"Who are you? How dare you barge into the Ye Family like this!"
As soon as Xu Ran's voice fell, the face of an elder in the hall suddenly darkened. He stood up and, with an ugly expression, angrily said to Xu Ran.
Surrounding him were other elders of the Ye Family, who were also glaring at Xu Ran with anger. Could it be that Xin Lan had found someone she cared for outside?
But how could that be possible? Xin Lan must marry that young master from the Cao Family.
If the Cao Family knew that Xin Lan had an affair, it would be impossible to curry favor with them.
Some of the younger generations, who appeared a bit younger, revealed a sense of schadenfreude in their eyes. Although the Ye Family was declining, it wasn't the sort of place that just anyone could come and provoke, especially since he looked very young and not much older than they were.
Xu Ran glanced at the elder; he was just a One-Star Dou Zong, and judging by his seat, his status within the Ye Family must be quite high. A One-Star Dou Zong was far too weak compared to Xu Ran.
The strongest person in the hall, an elder in green clothes, was only a Six-Star Dou Zong.
It seemed the Ye Family was so weak, not much stronger than the Han Family. Though the Han Family wasn't formidable, they were located in a remote area, while the Ye Family occupied a city in the Central Plains which seemed unworthy of their station. Without strong allies, the Ye Family simply couldn't hold this place.
Countless forces coveting territory in the Central Plains were eyeing Zhongzhou.
If the Ye Family no longer had connections with the Pill Tower, the city would likely change hands the very next day.
This urgency was the reason behind the Ye Family's actions.
However, their behavior was considered by Xu Ran to be extremely shameful.
To forge a marriage alliance without a hint of guilt toward Xin Lan—that sort of family greatly disappointed Xu Ran.
"Xu Ran, I'm sorry, our family..."
Xin Lan bit her silver teeth, feeling that her family had gone too far.
Originally, she had left because she opposed the family's decision, but now that she had returned, she had to face the family's coercion. Even though she had feelings for her family, Xin Lan was very dissatisfied.
"Hmph. Xin Lan, this person must also be from Canaan Academy, right? What is your relationship with him?" The elder asked with a gloomy face. If Xu Ran was involved with Xin Lan, he would not hesitate to keep Xu Ran here.
He had to ensure that Xin Lan married into the Cao Family pure and untouched.
"What do you think?" Before Xin Lan could speak, Xu Ran stretched out his hand and drew her into his embrace.
This act enraged both the elders and the younger generation of the Ye Family.
Xin Lan had many admirers within the Ye Family; if they couldn't have her, they certainly wouldn't allow a nobody to be with her.
And the expressions of the elders became even more grim.
Xin Lan was the most beautiful woman of her generation in the Ye Family and also possessed extraordinary talent, which was why she was favored by the prodigy of the Cao Family. No one else in the Ye Family was worthy of the Cao Family's genius.
"How presumptuous!"
The disdainful look in Xu Ran's eyes only deepened the elder's anger. He slammed his hand onto the table fiercely, and the sturdy table immediately exploded into dust. With a wave of his sleeve, the chairs behind him wrapped in Dou Qi flew towards Xu Ran.
Xu Ran's face was expressionless, and at the moment the chair got close, it exploded instantly into ash.
In the hall, everyone was shocked, clearly not expecting Xu Ran to possess such strength.
The geniuses that come out of Canaan Academy, have they all become this formidable?
"So you do have some tricks up your sleeve. No wonder you dare to act wildly in the Ye Family. However, today, I shall teach you, young one, what it means to respect your elders!"
Seeing the wooden chair eerily incinerated, the elder's eyes slightly narrowed, a cold laugh escaping him, anger flaring even more intensely in his gaze. Then, stomping his foot on the ground, his figure darted towards Xu Ran with the speed of lightning. A strange green Flame surged out of his withered palms.
"Fourth Elder, stop!"
Xin Lan, seeing the elder going from words to action without hesitation, her pretty face also turned pale as she hurriedly cried out.
Xu Ran had just arrived at her family, and she hadn't had the chance to extend a proper welcome, yet the family's Elder had moved against Xu Ran without any explanation.
Xin Lan's face was extremely pale, feeling very sorry towards Xu Ran.
Xu Ran was here to help her, yet he had to face this kind of dishonor.
The Fourth Elder seemed to ignore Xin Lan's intervention. His temper was volatile to begin with, and with the Ye Family facing such a dire situation, he grew even more irritable. He thought that Xin Lan's arranged marriage with the Cao Family would preserve the family's face, but instead, Xin Lan had brought back a man from outside.
The Fourth Elder had already harbored the intent to kill. He would not allow anyone to disrupt this arranged marriage.
"Xu Ran, I..."
Xin Lan's lovely eyes were filled with guilt and apology as she looked at Xu Ran. She hadn't expected to run into such a situation upon her return. The people from her family were naturally not something Xu Ran could contend with.
"My lord, allow me to take action. It's better to leave these people to me."
Feng Qing'er was somewhat eager to try. Although she had barely managed to stay by Xu Ran's side these past few days, with so many beauties around Xu Ran, it was not easy for her to attract his attention. But now, it was her chance to shine.
These lowlifes were surely not worth Lord Xu Ran's time to deal with, and wasn't this her opportunity?
She needed to perform well to receive Xu Ran's recognition.
She had been trapped at the Dou Huang Pinnacle for a while, and by following Xu Ran, just a couple of casual pieces of advice from him provided her a chance to break through to Dou Zong. She successfully advanced to a One-Star Dou Zong the day before yesterday. This made her profoundly admire and respect Xu Ran—the occasional guidance from such a mighty person could bring her infinite benefits.
"Hmm." Since Feng Qing'er wanted to prove herself, Xu Ran naturally wouldn't stop her.
These people were indeed too weak after all.
"Hmph, ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth. Let me take care of you as well, you little girl," the Fourth Elder said coldly. In the midst of many onlookers who were enjoying the show, his palm clenched tightly and a mass of green Flame blazed furiously before he threw a fierce punch!
The Ye Family, an Alchemy family, all utilized Fire elemental Dou Qi.
"Holy Image Demon Phoenix Bell!"
Feng Qing'er, with disdain, swiftly formed a series of dazzling hand seals.
As her cry fell, a giant black phoenix phantom appeared behind her, letting out a sharp, piercing cry towards the sky as its sombre black light suddenly intensified.
Feng Qing'er, dressed in colorful garments, stood atop the ethereal black bell. She stamped her foot down forcefully, and the Demon Phoenix Bell emitted resonant and powerful bell tones. Everyone in the grand hall who heard the bell sounds turned deathly pale. Those below the "Cultivation Level" of Dou Huang directly spat blood, fainting, unable to rise from the ground, while even those with higher Cultivation Levels felt extremely oppressed and terrified.
This Dou Technique was created by a Dou Sheng of the previously mighty Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan—its defensive power was incredibly terrifying and it also allowed her to unleash extremely sharp sonic attacks, providing both offense and defense.
Feng Qing'er was able to learn this profound Dou Technique within the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan because she held a high status.