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Xiao Yan sat cross-legged, his hands forming a peculiar seal. His chest rose and fell, his breathing following a perfect cycle. White streams of air entered his body through his mouth and nose, gently nourishing every part of him.
He opened his eyes, his brow furrowed. Guiding and gathering the world's energy, refining and purifying it, absorbing and converting it – all of this was working perfectly. These signs indicated that his talent hadn't disappeared. His cultivation speed was even a little faster than before due to the natural growth of his soul.
However, the Dou Qi he absorbed and converted couldn't be stored in his body for long; it would mysteriously vanish, as if it were being absorbed by something.
"Sigh…" Xiao Yan sighed, his expression helpless and lost.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, the Clan Leader requests your presence in the main hall. We have distinguished guests," Old Butler Mo's aged voice came from outside the door.
Xiao Yan was the third child in the family, with two older brothers, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. However, his two brothers had already gone out to train and only occasionally returned home at the end of the year.
"Oh." Xiao Yan changed his clothes and followed the blue-robed old man waiting outside the door towards the main hall.
Looking at the young master who smiled and nodded in greeting, a trace of regret flashed in Old Butler Mo's cloudy old eyes.
Xiao Zhan had already told him about the arrival of distinguished guests last night, but when Xiao Yan arrived at the main hall, he was still slightly surprised. These guests were indeed "distinguished"!
In the spacious hall, there were many people. Besides the Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, who sat in the main seat, there were also three elders, as well as some seniors in the family with considerable strength and influence. Some talented and outstanding young people were also present… including Xiao Meng and Xun Er.
What kind of people could make the Xiao family receive them so solemnly? Why did his father specifically mention it to him last night? Did it have anything to do with him? A trace of doubt flashed in Xiao Yan's mind.
When he looked at the two bright pearls of the family, Xun Er also looked over with a smile.
Xiao Meng's expression was somewhat conflicted, sometimes aloof and indifferent, sometimes fierce and menacing, and sometimes revealing a happy and sweet smile…
Xiao Yan was already used to her occasional performance of facial acrobatics.
Often, Xiao Meng would give people a sense of inexplicable feeling.
He then turned his gaze to the visiting guests. When he saw the faint moon and star emblem on the chest of the small-eyed, spirited old man, his heart tightened. This was actually a seven-star Dou Grandmaster, two stars higher than his father, Xiao Zhan.
Then, Xiao Yan saw the old man in the moon-white robe, who possessed the strength of a seven-star Dou Grandmaster, and another young man with the strength of a five-star Dou Practitioner, both looking at him with similar smiles.
Xiao Yan was completely baffled. Why were they looking at him? And the smiles on their faces… seemed a bit strange.
"Father, Elders," Xiao Yan stepped forward and respectfully greeted the four people in the upper seats.
"Yan'er, you're here. Sit down," Xiao Zhan nodded.
He nodded with a smile, ignoring the disdainful gazes from the three elders, only to find that the hall was already full of people, and there was no seat for him.
He couldn't help but clench his fists, his nails digging into his flesh, feeling a burst of frustration. Heh… three old geezers… He revealed a helpless self-deprecating smile.
The surrounding clansmen couldn't help but sneer at Xiao Yan, who was standing awkwardly in place.
Xiao Meng, who had been waiting for this moment, immediately rushed forward and grabbed Xiao Yan's arm:
"Hehe, Young Master Xiao Yan, your seat is here. I was originally your maid."
Xiao Meng pulled Xiao Yan to her seat without explanation, while she stood respectfully behind him.
This caused Xun Er, who was preparing to shift her body to the side of the seat to let Xiao Yan sit next to her, to pause, and a grinding sound came from her mouth.
Xiao Meng's actions caused the ridicule of the young people in the hall towards Xiao Yan to stop abruptly, turning into envious, jealous, and resentful gazes.
Why wasn't he the one who picked up the homeless Xiao Meng on the street back then?
Xiao Yan revealed a touched expression, feeling that it seemed a bit inappropriate for everyone in the hall to be sitting while Xiao Meng was the only one standing, so he moved his butt to the side:
"Sit next to me."
"Yes, Young Master," Xiao Meng sat obediently next to Xiao Yan, her head lowered, her little face slightly red.
Crack… The armrest of the chair Xun Er was sitting on cracked. Her five fingers gripped the armrest tightly, and the veins on the back of her hand bulged.
Looking towards Xiao Meng, she found that the other party was lowering her head, her gaze intentionally or unintentionally looking towards her.
The two's gazes intertwined and collided in mid-air, as if sparks were generated.
Xun Er felt that the other party had a faint smile on her face, as if she was provoking her…
Golden flames danced in her eyes, and Xiao Yan inexplicably felt that the surrounding air seemed to become a bit hotter.
But he felt a chill running straight up his head from his back. As a result, distinguished guests and ridicule were thrown to the winds.
He mechanically turned his neck and looked at Xun Er, who was next to him, and his mouth twitched when he saw the fake smile on her face.
Ge Ye and the young man beside Nalan Yanran were dumbfounded. They exchanged glances:
"The original story doesn't have this person, right?"
"Probably not. She's frantically stealing Xiao Xun Er's scenes… Could it be 'our' arrangement?"
"Is this a member of 'us'?"
"Not sure… Maybe, maybe not."
"I seriously doubt the mental state of the main body!"
Nalan Yanran tugged at Ge Ye's sleeve, and the latter nodded, revealing a slightly helpless smile.
He coughed a few times and began to chat with the Xiao family's elders, but every time the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back, making a hesitant gesture.
Xiao Yan sized up their expressions, listened carefully for a while, and felt a bit bored.
"Xiao Yan brother, do you know their identities?" Xun Er, who was next to him, put down the ancient book in her hand and asked softly.
Xiao Meng also leaned her head over, looking curious.
This made Xiao Xun Er regain a bit of superiority.
"Do you know?" Xiao Yan asked doubtfully.
"Look at the silver sword with clouds on their cuffs. That's the symbol of the Yun Lan Sect," Xiao Xun Er said lightly.
"Yun Lan Sect?" Xiao Yan and Xiao Meng both revealed surprised expressions.
Xiao Yan also learned about some of the world's situation through books. The Xiao family's Wu Tan City belonged to the Gama Empire and was among the empire's big cities because it was backed by the Monster Mountain Range, but it was only at the bottom.
The Xiao family could be considered a local tyrant in Wu Tan City, but the Yun Lan Sect was one of the most powerful forces in the entire Gama Empire, even the royal family was wary of it.
"What are they doing here?"
"Xiao Yan brother, do you remember your fiancée?" A smile appeared on Xiao Xun Er's face.
"Nalan Yanran? Granddaughter of Marshal Nalan Jie?" Xiao Yan's body stiffened slightly, and he glanced at the noble girl in front, his expression a bit unnatural.
"Yes… Grandfather and Nalan Jie were close friends. You were born at the same time, so this marriage was arranged. Nalan Jie is extremely committed to promises, even if the relationship between the two families weakened after grandfather's death and the Xiao family declined, he never regretted it.
"But Nalan Yanran became a disciple of Yun Yun, the Yun Lan Sect Master, five years ago, so Nalan Jie may not be able to make the decision for her. So, Xiao Yan brother, what do you think she's here for?" Xiao Xun Er said with a smile.
Then, Xiao Yan heard a creaking sound… Xiao Meng's expression became extremely ferocious.
Xiao Yan was startled by her, and even the anger he felt at guessing Nalan Yanran's purpose was lessened a lot.
"Kill her, kill her… I'll go kill her…"
"Xiao Meng, calm down, calm down…" Xiao Yan pulled Xiao Meng, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, afraid that she would really rush over and fight Nalan Yanran directly.
Xiao Xun Er looked at Xiao Meng with a bit more recognition… The other party's appearance didn't seem fake.
As long as she's really good to Xiao Yan brother, then some small secrets are okay… Of course, it would be even better if she didn't compete with her for Xiao Yan brother.
After finally appeasing Xiao Meng, Xiao Yan felt deeply tired in addition to anger… He, after all, had become a waste…
If his talent was still there, without these three years of wasted time, he would be a high-level Dou Practitioner, or even a Dou Master…
Then even the Yun Lan Sect wouldn't support Nalan Yanran's current actions.
"Xiao Yan brother, if she really acts like this, Xun Er believes that she will regret her actions today in the future!" Xun Er's hand quietly rested on Xiao Yan's clenched left hand on his thigh.
"Yes, Young Master Xiao Yan, she will definitely regret it, Xiao Meng believes in you!" Xiao Meng held his other hand.
Warmth flowed in Xiao Yan's heart… Even if it's just to not let them down, I must stand up again!
He looked at the three people from the Yun Lan Sect with a cold gaze, his eyes seeming to burn with anger.
Xiao Meng and Xiao Xun Er also looked at the other party with the same gaze. At this moment, the three's attitudes were surprisingly consistent.
Although Nalan Yanran signaled frequently, Ge Ye repeatedly didn't speak. The young man next to him seemed unable to stand it anymore, so he interjected:
"Yanran is here to terminate the engagement!"
As soon as these words came out, the entire place was silent.
His guess was confirmed, and Xiao Yan stood up directly: "What did you say? Say it again!"
The young man didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it. He also stood up and stared at Xiao Yan: "I said… Yanran is here to terminate the engagement."
Seeing the young man being so straightforward, Nalan Yanran opened her mouth, a look of helplessness on her face… She wanted to be more euphemistic.
But in order to avoid making the conflict more intense, she got up and pressed the young man back down.
She gave Xiao Zhan an awkward smile.
Ge Ye had no choice but to speak at this moment, saying with a bit of apology: "Clan Leader Xiao, I know this is a bit inappropriate, but this time the Sect Master directly spoke, and I had to make this trip…
"I hope you can cancel the engagement with Yanran. The Sect Master knows that this request is a bit impolite, so she specially prepared something and asked me to bring it as an apology…"
Ge Ye reached out and wiped the ring on his finger, taking out a jade box that was green all over.
When opened, the fragrance of medicine filled the air, making people feel refreshed.
"Qi Gathering Powder!"
Although she had prepared a generous gift, Nalan Yanran still felt a bit awkward, her face filled with an apologetic smile.
The young man next to her didn't think so… The woman terminated the engagement and even gave an apology, what a kind and beautiful young lady…
In the era he transmigrated from, let alone giving an apology for terminating an engagement, it would be good if they didn't swallow the bride price. There were countless disputes over the bride price, even going to court.
If two people have no feelings, it's not suitable… To actually give an apology in return… This can be considered a moral benchmark.
However… it seems that people in this era value dignity more.
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