Chapter Fifteen: Breaking the Engagement [Part Three]

Chief Xiao, in truth, I have come here today for one particular matter,” Elder Ge Ye finally revealed his purpose, sensing that the time was right.

“Oh? Elder Ge, please speak freely. As long as it is within the Xiao Family’s power, we will certainly not decline,” Xiao Zhan stood up as well, replying with polite courtesy.

“To put it plainly, it concerns your son, Xiao Yan.” At this, Ge Ye cast a calm glance toward Xiao Yan.

“So it has finally come,” a flash of anger crossed Xiao Yan’s face, clearly seen by Lin An and Nalan Yanran.

“What is it?” A sense of foreboding suddenly welled up in Xiao Zhan’s heart.

“In fact…we are here to dissolve the engagement,” Ge Ye said, steeling himself.

Xiao Zhan’s expression changed minutely. The smile faded from his face, his large hand trembling slightly as he struggled to suppress his fury. Were it not for the influence of the Yunlan Sect and the Nalan family, he might have erupted on the spot.

The three elders were shaken by Gu Changqing’s words, but soon their faces showed schadenfreude; clearly many were eager to see Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan humiliated.

“I know this is difficult, but we are here today to resolve this matter. So, I hope Chief Xiao will grant us this request. After all, forcing things rarely ends well—for both Yanran and Xiao Yan, this will be beneficial, not harmful.”

Seeing the anger repressed within Xiao Zhan, Ge Ye continued, unconcerned.

“Heh…”

“Only benefits, no harm—Elder Ge, you truly have a way with words,” Xiao Zhan’s face was now dark as night, his fists clenched, pale blue battle energy rising to envelop his body, finally gathering faintly into the image of a spectral lion’s head over his face.

Xiao Family’s top technique: Furious Lion’s Might! Grade: Intermediate Profound!

Xiao Zhan’s aura burst forth without restraint. The weaker youths in the hall turned pale instantly, their chests tight with pressure.

Yet, the aura Xiao Zhan released meant nothing to Ge Ye—it had no effect on him at all.

Xiao Zhan’s breath grew rapid, teetering on the verge of losing control.

“Xiao Zhan, don’t forget you are the chief of the Xiao Family. Stand down at once,” an elder reminded him.

With this, Xiao Zhan’s body stiffened, his aura dissipating.

Thud—

It was as if Xiao Zhan had expended all his strength at once; he slumped into the chief’s seat, gazing coldly at Nalan Yanran. His voice rasped, “Miss Nalan, you have remarkable courage. Nalan Su is fortunate indeed to have a daughter like you—truly enviable.”

“I told you, granting the dissolution will bring only benefit, not harm.”

“This is a top-grade Profound martial skill, and three third-tier Spirit Pills, which can help Xiao Yan recover his former talent and return to the path of cultivation.”

As he spoke, Ge Ye produced a precious jade bottle and a pitch-black scroll—none other than the Spirit Pills and the top-grade Profound martial skill.

These were prepared in advance by Yun Yun as compensation for Xiao Yan.

The crowd, who moments ago sported disdainful and mocking expressions, now looked on with envy.

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Third-tier pills—no family in Wutan City could easily produce such treasures. If auctioned, it would shake the entire city.

A third-tier pill could cultivate three experts above the rank of Great Fighter for the Xiao Family—an opportunity not easily found.

The three elders’ eyes gleamed with greed; the top-grade Profound martial skill was equally tempting.

As expected from the Yunlan Sect—such generosity.

Others looked on with jealousy. In their eyes, Xiao Yan was now a useless waste, unworthy of Nalan Yanran; to receive such compensation was a stroke of extraordinary luck.

With the power of the Yunlan Sect and Nalan family, even without compensation, the Xiao Family would not dare protest.

Ge Ye uncorked the precious jade bottle, and the rich scent of medicine filled the meeting hall.

Even Xiao Zhan, after inhaling a breath of the aroma, felt his battle energy surge and increase slightly.

Unimaginable—the improvement if someone truly consumed a third-tier pill.

Everyone’s gaze blazed with longing; they wished to take Xiao Yan’s place and receive the Yunlan Sect’s reward.

“To think you, a useless waste, could someday do something for the family.”

“Xiao Yan, hurry up and thank Elder Ge.”

One elder, seeing Xiao Yan’s iron face and trembling body, his rage plain, quickly reminded him.

“Elder Ge, please take your pills back. We may not agree to today’s matter,” Xiao Yan said, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

“Xiao Yan, do you know what you’re saying?”

“Yes, to compensate you, the Yunlan Sect has offered a third-tier pill—more than enough.”

“You have no place to speak here. Do you think you’re still qualified to marry Miss Nalan?”

…

With a single sentence, Xiao Yan not only drew harsh words from the three elders, but also mockery from others in the hall, who saw him as a toad lusting after swan meat.

Given his status and ability, he was utterly unworthy of Miss Nalan.

“If today the one being rejected were your own son or grandson, would you still say this?” Xiao Yan gave the elders no face, his lips curled in sarcasm as he replied coldly.

“Heh…”

“Don’t mention three pills—even one, I would gladly accept the dissolution.”

“One must have self-awareness; don’t let ignorance and greed bring ruin upon yourself,” one elder retorted with a cold sneer.

His words left Xiao Yan speechless.

Lin An watched events unfold with a smile.

Money makes even the dead work—how true that saying is.

In the original story, it was Elder Ge Ye who brought Nalan Yanran to dissolve the engagement, and the pill was meant to be a Qi Gathering Powder refined by Gu He. But now, unexpectedly, it had become a third-tier pill.

When Xiao Yan spoke those words in the story, the three elders fell silent instantly.

But now, with the plot changed, one elder pushed back without hesitation.

“Three elders, Xiao Yan is the person involved; perhaps you should refrain from interfering,” Xiao Xun’er’s voice rang out, quickly silencing the elders. Clearly, her words carried more weight than Xiao Yan’s.

Seeing Xiao Yan embarrassed, Xiao Xun’er would not sit idly by.

“Miss Nalan, I wish to know—does your grandfather know of today’s dissolution? Has he agreed?” Xiao Yan forced down his anger and stepped before Nalan Yanran, demanding coldly.

Nalan Yanran gazed gently at Lin An before turning to Xiao Yan, replying coolly, “Marriage is my affair, and has nothing to do with my grandfather.”

“Besides, you and I are strangers to each other. The so-called engagement is a burden for us both. And now, I have someone I care about.”

“If my grandfather has not spoken, then forgive me, but the marriage will not be agreed to today. Unless he speaks himself, no one else can resolve this.”

Xiao Yan pressed further, “So, in the end, you think three third-tier pills and a top-grade Profound martial skill as compensation are insufficient?” Nalan Yanran frowned, surprised by Xiao Yan’s persistence.

With his talent, he could not compare to her, let alone her junior brother Lin An.

Lin An sneered inwardly—he could see the struggle in Xiao Yan’s eyes. As a modern man, an ordinary adult, who had endured oppression since coming to this world, Xiao Yan’s desire to grow stronger was surely greater than anyone’s.

In the end, it was simply that the compensation was not enough.

If he could regain his talent for cultivation, he would probably agree to anything.

Moreover, Lin An himself had not yet achieved his own goal—how could he simply leave now?