"Venerated elders, starting now, I, Xiao Qingyang, will be stepping down from my position as the clan leader. I urge you all to select another talented member of the Xiao family to assume the mantle of leadership and guide our family towards prosperity."

In the grand hall of the Xiao family, Xiao Qingyang called out sincerely to all the Xiao family elders present and to the disciples outside the hall.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the eldest elder of the Xiao family immediately stood up. He stared intensely at Xiao Qingyang with a stern face, loudly declaring, "I disagree. I firmly disagree!"

"Yes, we also disagree!"

"Qingyang, among the Xiao family, there's no one else suitable to be the clan leader apart from you!"

As soon as the eldest elder finished speaking, the other Xiao family elders also chimed in.

A bitter expression crossed Xiao Qingyang's face, and he sighed helplessly. "Eldest Elder, you also know that I am now a wreck and truly unsuitable to continue as the clan leader of the Xiao family.”

The Eldest Elder let out a quiet sigh. His gaze, however, was kind. “Qingyang, don’t say such things. If nothing else, your contributions in gaining seventy gold mines for the Xiao Family over the years is an irreplaceable merit!”

"Yes, even if you've lost your cultivation now, you are still a great contributor to our Xiao family. If we agree to your resignation as the clan leader at this time, not to mention that the Xiao family members will lose heart, outsiders will also say that we are ungrateful."

"Qingyang, just continue on as the clan leader. It will be better for everyone."

Xiao Qingyang's eyebrows furrowed slightly. He sincerely wanted to give up the position of the clan leader!

"Elders, could you please allow me to..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he was cut off again.

The eldest elder gave a slight smile. "As for your cultivation, take your time. We have plenty of time to wait for you."

With everything said and done, what more could Xiao Qingyang say?

He could do nothing but retain the position of the clan leader for now!

With no other choice, Xiao Qingyang gets up and leaves.

Looking at Xiao Qingyang's retreating figure, the Grand Elder's eyes were suffused with worry. Xiao Qingyang, after losing his cultivation, must be under a great deal of pressure.

As soon as Xiao Qingyang exited the grand hall, he didn’t walk far when two Xiao clan disciples came straightforwardly towards him.

The man in black at the front upon sighting him, hurriedly went forward to pay his respects: "Greetings, Clan Leader!"

Xiao Qingyang gave a faint smile, "If it isn’t brother Jian Yang, oh... you’ve already reached the pinnacle of the ninth layer in cultivation?"

"What keen observation, Clan Leader!"

Xiao Jian Yang responded with a smile and a bow.

At this point, Xiao Qingyang's eyes darted up and down Xiao Jian Yang, "Brother Jian Yang, you must be well aware of my situation, what if you take over my position as the clan leader of the Xiao family?"

Hearing this, Xiao Jian Yang was immediately alarmed, and quickly waved his hands, "Clan Leader, please don’t make such jokes in the future, I bear no ill will towards you!"

Xiao Qingyang just laughed and waved his hand, "Brother, you don’t need to be so nervous. Both you and brother Yin Ming are at the pinnacle of the ninth layer, not far from the Mixed Yuan Realm. You're fully qualified to be a clan leader."

Xiao Jian Yang shook his head, looking at Xiao Qingyang with respect, "Clan Leader, I know that because of the sudden disappearance of your cultivation, your mood must be somewhat low. But this is only temporary, your cultivation will surely recover quite soon. As for me, in terms of talent, I am far behind you, so we better not discuss me becoming the clan leader. If outsiders hear it, they might think there's internal strife happening within our Xiao Family."

Hearing this, Xiao Qingyang could only let out a sigh of helplessness and depart alone.

After he left, the man next to Xiao Jian Yang spoke in a low voice: "Jian Yang, why did you pass up such a perfect opportunity?"

Xiao Jian Yang shook his head, "The Clan Leader had just lost his cultivation, and I seize his position - what would the brothers in the Xiao family think of me? How would the elders look upon me? Besides, his cultivation could recover any day - we would then be left in a difficult position, it's best not to meddle when you can avoid it."

The man beside him nodded, then continued, "But I've heard that Xiao Yiming and his father seem to be operating secretly."

Xiao Jianyang remained calm. After a moment of silence, he slightly smiled, "Let them keep up with their antics. If he succeeds, we'll simply address him as the clan head in future. If he fails, we'll have one less competitor in the Xiao family, it's to our benefit in every way."

The man remained silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Additionally, when dealing with the clan head, be it in conversation or otherwise, give him due respect. The situation at present is still unclear, don't bring unnecessary trouble upon yourself."

Xiao Jianyang advised the man beside him.

The man nodded in affirmation.

...

Upon leaving the Xiao clan, Xiao Qingyang headed straight to the Ouyang family.

The primary purpose of his visit was to annul his marriage arrangement with Ouyang Xuanxin!

The marriage agreement was initially borne out of certain familial benefits; however, since his cultivation was now all but lost, rendering him useless, he couldn't continue to be an impediment to her!

In no time, Xiao Qingyang had arrived at the Ouyang family estate.

Upon entering the main hall of the Ouyang house, Xiao Qingyang sat in silence, awaiting.

Soon, a woman of ethereal beauty, dressed in a spotless pink skirt, and holding a fan in her hand, walked in leisurely.

Her figure was impressive, and her gait was graceful, making it hard to look away once you fixated on her.

The woman was none other than Ouyang Xuanxin!

Ouyang Xuanxin, is one of the two most beautiful women in the city of Tianxiang.

Following her is an elderly man dressed in black who protectively accompanies Ouyang Xuanxin.

Seeing Ouyang Xuanxin before him, Xiao Qingyang hurriedly takes out the pre-prepared engagement contract and hands it to her, "Miss Ouyang, my main purpose this time is to call off the engagement. You are well aware of my situation, I am not worthy of you. It is better that we take care of ourselves from now on."

Seeing that she did not take it, Xiao Qingyang had no choice but to leave the paperwork on the ground and walk away.

"Wait!"

It was at this time, Ouyang Xuanxin called out.

Xiao Qingyang stopped, turned around and looked at Ouyang Xuanxin, quite puzzled.

Ouyang Xuanxin then retrieves a box and hands it to Xiao Qingyang, who is utterly confused, "What is this?"

"This box contains a Great Revitalizing Pill. Although I don't know why you've lost your cultivation, taking this pill might help."

"Miss!"

The black-dressed elder standing beside them couldn't help but speak up, "This Great Revitalizing Pill is something Master Sun gave you for cultivation, it's extremely rare within the Tianyin Academy, you..."

Ouyang Xuanxin turned back and glared at the black-dressed elder, who was frightened and immediately stopped speaking.

Xiao Qingyang was clear about how precious this Great Revitalizing Pill was, and he froze in shock.

This was a spirit-level pill!

Pills are classified from one to nine, above the ninth are human-level and above that are spirit-level. A single spirit-level pill is at least worth 20,000 spirit crystals.

Even as the patriarch of the Xiao family, his monthly allowance from the Xiao family was merely over 200 spirit crystals.

This gift is simply too precious!