Half an hour later, in the Xiao clan's reception hall.
"Depend on!"
Xiao Yan was startled when he saw the two figures sitting to the right of Xiao Zhan and the three clan elders.
Seated at the head of the table was a woman of elegant and noble bearing. She wore a simple dress that hugged her full figure, and her long black hair was styled into a noble phoenix bun. Her beautiful and charming face was calm and serene, yet it carried a touch of nobility that inspired awe.
Beside the woman was a young girl dressed in a moon-white robe, who looked to be about the same age as Xiao Yan.
Her beauty surpassed even Xiao Mei's; within the family, perhaps only Xun'er, as pure as a lotus, could compare.
A green jade pendant hangs from the girl's delicate earlobe, making a crisp sound as it sways slightly, subtly revealing a touch of preciousness.
However, the two beauties, one tall and one short, had an air of travel weariness that somewhat obscured their noble bearing.
Many of the clan's youths, and even some middle-aged men, couldn't help but secretly glance at the two beautiful women.
But Xiao Yan felt like the sky had fallen.
If I'm not mistaken, these are clearly Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran!
No, why are they here?!
Xun'er, who was standing right next to Xiao Yan, was also somewhat taken aback.
She naturally learned about the identities and purposes of the two men through Ling Ying.
Yun Yun, the sect leader of Yunlan Sect, and Nalan Yanran, the girl who had just become Yun Yun's disciple and was betrothed to Xiao Yan since childhood.
They're here to steal Brother Xiao Yan!
Just as Xiao Yan was lost in thought, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran's gazes swept over him.
"A one-star Dou Zhe!?"
Upon sensing Xiao Yan's presence, Yun Yun's eyes brightened.
My God, Yanran is right, he really is a genius!
Nalan Yanran's gaze settled directly on Xiao Yan.
With her current strength, she couldn't even see through Xiao Yan's realm, but she knew that in this life, she would never let the destruction of the Yunlan Sect happen again!
Three months ago, Nalan Yanran, who had spent countless years cultivating to the Dou Sheng realm, learned that her master Yun Yun had gone to a higher-level world with Xiao Yan. Finally, she came together with him without any reservations.
Looking back on her life, which was filled with wrong choices and mistakes, she felt nothing but regret.
Her family members had all passed away peacefully, and she never married. Her master entrusted her life to the fiancé she had personally pushed away.
She always thought she had let go.
But when she woke up and found herself fortunate enough to have returned to her childhood before being accepted as a disciple by her master, she realized that the one who had let go was always Xiao Yan, and she simply couldn't let go of him.
So, after Yun Yun accepted her as a disciple and took her away from the Nalan Mansion, she begged Yun Yun to take her to Wutan City.
Here is her fiancé, a boy even more talented than she is.
"Niece Nalan Yanran greets Uncle Xiao."
Coming to her senses, Nalan Yanran stood up, bowed respectfully, and smiled sweetly.
"Haha, niece Nalan, Uncle Xiao hasn't seen you for many years. I almost didn't recognize you just now. Please don't blame me for being bad at recognizing you."
Xiao Zhan knew that the girl was his future daughter-in-law, so he gave her a gentle smile.
"Uncle Xiao, I apologize for not being able to visit you all these years."
Nalan Yanran knew that Xiao Yan was the type of person who responded better to gentle persuasion than force, so she adopted a very humble attitude at this moment.
Although Gu Xun'er's status and appearance are better than hers, she has the advantage of a marriage contract. If she can bring Xiao Yan into the Yunlan Sect and spend time together, she doesn't believe that Xiao Yan's heart can be harder than iron!
Once the deed is done, even the so-called young lady of the ancient clan will have to call him Sister Nalan at home!
"Haha, how could your uncle blame you? You're still so young, and you've traveled such a long distance. It's not easy. How is Grandpa Nalan's health?"
Xiao Zhan smiled and asked.
"Grandpa is in good health. He keeps saying he hopes the Xiao family can return to the capital one day!"
Nalan Yanran said with a smile.
"Haha, good, I'll definitely visit Grandpa Nalan when I have the chance." Xiao Zhan nodded with a hearty laugh, then looked at the elegant Yun Yun and asked in surprise, "Niece Nalan, and who is this?"
"This is my master, Yun Yun, the sect leader of the Yunlan Sect."
As soon as Nalan Yanran said this, the hall fell silent.
who?
Yunlan Sect? Sect Master? Or Nalan Yanran's master?
"It's actually Lady Yun Yun in person! Xiao Zhan has failed to greet you properly!"
Xiao Zhan quickly stood up and respectfully cupped his hands towards Yun Yun.
Even though Wutan City is located in a remote area, it is still known that the previous sect leader of Yunlan Sect had already passed the position to Yun Yun, who had advanced to the Douhuang realm, a year ago.
The people around also stood up and respectfully bowed to Yun Yun.
This is a Dou Huang level expert!
"Clan Chief Xiao, you are too kind. I came to the Xiao family this time because Yanran told me that the young master of the Xiao family, to whom she was betrothed since childhood, is a cultivation genius. Therefore, I would like to see him for myself. If possible, I would like to take him as my disciple."
As she spoke, Yun Yun turned to look at Xiao Yan.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes fell on Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan now wanted to slap Nalan Yanran across the face.
He was still wondering how to avoid the Yunlan Sect's gaze when Nalan Yanran came with Yun Yun to take on disciples.
What does it mean to be a lamb entering a tiger's den?
Once he enters the Yunlan Sect, his talent will surely attract the attention of everyone in the sect.
Moreover, the old apothecary is still inside his ring.
Sending him to the Yunlan Sect would be no different from sending him to his death.
Xun'er, standing to the side, also clenched her little fists.
That's outrageous!
They actually tried to take away her Xiao Yan brother right in front of her!
This is outrageous!
"Yan'er?"
Seeing that Xiao Yan hadn't responded for a while, Xiao Zhan also spoke up to remind him.
Xiao Yan snapped out of his reverie, looked at the many expectant gazes before him, pursed his lips, and said:
"It is my great honor to have gained the appreciation of Sect Master Yun, but I am used to being unruly at home and have no intention of joining a sect for the time being."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked astonished.
Did they hear me right?
Xiao Yan actually rejected Yun Yun, the sect leader of Yunlan Sect?
Hearing this, Xun'er breathed a sigh of relief.
That's great! If Brother Xiao Yan doesn't want to go, then there's a lot she can do!
Nalan Yanran's face stiffened upon hearing this, and Yun Yun beside her also frowned slightly.
She could tell that Xiao Yan wasn't the kind of person who would become arrogant and ungrateful just because he was talented.
But he really didn't want to join the Yunlan Sect.
This is strange, because within the Jia Ma Empire, no one doesn't want to join the Yunlan Sect.
"Then... putting aside the Yunlan Sect, what if I, Yun Yun, were to take you as my disciple?"
A thought struck her, and she suddenly asked.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this; he hadn't expected Yun Yun to be willing to go to such lengths.
However, before he could speak, the Third Elder, who was always hot-tempered and impatient, couldn't help but urge him:
"Xiao Yan, Sect Master Yun has come in person, wanting to take you as his disciple. What are you still hesitating for, kid?"
The Second Elder chimed in, "Indeed, being able to join the Yunlan Sect is something many people dream of, let alone having Sect Master Yun personally come to accept a disciple!"
With his talent, Xiao Yan is almost certain to become the next sect leader of the Yunlan Sect.
In this way, the Xiao family will inevitably become the most powerful family in the Jia Ma Empire for the next few hundred years!
The Grand Elder remained silent because he noticed Yun Yun frowning.
He couldn't fathom the thoughts of the important figures, but he knew that no matter what, Xiao Yan should be the one to choose, since he was the one with the talent.
Xiao Zhan remained silent. He knew his son well; Xiao Yan was a very opinionated person, and if he didn't want to do something, no one could talk to him about it.
Nalan Yanran was also somewhat puzzled when she heard that Xiao Yan was unwilling to join the Yunlan Sect.
Logically speaking, Xiao Yan shouldn't have any aversion to the Yunlan Sect at this point in time.
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"Hmm, if we don't need to go to Yunlan Sect, then we can consider it."
(End of chapter)