Seeing the Jade Clear Spirit Liquid, Zi Ling’s eyes lit up, a surge of excitement in her heart.
But she quickly calmed herself.
If she traded her lifelong commitment for a mere breakthrough in spiritual power, that would be underestimating her worth.
One drop of Jade Clear Spirit Liquid was far inferior to her Saint Spirit Vein of Substitution.
Moreover, she wasn’t someone who would treat her marriage as a transaction, no matter how high the price, not even for an alliance between great powers.
“Thank you for Brother Jian Wudi’s affection, but I’m still young and devoted to cultivation. For now, I have no interest in matters of the heart,” Zi Ling replied tactfully.
Jian Wuqu was momentarily stunned. He’d heard from Zi Gong that Zi Ling might refuse.
But hearing her reject the proposal outright still surprised him.
After all, his brother Jian Wudi was hailed as the top prodigy of the southeast domain’s eight great talents, the direct disciple of Lingjian Sect’s leader, a top-tier superpower, and a likely successor to the sect leader.
Across the southeast domain, countless women threw themselves at his brother, only to be rejected.
Yet now, a direct descendant of a mere Martial Emperor family, not even their top genius, had rejected his brother’s proposal.
After a brief pause, Jian Wuqu smiled, “Heh, Miss Zi Ling is indeed devoted to cultivation. But my brother, at twenty-seven, is already a Sixth-Tier Martial Lord, recently pushing toward the Seventh-Tier. Soon, he’ll reach that realm.”
“Moreover, he possesses a mid-tier Earth-grade Dantian phenomenon and is the sect leader’s direct disciple, equally devoted to cultivation.”
“If Miss Zi Ling agrees to this marriage, my brother will spare no effort in providing resources and guidance, a rare opportunity for your cultivation.”
Lin Xiao’s heart jolted. Jian Tianjiao, only twenty-seven, already a Sixth-Tier Martial Lord?
Such a cultivation level at that age was truly extraordinary, a prodigy among prodigies, no wonder he was called the southeast domain’s top talent.
Moreover, like Lin Xiao, Jian Tianjiao had a mid-tier Earth-grade Dantian phenomenon.
Such cultivation talent was likely a once-in-a-century occurrence in the southeast domain.
Before Zi Ling could respond, Zi Gong nodded in approval, “Indeed, Nephew Jian Tianjiao, in both talent and demeanour, leads the youth of the southeast domain. In the future, he’s highly likely to inherit the Lingjian Sect leadership. Whoever marries him would be blessed for lifetimes.”
“Marriage follows the will of parents and matchmakers. Since your parents are absent and the patriarch is in seclusion, we, as your elders, will accept this proposal on your behalf.”
“I know you’re young and may resist now, but later, you’ll thank me and the family for making the right choice for you.”
Lin Xiao frowned. This wasn’t seeking Zi Ling’s opinion; it was forcing the engagement. Her return was merely for show.
Zi Ling was nearly furious.
Before she could speak, Zi Gong continued, “For your future, even if you resent me, I’ll bear it.”
He turned to Jian Wuqu and Zhang Tianze, “Nephew Jian, Elder Zhang, I’ll accept Lingjian Sect’s generous gift on Zi Ling’s behalf. The wedding will be set for three years from now.”
Zhang Tianze stood, saluting, “Thank you, Elder Zi Gong!”
Seeing them orchestrate everything, Zi Ling’s anger flared, and she shouted, “Wait!”
“Elder Zhang, Elder Zi Gong, I’ll marry Jian Wudi if you insist,” Zi Ling said, steadying herself.
Zi Gong and the Zi family elders were stunned, surprised she might change her mind.
Given Jian Tianjiao’s talent, it wasn’t unexpected.
Jian Wuqu smirked inwardly, thinking Zi Ling’s initial refusal was mere posturing, swayed by his brother’s power and status.
“But I have one condition!” Zi Ling added.
Zi Gong frowned slightly, “What condition?”
Zi Ling said, “Jian Tianjiao must be the undisputed top prodigy of the southeast domain’s youth! Otherwise, this proposal is off the table.”
Zi Gong, Jian Wuqu, and the others were taken aback.
After a moment, Jian Wuqu laughed, “Hahaha, Miss Zi Ling, that condition is already met. My brother is the southeast domain’s top prodigy.”
Zi Ling shook her head, “No, he isn’t.”
Jian Wuqu paused, puzzled, “If my brother isn’t the top prodigy, then who is?”
“Him!” Zi Ling pointed at Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed. What? Was this her idea of using him as a shield?
To pit him against Jian Wudi, the southeast domain’s top prodigy, a Sixth-Tier Martial Lord?
Lin Xiao’s face darkened instantly.
The Zi family elders were equally stunned.
Even the Fourth Elder and others from Zi Ling’s faction, who had remained silent, were shocked. They knew Zi Ling wouldn’t agree.
With the Purple Emperor in seclusion and the Grand Elder dominant, they stayed quiet, biding their time.
But they hadn’t expected Zi Ling to propose this.
This youth, not even twenty, with only a Fourth-Tier Martial Venerable aura—how could he compare to Jian Tianjiao? Wasn’t Zi Ling being absurd?
“Miss Zi Ling, are you mocking me? This guy, a mere Fourth-Tier Martial Venerable weakling, isn’t worth my finger. How can he compare to my brother?” Jian Wuqu said, his tone dripping with disdain and a hint of insulted fury.
Yes, insulted. Comparing such a weakling to his brother was an affront to both.
“He’s not ready now, but in two years, he will be. In two years, he’ll defeat Jian Wudi!” Zi Ling said confidently.
“Two years from now, he’ll fight Jian Wudi. If Jian Wudi loses, he’s not the top prodigy. If Jian Wudi wins, I’ll marry him willingly.”
“Miss Zi Ling, it’s not that I doubt this challenge, but letting any random nobody challenge my brother is an insult,” Jian Wuqu said dismissively.
After a pause, he added, “But since you’ve spoken, no matter how unreasonable, I’ll humour you.”
“I’ll give him a chance on my brother’s behalf, but first, he must dare to fight me now—in a life-or-death battle.”
The Fourth Elder and Zi Ling’s faction frowned. Jian Wuqu clearly aimed to kill Lin Xiao now, silencing Zi Ling.
It was a clever move. Killing Lin Xiao would force Zi Ling to accept the engagement honourably, avoiding gossip.
If Lin Xiao refused, there’d be no talk of challenging Jian Tianjiao.
Zi Ling’s attempt to buy time had backfired. In their view, Lin Xiao stood no chance against Jian Wudi.
