The wedding ceremony between Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue ended quickly, a beautiful formality that masked the intense, underlying political tension.
Later, in the privacy of the bridal chambers, the two young people spoke and came to a swift agreement.
"I respect the pact, but I am dedicated to the path of cultivation and will soon leave for the Frozen Cloud Asgard,"
Xia Qingyue stated, her voice cool and formal.
"I will not share a room."
"Understood!"
Xiao Che agreed immediately, relief washing over him.
He had no romantic feelings for her, and the thought of breaking her vow of purity was a massive stressor.
"I will go and sleep with my little aunt, Lingxi, then,"
He announced, and ran away quickly, leaving Xia Qingyue alone in the lavish room.
Xia Qingyue had plenty to contemplate.
Jaune Arc had given her the ultimate answer: the only way to reach the Realm of Gods was to break through to the Divine Way, the realm above the Sovereign Profound Realm.
It was a staggering, almost impossible goal.
She closed her eyes, the immense distance of her journey laid bare.
She had desperately asked Jaune if he knew a shortcut, a quicker way.
He hadn't lied, but he hadn't fully answered either, merely stating he only dealt with cultivation items, not divine ascension methods.
She saw the concern in his eyes—a hint that he knew a secret but refused to share it.
Perhaps he thought the Realm of Gods was too cruel, and he didn't want her to go there yet.
"I have to prove myself,"
She vowed, her determination hardening.
She would show him that she was worthy of that higher world.
The next morning, Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue performed the customary greetings to Xiao Lie and the clan elders.
This day was also the highly anticipated arrival of the delegation from the Xiao Sect, who had come to scout and take in talented youths.
The leader of the group was Xiao Kuangyun, the arrogant, spoiled youngest son of the Xiao Sect Master.
He treated everyone in the clan like his personal servant, basking in the terrified deference.
Xiao Yunlong, the scorned cousin, immediately rushed to suck up to Kuangyun.
He whispered malicious gossip about Xiao Che's status and Xia Qingyue's beauty, hoping to gain favor.
Xiao Kuangyun instantly saw the unparalleled beauty of Xia Qingyue and decided he wanted her for himself.
He immediately began planning to break off the marriage between the two young people, determined to claim the genius as his own.
The confrontation was swift, messy, and loud. Kuangyun used the slight of Che's "cripple" status as leverage, but the plan didn't go smoothly.
In the ensuing chaos, Xiao Lingxi stepped up to defend her nephew and was targeted by Kuangyun's fury.
When Xiao Che rushed forward to protect his beloved little aunt, the exposure happened.
Driven by rage, Xiao Yunlong seized the chance and publicly screamed the secret he had guarded:
"He is not Xiao Che! He is Yun Che! A borrowed son!"
The revelation shattered the clan. Xiao Lie stood frozen, unable to deny the truth.
The current Clan Head, Xiao Yunhai, had no choice but to uphold the Clan rules.
Xiao Che, now revealed as the disgraced Yun Che, was publicly stripped of his clan status and expelled.
Everything seemed hopeless; even Xiao Lie, his protector, couldn't help him now.
Yun Che stood alone, shattered, clutching his wounded aunt.
Just as the arrogant Xiao Kuangyun smirked, ready to claim Xia Qingyue and finalize the expulsion, the very sky above the Xiao Clan manor tore open.
With a sound like thunder splitting the heavens and a flash that momentarily blinded everyone, a column of Golden Lightning shot from the sky and slammed into the ground right in front of the distraught Yun Che and Xiao Lie.
Jaune Arc had returned.
He stood amidst the dissipating energy, dusting off his shoulders, his face stern.
He had just successfully finished the second Silver Rank mission—healing the poisoned little girl—and the 20 silver coins reward had just pinged his account.
He took one look at the scene: the weeping little aunt, the expelled young man clutching her, the arrogant Sect heir, and the beautiful Xia Qingyue standing silently nearby.
The anger in his eyes was cold, pure, and absolute.
"I promised to take care of my friends,"
Jaune's voice echoed, quiet but carrying the weight of the universe.
"Who dares lay a hand on employees of my shop?"
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A/n: I am going to upload 2 chapters per day here.
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Currently @ chapter 70+ Jaune is currently doing mission in Naruto World(Chunin Exam). He is as strong as Rikudo Sennin
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[email protected]/jelopy_jelopy 30+ more chapters (only $2.5 till 31st)