Chen Yang's sudden interruption made Xiao Zhan, who sat at the head, pause for a moment before delight flickered across his Face.
Looks like this young Alchemist has a good impression of Yaner!
I hope he has a way to solve Yaner's problem.
At that moment Xiao Yan looked toward Xun'er; just now, before taking her seat, she had invited him to sit with her, but the young man even his father treated with deference seemed the better choice right now.
Meeting his gaze, Xun'er gave a slight nod, signaling Xiao Yan to go to Chen Yang.
At the same time she studied Chen Yang curiously; the boy was already a Nine-Star Great Dou Shi at such a tender age and in a state of Perfection—once the opportunity arrived he could break through to the Dou Spirit Rank.
An eighteen- or nineteen-year-old Dou Spirit counted for nothing in the Gu clan, but anywhere else on the continent it would absolutely mark a Genius.
Moreover, his main profession was Alchemist.
Seeing Xun'er nod, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, walked to Chen Yang's side, respectfully called him Great Master, and sat down beside him.
Brat, stretch out your hand!
Ignoring everyone else present, Chen Yang spoke to him in a deep voice.
Sorry to trouble you, Great Master!
Xiao Yan hastily lifted his right hand and laid it on the tea-table between them.
Chen Yang rested his fingers on Xiao Yan's wrist, sent a gentle stream of Qi into his body, and at the same time observed with his Soul Power.
Up above, Xiao Zhan was chatting idly with Ge Ye, yet his gaze kept sweeping toward the pair.
Everyone in the hall who knew the inside story—Xiao Zhan, Xun'er, and Ya Fei—felt uneasy, worried whether Xiao Yan's problem could be solved.
Those who didn't know, such as the three from Cloud Mist Sect and the rest of the Xiao Family, simply watched Chen Yang and Xiao Yan curiously.
From Xiao Zhan's attitude toward Chen Yang they could guess the youth's identity was extraordinary, but since Xiao Zhan hadn't said, they didn't ask.
Chen Yang kept his eyes closed, sensing the flow of Qi through Xiao Yan's body. Nearly twenty-five minutes passed before he finally noticed a trace of his own Qi vanish.
Moreover, his keen Soul perception was able to lock onto where that Qi had last disappeared—Xiao Yan's left hand.
Of course, with the Soul Power of a Third-Grade Alchemist, he could never have located the leakage if he'd merely searched blindly; but when you already know the answer, finding the reason becomes simple.
Even so, it had taken him almost half an hour to detect the clue.
At this point Xiao Yan was extremely anxious. He watched the tightly-shut-eyed Chen Yang, saw Xun'er give him an encouraging smile, and caught the concern in Xiao Zhan's eyes above; guilt flickered through him.
Even if this Alchemist can solve my problem, Father will probably have to pay a huge price, Xiao Yan thought, a bitter smile tugging at his lips—just as Chen Yang opened his eyes.
I… Xiao Yan began to ask about his condition, only to see the white-robed Elder from Cloud Mist Sect slowly rise, cup his hands toward Xiao Zhan, and say, Clan Leader Xiao, we have come to your Family mainly to ask a favor.
Chen Yang glanced over, saw the main event beginning, and casually patted Xiao Yan's wrist while giving him a nod.
Xiao Yan was startled; he wasn't stupid—if Chen Yang nodded, did that mean there was a way to solve his problem?
Instantly the youth's heart surged with wild joy, yet he feared it might be false hope; he was now more nervous than before.
Nothing terrifies people more than hope followed by despair.
Chen Yang paid him no further attention; at the moment he was Incarnation of a perfect melon-eating bystander, focused on enjoying the show.
A high-definition camera to record this famous scene would be great; when Xiao Yan reaches the Dominator realm I could sell it to him for tens of thousands of Dominator-grade Medicinal Pills, Chen Yang mused, secretly shaking his head in regret.
Behind him, Ya Fei stared at Chen Yang in puzzlement.
Clan Leader Xiao, I know this request is difficult, but for the Sect Master's sake, please annul the marriage contract. With Ge Ye laying his cards on the table, the atmosphere in the hall froze.
Xiao Zhan rose and smashed the table with one palm; an illusory lion head appeared behind him, fully revealing the might of a Six-Star Great Dou Shi.
Six-Star???
When did the Clan Chief break through?
The three Elders had been ready to mock Xiao Zhan, but his Six-Star Great Dou Shi cultivation shocked them into silence.
If Xiao Zhan had remained a Five-Star Great Dou Shi, he would still have to fear their combined opposition.
But now he was already Six-Star… and no one knew whether he might advance again.
When did this guy break through? The intelligence said he was only a Five-Star Great Dou Shi, Ge Ye thought, stepping in front of Nalan Yanran and frowning at Xiao Zhan.
With only one star between them—and Ge Ye's Cultivation Technique a Rank lower—if they really fought, he might not come out on top.
"Uncle Xiao!" Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control, Nalan Yanran quickly shouted.
Xiao Zhan gave Nalan Yanran a cold stare for two and a half seconds, then finally, helplessly, withdrew his Dou Qi and slumped back into his chair.
"Niece Nalan, what boldness. With a daughter like you, Nalan Su must be the envy of all," Xiao Zhan said bitterly, shaking his head, his voice hoarse.
With the tense stand-off temporarily eased, Ge Ye exhaled in relief, licked his lips, and from his storage ring produced a Qi Gathering Powder as compensation.
Watching a Cloud Mist SectElder casually produce a fourth-grade pill, Xiao Zhan could only sigh in resignation.
They could throw out a pill worth nearly two hundred thousand without blinking, while he had to scrape and divert Family assets just to buy two third-grade pills… Strength—if only he were a Dou Wang expert, even if Yaner had problems, Sect MasterYun Yun would think twice before calling off the engagement.
Now… "Shh!"
Beside Chen Yang, Xiao Yan suddenly shot to his feet. Just as he was about to speak, Chen Yang's voice rang in his mind: "Kid, don't act on impulse. I can solve your problem. Right now, squeeze every last drop of value out of this broken engagement.
Noticing Xiao Yan's twisted expression, Chen Yang sipped his tea and continued to transmit calmly: "Face isn't given by others—it's earned. You've got no strength, no talent, no backing. Even if you curse her out, you'll just look like a clown.
Watching Xiao Yan's shifting expression, Chen Yang set down his cup. "You're not a child anymore. You know the smart play. Today's mockery is nothing but a tiny step on your path to growth.
Listening to Chen Yang, Xiao Yan gradually calmed. "Years from now, when you're a Dou Wang, Dou Zun, even Dou Di, those who mocked you will only sigh: 'As expected of Xiao Yan.' Then your father will swell with pride."
"Haa…"
After Chen Yang's final words, Xiao Yan exhaled slowly and gave him a slight nod.
The War God Han Xin endured the humiliation of crawling between legs; King Goujian slept on brushwood and tasted gall. Why should I, Xiao Yan, ruin myself for a moment's pride and so-called Face?
"Xiao Yan, what are you standing for? This isn't your place—"
"Hmm???"
Second Elder Xiao Ying was scolding him when Chen Yang shot him a single glare.
Xiao Ying's breath caught; he swallowed hard and shrank back.
"Father, may I decide this matter?" Xiao Yan stepped forward, bowing to Xiao Zhan.
"Of course; this is your own marriage, Yaner," Xiao Zhan answered.
"Thank you, Father." Xiao Yan bowed again, then turned to Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran.
"ElderGe Ye, Miss Nalan,"
I can agree to the annulment."
The words startled Xiao Zhan; deep guilt flashed across his Face—he knew his son must have struggled before deciding.
"Thank you. As compensation I'll add three more Qi Gathering Powders, and if you wish, I'll recommend you to Cloud Mist Sect for AdvancedCultivation Techniques and Dou Techniques," Nalan Yanran said, delighted by his quick consent.
But Xiao Yan shook his head at her offer. "Not enough."
"Not enough???" Her budding goodwill vanished—so he was just another greedy opportunist.
"Correct. Tell me, Miss Nalan, does Old Master Nalan know about this annulment?"
"My marriage is my own business—what does Grandpa have to do with it?" she retorted stubbornly.
"Heh…" Xiao Yan chuckled. "Our engagement was set by my grandfather and Old Master Nalan. A Dou Wang expert's promise surely weighs more than four Qi Gathering Powders and some so-called Advanced techniques?"
"You—" Flustered, Nalan Yanran stamped her foot. "Fine—name your price!!!"
Xiao Yan drew a deep breath, glanced at Xiao Zhan, and resisted looking back at Chen Yang. "Five million gold coins, one fire-attribute Profound Rank High-RankCultivation Technique, one Profound Rank High-RankDou Technique—or three Profound RankIntermediate Dou Techniques—one hundred third-grade cultivation pills, and ten fourth-grade pills."
His outrageous demand left everyone stunned.
Even Chen Yang and Xun'er smiled.
"You… you…"
Impossible!!!" Nalan Yanran cried.
(End of Chapter)
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