“Cough.” The white-robed elder lightly coughed, stood up, and bowed to Xiao Zhan, smiling as he said, “Clan Leader Xiao, I have come to your esteemed clan with a request!”
“Hehe, Mister Geye, feel free to speak your mind. If it is within our power, the Xiao Clan should not refuse,” Xiao Zhan replied courteously, rising to his feet. However, not knowing the exact nature of the request, he was cautious not to make any hasty promises.
“Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, do you recognize her?” Geye smiled, pointing at the young girl beside him and asked cheerfully.
“Eh… I beg your pardon, my eyes are not so sharp. Miss…” Hearing this, Xiao Zhan was taken aback. He looked the girl up and down, slightly embarrassed as he shook his head. When Nalan Yanran was taken as Yun Yun’s disciple, she was only ten years old. She had spent five years in the Yun Lian Sect, and as they say, a girl changes much over the years. Xiao Zhan naturally did not recognize the girl before him as his nominal daughter-in-law.
“Cough… Her name is Nalan Yanran.”
“Nalan Yanran? The granddaughter of Elder Nalan, Nalan Yanran?” Xiao Zhan was first stunned, then a great joy spread across his face as he recalled the past. He hurriedly smiled warmly at the girl, “So it’s Niece Nalan! Uncle Xiao hasn’t seen you in many years, please don’t blame me for not recognizing you.”
The sudden revelation made everyone pause. The three elders exchanged glances, their brows furrowing slightly…
“Uncle Xiao, it was I who never came to pay my respects. I should be the one apologizing, how could I blame Uncle Xiao?” Nalan Yanran smiled sweetly.
“Hehe, Niece Nalan, I heard that Lady Yun Yun took you under her wing. I thought it was just a rumor, but it turns out to be true. You really have an extraordinary talent…”
“Yanran is just lucky…” Nalan Yanran gave a faint smile, a little overwhelmed by Xiao Zhan’s enthusiasm. Under the table, she gently tugged on Geye’s sleeve.
“Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, the matter I am here to request today is related to Yanran. And this matter has been brought by the Sect Leader herself…” Geye chuckled lightly, his expression becoming slightly serious when he mentioned the Sect Leader.
Xiao Zhan’s face changed slightly, and he sobered. Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Yun Lian Sect, was a major figure in the Jia Ma Empire. As the leader of a small clan, he could not afford to offend her. With her strength and influence, what could the Xiao Clan possibly offer her? Geye said it was related to Niece Nalan—could it be…?
Thinking of a possible scenario, Xiao Zhan’s mouth twitched. His large hands trembled, but fortunately, the sleeves concealed them. Forcing down his anger, he spoke in a trembling voice, “Mister Geye, please go on!”
“Cough…” Geye’s face suddenly showed a hint of embarrassment. Remembering the Sect Leader’s affection for Nalan Yanran, he gritted his teeth and forced a smile, “Clan Leader Xiao, you know that the Yun Lian Sect has strict rules. And the Sect Leader has high expectations for Yanran, grooming her as the next Sect Leader. There is a special rule that the heir cannot have any entanglements with men before becoming the official Sect Leader…”
“The Sect Leader, after asking Yanran, learned of her engagement to the Xiao Clan. So… so the Sect Leader would like to ask Clan Leader Xiao to… dissolve the engagement.”
*Crack!*
The jade cup in Xiao Zhan’s hand crumbled into dust. The atmosphere in the hall turned silent. The three elders were also stunned by Geye’s words, but after a moment, their gazes towards Xiao Zhan became tinged with mockery and ridicule.
“Hehe, having your engagement broken off in person, I wonder how you will maintain your authority as the clan leader!” Some of the younger generation, unaware of the engagement between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, learned of it from their parents. Their faces lit up with scornful laughter, directed at Xiao Yan in the corner…
Seeing Xiao Zhan’s extremely dark expression, Nalan Yanran dared not look up, burying her head and twisting her fingers together nervously.
“Clan Leader Xiao, I know this request is somewhat unreasonable, but please consider the Sect Leader’s face and dissolve the engagement…” Geye sighed, speaking calmly.
Xiao Zhan clenched his fists, a faint green-colored Dou Qi gradually enveloping his body, forming a phantom lion’s head on his face.
Xiao Clan’s top-tier technique: Rampaging Lion Fury! Level: Intermediate Mystic Rank!
Seeing Xiao Zhan’s reaction, Geye’s face became serious. He stepped in front of Nalan Yanran, his hands curling into eagle claws, gathering green Dou Qi that emitted fine, sharp sword qi.
Yun Lian Sect’s profound technique: Green Wood Sword Technique! Level: Low Mystic Rank!
As their energies erupted, the weaker youths in the hall turned pale and felt stifled in the chest.
Just as Xiao Zhan’s breathing grew more rapid, the elders’ stern voices boomed like thunder in the hall: “Xiao Zhan, stop! Don’t forget, you are the clan leader of the Xiao Clan!”
His body stiffened, and the Dou Qi around Xiao Zhan gradually dissipated until it disappeared entirely. Slumping back into his chair, Xiao Zhan looked coldly at the silent Nalan Yanran, his voice hoarse, “Niece Nalan, what a bold move. Elder Nalan must be very proud of you!”
Nalan Yanran’s body trembled slightly, and she stammered, “Uncle Xiao…”
“Hehe, call me Clan Leader Xiao. I can’t bear the title ‘Uncle.’ You are the future Sect Leader of the Yun Lian Sect and a future prominent figure in the Dou Qi Continent. My son Yan is just an ordinary person, and he truly doesn’t match you…”
He waved his hand dismissively, his tone icy. “Thank you, Clan Leader Xiao, for understanding,” Geye said, visibly relieved. He smiled apologetically at Xiao Zhan, “Clan Leader Xiao, the Sect Leader knows that this request is somewhat impolite, so she specially sent something as a token of apology!”
As he spoke, Geye tapped a ring on his finger, and a green-tinged ancient jade box appeared in his hand. Carefully opening the box, a fragrant aroma filled the hall, invigorating all who smelled it.
The three elders curiously peered into the jade box, their bodies jolted as they exclaimed in shock, “Gathering Qi Powder?”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage