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**
Xiao Yan was approaching fifteen years old, while Wei Yang was nearing eighteen.
The two had a three-year age gap, possibly with a few extra months.
This was their first official meeting. The last time, Wei Yang had only caught a glimpse of Xiao Yan from afar when he was still a Dou Shi.
The once high-spirited, brilliant young prodigy who had been the center of attention had changed significantly after nearly three years.
Now, Xiao Yan's expression remained calm, and there was even a slight smile at the corner of his lips. But deep within his brows, a trace of frustration and bitterness was still caught by Wei Yang's sharp eyes.
However, Wei Yang felt no sympathy for him at all.
Why? Because this guy was about to cheat the system!
There were at most three months left before Nalan Yanran's visit to annul the engagement.
Which meant—he was about to unlock his cheat!
Golden Finger Activated: Grandpa Ring is Coming Online!
Envy!
"Physician Wei, we've arrived. The Patriach and the three Elders are ahead." Xiao Feng spoke respectfully.
"Mm." Wei Yang nodded, a warm smile appearing on his lips as he stepped forward.
A middle-aged man in luxurious gray robes stood at the forefront. With his commanding presence and steady stride, coupled with his thick eyebrows and a bold aura, he exuded a sense of leadership.
He was Xiao Zhan, the current Patriach of the Xiao Clan.
Taking a step forward, Xiao Zhan smiled warmly and said, "Physician Wei, welcome to my Xiao Clan."
"Physician Wei…"
The three Elders and many Xiao Clan members followed suit, each greeting him with either warmth, respect, or flattery.
Except for Gu Xun'er.
She merely smiled faintly, her expression calm and composed.
At first sight of Wei Yang, a familiar feeling flashed across her mind. After a brief moment of thought, her eyes lit up—
"It's him!"
She recalled a moment from two years ago, at the entrance of the Xiao Clan's marketplace, when she had briefly seen this young man from afar.
They weren't even acquaintances, barely even a nodding acquaintance.
The only reason she remembered him was that his powerful soul power and talent had mildly surprised her at the time.
Now, upon seeing him again, her surprise deepened.
Even though Wei Yang had restrained his aura, when a trace of golden flame flickered within Gu Xun'er's deep eyes, she instantly perceived it.
The young man before her had become several times stronger than two years ago!
Moreover, his cultivation had already reached the high-tier Dou Ling realm!
But even more than his Dou Ling strength, what truly caught her attention was his abnormally strong soul power.
For the first time, she regarded Wei Yang with genuine interest.
"This level of soul power… It might even rival an average Dou Zong!" Gu Xun'er thought to herself in astonishment.
But that was all.
She simply gave a reserved smile, one that was neither too friendly nor too distant, as a form of greeting.
Her gaze, however, remained focused mostly on Xiao Yan.
Wei Yang noticed all of this out of the corner of his eye, and his smile deepened slightly.
As expected.
To Gu Xun'er, not just the Xiao Clan, but the entire Jia Ma Empire—
Only Xiao Yan was worthy of truly capturing her attention.
As for everyone else?
Sorry, but to the noble Miss Gu, they were nothing more than roadside weeds—completely irrelevant.
Wei Yang had zero interest in trying to win her favor.
His gaze merely swept past her briefly before he ignored her completely.
Gu Xun'er?
Honestly, whether in this world or back when he read the original story, Wei Yang had no strong feelings about her.
Among all the female characters, Gu Xun'er's presence in his mind wasn't even as memorable as Queen Medusa.
It wasn't that Gu Xun'er wasn't beautiful, or her figure wasn't good, or that her talent was lacking.
After all, she was a Divine-Grade Bloodline descendant of the Ancient Gu Clan with a Nine-Star Dou Sheng father.
In terms of family background, status, talent, intelligence, and beauty, she was undoubtedly among the most elite women on the continent.
Logically speaking, any man should find her irresistible.
Strangely enough, Wei Yang didn't feel much for this character.
A flood of thoughts flashed through his mind.
Facing the Xiao Clan's enthusiastic greetings, Wei Yang simply nodded with a smile and said, "I apologize for the intrusion."
"Physician Wei, you're being too polite. It's no intrusion at all—" Xiao Zhan began to reply.
Before he could finish his sentence—
"Hahaha! Physician Wei, you must be joking! Your visit to our Xiao Clan is an immense honor. How could there be any talk of an intrusion?"
Before Xiao Zhan could finish, the Grand Elder had already cut in, seizing the conversation.
Such behavior, in the presence of a guest, was actually somewhat inappropriate.
After all, Xiao Zhan was the Patriach and was already conversing with the guest.
For a Grand Elder to interrupt so abruptly—what was that supposed to mean?
Yet, the Grand Elder still did it.
And the other two Elders remained unfazed, showing no sign of discomfort.
Xiao Zhan's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't say much. Instead, he gestured forward, "Physician Wei, please come inside."
Wei Yang simply watched in silence, fully aware of the Xiao Clan's internal power struggles but uninterested in meddling.
He nodded and followed Xiao Zhan into the Xiao Clan's estate.
Inside the Xiao Clan
Under Xiao Zhan's lead, the group passed through the front courtyard and arrived at the solemn guest hall.
Inside, numerous servants bustled about, setting up tea, fruit platters, and snacks.
Upon seeing their arrival, a white-haired butler quickly signaled for the servants to retreat to the back hall.
"Physician Wei, please come in." Xiao Zhan gestured forward.
Wei Yang nodded and stepped inside.
The guest hall was spacious.
Everyone took their seats according to status and seniority.
Xiao Zhan and the three Elders sat at the main seats.
Wei Yang was given the seat of honor on the left.
The other key Xiao Clan members took seats on the right.
The front rows were occupied by senior clan members with influence and strength.
Behind them, or on the sides, sat the younger generation, those who had shown exceptional talent within the clan.
"Physician Wei, please enjoy some tea."
Xiao Zhan raised his cup in invitation.
The rest of the Xiao Clan members followed suit.
"Please."
Wei Yang lifted his tea cup and took a small sip.
As the tea was served, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
"Physician Wei, not long ago, you purchased a large batch of medicinal ingredients from our Xiao Clan's marketplace. Since you left in a hurry last time, we didn't get the chance to properly host you and express our gratitude for your trust in us."
Xiao Zhan spoke warmly.
"Patriach Xiao, you flatter me."
After a few more pleasantries, Xiao Zhan subtly brought up the main topic.
"Physician Wei, you previously mentioned a large business deal you wished to discuss with our Xiao Clan. Might I ask what it entails?"
Wei Yang smiled and said, "Patriach Xiao, please have someone bring out a large table."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan immediately gestured, and several clan members hurried to make arrangements.
At this moment, Wei Yang's gaze drifted toward a corner of the hall where Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er were seated together.
Then, as if casually, he spoke:
"To be honest, I've always had a favorable impression of the Xiao Clan. The reason I chose to do business with you, aside from trust, is also partially due to Xiao Yan."
Hua—!
His words stirred waves of surprise among the Xiao Clan members.
In the corner, where Xiao Yan had been acting like a small invisible figure, secretly whispering to Gu Xun'er—
He suddenly froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief, and his mouth opened slightly in shock.
"Me?"
Even the three Elders' brows furrowed slightly.
Xiao Zhan, on the other hand, flashed a hint of delight.
He first glanced at Xiao Yan, who looked utterly bewildered, before turning to Wei Yang with a warmer expression.
"Oh? Does Physician Wei know my son, Xiao Yan?"
Wei Yang chuckled, waving his hand dismissively.
"Not exactly."
Then, with a smile, he continued:
"To be honest, I'm also a native of Wu Tan City. I grew up hearing tales of Brother Xiao Yan's legendary feats."
"So, I've long admired him."
"Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to truly meet him—until today."
Turning his gaze toward Xiao Yan, Wei Yang's smile softened.
"And today, I finally get to meet you, Brother Xiao Yan."
"At last, I can fulfill this long-held wish of mine."
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