"Big Sister Nalan, yesterday it was him..." Ling Lin hid behind Nalan Yanran and quietly tattled.
The moment she saw Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran had already guessed that only he would dare to be so ruthless. After all, even she, the direct disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Leader, had two fingers broken by him.
This guy did not know how to show mercy at all.
Xiao Yan could naturally hear what Ling Lin was saying. He glanced at her and casually remarked, "Someone made the first move. The fact that I didn't truly retaliate was already giving her face."
"You!"
"Hmm?!" Xiao Yan's brows furrowed, immediately frightening Ling Lin into shrinking back, not daring to utter another word.
"Junior Sister Yanran, I sincerely apologize. Our clan has been busy these past couple of days, and we almost neglected our esteemed guests." Just then, a clear, bright laugh suddenly rang out from outside the main entrance. Following that, a rather handsome young man walked in with a beaming smile and addressed Nalan Yanran with great familiarity.
Xiao Yan glanced at the young man's grinning face and quickly surmised that this must be one of Nalan Yanran's suitors.
"Senior Brother Mo Li is too polite." Nalan Yanran nodded, her smile reserved. She didn't soften her expression despite the burning gaze in the young man's eyes.
A brief flash of disappointment flashed through the eyes of the young man named Mo Li when he noticed her lukewarm smile.
Although they had known each other for several years, she still didn't seem to have any special feelings for him, which made him feel somewhat disheartened.
Then he smiled and said, "Junior Sister Yanran, why don't you come with me to the Mo Clan? It's on the way anyway."
Nalan Yanran hesitated slightly upon hearing this. She glanced at Ge Ye, then cast a deep look at Xiao Yan before nodding.
Noticing her gaze, Mo Li turned to Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong and asked, "And who might these two be?"
Ge Ye quickly replied, "They are friends of mine and Yanran's who are also here to offer birthday congratulations."
"Oh, I see. In that case, let's go together," Mo Li invited.
Hai Bodong felt a little strange inside. After all, Xiao Yan wasn't here to offer congratulations, but to offer incense at Mo Cheng's memorial!
Wasn't this akin to inviting a wolf into the house?
However, Xiao Yan did not refuse. Since someone was willing to lead him into the Mo Clan, he couldn't be bothered to sneak in anymore.
Before long, the group arrived at the Mo Clan headquarters in a carriage.
The Mo Clan truly lived up to its reputation as the most powerful clan in the eastern province of the Jia Ma Empire. The heavily fortified fortress alone must have cost an immense amount of money to build.
Xiao Yan used his Spiritual Strength to scan the fortress from above. He sensed at least a dozen surveillance points covering the entire area with no blind spots. If anyone tried to fly in from the air, the countless hidden arrows would likely instantly turn the intruder into a pincushion.
'Good thing I didn't try flying in.'
Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong easily entered the Mo Clan compound after following Nalan Yanran and the others.
Once inside the main hall, Xiao Yan exchanged a glance with Hai Bodong. The former stayed in the hall while the latter discreetly slipped away to search for any sign of Qing Lin.
"Ha ha, Niece Nalan! I didn't expect you to come in person today. Your presence truly brings great honor to my Mo Clan." Mo Cheng's smile widened when he saw Nalan Yanran arrive. As the host of the event, he approached her with a warm and cordial greeting.
Xiao Yan casually found a seat and locked his gaze on Mo Cheng, especially focusing on his eyes. Only after confirming that Mo Cheng's eyes did not have the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils did he completely relax. This at least assured him that Qing Lin was still safe.
All Xiao Yan felt was boredom listening to Mo Cheng babble about alliances and mergers. He was merely waiting for Hai Bodong to locate Qing Lin. The moment she was found, he would make Mo Cheng pay the price for his actions. He had no interest in whatever alliance Mo Cheng was discussing.
Who knows how long Mo Cheng had been talking when Hai Bodong suddenly appeared behind him. When Xiao Yan noticed that Qing Lin wasn't with him, he asked in confusion, "Old Hai, did something happen? Where's Qing Lin?"
Xiao Yan had drawn a portrait of Qing Lin from memory last night. She should have been easy to find with her distinctive jade-green hair.
Hai Bodong shook his head and said, "I've searched every room in the entire Mo Clan but couldn't find the girl you described. She must be hidden in a secret chamber."
Xiao Yan sighed inwardly and slowly raised his head to look at Mo Cheng, who was still speaking animatedly in the center of the hall. He calmly said, "What a pity. If I had been able to rescue Qing Lin smoothly, perhaps he could have just bled a little to redeem his life."
Mo Cheng had missed his best chance.
Xiao Yan crossed his legs and lightly fiddled with the tea leaves in his cup. His voice, carried by Dou Qi, spread throughout the entire hall: "Mo Cheng, where is the girl you abducted from Rock Desert City a few days ago?"
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
The previously noisy hall fell silent in an instant. Everyone turned to look at Xiao Yan. They had all heard his words very clearly.
"The First Elder abducted a girl?"
"Who is this young man who dares to question the First Elder so openly!"
Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye felt like they were struck by lightning as they finally understood Xiao Yan's purpose in coming to Yan City! He was here to demand someone's release! Oh no, they had unwittingly invited a wolf into another person's house!
Mo Cheng's face immediately darkened as he coldly asked, "Who are you?"
Xiao Yan looked up at Mo Cheng and replied, "Xiao Yan."
He had not the slightest fear of the Mo Clan and couldn't even be bothered to use an alias.
"Xiao Yan!! You're Yanran's fiancé!!" Mo Li, who was sitting beside Nalan Yanran, abruptly stood up! As one of Nalan Yanran's suitors, he was well aware of Xiao Yan and even knew about the three-year agreement between them!
Everyone else present, including Hai Bodong, looked at Xiao Yan and then at Nalan Yanran. Good boy! It turned out these two were engaged!!
Mo Cheng also remembered who Xiao Yan was. He laughed coldly and said, "Hmph, even though you are indeed Niece Nalan's fiancé, I've heard that the engagement has already been annulled and that you've made some sort of three-year agreement. If you think you can cause trouble in my Mo Clan using this identity, you're gravely mistaken."
Back then, when the young Nalan Yanran wanted to break off her engagement, it caused quite a stir in the Misty Cloud Sect. Upon their return, Ge Ye had concealed the fact that Nalan Yanran was defeated, instead claiming that both parties couldn't reach an agreement and decided to settle the matter with a duel three years later.
With Ge Ye putting it this way, everyone naturally assumed that Xiao Yan was simply being stubborn and refused to let go.
But never in a million years did they expect the reality to be entirely different.
Mo Cheng gave Mo Li a meaningful look, and he immediately understood. He stepped in front of Nalan Yanran, drew his sword, and said, "Xiao Yan, you are not qualified to challenge Yanran!"
"Me, challenge her?" Xiao Yan found this almost laughable. Had the rumors really gotten that wild?
With a buzzing sound, Mo Li circulated his Dou Qi and instantly covered his entire body with Dou Qi Armor. The aura of a 3-star Dou Grandmaster erupted as he pointed his sword at Xiao Yan and declared, "My strength is on par with Yanran's. If you want to challenge her, you'll have to get past me first!"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at Nalan Yanran standing to the side. Because there was something on her body blocking his Spiritual Strength from probing, he didn't know her exact cultivation level.
"Your strength is on par with hers?"
"That's right!"
"Interesting."
Xiao Yan stroked his chin and looked at Mo Cheng, "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Before I get bored with this situation, if you bring Qing Lin here, I'll spare your Mo Clan. Otherwise, your joyous occasion will turn into a funeral today."
Mo Cheng's eyes turned cold as he replied with a sinister tone, "Regardless of who you are, the Mo Clan is not a place where you can run wild!"
Xiao Yan shook his head. It seemed this person was the type who wouldn't shed tears until he saw the coffin.
He slowly sat down, picked up a cup of hot tea from the table, and took a leisurely sip. In a calm voice, he said, "Before the tea cools is your Mo Clan's last chance."
A flash of murderous intent crossed Mo Li's eyes when he saw Xiao Yan blatantly ignoring him. Regardless of whether the engagement had been annulled or not, Xiao Yan's title as Nalan Yanran's fiancé made his blood boil, making him feel as if he had been cuckolded.
"You'll pay for this! Green Wood Sword!!"
Mo Li's figure shot forward, his long sword transforming into a verdant light that thrust straight at Xiao Yan's throat. He had no intention of sparring but wanted to kill Xiao Yan!
"That's the Misty Cloud Sect's Xuan Class Dou Technique, the Green Wood Sword!"
"Mo Li truly deserves to be called a genius on par with Nalan Yanran. The Green Wood Sword has actually been cultivated to a major level of mastery!"
Clap! To the astonishment of everyone present, a wisp of blood-red flame appeared on Xiao Yan's fingertip as it lightly pressed against the tip of Mo Li's sword.
Xiao Yan frowned deeply, turned his head to look at Nalan Yanran behind Mo Li, and asked in a slightly puzzled tone, "Is this all you've achieved in three years?"