A sense of overwhelming disparity filled him with nameless rage.
Even knowing Xiao Yan was right, he wanted to vent.
Just as his aura surged, a far greater, dozens-of-times-stronger presence descended upon the hall.
The moment the immense aura was sensed, everyone present paled slightly...everyone except Yun Yun.
Even her elegant face changed, and she exclaimed in shock, "Peak Dou Huang!"
At her words, Nalan Jie suddenly came to his senses, his face paling further as he looked at Bai Han behind Xiao Yan with a mix of awe and fear.
Only now did he remember that the Xiao family indeed had a Dou Huang-level expert standing guard.....and hearing Yun Yun confirm the peak Dou Huang aura made his pupils shrink slightly.
A peak Dou Huang in the Jia Ma Empire is nearly invincible.
"Bai Han, do not be disrespectful," Xiao Yan's voice sounded calmly, though inside he felt a surge of satisfaction.
Bai Han's display of strength had been carefully controlled. Xiao Yan had instructed him beforehand: only reveal peak Dou Huang strength when absolutely necessary.
One, showing the full might of a Dou Zong here would be far too shocking; two, keeping a trump card could prove useful in the future. The balance was perfect.
Having been reminded of Bai Han's power, Nalan Jie's anger softened, though his eyes still radiated unwillingness as they fixed on Xiao Yan.
"Child, you should know that in Dou Qi Continent, for a woman to be rejected by her fiancé is quite shameful.
Even if Yan Ran is exceptional, this affects her reputation."
Xiao Yan, however, felt no guilt. In his previous life, the humiliation caused by Nalan Yanran had been a hundred or even a thousand times worse than this. Today's act, he believed, was perfectly reasonable.
For narrow-minded people, he could have publicly shamed the Nalan family, yet he chose not to.
He only smiled lightly.
"Nalan Elder, here's my suggestion: to protect Nalan Yanran and the Nalan family's reputation, we will keep today's matter strictly within this room.
Unless you choose to speak of it, no one outside will ever know. In this way, both families retain their dignity."
Before Nalan Jie could respond, Xiao Yan continued with a smile: "In three or four years, I will follow my teacher to Zhongzhou to cultivate.
My name will gradually fade from the Jia Ma Empire during this period.
Of course, if you agree, I can even have my teacher recommend Yanran to a Zhongzhou sect.
This way, both of us will be absent from the empire, and public opinion will naturally vanish."
Hearing this, everyone was slightly taken aback, including Xiao Zhan.
"Yan'er, did you say you'd be going to Zhongzhou in a few years?"
Xiao Zhan was puzzled. Zhongzhou, after all, was the center of the Dou Qi Continent.....vast, filled with countless experts, sects, and heroes.
Even the peak powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire might only be ordinary there.
Even Yun Yun's eyes sparkled at the thought. Though she had reached Dou Huang level and was formidable in the Northwest Continent, Zhongzhou still fascinated her. Her position as Sect Leader gave her resources but also constraints.
Seeing Xiao Yan's proposal, Nalan Jie's heart sank. It was clear that Xiao Yan's powerful sect originated from Zhongzhou, and if Nalan Yanran joined a Zhongzhou sect, her potential could surpass even Yun Yun. But such thoughts, of course, he could not reveal.
"You… child," Nalan Jie sighed helplessly. Xiao Yan had handled the situation flawlessly.....canceling the engagement quietly while preserving the reputation of both families and even offering an opportunity that could change Nalan Yanran's life.
There was nothing more he could argue. Yet, watching this prodigy leave, his heart still ached.
If Xiao Yan were an ordinary genius, matched with Nalan Yanran's level, he could accept it.
But Xiao Yan's extraordinary talent made it unbearable....if Yanran's gift could dominate the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Yan's might dominate the entire Northwest Continent. Why could such a genius not become his grandson-in-law?
Frustration gnawed at Nalan Jie and Nalan Su, yet Xiao Yan's actions were flawless, leaving no room for complaint. It was like punching cotton.
Xiao Yan!"
Nalan Yanran suddenly stood, her beautiful eyes coldly locking onto him.
"I, Nalan Yanran, do not see why I am unworthy of you, forcing you to propose ending the engagement. Is that girl really so perfect?"
For Nalan Yanran, the pain was immense. Always the top among her peers, she never imagined being beaten by a girl she had never even met. Even losing a fiancé in name alone was a shock.
Xiao Yan smiled gently. "Miss Nalan, you are an excellent girl, but perhaps we simply lack the fated connection. My girl… she truly is the best."
Yanran was beautiful and talented, comparable to Yun Yun. But fate is whimsical. Past life events sealed Xiao Yan's choice....no matter how generous, he could only be friends with her. Moreover, his chosen girl truly was better.
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