"Master Gu, please."
Nalan Yanran gestured for Gu Han to take the seat of honor.
"No need. Today you are the main character. I am merely here representing the sect to deliver gifts," Gu Han said as he walked to the third seat and sat down. His cold, resolute demeanor, paired with his handsome features and transcendent aura, made many young maidens' hearts flutter, their eyes sending him admiring glances.
Nalan Yanran didn't insist, nodding slightly before taking the first seat. The second seat was occupied by the Nalan family's Dou Spirit.
After exchanging pleasantries with Nalan Su for a while, Xiao Zhan subtly steered the conversation toward Gu Han: "Brother Nalan, may I ask who this young master is?"
Though he could already tell from the attire that Gu Han was a Cloud Mist Sect disciple, he wanted to learn more.
"This is Gu Han, an outer disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect, my esteemed nephew," Nalan Su introduced with a kindly expression. "He began cultivating at six years old and is already a five-star Dou Fighter at less than fifteen years of age. His talent surpasses even my daughter Nalan Yanran's, and he has gained the favor of Sect Leader Yun Yun."
"This time, Sect Leader Yun sent Nephew Gu out to gain experience, accompanying me to broaden his horizons."
Everyone present was shrewd. Nalan Su naturally wouldn't explicitly state that Gu Han was sent by Yun Yun as the Cloud Mist Sect's representative to witness the resolution of the marriage agreement. Simply mentioning Gu Han's talent and status within the Cloud Mist Sect was enough for Xiao Zhan to understand what to do.
Indeed, Xiao Zhan's gaze toward Gu Han instantly changed. He smiled and said, "So you are an outstanding disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect. Welcome to our Xiao Family. If you are not in a hurry, please stay with us for a few days and exchange insights with our younger generation."
Gu Han stood and cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan, neither humble nor arrogant: "Thank you for the invitation, Family Head Xiao, but for this trip, I will follow Uncle Nalan's arrangements."
Nalan Su felt immensely honored and laughed heartily: "Brother Xiao, that's not fair. I already said Sect Leader Yun entrusted me with taking care of my nephew, and you're inviting him over my head."
"Besides, you invited him but not me?"
"With our relationship, do you need a special invitation?" Xiao Zhan smiled in return. "You must stay at the Xiao Family for some time and let Young Friend Gu guide our younger generation, showing them that there is always someone better. Is that acceptable?"
Though the question seemed directed at Nalan Su, Xiao Zhan's gaze remained fixed on Gu Han, clearly aware of who held the final say.
"Since we will be imposing on the Xiao Family, it is only natural to help within my capabilities," Gu Han did not refuse.
This aligned perfectly with his goal of showcasing his talent in various ways to attract investment from either Gu Xun'er or her hidden guards.
Thinking of Xun'er, he couldn't help but turn his head to glance at the young girl sitting in the corner of the hall.
Like an orchid secluded in an empty valley, detached from the world, she sat quietly, her head bowed as she perused an ancient book.
Her delicate features and jade-like complexion were more exquisite than white jade. Though youthful and still bearing traces of childishness, she had already blossomed into an elegant figure. One could imagine she would grow into a beauty capable of toppling cities and captivating nations. Her unique aura made her unforgettable at first glance, etching itself into one's soul.
Sensing someone's intense gaze, Xun'er slightly raised her head and met Gu Han's eyes.
He was the most impressive male she had encountered thus far in terms of appearance and demeanor, but what surprised her more was the calmness and pure appreciation in the young man's gaze.
She was well aware of the allure her appearance and temperament held for the opposite sex, yet this was the first person who, upon seeing her, hadn't revealed that gaze she found so distasteful.
However, she was only slightly surprised, with no ripple of emotion stirring within her heart.
The world didn't revolve around her, after all. Gu Han's cultivation talent placed him among the prodigies of the Jia Ma Empire, so it was only natural he wouldn't be so shallow as to focus solely on external appearances.
After their gazes met, they only lingered for a moment before both simultaneously withdrew, making no further contact.
Just then, voices of the Xiao Family's steward speaking with guards came from the entrance.
Soon after, a kindly-looking elder entered, leading a neatly dressed youth who appeared somewhat subdued, with a silent expression and slightly lowered posture.
"The future Yan Di, I wonder how many memories of fellow transmigrators you still carry," Gu Han thought to himself, his restrained gaze falling upon the young Xiao Yan.
When he reached the center of the hall, Xiao Yan slightly raised his head, his eyes sweeping across every face in the room.
When his gaze fell upon the middle-aged man seated beside his father, his pupils abruptly contracted.
The reason was simple - though the man appeared even younger than Xiao Zhan, he wore a badge on his chest featuring a silver crescent moon surrounded by nine golden stars, indicating he was a Nine-Star Dou Grand Master.
In the over ten years since returning from the imperial capital to Wu Tan City, this was the strongest person he had encountered.
While pondering the man's identity, the youth then looked to his right.
Sitting in the foremost position was a young girl whose beauty surpassed even that of Xiao Mei and others in the clan. Though she fell slightly short of Xun Er's lotus-like purity, her combination of innocence and delicate vulnerability could more effectively stir men's protective instincts and possessive desires.
Yet what surprised him more than her appearance and temperament was that this girl, who appeared about his own age, was actually a One-Star Dou Fighter.
If she hadn't relied on external aids to awaken, this marked her as a true genius.
Taking a subtle inward breath, Xiao Yan shifted his gaze, spotting an unfathomable old man in the second position, then moving to the third.
"How is this possible!?" Xiao Yan's pupils contracted sharply, his mind roiling with shock and disbelief.
This youth wore moon-white robes, appeared about his own age, possessed handsome features, and carried himself with an upright, charismatic posture.
But what was truly astonishing wasn't his appearance - rather, it was the badge on his chest depicting five golden stars, indicating the youth was a Five-Star Dou Fighter.
Even when his own talent had been at its peak, he wouldn't have dared claim he could reach such heights at this age.
This was a peerless genius!
"Just who are these people who've come today?" Xiao Yan pondered intensely.
Remembering what Xiao Zhan had told him last night, a spark of hope ignited within him - perhaps these were people his father had invited to examine his physical condition.
"Father, three elders."
Though countless thoughts raced through his mind, Xiao Yan didn't hesitate in his actions, promptly greeting Xiao Zhan and the three elders.
"Hehe, Yan Er has arrived. Please take your seat," Xiao Zhan indicated for Xiao Yan to sit in the first position to his right.
This arrangement further solidified Xiao Yan's assumption.
Ever since his fall into mediocrity, his status and treatment within the Xiao Family had been declining day by day.
If these people today weren't here specifically for him, he likely wouldn't have been given the first seat - he might not have been given any seat at all.
"Yes, Father." Xiao Yan took a deep breath and walked to his designated seat.
After he was seated, Xiao Zhan spoke: "Yan Er, can you guess who this person beside me is?"
This was precisely the question Xiao Yan had been contemplating since first laying eyes on the man.
Normally speaking, children only begin forming memories after reaching three years of age.
But Xiao Yan was different. He knew about the Xiao Family's former "glory" and was aware that they had once been acquainted with many powerful figures.
Among them, the closest relationship would be...
"Could it be Uncle Nalan?"
Xiao Yan's dark eyes shone with an intense light, his gaze unconsciously sweeping over Nalan Yanran.
So this person was the... fiancée he had heard his father mention!?
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