Yun Yun didn't even think about causing the Yunlan Sect to offend the Xiao family, or causing the relationship between the Nalan and Xiao families to break down. In Yun Yun's view, these were not as important as making her apprentice's mind understand.
Although Nalan Yanran had been recognized by the Gate of Life and Death, she was not sure that she would be able to walk out of it alive. Yun Yun had also been through the Gate of Life and Death and knew how dangerous it was. Without a firm heart, Nalan Yanran would most likely lose her life.
"Clan leader Xiao, I know this request is a bit unreasonable, so I brought some gifts with me this time." Yun Yun's voice was still so calm, as if breaking off the engagement was just a common thing. She raised her jade hand gently, and several jade boxes of different colors were placed on the table.
"I've brought two fourth-grade elixirs, the Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill and the Qi Gathering Powder; two fifth-grade elixirs, the Wind Travel Pill and the Recovery Pill; a sixth-grade Qingming Longevity Pill; and a set of high-level wind-attributed Xuan-level fighting techniques. These are my apology for breaking off the engagement."
As Yun Yun spoke, the Yunlan Sect steward sitting beside her carefully opened a box. Suddenly, a strange fragrance filled the hall, refreshing everyone who caught its scent.
Upon hearing Yun Yun's terms, the Xiao family members in the hall couldn't help but breathe faster.
Once the box was opened and they saw the contents, they were indeed just as Yun Yun had described. Their mouths were dry.
The Yunlan Sect had invested heavily in these resources, and they had no intention of completely breaking with the Xiao family.
Xiao Ling's talent was obvious to all, and he would certainly not be confined to the small Jiama Empire. Even if they couldn't make friends, they couldn't make enemies. Otherwise, once Xiao Ling grew up, the Yunlan Sect would face hardship.
Two fourth-grade elixirs and a Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill could help Grand Dou Masters increase their cultivation by one star, while the Qi Gathering Powder could allow those at the ninth level of Dou Qi to break through to the level of Dou Master. Both were considered top-tier fourth-grade elixirs.
Two fifth-grade elixirs were also included, ensuring safety when taken in times of danger.
As for the sixth-grade Qingming Longevity Pill, only two people in the Jiama Empire could refine it. Since it came from the Yunlan Sect, it must have been refined by the guest elder, Gu He.
Longevity-enhancing elixirs are invaluable to any faction.
Furthermore, the personal visit of Yun Yun, the Yunlan Sect's leader, to offer an apology was a welcome relief for Xiao Yan and his son, ensuring no loss of dignity.
After all, they had already made sufficient preparations, and aside from publicly stating that the matter was inappropriate, there was nothing for others to criticize.
Even if other factions in the Imperial Capital learned of these events, they would not consider the Xiao family an affront.
After displaying these items, Yun Yun sat down. "Clan Leader Xiao, these are our Yunlan Sect's apology to Xiao Yan. Please consider breaking off the engagement."
As Yun Yun finished speaking, the hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes turned to Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan. Whether or not to break off the engagement depended solely on the decision of the parties involved.
Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan's expressions were grim. Even if Yun Yun's reasons were compelling, or the apology was precious, breaking off the engagement would still be a deeply unpleasant experience for Xiao Zhan and his son.
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Moreover, Xiao Yan's vision was no longer limited to the Jia Ma Empire. He was cultivating an intermediate-level Earth-rank technique, and he could eventually study alchemy at Canaan Academy. His cousin had said that with his soul talent, he had the potential to become an eighth-grade alchemist. These elixirs, considered invaluable by others, held little appeal to Xiao Yan.
At this moment, Zi Yan's voice reached Xiao Yan's ears, "Hey, do you need my help getting rid of these people?"
Turning around, seeing Zi Yan's playful expression, Xiao Yan scratched his head. "No, I'll handle this myself."
Xiao Yan nodded to Xiao Zhan, then stood up under the gaze of the crowd. He looked towards Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, "Sect Master Yun, you should take these elixirs back."
Across from Xiao Yan, Yun Yun frowned slightly. Nalan Yanran, assuming Xiao Yan was not planning to break off the engagement, a look of irritation crossed her face.
Before the other party could speak, Xiao Yan took a deep breath and asked calmly, "Miss Nalan, I'd like to ask, has Grandpa Nalan agreed to canceling the engagement today?"
Standing up, staring at the young man in front of her who was supposed to be her husband, Nalan Yanran said in a flat and gentle tone, "Grandpa didn't agree, but this is my business, and it has nothing to do with him."
"Since it wasn't Grandpa Nalan who asked to cancel the engagement, then it was your own decision. I guess you don't like me, your fiancé." Xiao Yan asked Nalan Yanran with a calm face.
Hearing Xiao Yan's question, Nalan Yanran answered with a firm look in her eyes: "I, Nalan Yanran, will never marry a man I have never met, and I will never let my marriage become a bargaining chip for family power. I, Nalan Yanran, have my own destiny, and I decide who to marry!"
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and said while clapping: "It's right to decide your own destiny. I, Xiao Yan, also agree that this marriage should be cancelled."
Xiao Yan's face remained calm. Looking at this "fiancée", he said slowly: "But, you are so rude to my father in public. "If I were to request a breakup, my father, as the head of the clan, would be utterly disgraced. He would become a laughingstock and his authority would be completely shattered. And I, Xiao Yan, would also be ridiculed in the Imperial Capital."
Xiao Yan changed the subject, his eyes sharpening. "I, Xiao Yan, am not unreasonable. You and I are the same age, both three-star Dou Zhe in cultivation, fighting at the same level. If you can defeat me, I will agree to break off the engagement and will not accept any apology. If you lose to me, I will personally go to the Nalan Mansion and divorce you, Nalan Yanran, in public."
He didn't care about the engagement. However, if the engagement they had agreed to today was canceled so easily, it would leave an indelible stain on his life. He couldn't bear the humiliation of being publicly broken off for such a small profit.
Xiao Yan's words shocked the entire room. No one had expected Xiao Yan to actually agree to break off his engagement with Nalan Yanran and give up those precious resources, simply to fight for his own dignity.
Nalan Yanran heard Xiao Yan's words and a faint smile appeared on her face. She looked at Xiao Yan more favorably. "Are you serious?"
Yun Yun looked at the young man in front of her. Her originally calm face finally showed a ripple, but she still spoke in a calm tone: "Are you sure, Xiao Yan? If you lose, not only will you have to cancel the engagement, but we will also take back these pills and skills."
Although Yun Yun said this, she still planned to wait until Xiao Yan lost to Nalan Yanran before leaving these resources.
(End of this chapter)