The next morning, as the sun rose, golden rays of light cascaded over the Fan Family’s mountain gate.
Jiang Ye and Fan Ying walked side-by-side, slowly descending from the main peak.
Jiang Ye possessed an immortal-like aura, his posture was tall and straight, and his steps exuded an unspoken sense of composure and elegance.
Golden light fell upon his shoulders, outlining his clear, ethereal features and the faint Dao patterns, making him appear as if a Celestial God had descended to the mortal realm, making it difficult for others to look directly at him.
Fan Ying, on the other hand, wore a moon-white flowing gauze dress, her jade pendants chiming softly, her skin like congealed snow, and her bright eyes, as they moved, held a hint of curiosity and shyness.
Along the way, the Fan Family Disciples, seeing the two from afar, all showed surprised expressions and whispered among themselves.
The two stepped into the green jade plaza in front of the guest hall, where Ye Qingyun was meditating and adjusting his breath, sensing the flow of spiritual energy between heaven and earth.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes.
A clear light flashed in his eyes, and he saw the beautiful pair approaching side-by-side.
When Ye Qingyun’s gaze fell upon Fan Ying, a hint of melancholy involuntarily flashed in his eyes.
Her beauty was exquisite, her temperament elegant, far surpassing any woman he had ever seen before.
It caused a slight stir in his Heart-Nature, a ripple passing through his heart.
But he was, after all, steady in his Heart-Nature and firm in his Dao Heart, so he quickly composed himself.
Afterward, Ye Qingyun’s gaze fell on Jiang Ye, and his heart couldn't help but tremble.
The Young Master before him, with his handsome appearance and noble temperament, caused a shock in his heart.
Especially from Jiang Ye, Ye Qingyun sensed a profound and intense Qi, an aura like the vast starry sky, unfathomable, which was not weaker than his own, and even subtly superior!
This caused Ye Qingyun, who had always been quite confident in his own talent, to feel a slight shock in his heart.
Ye Qingyun was not one to compare himself to others; he was merely slightly surprised and didn't pay too much attention to it.
Fan Ying and Jiang Ye stood side-by-side, their gestures showing a natural closeness.
Coupled with Jiang Ye's transcendent, exiled immortal-like temperament and the subtle, unique charm of a top-tier immortal Dao tradition from the heavens, Ye Qingyun instantly understood the Fan Family's choice.
At the same time, he sighed inwardly, thinking that heroes and exceptional talents in this world truly emerged endlessly; even in the Eastern Desolate Lands of the Ancient Immortal Domain, one could encounter such peers.
Regarding the Fan Family's choice, although he felt a faint unease and a sense of stifled frustration in his heart.
More than that, however, was a feeling of calm acceptance.
After all, a forced melon isn't sweet; since the Fan Family had already made its choice, why should he insist?
However, although Ye Qingyun's heart was somewhat complex, his expression remained composed.
He merely smiled and said, “Young Miss Fan.”
Fan Ying nodded slightly, appraising Ye Qingyun.
His talent was good, but compared to her Young Master Jiang, it was truly like the difference between clouds and mud.
Her tone was indifferent, with a hint of appropriate distance and politeness: “Ye Qingyun, I was in seclusion a few days ago, you have waited long.”
Her words were standard, devoid of emotional fluctuation.
Ye Qingyun paused slightly, then smiled calmly and replied, “It’s fine.”
Jiang Ye stood beside them with his hands behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips, observing Ye Qingyun with interest.
“This Ye Qingyun is quite interesting. If it were any other Protagonist of Destiny, seeing me so close to Fan Ying, they would probably be consumed by jealousy.”
“The System hasn't even triggered a prompt yet; his Heart-Nature is much more stable.”
Jiang Ye muttered to himself.
Just then, a rather powerful aura came from afar.
A middle-aged man in a brocade robe, accompanied by several Fan Family stewards, hurried into the courtyard.
It was the Fan Family's Patriarch, Fan Wuji.
Fan Wuji's gaze lingered on Jiang Ye for a moment, his face beaming with smiles, and he respectfully cupped his hands and said, “Young Master Jiang is well.”
Then, his gaze turned to Ye Qingyun, with a hint of distance in his eyes.
“Young Friend Ye, you've worked hard traveling all this way.”
“Your presence at my Fan Family this time is truly impressive, and I am very pleased.”
Ye Qingyun cupped his hands slightly and respectfully said, “Patriarch, you overpraise me; Qingyun is undeserving.”
Fan Wuji smiled, but then changed the subject and said, “However, there is something else I need to make clear to you today.”
His voice paused for a moment, his gaze swept over Jiang Ye and Fan Ying, and he finally spoke calmly: “The matter of the engagement years ago was truly due to the Fan Family Old Ancestor’s oversight, a momentary remark by the elders of the Family, with no intention of forcing it.”
“The situation is different now, and my Fan Family also needs to consider carefully, not to treat the private feelings of children as a trivial matter.”
“Fan Ying’s cultivation has progressed, and her Dao path requires focus; it is not suitable for her to be bound by an engagement too early.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingyun couldn't help but feel a complex and ineffable emotion surge within him.
Although he didn't particularly care about this marriage.
But the Fan Family so directly proposing to annul the engagement, and with words that subtly carried a hint of disdain.
He felt no great anger in his heart, but rather an indescribable complex emotion.
It was like a silent stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a few ripples, but quickly returning to stillness.
Just as he sighed softly in his heart, the cold System prompt sounded in Jiang Ye’s mind.
“So that’s how it is.” Ye Qingyun smiled lightly, echoing.
At this moment, the long-awaited System voice finally rang in Jiang Ye's mind.
【Ding! The Protagonist of Destiny, Ye Qingyun, has had his engagement with the Fan Family annulled, and a feeling of resentment has arisen in his heart. Luck value -500!】
A faint look of surprise flashed in Jiang Ye's eyes: “Indeed, as long as one is human, it’s impossible to be completely desireless. Although he doesn’t care much about this marriage, he still has emotions in his heart after all.”
At the same time, Fan Wuji's attitude grew firmer, his tone even subtly carrying a hint of imperceptible humiliation.
He looked at Ye Qingyun and said with a touch of arrogance:
“Since you understand, then so be it.”
“Our Fan Family and your Taiwei Star Palace are not a match; this marriage was originally a misunderstanding.”
“To avoid future trouble for both sides, it’s better to dissolve it, and save Fan Ying’s future from being delayed.”
“This matter need not be mentioned again in the future; neither of us owes the other, no disturbance, no entanglement, may each be well.”
His tone was already a clear dismissal, and it carried a deliberate intention to humiliate Ye Qingyun.
Fan Wuji mainly considered that Jiang Ye was still present, so it was best for his attitude to be firm.
Ye Qingyun frowned slightly.
This was truly a bit insulting.
He was annoyed in his heart, but there was nothing he could do, as this was the Fan Family's territory.
He also found it difficult to say anything more.
Just as he was about to cup his hands and bid farewell, he suddenly heard a attendant outside the hall report in a hurry: “Patriarch, Saint Li Guangrui of Bixia Heavenly Palace requests to see Ye Qingyun and is waiting outside the hall.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone showed surprise.
Bixia Heavenly Palace was also a top-tier Dao tradition in the Eastern Desolate Lands, on par with the Fan Family. Its Saint, Li Guangrui, was also a person of extraordinary talent, a prominent figure among the younger generation in the Eastern Desolate Lands of the Ancient Immortal Domain.
Soon, a young man dressed in a crimson-gold Daoist robe entered the hall.
Li Guangrui arrived shortly after, his gaze sweeping over the few people present.
When he saw Ye Qingyun, his face immediately showed joy. He quickly stepped forward, enthusiastically patted Ye Qingyun's shoulder, and laughed loudly: “Brother Ye, I heard you came to the Fan Family, so I came to see you!”
However, when Li Guangrui's gaze swept over Fan Ying, who was beside Ye Qingyun, and the transcendent Jiang Ye, the smile on his face involuntarily froze slightly.
He instantly felt that something was amiss.
Especially seeing the closeness between Fan Ying and Jiang Ye standing together, and the slightly cold attitude of Patriarch Fan Wuji towards Ye Qingyun, Li Guangrui immediately understood most of the situation.
He raised his sword-like eyebrows slightly, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes.
His Brother Ye possessed exceptional talent and abundant gifts, so why did the Fan Family not value him so much?
However, before Li Guangrui could question the Fan Family, Fan Wuji was the first to speak.
He said with a hint of displeasure: “Li Guangrui, I know you are the Saint of Bixia Heavenly Palace, but I haven’t even invited you in, and you’ve intruded into my Fan Family territory here. Isn’t that a bit too rude?”