BTTH: Template System

In the main hall, Xiao Zhan and the three clan elders were talking excitedly with the strange elder. The guest seemed to have something weighing on his mind, yet whenever it seemed as if he was about to broach the subject, he would swallow back the words and change the topic. Each time he did this, the delicate girl next to him would give the elder a subtle yet firm glance.

After listening to their conversation for a while, Xiao Yan was bored by their conversation and his head was slowly drooping.

This was similar to Xiao Ming's reaction, who was staring at the system windows with a serious expression. From an outsider's perspective, he looked like he was thinking about something very seriously combined with his negative aura that wasn't exactly the best image he could create.

[+10 FP!]

[+20 FP!]

[+40 FP…]

"C-cousin Xiao Ming." Xiao Mei the youngling that invited him to sit beside her gently tugs his shirt catching his attention. "Do you know who they are?"

"…" Xiao Ming just stared at her few seconds before shaking his head.

"Did you see the symbol of a silver sword with the clouds on the cuff of their robes?" Xiao Mei said with a nervous smile on her face.

"Sword sparkling in the clouds… hmm… are they from the Misty Cloud Sect?" Xiao Ming is acting as if not knowing rather come out flat but Xiao Mei was too nervous to notice that.

The Xiao Clan was one of the three ruling clans of Wu Tan City which was part of the Jia Ma Empire. Even though this city is listed as being one of the bigger cities within the Jia Ma Empire, it was still dwarfed by the size of the empire, despite having the Magic Monsters Mountain Range behind it.

If the Xiao Clan was the strongest power in Wu Tan City, then the Misty Clouds Sect would be the strongest power in the entire Jia Ma Empire! The difference between the Xiao Clan and the Misty Cloud Sect was enormous, to the point where Xiao Yan's father Xiao Zhan, who normally kept a strict and harsh face, was extremely respectful in front of these guests.

"Do you wanna know why they are here?" Xiao Mei asked with a little mischief in her voice. It seems like even if she was afraid of him her childish nature wasn't fully suppressed by it.

"It's related to the marriage agreement of young master Xiao Yan and the young miss over there." Xiao Ming answered flatly.

"Oh, you already know about it? Then you must have already known about where they are from too." To Xiao Mei, Xiao Ming simply nodded his head.

"You are correct."

"Hmph" Xiao Mei looks away crossing her hands which Xiao Ming directly ignored.

"Grandfather and Nalan Jie were like blood brothers and at that time, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were born around the same time, so the two decided that you guys would get married. But, unfortunately, three years after he was born, grandfather died in a fight with a clan enemy and as time passed, Xiao Clan's relation with the Nalan family became weaker…" Xiao Mei paused and looked at Xiao Ming who was trying his best to act like interested in her story. "Nalan Jie is not only arrogant, he also puts extreme emphasis on promises. The marriage was decided by him so even though your name has been quite bad the past few years, he has never once thought of annulling the marriage…"

"But they don't look like people come to marry."

"Nalan Jie has the final say in all matters within the family so even though he is very fond of his granddaughter, no one in the family has stepped up to oppose the marriage…" Xiao Mei lightly glanced at Xiao Yan and then towards Nalan Yanran before continuing, "But 5 years ago, Nalan Yanran became a student under the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. In these 5 years, Nalan Yanran demonstrated incredible talent. When a person has enough power to change the path of their life, they would try their hardest to change things that they don't like and unfortunately, she absolutely hates her promised marriage with young master Xiao Yan."

"So they are here for the marriage nullification." Xiao Ming says the conclusion earning a nod from her.

His eyes glanced at Xiao Yan who looked bewildered and probably understood the meaning behind Nalan Yanran's visit.

Soon Xiao Xun Er comforted him but that only made him reflect on his situation making him feel like her words somewhat mocking him. Perhaps the last three years of being ridiculed by the Xiao Clan resulted in him developing some kind of inferiority complex.

"Tsk, even though I told you things even the sect leader might not know you looked so uninterested."

Xiao Ming simply ignored this little girl and met eye-to-eye with Nalan Yanran. He does a little nod as a greeting for the reply to her cold stare.

"Ahem." The white-robed elder cleared his throat and stood up. Putting his hands together, he smiled: "Clan leader Xiao Zhan. The reason we came here today is because we would like your help for something."

"Of course, Ge Ye, if you have any problems just let me know. If I can help you solve it, then I definitely wouldn't dare say no." To the visiting elder, Xiao Zhan did not refuse but since he did not know what the request was, he did not make any promises either.

"Hehe, Leader Xiao, do you know her?" Ge Ye smiled lightly and pointed to Nalan Yanran next to him.

"Umm… I'm sorry, this girl is…" Xiao Zhan looked over the girl and awkwardly shook his head.

"Huh…Her name is Nalan Yanran." Ge Ye awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Uncle Xiao, I haven't come to pay my respects in a long time. It's my fault that you don't recognize me." Nalan Yanran sweetly said.

"Hehe, Yanran, I heard that you've become a student under Yun Jun. At the time, I thought that it was just a baseless rumor, but now I realize that it's true. What incredible talent you must have…" Xiao Zhan complimented.

"It was just good luck…" Smiling lightly, Nalan Yanran began to feel uncomfortable and lightly tugged Ge Ye's robe with her hand under the table.

"Hehe, Leader Xiao, the request that I have relates to Yanran. In addition, this was assigned by our sect leader…" Ge Ye kept his smile but when he mentioned the faction leader, he subconsciously lessened his smile and his face grew serious.

Like Ge Ye, Xiao Zhan stopped smiling. The sect leader of the Misty Clouds Sect was one of the most important people in the entire Jia Ma Empire. Xiao Zhan, who was a small clan leader, wouldn't dare to provoke her. But with her power, what would she need Xiao Clan to help with? Ge Ye did say that it was related to Yanran, is it that?

A wandering thought crossed Xiao Zhan's mind causing the edge of his mouth to twitch slightly and his firm hand to start trembling, thankfully his hands were covered by his long sleeves. Taking care to push down the thought, Xiao Zhan shakily asked: "Mister Ge Ye, please do tell me what is the sect's request?"

"Errr…" Ge Ye hesitated but he thought about how much the faction leader adored Yanran and thus, he clenched his teeth: "Leader Xiao, you know how strict the rules are in the sect. In addition, the sect leader views Yanran very highly the sect leader is expecting Yanran to be the next sect leader. However, due to a special rule, the future sect leaders cannot have a relationship with another male before they become the sect leader…"

Taking a breath, Ge Ye continued: "When our sect leader asked Yanran about it, she realized that Yanran and the Xiao Clan had a marriage proposal, therefore, the sect leader asks for Leader Xiao to… to cancel this marriage."

"What?!" The jade cup in Xiao Zhan's hands crushed into powder in an instant.

Silence descends upon the main hall, everyone looks at each other's face for a reaction a few times before looking at Xiao Zhan. Especially the clan elders looked at him with plain glee and ridicule.

Even Xiao Ming could hear the elder's thoughts from the way they look, if he translates them: "Hehe, how will you respond to this?"

A couple of the younger kids didn't know about the set marriage between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, but after asking their parents about it, their faces brightened! Their glances towards Xiao Yan were full of ridicule and distaste.

Looking at Xiao Zhan's dark face, Nalan Yanran lowered her head and squeezed her fingers together.

"Leader Xiao, I know that this request is a little over the top, but because the sect leader requested it, please cancel the marriage…" Helplessly letting out a breath, Ge Ye lightly whispered to Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Ming knew that those words would surely push Xiao Zhan's bad mood to the limit so prepared himself for the incoming storm.

Xiao Zhan's hands curled into fists. A faint green Dou Qi slowly crept over his body and finally, it formed an illusory lion's head in front of Xiao Zhan's face.

Xiao Clan's Secret Qi Method: Furious Lion's Rage! Level: Middle Xuan (Black)!

Invisible spiritual pressure rushes out from the clan leader almost like a giant beast that's trying to swallow everything in its path. Xiao Ming is Dou Qi which is blue-black in color swallows him and collides with the incoming pressure.

Following his lead other youngsters raise their Dou Qi too trying to resist the incoming pressure.

The Misty Cloud Sect's Qi Method: Green Wood Sword! Level: Low Xuan!

Another opposing pressure descends upon the hall pushing back the sect leader's pressure creating balance between the two techniques.

When Xiao Zhan's breathing became more intense, the three elders yelled out! Their voices were like lightning that swept through the hall: "Xiao Zhan, STOP! Don't forget, you're the clan leader of Xiao Clan!"

Xiao Zhan stiffened and the Dou Qi on his body disappeared slowly. Ge Ye also released the technique allowing the weaker youngsters to take a breath of relief.

Xiao Zhan fell back into his chair and emotionlessly watched the lowered head of Yanran. Finally, he said in a raspy tone: "Nalan, you have some guts. With such a daughter, I'm really envious of Nalan Su."

Nalan Yanran twitched: "Uncle Xiao…"

"No! Call me Clan Leader Xiao from now on. I don't deserve to be called Uncle; you're the future sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. In the future, you'll probably be one of the most important people in Dou Qi Continent. My Xiao Yan only has modest talent, he doesn't deserve you…"

"Thank you Clan Leader Xiao." Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Ge Ye's face brightened. Apologizing, he says: "Clan Leader Xiao, the sect leader understands that today's request is quite disrespectful. Therefore, she asked me to bring something, please accept it as an apology from our faction leader."

Ge Ye touched a ring on his hand and suddenly a completely pan-green jade box appeared in his hand. Unknown to him Xiao Ming's eyes quickly observed the ring's effect on the surrounding space around it.

Carefully opening the box, a fragrance swept through the entire main hall. Anyone who smelled it felt relaxed.

The three elders' curiosity got the better of them and they poked their heads to see the contents of the box: "Qi Gathering Pill?"