BTTH: I have a key to travel to Wu Dong Qian Kun.

Chapter 56: The Famous Scene – Nalan Yanran's Withdrawal from the Engagement

The next day, Xiao Tian arrived at the conference hall. Seated at the head was Xiao Zhan, the patriarch of the Xiao family. To his left were the three elders and some senior members of the family. On the opposite side sat three strangers: one woman and two men.

Xiao Tian observed them. The elderly man seated to the right wore a moon-white robe, his face full of smiles and his small eyes occasionally flashing with sharpness. On his chest was an emblem of a silver crescent moon and seven gold stars, marking him as Ge Ye, a seven-star Da Dou Shi.

Next to Ge Ye were a young man and woman. Xiao Tian ignored the young man, whose talent, at twenty years old and only a five-star Dou Zhe, was inferior even to Xiao Tian's before he obtained his golden finger. He focused on the young woman, Nalan Yanran, whose beauty was inferior to Xun'er and Queen Medusa but on par with Xia Zhilan and Ziyue. Her strength remained at the three-star Dou Zhe level, as in the original story.

After glancing at the trio, Xiao Tian nodded to Xiao Zhan and took a seat beside him. As the foremost member of the Xiao family and an alchemist, Xiao Tian was entitled to sit at the head. The entire Xiao family recognized his position, as his presence benefited everyone, enhancing their cultivation.

"Who is this young man?" Nalan Yanran signaled Ge Ye, who then asked, "Patriarch Xiao Zhan, who is this outstanding young talent?"

Xiao Zhan proudly replied, "This is our Xiao family's prodigy, Xiao Tian!"

Hearing the name, Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran lost interest. They had read Xiao Tian's file: a sixteen-year-old who had just broken through to a one-star Dou Zhe. Though talented, he was far inferior to Nalan Yanran.

Soon, Xiao Yan entered the hall. He quickly approached Xiao Zhan, Xiao Tian, and the three elders, respectfully saluting them. "Father, Cousin Xiao Tian, Elders!"

Although Xiao Tian wasn't a high-ranking member of the family, his special status commanded even Xiao Yan's respect, especially since he had also received some of the pills Xiao Tian refined.

Xiao Zhan smiled and said, "Yan'er, come sit."

Thanks to Xiao Yan regaining his talent early, the elders didn't embarrass him as in the original story. After Xiao Yan sat, Ge Ye, prompted by Nalan Yanran, stood up.

"Um, cough," Ge Ye cleared his throat, saluting Xiao Zhan awkwardly. "Patriarch Xiao, we have come to ask for a favor."

"Oh?" Xiao Zhan, though puzzled, stood politely. "Mr. Ge Ye, please speak. If it is within our power, the Xiao family will not refuse."

Ge Ye pointed to the young woman beside him. "Do you recognize her?"

"Forgive me, I do not," Xiao Zhan admitted after examining the girl.

"Her name is Nalan Yanran," Ge Ye introduced.

"Niece Nalan!" Xiao Zhan exclaimed with joy. "It has been a long time since we last met. Please don't blame me for not recognizing you."

"Uncle Xiao," Nalan Yanran smiled sweetly. "I should have visited you earlier. The fault is mine."

"I heard you were taken in by Master Yun Yun of the Yun Lan Sect. I thought it was just a rumor," Xiao Zhan praised, glancing at Xiao Yan. "But it's true. You have great talent."

"Just lucky," Nalan Yanran responded modestly, feeling uneasy with Xiao Zhan's enthusiasm. She subtly tugged on Ge Ye's sleeve, a gesture noticed by Xiao Tian. Indeed, she was fortunate. At eleven, she was only at the eighth stage of Dou Qi, yet Yun Yun, the sect leader of Yun Lan, chose her as a disciple. Xiao Yan, by eleven, had already become a Dou Zhe but had no such luck.

"Patriarch Xiao, our request is related to Yanran," Ge Ye resumed, invoking Yun Yun's name. "This matter comes directly from the sect leader."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan's smile faded, and his hand trembled slightly. Suppressing his anger, he asked with a quivering voice, "Mr. Ge Ye, please be clear."

Ge Ye awkwardly coughed and reluctantly said, "Patriarch Xiao, our Yun Lan Sect has strict rules. The sect leader plans to make Yanran the next leader. Until she officially takes over, she must remain unattached. Therefore, the sect leader requests that you dissolve Yanran's engagement."

"Bang!" Xiao Zhan's cup shattered into powder, and the Xiao family members present were filled with anger. Their family was no longer the same, and not even the Yun Lan Sect could bully them.

"I understand this is a difficult request," Ge Ye sighed. "But for the sect leader's sake, please dissolve the engagement."

"Ah!" Xiao Zhan clenched his fists, his Dou Qi turning into a faint lion's head on his face.

Ge Ye immediately positioned himself protectively in front of Nalan Yanran, his hands forming eagle claws, gathering sharp sword-like Dou Qi.

Xiao Tian, wanting to escalate the situation, suggested, "Patriarch, since the Yun Lan Sect is so arrogant, why not break his legs?"

"Hmph! A mere seven-star Da Dou Shi dares to be impudent!" "Does he think our Xiao family has no one?" "You won't leave the Xiao family unscathed today!" The three elders, always quick to follow the prevailing wind, released their own auras and joined in the scolding.

"Boom!" At that moment, an overwhelming aura burst from Xiao Zhan, forcing Ge Ye to retreat.

"A Dou Ling expert!" "And three Da Dou Shis above six stars!" "When did the Xiao family become so strong?" Ge Ye was stunned but quickly regained composure. "Patriarch Xiao, I represent the Yun Lan Sect. Don't make a mistake you will regret!"

(End of Chapter)

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