughing. Battle Through the Heavens was the ancestor of annulment stories—who would even ask such a childish question?

"Pah, you're lying again. I don't believe you!"

"Fine, let me guess. It should have something to do with Xiao Yan, right?"

Xiao Dongchen answered without hesitation, looking rather helpless.

"Correct! You're quite clever!"

Xiao Xun'er's eyes shifted before she smiled faintly. "That girl, Nalan Yanran, is Xiao Yan's fiancée by arranged childhood betrothal. Back then, her grandfather Nalan Jie and the old master of the Xiao Household were close friends. By a twist of fate, this connection came to be."

"Nalan Jie places great importance on promises, so no matter how poor Xiao Yan's reputation became, he never sent anyone to annul the engagement. But his granddaughter possesses extraordinary cultivation talent. Three years ago, the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect accepted her as a disciple, and since then, her progress has been unstoppable..."

"Ah, I know. She came to annul the engagement."

Xiao Dongchen nodded, then smiled again. "But Xiao Yan has now broken through to become a Dou Zhe, so the engagement might not necessarily be annulled. Besides, I'm here!"

"You? What's that supposed to mean? Are you going to stand up for him? Can you tell me why?"

Xiao Xun'er looked puzzled. In her impression, Xiao Dongchen had always treated Xiao Yan with great courtesy, but the two were not related in any way...

"Nothing can be done. Some karmic debts are destined to be repaid."

Xiao Dongchen did not answer directly, instead giving such an unfathomable response.

In truth, he felt somewhat guilty.

Leaving aside how he had constantly been harvesting the other man's luck value for draws, there were also Yao Lao, Xun'er, and many future opportunities. He could not keep taking everything for free forever.

He would compensate Xiao Yan whenever he could. After all, Xiao Yan was rather pitiful.

Besides, this was also a random mission issued by the system.

Just as expected, as they continued talking, the elder finally stood up under Nalan Yanran's repeated meaningful glances, preparing to lay everything bare.

"Oh, there's something I forgot to mention to Mr. Ge."

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan suddenly slapped his forehead as though he had remembered something. With a beaming smile, he said, "Actually, it's just a small matter. My Yan'er encountered some opportunities these past two days, and his Dou Qi has recovered. Yesterday, he just broke through to become a Dou Zhe. You may not have heard about it yet, right?!"

"Cough, cough..."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ge could not stop himself from coughing. His eyes widened in shock as he blurted out, "Th-this... a Dou Zhe? Impossible, isn't it?!"