"Young friend Xiao Yan, no need to rush," Yun Xian said calmly. "When I mentioned an unwilling engagement, that applies to you as well. I noticed you and the young lady beside you seem quite close—childhood sweethearts, perhaps?"
Yun Xian's deft shift in topic left Xiao Yan dumbfounded.
"I-I… Xun'er and I are just…" Xiao Yan stammered, unable to form a coherent response.
"Mmm~" Gu Xun'er lowered her head, her cheeks flushed crimson.
This guy's already got someone, yet he's making a fuss? Nalan Yanran's lips twitched. She'd felt a twinge of guilt for abandoning her nominal "fiancé," but now it seemed he already had a partner!
"Well…" Xiao Zhan's expression turned awkward, at a loss for words.
The three Xiao elders exchanged glances, choosing silence. They were wary of Gu Xun'er's powerful background and dared not speak out of turn.
"As the saying goes, a forced melon isn't sweet. Why should our families cling to a mere piece of paper?" Yun Xian's argument was sound, leaving the Xiao family struggling to counter.
"Be that as it may, this engagement was set by Old Master Nalan and our Xiao ancestors…" Xiao Zhan's eyes flickered, his words trailing off.
Years ago, Xiao Lin had saved Nalan Jie's life, and the two swore a blood oath, sealing their bond with a betrothal for their descendants. In essence, this engagement was bought with Xiao Lin's life—how could it be so easily dissolved?
"This has nothing to do with my grandfather! My marriage is my own to decide!" Nalan Yanran interjected, her tone resolute.
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, seething inwardly. Easy for you to say! Did my grandfather's sacrifice mean nothing?
"Yanran, sit down," Yun Xian said, curbing her tactless outburst.
"Yes, Little Uncle-Master," Nalan Yanran complied obediently.
Gu Xun'er cast a thoughtful glance at the pair.
"Let me clarify: we're here to mutually dissolve the engagement, not to annul it unilaterally," Yun Xian emphasized.
"Dissolve the engagement? What's the difference from annulling it?" Xiao Ning muttered, another thoughtless remark.
"Idiot! Shut up!" Xiao Yu swiftly smacked her foolish brother.
Xiao Zhan and the others caught Yun Xian's subtext, their expressions softening as they signaled for him to continue.
"Please forgive Yanran's willfulness in defying our ancestors' wishes. To make amends, we offer compensation to the Xiao family," Yun Xian said.
With a flick of his storage ring, a green jade box materialized in his hand. As he opened it, three potent fragrances filled the Xiao family hall.
Xiao Zhan and the three elders leaned forward, their eyes widening in shock. "Qi Gathering Powder? Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill? And Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill?!"
"What?!" Nalan Yanran's eyes widened, equally stunned.
Fourth-grade pills weren't cheap candies; even Yun Lan Sect couldn't produce them casually. She recalled Yun Yun giving her only one Qi Gathering Powder before they left. Where had these two additional fourth-grade pills come from?
In truth, the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill and Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill were looted from Yun Leng's storage ring after his death. Yun Xian, too lazy to explain, gave Nalan Yanran a look, letting her figure it out.
Nalan Yanran blinked, then realization dawned. I get it! Little Uncle-Master bought these two fourth-grade pills out of his own pocket for me!
Qi Gathering Powder, a fourth-grade pill, guaranteed a ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi cultivator's successful formation of a Dou Zhi Qi cyclone, becoming a Dou Zhe. Xiao Yu's eyes gleamed; as a ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi prodigy of the Xiao family's younger generation, she stood a strong chance of receiving it.
The Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill, requiring three types of flames to refine, could boost a Da Dou Shi's strength by one to three stars, depending on its quality. The Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, a peak fourth-grade pill, ensured a one-star increase for a Da Dou Shi with no resistance, stackable with similar pills.
Xiao Zhan's breathing quickened, his heart racing. As a five-star Da Dou Shi, consuming both pills could propel him to the Dou Ling realm within a year or two!
"There's more," Yun Xian said, producing two scrolls from his storage ring. Infusing them with Dou Qi, golden characters glowed on their surfaces:
Mid Xuan-Class Dou Technique: Explosive Step
High Xuan-Class Cultivation Method: Flowing Rock Art
The former was a Yun Lan Sect technique, while Yun Leng secretly purchased the latter with his private funds, never revealed publicly, so there was no risk of exposure.
"Hiss!" The Xiao family gasped collectively.
The Xiao family's top cultivation method, the Mid Xuan-Class Mad Lion's Fury, was exclusive to Patriarch Xiao Zhan. Yet Yun Xian casually offered a High Xuan-Class cultivation method and a Mid Xuan-Class Dou Technique—an irresistible temptation!
"Wow!" Xiao Mei's face lit up, her earth-attribute Dou Qi perfectly suited to the Flowing Rock Art.
Such extravagance… Xiao Yan had intended to protest, but the offer was simply too generous. The three fourth-grade pills alone could fetch over two million gold coins at auction—nearly a decade's worth of Xiao family revenue. Add the Xuan-Class techniques, and refusal seemed impossible.
As expected, the Xiao family members were visibly swayed. Family honor mattered, but these tangible benefits were undeniable.
"Furthermore, I can recommend two slots for Xiao family disciples to join Yun Lan Sect," Yun Xian added, a glint in his eyes. This is my true aim.
By bringing Xiao family members into Yun Lan Sect, he could turn foes into allies.
"Join Yun Lan Sect…" The Xiao disciples' hearts raced. As the Jia Ma Empire's premier sect, countless vied for entry.
"Patriarch, Yun Lan Sect's sincerity is clear. Perhaps…" one elder began.
"Indeed! Qi Gathering Powder can produce a new young Dou Zhe instantly. The Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill and Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill could push the Patriarch to Dou Ling. These are massive boons for our future!" another chimed in.
"With these techniques, our Xiao family could dominate Wu Tan City!" the third elder urged.
"This…" Xiao Zhan's face twisted with conflict. As a father, he hated seeing his son wronged, but as patriarch, he had to prioritize the family's interests.
Sensing his father's turmoil, Xiao Yan, ever filial, spoke up. "Father, I agree to this. I consent to dissolving the engagement with Nalan Yanran."
"Yan'er, you…" Xiao Zhan's heart ached for his son's maturity.
"It's fine. A man must know when to hold on and when to let go," Xiao Yan said with a faint smile, his demeanor open and genuine. "Miss Nalan and I were never meant to be. Better to part ways and forget each other."
That's my Brother Xiao Yan! Gu Xun'er's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Young friend Xiao Yan, such magnanimity!" Yun Xian said, smiling with satisfaction. This is the Xiao Yan I know from the original story!
As for battling Soul Heavenly Emperor and saving the Dou Qi Continent? That grand burden's all yours, buddy! I just want to kick back!
Thus, through Yun Xian's mediation, Nalan Yanran successfully dissolved the engagement, and the Xiao family received generous compensation. Both sides parted amicably, and Yun Lan Sect's cursed "Three-Year Pact" was averted.
"You flatter me, Master Yun," Xiao Yan said, rubbing his nose, a determined look crossing his face. "If I may make a humble request…"
"Speak freely," Yun Xian said, sipping his tea.
"I wish to propose a three-year pact with Nalan Yanran…"