Different from what Nalan Yanran had expected, after she spoke, the young man before her suddenly began to tremble violently, slowly lifting his head. The delicate, youthful face now looked fierce and almost terrifying. Though he had endured constant mockery over the past three years, in Xiao Yan's heart, there had always been a certain dignity he held firm to—Nalan Yanran's lofty, almost patronizing demeanor precisely stepped on that last remaining sense of self-respect. "Ah!" Nalan Yanran stepped back, startled by the young man's grim expression. The handsome young man beside her suddenly drew his long sword, his gaze cold and fixed firmly on Xiao Yan. "I... I really want to kill you!" With each word, the tremor in his teeth revealed a fierce, deadly intent. Xiao Yan clutched his fists tightly, his dark eyes blazing with rage. "No, Yan'er, do not be unreasonable!" Above all, Xiao Zhan was also startled by Xiao Yan's actions, quickly shouting out, for the Xiao family could not afford to offend Yunlan Sect at this moment. He clenched his fists tightly, Xiao Yan slightly bowed his head, then gently raised it again—though the earlier fierce and terrifying demeanor had now settled into calmness. Over the past three years, though he had endured constant discrimination and mockery, these very hardships had forged in him a patience far beyond the ordinary. Before him stood Na Lan Yanran, the favored disciple of Yunlan Sect. If he now truly did anything to her, it would surely bring countless complications to his father. Thus, he had to endure. Observing the young man who had so suddenly calmed down, both Ge Ye and Na Lan Yanran felt a sudden chill. "If this boy remains a mere waste of talent, that would be acceptable. But if he truly develops strength—then he will certainly become a dangerous figure," Ge Ye thought seriously within himself. "Xiao Yan, though I don't know why your actions have made you so angry, still—please dissolve the engagement!" Taking a deep, steady breath, Lan Yan recovered from her initial shock, her face now solemn. "Please remember that my visit to the Xiao family was personally approved by my teacher, the Grand Master of Yunlan Sect!" She bit her lower lip, slightly tilting her head, speaking with a touch of resignation. "You may consider this a form of pressure. Yet you must also know that reality rarely allows for absolute fairness. Though I don't wish to emphasize it, you yourself are aware of the gap between us. We… simply don't have much of a chance." He is the head of the family. If today he truly agrees to your request, how will he manage the administration of the Xiao family in the future? How will he maintain his standing in Wutan City?" Gazing at the young man whose face was flushed with fury, Lan Yanran slightly furrowed her brows, her eyes glancing at Xiao Zhan, who now seemed noticeably older than before. A touch of regret stirred in her heart. She lightly bit her full lips, paused thoughtfully, and then, with her bright eyes subtly shifting, softly said, "Today's matter—indeed, I have been somewhat impetuous. I can temporarily withdraw my request to dissolve the marriage alliance. However, I would like you to agree to a condition." "What condition?" Xiang Yin asked, frowning. "I can delay your request by three years. In three years' time, you shall come to Yunlan Sect to challenge me. If you lose, I will publicly dissolve the marriage alliance. By then, I'm sure you will have completed your family's coming-of-age ceremony, so even if you lose, it will not be too humiliating for Xiao Uncle. Will you accept this?" Lan Yanran said calmly. "Heh, if we lose, then indeed, Father's reputation won't suffer much. But me? Perhaps for the rest of my life, I'll have to carry the stain of a shameful defeat. This woman—truly, she's quite ruthless!" With a sigh of bitter resolve, Xiao Yan's face was filled with scorn. "Ms. Nalan, you must know well the condition of Xiao Yan. How can he possibly challenge you? To treat him this way—what purpose does it serve?" Xiao Zhan slammed his palm onto the table, rising in anger. "Uncle Xiao, it's always someone who has to shoulder the responsibility for a broken engagement. If it weren't for the need to preserve your dignity, Yan Yan would have already formally dissolved the engagement and announced it to all!" After several setbacks, Nalan Yan Yan grew increasingly impatient, turning to the silent Xiao Yan and sharply demanding, "Since you don't wish to compromise Uncle Xiao's dignity, then accept the agreement! Three years from now, or now—what will it be?" "Nalan Yanyan, you don't need to act so assertive. If you're deciding to dissolve the engagement, it's simply because you believe I, Xiao Yan, am merely a mediocre match for you—a heavenly beauty, after all. To put it bluntly, aside from your beauty, I've never found anything admirable in you! Yunlan Sect is indeed strong, but I'm still young, and I have plenty of time ahead. I became a Battle-User at just twelve, while you, Nalan Yanyan, at twelve—how many Battle-User levels did you even possess? Yes, I admit that right now, I am still a mere novice. Yet, I managed to achieve something extraordinary just three years ago. So, what gives you the right to believe I can't achieve even greater things in the years to come?" Faced with the determined stance of the young woman, Xiao Yan, who had remained silent until now, finally erupted like a volcano. His face grew stern, and the force of his words left everyone in the hall stunned. Who could have imagined that the usually quiet and reserved youth could be so compelling? Nalan Yanran moved her lips slightly, though deeply agitated by Xiao Yan's appraisal, she found herself unable to defend herself—what Xiao Yan had said was indeed true. Regardless of how currently inept he might be, he had genuinely become a Battle Competitor at the age of twelve, while Nalan Yanran herself had only just reached the eighth level of Battle Qi back then. Even if you once possessed unmatched talent, right now you're nothing but a waste! Very well, Lan Yanran shall wait for the day you surpass me once again. Today's decision to dissolve our engagement—I'll let that go. But in three years, I'll be waiting for you at Yunlan Sect. Show me what you're capable of! If by then you defeat me, Lan Yanran shall serve you—she'll be at your mercy for life! Of course, if by then you're still just this useless, then I want you to hand over that official dissolution contract right away! Watching the girl with her face turning as pale as paper, Xiao Yan laughed and mocked, "No need to wait until three years from now—I simply have no interest in you at all!" Without paying attention to the icy composure of Lan Yanran, he turned abruptly, strode swiftly to the table, and began writing with vigor! The ink settled. The pen paused. Xiao Yan suddenly drew his short sword from the table with his right hand, and the sharp blade cut abruptly across the palm of his left hand, severing it with a gash—blood immediately stained the palm. The blood-streaked hand left a glaring imprint on the white paper. Staring coldly at Nalan Yanran's expression of astonishment, Xiao Yan suddenly turned and bowed deeply before Xiao Zhan, kneeling and pressing his forehead firmly to the ground, his lips tightly pressed together—firmly silent, resolute. Though, in name, it was Xiao Yan who had expelled Nalan Yanran from the family, once the matter became known, others would surely hold a different view. To those unfamiliar with the situation, it would seem that Nalan Yanran, with her strong family background, exceptional talents, and beauty, had forced the Xiao family to withdraw the engagement—after all, pairing her with a mere mediocre young lord from the Xiao family was simply beyond reasonable expectation. No one would believe that Xiao Yan had the courage to dissolve the engagement of a future leader of Yunlan Sect. And thus, as Xiao Yan’s father, Xiao Zhan would surely face countless criticisms. Watching Xiao Yan kneeling in humble submission, Xiao Zhan smiled calmly, gently saying, "I believe my son will not remain a mere waste of talent. Over time, in the face of reality, these mere rumors will inevitably fade away." "Father, in three years' time, Yan will go to Yunlan Sect to personally clear your honor today!" With a slightly moistened eye, Xiao Yan bowed deeply, then rose immediately and strode straight toward the hall's entrance without hesitation. As he passed Lan Yanran, his steps halted. With a calm, yet gentle voice, he uttered coldly, "In three years, I'll find you!" Bowed respectfully before Xiao Zhan, whose expression remained cold and impassive, Lan Yanran had no intention of staying any longer. She rose and headed toward the hall's entrance, where Ge Ye and the handsome young man hurried to follow. "Take the Qi-Dispersion Scroll with you!" With a wave of his hand, Xiao Zhan coldly sent the jade box on the table flying. Ge Ye reached back, caught it稳ly, and smiled faintly, placing it into his ring. "Lady Lan, I hope you won't regret today's actions of the eldest daughter. And remember—don't think that with Yunlan Sect's backing you can go unchecked. The Qi Continent is vast and vast. There are many who surpass Yunyun in strength..." The soft, delicate voice of the young woman suddenly rose, carrying a subtle coldness, as the three of them were about to step out. Their steps halted abruptly. Their eyes, now slightly altered, turned toward the corner where the purple-dressed girl was gently turning the pages of her book.