Xie Canglou's eyes showed a hint of anger.
As the chief disciple of Misty Cloud Mountain, his status was noble. What kind of woman couldn't he have?
With a snap of his fingers, beautiful women would rush to throw themselves into his arms.
Yet, he repeatedly suffered setbacks with Lan Xueyi, who treated him with disdain.
This was something he could not tolerate!
Fine.
Let me show you the power and strength of Xie Canglou.
Isn't Ling Fan outside?
When I crush him under my irrefutable power and might, Lan Xueyi will realize how terribly wrong she was.
With this thought, Xie Canglou said to the sword-carrying middle-aged man behind him, "Uncle Ying, pass down my order. Inform all the prominent families in Tianchu City to come to the Lan clan to see me!"
"Yes, Young Master."
The sword-carrying middle-aged man nodded.
Immediately, several Misty Cloud Mountain experts at the peak of the Profound Gang realm received the order and left.
The members of the Lan clan were secretly delighted.
Judging by the situation.
Xie Canglou was determined to marry Lan Xueyi today.
The eyes of the second aunt and the younger aunt, the sisters, couldn't help but reveal a gleam of satisfaction.
Now, that live-in son-in-law named Ling would be crushed to death by Xie Canglou, wouldn't he? That would be a miracle.
They just needed to wait and watch the show!
In the corner, the couple Lan Tianxiong and Li Huimei were anxious, but they could do nothing.
...
Soon.
The first family arrived.
The Deng family of Tianchu City.
They were considered the closest martial arts family to the Lan clan.
Their strength was slightly stronger than the Lan clan.
Although they couldn't compare to the top three martial arts powers, Jiang, Ding, and Nong, they were still well-known in Tianchu City.
Previously, the Lan clan had sent an invitation to Old Madam Lan's birthday banquet, but the Deng family had not deigned to attend.
However, now, with a single command from Xie Canglou, the Deng family patriarch, along with all the elders, personally came to their door.
Outside the ancestral shrine.
When everyone saw the usually aloof Deng family patriarch, Deng Gang, whom their Lan clan couldn't even curry favor with, running over with a subservient attitude,
Everyone was shocked.
"Chief Xie is too amazing... With just one sentence, the Deng family patriarch immediately came!"
"What kind of power and status is this? Deng Gang is a powerful expert at the Quasi-Heavenly Origin realm! Yet, he puts on such a low posture, showing extreme eagerness to please..."
"If only I had half of Xie Canglou's prestige!"
Many young powerhouses were filled with envy and jealousy.
Then, looking at Ling Fan.
They increasingly felt that Ling Fan was like an ant compared to Xie Canglou, not worth mentioning.
With just one sentence from him, even a prominent family head like Deng Gang had to obey his orders. Could he do that?
Before everyone's shock subsided.
Another martial arts family arrived.
This time, it was the Tang family of Tianchu City.
They were even more impressive than the Deng family.
They could rank among the top fifteen in Tianchu City!
Following closely.
The Ni family, ranked twelfth in Tianchu City...
The Chang family, ranked eleventh.
The Xu family, ranked ninth.
The Meng family, ranked seventh...
...
One after another, renowned martial arts families arrived.
And they were all led by their family patriarchs.
Giving Xie Canglou ample face!
Inside and outside the ancestral shrine.
All the Lan clan members and guests were so shocked that their jaws dropped, feeling as if they had never witnessed such a grand occasion in their lives.
Finally.
When the patriarchs of the Jiang, Ding, and Nong families, the three top martial arts families, personally led their teams to appear,
Everyone's shock reached its peak!
Three top Quasi-Heavenly Origin realm experts!
They could be considered nearly invincible below the Heavenly Origin realm.
In this realm, they had accumulated strength and could break through to the Heavenly Origin realm at any moment, becoming true Heavenly Origin realm martial arts masters.
Far from being comparable to ordinary Quasi-Heavenly Origin realm experts.
Jiang Qifeng, the patriarch of the Jiang family.
Nong Haichao, the patriarch of the Nong family.
And...
Ding Yinfeng, the new patriarch of the Ding family.
The previous Ding family patriarch, Ding Chunxiu, had reportedly gone to Xingsha City and died there!
These three.
They were the true influential figures in Tianchu City, second only to the Governor.
If they stomped their feet.
The entire Tianchu City would tremble.
...
In the Lan clan's ancestral shrine.
All the Lan clan members' faces were flushed with excitement.
They felt that since this ancestral shrine was built, the Lan clan had never been so glorious!
So many prominent figures from Tianchu City, whom the Lan clan could never hope to associate with, were gathered together.
This could be considered bringing glory to their ancestors!
Old Madam Lan's every wrinkle seemed to bloom with joy.
She increasingly felt that her decision was correct!
As for whether her actions were right or wrong towards Lan Xueyi,
And whether Lan Xueyi herself was willing.
She hadn't even considered the question.
If sacrificing Lan Xueyi's reputation and happiness could bring prosperity to the entire Lan clan, and even allow her to break through to the Heavenly Origin realm with the help of Misty Cloud Mountain,
Then, even if Lan Xueyi had to die, Old Madam Lan wouldn't bat an eye!
"Chief Xie, may I know why you summoned us here?"
Jiang Qifeng, the patriarch of the Jiang family, cupped his hands slightly towards Xie Canglou.
The patriarchs and elders of other prominent martial arts families also appeared to be listening attentively with respectful expressions.
Xie Canglou said, "I am here today to propose marriage to the Lan clan and ask for Miss Lan Xueyi's hand. Therefore, I have invited all of you to help me build momentum."
Jiang Qifeng quickly replied, "Chief Xie, you are too humble. With your status and position, who in the Tianchu Province doesn't know you? Where would we need to build any momentum? This is truly demeaning to us!"
"Everyone, there's no need for modesty."
Xie Canglou looked at Lan Xueyi and said proudly, "Miss Xueyi, with a single word from me, I can command the heroes of more than half of Tianchu City. What do you think?"
"Nothing to think about. Your so-called power is like mere dirt and stones in front of my husband. He's not even fit to carry his shoes."
Lan Xueyi's beautiful face carried a faint hint of pride.
Even with so many influential figures from Tianchu City gathered to support Xie Canglou, she remained completely unfazed.
What!
Husband?
The powerhouses from various prominent families in Tianchu City were stunned.
The woman from the Lan clan whom Xie Canglou was proposing to was already married?
Good heavens, what was going on?
However, this Lan Xueyi was indeed stunningly beautiful, with a tall and voluptuous figure, almost flawless.
And at the young age of seventeen or eighteen, her cultivation fluctuations had already reached the middle stage of the Profound Gang realm.
She was truly a prodigy!
No wonder even a proud talent like Xie Canglou was smitten.
Many powerhouses' eyes revealed lewd glances.
So, the chief disciple of the prestigious Misty Cloud Mountain actually liked married women, and had this kind of preference?
However, that husband of Lan Xueyi was in for bad luck!
Many powerhouses thought to themselves.
Meanwhile, Xie Canglou was instantly consumed by rage due to Lan Xueyi's words.
His handsome face was filled with gloom, and he said with a laugh of anger, "Good! I'd like to see what capabilities your useless husband has, to be able to regard me as dirt and stones!"
Xie Canglou immediately walked out of the ancestral shrine.
Old Madam Lan, along with the Lan clan members and the powerhouses from the prominent martial arts families of Tianchu City, followed him out in an orderly fashion.
"Who is Ling Fan? Get out here!"
Xie Canglou's tall figure stood proudly, exuding an astonishing aura, his voice like rolling thunder echoing outwards.
The numerous Lan family members and guests outside the ancestral shrine were all startled.
The real show was finally beginning!
Immediately, all eyes converged on the gray-haired figure in the corner.
Before Ling Fan could speak.
Pang Liu, who was sitting opposite him, stood up and pointed at Ling Fan, shouting, "Chief Xie, he is! He is the Ling Fan you are looking for!"
Xie Canglou's gaze fell upon Ling Fan.
He immediately sneered.
He turned back and gave Lan Xueyi a scornful look.
Then, with a predatory gaze, he walked towards Ling Fan.
Before he even got close.
Pang Liu and Ning Zhou felt a suffocating pressure approaching and quickly moved away.
The area around this table was instantly left with only Ling Fan.
Soon.
Xie Canglou stopped in front of Ling Fan's table.
He held his head high, looking down at Ling Fan, who was seated at the table.
He glanced at Ling Fan contemptuously and said, "You should know who I am. I'll give you a chance now. As long as you kneel before me and give up Lan Xueyi, I can give you wealth that you can never spend in your lifetime!"
"Otherwise... you die!"
Ling Fan didn't even look at Xie Canglou.
He was focused on playing with the teacup in his hand.
He spoke faintly, "I'll give you a choice too. Kneel and admit your mistake, and I might consider sparing a few lives from Misty Cloud Mountain. Otherwise, I will leave Misty Cloud Mountain with no one left alive."