Chapter Fourteen: The Xiao Family of Wutan City

At the break of dawn the next day, Lin An was already prepared. When Nalan Yanran arrived, they quickly set out for Wu Tan City under her guidance.

Before their departure, Yun Yun appeared, watching as Lin An and Nalan Yanran descended the mountain together. This time, their journey to Wu Tan City included Elder Ge Ye and several other elders whom Lin An did not recognize at all. Their presence was clearly to lend stature to the occasion.

In less than ten days, Lin An and his companions finally reached Wu Tan City. The city, under the jurisdiction of the Jia Ma Empire, was considered one of the empire’s major cities only because it backed onto the Magical Beast Mountains, though it remained among the lesser ranks. Xiao Yan’s family held considerable influence in Wu Tan City, but compared to the Cloud Mist Sect, there was still a vast gap.

Lin An regarded Wu Tan City with curiosity. After all, this was where the future Flame Emperor had spent his childhood—not particularly grand, but not desolate either.

“This is Wu Tan City. As for the Xiao Family, just ask around and you’ll easily find it,” Ge Ye remarked.

Nalan Yanran nodded and stepped down from the carriage. Since joining the Cloud Mist Sect, she had spent most of her time cultivating there, rarely returning to her family, and even then, only for brief visits before hurrying back to the sect. Besides the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire, this was only the second place she had ever visited, so naturally, she took her time to look around.

After a few simple inquiries, they soon learned the location of the Xiao Family’s residence. Not long after, the group arrived at the Xiao Family’s gate.

“Who are you, and for what purpose have you come to the Xiao Family?” a guard stepped forward to question Lin An and the others.

“Please inform Uncle Xiao Zhan that Nalan Yanran from the Cloud Mist Sect, accompanied by Elder Ge Ye, has come to visit,” Nalan Yanran responded.

The guard had certainly heard of the Cloud Mist Sect. Though he did not understand why its members would seek out the Xiao Family, he hurried off to report to Xiao Zhan. The mere name of the Cloud Mist Sect was enough to draw Xiao Zhan out to receive guests.

Another guard then led Lin An, Nalan Yanran, and their companions toward the council hall.

On the way, Lin An encountered a stunning young woman whose beauty rivaled Nalan Yanran’s. Her bearing was calm and refined, marking her as someone of extraordinary origin. Lin An needed no further thought—this must be Xiao Xun’er.

“So at last... they have come?”

A faintly mocking smile played at the corner of Xiao Xun’er’s lips, as though she held little regard for Nalan Yanran. Given her background and status, she had every reason to be dismissive.

Nalan Yanran sensed the hostility in Xiao Xun’er’s eyes and looked at her more closely. She was momentarily struck by her beauty—she had not expected the Xiao Family to possess such a peerless young woman, one whose appearance was in no way inferior to her own. However, Nalan Yanran quickly dismissed her interest. So what if she was beautiful? After today, the Xiao Family and its people would have nothing more to do with her.

In the council hall, Ge Ye sat on a sandalwood chair, savoring a cup of tea, while Nalan Yanran and Lin An stood quietly behind him, awaiting Xiao Zhan’s arrival.

“May I ask which esteemed guest from the Cloud Mist Sect you are?” Some elders of the Xiao Family arrived before Xiao Zhan and looked to Ge Ye, clearly considering how best to forge a connection with the sect.

“I am Ge Ye, an elder of the Cloud Mist Sect,” Ge Ye replied calmly.

“So it is Elder Ge Ye. May I ask the reason for your visit to the Xiao Family at this time? If there is any way the Xiao Family can be of service, please speak,” one elder responded.

“There are indeed some matters related to the Xiao Family, but they are not for you to decide. Best wait until Patriarch Xiao Zhan arrives,” Ge Ye said, then engaged in idle conversation with the elders as they waited.

Soon after, Xiao Xun’er entered the hall. Everyone present knew her extraordinary status, so none dared provoke her. Without a word, Xiao Xun’er found a seat, took out a book, and began reading quietly.

Before long, Xiao Yan’s father, Xiao Zhan, arrived in the council hall. At first glance at Ge Ye and the others, he frowned. He had heard that elders from the Cloud Mist Sect had come to visit, but upon seeing them, he realized he did not recognize any of their faces and could not guess their purpose.

Nevertheless, as they were members of the Cloud Mist Sect, he ensured all proper courtesies were observed.

“May I ask what brings you to the Xiao Family?” Xiao Zhan asked Ge Ye, his gaze also falling on Nalan Yanran behind him. For some reason, she seemed familiar.

“My name is Ge Ye, an elder of the Cloud Mist Sect. As to the purpose of our visit, let us wait for Xiao Yan to arrive before discussing it.”

“In the end, this matter concerns him,” Ge Ye added.

“Uncle Xiao!” Nalan Yanran stepped forward and spoke with serene elegance.

“So it’s Niece Nalan? I hadn’t expected you to grow so much since I last saw you!” No wonder she felt familiar—she was, after all, the fiancée promised to his son Xiao Yan. At once, Xiao Zhan’s expression softened. Though he had spent most of these years in Wu Tan City managing family affairs, he still kept occasional contact with the Nalan Family.

...

“Father, Elders.” Not long after, Xiao Yan, having received word, entered the council hall and respectfully greeted Xiao Zhan and the three elders.

“Yan’er, you’ve come. Please, sit down,” Xiao Zhan said, immediately inviting Xiao Yan to be seated.

Since their engagement, the two had never met. Now, both were fifteen, and it was time for them to become acquainted.

As for the three elders, they showed Xiao Yan no kindness, their eyes full of impatience and disdain.

Yet, there was no seat arranged for Xiao Yan in the hall. In the end, it was Xiao Xun’er who rescued him from his awkward predicament.

Lin An, too, observed Xiao Yan from the corner of his eye. As fellow transmigrators, he noted Xiao Yan’s current misfortune. However, today would prove a turning point; soon, the old medicine spirit within Xiao Yan’s black ring would awaken, marking the beginning of his meteoric rise.

At the same time, Lin An noticed the change in Xiao Yan’s expression, shifting from indifference to simmering anger. He guessed that Xiao Xun’er was explaining to him the true reason for their visit.

The scene unfolding before him matched exactly that of the original novel.

Nalan Yanran, watching Elder Ge Ye chat idly with the Xiao Family, grew increasingly anxious. At a moment like this, why waste time on meaningless pleasantries?

Elder Ge Ye had also noted Xiao Yan’s expression, and seeing Nalan Yanran’s impatience, he knew it was time to state their purpose for coming.