Early in the next morning, Xiao Feng had just finished washing up when Butler Mo arrived at his courtyard, bringing him to the reception hall on the orders of the patriarch.
The reception hall was very spacious, already filled with dozens of figures, most of them key members of the Xiao family and outstanding disciples.
Xiao Zhan sat in the central main seat. To his left sat the three elders of the Xiao family, and to his right were the esteemed guests Butler Mo had mentioned.
The leader among the guests was an old man in a white robe, with small eyes and a constantly smiling face, chatting amiably with Xiao Zhan.
This man had a silver crescent moon with seven small stars around it embroidered on his chest, indicating that his cultivation level had reached the Seven-Star Dou Grandmaster, two stars higher than Xiao Zhan's.
Next to the old man sat a young man and woman. The man was about twenty years old, handsome and tall, with five golden stars on his chest, indicating he was a Five-Star Dou Practitioner.
However, the one who truly caught everyone's attention was the young girl in a white robe, about the same age as Xiao Feng.
She was extremely beautiful, even more so than Xiao Mei. In the entire Xiao family, only Xiao Xun'er could match her.
On her already well-developed chest were three golden stars, indicating her cultivation level as a Three-Star Dou Practitioner.
Xiao Feng's arrival drew the attention of everyone. The girl in the white robe looked at him with a complex expression.
"Father, three elders."
Xiao Feng withdrew his gaze from the girl and greeted Xiao Zhan and the elders with a bow.
"Feng'er, you're finally here, come and sit!"
Seeing his handsome and dignified son arrive, Xiao Zhan quickly stopped talking to the guests and waved at him with a smile.
Xiao Feng nodded with a smile and then sat down next to the three elders.
After sitting down, Xiao Feng glanced around the hall and quickly noticed Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan sitting in a corner, smiling and nodding at them.
"Xun'er, my brother's fiancée is as beautiful and graceful as you~"
Xiao Yan first nodded slightly in response to Xiao Feng, then said teasingly, "And my future sister-in-law is the young mistress of the Yunlan Sect. Don't you feel a lot of pressure?"
"If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"
Xiao Xun'er, who was reading a book, paused slightly and glared at Xiao Yan.
Although Xiao Yan looked very much like Xiao Feng, Xiao Xun'er didn't have a good impression of him.
Normally, with a Dou Emperor as a bodyguard, Xiao Xun'er didn't have to worry about anyone barging into her boudoir.
However, that night, Ling Ying happened to be away (searching for a fragment of the Tuo She Ancient God's jade), and the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame in Xiao Xun'er's body was agitated, leaving her powerless to resist.
If Xiao Feng hadn't stopped Xiao Yan in time, Xiao Xun'er might have been taken advantage of by him.
Especially since Xiao Yan later spied on his cousin Xiao Yu while she was bathing, causing her to chase him for half a day in anger, Xiao Xun'er was even more convinced that he was a lecher.
Xiao Xun'er only talked to Xiao Yan out of respect for Xiao Feng; otherwise, she wouldn't give him the time of day!
Although Xiao Xun'er didn't care about Nalan Yanran, she was still Xiao Feng's official fiancée, giving her a significant advantage.
At this moment, Xiao Xun'er wished she could dig up Xiao Feng's deceased grandfather and whip his corpse.
You old fool, of all things to play with, why insist on an arranged marriage?
Just as Xiao Xun'er was gritting her teeth in anger, the old man in the white robe, urged by Nalan Yanran's gaze, finally revealed the real reason for their visit.
"Ahem!"
The old man in the white robe cleared his throat twice and bowed to Xiao Zhan, "Patriarch Xiao, to be honest, we have a favor to ask today."
"..."
Xiao Zhan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mr. Ge Ye, please speak. As long as it's within the Xiao family's capabilities, we will certainly not refuse."
"I believe Patriarch Xiao has already guessed that this is our Yunlan Sect's young mistress, Miss Nalan Yanran."
"She has truly blossomed! Niece Nalan, the last time Uncle Xiao saw you, you were only three years old. I can hardly recognize you now."
It was clear that Xiao Zhan was very satisfied with Nalan Yanran as his future daughter-in-law, smiling as he praised her, "A few years ago, I heard that you were accepted as a personal disciple by the Yunlan Sect's master. What talent you have!"
"Uncle Xiao over praises me; Yanran was just lucky."
Nalan Yanran smiled awkwardly, feeling overwhelmed by Xiao Zhan's enthusiasm, and tugged at Elder Ge Ye's sleeve.
"Patriarch Xiao, the matter I'm asking about today involves Yanran and was personally requested by our sect master."
Elder Ge Ye paused briefly and continued, "The sect master has high hopes for Yanran, treating her as the future sect master. Our Yunlan Sect has a rule that the heir must not be distracted by romantic affairs before officially becoming the sect master. Therefore, after learning about the arranged marriage between Yanran and the Xiao family, the sect master hopes... hopes that Patriarch Xiao will agree to annul this engagement."
"—!"
The smile on Xiao Zhan's face froze instantly, and the jade teacup in his hand shattered into a handful of powder.
The entire reception hall fell silent, and everyone glared angrily at Elder Ge Ye and his companions.
Unlike Xiao Yan, Xiao Feng had been very sensible since he was a child, not only gifted in cultivation but also respectful to his elders and caring for the young.
He regularly held Dao discussion gatherings, bringing the younger generation together to discuss various cultivation issues.
During these gatherings, Xiao Feng generously shared his cultivation insights and patiently guided others, earning him high prestige and status within the Xiao family.
In the eyes of the Xiao family, Xiao Feng was a rare genius, yet he was now being humiliated by Nalan Yanran's request to break the engagement.
Xiao Zhan's face darkened, and Nalan Yanran didn't dare to look him in the eye, wishing she could bury her head in her chest, nervously twisting her fingers.