Swallowing the Stars: The cheat system only comes when I'm almost a god?

After Xiao Yan sat down, his gaze turned to the distinguished guests in the hall.

The opposing force consisted of only five or six people, all dressed in moon-white robes with cloud and sword patterns embroidered on the cuffs—the very symbol of the behemoth Yunlan Sect of the Jia Ma Empire.

The leader was an elderly man with a ruddy complexion. His eyes flashed with a sharp light as he opened and closed them, and his aura was as deep as an abyss, far surpassing that of Xiao Zhan.

Even with Xiao Yan's current Dou Shi level perception, he felt that the other party was unfathomable, and his heart tightened slightly: "This person's strength has probably reached the Dou Ling level."

Several young women stood beside the old man, all of them possessing extraordinary looks and demeanor, with one in the center being the most eye-catching.

She was about the same age as Xiao Yan, with a budding figure and a cold, beautiful face, like a lotus on a snow mountain, pure and ethereal.

Despite wearing the robes of a Yunlan Sect disciple, his outstanding temperament was still undeniable.

What is most striking is the three gold stars painted on her chest, which signifies that she is a three-star fighter. To achieve such a feat at such a young age speaks volumes about her exceptional talent.

She is none other than Xiao Yan's "fiancée"—Nalan Yanran, the personal disciple of Yun Yun, the sect leader of the Yunlan Sect.

Unlike in the memory copy, Nalan Yanran was not accompanied by any arrogant male disciples; only a few junior sisters stood quietly behind her.

Their gazes swept curiously across the Xiao family hall, eventually settling mostly on the Xiao family genius who was renowned throughout Wutan City.

Nalan Yanran's cool gaze also fell on Xiao Yan's face, carrying a hint of scrutiny and a resolute determination hidden deep within.

The atmosphere in the hall became subtle as their eyes met.

Xiao Zhan's smile faded slightly, and the three elders also stopped praising him, their gazes shifting between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran.

Everyone knew that Yunlan Sect's visit was by no means a simple courtesy call.

Inside the hall, the air was almost frozen.

Elder Yunhai sat in the first seat among the guests. The old man, with his ruddy complexion, wore a warm smile, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

He broke the suffocating silence with a light cough, stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Zhan in the main seat, and said in a loud voice: "Clan Chief Xiao, I am Yun Hai, and I am honored to be an elder of the Yunlan Sect."

"I have come to your esteemed residence on the orders of the Grand Elder, bringing my junior disciple Yanran with me. There is an important matter I wish to discuss with Clan Chief Xiao and the other elders."

The proud smile on Xiao Zhan's face had long since vanished, replaced by the composure and solemnity befitting a clan leader.

He dared not neglect this Douling-level expert and quickly stood up to return the greeting: "Elder Yunhai, you flatter me."

"The Yunlan Sect is the leading force in the Jiama Empire. What matter could they possibly need to discuss with my Xiao family? Elder, please speak frankly. As long as it is within our power, the Xiao family will carefully consider it."

He deliberately left room for interpretation, not giving a firm answer as he would to an ordinary visitor.

Elder Yunhai smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan's calm expression, a hint of satisfaction and eagerness flashing in his eyes.

He turned to the purple-clad girl beside him, whose face was cold and beautiful, and his voice became even gentler: "Clan Chief Xiao, you must still remember this one."

She is Nalan Yanran, the apple of Old Master Nalan Su's eye, and also the personal disciple of Yun Yun, the Sect Master of my Yunlan Sect.

Xiao Zhan's gaze fell on Nalan Yanran, and he nodded: "Niece Nalan is exceptionally talented and famous throughout the empire, which I naturally remember. It has been many years since I last saw her, and she has grown even more extraordinary."

His tone was flat, lacking any real intimacy, and sounded more like a polite formality.

Nalan Yanran gave a slight bow, her clear, cool voice ringing out: "Uncle Xiao, you flatter me."

Her face was expressionless, but a hint of annoyance and reluctance lurked deep in her eyes.

Elder Yunhai took over the conversation, his smile deepening: "Clan Chief Xiao, to be honest, we have come here today precisely to discuss the marriage agreement between Junior Sister Yanran and your esteemed son Xiao Yan."

coming!

Everyone in the hall held their breath.

Xiao Zhan's gaze sharpened slightly, and the three elders exchanged glances, making the atmosphere suddenly become even more subtle.

Elder Yunhai seemed oblivious to the change in atmosphere and continued to speak eloquently: "Young Master Xiao Yan is a genius at a young age. He is already a nine-star Dou Zhe at the age of fifteen. Such talent is rare even in the entire empire. Our sect leader, Yun Yun, also praised him highly upon hearing this."

He paused, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Yan, before quickly turning to Xiao Zhan: "Sect Master, do you think it would be a waste for such a gem to remain in Wutan City? Our Yunlan Sect has a thousand-year-old heritage, profound foundation, and its cultivation techniques, fighting skills, and elixir resources are far beyond what ordinary forces can match."

"Therefore, what the sect leader means is..." Elder Yunhai leaned forward slightly and revealed his true intention, "He hopes that Young Master Xiao Yan can join the Yunlan Sect and become the sect leader's personal disciple."

At that time, she will be able to learn martial arts from her junior apprentice Yanran, support each other, and be not only a good match but also a good companion.

"Wait until the young master has achieved sufficient cultivation before marrying Yanran. The two of them can then jointly govern the Yunlan Sect. Wouldn't that be a beautiful story?"

Upon hearing this, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Join the Yunlan Sect? Become the Sect Master's personal disciple? Marry Nalan Yanran and jointly lead the Yunlan Sect?

Join the Yunlan Sect? Become the Sect Master's personal disciple? Marry Nalan Yanran and jointly lead the Yunlan Sect?

The terms sound incredibly generous. For a family in a small border town, to be able to form a marriage alliance with a behemoth like the Yunlan Sect, and for their descendants to have the potential to take over the sect, is a dream come true.

However, Xiao Zhan did not show any elation. Instead, his brows furrowed slightly, and the three elders also had different expressions.

Elder Yunhai was slightly surprised upon seeing this, but his smile remained unchanged as he added, "Of course, Clan Chief Xiao may also have some concerns, fearing that outsiders will not receive adequate resources for training after entering the Yunlan Sect."

Therefore, the sect leader proposed that after joining, Young Master Xiao Yan could change his surname to Yun, and from then on, he would become a core member of the Yunlan Sect, with all resources directed towards him, granting him a superior status.

Change your surname!

These two words were like a block of ice, completely freezing the already somewhat stagnant atmosphere.

Xiao Zhan's expression darkened completely. He slowly sat back in his chair, his voice firm and unwavering: "I appreciate the Yunlan Sect's kindness, and it is Yan'er's good fortune to be so highly regarded by your sect leader. However..."

He raised his head and looked directly at Elder Yunhai: "Yan'er is a member of my Xiao family, and his roots are in the Xiao family."

Leading his family back to its former glory is Yan'er's responsibility as a descendant of the Xiao family, and it has been his ambition since childhood.

Joining the Yunlan Sect and changing our surname to Yi... please forgive the Xiao family for being unable to comply.

A clean and decisive refusal!

Elder Yunhai's smile froze; he hadn't expected the Xiao family to refuse so decisively.

In his mind, given the conditions offered by the Yunlan Sect to recruit a genius from a small place, the other party should have been eager to agree.

"Clan Chief Xiao," he said, his tone becoming more serious, "please reconsider."

"The resources that Yunlan Sect can provide to Xiao Yan are far beyond what the Xiao family can match."

It's not impossible that there are high-level Xuan-rank cultivation techniques, combat skills, or even Di-rank cultivation techniques;

The supply of elixirs was continuous, and Master Guhe even tailored elixirs to his own needs;

Moreover, he has the sect leader personally guiding him... These are all guarantees for Young Master Xiao Yan's rapid growth; staying in the Xiao family would only hinder his future.

The First Elder coughed and said, "Elder Yunhai is absolutely right. The resources of Yunlan Sect are indeed enviable."

However, though my Xiao family is small, it has integrity.

Yan'er's talent is the hope for the Xiao family's revival. To send him away or even force him to change allegiances would be an insult to our ancestors.

The Second Elder also said slowly, "Moreover, my Xiao family also moved from the capital of Jiama back then. Although we are now weak, we still have some ties with some families in the capital and even the royal family."

Rushing into the Yunlan Sect would only make our position precarious. The Xiao family is a small and insignificant clan; it simply cannot withstand any major storms. Therefore, it's best to play it safe.

These words were spoken subtly, but the meaning was clear to everyone: the relationship between Yunlan Sect and the Jia Ma royal family and several major families was not harmonious, and the Xiao family did not want to get involved in this mess, much less become pawns.

The Third Elder smiled and then dropped another bombshell: "Furthermore, Yan'er's path is not limited to the Yunlan Sect."

"A few days ago, Xiao Yu, who was studying at Canaan Academy, sent a message back saying that her mentor Ruolin was quite interested in Yan'er's talent."

The other party personally promised that as long as Yan'er could join Canaan Academy through her, she would personally apply for outstanding student awards and special training programs for her.

At that time, Yan'er will be able to obtain at least a mid-level Xuan-rank cultivation technique and two Grade 3 pills per year. If she can enter the inner academy, she will also have the opportunity to come into contact with more profound inheritances.

Canaan Academy has stood on the continent for many years and possesses a profound foundation; perhaps it would be more suitable for Yan'er's development.

Canaan Academy!

Elder Yunhai's eyelids twitched.

Canaan Academy is far more renowned in the Northwest Continent than Yunlan Sect, and its neutral and transcendent status makes it even more attractive to geniuses. The Xiao family even has this connection hidden away.

He was getting anxious, and his tone became urgent: "Clan Chief Xiao, elders, the sect leader truly values ​​Young Master Xiao Yan."

In this way, as long as the young master is willing to join, the sect leader will not only take him as a personal disciple, but also promise him the qualification to challenge for the position of the young sect leader.

Furthermore, resources will be doubled, and Master Guhe will be able to specially refine pills for Young Master Xiao Yan every year. Please consider this carefully.

The other party raised the stakes again, to the point where it was almost impossible to refuse. Any one of the conditions proposed by Elder Yunhai was enough to drive countless people crazy.

However, Xiao Zhan exchanged glances with the three elders and still slowly shook his head.

Xiao Zhan said, "Elder Yunhai, it's not that the Xiao family is ungrateful."

The marriage agreement was made by the Xiao family and Old Master Nalan back then, and I have always kept it in mind.

Nalan's niece and Yan'er are a perfect match, and the Xiao family will definitely accept this marriage agreement. The timing of their marriage can also be discussed.

However, allowing Yan'er to join the Yunlan Sect... this concerns the very foundation of the Xiao family, and we regret that we cannot agree to it.

The meaning couldn't be clearer: we can accept this daughter-in-law, but she can't steal my genius away!

This statement positions Xiao Yan as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Yunlan Sect, while Nalan Yanran, the other party in the engagement, seems to have become nothing more than a background character, an "add-on" used to bind this genius.

Just then, Xiao Yan suddenly chuckled, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears: "Father, elders, I will walk my own path. Whether it's Canaan Academy or other forces, we don't need to depend on others."

His tone was calm, yet it carried a strong sense of confidence; the composure and sharpness unique to a young genius were impossible to ignore.

Nalan Yanran, who had been holding back her emotions, began to tremble slightly.

From the moment she was forced to come to Wutan City with Elder Yunhai, she felt deeply aggrieved.

When her teacher Yun Yun went out and did not return, the sect's Grand Elder forced her to come and discuss marriage under the pretext of protecting the sect's interests. She knew that the other party wanted to use her to tie down this rising genius.

Along the way, all she heard was how talented Xiao Yan was, which lessened her resentment.

But once she arrived in Wutan City, a casual inquiry ignited her anger.

When Xiao Yan was just a few years old, he peeked at his cousin taking a bath and was chased for half a year, becoming the laughing stock of the streets.

He was always accompanied by his charming cousin, Xiao Mei, who was practically inseparable from him.

Even Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the Mittel Auction House who came from the capital, took a liking to him and found excuses to get close to him every day.

With a string of romantic entanglements, how could Nalan Yanran possibly accept such a fiancé?

Today, in this hall, the verbal exchange between the elders of the Xiao family and Elder Yunhai trampled her last shred of dignity underfoot.

Yunlan Sect wanted to use her to bind a genius, and the Xiao family also implied that they would use her as a bargaining chip.

They always said they were "willing to acknowledge the marriage" and that "everything is negotiable," but no one ever asked her, the person involved, whether she was willing...

All the grievances and resentment erupted like a volcano at this moment.

"That's enough!"

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