The days slipped by, fleeting like a dream upon waking. With the sun rising in the east, a new day and another week had quietly begun.
Over the past few days, Xiao Hua had diligently refined multiple elixirs for Xiao Yan. He received the promised rewards from Yao Chen while observing Xiao Yan absorb the medicinal energy of the elixirs into his body.
Once assured that Xiao Yan had properly assimilated the elixirs' potency, Xiao Hua returned to Xun Er's residence. To his surprise, he found Xiao Yu there, seeking guidance in her training. With nothing pressing to attend to, he agreed and corrected the minor mistakes in her techniques.
Today, however, marked a departure from this tranquility. It was the day the Misty Cloud Sect was scheduled to meet with Xiao Zhan to annul the engagement between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran—a union arranged by Nalan Jie and Xiao Lin in years past.
Upon arriving at the Xiao Clan's front gate, the delegation from the Misty Cloud Sect was promptly escorted to the meeting hall by Xiao Zhan and several senior elders.
"Sect Leader Yun, it is an honor to meet you today. This is the meeting hall where we can discuss the matter. Please, have a seat," Xiao Zhan said courteously.
"Thank you, Clan Head Xiao," Yun Yun replied, offering a polite nod before gracefully walked towards her seat, prepared by the Xiao Clan.
Following behind Yun Yun were three figures. Standing slightly to her side was her cherished and esteemed disciple, Nalan Yanran—the primary reason for the Misty Cloud Sect's presence here, cloaked in both courtesy and unease.
Ever since Nalan Yanran realized that Xiao Hua bore no grudge over her reckless and immature behavior, the heaviness in her heart had slightly lifted, leaving her feeling a newfound lightness.
The second figure was Gu He, renowned as the Pill King and once considered the most powerful alchemist in the North-Western Region—until Xiao Hua's appearance.
Gu He had been eagerly anticipating this meeting, hoping to continue the alchemical discussion he and Xiao Hua had begun during last week's banquet. Their exchange had sparked inspiration within him, and he felt a breakthrough in his alchemy skills was imminent.
He was confident that advancing to the rank of a tier-seven alchemist would prove that he him the courage to formally ask Yun Yun for her hand in marriage.
The third figure was Liu Ling, a disciple of Gu He.
Like his master, Liu Ling had joined the meeting with hopes of encountering Xiao Hua. Although he refrained from speaking directly to Xiao Hua out of fear. Yet, he still focused on his master's conversations with him. He was shocked that even by overhearing fragments of their alchemical discussion, it had significantly broadened his insight.
Ever since learning that Xiao Hua harbored no resentment over the annulment of the engagement, Liu Ling had ceased to worry about the matter.
Like many elders of the Misty Cloud Sect, his greatest fear had been Xiao Hua's wrath, especially when he was the one that cause this situation in the first place. Now that this concern was laid to rest, a sense of relief washed over him.
Liu Ling took pride in successfully orchestrating the annulment of Nalan Yanran's engagement to Xiao Yan, driven by his own desire to make Nalan Yanran his wife.
He understood that Nalan Yanran was an ambitious and resolute young woman. To capture her attention and earn her affection, he needed to prove himself as someone worthy of standing by her side.
His only focus now was on surpassing his current limits in alchemy, for only by achieving greater heights could he gain the qualifications to pursue her. Thus, he was determined to absorb every bit of insight from the alchemical discussions his master would have with Xiao Hua. These lessons could be the key to unlocking the future he envisioned for himself.
Yun Yun intentionally brought only a small group to this meeting, aiming to avoid unnecessary attention. She had explicitly declared that this was a private matter, and by limiting the number of attendees, she sought to demonstrate her sincerity and respect toward the Xiao Clan.
Naturally, Xiao Zhan brought only a select group of individuals to the meeting. Participation was limited, with no members of the younger generation or lower-ranking elders in attendance—only the high-ranking elders were permitted.
Moreover, the high-ranking elders present were those already privy to the engagement arranged by Xiao Lin, the former clan leader of the Xiao Clan, and Nalan Jie, the former clan leader of the Nalan Clan.
Among the high-ranking elders present, the most notable were the two Grand Elders, Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang, alongside the First, Second, and Third Elders.
As Yun Yun approached her seat, her gaze naturally drifted toward the head of the hall. There, a few seats were reserved for the highest-ranking executives of the Xiao Clan: the Clan Head, the two Grand Elders, and the Supreme Elder.
To her slight surprise, it was not Xiao Hua seated in the Supreme Elder's chair but Xun Er, Xiao Hua's fiancée. From this, Yun Yun quickly deduced that Xiao Hua would not be attending the meeting. However, she swiftly regained her composure and offered her greetings to Xun Er with utmost courtesy.
Yun Yun gracefully clasped her hands and inclined her head slightly, her demeanor calm and respectful. "Mistress Xun Er, it is an honor to meet you again. Your unparalleled grace and exceptional talent are truly astonishing, no matter how many times I see them."
Xun Er rose to her feet, her gentle smile exuding warmth. "Sect Leader Yun Yun, the honor is mine. Your majestic presence and noble demeanor embody the authority befitting the leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, whose strength and history are renowned throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire."
"Thank you for your kind words, Lady Xun Er," Yun Yun replied with a graceful smile, her tone filled with sincerity.
Xun Er giggled softly, her laughter elegant and composed. With a calm demeanor, she explained the reason for Xiao Hua's absence.
"My apologies, Sect Leader Yun, for the Supreme Elder's absence. He is unable to attend the meeting due to certain pressing matters."
"Please, there is no need to apologize, Lady Xun Er," Yun Yun replied reassuringly. "I understand that the Supreme Elder has been occupied with refining medicinal pills for the clan. It is only natural that his responsibilities take precedence."
Yun Yun's words were sincere, and she took no offense at Xiao Hua's absence. She was already aware that he had been assisting a clan member named Xiao Yu with her training over the past few days, in addition to refining medicinal pills for the elders of the Xiao Clan.
Meanwhile, Gu He could not entirely conceal his disappointment upon hearing that Xiao Hua would not be present. He had been genuinely looking forward to meeting him again. However, he reminded himself of the meeting's purpose and quickly shook off his disappointment, refocusing his thoughts.
The brief and cordial exchange between Yun Yun and Xun Er eased the atmosphere in the hall, dissipating much of the underlying tension. Although none of the attendees openly showed their unease, it was undeniable that most had been slightly on edge about the nature of this meeting.
Both sides had their reasons for feeling the subtle oppression and tension in the air, making the casual greeting between Yun Yun and Xun Er a welcomed relief.
At the same time, Xiao Zhan and the other elders silently felt grateful to have someone shielding them from the figurative storm, holding the sky steady above their heads.
As Xun Er had noted earlier, Yun Yun's majestic presence and noble demeanor exuded an aura of authority so imposing that it left them feeling intimidated and somewhat stiff. However, Xun Er's calm and steadying presence seemed to dilute the oppressive weight of Yun Yun's aura, allowing them to breathe more easily.
'I was shocked and a bit uneasy when I first learned that Xiao Hua and Xun Er were lovers,' Xiao Zhan mused silently as he glanced at Xun Er. 'But it seems my worries were unfounded.'
Initially, he had feared that Xiao Hua might have been bewitched by Xun Er. Yet, seeing her genuine affection for him dispelled those thoughts. Xiao Zhan had also harbored concerns that Xiao Hua might have betrayed the clan, but his actions over the years—consistently sending countless treasures to the clan—had proven his unwavering loyalty.
Xiao Zhan's suspicions weren't baseless. He was well aware of Xun Er's identity and her intention to obtain the Xiao Clan's fragment of the Tou She Ancient God's Jade. Because of this, he had never let his guard down around her.
However, after she openly declared her love for Xiao Hua, Xun Er had ceased all efforts to locate the jade's hiding place. This change in behavior had brought Xiao Zhan some relief, though he remained cautious. The jade was the clan's most closely guarded secret, and no matter what, he would not reveal its location.
Xiao Zhan shook his head, setting aside his thoughts, and led Yun Yun and the others to their seats. Once everyone was seated, the room grew livelier as conversations began. Everyone except Xun Er and Yun Yun engaged in casual chatter.
Ordinarily, with figures as prominent as Yun Yun and Xun Er present, they would naturally lead the conversation. However, neither showed any interest in initiating a discussion. To avoid letting the atmosphere become awkward, the others merrily filled the silence with their own exchanges.
While the discussions unfolded, Nalan Yanran, seated beside Yun Yun, couldn't help but gaze at Xun Er with curiosity.
When Xiao Hua's name was mentioned, it was rare to find anyone in the younger generation who wasn't intrigued by him. He was the one who had trampled upon the pride and arrogance of countless geniuses in the Jia Ma Empire, leaving them in awe of his extraordinary talent and unparalleled achievements.
She had met him before and had been astonished to discover that Xiao Hua lacked the domineering aura and arrogance typical of most geniuses. Such traits often lingered, even when concealed.
Instead, he carried himself with an air of detachment, not dissimilar to her master in some ways, yet with a sense of casual friendliness that seemed to set him apart.
During last week's banquet, Nalan Yanran had observed his interactions closely. She noted how he spoke amicably with Ya Fei, Princess Yao Ye, and her master, Yun Yun.
Furthermore, she had observed his discussion with Gu He on alchemy. Though she had not fully understood the nuances of their exchange, she was deeply impressed. To her astonishment, she saw Gu He—renowned as the Pill King—acting almost like a student, learning from Xiao Hua with the utmost respect.
However, Nalan Yanran's astonishment and curiosity grew even more when her master spoke about Xiao Hua's fiancée.
'Master mentioned that her strength is at least at the high-rank Dou Huang level and that she could sense being suppressed by her. While it's true that Xiao Hua is a monster in terms of talent, I never imagined that his fiancée would be equally gifted…'
Nalan Yanran had always admired and looked up to her master, so it was a shocking revelation to learn that a young woman, three years younger, could surpass her respected master in strength.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Three polite knocks on the door broke Nalan Yanran's reverie. She quickly turned toward the source of the sound.
Even the elders of the Xiao Clan, who had been talking to keep the atmosphere light, exchanged glances and fell silent.
They were all well aware of the engagement between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, arranged by the previous heads of both clans.
The door opened, and a young man entered the meeting hall. It was none other than Xiao Yan.
As he stepped into the room, his sharp gaze swept across the guests. He immediately recognized the faces of Yun Yun and her entourage, and the familiarity of the scene left no doubt in his mind.
In that instant, memories of last night's conversation with his father resurfaced. It became clear to him—this was the very matter his father had hinted at.
———————
The moon hung in the sky like a silver disk, casting its soft light over the beautiful night, while the stars sparkled in the vast expanse above.
Xiao Yan sat quietly at the summit of the mountain behind the clan building, his gaze fixed on the distant, towering peaks of the Magic Beast Mountain Range—one of the most famous landmarks in the Jia Ma Empire.
The chilling night wind brushed against him, its coolness bringing a sense of comfort and relaxation.
As he continued to absorb the serene atmosphere, a faint sound of footsteps broke the stillness.
Xiao Yan knew immediately who it was; very few people ventured here at this time of night. He turned to see an elderly figure approaching, draped in a fine grey tunic, a smile playing on his lips.
"Father, what brings you here?" Xiao Yan asked, his voice calm yet curious.
The elderly figure, none other than Xiao Zhan, his father, smiled warmly. "Can I not visit my precious son without a reason, Yan'er?"
Xiao Yan chuckled softly, scratching his head with a hint of embarrassment. "It's just rare for you to come see me. Doesn't Father usually rest at this hour?"
"Haha. With my son's condition slowly improving, I'm just too excited to rest. Besides, how could I rest and leave him alone here?" Xiao Zhan replied with a joyful laugh.
He paused for a moment, his expression softening as he gazed in a particular direction. "I've sent a letter to your older brothers. There's no doubt they're crying tears of joy by now."
"All of this is thanks to Xiao Hua," Xiao Yan said with a soft smile, his thoughts turning to the reason for his improving condition. The complicated emotions in his heart had completely melted away, replaced by deep gratitude and admiration.
"I truly owe him," he added quietly.
"We all do, Yan'er. Thanks to him, the worries that have haunted us for so long have finally disappeared."
Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan exchanged a meaningful glance before bursting into laughter. In that moment, their hearts were filled with genuine joy as the dark clouds that had once loomed over their family finally dissipated.
After a short while, Xiao Zhan's laughter subsided, and he wiped away the tears that had appeared in his eyes. He cleared his throat and spoke again.
"However, I did come here for a reason, Yan'er."
Xiao Zhan paused, his gaze lingering on Xiao Yan's still somewhat tender face. Xiao Yan remained quiet, patiently waiting for his father to continue.
"I just wanted to inform you that a valuable guest will be meeting with us privately. It's something related to you, Yan'er."
"A guest? And it's related to me?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What's this all about? What's so important that it concerns me?"
"Something important. Extremely important," Xiao Zhan responded cryptically, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. He stood up, giving Xiao Yan a reassuring pat on the shoulder before turning and walking away, heading back down the mountain.
Xiao Yan watched his father's figure grow smaller in the distance, a sense of confusion settling in his chest. After a moment, he turned his gaze back to the vast mountain range, a faint smile on his lips as he enjoyed the cool night breeze.
None of them mentioned Xiao Yan's Adulthood Ceremony, which was set to take place next year, as he is 15 this year.
According to the clan's rules, anyone who had not reached seven-star Dou Zhi Qi by the time of the ceremony would be exiled to the clan's property. If someone failed to reach the Dou Zhe rank by the age of 25, the clan would abandon them.
In the past, such a rule would have filled Xiao Yan's family with anxiety, but now, they had the reassurance of Xiao Hua's treatment. Xiao Hua had promised that Xiao Yan would at least reach 7-Star Dou Zhi Qi before the ceremony, alleviating their worries about the impending milestone.
——————————
'Father, I wish you had told me in advance that the guests were from the Misty Cloud Sect…'
Xiao Hua smiled wryly upon discovering the identity of the guests. He shot a begrudging glare at his father, who sat at the head of the room with a bright smile on his face.
"Haha! You're finally here, Yan'er!" Xiao Zhan laughed, easily brushing off the glare. "Let's not stand around. Take a seat."
As Xiao Zhan waved for Xiao Yan to sit, everyone's gaze turned toward him. Even Yun Yun observed him closely. She had been curious about him ever since learning of his engagement to her disciple, especially since he was under Xiao Hua's protection.
'He's at 4-Star Dou Zhi Qi... It seems Xiao Hua truly has cured his condition. However, this also confirms the rumors—he did indeed lose his talent once and regress to 3-Star Dou Zhi Qi.'
Xiao Yan could feel Yun Yun's scrutinizing gaze, causing his body to tense slightly. He was fully aware of her status as a powerful Dou Huang and the esteemed leader of a sect with a history spanning several centuries.
Although she restrained her aura, her majestic and noble demeanor—cultivated through years as the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect—was unmistakable. Her presence subtly pressured Xiao Zhan and the others, leaving even the elders feeling a faint sense of intimidation.
After enduring two years of ridicule and humiliation, Xiao Yan's mindset had grown resilient, and his heart had been tempered like steel. Yet, even with his newfound resolve, he couldn't entirely quell the unease that arose under the gaze of someone as formidable as Yun Yun.
Determined not to make a fool of himself, Xiao Yan quickly scanned the room for a seat, following his father's instructions. Spotting an empty chair at the back of the hall, he made his way there without hesitation. Sitting down quietly, he focused on minimizing his presence as much as possible.
Unlike the events in the original novel, none of the elders sought to embarrass Xiao Yan. There was no trace of contempt in their expressions, as they were well aware that his condition had been cured—thanks to Xiao Hua.
A short moment after Xiao Yan settled into his seat at the back, Yun Yun, who had been silently observing the person she came for, finally broke the silence.
"Clan Head Xiao," she began, her calm yet authoritative tone carrying through the hall. "The reason I requested this meeting is that my disciple has a matter she wishes to resolve with your clan."
"…A matter to resolve?"
Hearing her words, Xiao Zhan's heart skipped a beat, a wave of unease washing over him. Initially, he had assumed this meeting would congratulate the engagement between his son and the sect's Young Lady. Yet, her statement made it clear he was mistaken.
Given Yun Yun's formidable strength and status, there was no reason for her to approach the Xiao Clan with a mere request—unless it was something significant. Moreover, her decision to wait until Xiao Yan arrived before broaching the topic only deepened his sense of foreboding.
A chill ran down Xiao Zhan's spine as realization dawned on him. He couldn't ignore the implication behind her words, especially when she mentioned Nalan Yanran.
Suppressing the growing anxiety in his heart, Xiao Zhan gulped and forced himself to remain composed. With a trembling voice, he replied, "Sect Leader Yun, if it is within the Xiao Clan's power, we will not refuse your request."
'He's dragging the entire Xiao Clan into this matter…' Xun Er's gaze flickered toward Xiao Zhan before she quietly withdrew it.
She understood that Xiao Zhan had already grasped the reason for Yun Yun's visit and the weight of her request. His carefully chosen words made it evident that he intended to stand firm with the clan's reputation on the line.
Naturally, if Xun Er could discern the implications behind Xiao Zhan's words, it was only expected that Yun Yun could as well. His veiled threat did not escape her notice, and a flicker of displeasure crossed her composed features. Her disappointment in Xiao Zhan's conduct had already reached its peak.
'It is fortunate that Xiao Hua spoke to me about his thoughts on this engagement beforehand. Otherwise, my discontent might have extended to the entire Xiao Clan...'
Suppressing her growing disappointment, Yun Yun took a deep breath, her delicate sigh barely audible. She decided it was best to address the matter directly and bring it to a swift resolution.
"This is regarding the engagement between the third Young Master of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan, and the Young Lady of our Misty Cloud Sect, Nalan Yanran."
Her words hung in the air for a moment as she paused, ensuring all attention was on her.
"My request to the Clan Head is the annulment of the engagement arranged by the previous head of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Lin, and the former head of the Nalan Clan, Nalan Jie."
After delivering the core of her request, Yun Yun softened her tone slightly, adding, "Naturally, the Misty Cloud Sect will offer compensation for any trouble this request may cause."
Yun Yun's words reverberated through the meeting hall, sending waves of shock rippling through the Xiao Clan's elders. The once lively atmosphere instantly plummeted, replaced by a somber, heavy gloom that seemed to stifle the air itself.
The elders, who had been speaking animatedly mere moments ago, sat frozen in stunned silence.
Even the three elders who often clashed with Xiao Zhan failed to seize the opportunity to cast mocking or gloating looks his way. Their disbelief at Yun Yun's unexpected request rendered them utterly speechless.
"So this is what it feels like to be struck by an unforeseen storm…" Xun Er mused silently, her gaze sweeping across the room. The usually composed elders now stood as still as statues, their shock rendering them momentarily speechless.