The announcement had just fallen, and the people in the deliberation hall hadn’t even had time to fully react.
Immediately, a hearty laugh rang in their ears.
“Haha, Lin Family Head, congratulations!
Upon hearing the news of Nephew Lin Fan’s return, I immediately rushed over.”
As the voice faded, a figure suddenly appeared at the entrance of the main hall.
It was Luo Xiu, the current Clan Chief of the Luo Family, one of the four great families of the Tianfeng Empire, and behind him was a woman whose steps were light, as if she were walking on clouds, each step exuding nobility and arrogance.
When Lin Fan saw the woman, a glint flashed in his eyes; with just one glance, a strong sense of bewilderment surged within him.
This young girl was no longer the docile and sensible Luo Qingyi from his memories.
Time had changed a lot; people and circumstances were no longer the same.
It was precisely because of this glance that he clearly understood why the Lin Family members had shown such expressions when he mentioned the name Luo Qingyi.
Luo Qingyi!
The young girl he had worried about for two years now displayed a cold demeanor towards him, and towards the entire Lin Family.
As if sensing Lin Fan’s gaze, Luo Qingyi raised her head, her eyes meeting his, both filled with unfamiliarity and indifference.
“Luo Xiu, what are you doing here?”
The Lin Family Head’s face was like ice as he asked in a deep voice.
“Lin Family Head truly likes to play dumb. Since Nephew Lin Fan has returned, shouldn’t we finally address the matter we’ve been delaying for a whole year?”
Luo Xiu retorted.
What matter?
Lin Fan took a step forward, his gaze shifting from Luo Qingyi to Luo Xiu, and asked.
“Oh?
Has the Lin Family Head not told you yet?
In that case, I’ll be the bad guy.
It’s like this.
Last year, Qingyi unexpectedly met Zhong Cheng, the top Personal Disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect, during her cultivation journey. With his strong recommendation, the Yuanchu Sect Master accepted Luo Qingyi as a Named Disciple. As long as she Cultivates to the Yuánfǔ Realm, she can go to the Yuan Chu Sect to Cultivate and become a Personal Disciple of the Yuanchu Sect Master.
Zhong Cheng is interested in Qingyi. If he knew Qingyi was already betrothed, he probably wouldn’t continue to help her.
Therefore, our Luo Family’s intention is to annul your engagement with Qingyi.
Don’t worry, our Luo Family is not one to take advantage. To compensate you, or rather, to compensate the Lin Family, our Luo Family is willing to hand over control of the Spirit Ascension Pool in the southwest suburbs to the Lin Family.
Exchanging a marriage contract for control of the Spirit Ascension Pool, I think, Nephew, you should understand, right?”
The Spirit Ascension Pool, a blessed land the Luo Family had obtained years ago through imperial grace, had excellent Cultivation-boosting effects for Martial Artist below the Divine Pill Secret Realm.
While the Luo Family’s top combat strength might be slightly inferior to the Lin Family’s, their Martial Artist below the Divine Pill Secret Realm were far more numerous than the Lin Family’s, and this was thanks to the Spirit Ascension Pool.
Martial Dao can be divided into the Acquired Realm, True Spirit Realm, and Divine Pill Secret Realm… Each Secret Realm has three great Realms.
The Acquired Realm consists of Body Tempering, Qi Induction, and Acquired;
And the True Spirit Realm is Earth Spirit, Sky Spirit, and True Spirit; as for the Divine Pill Secret Realm, it is Earth Core, Sky Core, and Divine Pill.
Above Divine Pill is the Yuánfǔ Realm, where the Clan Chief of the four great families of the Tianfeng Empire currently reside, and further up is the Soul Manifestation Realm, which signifies the Empire's supreme experts.
Beyond that, Lin Fan was unaware.
If the Lin Family could control the Spirit Ascension Pool, it would inevitably produce many True Spirit Realm Martial Artist in a short period, and their overall strength would also greatly improve.
It must be said, the Luo Family’s compensation was very tempting.
“Qingyi, is this your intention as well?”
Lin Fan did not respond on the spot but turned to look at Luo Qingyi.
Since entering the hall, the latter had remained silent, exuding an Aura of indifference, as if she had long forgotten the vows of eternal love she once made with the young man.
“When I came, I heard that you had no Cultivation fluctuations, and now that I see you, it is indeed true.
You and I are now worlds apart.
Annulment of the engagement is a liberation for both you and me.”
Luo Qingyi finally spoke, her words filled with a sense of resolve, her gaze meeting Lin Fan’s without evasion as she stated.
This is truly infuriating!
Lin Fan was speechless. He had endured many torments in the Divine Abyss Secret Realm, and his main belief in surviving was the promise of growing old with Luo Qingyi.
And now.
The girl who had haunted his dreams was telling him to his face that he was not worthy of her and wanted to break off their relationship.
This blow was even more heartbreaking than the Devil Head’s torment.
“Nephew Lin Fan, that Zhong Cheng is one of the Southern Wasteland Ten Elites, and his Cultivation has reached the Soul Manifestation Realm, which is much stronger than our Tianfeng Empire’s Tianzi Bixia.
The Yuanchu Sect Master is an even more terrifying existence, surpassing the Soul Manifestation Realm. If you remain stubborn, you might put the Lin Family in an irreversible situation.”
Luo Xiu spoke again, attempting to persuade Lin Fan.
Southern Wasteland Ten Elites, Soul Manifestation Realm!
Lin Fan was secretly startled, struggling internally.
Although he wasn't sure what kind of honor the Southern Wasteland Ten Elites entailed, he was well aware of the great threat the Soul Manifestation Realm posed to the Lin Family.
Moreover, behind Zhong Cheng stood a Yuanchu Sect Master whose Cultivation was even above the Soul Manifestation Realm.
“Hmph, what Southern Wasteland Ten Elites? How can my person suffer such humiliation!
Boy, listen carefully: the first thing you must do is tear up that damn marriage contract.
The second thing is, no matter what method you use, you must rank first among the Southern Wasteland Ten Elites and fiercely trample that Zhong Cheng underfoot!”
Just as Lin Fan was hesitating, a voice suddenly rang out in his mind. When this voice appeared, Lin Fan trembled all over, and a look of dread instantly appeared between his brows.
How could that female Devil Head’s voice reach his mind? Could it be that the female Devil Head had also followed him out?
Two things?
Lin Fan had once promised this female Devil Head ten things, and he had expected that, given her temperament, she would surely arrange ten extremely difficult and disgusting tasks for him.
But he never expected.
To protect his dignity, this female Devil Head actually made two demands in one breath.
Thinking of this, Lin Fan couldn't help but feel a strange emotion rising in his heart.
His beloved, who had once sworn eternal love with him, was now humiliating him to his face.
And the Devil Head, who had treated him as a stud and tormented him daily, was willing to use two requests to protect his dignity.
Comparing the two, he actually developed a slight fondness for the female Devil Head.
Since that's the case, then...
Lin Fan waved his hand and said, “Family Head, please hand me that marriage contract.”
The Lin Family Head didn’t dally, taking the marriage contract from his embrace and walking to Lin Fan’s side, he spoke righteously, “Xiao Fan, no matter what you do, our Lin Family will fully support you!”
Upon hearing this.
A warm current flowed through the young man’s heart, and he nodded.
Lin Fan stood before everyone, his gaze as sharp as a knife, his words carrying an uncontrollable indignation and resolve.
His words echoed in the silent air, each word like a heavy hammer striking the hearts of everyone present.
“Today, in the name of the Lin Family Young Lord, I hereby annul your status, Luo Qingyi, as my, Lin Fan’s, fiancée.”
His voice grew louder and louder, almost a roar, and his eyes flickered with the flames of anger, as if to burn away all hypocrisy and betrayal.
The young man took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and continued, “From now on, you and I go our separate ways, with no further connection!”
Rip!
Accompanied by a tearing sound, the marriage contract was torn into countless fragments by the young man, scattering down through the air, and with them, all his past feelings for Luo Qingyi also fell.
Lin Fan, you!
Luo Xiu’s expression changed, and a cold glint appeared between his brows. Annulment of the engagement and tearing up the marriage contract were two different concepts.
If this matter were to spread, there would inevitably be gossips saying that his daughter was abandoned by the Lin Family.
This would be a huge blow to his Luo Family and to his daughter Luo Qingyi’s reputation.
Especially, if Zhong Cheng, who was one of the Southern Wasteland Ten Elites, were to find out, he might not continue to aid Luo Qingyi.
“Lin Fan, do you know that by doing this, you will not only fail to gain the Spirit Ascension Pool, but you might also incur the resentment of Zhong Cheng, the top Disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect?
Your actions have put the Lin Family in dire straits!
Lin Family Head, Lin Fan is so crazy, are you going to play along with him?”
The Lin Family Head did not respond, but instead fixed his gaze on Lin Fan, his meaning clear: Lin Fan’s actions represented the Lin Family’s stance.
“Now, Luo Family Head, Young Miss Luo, please get out of my Lin Family compound. See them out!”
After speaking, Lin Fan turned abruptly, giving Luo Xiu and his daughter no chance to say more.
Lin Family, hmph!
Seeing the two Lin Family experts, whose Cultivation was no less than his own, pressing forward, Luo Xiu knew it was not wise to stay long. He coldly glanced at the Lin Family plaque hanging in the hall, a murderous intent appearing in his eyes, and with a cold snort, he turned and left.
As for Luo Qingyi, before leaving, she looked at Lin Fan’s back, which seemed to exude a resolute Aura, and whispered, “You and I, after all, no longer belong to the same world.
The humiliation of today, when the day comes, Qingyi will personally come to reclaim it!”
Get out!
A deep shout echoed through the hall, and Luo Qingyi took a deep look at Lin Fan before finally stepping away.
It wasn't until the Luo Family father and daughter were out of sight that the Lin Family Head spoke, saying, “Xiao Fan, you are not to blame for this matter.
Their Luo Family simply doesn’t have the fortune to become in-laws with my Lin Family.”
Lin Fan nodded and replied, “Family Head, I’ll trouble you with the Luo Family matter.
My mind is a bit messy right now, I want to go back and calm down.”
“Don’t worry, even if the Luo Family relies on the top Disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect, they will never act recklessly in this Tianfeng Empire.
I believe my Lin Family’s True Dragon will surely rise again!”
Lin Fan smiled; he knew what the Family Head’s confidence was based on.
He bowed to the several Elders in the hall one by one, then walked out of the room.
“Family Head, should we inform Third Miss about this matter?”
After Lin Fan left, the Grand Elder frowned and asked softly.
If it was just dealing with the Luo Family, the Lin Family wouldn't be afraid, but the crucial point was that behind the Luo Family now stood a top Disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect who was one of the Southern Wasteland Ten Elites.
If this person were to appear in the Tianfeng Empire, the Lin Family would inevitably fall into an irreversible situation.
“Very well, if Third Miss can return, she might be able to examine Xiao Fan’s physical condition.”