Chen Xiao hadn't expected that a casual remark of his would lead Xiao Yan to inherit his father's habit of smashing cups.
I just told you not to be such a coward.
I didn't tell you to be scary.
Hearing Chen Xiao's words, Zi Yan took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the urge to explode on the spot.
On the other side.
Xiao Yan had already stepped into the center of the hall.
"Esteemed Elder Ge Ye, please return from whence you came. Our Xiao Family will absolutely not agree to this matter!"
The hall fell silent, all eyes shifting to Xiao Yan.
Immediately after, came the Grand Elder's shout.
"Xiao Yan, it's not your place to speak yet. You shut your mouth!"
Xiao Zhan suddenly looked at the Grand Elder, only to see that the expressions of the Second Elder and Third Elder were identical to the Grand Elder's, fearing that Xiao Yan's rashness would offend the Yun Lan Sect.
Xiao Zhan could understand their apprehension. After a moment's thought, it was indeed possible.
For a moment, Xiao Zhan hesitated, giving Xiao Yan a look to calm down.
However, just then, a calm voice rang out.
"Let him speak."
Everyone looked over at the sound, their gaze finally settling on Chen Xiao beside Zi Yan.
Only then could Xiao Zhan and the others confirm the identity of this extremely familiar person.
When Chen Xiao had entered earlier, walking alongside Hai Bo Dong with such unrestrained confidence, it had made Xiao Zhan and the three Elders couldn't help but doubt.
Perhaps, this was just someone who looked very much like Chen Xiao.
After all, Chen Xiao's appearance now had changed somewhat from a few years ago.
Moreover, they also knew that Chen Xiao had gone to Jia Nan Academy.
"Chen Xiao?"
Chen Xiao nodded slightly towards Xiao Zhan, which served as a response.
Since he had come to join the fun, how could he leave halfway?
What's more, he knew very well that no matter how much the three Elders tried to stop it, the final outcome would be the same.
"Heh heh, this old man also admires spirited people. If a young person isn't impetuous, can they still be called young?"
Hai Bo Dong, hearing Chen Xiao speak, also chimed in to help.
With the support of their attitudes, the three Elders felt a little more at ease and said nothing further.
Xiao Yan cupped his fists slightly towards the two in thanks, feeling a bit surprised.
He remembered the name Chen Xiao, but his impression of Chen Xiao remained from when he was a child. Back then, every time Chen Xiao saw him, he would nod in greeting, completely different from the people who surrounded him. He was like a robot that only knew how to nod.
It wasn't until one day, when the Oba Family was destroyed, that he learned from Xiao Zhan that this was actually Chen Xiao's doing.
After that, he paid more attention to Chen Xiao. Unfortunately, from then on, he never encountered Chen Xiao again, not even once!
Even though Chen Xiao later stayed in the Xiao Family for several months, their routines seemed to be completely out of sync.
Slowly, Xiao Yan himself developed problems, and he no longer had the energy to pay attention to Chen Xiao.
He hadn't expected that upon meeting again now, this robot who only knew how to nod was already able to chat and laugh with the Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong.
He also hadn't expected that someone he only knew through nodding would speak up in support when he was at his most helpless and isolated.
The one who had told him to be more decisive earlier,
was also him.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the complex emotions in his mind and turned to look at the Yun Lan Sect members.
To be precise, he looked at Nalan Yanran.
"Miss Nalan, you and I are the parties to the marriage contract. If you are dissatisfied with the contract, why don't you step forward and say so yourself?"
Looking at Xiao Yan, who seemed to have gained a bit of confidence out of nowhere, Nalan Yanran let out a light snort and immediately stood up without any fear.
"Even if I explain it myself, the result will remain unchanged. I, Nalan Yanran, detest this marriage contract from the bottom of my heart. It's not because you've gone from being the so-called 'genius' to the current waste. I simply detest being decided for by others, even my grandfather."
"Of course, I also know that this matter is bad for the Xiao Family's reputation. As compensation, my teacher gave me a Qi Gathering Powder. As long as you agree to annul the marriage, it will belong to the Xiao Family."
Saying this, Nalan Yanran glanced at Ge Ye.
The latter immediately reached out and wiped a ring on his finger, and an ancient jade box, entirely green, appeared in his hand.
Carefully opening it, a strange fragrance immediately filled the hall, making everyone who smelled it feel refreshed.
Looking closely, inside the ancient box, a pill the size of a dragon's eye, entirely green, lay quietly, and the enticing strange fragrance emanated from it.
Qi Gathering Powder, a fourth-grade medicinal pill!
Chen Xiao had also taken it before, and its effects needed no further elaboration.
The members of the Xiao Family had also heard of the miraculous effects of the Qi Gathering Powder. For a moment, many of them had fervent expressions, wishing they could agree on Xiao Yan's behalf.
Seriously speaking, offering a fourth-grade medicinal pill as compensation to a small family like the Xiao Family showed some sincerity from the Yun Lan Sect's Sect Master.
However, Nalan Yanran's method of breaking off the engagement had already sealed the outcome.
"This Qi Gathering Powder was personally refined by Pill King Gu He, an honorary Elder of my Yun Lan Sect."
Ge Ye added quietly.
The name of Pill King Gu He added an intangible value to this Qi Gathering Powder.
Unfortunately, their words, when heard by Xiao Yan, only felt grating. If he accepted this kind of charitable compensation, his last shred of dignity would cease to exist.
Even if no one supported him, he wouldn't necessarily agree, not to mention he had the absolute support of Xiao Zhan, as well as the words spoken by Chen Xiao and Hai Bo Dong just now.
"Nalan Yanran, I would like to ask, regarding the breaking of the engagement today, did Elder Nalan agree?"
"Grandpa didn't agree, but I already said just now, I hate it when others make decisions for me. This is my business, and it has nothing to do with Grandpa."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan chuckled, becoming even more relentless. According to the engagement set by the two families' elders, dissolving it without the consent of the decision-makers of both families was a sacrilegious reason. He spoke in a way that made Nalan Yanran stomp her feet in anger and become speechless.
"What exactly do you want to agree to dissolve the engagement? If you think the compensation is too little? Fine, I can ask my teacher to give you three more Qi Gathering Powders. Also, if you are willing, I can even let you enter the Yun Lan Sect to cultivate advanced Dou Qi techniques. Is that enough?"
As soon as these words were spoken, it was like adding fuel to the fire, severely trampling on Xiao Yan's limited dignity.
Chen Xiao and Hai Bo Dong could both see that Xiao Yan's body was trembling violently.
They exchanged glances, both with an expectation of watching the excitement without minding the trouble.
They were not disappointed. Xiao Yan slowly raised his head. The face that couldn't be described as handsome, only as delicate, was now contorted in a somewhat terrifying way, startling the Nalan Yanran opposite him.
"Yan'er, don't be rude!" From the main seat, Xiao Zhan's heart jumped, and he quickly shouted to stop him.
Even though the current Xiao Family was several times stronger than a few years ago, in front of the Yun Lan Sect, they were still as weak as ants.
Xiao Zhan's voice calmed Xiao Yan down a little, and his tightly clenched fists slowly relaxed powerlessly.
"Nalan Yanran, you should know how embarrassing it is for the other party when the woman breaks off the engagement on the Dou Qi Continent. I don't care, I have a thick skin, but my father! He is the head of the clan. If he really agrees to your request today, how will he manage the Xiao Family in the future? How will he establish himself in Wu Tan City!"
Seeing Xiao Yan regain his composure, Nalan Yanran breathed a sigh of relief. After hearing his words, she also realized that she had been a bit reckless.
Immediately, a thought flashed through her mind, and she had a new idea.
"I can temporarily withdraw the request to dissolve the engagement, however, I need you to agree to a pact with me! Three years from now, you will come to the Yun Lan Sect to challenge me. If you lose, I will publicly dissolve the engagement. By then, you will have probably undergone the family's coming-of-age ceremony, so even if you lose, it won't make Uncle Xiao lose too much face. Do you dare to accept?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Zhan on the main seat was furious.
After all, Xiao Yan's current situation was known to everyone.
If it couldn't be changed, what was the difference between three years from now and now? By then, you might even be a Dou Shi or Da Dou Shi level person, fighting a duel with a Xiao Yan who is only at the third stage of Dou Zhi Li?
Unfortunately, Xiao Zhan's attitude could not change Nalan Yanran's decision.
Today, her mind was made up!
This engagement, no matter what, had to be broken!
Otherwise, she felt she would regret it for the rest of her life.
Since that was the case, someone had to bear the responsibility.
In Nalan Yanran's opinion, this was already a move that greatly considered Xiao Zhan's face. Otherwise, she would have ignored Xiao Yan at this moment, forcibly dissolved the marriage, and then announced it to the public!
"Nalan Yanran, you don't need to put on such a strong facade. I, Xiao Yan, became a Dou Zhe at the age of eleven, and you, Nalan Yanran, at the age of twelve, what stage of Dou Qi were you at? That's right, I am indeed a good-for-nothing now, but since I was able to create a miracle three years ago, why do you think I can't rise again in the years to come?"
"Nalan Yanran, for the sake of Elder Nalan, I, Xiao Yan, will also give you a few words of advice."
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully a young man for being poor!"
Facing the aggressive Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan finally erupted in silence and shouted this classic saying!
Immediately, he ignored Nalan Yanran's icy expression, turned abruptly, walked quickly to the table, picked up a brush, and wrote furiously!
Finally, he forcefully broke open his hand, where the blood had just clotted, leaving a dazzling bloodstain on the white paper!
"No need for three years from now, I truly have no interest in you whatsoever! The three-year pact, I, Xiao Yan, accept it, but this contract is not for dissolving the engagement, but a letter of divorce from this young master, expelling you from the Xiao Family! From now on, you, Nalan Yanran, will have no further connection with my Xiao Family!"
Thus, the three-year pact was finally set!
It must be said that watching it live was much more exciting than hearing others recount it.
Even Zi Yan, who was only interested in taking pills, was attracted by this good show and unconsciously watched the whole process.
After the three-year pact was made, although Xiao Zhan felt no joy in his heart, he absolutely supported Xiao Yan. Immediately, he no longer gave face to the three people from the Yun Lan Sect and directly asked the butler to see them out.
After Nalan Yanran and the other two left, Xiao Yan turned around and came before Hai Bo Dong and Chen Xiao.
"I've made a few guests laugh, and I also thank the Ice Emperor and... Chen Xiao for your words just now. You are right, I am already in this state, the worst that can happen is death."
Hai Bo Dong shook his head slightly. After watching the fun, he lost interest in Xiao Yan.
Chen Xiao, however, took over the conversation.
"I didn't do anything, you don't need to thank me. Now that your matter is settled, it's time to talk about our matter. Zi Yan was quite frightened by you smashing the cup just now."
Zi Yan leaned back slightly, glancing at Xiao Yan from a strange angle, almost writing "apologize quickly" on her face.
In fact, her emotions came and went quickly.
After so long, she was no longer as angry as she was at the very beginning.
Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, recalling the scene from earlier, and it seemed that was indeed the case.
Immediately, he didn't hesitate, cupping his hands and bowing to Zi Yan in apology.
"It was indeed my oversight, please forgive me, Miss Zi Yan."
Three years of being a good-for-nothing had long since shattered his former sharpness. Moreover, this was indeed his fault, so apologizing felt even less of a burden.
The current Xiao Yan had indeed grown a lot.
Chen Xiao looked at Zi Yan, letting her decide for herself.
The little dragon-human, whose anger had subsided, was quite generous and didn't dwell on the matter.
"Alright, I'll reluctantly accept your apology."
Seeing this, Chen Xiao didn't say anything more.
The excitement was over, so he immediately gave Hai Bo Dong a look, and they rose together to take their leave.
Xiao Zhan had the intention of trying to keep them, but seeing that Chen Xiao had no intention of staying overnight at the Xiao Family, he could only suppress this thought and personally escorted the four of them out of the Xiao Family's main gate.
...
At the same time, Xiao Yan, who had left the reception hall, went straight to the Back Mountain.
Nalan Yanran's assertiveness today had made him feel very stifled.
Therefore, he needed to vent by himself and also needed some quiet time to seriously think about the three-year agreement.
After all, as of now, even he himself couldn't see any chance of winning.
"I don't want to suffer today's humiliation a second time! Three years from now, it's nothing more than death!"
Spreading open his right hand, which was covered in conspicuous scars, Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse but firm.
Just as he made up his mind, an old, strange laugh eerily sounded, reaching Xiao Yan's ears.
"Hehe, little brat, it seems you're in great need of help?"
Having been hidden for many years, and having secretly spied for who knows how many years, Yao Chen finally slowly appeared before Xiao Yan tonight.
To the self-isolated, I am your breaker of isolation!
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