In the Void, in a place unseen by ordinary people, a great change was quietly unfolding. No matter the outcome, it would fundamentally alter the Continent's structure!
If Zhao Li succeeded in Becoming Emperor, the Continent would gain an existence unhindered by the path to emperorship!
If Zhao Li failed, the World Origin would strengthen, perhaps allowing the Plane Embryo Prototype to fully gestate, once again producing Origin Qi and ushering in a new era!
Time flowed by in that slow struggle. In the Xiao Family's reception hall, just as it was ten years ago when Gu Yuan brought Xun'er, the Xiao Family Elders and Xiao Zhan were all present. The only difference was that the people who were once relatively young now showed signs of age.
This time, however, the person sitting opposite them was not Gu Yuan, but an old man with white hair but a vigorous spirit. Behind him were a young man and woman.
The visitors were not Gu Yuan, but to the Xiao Family, they were not much different from him, for they hailed from the Jia Ma Empire's colossal power—the Cloud Mist Sect!
At this moment, tea was being sipped and words exchanged in the hall, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious, until Xiao Yan and Xun'er entered the room.
Seeing the two walk in side-by-side, Xiao Zhan's brow furrowed slightly. After all, this was his younger son's private matter, and it would be awkward with others present. But thinking of Xun'er's feelings for Xiao Yan, he sighed softly and motioned for them to sit.
The living room was quite spacious. Xiao Yan and Xun'er naturally chose seats further back and began to observe the guests.
The three people opposite them were all dressed in standard moon-white robes, with silver cloud-and-sword patterns embroidered on the cuffs. Due to the lighting, it looked as if immortal swords were soaring through the clouds.
Within the Jia Ma Empire, no one would be unaware of the power this attire represented. Xiao Yan was no exception. With just a glance, he recognized the visitors' identity and quietly exclaimed in his heart:
The Cloud Mist Sect! They truly are distinguished guests, no wonder Father and the others are so solemn.
Even though he hadn't undergone Training outside, he knew what the Cloud Mist Sect represented.
Leaving aside other things, his Xiao Family still benefited from the Cloud Mist Sect's grace—the Cloud Mist Sect Master was a person of great capability and broad vision. Many families in the Jia Ma Empire cultivated the Cultivation Techniques they had passed down!
But immediately after, Xiao Yan became filled with Doubt. How could a colossal power like the Cloud Mist Sect come to a small place like the Xiao Family?
As he was wondering, Xun'er leaned over and whispered in his ear:
"Brother Xiao Yan, do you know why they've come?"
Feeling the slight warmth by his ear, Xiao Yan's heart couldn't help but quicken. He could even hear the girl's subtle breathing, which made him feel very unsettled.
His heart skipped a beat. Xiao Yan didn't know if she was doing it on purpose or accidentally. He could only force himself to stay calm, subtly turn his head, and ask:
"Xun'er knows?"
Seeing this, a hint of slyness flashed in Xiao Xun'er's eyes. She looked at the woman over there and muttered in her heart:
Since you've made your choice, you can't blame me.
How could the person she liked have a Fiancée?
She suppressed the thought in her heart and didn't directly tell Xiao Yan what she knew. Instead, she pointed at the only woman among the three and said:
"Brother Xiao Yan, do you know that girl's name?"
Xiao Yan followed the direction she was pointing and only then noticed there was a woman among the three. Her age should be similar to his. A green jade pendant hung from her earlobe, and as it swayed slightly, it made a clear jade sound, revealing a sense of preciousness...
What surprised Xiao Yan even more was that beside the girl's already developing delicate chest, four Metal stars were embroidered, indicating her Strength.
"Four-Star Dou Disciple! She's not much worse than Xun'er!"
Regarding Xun'er's act of Building Suspense, Xiao Yan subtly counterattacked by pulling Xun'er into the conversation.
Hearing Xiao Yan mention herself, Xun'er subconsciously turned her head and saw Xiao Yan's half-smile expression. Images from the past couldn't help but flash through her mind.
Back then, even someone as proud and confident as her was easily suppressed in front of Xiao Yan. Just like now, he always seemed to be able to give her a little 'warning' in places she didn't even notice...
She reached out a finger and gently poked Xiao Yan, no longer Building Suspense, and revealed her identity:
"Her name is Nalan Yanran!"
Xiao Yan seemed not to have reacted yet. He repeated the name, then his body stiffened, and he quietly confirmed with Xun'er:
"Nalan Yanran, Nalan Yanran? That... that Fiancée I was betrothed to at birth?"
Xun'er nodded and said with a smile:
"Yes, it's her. How about it? Isn't she pretty?"
Without waiting for Xiao Yan's answer, she recounted the events of that year in detail, as if listing her family treasures:
"Grandfather and Nalan Jie were sworn brothers back then. It just so happened that you and Nalan Yanran were born at the same time, so the two old gentlemen arranged this Marriage Arrangement. Unfortunately, as Time passed, coupled with the Xiao Family leaving the Imperial Capital, the relationship between the two families gradually faded..."
Even Xiao Yan, the person involved, might not have been this clear about these matters, but she had sorted out the relationships perfectly. She was very concerned about Brother Xiao Yan's Fiancée!
Xun'er paused slightly, looking at Xiao Yan's wide eyes, and couldn't help but chuckle softly before continuing:
"Old Master Nalan is a man of his word. The Marriage Arrangement back then was agreed to by him personally, so even though Brother Xiao Yan's reputation has been extremely poor in recent years, he has never sent anyone to Annul the Engagement..."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan chuckled inwardly and said softly:
"Perhaps he also doesn't want to bear the reputation of breaking a promise and being snobbish?"
With this thought, he seemed to have remembered something, then gave a self-deprecating smile:
"I'm just a cripple. It's quite normal to be looked down upon. I can't blame anyone for this. Maybe I shouldn't hold that girl back. With her Talent, her future is absolutely limitless. Maybe I should talk to Father and proactively dissolve this marriage..."
Xiao Yan was not a bad person; he even had the thoughtfulness to consider the girl's well-being.
Seeing Xiao Yan's changing expression, Xun'er didn't know what he was thinking. She felt a little reluctant, but for the sake of the future, she continued:
"Although the Nalan Family has mentioned dissolving the engagement many times over the years, Old Master Nalan has never spoken up. With his status in the Nalan Family, if he doesn't agree to dissolve the engagement, no one else can do anything..."
Speaking of this, she changed the subject and brought up the main topic of today:
"But a few years ago, Nalan Yanran was personally taken in as a disciple by Yun Yun, the new Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect. She displayed exceptional cultivation talent, earning Yun Yun's immense favor..."
At this point, she looked at Xiao Yan and spoke some very practical but somewhat hurtful words:
"When someone possesses the power to change their own fate, they will do everything they can to resolve the things they dislike. Unfortunately, Brother Xiao Yan, your marriage arrangement with her is the part she's most unhappy with!"
What she said was true, but she used some subtle phrasing that silently stirred Xiao Yan's emotions.
She felt a bit ashamed, but in order to remove the obstacle between them, she had no choice but to do this:
"Anyway, you were originally here to annul the engagement, so why not grant me this one request?"
Just as expected, hearing her words, Xiao Yan, who had already been considering discussing taking the initiative to annul the engagement with his father, suddenly felt a surge of shock and anger. He subconsciously asked the very question Xun'er wanted him to ask:
"Are you saying they came specifically to annul the engagement for her this time?"
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