"The Nian family has arrived?"
The Nian family was a first-rate power in Tianwu City and had a good relationship with the Lin family. Lin Bai's childhood sweetheart and fiancée, Nian Qing, was the daughter of the Nian family's patriarch.
"Haha, Brother Lin, it's good to see you!"
A hearty voice arrived first.
Following that, three people walked into the main hall: the Nian family patriarch in brocade robes, Nian Qing whom Lin Bai deeply yearned for, and an unfamiliar middle-aged woman.
"Qing'er!"
Lin Bai happily greeted Nian Qing.
However, Qing'er seemed to be avoiding him, not daring to look at him.
Feng Qingyang sharply noticed this scene, and the corners of his lips slightly curved upwards.
"Here it comes, here it comes! The 'trash gets dumped' trope is finally arriving."
Originally, Feng Qingyang was still surprised. This kid Lin Bai had been a good-for-nothing for ten years. According to the usual progression, the 'rejected fiancée' plotline should have already played out.
Its delay must have meant blessings for him, but who knew it wasn't that it wouldn't come, but that the time hadn't arrived yet.
"Brother Nian has come all this way, is there something you need?"
Lin Zhan, who was below, asked.
The Nian family patriarch first looked in surprise at the mysterious young man sitting in the seat of honor.
He wondered who this young man was and why he was sitting in the main seat, but then he stopped thinking too much and said, "Brother Lin, I've come today with a request."
Hearing this, Lin Zhan laughed and said, "Haha, Brother Nian, please speak freely."
Lin Zhan was in a great mood today. As the saying goes, a man feels refreshed during happy occasions. His son could successfully cultivate, and he had also eliminated the opposing Wang family and now had the backing of the Azure Cloud Sect, a large and powerful entity.
The Nian family patriarch was surprised to hear this. What happy event did this fellow have today? Could it be that he had another son in his old age?
Immediately, his brow relaxed, and he said, "I've come today with Qing'er to break off the engagement."
"Alright, I agree."
"?...!"
Lin Zhan blurted out, but after realizing what he had said, everyone was dumbfounded.
"I don't believe it! Qing'er, is this true?"
Upon hearing these words, Lin Bai abruptly stood up. This news was like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky.
"Nian Yang! What do you mean by this?"
After reacting, Lin Zhan's face darkened, and he directly called out the Nian family patriarch's name.
"It's exactly what it sounds like."
"Oh right, I heard that your Lin family suffered heavy losses from the Wang and Bai families' attack. My Nian family isn't one to forget old ties. As long as you agree, my Nian family will solve your Lin family's troubles for you."
"But! You must also provide a sum of resources."
"Of course, we'll also need to trouble the Elder to take action."
Nian Yang turned his head respectfully towards the middle-aged woman and said.
"The Lin family is already at a life-and-death moment, they will definitely agree. When that happens, Qing'er's marriage will be annulled, and we can also get a good amount of resources. If word gets out, we'll also gain a good reputation. A triple win!"
Nian Yang was certain that Lin Zhan would agree and was already secretly calculating in his heart.
"A mere Wang family, this old one can just go and issue a warning. It'll be good to quickly resolve Qing'er's troublesome matter."
The middle-aged woman said somewhat impatiently.
"Good, good, good!"
"My Lin family is doing very well and doesn't need your help."
"Your information is a bit outdated. Didn't you know that the Wang and Bai families have already been wiped out?"
When the Nian family first arrived in Tianwu City, they were in dire straits. Without the Lin family's support, there would be no Nian family today. In the past ten years, they had relied on the resources and prestige provided by the Lin family to successfully become a first-rate family.
Today, they had finally seen the true colors of the Nian family.
"The Wang and Bai families have been wiped out!"
Nian Yang was also shocked. The three of them had just returned from out of town and hadn't had time to enter the family estate, heading straight for the Lin family, so naturally, they hadn't received this earth-shattering news.
Could it be that they had offended some powerful figure? He didn't even consider that the Lin family had done it. They could barely protect themselves, let alone annihilate others.
"Qing'er, is all of this true? Why?" Lin Bai's face was full of disbelief, his heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.
"You think you deserve an explanation? Pathetic!"
"Does a piece of trash like you deserve my disciple?"
The middle-aged woman shouted loudly.
"Brother Lin Bai, I have joined the Overlord-level power, the Ruoshui Sect."
"Master is right, we are no longer on the same path."
Nian Qing's words made Lin Bai utterly unable to believe it.
Their past vows had all become a joke.
"In short, you must agree today, whether you want to or not. Otherwise, don't blame this old one for being impolite!"
The middle-aged woman's words caused the atmosphere in the room to become tense, like drawn swords.
"I'd like to see just how impolite you plan to be."
Feng Qingyang had unknowingly moved to stand beside Lin Bai.
Lin Bai gratefully glanced at Feng Qingyang. So what if they were an Overlord-level power? He also had a master and a sect.
"Is it just because I'm trash, because my talent is poor, that you deny me?"
"Have you all ever heard a saying?"
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west; don't you dare scorn a young man in poverty!"
Feng Qingyang was speechless. This kid still wanted to act tough at this time? He should just reveal his talent and scare them to death!
"And then what? Don't scorn a middle-aged man in poverty, don't scorn an old man in poverty, the deceased are the greatest?"
The middle-aged woman glanced at Lin Bai arrogantly and said indifferently, "Don't say this old one is bullying you. How about this? If you're not convinced, I'll make the decision to set a hundred-year agreement between you and Qing'er. If you can defeat Qing'er, how about this old one personally apologizes to you and the Lin family?"
Hearing this, Feng Qingyang's gaze suddenly turned cold.
"A hundred years? Who would waste their life on trash like you?"
"The competition will be today. If she wins against Lin Bai, I will decide that this engagement is off. But if she loses, then she will be the one cast aside, and then the Nian family will get out of Tianwu City."
Feng Qingyang pointed at Nian Qing in front and said.
You want to play the hundred-year agreement game with me? That trick won't work here.
Hearing this, Nian Yang and the middle-aged woman's eyes lit up.
This was practically a gift delivered to their doorstep! Nian Qing, a mid-Golden Core realm cultivator, fighting a Qi Refining realm trash – there was absolutely no suspense!
Seeing that their sect leader had personally spoken, Lin Zhan didn't dare to object, but he was still doubtful in his heart. Bai'er's talent was indeed strong, but his cultivation realm was a clear disadvantage.
Soon, they arrived at the Lin family's training grounds.
Nian Yang even specifically instructed Nian Qing not to hold back and to make this trash clearly recognize the difference between them. This was also for his own good.
"Disciple, today, your master will impart to you another powerful sword technique."
"Listen carefully."
"When the heart has no woman, drawing the sword is naturally divine."
"First form of the sword manual: Forget the beloved."
"Second form of the sword manual: Sever the infatuated soul."
"Third form of the sword manual: Raise a hand and extinguish the mortal world."
"Fourth Form: Severing the Past Lover's Bond!"
"Fifth form of the sword manual: Sever the bond of broken vows."
"Sixth form of the sword manual: A leaf opens the heavenly gate."
"A total of six forms. When you fully comprehend them, your state of mind and swordsmanship will reach a new level."
"Yes, I've remembered it all, Master."
Seeing the serious expression on his face, Feng Qingyang thought to himself, "Uh... this master just made it up. This sword manual only has words; comprehension depends entirely on the individual..."
On the other side.
Even after arriving at the training grounds, Lin Bai was still muttering the sword manual.
"When the heart has no woman, drawing the sword is naturally divine... First form of the sword manual..."
"Brother Lin Bai, you can do it!"
"Brother Lin Bai, stay strong!"
"Young Master, give it your all!"
Below the platform, all the Lin family disciples and clansmen were shouting encouragement to Lin Bai.
Nian Yang sneered at this. It wasn't about who had the loudest voice, but about real strength.
"Qing'er, remember what I told you. Go."
On the training grounds, Lin Bai and Nian Qing faced each other.
Nian Qing was initially conflicted, but her gaze gradually turned cold. On the other hand, Lin Bai was lowering his head, seemingly muttering something.
"Lin Bai, just admit defeat. I won't hold back."
Seeing that Lin Bai was ignoring her, Nian Qing circulated her spiritual energy, holding her sword and thrusting it with all her might towards Lin Bai.
When Lin Bai saw this former beloved trying to kill him, he suddenly understood everything. His entire being entered a mysterious and profound state of enlightenment.
"This is, entering the state of enlightenment!"
"Qing'er, don't hold back! Otherwise, you will definitely lose!"
The middle-aged woman immediately recognized Lin Bai's state and simultaneously reminded Nian Qing.
Hearing these words, Nian Qing pushed the spiritual energy within her body to its limit.
"When the heart has no woman, drawing the sword is naturally divine... When the heart has no..."
Just as Nian Qing's sword was about to pierce him, Lin Bai suddenly opened his eyes.
"Azure Lotus Sword!"
The Azure Lotus Sword instantly appeared in his hand, radiating a dazzling light. Lin Bai then drew his sword to meet the attack.