People are like this: when a truth comes from someone else's mouth, they might still have their doubts, but if it's something they deduced themselves, they'll believe it implicitly. Even if they're wrong, they might still stubbornly insist on it.
At this moment, because of the possible events he had inferred, Xiao Yan no longer felt any pity for the woman opposite him. Instead, he was filled with shock and anger.
His anger wasn't solely due to Nalan Yanran's contempt for him. More so, it was because he knew that if Nalan Yanran truly came to the Xiao Family to Annul the Engagement, leveraging the Momentum of the Cloud Mist Sect, the Xiao Family's dignity would be completely annihilated!
If that happened, it wouldn't just be him, Xiao Yan, who would become a laughingstock in the future. Even the entire Xiao Family would be reduced to a joke for others, and his father, as the head of the clan, would bear all the harsh words he had endured over the past three years...
Under Xun'er's deliberate or unintentional guidance, Xiao Yan had already prejudged and locked onto the newcomer's intentions. He had lost his former composure, taking a light breath. The hand hidden in his sleeve clenched tightly, and his desire for Strength once again surged:
If only my Talent hadn't disappeared...
Xiao Yan's fingernails almost dug into his palm, but just then, a delicate little hand quietly slipped through his sleeve and gently pressed his clenched hand. Xun'er softly said:
"Brother Xiao Yan, if she truly acts like this, it's only her loss. Xun'er believes that in the future, she will regret her short-sightedness today!"
The groundwork was laid. She didn't say anything more, just continued doing what she had always done.
His Fiancée came to Annul the Engagement, yet she remained by his side as always. The contrast between them would undoubtedly increase her importance in his heart significantly.
While the two were talking in low voices, both parties began to discuss the main topic. Nalan Yanran saw that Elder Ge Ye had not stated his purpose for a long time and began to urge him.
When she was young, she didn't understand the meaning of the engagement between her and Xiao Yan. But as she grew older, especially in recent years, she found that when others talked about Xiao Yan, they would always include her. The looks in their eyes revealed some mockery and pity. That kind of gaze made her heart tremble with fear.
She gradually discovered that the engagement seemed to foreshadow that her future life would be tied to the person who only existed in the ridicule of others. This feeling was like being plunged into darkness, filled with intense fear.
She wanted to sever this bond. She didn't want to keep seeing others mention Xiao Yan and always have a strange sense of sympathy and pity, or schadenfreude, directed at her. She hoped that when others spoke of her, it wouldn't be because she was Xiao Yan's Fiancée, but simply because she was Nalan Yanran!
Under her urging, Ge Ye had no choice but to lightly cough, cup his hands towards Xiao Zhan, and then state his purpose:
"Ahem, the main reason for coming to the Xiao Family this time is to ask for something!"
What could he do? Before coming out, the Sect Master had only told him to prioritize Nalan Yanran and handle her affairs well, but hadn't told him what those affairs were. Only after arriving here did he learn that Nalan wanted to Annul the Engagement. This was something he truly found difficult to bring up.
Firstly, he was an outsider. Secondly, he was from the Cloud Mist Sect. If he were the one to speak, setting aside everything else, if this matter spread in the future, the Cloud Mist Sect would definitely be accused of using their Momentum to bully others. While this might be insignificant to Cloud Mist, it was different for him personally. Who could guarantee that he wouldn't be the one pushed out to take the blame?
"Hehe, Mister Ge Ye, please speak your mind. If it's within our capabilities, the Xiao Family should not refuse."
Xiao Zhan dared not neglect Ge Ye and spoke politely, but he didn't make any absolute promises.
Ge Ye gritted his teeth and still decided to play the bad guy, but he ultimately had his own considerations. He spoke of Nalan's intentions somewhat indirectly:
"This is Nalan Yanran. I heard that she has an engagement with your Young Master. Ahem, although the Cloud Mist Sect doesn't advocate for this, we won't interfere. However..."
As he spoke, he saw the expressions of the Xiao Family members turn gloomy, evidently anticipating his next words.
He inwardly groaned.
The Cloud Mist Sect had been elevated too high by the previous Sect Master, so high that almost everyone in the Jia Ma Empire knew of the Cloud Mist Sect.
The higher one stands, the more scenery one sees, but correspondingly, more eyes are also watching the Cloud Mist Sect.
If Yun Shan were here, they naturally wouldn't fear this, but the current Sect Master, while not bad, lacked Yun Shan's Strength, breadth of mind, and boldness. It was very likely that other forces would seize the opportunity to drag the Cloud Mist Sect down.
For example, Annul the Engagement, which was originally a small matter, but if used by someone with malicious intent, then...
"Nalan Jie, ah Nalan Jie, you've certainly played a good hand."
He didn't have much fondness for the Nalan Family. He even suspected that Yun Yun had been used by Nalan Jie. After all, that Old Guy doted on Nalan Yanran greatly, and he didn't believe he would sacrifice such an outstanding junior like Nalan Yanran.
By having Nalan Yanran and the Cloud Mist Sect propose it, his family's face would suffer no loss. He might even gain a good reputation by scolding Nalan Yanran a few times.
Ge Ye felt that this possibility was very high, but he was insignificant and couldn't say much. He could only follow the arrangements and brace himself to continue speaking:
"Patriarch Xiao, you also know your Young Master's situation. Yanran cultivates in the Cloud Mist Sect and often hears people discussing her with your Young Master, which has affected her growth. This time, we ask Patriarch Xiao... to dissolve the engagement!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly fell silent. The Xiao Family Elders looked at Xiao Zhan and saw that his expression was extremely grim. Then, they subconsciously looked at Xiao Yan, only to find that he seemed to have anticipated this long ago and didn't show much surprise.
They didn't mock Xiao Zhan and his son. One reason was that they knew when others laughed at Xiao Yan, they always referred to him as the Genius of the Xiao Family!
Another reason was that they hadn't given up hope yet and hadn't resigned themselves to fate. They didn't just focus on the small plot of land in Wutan City. They still wanted to return to the Imperial Capital. With a goal, they would unite and work hard.
All of this changed because of the Old Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, and the root cause was simply because Yun Shan met a person who shouldn't have existed in this world.
Zhao Li wasn't in the Jianghu (Martial World), but the Jianghu changed everywhere because of him. The Xiao Family was just the tip of the iceberg.
Several Elders looked at Xiao Yan, feeling increasingly regretful for him. If Xiao Yan's Talent hadn't disappeared and he still had this Temperament, it would probably be difficult not to become a strong person, right? But now...
Seeing this, Ge Ye was also helpless. What he said was already quite indirect, but it still showed signs of enraging the Xiao Family members.
In fact, if they calmed down, this matter wasn't really a big deal. But now, everyone in the Xiao Family was caught in one line of thinking – Nalan, leveraging the Momentum of the Cloud Mist Sect, was forcefully Annul the Engagement, trampling on the Xiao Family's dignity.
"Patriarch Xiao, I also know this matter is a bit difficult for you. This is a small compensation. I hope Patriarch Xiao will agree and settle this matter."
With the words out, Ge Ye had no more reservations. He spoke and acted much more casually than before. He took out a brocade box from his Storage Ring. When he opened it, a wave of Medicinal Fragrance filled the air. Everyone knew its Rank was definitely not low just by smelling it.
Ge Ye said proudly:
"This is a Fourth Rank Dou Crystal Tempering Pill. As the name suggests, taking this pill can temper the Dou Crystal and allow a Dou Spirit expert to advance one Star Rank. It was made by our Sect's Old Sect Master."
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