Contrary to Nalan Yanran’s expectations, the young man before her began to tremble violently after she spoke. Slowly lifting his head, his once innocent and clear face now distorted into a terrifying visage… Although he had been subjected to ridicule for three years, in Xiao Yan’s heart, there were still boundaries that should not be crossed. Nalan Yanran’s haughty and condescending attitude, like a form of charity, stepped heavily on the last shreds of dignity hidden in Xiao Yan’s heart.
“Ahh…” Startled by the young man’s fierce expression, the maiden hastily took a step back. The handsome youth beside her suddenly drew his longsword, his gaze coldly pointed at Xiao Yan.
“I… really want to kill you!” Teeth chattering, he revealed his murderous intent. Xiao Yan clenched his fists, black eyes burning with a furious flame.
“Yan, don’t be unreasonable!” At the head of the table, Xiao Zhan was also startled by Xiao Yan’s actions and hurriedly warned. The Xiao family couldn’t afford to offend the Yunlan Sect now.
Clenching his fists tightly, Xiao Yan lowered his head slightly. After a moment, he raised it again, but the previous ferocity had turned into calmness…
During these three years, although he had suffered discrimination and ridicule, this experience had forged an extraordinary level of patience in Xiao Yan.
Nalan Yanran, the favored one of the Yunlan Sect, if he did something to her now, it would surely bring endless trouble to his father. Therefore, he had to endure!
Looking at the young man who had almost instantly suppressed his emotions, Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran felt a chill run down their spines…
“If this kid remains a waste forever, it would be fine. But if he truly gains power, he will be a dangerous person…” Ge Ye thought to himself solemnly.
“Xiao Yan, I don’t know why my actions made you so angry, but… let’s still dissolve the engagement!” Exhaling lightly, Nalan Yanran calmed down from her shock. Her face slightly darkened as she said, “Remember, my coming here was personally approved by my teacher, the leader of the Yunlan Sect!”
With a pout, Nalan Yanran tilted her head slightly and said helplessly, “You can consider this as coercion, but you should know that reality is not always fair. Although I don’t mean to express it, you should be aware of the gap between us… we… have no hope…”
Hearing the girl’s judgment like a divine decree, Xiao Yan’s lips curled into a cold smile: “Miss Nalan, you should know that in the Dou Qi Continent, a woman breaking off an engagement brings great shame to the other party. Haha, I have thick skin, so it doesn’t matter to me, but my father! He is the head of the clan. If he agrees to your request today, how will he lead the Xiao family in the future? How will he stand in Wu Tan City?”
Seeing the furious expression on the young man’s face, Nalan Yanran frowned, glancing at Xiao Zhan, who seemed to have aged many years in an instant. She felt a slight sense of guilt, bit her lip, pondered for a moment, and then turned her eyes, saying softly, “Today, I was indeed impulsive. I can temporarily withdraw the request to dissolve the engagement. However, I need you to agree to a promise!”
“What promise?” Xiao Yan asked, frowning.
“I can delay the request for three years. After three years, come to the Yunlan Sect and challenge me. If you lose, I will publicly dissolve the engagement. By then, you will have undergone the adult ceremony of your clan, so even if you lose, it won’t embarrass Uncle Xiao too much. Do you dare to accept?”
“Haha, if I lose, it won’t damage my father’s reputation, but I might have to bear the shame of failure for the rest of my life. This woman… is ruthless indeed!” Xiao Yan laughed bitterly in his heart, his face full of mockery.
“Miss Nalan, you are well aware of Yan’s situation. What can he use to challenge you? Is it fun to humiliate him like this?” Xiao Zhan slammed his hand on the table, standing up angrily.
“Uncle Xiao, someone must take responsibility for the broken engagement. If not for your face, I would have forcibly dissolved the engagement right now and made it public!” Frustrated, Nalan Yanran turned to the silent Xiao Yan and said coldly, “If you don’t want to embarrass Uncle Xiao, then accept the promise! Which do you choose: three years from now or now?”
“Nalan Yanran, you don’t need to put on such a strong front. You want to break the engagement because you think a waste like me is not worthy of a genius like you. To be blunt, apart from your beauty, I see nothing else in you! The Yunlan Sect is indeed strong, but I am still young, and I have plenty of time. I became a fighter at twelve, and what was your Dou Qi level at twelve? True, I am a waste now, but if I could create a miracle three years ago, why can’t I turn things around in the future?”
Faced with the girl’s aggressive attitude, the silent Xiao Yan finally erupted like a volcano. His face was stern, and his words shocked everyone in the hall. Who would have thought that the usually silent and reserved boy was so sharp?
Nalan Yanran’s mouth moved, though she was infuriated by Xiao Yan’s evaluation, she couldn’t argue. Xiao Yan’s words were true. No matter how much of a waste he was now, he had become a fighter at twelve, while Nalan Yanran was only at the eighth level of Dou Qi at that age…
“Miss Nalan, for the sake of Elder Nalan, Xiao Yan advises you: fortunes change, and do not look down on the poor young!”
Xiao Yan’s cold words made Nalan Yanran’s body tremble slightly.
“Good, a good phrase! My son is extraordinary!” At the head of the table, Xiao Zhan’s eyes lit up, and he slammed his palms on the table, splashing tea.
Glaring at the smirking young man, Nalan Yanran, who was used to being pampered, had never been scolded like this by a peer. She was so angry that her head spun, and her slightly childish voice became sharp: “Why do you scold me? Even if you were a genius before, you are a waste now! Fine, I, Nalan Yanran, will wait for the day you surpass me. Today, I will not mention dissolving the engagement, but after three years, I will wait for you at the Yunlan Sect. If you have the skills, show me how far you can go! If you can defeat me, I will be your servant for the rest of my life!”
“Of course, if you are still a waste after three years, you must give me the contract to dissolve the engagement!”
Looking at the pale-faced girl, Xiao Yan laughed mockingly, “Three years later? I have no interest in you at all!”
Without waiting for the icy response from Nalan Yanran, he turned and strode to the table, writing furiously.
Ink fell, and the pen stopped. Xiao Yan suddenly drew a short sword from the table, slashing his left palm, drawing a bloody line…
With a bloodied hand, he left a glaring bloodprint on the white paper. Picking up the contract, Xiao Yan gave a cold laugh. As he passed Nalan Yanran, he slammed it heavily on the table.
“Don’t think I, Xiao Yan, care about this so-called genius wife. This is not a contract to dissolve the engagement, but a certificate to expel you from the Xiao family. From now on, you, Nalan Yanran, have no connection with the Xiao family!”
“You… you dare to expel me?” Staring at the bloody contract, Nalan Yanran’s beautiful eyes widened, incredulous. With her beauty, talent, and background, how could she be expelled by a waste from a small family? This sudden change felt surreal to her.
Coldly looking at Nalan Yanran’s stunned expression, Xiao Yan suddenly turned and knelt before Xiao Zhan, banging his head heavily. Biting his lip, he remained stubbornly silent…
Although he had expelled Nalan Yanran from the family in name, others would not see it that way. They would believe that Nalan Yanran, with her powerful background, forced the Xiao family to dissolve the engagement. No one would think that Xiao Yan had the courage to dismiss a future leader of the Yunlan Sect…
As Xiao Yan’s father, Xiao Zhan would surely be ridiculed…
Looking at the kneeling Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan smiled calmly, understanding his son’s deep remorse. “I believe my son will not be a waste forever. Rumors will be dispelled by reality.”
“Father, in three years, I will go to the Yunlan Sect and wash away today’s humiliation for you!” Eyes moist, Xiao Yan bowed deeply, then rose and walked out of the hall without hesitation.
Pausing briefly in front of Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan’s youthful, indifferent voice chilled, “In three years, I will find you!”
The young man’s shadow, under the sunlight, stretched long, looking lonely and desolate.
Nalan Yanran’s small mouth opened slightly, staring blankly at the disappearing figure. The contract in her hand suddenly felt as heavy as a thousand pounds…
“Since you have achieved your goal, please leave.” Watching the young man leave, Xiao Zhan’s face was cold, his fists hidden in his sleeves turning white.
“Uncle Xiao, I apologize for today. If you have time, please visit the Nalan family!” Bowing respectfully to the indifferent Xiao Zhan, Nalan Yanran left, followed by Ge Ye and the handsome youth.
“Take the Gathering Qi Powder with you!” With a wave, Xiao Zhan coldly threw the jade box on the table. Ge Ye caught it, smiled bitterly, and stored it in his ring.
“Miss Nalan, I hope you won’t regret your actions today. Also, don’t think you can act recklessly with the Yunlan Sect’s support. The Dou Qi Continent is vast, and there are many stronger than Yun Yun…”
As Nalan Yanran and the two others were about to leave, a delicate voice, tinged with coldness, suddenly rang out.
Their steps paused, and their gazes turned to the corner where a purple-dressed girl was flipping through an ancient book. Sunlight streamed in, enveloping the girl like a blooming lotus, pure and untouched by the dust of the world…
Noticing their gazes, the girl lifted her exquisite face from the ancient pages, her eyes suddenly glowing with a tiny golden flame…
Seeing the golden flame in the girl’s eyes, Ge Ye’s body trembled, fear covering his old face. He grabbed Nalan Yanran and the youth, fleeing the hall…
Seeing Ge Ye’s actions, everyone in the hall, except a few, was dumbfounded.
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