Chapter 10: Xiao Yan: Is it only your Yunlan Sect that has Dou Huang?

Swish, swish!

In a corner, Xiao Yan had already risen without anyone noticing. Ignoring the countless gazes around him, he walked straight to the center.

Clenching his fists, he looked directly at Ge Ye and repeated the words he had just spoken.

Ge Ye was momentarily stunned before anger flashed across his face—a fury born from being challenged by a junior.

After all, even Xiao Zhan, the patriarch of the Xiao family, dared not speak to him this way. And yet, here was a mere youth, daring to address him so boldly.

“Xiao Yan, what are you saying?”

“Get back down. You have no right to speak here!”

“A useless brat, causing trouble without knowing the proper occasion!”

Before Ge Ye could respond, the three elders of the Xiao family launched their attacks.

The eldest elder slammed his teacup hard onto the ground, shattering it before Xiao Yan’s feet. Furious, he shouted, “Usually, I overlook your arrogance because of your status as the young clan leader, but today—do you even know who you’re speaking to?

“That’s Elder Ge Ye of the Yun Lan Sect. Do you understand what the Yun Lan Sect is? They could crush our Xiao family as easily as crushing ants. You’d better go back down immediately.”

Xiao Yan’s gaze shifted from the shards on the ground to the eldest elder’s face, then he suddenly smiled. “Elder, if the person whose engagement was broken today were your grandson, would you still have the face to say that?”

The eldest elder’s expression faltered.

“Xiao Yan, stop twisting the facts here. Miss Nalan is destined to become the head of the Yun Lan Sect; it’s normal she doesn’t fancy you. Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not young anymore—act like a man and give it up,” the second elder said.

Xiao Yan smiled coldly. “Twisting facts? I think you old fool have truly lost your mind.

“An engagement is a promise made by the elders. If it is to be broken, the elders themselves should say so. If a young girl comes knocking and the Xiao family agrees, or if I consent, then what face does the Xiao family have left to stand in Wutan City?”

“You insolent brat! How dare you insult the elders!” The second elder’s face flushed red, his finger trembling as he pointed at Xiao Yan, as if he were about to spit blood.

Seeing this, the third elder suddenly stood up sternly. “Guards, take the young clan leader away! What kind of disorderly conduct is this?!”

Immediately, some clan disciples rose to comply.

“Enough!” At that moment, Xiao Zhan, who had remained silent, barked sharply in anger and slammed the table beside him to pieces.

Those who had intended to drag Xiao Yan away begrudgingly sat back down.

The three elders, staring at Xiao Zhan—who was like an enraged lion—also fell silent, though their eyes still glared at Xiao Yan with contempt.

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It was clear they bore a deep grudge against Xiao Yan after his fierce retort.

Xiao Zhan exhaled deeply. “Yan’er, you are the one involved in this engagement; you have every right to voice your opinion.”

No sooner had he spoken than the eldest elder opened his mouth to retort, only to close it again under Xiao Zhan’s cold glare.

“Thank you, Father,” Xiao Yan said, shooting a grateful look his way.

He then turned and addressed Nalan Yanran. “Miss Nalan, I have a question.”

“You may speak,” Nalan Yanran nodded gently, having been observing Xiao Yan closely.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. “Does Grandpa Nalan know about today’s matter?”

“No,” she answered truthfully, then added, “But I’m not a child. I have the right to make decisions for myself, including marriage.”

“Heh, I can understand that. Honestly, I didn’t fancy you either and was thinking of talking to Grandpa Nalan in a couple of years to dissolve the engagement.” Xiao Yan expressed agreement. Just as a smile appeared on Nalan Yanran’s face, he abruptly changed his tone.

Instantly, the smile froze, and after a few seconds, anger surfaced on her delicate features. Her voice rose sharply. “You don’t fancy me? Xiao Yan, I thought you could be a normal man, but it seems you’re no different from others—just stubborn. I am a disciple of the Yun Lan Sect’s sect leader and will inherit the sect one day. Who do you think you are to look down on me?”

“Disciple of the Yun Lan Sect’s sect leader?” Xiao Yan’s tone was dripping with disdain.

“That’s right. Why are you laughing? My master is a Dou Huang, and I will become one too. And you? By that time, you probably won’t even be a Dou Shi,” Nalan Yanran shot back, her words sharp and biting.

“Dou Huang… how terrifying… hahaha. Yun Lan Sect, Dou Huang—so impressive, huh?” Xiao Yan’s mocking tone stunned everyone in the hall.

Many disciples stared at him as if he were insane.

Did he even know what he was saying?

The Yun Lan Sect was a colossal force within the Gama Empire, feared even by the royal family. And Xiao Yan seemed to look down on it?

Dou Huang was a legendary powerhouse, an existence that demanded reverence whenever they appeared.

And yet Xiao Yan appeared utterly contemptuous?

He must be mad, utterly mad!

The elders, initially angry, now burst into laughter upon hearing Xiao Yan’s words.

After all, why waste anger on a fool?

Who in their right mind would say such things?

Even the eldest elder’s eyes showed pity, feeling sorry for Xiao Yan, thinking he must have lost his mind after the heartbreak.

Alas… how tragic.

“Yan’er…” Xiao Zhan’s hands trembled as he gripped his chair, worry etched deeply in his eyes.

Had he known this would happen today, he would never have allowed Xiao Yan to appear.

“Xiao Yan, how dare you insult the Yun Lan Sect! I demand you kneel and apologize immediately, or don’t blame the Yun Lan Sect for being ruthless!” A young man who had accompanied the group abruptly stood, radiating the aura of a five-star Dou Zhe, glaring furiously at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Zhan rose immediately, his aura as a Great Dou Shi erupting. “This is the Xiao family’s domain. Don’t push your luck!”

“Want to fight? Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, are you sure you’ve thought through the consequences of offending the Yun Lan Sect?” Ge Ye rose slowly, standing protectively in front of the young man.

“Xiao Zhan, stop!”

“Sit down, Xiao Zhan! Are you going to let a madman ruin the entire Xiao family?”

The three elders could no longer restrain themselves and hurriedly tried to stop Xiao Zhan.

It was absurd: even if Xiao Yan weren’t crazy, the family wouldn’t sacrifice everything for him.

Moreover, Xiao Yan now appeared clearly unwell.

Xiao Yan chuckled softly, unmoved by the accusation of madness. Calmly, he said, “Who’s the mad one? Have I said anything wrong? The Yun Lan Sect has a Dou Huang—does the Xiao family have no Dou Huang?”

Silence!

An overwhelming stillness!

Ge Ye immediately tensed, taking a defensive stance.

The three elders and Xiao Zhan were dumbfounded, staring blankly at Xiao Yan.

Their vacant expressions seemed to ask: when did the Xiao family ever produce a Dou Huang?

The surrounding disciples were equally stunned, their faces a mix of shock, excitement, anticipation, and curiosity.

In a corner, Xiao Xun’er was momentarily startled, a trace of nervousness flashing across her face as she whispered, “Old Ling, has Brother Xiao Yan discovered you?”