Chapter 37

Crack!

Upon hearing that Nalan Yanran and the others had come to break off the engagement, Xiao Zhan instantly crushed the jade cup in his hand into a pile of powder.

In the great hall, the atmosphere suddenly became utterly silent.

Some looked at Xiao Zhan, thinking that after this incident, the clan chief would suffer great loss of face; others looked at Brother Xiao Yan, their faces filled with mockery…

On the other side, Nalan Yanran, upon seeing Xiao Zhan's dark expression, could not help but lower her head, her fingers nervously twisting together.

"Clan Chief Xiao!"

Ge Ye sighed inwardly, then continued: "I know this request is indeed unreasonable, but I beg you, for the sake of our Sect Master's face, to dissolve this betrothal…"

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Zhan clenched his fists tighter, pale green battle qi gradually spreading over his entire body, finally coalescing into a phantom lion's head above his face.

It was none other than the Xiao Clan's top-level technique, the Profound-Class Mid-Grade "Furious Lion's Roar!"

Seeing Xiao Zhan's reaction, Ge Ye could not help but feel a tightening in his chest.

Though his strength surpassed Xiao Zhan's slightly, this was the Xiao Clan's stronghold—if the Xiao Clan truly launched an attack, he alone could not possibly hold them off!

Yet even so, Ge Ye swiftly stepped forward to shield Nalan Yanran, his hawk-like hands curling slightly, a surge of green battle qi instantly spreading outward, accompanied by faint, sharp sword qi.

It was none other than one of the Yunlan Sect's profound techniques, the Profound-Class Low-Grade "Green Wood Sword Art!"

As Xiao Zhan and Ge Ye's qi erupted, many in the hall with insufficient strength turned pale instantly, their chests growing tight and stifled.

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

"Xiao Zhan, stop!"

"Xiao Zhan, don't forget—you are the clan chief of the Xiao Clan!"

Hearing the elders' shouts, Xiao Zhan's body stiffened sharply, then the battle qi spreading over his skin gradually retracted, finally vanishing completely.

After sitting back down, his voice had grown hoarse: "Nalan niece, you truly have boldness! Nalan Su has a daughter like you—truly enviable!"

At these words, Nalan Yanran's slender frame trembled, then she stammered: "Uncle Xiao…"

"Heh!"

Xiao Zhan waved his hand to cut off her next words, then coldly said: "Call me Clan Chief Xiao! You are the future Sect Master of Yunlan Sect—this 'uncle' title, I dare not accept!"

"Clan Chief Xiao!"

Beside him, Ge Ye touched the ring on his finger, and a plain green jade box appeared in his hand: "Our Sect Master also knows today's request is impolite, so he specially sent me with a gift of apology!"

Ge Ye opened the jade box, and a strange fragrance instantly spread, making everyone in the hall feel more alert.

"This is the Qi-Condensing Powder personally crafted by our Sect's Honorary Elder, the Alchemy King Gu He!"

Seeing the reactions of those in the hall, Ge Ye could not help but feel a touch of pride: "Surely all of you have heard his name!"

"This medicine was made by the Alchemy King Gu He?"

Indeed, after hearing Ge Ye's words, everyone in the hall grew even more astonished—even the three elders were stunned.

After all, the Alchemy King Gu He wielded immense influence throughout the Jia Ma Empire; his alchemical skills were miraculous and unfathomable, and countless powerful figures sought to curry favor with him!

And just as everyone in the hall was pondering how to get their hands on this Qi-Condensing Powder, Brother Xiao Yan, seated beside Xiao Xun'er, finally stood up!

"Master Ge Ye, please take back this Qi-Condensing Powder!"

Brother Xiao Yan stepped forward two paces and said calmly: "Today's matter—my Xiao Clan may not grant your wishes."

Seeing Brother Xiao Yan rise, all eyes in the hall turned to him.

But to their surprise, despite his dire situation, Brother Xiao Yan's expression remained utterly calm, as if nothing had happened.

"Brother Xiao Yan, when did you earn the right to speak here?"

"Brother Xiao Yan, step back!"

"We know you're hurting inside, but we'll handle this matter!"

The three elders spoke one after another.

But Brother Xiao Yan paid them no heed; instead, he bowed respectfully to Xiao Zhan, then calmly faced Nalan Yanran: "Miss Nalan, may I ask—did your grandfather, Nalan Lao Ye, approve of today's decision to break the engagement?"

"Grandfather did not approve, but this is my own matter—I should decide for myself!"

Looking at the boy who had once been betrothed to her by finger-mark, Nalan Yanran said solemnly: "My fate must be decided by me—I alone shall choose whom I marry!"

【Yue Buqun: As the saying goes, 'Parents' command, matchmaker's word'—this Nalan Yanran is truly excessive!】

【Pang Bo: Actually, Nalan Yanran's words aren't wrong—but her actions show no regard for consequences whatsoever!】

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

All eyes turned to Brother Xiao Yan—they all wanted to know how he would respond.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Suddenly, applause echoed through the hall; everyone turned to see it was Brother Xiao Yan himself clapping.

"Your fate, you decide for yourself—Miss Nalan, you speak very well!"

Brother Xiao Yan smiled and said: "I, Brother Xiao Yan, have already given my heart to another—this engagement must be broken!"

Hearing this, everyone in the hall exhaled in relief.

The three Xiao elders felt the Qi-Condensing Powder was safe; Ge Ye and his companions thought Brother Xiao Yan was just stubbornly holding his pride…

As for Xiao Xun'er, upon hearing Brother Xiao Yan say he had given his heart to another, her face instantly flushed red, her mind already spiraling with wild thoughts.

But at this moment, Brother Xiao Yan continued: "Yet you did not consult the elders who originally arranged this betrothal, and instead demanded my father dissolve it before this entire gathering—does this not strip him of his prestige, shatter his honor, and turn the Xiao Clan into a laughingstock for all to mock?"

"You…"

Scolded by Brother Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran froze, unable to find any retort; in a fit of anger, she laid it bare: "Hmph? Are you saying my compensation is too little? Just say it outright—what do you want to end this engagement? I can ask my teacher to give you three more Qi-Condensing Powders, and I can also let you enter Yunlan Sect to study advanced battle qi techniques—how's that?"

Hearing Nalan Yanran's offer, many young Xiao Clan members swallowed hard, utterly captivated by the generous terms!

At this moment, they almost wished they were the ones being broken off from!

Nalan Yanran now lifted her snow-white chin proudly, like a proud princess awaiting Brother Xiao Yan's reply.

But to her surprise, Brother Xiao Yan did not react with ecstatic joy as she expected—instead, he said with utter calm: "To break the engagement? It's simple!"

"I'm not an unreasonable person. As long as you can take one strike from me, this marriage will be called off!"

(End of chapter)