Breakthrough, Seven-Star Great Dou Master!

Xiao Zhan smiled faintly and said nothing.

After learning Nalan Yanran's identity, however, the Great Elder beside him feared slighting their honored guests from the Misty Cloud Sect.

With a hint of flattery in his voice, he spoke first. "Miss Nalan is Sect Master Yun's outstanding disciple. It is only natural that she is usually busy."

Ge Ye, standing nearby, had already seen through the Xiao Clan's hand.

With a clan chief who was merely a five-star Da Dou Shi, what strength did they have to refuse the Misty Cloud Sect?

"Ahem, Xiao Clan Chief, we have come to your esteemed clan today mainly to ask a favor!"

A favor?

You've come right to our door to slap us in the face. Why bother dressing it up so politely?

Xiao Zhan sneered inwardly but did not clash with Ge Ye.

After all, he had not forgotten the Dad-Pleaser System's passive effect.

Although he was currently within the Xiao Clan's territory, where his family domain made him practically invincible.

He had no need to fear Ge Ye's strength, either.

But if he wanted to revitalize the Xiao Clan, merely showing his might at home would not suffice!

If he let Xiao Yan provoke one powerful opponent after another, however, Xiao Zhan could grow stronger step by step.

Wouldn't ascending to Dou Di one day be as easy as turning over his hand?

Thus, Xiao Zhan cupped his hands, rose, and said courteously, "Mr. Ge Ye, please speak freely. If it is within my power, I, Xiao, certainly will not refuse!"

Ge Ye looked toward Nalan Yanran. She lightly bit her pearly teeth together, as though she had made up her mind, and was just about to step forward.

But Xiao Zhan spoke first. "Oh, right. Niece Nalan and Mr. Ge Ye have traveled a long way and must be tired. Since you and Yan'er are already betrothed, Niece Nalan, why not take this opportunity to get acquainted?"

"Yan'er, show Miss Nalan around the Xiao Clan. After all, she will marry into our clan someday."

Assuming the manner of an elder, Xiao Zhan arranged for Xiao Yan to spend time with Nalan Yanran.

At Xiao Zhan's words, the Three Elders beside him and Ge Ye before him all wore strange expressions.

The Xiao Yan of the past might have been qualified.

But Nalan Yanran was now a favored daughter of heaven, while Xiao Yan was no different from an ordinary Xiao Clan servant. Had Xiao Zhan gone senile?

Even Xiao Yan looked somewhat stunned, but he could hardly go against his father's wishes.

"Yes, Father."

"Miss Nalan, this way, please!"

Xiao Yan turned and addressed Nalan Yanran politely.

Nalan Yanran remained where she stood, her face slightly flushed, perhaps from embarrassment. She turned and tugged at the hem of Ge Ye's robe.

"Hehe, Xiao Clan Chief, the favor I wish to ask today concerns precisely this engagement. Moreover, it was the sect master herself who raised the matter..."

Ge Ye left his words unfinished, giving everyone present room to imagine.

Xiao Yan frowned. A possibility immediately occurred to him, and his expression gradually darkened.

When he turned to look at his father, Xiao Yan found that Xiao Zhan's reaction was even more intense.

Usually composed and refined, Xiao Zhan always observed proper etiquette when receiving honored guests.

Now, however, Xiao Zhan's face was frighteningly dark. Even his long robe trembled slightly, his hands clenched beneath his sleeves.

Of course, all of this was an act Xiao Zhan had put on.

Knowing everything already, how could Xiao Zhan become angry over this?

He had done this.

Only to strike a chord with Xiao Yan and kindle the fire of fury in his heart!

Xiao Zhan's face remained dark, as though he were struggling to suppress his rage. Even his voice trembled slightly. "Mr. Ge Ye, please speak freely!"

Ge Ye's expression tightened, but remembering how highly the sect master valued Nalan Yanran, he could only grit his teeth. "Xiao Clan Chief, you should understand that our Misty Cloud Sect has always maintained strict discipline. The sect master has great expectations for Miss Nalan. She has essentially already been chosen as the next sect master. But our rules take precedence: before assuming that position, the Sect Master's Successor must not become entangled with any man..."

"After hearing that Miss Nalan was still engaged to the Xiao Clan, the sect master wished to ask you to step forward and dissolve... the engagement..."

Crack!

At those words, Xiao Zhan's chest heaved and his breathing grew heavy. The jade cup in his hand was instantly crushed to powder.

For a moment, the hall fell utterly silent. Even the Three Elders were stunned by Xiao Zhan's sudden outburst.

But moments later, their gazes toward Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan turned somewhat mocking.

"Hehehe, hahahaha! Xiao Zhan, oh, Xiao Zhan. The Xiao Clan has fallen on hard times, and someone has come to your door to break off an engagement, yet you cannot even protect your own son. What authority do you still have to govern this clan?"

Ge Ye sighed. "Xiao Clan Chief, for the future of the Xiao Clan and Miss Nalan, please dissolve the engagement!"

With that, a Jade Box appeared in Ge Ye's hand.

"Inside is a Qi Gathering Powder, made by Pill King Gu He himself. Its effects need no explanation, I trust. This should be enough to demonstrate the sincerity of our visit!"

The moment the Qi Gathering Powder appeared, the Three Elders' eyes flashed red with desire. The Xiao Clan members watching the spectacle also looked on enviously.

Only Xiao Yan lowered his head, his thoughts unknown.

But his tightly clenched fists revealed the turmoil within him.

Seeing Xiao Yan's current state, Xiao Zhan smiled inwardly.

Almost there. All that's missing now is a spark.

Let it erupt!

My dear boy!

Then Xiao Zhan suddenly slammed the table, his face dark. "What a fine Misty Cloud Sect! Nalan Su certainly raised a fine daughter!"

At those words, Nalan Yanran lowered her head, not daring to meet Xiao Zhan's eyes.

Ge Ye was about to say something when he noticed Xiao Yan suddenly step forward.

"Elder Ge Ye, you had better take that pill back. We may not agree to today's request!"

The hall abruptly fell silent. Every gaze swung toward Xiao Yan in the corner as he raised his delicate-featured face.

"Xiao Yan, what right do you have to speak here? Shut your mouth!" one elder shouted angrily, his expression darkening.

"Xiao Yan, step back. I know you feel upset, but we will make the decisions here!" another, slightly older elder said impassively.

At the elders' words, Xiao Yan's expression changed, and a surge of anger welled up in his heart.

These old bastards!

They deserved to die!

Breaking off the engagement concerned the dignity of the entire Xiao Clan.

Yet these old bastards cared only about scheming against one another, with no regard whatsoever for the Xiao Clan's dignity.

They were utterly unworthy of being Xiao Clan elders.

Xiao Zhan glanced at the Three Elders, and a chill likewise flashed through his eyes.

These three traitorous wretches who bit the hand that fed them-sooner or later, he would strip them of their power!

But he did not choose to act yet.

He was waiting for Xiao Yan's rage to burst through the roof and trigger the Dad-Pleaser effect.

"If it were your sons or grandsons whose engagements they were breaking today, would you still say that?"

Xiao Yan looked at the elders with a trace of mockery on his face, then turned toward Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran.

"Mr. Ge Ye, Nalan Yanran, the Xiao Clan will not dissolve this engagement. Please leave."

Hearing that Xiao Yan refused to break off the engagement, Nalan Yanran gave him a disgusted look and said arrogantly, "Xiao Yan, what exactly will it take for you to agree to dissolve the engagement? Is the compensation too little? Fine, I can have my teacher give you three more Qi Gathering Powders. Besides, if you wish, I can also arrange for you to enter the Misty Cloud Sect and study advanced Dou Qi Techniques. Will that be enough?"

Nalan Yanran's lofty attitude, as though she were bestowing charity, viciously trampled the last shred of dignity Xiao Yan had hidden in his heart.

His body suddenly began to tremble violently. Slowly, he raised his head, his delicate, youthful face now twisted into something almost terrifying.

"Nalan Yanran, a man may be killed, but never humiliated. You have insulted me like this today, and one day I will kill you!" Words brimming with murderous intent escaped through his trembling teeth. Xiao Yan clenched his fists, flames of fury burning in his pitch-black eyes.

"Ah..." Frightened by the young man's savage expression, the girl hurriedly stepped back.

At this sight, Xiao Zhan secretly rejoiced.

Yes, yes, yes!

That's exactly the effect I wanted.

Don't back down, Little Yanzi. Take her head-on!

Dad will vent your anger for you in a moment.

"Xiao Yan, how dare you!"

"Our Misty Cloud Sect has treated you with every courtesy. Don't fail to recognize what's good for you! If you truly anger the sect master, I will have your Xiao Clan erased from Wutan City!"

Xiao Yan's attitude instantly enraged Ge Ye beside him.

Looking at the frightened Nalan Yanran, Ge Ye's face darkened.

The instant his words fell, a violent surge of Dou Qi swept through the hall. The weaker Xiao Clan members nearby could barely withstand it.

"Ding! Your son Xiao Yan has been detected provoking Ge Ye, a Seven-Star Great Dou Master. The Dad-Pleaser effect has been triggered. Your cultivation has been raised to the peak seven-star Great Dou Master realm."

The instant Ge Ye released his pressure against Xiao Yan, a system notification rang out in Xiao Zhan's mind.

Joy filled Xiao Zhan's heart. Then he felt a surge of power pour into his body, instantly raising his cultivation to the peak seven-star Great Dou Master realm.