Elder Ge Ye and Xiao Zhan exchanged false pleasantries. Both more than practiced with the matter. Xiao Yan refused to entertain or play a part in the play. No matter how many times he was reborn, certain things were just a no for him.
Behind the man and to the side was none other than Nalan Yanran, heiress to the Yun Lan Sect. Arrogant and haughty for a little girl but grooming paid a big part in that development. She was prepared from a young age to carry the future of her sect on her shoulders.
Which technically crumbles a good bit due to her as well as the Clan's own stupidity later.
Memory served they did not have a happy ending. But the same could be said for most places that messed with Xiao Yan and company. Despite the attitude, she did care for him in her own way. A weird twisted form of protection.
But that didn't matter anymore.
"Hmm, oh yeah." Xiao Yan mumbled while snapping his fingers. Xun Er was next to him feeling a little antsy for some reason. With him having recovered and already matching her in level, she feared the engagement would continue. "Nice little jewels and treasures for the engagement breakoff actually."
"Breakoff?" Xun Er looked a little bewildered. Her eyes resting on Xiao Yan who walked into the conversation without a second thought. 'What is he up to?'
"These swords, elixirs, and other potions are the best our Sect has to offer." The old elder was nice enough while speaking. "Especially these elixirs made by the elixer King Gu He himself! They can raise an individual's dou-qi significantly."
The older elder and fat elders in the clan had greedy looks on their faces. Almost drooling at the elixirs. Thinking these were gifts for the marriage, the duo already started to think of ways to use them.
"Ehem," Xiao Zhan was not liking the look of things. Keeping a straight face and calm composure, he acted in a manner of a typical clan head. "Gifts like these do not come free, what does Yun Lan want of me in return?"
Xiao Yan had moved over to the treasures and expected them. The weapons were a decent metal with a few qi fluxes around them. The various medicines were up to par and defintely would work as he tried them and check between them and that of previous Dimensions.
"I just can not think of where the Empire's.." Xiao Zhan stopped talking. Looking at his son go about things carefree. 'What is he doing?!' The behavior was not something that was ok. Especially when he was thinking of ways to explain to the clan that his strength returned.
"We do have something to ask..." The Yun Lan elder was bewildered by the behavior of Xiao Yan as well. But he did not want to mess up the plan. Shaking his head, he continued while looking directly at the Xiao Patriarch. "It is something that only you can do, Xiao Zhan. For the future of our leader and Yun Lan Sect, we have a small favor to ask."
Bother by the fact that Xiao Yan looked at the treasures instead of her, Nalan Yanran couldn't wait anymore.
"It is better I say it myself." Her eyes opened up as she spoke loud and clear. "Patriarch Xiao Zhan, please forgive my bluntness! We're here for one purpose! I Nalan Yanran wish to cancel my engagement with Xiao Yan!"
"It is fine." A voice said clearly.
"You must be joking." Xiao Zhan still kept his composure. "This marriage was arranged by.."
"It is fine "I" said." Xiao Yan said over his shoulder. With a wave of his hand, the treasures were kept away into his Internal Space. "Thank you for showing the "worth" of your heiress." A small smirk came over but was pulled back respectfully enough.
"What did you say!?" Yanran could tell from the tone he didn't really care about the engagement. The confidence he exuded irked her somehow. "Is that all you care about? The treasure?"
"Patriarch.." The Yun Lan elder wanted the process to go as smoothly as possible. "..we know that the request was rash. But since your son does not want to as well, we should end it. The Sect Leader is willing to give anything else as compensation if need be."
"Your Sect Leader should focus on the old enemies that plot to kill him." Xiao Yan was done with the matter and anything else didn't matter with the situation really. "And you should focus on getting stronger, as well as your teacher before she gets killed."
Xun Er had know idea what he was talking about but was happy he ended the engagement. She walked next to him as they tried to leave.
"Yun Lan Sect, do not think you can bully my clan! Xiao Yan is just a child! He can not make this decision!" The Clan leader was more worried about the wrong matters than the wishes of his son.
"Whatever you want, just ask for it, and it shall be fulfilled! But as for the marriage.." his arm cut in the air as his qi built up. "... it must be canceled!" He was ready to attack with his Greenwood Blade tech if need be.
"Yun Lan Sect, do not force my hand!" Xiao Zhan did not want to appear weak. Despite the situation already turning for the worse with the way Xiao Yan acted. His Lion's Fury technique bursting to put the elder in his place.
"Are you just going to leave like this!" Yanran yelled in fury. Part of her wanting him to at least fight for their engagement. Despite the fact, she was the one that wanted to break it off. "Are you that much of a coward now!?"
"Haa.." Xiao Yan stopped and turned around. With a raise of his hand, he showed a little restraint. ".. I am giving you what you want. Respecting your wishes. Is this not what "you" wanted?" His qi enveloping the room creating some pressure.
*Brrrm!* Some of the furniture was crushed in the process. Xiao Zhan and the elders flinched from the oppressive force that targeted them but not Nalan Yanran and Xun Er. That level of skill was beyond any of them.
"My own fate should be decided by me alone! I don't want my life decided for me!" Yanran, unaware of the situation continued to act haughtily. "As a man, I am sure you can understand this? But at least show some remorse!"
"Why should I?" Xiao Yan gave a slight shrug. "What happened as kids was in the past. If the present you has turned into this, why would I want to be with you?" Feeling his Flame Vortex Core spinning faster, it was better to get somewhere to digest. "You have a "bright future" as a "favored disciple" and all."
"You act as if you are better than me!" Yanran summoned her sword and attacked. "Hah! You can't even dodge, you have no right to even be in my presence!"
"Nalan Yanran, what are you doing?!" Xiao Zhan shouted. The oppressive energy around him was pushed off. He stopped all short of attacking after noticing something.
*Woosh!* Her sword cut through an afterimage. Xiao Yan appeared behind her and place a hand on her shoulder.
"I wonder who you were trying to attack with that weak skill?" Xiao Yan's voice came out slightly sinister. His breath grazing her neck sending goosebumps down her body. The young teen felt a small brush of death. "Do not get so heated over small matters. Not good for your development."
Xiao Yan let her go and walked off. Xun Er following after glaring at Nalan Yanran and saying her piece. If it wasn't for the fact he recovered before, she might have attacked the young teen in anger.
"For your sake, you better not regret what happened today." Xun Er was somewhat conflicted but also very happy she didn't have to act after thinking the matter over. 'His skill has increased so much, I wonder how he did it?'
"It is time we leave." Elder Ge grabbed the young heiress. Somewhat shaken by what just happened. He caught a little bit of lightning when Xiao Yan moved earlier. "To think he recovered to such an extent, congratulations Xiao Zhan."
"He recovered..." Nalan Yanran just was catching on. The skill change as well as his attitude was an issue now. "Three years from now, I'll await your son for a challenge! If he loses, he must announce publicly the canceling of the engagement due to whatever I say! As for the treasures.. keep them!"
Her scramble to save her dignity was the only thing in her mind now.
Xiao Zhan agreed. His mind on other issues instead of making Yun Lan Sect angry. Ways on fixing clan issues for one. The Elders were thinking of ways to get their hands on some of the treasure.
.
In his room-
.
Xiao Yan was cultivating Astral Fire Body Sense. Formulating a few changes from the last few Manuals he brushed up against in Tales of Demons and Gods. His clothes were to the side as a few Runes were carved into the floor for protection.
Two of the Elixers that were just received floated in front of him. The lids popped off as the qi in the room built up higher. Blue white runic lines of power appeared on his flesh. Creating a protection of his neuro network to speed up cultivation in the future.
The other runic lines powered by his Aspects were still dormant. He would need time to bring all of it back.
"Brother Xiao Yan..." Xun Er had caught up with him. The guards had already slacked off instead of guarding his room like they were supposed to do. The information had not gotten around that he had recovered and was very dangerous. The clan member whose jaw he destroyed was still in medical. ".. what is going on!?"
*Fwish!* Flames of qi kicked up to the ceiling but did not burn. The elixir's liquid was poured over his flesh. If anyone saw the use, they would lose their minds! They were not meant for this after all, traditionally.
As the liquid entered his bloodstream, the Metal Seed pulsed and hummed. In moments, it spread throughout his body further. The refined bodies and qi in the Flame Vortex Core pushing it higher.
Deep inside the ring, soul energy was squeezed out. As well as qi getting swiped from the surroundings.
'He has not given up, no matter.' Xiao Yan did not care really. Since the qi it took in was not from him gathering it. Pushing the qi throughout his body, he released it after it settled. "Humph! To easy!"
The later stages would be an issue, however.
The qi in the room vanished. The two bottles shattered and were swept away. Xun Er stood there blinking in shock. Xiao Yan stepped into the realm of a Dou Practitioner with ease before her eyes. Seeing his body grow was even more shocking, especially his appendage that she found herself looking at.
"Not good to barge in on people like this." Xiao Yan cleaned himself up and redressed. Xu Er turned around embarrassed. "Is there a reason you barged in like this? Something the matter?"
"No, just wanted to talk to you." Xu Er said flustered. She made an excuse and left the room. "I will talk to you later! See you in the morning!" She moved away pretty fast. 'I will ask him tomorrow what happened!'
As Xu Er moved away, a few others in the family moved to Xiao Yan's room. Some to cause trouble others to rob him. Even though a few heard he recovered, they still didn't think much of him. And the talk about him obtaining some rewards also enticed them to act.
*Bam!* The door was knocked open as they entered the room unannounced. The looks of greed were enough to make a regular person scared. Not Xiao Yan however. It made him smile as this would allow him to speed up his cultivation while learning about matters in the clan.
"Such resources coming to me easily. I must have done something right in my last life to deserve such a good family like this." The death of the family members would go unexplained easily enough. For not a trace would be left behind. 'With all that happens later in this Dimension, it is better I grow in strength quickly and have a few people to support me before its to late.'