Hearing Xiao Yun’s demand, Liu Yan’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape. Even Elder Bai seemed taken aback, a flicker of genuine surprise replacing her earlier condescension.

  “A Foundation Establishment Pill?” Elder Bai finally repeated her voice incredulous. She let out a short, sharp laugh. “Young Master Xiao you are truly audacious. You demand a Foundation Establishment Pill for a broken engagement?”

  “Not for a broken engagement Elder Bai.” Xiao Yun corrected her calmly. “But as compensation for the insult, for the damage to our clan’s reputation and for the understanding we are generously extending in accepting this one-sided decision. Consider it a ‘face keeping fee,’ if you will.” He allowed a hint of irony to lace his tone.

  Elder Bai studied him intently, her eyes narrowed, no longer dismissing him as a mere spoiled young master. She saw something in his calm demeanor, in the shrewdness in his eyes that surprised her. This was not the reaction she had expected. She had anticipated anger, tears perhaps even empty threats. But not this calculated demand. Especially not when considering his reputation.

  “You understand the value of a Foundation Establishment Pill, Young Master Xiao?” she asked, her voice now laced with a measure of respect, albeit grudging.

  “Perfectly.” Xiao Yun confirmed. “It is worth far more than two hundred mid-grade spiritual stones. It is an investment in the future. And Xiao Clan’s future, Elder Bai, has suddenly become significantly less predictable.”

  In reality he had no idea how much the pill was worth. He had only read about it in the novel. The author had made it sound like something valuable, therefore he tried his luck. Even if he didn’t manage to get it, he could negotiate down to something a little less precious, he wasn’t expecting to make a profit like this in the first place.

  Elder Bai remained silent for a long moment, her gaze fixed on Xiao Yun, assessing him, calculating her options. She could refuse, of course. She could simply walk away with Liu Yan, confident in the Soaring Sword Sect’s influence to weather any minor backlash. But Xiao Yun’s words had struck a chord. Reputation did matter, even to powerful sects. And the blatant, public humiliation of her disciple’s former fiancé and his clan, no matter how weak, could create ripples.

  It could be seen as arrogant, as ruthless for a major orthodox sect and it might deter other minor clans from seeking alliances with the Soaring Sword Sect in the future. Additionally, her meteoric rise had ruffled some feathers within the sect’s hierarchy. There would be those who would criticize her rash actions and use this point to argue about her “flawed character” in order to try and stain her reputation and curb her influence. Compared to possible gossip and damage to her ‘face’, she could afford to part with the pill.

  Furthermore, there was something about this young master’s composure and his unexpected shrewdness that gave her pause. He wasn’t reacting like a petulant child, unlike what his reputation suggested. He was negotiating in his own way from a position of weakness, but with a surprising degree of competence.

  Finally Elder Bai sighed, a sound that seemed to deflate some of the tension in the hall. “Very well, Young Master Xiao.” She uttered, her voice carrying a hint of resignation. “A Foundation Establishment Pill… in addition to the two hundred mid-grade spiritual stones. Consider this a final settlement. From this moment onward, any past relationship between you and Liu Yan has been completely severed.”

  A collective sigh of relief swept through the Xiao Clan elders. Liu Yan remained silent, her expression unreadable.

  Saying her piece master Bai took out a jade bottle from her spatial ring, containing a single exquisitely crafted Foundation Establishment Pill and put it beside the pouch holding the two hundred mid-grade spiritual stones.

  Xiao Yun bowed again, this time deeper, a genuine expression of gratitude on his face. “Thank you, Elder Bai.” he said sincerely. “The Xiao Clan appreciates your understanding. We wish Miss Liu Yan all the best in her future cultivation.”

  Liu Yan herself had complicated feelings on the matter. Her betrothal to Xiao Yun was something her father had decided when she was an infant. She didn’t have many interactions with Xiao Yun of the past, but each time they met he had left a negative impression. Coupled with the rumors of his lowly actions, her opinion of him had fallen even further. Whether it was his cultivation talent, personality or background, he didn’t seem to possess any desirable attributes, except for his slightly above average looks. Her master incidentally finding out about her talent was fortunate for her in more ways than one. Not only did it mean that she would have a bright future but also meant that she wouldn’t have to marry that crippled degenerate.

  Now coming face to face with Xiao Yun like this, his cultivation was still stalled, his looks still the same, but his personality had seemed to have changed completely. He was mature, poised, daring and seemed to possess intelligence he’d never shown before. Additionally, he never even looked at her properly during the whole exchange and focused only on benefits. Which gave her an unknown feeling of displeasure. Was it because the fiancé she was dumping didn’t even seem to care about her or was it because her master paid a much bigger price than she intended on Liu Yan’s behalf. She wasn’t so sure of the answer herself.

  As Elder Bai and Liu Yan turned to leave, Xiao Yun’s eyes followed them, his mind already racing and formulating plans. He had won a small victory, a crucial breathing space for the Xiao Clan. But this was just the beginning. He knew a Foundation Establishment Pill wasn’t a magic bullet. It was just a tool, a resource. It was up to him using his experience and his newfound understanding of this cultivation world to leverage this opportunity to rebuild the Xiao Clan, piece by painstaking piece and restore their faded glory. While one negotiation was over, there would be a second one soon enough, Xiao Yun surmised.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  And his assumption was correct. Soon after the master-disciple pair had left unceremoniously most of the elders gathered around him.

  “Young Master Yun.” Portly Fourth Elder began, his voice surprisingly smooth despite his age, “We commend you on your… resolution.” He subtly emphasized the word ‘resolution,’ as if breaking off an engagement was a strategic victory rather than a necessary humiliation averted.

  Xiao Yun internally scoffed. Humiliation it would have been, if it was just him being dumped. But he, Xiao Yun, armed with the memories of a time spent in a different life had turned the tables. He’d calmly pointed out to the formidable Master Bai that a public and discordant break-up would reflect poorly on everyone involved, even her and the Soaring Sword sect. He’d smoothly negotiated, appealing to Master Bai’s sense of face and pragmatism, suggesting a quiet and amicable separation with adequate compensation.

  “Thank you Elder.” Xiao Yun replied with a respectful tone. “It was a necessary step for both families.”

  Fourth Elder’s eyes flickered towards the pouch and jade bottle placed conspicuously on the table. “Indeed, indeed. And these… gifts from Master Bai and the Soaring Sword Sect demonstrate their graciousness. Quite generous wouldn’t you say?” He chuckled, a dry rustling sound.

  The other elders murmured in agreement, their eyes like vultures circling carrion. Xiao Yun suppressed a sigh. He knew what was coming. They saw a lifeline, a swift way to inject some vitality, some cultivation advancement into their stagnant clan.

  “The Foundation Establishment Pill.” The makeup covered Sixth Elder chimed in, her gaze calculating. “Such a treasure is vital for the clan’s future. Perhaps young Master Yun should consider the greater good and… contribute it for the clan’s most promising disciple.” She already had someone in her mind, her own grandson; a mediocre cultivator known more for his glib tongue than his talent.

  “And the spiritual stones.” Fourth Elder added, his voice wheezing slightly. “Two hundred mid-grade stones! Imagine the resources we could procure! New seeds for the spiritual herb fields, repairs to the defensive arrays…”

  Watching this from the side, Elder Xiao Chong looked displeased with their actions, with their greed, but he held his tongue. He knew whatever he said now would fall on deaf ears.

  They were circling him, their words dripping with honeyed persuasion, their true intentions as transparent as glass. Xiao Yun felt a flicker of the cynical amusement he’d often felt back on Earth listening to corporate pitches. It was the same dance, dressed in a different garb.

  He let them talk, letting their desperation accumulate. When they finally paused, expecting him to meekly agree, Xiao Yun showed a polite smile that didn't reach his eyes.

  “Elders.” he began, his voice carrying a new firmness they hadn’t heard before. “I understand the clan’s needs. And I am of course dedicated to its prosperity. However,” he paused for effect, “these gifts as you call them, were given to me as compensation for a personal matter. They are therefore my personal property, separate from the clan.”

  A collective intake of breath rippled through the hall. The Elders exchanged uneasy glances. This wasn’t going as planned. They had expected the docile young master to be easily swayed by appeals to clan loyalty.

  Xiao Yun continued smoothly, “Now, I am not unreasonable. I am willing to consider contributing to the clan. But not without a fair exchange.”

  Fourth Elder coughed, his pudgy figure jiggling slightly. “Fair exchange? Young Master Yun, surely you understand your duty to the clan…”

  Xiao Yun cut him off. “Duty is a two-way street Elder. The clan’s duty is to protect and nurture its members, is it not? Currently, given our declining state, the clan struggles even to protect itself, let alone nurture its disciples effectively.”

  He gestured around the hall, taking in the faded banners and the slightly dusty air. “What I see is a clan ripe for predation by others. And frankly Elders, I am a little concerned about my own safety.”

  He wasn’t exaggerating. In the past few weeks, whispers had started circulating, rumors of rival families eyeing the Xiao Clan’s remaining territories. And the Elders, preoccupied with internal squabbles and clinging to outdated traditions, seemed oblivious or helpless. He had even heard certain downright weird rumors about himself when he was overseeing the construction of the soap workshop. That he was a peculiar person who enjoyed acting the degenerate one day and an ascetic scholar the next day, that he was an unstable person and was unfit for the higher society, whatever the hell that meant. With the baseline danger of being a cultivation world without a way to improve himself, he had to find other means of protection.

  Fourth Elder scoffed. “Predation? Young Master Yun, you exaggerate. With us here, none of the people you’ve upset in the past would dare to intrude on our estate. We also have protective arrays…”

  “Arrays maintained with what resources exactly?” Xiao Yun countered, raising an eyebrow. “And what of personal protection when I’m out of the estate? My cultivation is stagnant. I am vulnerable and have no way of defending myself.” He made sure to emphasize his stagnation, a truthful and strategically delivered weakness.

  The Elders shifted uncomfortably. They couldn’t deny the clan’s precarious position, nor Xiao Yun’s vulnerability. He was right. They had been focusing on the immediate lure of the pill and spiritual stones, neglecting the bigger picture.

  Xiao Yun pressed his advantage. “Therefore, for the clan to benefit from these resources, I propose an agreement.” He laid out his terms like a seasoned negotiator.

  “Firstly, from the two hundred spiritual stones, fifty will be allocated to reinforce the clan’s defensive arrays as soon as we can find an array master. We at least agree on that matter Fourth Elder.” He saw a few small frowns, perhaps they were displeased by the amount, but he pressed on before they could object. “Secondly in exchange for one hundred and fifty spiritual stones I require certain… resources.”

  He listed his demands and the elders listened in stunned silence. He requested a set of defensive talismans, not just basic ones but mid-grade talismans specializing in shielding and evasion. His second demand was a sturdy, lightweight and inconspicuous defensive artifact: Something he could use to protect himself in case of attack. He suggested a “Cloud Treading Belt” a type of low-grade artifact mentioned in ‘The Heavenly Fate’, known for enhancing agility and providing a subtle energy shield. It could withstand attacks from someone at the peak of Qi gathering stage and even block a single blow from someone at the Foundation Building Realm. It was a lifesaving treasure for anyone below the Foundation Building Realm.