The Xiao Clan manor was a whirlwind of activity and hushed gossip.
Preparations for the day's most anticipated—and most debated—event were underway: the wedding between the young master, Xiao Che, and the unparalleled beauty, Xia Qingyue.
The whispers among the assembled guests were harsh and constant. Xia Qingyue was a rare genius, possessing ethereal beauty and a bright future.
On the other hand, Xiao Che was viewed as a pathetic match—not only was he average in looks and strength, but he was also a known cripple, unable to advance his cultivation beyond the most rudimentary levels.
And now, the gossip was fueled by the news that the groom was sick, possibly dying, even before the ceremony could begin.
A dark, cruel smirk touched the lips of Xiao Yunlong, who stood observing the main building where the ailing Xiao Che was confined.
It was he who had orchestrated this entire situation.
"He will die, and I will be the one who marries Xia Qingyue,"
Xiao Yunlong thought, his eyes burning with selfish ambition.
He was confident in the potency of the poison he administered. But his malice didn't end there.
He had a fallback plan, something he had overheard.
"If Xiao Che does not die, then I can simply tell everyone that he wasn't really Xiao Che."
He recalled listening in secret as Xiao Lie, Xiao Che's guardian, wept at the grave of his late son, confessing the tragic secret: that he had exchanged his dying child with his friend's healthy son years ago.
"How stupid,"
Xiao Yunlong sneered internally.
"Exchanging his son with his friend's son. Humph. This secret will destroy Xiao Lie and clear my path if the poison fails."
He was utterly confident in his success; the time for the wedding was rapidly approaching.
Inside the quiet room where Xiao Che lay, his adoptive grandfather, Xiao Lie, wrung his hands, his face etched with worry. He was talking anxiously to the Clan's appointed doctor.
The doctor, a greedy man who had colluded with the ruthless Xiao Yunlong, maintained a facade of calm professionalism.
He knew very well that Xiao Che had been afflicted with a potent poison. Yet, he lied easily.
"Elder Lie, there is no need for worry,"
The doctor insisted, tapping his prescription pad.
"Young master Che is simply too excited to be married to a beautiful woman like Miss Xia Qingyue. It is merely a severe nervous reaction, coupled with a mild cold. A few days of rest and some soothing herbs will put him right."
"If that is so, then I am relieved. Thank you so much, Doctor,"
Xiao Lie said, a smile of genuine relief washing over his face.
He looked at Xiao Che with paternal affection, believing his grandson was simply overcome by romance.
"Xi'er, take care of your nephew. I will go and take care of the final arrangements for the ceremony,"
Xiao Lie spoke to his daughter, Xiao Lingxi, a beautiful and kind young woman who was dedicated to Xiao Che's well-being.
Xiao Longxi nodded her head, her hand resting gently on Che'er's forehead.
"Yes, Father. I will take care of Che'er."
Xiao Lie was about to leave when a sound like a distant cannon shot brought his head snapping up toward the window.
He saw something in the sky that immediately drove all thoughts of the wedding from his mind.
A man, wreathed in intensely bright golden lightning, was hurtling toward the Xiao Clan manor with impossible speed.
The sight was not of floating or controlled movement, but of raw, untamed power ripping through the air.
"S—Sky Profound Realm Cultivator!"
Xiao Lie stammered, his body locking up with shock.
Xiao Lie was merely a half-step Earth Profound Realm Cultivator—a significant achievement for his age, but utterly insignificant compared to the figure approaching.
Sky Profound Realm was a mythical level of power, something he could not dream of achieving in his life, or the next ten lives.
The arrival of such a terrifying figure, especially on this crucial day, was an omen of immense consequence.
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