Watching these young people, Li Wei had a strange expression on his face. He also somewhat enjoyed this peaceful life.
He recalled how his clansmen back then had no leisure for such matters of love and relationships; most of them had risen from the ordinary, fighting their way to the present day.
But now, having reached Li Xinnian's generation, the style had truly changed abruptly.
Half a month passed.
In the Great Hall of the Sea of Red Spider Lilies, today, only Li Yunlin and Fairy Hongxiu sat upon the immortal dais.
Disciples of the Perennis Immortal Palace were serving tea. Li Yunlin's expression was visibly displeased.
Below the great hall, two rows of people could be seen seated on the left and right.
On the left side were Li Kuanghua, Li Xinnian, Nangong Qingya, and Su Chen, all of their faces grim.
And on the right side was a row of cultivators wearing Daoist robes.
Seated at the very front was an old man with the bearing of an immortal sage.
The Aeternus Sect, amidst the changes of this era, had also given rise to Eight Great Elders.
These were mostly the eight strongest cultivators from the former disciples of the Myriad Dao Immortal Palace, the Perennis Immortal Palace, and the Aeternus Sect who had banded together for mutual support.
This old man was the Seventh Elder of the Aeternus Sect, Immortal Master Qi Yue.
Beside the old man was a handsome young man, a smug smile on his face.
His name was Ding Zerui, an inner sect disciple of the Aeternus Sect and also a direct descendant of the Ding family.
Not yet a hundred years old, he had already reached the early Golden Core realm—a young talent of this generation.
And in the center, an Aeternus Sect disciple respectfully held up a storage ring.
"Grand Elder Yunlin, this elder will speak frankly. For the Li family to send betrothal gifts is, for our Aeternus Sect, a joyous affair we couldn't even have dared to ask for."
Immortal Master Qi Yue offered a round of flattery, but then sighed heavily and said:
"However, Grand Elder Yunlin, this match is, however, an ill-fated one.
Liu Rusi is not only an inner sect disciple of our Aeternus Sect, but also the beloved daughter of the Liu family from the twelve Regions of my Duravia Trade Prefecture.
The Liu family and the Ding family have intermarried for thousands of years. Before Liu Rusi was even born, she was already engaged to a son of the Ding family in a childhood engagement."
Li Yunlin had already seen the smug look on Ding Zerui's face.
He stared intently at Ding Zerui, causing Ding Zerui's expression to change as he hastily wiped the smile from his face.
"You are Ding Zerui? Is what Immortal Master Qi Yue said true?"
Faced with a figure like Grand Elder Yunlin, Ding Zerui quickly bowed respectfully.
As he bent over, he glanced at Su Chen on the left, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes; when he glanced at Li Xinnian, only reverence remained.
He then responded in a grave voice: "Reporting to Grand Elder Yunlin, what the Seventh Elder said is true. This matter is known to everyone in my Ding family and the Liu family. This junior has even brought the marriage contract."
He presented the marriage contract, and then, looking at Su Chen, his expression filled with regret.
He cupped his fists and said:
"Junior Brother Su, although I don't know what happened between you and Rusi to actually make the Li family send betrothal gifts to my sect, Junior Brother perhaps doesn't know that Rusi and I are childhood sweethearts.
If Junior Brother intends to rely on the Li family to steal another's love, it is truly not the act of a gentleman."
"Junior, what are you putting on this hypocritical act for in front of this lady?!!"
Li Kuanghua slammed the table and shot to her feet.
She had instantly caught the sarcasm in Ding Zerui's words and roared furiously, "Mention our Li family one more time, and I'll break one of your legs! Let's see if anyone from your Ding family dares to come looking for trouble with me!"
"Senior, please calm your anger!"
Ding Zerui bowed in terror, but a flash of malice passed through his eyes. If not for this little yellow bean (referencing her petite stature and signature yellow skirt) coming from the Li family, he would have made her spill her blood on the spot.
That Su Chen was nothing special either; he was just relying on this little yellow bean, that's all.
"Hmph!" Seeing Ding Zerui acting so respectfully, Li Kuanghua was also left with no recourse.
"Kuanghua."
Li Yunlin's calm voice reached Li Kuanghua's ears, and only then did she sit down.
Li Yunlin had already finished reading the marriage contract.
That Immortal Master Qi Yue smiled and said, "It seems this was a misunderstanding. These betrothal gifts have been returned. Grand Elder Yunlin, if there is nothing else, we shall take our leave. Please also convey regards to Prefecture Lord Li on behalf of this humble Daoist."
After speaking, Immortal Master Qi Yue bowed, wanting to leave this place of trouble.
Unexpectedly, however, Li Yunlin was still frowning. On the immortal dais, Fairy Hongxiu glanced at the furious Li Kuanghua and Li Xinnian, who were gritting their teeth.
She took a deep breath and called out, "Wait."
Everyone looked over.
Immortal Master Qi Yue frowned instantly. He truly feared the Li family, but not the Perennis Immortal Palace.
He immediately questioned Fairy Hongxiu, "Fairy, this is a matter between my Aeternus Sect and the Li family. What business is it of yours?"
"The Fairy's business is my business." Seeing Fairy Hongxiu's expression tighten, Li Yunlin's voice sounded faintly, "Fairy Hongxiu told you to wait, so Immortal Master Qi Yue might as well stay a moment longer and hear what the Fairy has to say."
"Fairy."
Seeing Grand Elder Yunlin signal with his eyes, Fairy Hongxiu was secretly delighted.
When she looked at Immortal Master Qi Yue, her eyes had already narrowed slightly.
"Immortal Master Qi Yue, you also said, Ding Zerui and Liu Rusi's marriage contract was from before they gained discernment. They are nearly a hundred years old now and can make their own decisions. A marriage contract can also be torn up."
Fairy Hongxiu's tone grew increasingly cold. "Besides, why is it that only Ding Zerui came today? Where is Liu Rusi? Why not let them speak for themselves? And where are the Liu family members? Our betrothal gifts were sent to the Aeternus Sect; that was to give face to Supreme Elder Puci, and they were also sent to the Liu family. They were not sent to the Ding family! "
"Tear up the marriage contract?" That Ding Zerui instantly became agitated. "How is it none of my business? Liu Rusi is my fiancée! "
"This..."
Immortal Master Qi Yue's expression changed. "This matter follows the intent of Supreme Elder Puci. The betrothal gifts have been handled, and this kind of old marriage affair is ultimately impossible to resolve clearly."
"Since that is the case, Immortal Master Qi Yue, perhaps you should stay for now. We still need to discuss this further."
Li Yunlin waved his hand slightly.
Qi Yue's expression was awful. He cursed inwardly; Supreme Elder Puci had given him a nasty job.
For all these years, they and the Li family had been outwardly amicable but inwardly opposed, and the Li family members were, every one of them, ruthless characters.
Now that he was being detained at the Perennis Immortal Palace, he was genuinely afraid that with one careless slip, the Li family would kill him.
Given the situation, he had no choice but to nod.
"It can only be this way. I ask Grand Elder Yunlin to make a decision quickly. If there is anything improper, please go and discuss it with Supreme Elder Puci."
"You are dismissed."
Li Yunlin waved his hand slightly, and everyone departed.
Outside the great hall.
Everyone's expression was grim. That Ding Zerui walked to Su Chen's side, his expression mocking.
He sent a secret voice transmission, "Su Chen, what great ability, inviting the Li family to back you up. If you really want Liu Rusi, you just have to say the word to me."
Su Chen's expression changed.
But as Ding Zerui's voice continued, veins bulged on his forehead.
He only heard a cold laugh in his ears, "I was with Liu Rusi long ago. The year she turned eighteen… tsk, tsk. I heard you stayed with her in the secret realm for many days; you must know her well, too. Doesn't her voice sound lovely? Hahaha, you want my goods? I'll give her to you."
"But you'd better beg me quickly, get on your knees and beg me. Otherwise... if I get the urge, I'll let others enjoy the same pleasure I did. Then she'll be third... fourth..."
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