13: Chapter 13: By sheer coincidence, I witnessed the annulment of the engagement.

Unwilling to give up, Yao Chen hurriedly circulated the Dou Qi within his body, launching attack after attack against that Soul Barrier, desperate to break through the Seal.

However, his strength had not fully recovered.

Even if an ordinary Dou Huang stood before him, it would be a life-and-death struggle for Yao Chen, let alone facing Ling Yuan, whose Soul far exceeded those of the same Realm.

The impacts landed on the Seal without the expected sound of collision; there wasn't even a single ripple.

Yao Chen didn't stop—once, twice, thrice... Gritting his teeth, he pushed his Dou Qi to the limit. Even if the energy in his body was being consumed rapidly, he had to try.

After several attempts, the Seal remained completely unmoved, while the energy within his body was mostly depleted.

His already illusory Soul figure became even more transparent at this moment.

Yao Chen stopped his attacks helplessly, his brow furrowed in deep confusion: "Just who is it? Could it be that Half-Saint who made a move?"

Various possibilities flashed through his mind. After eliminating all other options, he could only think of the Half-Saint who had been constantly protecting Gu Xun'er.

But on second thought, it didn't seem right.

That Half-Saint had long ago sensed his presence hidden within Xiao Yan's ring. For all this time, he had remained idle, neither driving him out nor making a move against him.

Why today, just as he was about to recover a bit of strength, did he suddenly act and use such a powerful Seal to completely lock down the entire ring?

Yao Chen racked his brains but couldn't understand the reason. He could only pace anxiously inside the ring, yet he was powerless to do anything.

Outside the ring, Ling Yuan naturally sensed the commotion from Yao Chen's repeated attempts to break the Seal.

Beyond the confines of the ring, Ling Yuan had already detected the subtle movements of Yao Chen trying to breach the Seal again and again.

He lowered his head, his gaze falling upon the inconspicuous black ring on his finger, as a faint smile slowly curled at the corners of his mouth.

He thought to himself:

It was a good thing he arrived early. If he had been even two days later, once Yao Chen recovered some strength, he would likely have appeared to find Xiao Yan and take him as a Disciple. Once Xiao Yan became Yao Chen's Disciple and received his guidance, he would have to re-evaluate his plans.

...

Xiao Yan could finally Cultivate again, which moved Xiao Zhan so much that his eyes filled with tears of joy.

Afterward, Xiao Zhan kept thanking Ling Yuan and invited him to stay so the Xiao Family could properly host him.

"The Xiao Family will never forget your grace of reformation, My Lord! In the future, should you have any commands, the Xiao Family will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Gu Xun'er also expressed her gratitude to Ling Yuan.

"Thank you, Young Master. If not for you, Brother Xiao Yan might not have been able to escape his predicament."

Her tone was sincere, without a hint of falsehood. Watching Xiao Yan grow more despondent over the years, she had been more anxious than anyone. Now that Ling Yuan had resolved Xiao Yan's trouble, she took this kindness to heart.

Although she knew Ling Yuan's identity, Xun'er was smart enough not to voice it.

Hearing this, Ling Yuan merely gave a faint wave of his hand, his face showing no ripples of emotion.

He had always disliked these verbal thanks—they were superficial, and he never expected the Xiao Family to be able to do anything for him anyway.

He looked up and scanned the hall. Seeing that the matter was settled, he intended to get up and leave, as there was no need to waste time here.

Just then, a sudden burst of hurried footsteps came from outside. A Xiao Family servant ran in frantically, gasping for breath as he shouted:

"Clan Chief! Clan Chief! The eldest Young Miss of the Nalan Family, Nalan Yanran, has arrived! She... she also brought a Deacon from the Cloud Mist Sect, and they are already at the gate!"

Ling Yuan's departing steps paused. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes: What a coincidence, he was actually going to witness the scene of Nalan Yanran coming to annul the engagement?

His original intention to leave was instantly replaced by the desire to watch the show.

Ling Yuan raised his hand and pointed to the head seat where he was sitting, saying to Xiao Zhan, "Come, Clan Leader Xiao, sit in the head seat. Just act as if I don't exist. Do what you must; there's no need to mind me."

As he spoke, he stood up directly from the head seat and walked straight to an inconspicuous chair in the corner of the hall to sit down, looking entirely like an unconcerned bystander.

Xiao Zhan was stunned for a moment and hurriedly waved his hands, his face full of awkwardness and trepidation:

"This... how can this be? My Lord, you are the honored guest of the Xiao Family and Xiao Yan's savior. How can you sit in such a corner? The head seat should naturally be yours to sit in!"

As he spoke, he moved forward to usher Ling Yuan back.

Ling Yuan glanced up at him, his tone carrying a hint of unquestionable coldness: "Are my words not effective?"

That gaze was indifferent yet carried an invisible pressure. Being swept by it, Xiao Zhan felt a surge of panic in his heart.

He quickly lowered his head and replied tremulously, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I will do exactly as you say, My Lord."

As he spoke, his steps were stiff as he walked to the head seat and sat down. The moment his backside touched the chair, he felt as if he were sitting on a bed of needles, completely ill at ease, not even daring to straighten his back.

The Elders of the Xiao Family, who had been standing to the side, looked at each other in bewilderment, none of them knowing what to do.

Ling Yuan tilted his chin again: "All of you, find a place to sit as well. Just pretend I'm not here and go about your business. Don't just stand there."

The Elders and managers shuddered and hurriedly responded in unison, "Yes, yes! My Lord!"

Not daring to hesitate for a second, they quickly found nearby chairs and sat down. Every one of them sat perfectly upright with their backs straight, yet their eyes couldn't help but steal glances toward Ling Yuan from time to time.

Afterward, Xiao Zhan forced himself to remain calm and ordered for Nalan Yanran to be invited in.

Regarding the visit from his future daughter-in-law, Xiao Zhan was actually quite happy.

He pondered privately that it was likely Old Master Ye had sent word for Niece Nalan to come over and Cultivate her feelings with Yan'er, so the two could become familiar with each other sooner.

At this thought, the tension on Xiao Zhan's face faded slightly, replaced by a bit of a smile.

Before long, footsteps were heard at the door. Nalan Yanran entered wearing the robes of the Cloud Mist Sect, her face carrying the arrogance unique to a Genius, with Deacon Ge Ye following behind her.

She scanned the people in the hall—why was everyone gathered so completely?

Nalan Yanran felt suspicious. Even if they were representing the Cloud Mist Sect, there was no need for the Xiao Family to put on such a large display, was there?

Or could it be that the Xiao Family knew the purpose of their trip in advance?

Despite her doubts, Nalan Yanran's goal for this trip was very clear: this marriage had to be annulled.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Zhan, it was time for the engagement annulment.

Nalan Yanran said, "Uncle Xiao, I have come this time because I wish to dissolve my engagement with Xiao Yan."

After speaking, she stepped aside. Ge Ye took a step forward, retrieved a porcelain bottle from his storage ring, and spoke:

"This is the Qi Gathering Powder personally refined by Elder Gu He of our Cloud Mist Sect. Its efficacy far exceeds that of ordinary Qi Gathering Powder. Consider it a small compensation from our Nalan Family to the Xiao Family. We hope Clan Chief Xiao will agree to dissolve the engagement."

*Bang!*

Xiao Zhan slammed his hand onto the armrest of his chair. His face instantly flushed red as fury surged up, and his voice rose several decibels:

"Nonsense! This engagement was personally set by my late father and your grandfather years ago. It is a pact between two families; how can it be something you end just because you say so? I ask you, did Old Master Nalan agree to this?"

Deacon Ge Ye, standing beside Nalan Yanran, brought up the rules of the Cloud Mist Sect to pressure the Xiao Family.

Finally, at the very end came the most exciting part: Xiao Yan stood up and delivered that classic line: "Thirty years East, thirty years West; do not look down on the young and poor!"

Furthermore, he set the Three-Year Agreement and divorced Nalan Yanran.

The difference from the original story was perhaps that Xiao Yan, having recovered his talent, spoke with even greater confidence.