A marriage annulment!
Because of Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Xun'er could not help recalling what had happened a few years ago.
Back then, she had just arrived at the Xiao Clan at the tender age of four when she suddenly received an anonymous letter!
The note was very simple:
"Keep an eye on the people around you!"
This had filled her with doubt, yet it also made her much more cautious.
Sure enough, late one night a while later.
A small, dark shadow secretly sneaked into her room.
And then...
Her "bodyguard" kicked that little shadow flying out the door with a single blow!
And informed her that the dark shadow was none other than this very same Xiao Yan gege standing beside her now!
She had thought it was just a mistaken blow.
All these years, she had carried a lingering sense of guilt toward him.
But now, connecting it to what Xiao Yan had just said, Xun'er had a strong feeling that something was deeply wrong!
At that thought.
Xiao Xun'er immediately shifted her position, maintaining a clear distance from Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a??
"Xun'er..."
Without even raising her head, Xiao Xun'er cut him off:
"Xiao Yan gege would do better to concern himself with how events are unfolding."
The sudden chill in her tone left Xiao Yan completely dumbfounded.
What on earth has gotten into her all of a sudden?
Did I do something to tick her off?
No way!
Xiao Yan wore a bitter, baffled expression.
"So tasty~"
Qi Yan'er chewed happily on a mouthful of food, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Yet her gaze remained curiously fixed on the corner of the room.
Seeing Xiao Xun'er move away, Qi Yan'er felt a quiet surge of glee:
Oh yeah~
Before I've even had to do a thing, they're already turning on each other?
In the main hall.
Xiao Zhan and the three elders were exchanging pleasantries with Ge Ye.
Their words were nothing more than empty politeness and formal courtesies.
Looking at Xiao Zhan, Ge Ye found the words dying on his lips time and time again; after all, what he was about to do was truly not something a decent person would do.
All the trouble for nothing in return!
If it weren't on account of Nalan Yanran, he wouldn't have touched this mess with a ten-foot pole.
"Sigh~"
Catching yet another glare from Nalan Yanran, Ge Ye had no choice but to stand up and cup his fists toward Xiao Zhan:
"Patriarch Xiao, my visit to your esteemed clan today is not for business, but to ask a favor!"
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan hurriedly stood up and replied politely:
"Please speak your mind, Mister Ge Ye. Within my clan's capabilities, the Xiao Clan will certainly not refuse."
"Heh heh~"
Ge Ye offered a slight smile, then gestured toward Nalan Yanran:
"Patriarch Xiao, do you recognize her?"
At this, Xiao Zhan's heart gave a heavy thump, though he feigned ignorance:
"Forgive my poor eyesight, this young lady is..."
"Ahem—her name is Nalan Yanran."
Ge Ye said, beaming with a spring-breeze smile.
"Nalan Yanran! Could it be Elder Nalan's granddaughter?"
Xiao Zhan started, a forced smile instantly squeezing onto his face:
"So it's my niece Nalan! Uncle Xiao hasn't seen you in many years, please don't fault your uncle for failing to recognize you!"
Nalan Yanran slowly stood up and offered a sweet smile:
"Uncle Xiao, your niece has simply been too busy to come pay her respects. I am the one who should apologize; how could Yanran ever dare blame Uncle Xiao?"
Staring at his fine "daughter-in-law," Xiao Zhan felt as though his heart were being twisted by a knife.
Could this girl really be determined to burn every bridge?
Busy?
What on earth could you have been busy with all these years?
Busy raising a child?
Breaking off the engagement in person was one thing, but dragging a child along with her too!
Though he thought this to the core, matters had not yet reached that final tipping point, and he dared not make the first hostile move.
After all, the towering mountain that was the Misty Cloud Sect was not something his Xiao Clan could afford to offend.
"Niece Nalan, I heard some time ago that you had been taken in as a disciple by Sect Master Yun. At the time I thought it was mere rumor, but I never imagined it was actually true. Your talent is truly something to be envied!"
"Yanran was merely fortunate enough to be favored by my teacher through a chance encounter."
With a faint smile, Nalan Yanran looked somewhat helpless.
Xiao Zhan's attitude was entirely too enthusiastic!
So enthusiastic that it actually frightened her a little.
Qi Yan'er pouted her little lips and murmured softly:
"He's trying to drown you in compliments to shut you up, you know~"
Hearing this, Nalan Yanran snapped back to reality.
She immediately shifted her gaze to Ge Ye.
Ge Ye: o(╥﹏╥)o
So I'm the one who still has to do the dirty work?
Ge Ye naturally understood what Xiao Zhan was thinking.
Yet some things could no longer be changed simply by wishing it.
"Patriarch Xiao, the favor I seek today concerns Yanran, and this matter comes as a personal decree from the Sect Master herself!"
"Thump!"
As soon as Ge Ye uttered those words, Xiao Zhan's expression changed drastically.
A personal decree from the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect!
That meant there was not a shred of wiggle room left. Oh, my poor Yan'er!
Xiao Zhan forcefully suppressed the surging fury in his chest, though his voice trembled uncontrollably:
"Mister Ge Ye, please state your business."
"It's like this..."
Ge Ye gave a dry cough to break the awkwardness. Remembering the Sect Master's orders, he could only grit his teeth and smile:
"Patriarch Xiao is well aware that the Misty Cloud Sect has strict discipline, and the Sect Master holds exceptionally high expectations for Yanran."
"She is already being groomed as the next Sect Master. According to the rules of the Misty Cloud Sect, before the successor officially ascends to the position, she is strictly forbidden from having any entanglements with any man!"
"After the Sect Master questioned Yanran about this matter, she learned that Yanran was already betrothed. Therefore, the Sect Master hopes you will agree to annul this engagement!"
"Crack!"
Accompanied by a sharp snapping sound, the jade cup in Xiao Zhan's grip instantly shattered into powder.
Silence.
The council hall was quieter than it had ever been—you could hear a pin drop.
Even the prodigies of the Xiao Clan did not dare utter another sound. The atmosphere was stifling beyond belief.
Yet in contrast, the faces of the three elder figures of the Xiao Clan carried traces of mockery.
Heh heh!
To have your marriage forcefully dissolved—let the three of us old men see how you, Xiao Zhan, manage to hold onto the seat of Patriarch after this!
Seeing Xiao Zhan's terrifyingly gloomy expression, Nalan Yanran no longer dared to raise her head, her fingers nervously interlocked.
Since Ge Ye had laid it out so clearly and Xiao Zhan remained silent, Ge Ye continued:
"Patriarch Xiao, I know this request is somewhat overbearing, but for the sake of the Sect Master, let us simply call off this engagement!"
"You push people too far!"
Xiao Zhan clenched his fists tightly, his angry roar shaking the entire hall the moment it burst forth!
A fierce wave of Dou Qi erupted violently from within his body!
Cyan Dou Qi coated his frame, forming the illusory head of a lion before his chest!
Seeing this, Ge Ye's expression darkened as well.
If they refused to be polite, he would just have to use force!
With a flash of movement, Ge Ye stepped in front of Nalan Yanran.
The instant he thrust out his hand, it transformed into an eagle's claw, radiating a sharp, piercing sword Qi!
"Ooh~"
As Qi Yan'er watched the delicious food while taking in this fantastical spectacle, her eyes widened in excitement.
She had never witnessed a battle of this caliber before!
Yet as both of their auras erupted, a formidable pressure filled the hall, instantly bearing down on Qi Yan'er and the group of young teenagers whose strength was lacking.
Qi Yan'er's little face shifted, feeling profoundly uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, in Luofan Village.
Qi Fan had already stepped out of his house, preparing to go buy a little wine.
[Ding! Sensing that your daughter Qi Yan'er is currently being suppressed by another person's Dou Qi, she is in urgent need of a Qi-Resolving Pill, priced at 10,000 points. Would you like to redeem it?]
[Qi-Resolving Pill: Neutralizes Dou Qi released by anyone below the level of Dou Ling!]
"Redeem!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Qi Fan waved his hand and spent the points!
If his daughter needed it, he had to give it to her!
Yet Qi Fan was baffled.
It had only been a day—how on earth had she managed to run into danger again?
Couldn't she ever need something simple like snacks or toys?
Regrettably...
No one was there to answer him.