Chapter 8: Qi Gathering Powder: Why Doesn't Anyone Want Me?
"This…"
Xiao Zhan was a little confused. He turned to look at Xiao Yuan, only to find that Xiao Yuan was also frowning, staring at Nalan Yanran's back.
Nalan Yanran, however, continued speaking without any pause: "I had a pleasant conversation with Young Master Xiao earlier, and this Qi Gathering Powder was refined by our esteemed elder, Master Gu He. I originally intended to give it to Young Master Xiao, but since he wouldn't accept it, I ask Uncle Xiao to accept it on his behalf."
With that, she turned her head and gave Xiao Yuan a smug look: Let's see how you refuse me now!
Xiao Yuan couldn't help but shrug helplessly upon hearing this, while Xiao Yan, sitting behind him, felt like his CPU had completely burned out.
How did Third Brother manage to do this?
Xiao Xun'er, standing to the side, also looked at Xiao Yuan with a strange expression. She couldn't figure out how Xiao Yuan had managed to turn what was originally meant to be an apology gift into a meeting gift.
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the Xiao family's hall.
What? Turning Qi Gathering Powder into a meeting gift? The people from Yun Lan Sect must be really rich!
Xiao Zhan didn't know exactly what Xiao Yuan had done, but since the other party called it a meeting gift, if he didn't accept it, wouldn't that be a slap in their face?
Thus, he smiled and said warmly, "Alright, then Uncle Xiao will accept it. Miss Nalan must be tired after such a long journey, so why not rest at my Xiao family's residence for a few days?"
Nalan Yanran had already achieved her goal, so she wasn't planning to stay any longer. She showed an apologetic expression and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Uncle Xiao, but I still have other matters to attend to, so I must leave today. If Uncle Xiao is free in the future, you're welcome to visit the Nalan residence."
"Hmm, in that case, Yuan'er, please see Miss Nalan off."
Xiao Zhan nodded and then turned to Xiao Yuan.
"Yes, Father."
Xiao Yuan stood up and, with Nalan Yanran and her party in tow, led them out of the guest hall and through the door.
"Thank you, Miss Nalan."
Xiao Yuan nodded at Nalan Yanran.
"There's no need for thanks. As long as, after three years, you can keep your promise, that's enough."
Nalan Yanran smiled as she spoke.
"Don't worry, we'll meet again in the Imperial Capital three years from now."
Xiao Yuan cupped his hands and spoke seriously.
"Mm, I'll be waiting."
Nalan Yanran replied with a soft smile, then, accompanied by Ge Ye and the mysterious man in white, they floated away.
Xiao Yuan watched them leave, his eyes narrowing slightly.
If only he could restore his strength sooner, why should he have to compromise? Although his words had gained some advantage, this lack of hard power meant that he had to put the decision in the hands of others, and it was damn frustrating.
In fact, he really wanted to use the Five Qi Return to One technique to fight Nalan Yanran and show her that he was no useless person.
But then what? Even if Nalan Yanran realized he wasn't a waste, would she still not annul the engagement?
Moreover, if Xiao Yuan hadn't been so quick-witted today and prevented the engagement issue from being forced to the forefront, the situation in the hall would have been much worse.
Instead of forcing the issue, he chose to retreat. The fact that Nalan Yanran was willing to discuss the matter privately showed that, at least in her heart, she was still kind. She had simply been reckless and hadn't anticipated the consequences.
Although he later used Nalan Yanran's kindness—or perhaps her morality—to his advantage, Xiao Yuan didn't feel any guilt about it.
In the end, it was more or less balanced.
"Brother."
Xiao Yan's voice came from behind. Xiao Yuan turned around and saw the concerned look in his younger brother's eyes.
"Hehe, just in time. Come with me, I have something to tell you and Father."
Xiao Yuan smiled, then led Xiao Yan back into the hall.
By now, most people had left. Xiao Xun'er was waiting at the entrance, clearly waiting for Xiao Yan.
In the hall, there were still four people: the three elders and Xiao Zhan.
The three elders exchanged glances and frowned slightly.
Their grandchildren were about to reach the age to advance to the Fighter level, so the Qi Gathering Powder was incredibly tempting for them!
"If the three elders have no further matters, our family has some things to discuss. Please, if you don't mind, could you step outside for a moment?"
Xiao Yuan, noticing the elders' unease, spoke calmly as he entered the hall with Xiao Yan.
The three elders weren't happy with Xiao Yuan's attitude, but when they saw Xiao Xun'er standing at the door, silently staring at them, they didn't say anything more. After glaring at Xiao Yuan, they left with a flick of their sleeves.
"Father, Xiao Yan, I just made an agreement with Nalan Yanran. Three years from now, I'll bring the original engagement documents to the Imperial Capital to annul the engagement."
Once the three elders left, Xiao Yuan activated his soul perception, stronger than Xiao Yan's, and scanned the room to ensure there were no outsiders. Once he confirmed the coast was clear, he spoke plainly.
"Yuan'er, what's this about?"
Xiao Zhan looked confused. The difference between annulling the engagement today or three years later didn't seem significant.
Xiao Xun'er, standing by the door, was also curious.
"Because three years from now, the power gap between Nalan Yanran and me will reverse. At that time, it will be completely justified to annul the engagement, and no one will be able to criticize it."
Xiao Yuan continued, then began channeling the fighting energy from his Five Yuan Qi Chambers.
The three people present froze as they felt the sudden fluctuation of fighting energy within Xiao Yuan's body.
"Yuan'er, you can cultivate now!"
Xiao Zhan's face lit up with joy as he grabbed Xiao Yuan's wrist, feeling the energy for himself, before exclaiming ecstatically.
"Brother! Really?"
Xiao Yan's face also showed joy upon hearing this.
Xiao Xun'er, outside the door, was also happy for Xiao Yuan.
"Mm, it happened last night."
Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded.
"That's great!"
Xiao Yan immediately hugged Xiao Yuan tightly.
"Brother, I knew you'd make it!"
Xiao Yan was genuinely happy that Xiao Yuan could now cultivate.
"Good, good, good! My son, Xiao Zhan's son, is indeed extraordinary!"
Xiao Zhan said three "good" words in a row, pulling his two sons into a tight embrace.
After a moment, the three of them separated, all with smiles on their faces.
"Since you can cultivate now, we should handle the marketplace transition. Focus on cultivation from now on and don't get distracted."
Xiao Zhan, his excitement subsiding, looked at Xiao Yuan seriously.
"Mm, it should be handled soon, but it's not urgent. I'll wait until I secure the high-level marketplace rating before handling it."
Xiao Yuan nodded in agreement.
"Mm, that's fine. Just make sure you manage it well."
Xiao Zhan smiled and nodded in reassurance.
"By the way, since the Qi Gathering Powder was given to you by Nalan Yanran, you should accept it."
Then, Xiao Zhan took out the Qi Gathering Powder he had previously stored in his storage ring and handed it to Xiao Yuan.
"Uh, I don't need this. How about giving it to Xiao Yan?"
Xiao Yuan shook his head and didn't take the jade box.
"I don't need it."
Xiao Yan also shook his head. He was still at the third stage of fighting energy, and it wouldn't help him much. Besides, this was Third Brother's item. He already felt guilty accepting cultivation resources from Third Brother, so he couldn't take the Qi Gathering Powder, no matter what.
"Then what about Xun'er?"
Xiao Yuan turned to look at Xiao Xun'er, who had just reached the ninth stage of fighting energy.
(END CHAPTER)
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