Chapter 123: He… They're Showing Off!
[There is no reason for me to take back something I've given away.]
[Since you refuse compensation, consider it a gift for our visit.]
[Nalan Yanran waved her hand and said.]
[Xiao Yan: ...]
[Pretty generous, huh!]
[By the way, you're only at the third stage of Dou Qi right now. How exactly are you going to make me regret breaking the engagement over strength?]
[Nalan Yanran asked curiously. Everyone present was curious about that as well.]
[Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and gave a wicked smile. He had been waiting for someone to ask that!!]
[Without saying a word, he stomped his right foot. A layer of Dou Qi gauze armor appeared around his body, which is an ability only a Dou Shi could wield.]
[He didn't need a bag when buying groceries either because he, too, was showing off!!]
[Xiao Zhan, the First Elder, Ge Ye… everyone present, including Xiao Xun'er, stared at Xiao Yan in utter shock.]
[Nalan Yanran's mouth fell open, her eyes wide as if she had seen a ghost.]
[Xiao Yan said nothing. The Dou Qi gauze armor alone was enough. She understood instantly!]
["Y-you… your talent never disappeared! These past three years, you've been pretending!"]
[That was the only explanation for how Xiao Yan could be a Dou Shi!]
[Three years from Dou Zhe to Dou Shi. Xiao Yan's talent was terrifying indeed!]
[Nalan Yanran's words shifted the Xiao clan's gaze toward Xiao Zhan. That damned Clan Leader had actually hidden this from even them!]
[Yes, they believed it too.]
[The First Elder and the others didn't know what to say anymore.]
[His talent never disappeared, and he secretly became a Dou Shi powerhouse. Just how has he endured these past three years?!]
[The fact that his grandson hadn't been beaten into the ground by Xiao Yan already showed how magnanimous he was!]
["This old man proposes that starting today, Xiao Yan shall become the Young Clan Leader!"]
[The First Elder's expression changed instantly.]
[The Second Elder, Third Elder, and the rest of the clan members hurriedly nodded in agreement.]
[Not only was Xiao Yan talented, but he was also capable of such restraint. Truly terrifying indeed!]
[With such a Young Clan Leader, perhaps the Xiao clan could return to its peak!]
[Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran: ...]
[Weren't they discussing breaking the engagement? How did it turn into this?]
[After witnessing Xiao Yan's strength, Elder Ge, who had accompanied Nalan Yanran, felt immense pressure.]
[This was a true heaven's pride, a genuine genius!]
[If he had remained engaged to the Yunlan Sect's Young Sect Master, he would have become a tremendous asset to the sect in the future…]
[Whether Nalan Yanran regretted it or not, Ge Ye didn't know. But he definitely regretted bringing her here!]
[Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes, quickly suppressed.]
[That's right. His son's talent had never been an issue. He had merely hidden it for three years!]
[He had personally checked Xiao Yan's disappearing Dou Qi many times. It had truly vanished without explanation. But now, this was the only narrative that could silence the crowd.]
["Niece Nalan Yanran, my apologies. Xiao Yan was too much of a genius before. I had no choice but to have him conceal his cultivation and publicly claim he was only at the third stage of Dou Qi."]
["If you hadn't brought this matter up today, he might have hidden it for many more years until he reached Dou Ling, or even Dou Wang…"]
[Xiao Zhan spoke calmly, without a hint of embarrassment.]
[Xiao Yan's eye twitched. His father was showing off now, too!]
[Perhaps… this explanation really was the most perfect one.]
[Nalan Yanran: ...]
[Everyone: ...]
[What the hell do you mean by "too much of a genius so he had to hide it"? This father and son duo were infuriating!]
[Nalan Yanran spread her hands. To be honest, after learning the truth about Xiao Yan, she didn't feel regret.]
[She hadn't come to break the engagement because of his cultivation in the first place.]
[It was just… she felt like she had been slapped in the face.]
[A two-star Dou Zhe looking down on a Dou Shi of the same age…]
["It seems I simply lack the fortune."]
[Nalan Yanran forced a bitter smile. Not regretful but still thoroughly embarrassed.]
["No, no. It's simply that you and Xiao Yan lack destiny. Ah, this brat really went too far, saying you came because of cultivation. Niece, you clearly just seek freedom in love. The traditions of the older generation truly don't suit the young!"]
[Xiao Zhan's previously sorrowful face turned radiant. He felt utterly refreshed. As for the engagement being broken, he no longer cared in the slightest.]
[Lose face? If losing face meant his son's talent was restored, he would gladly lose it!]
[Nalan Yanran: ...]
[Xiao Xun'er glanced at Xiao Yan, then shifted her gaze to you. She had a strong feeling that Xiao Yan's regained talent was because of you.]
[She had once ordered her subordinates to examine him. They found nothing. Xiao Yan had truly been stuck at the third stage of Dou Qi.]
[As if realizing something, her brows furrowed deeply.]
[She looked at you again. The aura you exuded did not resemble the people from the Hall of Souls at all. You, Gu Yue, and Hu Liena all seemed sacred; surely you wouldn't use evil means to enhance Xiao Yan's strength.]
[She shot you a grateful look. You glanced back. Their eyes met. You concluded she might be a bit strange…]
[At this moment, Nalan Yanran also turned her attention to you. The engagement matter was over. Now she was simply curious about you.]
["Hello. I am Nalan Yanran, Young Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect. May I ask who you are? To which faction do you belong?"]
[You paused slightly at her question, but didn't mind.]
["Wang Li. A traveler wandering the world."]
[You crossed your arms and replied unhurriedly.]
[This surprised everyone. You actually had no backing faction?]
["Wandering the world? You three appear quite formidable. Would you be interested in joining our Yunlan Sect?"]
["I am a disciple of the Yunlan Sect Master. I can personally recommend you."]
[The moment she said this, Xiao Yan's eye twitched. He had personally seen you tear open space with your bare hands. At the very least, you were a legendary Dou Zun. How could you possibly join a mere Yunlan Sect?]
["No interest."]
[Your calm refusal left the Yunlan Sect group stunned. The Yunlan Sect was a major sect, yet you showed not the slightest interest.]
[However, your appearance was simply too explosive. They truly couldn't gauge what level of powerhouse you were.]
["May I ask about your cultivation level? In all my life, I've never seen a powerhouse with halos floating behind their heads."]
[Nalan Yanran asked curiously. Not only was this her first time seeing such a sight, even Xiao Xun'er, the ancient clan's princess, had never seen anything like it.]
["Merely an eight-star Dou Sheng. Not worth mentioning."]
[You replied with a faint smile.]
[???]
[!!!]
[Everyone's pupils contracted. Their expressions changed dramatically. The way they looked at you was completely different now.]
[Even Ge Ye, an elder of the Yunlan Sect, began trembling uncontrollably.]
[Eight-star Dou Sheng??]
[Not just a legendary Dou Sheng but eight stars!!]
[Xiao Yan and Yao Lao knew you were strong. They hadn't imagined you were this terrifying!]
[And you called it "merely" an eight-star Dou Sheng…]
[This was one of the most terrifying beings on the continent!]
["W-we greet the Saint!"]
End of Chapter