Chapter 71 Yan and Yanran

The standard for a fourth-rate force is having a strong practitioner at the late or peak stage of the Xuan Dan Realm within the clan, along with at least a dozen other Cultivators in the Xuan Dan Realm.

The previous Xu Family didn't meet this standard, but the current Xu Family does.

The standard for a third-rate force is raised by one level, requiring a strong practitioner at the late or peak stage of the Purple Mansion Realm, along with at least a dozen other Cultivators in the Purple Mansion Realm.

The current Xu Family is far from this standard, but with Su Xinyan present, the Xu Family doesn't fear any third-rate force.

There are a total of five third-rate forces in Lingyue City: four long-standing families and one large and influential group of rogue Cultivators.

Among them, the Qiao family, whose Old Ancestor is the Supreme Elder of the Lingyue Sect, deeply understood the importance of Xu Muge, and thus instructed the Qiao family to be close and friendly with the Xu Family.

The high-level members of the Qiao family clearly remembered their Old Ancestor's words.

"Xu Muge is the future of the Lingyue Sect. As long as he can grow smoothly, even the Great Qi Dynasty will be too small to contain him. His potential is vast beyond your imagination, so you must do your utmost to befriend the Xu Family!"

His words struck the Qiao family's high-level members forcefully, and they kept them firmly in mind. When the Xu Family first moved in, the Qiao family Clan Leader, Qiao Tianchu, personally visited with generous gifts.

Later, after news of the Azure Dragon Secret Realm spread, they realized that the Xu Family not only had a True Dragon, Xu Muge, but also a Qilin Son, Xu Luo. This was a Family with two Heavenly Prodigies!

Therefore, over the past six months, the Qiao family and the Xu Family have frequently cooperated, and each time it was the Qiao family initiating contact with the Xu Family and even willingly giving up profits. It could be said they were cooperating at a loss.

Qiao Tianchu also often found various reasons to seek out Xu Qingzhou. Despite being a Purple Mansion Realm expert, he addressed Xu Qingzhou as a brother.

One day, just as Xu Qingzhou returned home after drinking with Qiao Tianchu, he encountered Xu Luo and his Bandit Suppression Squad. They were covered in blood, clearly having just finished a battle not long ago.

"Greetings, Clan Leader!"

Led by Xu Luo, the group of clansmen respectfully called out.

The Xu Family couldn't rely solely on the Heavenly Chosen; the entire clan needed to become stronger. Therefore, they also needed to focus on cultivating clansmen with outstanding talent.

Xu Qingzhou had seen them before and had given them a large amount of cultivation resources. He looked at the group and was very satisfied.

"As expected of my Xu Family's elites, you are all very good, especially Xu Yan. The others should learn more from him."

"Yes, Clan Leader!"

Everyone replied loudly.

Besides the captain, Xu Luo, Xu Yan was the strongest member of the Bandit Suppression Squad, and the others also respected him.

Just as Xu Qingzhou was about to turn and leave.

Xu Yan suddenly spoke up, "Clan Leader, I wonder if you have some time. I would like to ask you for some advice."

"Yes, come with me."

Xu Qingzhou led him directly to a nearby pavilion. "What is it? Speak."

"Qiao Yanran, the granddaughter of the Qiao family's Second Elder, and I are deeply in love, so I would like to ask you, Clan Leader, to help me propose marriage," Xu Yan said respectfully, feeling a little embarrassed.

He and Qiao Yanran met in the Demon Cloud Mountain Range. At that time, Qiao Yanran was training in the Demon Cloud Mountain Range but encountered danger. Xu Yan stepped forward to save her, and afterward, the two fell in love at first sight – a very common hero saving the beauty scenario.

Actually, he could have asked his Father to propose, but he felt that since Qiao Yanran was the granddaughter of the Qiao family's Second Elder, it would be better to find someone of higher status and position to propose. Xu Qingzhou was naturally the most suitable person.

Xu Qingzhou's eyes lit up after hearing this.

"This is a good thing! When do you want to propose? We can go now if you like; I just met with the Qiao family Clan Leader."

Under the instruction of their Old Ancestor, the Qiao family had the intention of befriending the Xu Family. Multiple friends mean more paths, and fewer enemies mean fewer obstacles.

Therefore, Xu Qingzhou was also willing to befriend the Qiao family. Matters like marriage alliances, as long as both sides agreed, were the best way to deepen the relationship between the two families.

"Yanran and I agreed on three days from now," Xu Yan replied.

Xu Qingzhou patted his shoulder. "Alright, I've noted this. We'll go to the Qiao family together in three days."

"Thank you, Clan Leader," Xu Yan replied with excitement and gratitude.

…..

As a third-rate force, the Qiao family's foundation and strength were incomparable to a newly promoted fourth-rate force like the Xu Family.

The Qiao family compound was also on Chaoxia Peak, and it was even larger and more luxurious than the Xu Family's compound.

Today was an important day. The Qiao family Clan Leader, Qiao Tianchu, and the Other Elders had all put aside other matters and were sitting in the Family's reception hall, as if waiting for something.

"They're here! They're here!"

The Butler shouted as he ran. Hearing his voice, everyone in the Qiao family became spirited.

"They're here already? That's quite early."

"It is a bit early."

The Butler entered the reception hall and found that Qiao Tianchu and the Other Elders were all present.

Qiao Tianchu lightly coughed twice.

"Please invite them in quickly. No, let's all go and receive the Xu Family Clan Leader."

Qiao Tianchu and the Elders all stood up. They felt there was no problem with this; it was entirely proper.

Unexpectedly, the Butler suddenly said, "It's not the Xu Family Clan Leader, it's the Lan Family Clan Leader, Lan Jiang, who has arrived."

"Ah?"

Qiao Tianchu and the Other Elders were slightly stunned. Although it was only a one-word difference, it caused their moods to plummet.

Their excited and expectant expressions instantly turned into displeasure. Having already stood up, they sat back down.

"Butler, next time be clear, don't make us get excited for nothing."

"What are the Lan Family people doing here at this time? Isn't this causing a delay!"

One must know that the Lan Family, like their Qiao family, was one of the five major third-rate forces in Lingyue City. The Xu Family was only a fourth-rate force, a significant difference.

Yet, they were more looking forward to the arrival of the Xu Family and were displeased with the Lan Family.

This wasn't just because they wanted to befriend the Xu Family; it was also because they were already on bad terms with the Lan Family.

Qiao Tianchu's enthusiastic face instantly fell.

"After all, the Lan Family is one of the five major third-rate forces in the city, just like us. Although our relationship is very poor, let's still receive them."

The Great Elder reminded him, "Get them to leave as soon as possible; we can't delay important matters."

The Other Elders all agreed.

"Right, right, ask what the matter is and quickly send them away."

Qiao Tianchu waved his hand, telling the Butler to bring the people over, and he himself sat back down.

The Butler hurried out and quickly brought the Lan Family members over.

There were only three people in total: the Lan Family Clan Leader, Lan Jiang, the Lan Family's Butler, and Lan Jiang's youngest son, Lan Jiaxin.

Qiao Tianchu forced out a smile, which didn't look very natural.

"Oh dear, what strong wind is blowing today that brought Brother Lan, this esteemed guest, here."

Lan Jiang said with a smile, "Forgive my abrupt intrusion, I hope Brother Qiao doesn't mind."

When he saw that the Qiao family Elders were also present, he was very pleased. The high-level members had all come to receive him, which showed that the other party attached enough importance to him.

"Given our relationship, there's no talk of abruptness," Qiao Tianchu replied.

After some simple pleasantries, Qiao Tianchu, in order to quickly send them away, directly asked about Lan Jiang's purpose for coming.

But after Lan Jiang finished speaking, everyone in the Qiao family was stunned, frozen there with extremely strange expressions, completely unsure of what to say.