Chapter 3: Xiao Yan, the One Who Reasons

Looking at the boy's youthful face, the old man in blue robes nodded kindly: "Young Clan Leader's cultivation realm seems to have strengthened a bit."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly: "Manager Mo, I just tested yesterday—how could I improve so fast?"

"Hahaha, maybe the Young Clan Leader gives off an unstoppable aura."

Xiao Yan followed the old steward through the back courtyard and finally stopped outside the solemn reception hall, respectfully knocked, then gently pushed the door open.

The hall was spacious, and there were many people inside; those seated at the very top were Xiao Zhan and the three Elders, whose authority was no less than the Clan Leader's.

To the left of the four sat several senior family members with influence and strong strength, and beside them were some outstanding members of the Young Generation.

When Xiao Yan arrived, all the Young Generation greeted him with smiles.

"Good morning, Young Clan Leader."

"Good morning, Young Clan Leader."

"Young Clan Leader's cultivation has improved again."

"Hehe, Yan'er, you're here? Come, sit down." Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, Xiao Zhan nodded to him and waved his hand.

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, walking straight to the seat below the Three Elders. Xiao Yan's current status was nearly equal to that of an Elder—he could be considered on equal footing—and beside his seat sat Xun Er.

Xun Er's status within the Xiao Clan was peculiar; though she held no power in the clan, even Clan Leader Xiao Zhan treated her with great courtesy, as if she could do whatever she pleased.

What surprised Xiao Yan was that the esteemed guest Xiao Zhan mentioned turned out to be two old men and a girl his own age.

The girl's beauty surpassed Xiao Mei by several degrees; in this family, only Xun Er, like a blue lotus, could rival her.

On the girl's delicate earlobes hung green jade pendants that swayed gently, emitting clear jade chimes, suddenly highlighting her noble grace; beside her developing petite chest were embroidered three Golden Star Emblems.

Xiao Yan frowned inwardly: "A Third-Rank Dou Practitioner—if she hasn't used external aids to boost her power, then she's an absolute genius—her cultivation realm matches mine."

"No wonder she's from Yun Lan Sect."

Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened—he saw the cloud-patterned silver sword on the girl's sleeve and knew she was from Yun Lan Sect.

If the Xiao Clan was the tyrant of Wutan City, then Yun Lan Sect might well be the tyrant of the entire Jia Ma Empire.

Then the girl's name was already obvious.

Nalan Yanran.

In short, she was Xiao Yan's childhood fiancée.

"What is she doing here?"

Xiao Yan racked his brains but couldn't fathom why Nalan Yanran had suddenly come from Yun Lan Sect to this remote place.

He wasn't even of age yet—why bring up the marriage contract now?

Nalan Yanran also noticed Xiao Yan's arrival; what surprised him was her gaze, filled with stubbornness, as if she had made up her mind.

Nalan Yanran stood up and said with utmost seriousness: "Clan Leader Xiao, today I have come to the Xiao Clan to break off our engagement!"

!!!!!!!!!!!!??

Everyone in the hall froze in place; not only were the Young Generation stunned, but even the Three Elders and Xiao Zhan were speechless.

What the hell is going on?

Childhood betrothals were arranged by elders—this one was set years ago by Xiao Lin, Xiao Yan's deceased grandfather, and Nalan Jie, Nalan Yanran's grandfather.

Just recently, Xiao Zhan had exchanged letters with Nalan Jie, and both sides expressed great satisfaction with each other's children.

Xiao Zhan had known last night that Nalan Yanran was coming, which was why he went to the cliff to tell Xiao Yan to rest early, hinting at good news.

But reality was the exact opposite.

Xiao Zhan and the Elders exchanged glances, utterly baffled, and asked: "Nalan niece, are you mistaken? I just exchanged letters with your grandfather—I never heard of breaking off the engagement."

Facing the questioning, Nalan Yanran showed no retreat, firmly stating: "This is my own decision, unrelated to my grandfather or the Nalan Clan."

So that's why Nalan Yanran brought only two old men from Yun Lan Sect—this was like running away from home, her own decision, with a few confidants in tow.

"Cough." Seeing the confusing atmosphere, the old man beside Nalan Yanran stood and bowed to Xiao Zhan: "Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, five years ago Yanran joined Yun Lan Sect and displayed extraordinary cultivation talent—the Sect Master greatly admires her. The Sect Master once said that cultivation is also about cultivating the heart; the most important thing for a cultivator is to remain true to oneself. Therefore, we humbly ask, Clan Leader Xiao, that you… dissolve this engagement."

"Crack!" In his hand, Xiao Zhan's jade cup instantly turned to powder.

The hall fell silent. If Nalan Yanran's actions could be dismissed as youthful impulsiveness, Ge Ye's presence could not—he was clearly part of a prearranged plan.

But moments later, countless murderous stares locked onto Ge Ye and the two others; not only did Xiao Zhan and the other Great Dou Masters glare, but even Young Generation members with only Dou Power Stage Four or Five let out grinding teeth sounds.

Shame!

Xiao Yan, as their Young Clan Leader and the future light of their clan, was their pride—now he was publicly rejected in engagement! This slap struck every Xiao Clan member across the face.

Ge Ye and the two others felt as if they had fallen into a den of wolves, surrounded by packs of vicious beasts, waiting for the alpha to give the order—then everyone, regardless of Yun Lan Sect's status, would pounce and bite.

Xiao Yan had this kind of charisma.

Ge Ye forced a smile: "Clan Leader Xiao, we know today's request is extremely impolite, so we specially brought this item as an apology."

With that, Ge Ye took from his Storage Ring a jade box glowing entirely green—an exotic fragrance instantly filled the hall.

"This is the Dantian Alchemist Gu He…"

Before Ge Ye could finish, Xiao Zhan clenched his fist, faint green Dou Qi gradually spreading over his body, finally coalescing into a phantom lion's head.

This was the Xiao Clan's supreme cultivation method: Furious Lion Roar! Rank: Heavenly Grade Mid Rank!

Seeing Xiao Zhan's reaction, Ge Ye was startled—he swiftly curled his eagle-like hands, green Dou Qi gathering in his palms, emitting fine, sharp sword qi.

Yun Lan Sect's advanced cultivation method: Qing Mu Sword Art! Rank: Arcane-Rank Low-Level!

As their energies clashed, Ge Ye's jade box fell to the ground, and the Dragon Eye Size Pill rolled out.

But unexpectedly, not a single Xiao Clan member so much as glanced at the pill on the floor—their fury drowned out the pill's exotic fragrance.

Ge Ye looked at the pill on the ground, then at the eyes of everyone around him; before this priceless treasure, not a single person showed greed—only rage.

Finally, Ge Ye turned to the boy sitting quietly beside them, sipping tea as if he were an outsider, saying nothing.

He had misjudged the boy—this youth could unite an entire clan. What a power!

Even in Yun Lan Sect, factions divided the sect—no one fully obeyed the Sect Master.

"Yanran, perhaps we should return first and discuss this further?"

With a sharp snap, Nalan Yanran stepped forward and said sternly, "Five years ago I joined Yun Lan Sect and trained under the Sect Master, and it taught me one thing: my life is mine to decide, and whom I marry is my own choice!"

The Hall fell suddenly silent; even Ge Ye was startled by Nalan Yanran's resolve.

Clap, clap, clap—suddenly, applause broke out in the Hall; when they turned to look, it was Xiao Yan clapping.

"One's fate must be one's own to choose—good. I, Xiao Yan, have already given my heart to someone; this engagement should be dissolved."

When Xun Er heard Xiao Yan say he had given his heart to someone, her cheeks flushed bright red, and her mind began to race with wild thoughts.

Xiao Yan kept his usual confident smile as he rose from his seat and looked at this "fiancée," saying, "But you publicly demanded to break off our engagement before my father—now his face as Clan Leader is utterly lost; henceforth, he will become a laughingstock, his authority shattered."

Xiao Yan's tone turned sharp, his gaze colder and more piercing than ever.

Whether the engagement stands or not means little to me—but if we can now break a mutual vow so easily, how will the Xiao Clan ever stand tall again?

"I, Xiao Yan, am not an unreasonable man. One strike: if you can withstand my one strike, the engagement is dissolved."