"Bang!"
The moment those words left her mouth, the jade teacup in Xiao Zhan's hand shattered into a cloud of fine powder.
The hall fell into complete silence. Even the elders seated above were momentarily stunned by Nalan Yanran's words. But soon, their gazes turned cold — indignation flickering within their eyes.
At present, Xiao Yan was the pride of the Xiao Clan — their greatest talent in generations. For Nalan Yanran to come here and request a withdrawal from their engagement was nothing short of a public slap to the clan's face.
Around the hall, some of the younger members who were secretly envious of Xiao Yan exchanged glances. After quietly asking their parents about the engagement, mocking smiles appeared on their faces. One by one, their ridiculing eyes turned toward the corner where Xiao Yan stood silently.
Nalan Yanran felt a twinge of tension under the icy gaze of Xiao Zhan. Her lips tightened slightly, her fingers nervously twining together — yet she still tried to maintain her composure. No matter what, Xiao Zhan was her elder.
"Uncle Xiao," she began softly, "I know this request may sound abrupt, but this engagement was arranged by our elders when I was still a child. I've never even met Brother Xiao Yan before, and there is no emotional foundation between us. Feelings cannot be forced…"
She paused briefly, then added in a firmer tone,
"So, I hope Uncle Xiao can agree to dissolve the engagement."
Xiao Zhan's expression grew darker, but before he could speak, the middle-aged man beside Nalan Yanran — Elder Ge Ye of the Yunlan Sect — stepped forward and said respectfully,
"Clan Leader Xiao, surely you understand that the agreements made by the older generation shouldn't bind the young forever. They must live their own lives. Keeping this engagement only burdens both parties — Young Master Xiao Yan and Miss Yanran alike."
His words were calm and polite — reasoning through emotion and logic alike. The Yunlan Sect had originally invited Xiao Zhan for a private meeting, but Xiao Zhan, thinking they intended to act high and mighty, deliberately called the entire clan to be present.
Now, even though he was burning with anger, Xiao Zhan couldn't openly vent it. After a long pause, he said coldly,
"I want to ask — did the Old Master of the Nalan family approve of this withdrawal?"
Nalan Yanran's lips curved slightly into a polite smile.
"Grandfather has indeed agreed. However, out of respect for the friendship between our two families, he decided not to come in person. He said it would be best for us juniors to handle this ourselves."
Hearing that, Ge Ye's eyes lit up. He quickly took a step forward, smiling in an almost flattering manner.
"Clan Leader Xiao, our Sect Master also knew that this request might seem impolite, so he asked me to bring something as compensation."
With that, Ge Ye waved his hand, and a faint glow flashed from the ring on his finger. A delicate jade box appeared in his palm.
He opened it carefully. At once, a faint, refreshing fragrance spread through the hall, making the Dou Qi within everyone's bodies stir slightly.
The Xiao Clan elders and members all turned their gazes toward the box — their eyes widening in confusion.
Inside lay a single violet pill, about the size of a dragon's eye, resting quietly within the box.
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Ge Ye said with visible reluctance,
"This is a Tier 4 Pill — the Violet Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill. Its effect is to help a Dou Master break through by one star without any side effects. The Sect Master personally instructed me to bring it."
The hall instantly fell silent.
Every elder's eyes widened in shock, and their gazes burned with barely restrained desire.
Even Xiao Zhan's heart wavered slightly.
After all — he was a Dou Master himself.
A pill that could grant him a direct breakthrough of one star without risk was a treasure beyond measure. Such a compensation was extremely generous.
Aside from being a little discourteous, this withdrawal offer was nearly flawless.
If Xiao Zhan refused, he would only appear unreasonable.
"Since Old Master Nalan has already agreed," Xiao Zhan finally said with a cold sigh, "then let this engagement be void. However, this Violet Heart Pill — we cannot accept it. Please, Miss Nalan, take it back."
Though his heart was moved, Xiao Zhan still had his pride.
Nalan Yanran bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Uncle Xiao, for your understanding. Then, I shall take my leave."
Ge Ye quickly placed the jade box on the nearby table and followed Nalan Yanran as they turned and departed.
As their figures disappeared beyond the hall doors, Xiao Yan — who had remained silent in the corner all along — finally lowered his head.
His face was dark and cold, his fingers clenched tightly until his nails dug deep into his palms.
An unbearable humiliation burned within him.
Yet, there was nowhere to vent it.
Because, in truth — Nalan Yanran hadn't acted improperly.
She had been polite, her reasoning sound.
The elders had approved.
And even the compensation offered was more than generous.
There was no fault to be found.
Three days later.
The events in Qinghong City had already spread across the entire Jia Ma Empire like wildfire. The Royal Family had surrendered to the Serpent Tribe, and the Yunlan Sect had disbanded.
The news sent shockwaves throughout the empire.
Everyone knew how powerful the Yunlan Sect had been — its influence reaching every corner of the land. When Yun Shan emerged from seclusion as a Dou Zong, their dominance only grew stronger.
And yet, now… the sect had fallen.
It was a world-shaking event.
At the same time, a name began to resound through every city —
Chen Mo.
A man who single-handedly faced four Dou Zong experts — and slew them all.
Such a feat was dazzling beyond compare.
Even so, the Serpent Tribe's complete takeover of the empire was far from simple.
They were, after all, a non-human race.
Resistance flared everywhere.
Humans saw the Serpent Tribe as cruel and violent, fearing massacre and domination. The serpents, in turn, saw humans as deceitful and treacherous.
Thus, even after the empire's surrender, countless skirmishes continued to erupt across the land.
Queen Medusa could not simply slaughter them all — that would be too brutal, too reckless.
In the end, she chose to control the royal family, installing them as puppets, granting them a few cities to rule while stationing Serpent Tribe troops around them.
Gradually, the chaos began to subside — though tension remained.
Qinghong City.
Now serving as the Serpent Tribe's temporary capital.
Reconstruction of the city walls was already underway.
Inside the City Lord's Mansion —
Chen Mo awoke after half a day of unconsciousness. Though his injuries appeared severe, they were far from fatal.
Protected by the Immortal Profound Art and the Divine Scale Heart Armor, his defense had been formidable. Coupled with the recovery of his Human Emperor Bloodline and Undying Devil Flame, most of his wounds had healed within three days.
Only his essence had been overdrawn too heavily, leaving his body weak. It would take about ten days for full recovery.
However, Queen Medusa's condition was far more serious.
Her internal injuries would take at least half a year to heal completely.
Die was in slightly better shape — but even she would need months of rest.
Inside the quiet chamber, the two sisters lay on the same bed.
Queen Medusa's face was pale, yet her cold, piercing eyes turned toward Chen Mo.
Her voice was faint but commanding:
"Speak honestly — and I might be lenient. Try to lie… and you'll regret it."
****
Well, my P*tr*on was banned and my S*bscribeSt*r is under review, so while my Sub is being activated, I'll be using K*-fi to sell advanced chapters. If you'd like to read those chapters (26+), you can go here:
ko-fi.com/shax07