Jiang Wang froze the moment he heard those words.
In truth, his father hadn't done anything wrong. He himself had already decided to end the engagement with Li Qingxuan.
But fate has a way of mocking people. Sometimes, meeting someone too extraordinary could change everything.
His thoughts drifted back to a memory from his previous life, to the day his mother, Chu Yunwan, descended into this world.
She hadn't come alone that day. Beside her stood a woman of breathtaking grace—cold, aloof, and utterly unapproachable. Her presence alone seemed to separate heaven from earth.
Luo Qingqiu.
That was her name—the successor chosen personally by Chu Yunwan to inherit her divine mantle.
The next goddess of the Forbidden Divine Clan.
Even among goddesses, Luo Qingqiu was an existence that stood apart. In comparison, the so-called goddess of the Immortal Realm seemed almost mundane.
He still remembered that moment vividly:
He had been lying in his own blood, his immortal bones dug out, his body crippled beyond repair. And above him, Luo Qingqiu stood—radiant and untouchable—her sword gleaming with celestial light as she looked down upon all the so-called prodigies of the Immortal Realm.
With a single stroke, she had nearly slain Ye Fan.
Even now, the image of that lone sword and her calm, distant eyes were seared into his memory.
In this life, he vowed, he would be invincible beneath the heavens—and the woman beside him would be no less brilliant.
He looked up, determination hardening in his gaze.
"Father," Jiang Wang said after a pause, "I once said—if we are to dissolve the engagement, the Li family must first return everything they've gained from us. Until then, I won't propose the annulment."
He hesitated, then added coolly, "As for meeting the saints of the great sects or the goddesses of the immortal families, I have no objections. But when it comes to choosing a Dao companion—let's leave that decision for later."
Jiang Xundao studied him for a long moment. The deep lines at the corners of his eyes softened into something that almost resembled pride.
"Wang'er," he said finally, his voice low and steady, "you've grown. You have your own will—and that pleases me greatly."
He turned, clasping his hands behind his back.
"Other than the girl from the Li family," he said as he walked away, "all future marriages are yours to decide."
The elder of the Jiang clan left the hall with the other family elders, their figures fading into the mist.
Jiang Wang stood alone in his vast, silent palace, his lips curving into a faint, wry smile.
"It seems my past obsession with Li Qingxuan has truly scarred Father's heart…"
He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
Then, suddenly—
> [Congratulations to the host for extracting Ye Fan's Supreme Immortal Bone and plundering 100,000 Luck Points. Current Luck: 110,000.]
[Additional Reward: 'Chaos Demon Body.' Awaken now?]
The cold, mechanical voice of the system echoed in his mind. Jiang Wang's eyes widened briefly—but then narrowed.
He did not choose to awaken it.
It wasn't that he didn't want to. But awakening the Chaos Demon Body would unleash a heaven-shaking vision—a celestial phenomenon impossible to conceal.
To stir the heavens twice in a single day? That would be courting disaster.
> [Detected Luck exceeding 100,000. Would you like to expend it in a Divine Lottery Draw?]
A lottery?
He glanced through the system interface—luck points could be exchanged for treasures or used for random draws. Tempting, yes. But not now.
He declined again.
The Supreme Immortal Bone in his hand burned with ethereal light, golden flames coiling around it like living dragons. With a single thought, Jiang Wang vanished from the palace.
---
Meanwhile, within the Li Clan's Immortal Residence, a pained groan echoed through the air.
Ye Fan stirred awake. His chest throbbed with unbearable agony, every breath a torment. He tried to rise, but the searing pain forced him back down, trembling.
Li Qingxuan rushed in, her expression full of worry. "Brother Ye Fan! You're not fully recovered—please, rest!"
Ye Fan didn't answer. His trembling hand pressed against his chest, feeling the faint pulse of life.
The elixir Jiang Wang had fed him before—ironically, the one meant to save his life—had healed his flesh. The external wound was gone.
But his Dao foundation… his immortal root… the very core of his cultivation had been destroyed. No heavenly medicine could ever restore that.
He had become a cripple.
A useless man.
Rage surged through his veins like wildfire. His eyes turned blood-red as hatred devoured his sanity.
"Jiang Wang!" His voice trembled with fury. "You arrogant bastard… I'll make you pay in blood for this!"
"Brother Ye Fan, calm down!" Li Qingxuan cried. "Your injuries are still severe. Don't lose control!"
He turned toward her slowly. Beneath his fury, a flicker of resentment stirred.
If not for her—for her secret agreement to that duel—would he have ended up like this?
But he swallowed the thought. He needed her now. She was still Jiang Wang's fiancée, and only through her could he access rare elixirs and medicines.
He couldn't afford to alienate her.
So, with deliberate effort, he softened his voice. "Forgive me, Sister Qingxuan. I've embarrassed you. I just… never imagined Jiang Wang would resort to such despicable means to win."
Li Qingxuan's brows furrowed. "Despicable means?"
"Yes," Ye Fan said immediately, seizing the opening. "During our duel, when I trapped him with my Great Sun Flame Wheel, I clearly felt him swallow something—a pill. It must have been a forbidden elixir that boosted his strength."
Li Qingxuan's expression darkened.
So that was it. No wonder Jiang Wang had managed to defeat Ye Fan—he had cheated!
Her eyes grew cold. "So Jiang Wang relied on external power… I should have known."
Her disgust deepened as Ye Fan continued weaving his tale, every word crafted to fuel her anger.
"Jiang Wang…" she muttered under her breath. "I thought you were simply weak—but I didn't realize you were also vicious. You took drugs to win—and even dug out Brother Ye Fan's immortal bone afterward!"
Ye Fan hid his satisfaction behind a calm mask.
Li Qingxuan turned to him, guilt flickering in her eyes. "Brother Ye Fan, if not for me, you wouldn't have suffered like this."
"How could I ever blame you?" Ye Fan forced a faint smile. "You've always been kind. The blame lies with Jiang Wang—for his deceit."
Li Qingxuan clenched her fists. Her voice was firm now, eyes burning with resolve.
"Don't worry, Brother Ye Fan. I'll confront Jiang Wang myself. I'll make him return your Supreme Immortal Bone—and I'll demand he provide the precious elixirs you need to heal."
Ye Fan's heart leapt, though he kept his expression serene. "Your kindness already means more than enough."
Her pity only deepened.
"Jiang Wang," she whispered bitterly, "not only will I make you return the Immortal Bone… I'll make you kneel and apologize to him."
She turned on her heel and stormed out, her silk robes fluttering like a wave of fury.
When she reached Jiang Wang's residence, she learned he wasn't there.
"He went to see Jiang Yue," a servant said.
Li Qingxuan's jaw tightened.
Jiang Yue. The Jiang clan's flame-spirit prodigy. A timid girl who could barely raise her eyes when they met.
Li Qingxuan's anger simmered. "So he went to see her?"
Suppressing her temper, she forced herself to breathe evenly. She still needed Jiang Wang's cooperation for Ye Fan's recovery.
Moments later, she arrived at Jiang Yue's courtyard—just in time to hear Jiang Wang's voice.
"Jiang Yue, your Flame Spirit Body is perfectly attuned to this immortal bone. Take it, absorb its power, and elevate your strength."
Li Qingxuan's breath caught.
He was giving the Supreme Immortal Bone—Ye Fan's immortal bone—to Jiang Yue?
"Son of God, I cannot accept this!" Jiang Yue's flustered voice rang out.
But before she could say more, Li Qingxuan's fury exploded.
"Jiang Wang!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the courtyard like thunder. "What in the heavens do you think you're doing?!"