An hour later, in the Xiao Clan's reception hall.
"Damn!"
Xiao Yan's heart jolted as he looked at the two figures seated to the right of Xiao Zhan and the three clan elders.
Seated in the place of honor was a woman with a graceful and noble bearing. A simple dress enveloped her voluptuous figure, and her black hair was coiled into a noble phoenix bun. Her beautiful and captivating face was calm and serene, yet it carried an air 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 features were even more beautiful than Xiao Mei's; within the clan, perhaps only the lotus-like Xun Er could compare.
Green jade pendants hung from the girl's delicate earlobes, chiming softly as they swayed, exuding a subtle hint of preciousness.
It was just that both the older and younger beauties carried the weary air of a long journey, which somewhat masked their noble auras.
Many of the clan's young men, and even some of the middle-aged ones, couldn't help but sneak glances at the two beauties.
But right now, Xiao Yan only felt as if the sky was falling.
If he wasn't mistaken, these two were clearly Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran!
Wait, why were they here?!
Gu Xun'er, who was right next to Xiao Yan, was also somewhat stunned.
She, of course, already knew the identities and purpose of these two through Ling Ying.
The Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, Yun Yun, and the young girl who had just become her disciple and was betrothed to Xiao Yan since birth, Nalan Yanran.
They were here to snatch her Brother Xiao Yan away!
Just as Xiao Yan was lost in a daze, the gazes of Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran swept past him.
"A one-star Dou Fighter!?"
Sensing Xiao Yan's aura, Yun Yun's eyes brightened.
Heavens, Yanran was right, he really is a genius!
Nalan Yanran's gaze simply lingered on Xiao Yan.
With her current strength, she couldn't see through Xiao Yan's cultivation level at all, but she knew that in this life, she would absolutely not let the destruction of the Cloud Mist Sect happen again!
Three months ago, Nalan Yanran, who had spent countless years cultivating to the Dou Saint realm, learned that her master, Yun Yun, had finally gotten together with Xiao Yan without any reservations after following him to that higher-plane world.
Looking back on her life of constantly making the wrong choices and doing the wrong things, she felt nothing but immense regret.
Her family had all passed away from old age, she had remained unmarried for life, and her master had entrusted her life to the fiancé she herself had pushed away.
She had always thought she had let it go.
But when she woke up one day to find that she had been lucky enough to return to her childhood before being taken as a disciple by her master, she finally understood. The one who had let go was always Xiao Yan; she, on the other hand, was simply unable to pick it up again.
Thus, after waiting for Yun Yun to accept her as a disciple and take her from the Nalan residence, she pleaded with Yun Yun to bring her on a trip to Wu Tan City.
Here lived her fiancé, a young man who was an even greater genius than she was.
"Niece Nalan Yanran pays her respects to Uncle Xiao."
Coming back to her senses, Nalan Yanran took the initiative to stand up, bow respectfully, and smile sweetly.
"Haha, Niece Nalan, it's been many years since I've seen you. I almost didn't recognize you just now. Don't blame your uncle for his poor eyesight."
Xiao Zhan also knew that the young girl was his future daughter-in-law, and he immediately showed her a gentle smile.
"Uncle Xiao, for so many years, your niece has not come to pay her respects. I apologize to you here."
Nalan Yanran knew that Xiao Yan was the type to yield to soft tactics but not to hard ones, so she adopted a very humble posture.
Although that Gu Xun'er's status and appearance were superior to her own, she had the advantage of the marriage contract. If she could bring Xiao Yan into the Cloud Mist Sect as well, spending their days and nights together, she refused to believe that Xiao Yan's heart was harder than iron and stone!
Once the deed was done, even that so-called young mistress of the Ancient Clan would have to call her 'Sister Nalan' at home!
"Haha, how could your uncle blame you? You're still so young, it's not easy to travel such a long way. Is Old Master Nalan in good health?" Xiao Zhan chuckled and asked.
"Grandfather is very hale and hearty. He's always talking about when the Xiao Clan might be able to return to the imperial capital!" Nalan Yanran said with a beaming smile.
"Haha, good. When I have the chance in the future, I will definitely go and visit Old Master Nalan." Xiao Zhan laughed and nodded, his gaze turning to the noble-looking Yun Yun. He asked in confusion, "Niece Nalan, this is?"
"This is my master, the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, Yun Yun."
As soon as Nalan Yanran said this, the hall instantly fell into silence.
Who?
Cloud Mist Sect? The Sect Master? And Nalan Yanran's master?
"To think it is Lady Yun Yun in person. Xiao Zhan has been remiss in his welcome!"
Xiao Zhan hurriedly stood up and respectfully cupped his hands towards Yun Yun.
Even though Wu Tan City was in a remote area, they had heard that the previous Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect had passed the position to Yun Yun, who had advanced to the Dou Emperor realm, a year ago.
Everyone around them also stood up and bowed respectfully to Yun Yun.
This was a Dou Emperor expert!
"Clan Head Xiao is too kind. I came to the Xiao Clan this time because I heard from Yanran that the young master of the Xiao Clan, who is betrothed to her, is a cultivation genius. Therefore, I wanted to see for myself. If possible, I would like to take him as my disciple."
As she spoke, Yun Yun turned her head to look at Xiao Yan.
The moment she said this, everyone's gaze fell upon Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan now wanted to give Nalan Yanran a big slap.
He was still wondering how to avoid the Cloud Mist Sect's attention, and now Nalan Yanran had brought Yun Yun over to recruit him as a disciple?
What did it mean to be a sheep walking into a tiger's den?
Once he entered the Cloud Mist Sect, with his Talent, he would inevitably attract the attention of everyone in the sect.
What's more, Yao Lao was still in his ring.
Sending him to the Cloud Mist Sect, what was the difference between that and walking straight to his death?
Beside him, Xun Er also clenched her small fists.
How despicable!
To try and take her Brother Xiao Yan away right in front of her!
The audacity!
"Yan'er?"
Seeing that Xiao Yan hadn't responded for a long time, Xiao Zhan prompted him.
Xiao Yan came back to his senses. Looking at the many expectant gazes before him, he pursed his lips and said:
"To receive Sect Master Yun's appreciation is a great honor for me. But I am used to being undisciplined at home and have no intention of joining a sect for the time being."
As soon as he said this, looks of astonishment appeared on everyone's faces.
Did they hear that right?
Xiao Yan, he actually rejected Yun Yun, the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect?
Upon hearing this, Xun Er, who was at his side, let out a sigh of relief.
Great, if Brother Xiao Yan isn't willing to go, then there's a lot she can do!
Nalan Yanran's face stiffened at his words, and Yun Yun, beside her, also frowned slightly.
She could tell that Xiao Yan wasn't the kind of person who was so arrogant and ignorant due to his talent.
But he was also genuinely unwilling to join the Cloud Mist Sect.
This was strange. Within the Jia Ma Empire, there was no one who didn't want to join the Cloud Mist Sect.
"Then... putting the Cloud Mist Sect aside, what if it is I, Yun Yun, who wants to take you as my disciple?"
An idea struck her, and she suddenly asked.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow at her words. He hadn't expected Yun Yun to be willing to go this far.
However, before he could speak, the Third Elder, who had always been hot-tempered and impatient, couldn't help but urge:
"Xiao Yan, Sect Master Yun has come in person to take you as her disciple. What are you still considering, you brat?"
The Second Elder also chimed in, "That's right, being able to enter the Cloud Mist Sect is something countless people dream of, not to mention the Sect Master coming personally to take you as a disciple!"
By joining the Cloud Mist Sect, with Xiao Yan's Talent, he would almost certainly become the next Sect Master.
In that case, the Xiao Clan would inevitably become the most powerful family in the Jia Ma Empire for the next several hundred years!
The First Elder, however, remained silent, because he saw Yun Yun frown.
He couldn't guess the thoughts of great figures, but he knew that no matter what, this matter should be left for Xiao Yan to decide for himself. After all, he was the one with the talent.
Xiao Zhan also said nothing. He understood his son; Xiao Yan was a very opinionated person. If it was something he didn't want to do, it was no use no matter who tried to persuade him.
Nalan Yanran was also a little confused when she heard that Xiao Yan was unwilling to join the Cloud Mist Sect.
Logically, at this point in time, Xiao Yan shouldn't have any aversion to the Cloud Mist Sect.
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
"Well, if I don't have to go to the Cloud Mist Sect, then I can consider it."