9: Breaking off the engagement, the Yunlan Sect's strength

Chapter 9: Annulment of the Engagement, the Yun Lan Sect's Overbearing Stance

"Third Young Master, are you ready?"

"Almost, Steward Mo."

The door opened in response, and Xiao Yan walked out with a smile on his face.

"Let's go," Xiao Yan said.

How long had it been since Steward Mo had seen the Third Young Master smile so happily? He paused for a moment, then led the way.

They arrived at the front hall.

Seeing the family elders and various disciples present, Xiao Yan was startled; it had been a long time since he'd seen such a grand occasion in the family.

"Father, three Elders!" Recovering, Xiao Yan bowed respectfully.

"Yan'er, find a seat and sit down," Xiao Zhan said.

"Yes."

Xiao Yan nodded, then his gaze shifted, and he stood in place, a little awkward.

There was no spare seat in the hall...

Immediately, Xiao Zhan turned to look at one of the three elders on the side, frowning, "Second Elder, how did you arrange this?"

The yellow-robed old man smiled faintly, as if blaming himself, and patted his forehead, "Apologies, Clan Leader, I'm getting a bit muddle-headed. Someone, bring a stool for our Xiao Clan's Soul Young Clan Leader."

Standing in place, watched by numerous gazes, Xiao Yan felt extremely displeased, especially with the constant sneers from his peers around him.

"Xiao Yan Gege... over here."

Just then, a clear female voice rang out from the corner, and a fair arm was raised and waved.

Xiao Yan slightly exhaled in relief and walked over.

Xiao Zhan glared unhappily at the Second Elder, then turned his head, smiling as he continued chatting with Ge Ye.

In the corner.

As soon as he sat down, Xiao Yan heard Xiao Xun'er ask, "Xiao Yan Gege, do you know where they're from?"

"Where?" Xiao Yan subconsciously asked back.

"Yun Lan Sect," Xiao Xun'er replied, then asked again, "Do you know who that girl is?"

Xiao Yan looked at the person sitting beside Ge Ye; she was young, yet extremely beautiful, with a faint air of arrogance about her.

After thinking for a while, he had no impression and shook his head in response to Xiao Xun'er's gaze.

"Her name is Nalan Yanran," Xiao Xun'er said, enunciating each word.

"Nalan Yanran? Why does that name sound a bit..." Xiao Yan repeated, frowning in thought.

Xiao Xun'er stared into his eyes and said, "Familiar, right? She is Xiao Yan Gege's fiancée, betrothed from birth."

Instantly, Xiao Yan remembered; this was decided by his grandfather's generation.

Noticing Xiao Xun'er staring at him, Xiao Yan nervously touched his nose and curiously asked, "Why is she here at the Xiao Family now? It's not time for marriage yet."

"Xiao Yan Gege, what do you think would be the first reaction of a woman who has been noticed by the Yun Lan Sect Master and taken as a direct disciple, upon learning she has a fiancé from Wutan City, especially when that fiancé has cultivated for three years and only has three sections of Dou Qi?"

Xiao Xun'er looked down at the book on her lap, speaking indifferently.

This... Xiao Yan was startled, and a thought immediately formed in his mind.

At this moment, the voices from the front suddenly grew louder. Xiao Yan looked up and happened to see his father, Xiao Zhan, with an angry expression.

"Mr. Ge Ye, the engagement is a matter between our Xiao Family and the Nalan Family; it's not for your Yun Lan Sect to meddle in, is it? Isn't that a bit too much!" Xiao Zhan's eyes flickered with suppressed anger, and on his tightly clenched fists, a light green Dou Qi emerged, spreading throughout his body, forming an illusory lion's head above him!

Ge Ye sighed helplessly, his tone firm, "Miss Nalan is being groomed by our Sect Master as the next Sect Master. Due to certain rules, a Sect Master's successor cannot have entanglements with men before officially becoming the Sect Master..."

At this point, Ge Ye's Dou Qi also fluctuated, and he continued, "Furthermore, this is also our Sect Master's wish. I hope Clan Leader Xiao will dissolve this engagement out of respect for the Sect Master!"

"You..." Xiao Zhan's face darkened.

Just then, the three Xiao Family elders on the other side suddenly spoke up, shouting, "Xiao Zhan! Stop it! Don't forget, you are the Clan Leader of the Xiao Family; your every move represents the Xiao Family!"

The Yun Lan Sect was such a colossal power that even the Gama Empire's imperial family dared not openly confront them, only stationing troops at the foot of Yunlan Mountain.

If Xiao Zhan offended the Yun Lan Sect today... The three elders all trembled, not daring to think further.

The sudden turn of events caught the family disciples present completely off guard.

Initially, upon hearing that people from the Yun Lan Sect had arrived, they were excited and thrilled, wondering if they might be chosen if the sect came to recruit disciples. That was the Yun Lan Sect; joining it would mean limitless prospects and respect wherever they went.

However, they later found that the visitors were only chatting with the Clan Leader.

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As these family disciples were feeling somewhat disheartened, they were both shocked and afraid when they saw the two sides suddenly become hostile.

Finally, learning that it was related to the family's 'waste,' Xiao Yan, and that they had come to annul an engagement, these people couldn't help but relax, even showing a look of schadenfreude on their faces, with various sarcastic and mocking gazes turning towards the figure in the corner.

Annulment of the engagement?!

And in front of so many people... Xiao Yan's fists clenched suddenly. Seeing his father, sitting above, being watched with all sorts of strange looks, a fire seemed to burn fiercely within him.

"Elder Ge Ye, this request today is indeed a bit excessive, but unfortunately, sect rules must be followed. To show our apology, the Sect Master specifically instructed me to bring a small gift. Please, Clan Leader Xiao, do not despise it."

Ge Ye noticed Xiao Zhan's silence, understood that bringing up the Sect Master had worked, and prepared to push for the annulment to conclude.

Hearing about the gift, everyone cast curious glances at Ge Ye, watching him take out a green ancient jade box from his storage ring.

Carefully opening it, before they could even clearly see what was inside, a strange aroma had already permeated the air, lingering around everyone's noses.

The three elders couldn't hold back, craning their necks. The moment they saw clearly, their bodies all trembled, and they exclaimed in surprise, "Gathering Qi Powder?"

Whoosh!

The hall immediately became lively!

"What a grand gesture, to be able to casually produce Gathering Qi Powder."

"The Yun Lan Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the top sect in the Gama Empire. With Gathering Qi Powder, the Xiao Family can produce another Dou Master."

"Mine, this Gathering Qi Powder definitely belongs to me."

"Xiao Yan is really lucky; though he's a bit of a waste, he still has some value."

"He never deserved her anyway; now that the engagement is annulled, it will also cause less trouble for the Xiao Family."

In the crowd, a young girl with a tender face yet a hint of charm licked her lips with her pink tongue, her eyes somewhat fiery as she stared at the Gathering Qi Powder. She asked the middle-aged man beside her, "Father, do I have a chance to get this Gathering Qi Powder?"

The middle-aged man lowered his head and said, "Mei'er, of course you have a chance. In the family now, besides Miss Xun'er, your Dou Qi is the closest. Father will definitely help you get it."

"Thank you, Fathe—" Xiao Mei smiled upon hearing this.

But...

A voice, containing a faint hint of anger, interrupted Xiao Mei's unfinished words.

"Elder Ge Ye, please take back your Gathering Qi Powder. I will not agree to what is happening today!"