"Ling'er, you don't need to explain this yourself…" Hua Long stood up from his seat, carrying the old marriage contract as he walked toward Xiao Chen.
"The world of cultivators is ruthless, Chen'er… Your father was once the Ruler of the Sky Hall. As a major businessman, I needed powerful alliances to maintain my enterprises… But now your father is dead… and all he left behind was a worthless prince like you? Do you even understand how small an explanation this is?"
"You're right… I am a worthless prince, unworthy to stand beside your daughter…" Xiao Chen said humbly. Yet the Star Soul Spirit listening in sensed that his student was suppressing a burning rage within.
"If you understand, then sign the new agreement…"
"But… I don't care about your reasons… I only want to hear the explanation from Hua Ling herself!" Xiao Chen's tone rose slightly, causing the guards in the room to tense immediately.
However, Hua Ling unleashed the death aura she had accumulated from countless kills. The entire bustling room fell silent instantly, and no one dared move. Everyone was intimidated by the deadly presence emanating from her.
"Xiao Chen… My path in life is different from yours. You're just a cultivator-less prince… Besides, I am destined to become the leader of the Cloud Sword Sect… Are you worthy of standing beside me?"
"Is that your only reason?"
"No… Even if you were a genius, invincible across Tian Zhou, you still wouldn't be worthy of marrying me…"
"Say it clearly!" Xiao Chen's eyes blazed red. He was truly ready to explode in anger in the room.
"Do you know your father and mother were top-class criminals?" Hua Ling paused, and Xiao Chen's eyes widened in shock.
"Cr–criminals?"
"You wouldn't know this information, because you're nothing but trash hiding behind the Phoenix Empire's power… Now look carefully and read well…"
'The decree of the ten highest elders of Sky Hall… The Ruler of the Sky used his position to threaten the safety of the entire Sky Continent! His death was justified…' Xiao Chen read in his mind.
"So you already know my reasons, right? Moreover, my family's affairs no longer require anyone's interference… So isn't it better to cancel this marriage?"
Xiao Chen remained silent. Perhaps the issue of the engagement didn't ignite his anger. But it was different from the accusations written by the ten highest elders of Sky Hall.
"Xiao Chen, isn't it clear now?" Hua Long interjected.
Without waiting for consent, Hua Ling took the paper and wrote that the marriage contract was canceled. Without hesitation, she used her own blood to seal it as proof that the new agreement was made of her own free will.
"Now give your blood…"
Receiving the contract, Xiao Chen swiftly snatched the ink pen from Hua Ling's hand. He wrote, "The marriage contract is canceled. By this act, Xiao Chen challenges Hua Ling to a duel in two years!"
Biting his finger, he pressed his blood onto the paper as a seal. Immediately, he handed it back to Hua Ling. He turned to leave the room, but Hua Ling's voice stopped him.
"Do you think I faked the Sky Hall decree just so you could challenge me?"
"You could say that… But this is to restore my parents' honor in front of all powers in Tian Zhou… Especially since you called them criminals. This challenge will be proof that my parents never committed the crimes you accused them of!"
Flicking his robe, Xiao Chen finally left the hall. Meanwhile, the Star Soul Spirit was shocked at the audacity of his student's actions.
'Chen'er, the path you're taking is extremely risky…'
Ignoring the warning, Xiao Chen continued walking out of the Hua Clan territory.
In the Hua Clan meeting hall, Hua Long read the contract and was astonished. The challenge seemed almost like a joke that would never come to pass.
"My child, why do you look so serious? After all, he's just a worthless prince… And in two years, how could he possibly defeat you?"
His father's words made sense in the business world, but the world of cultivators was far more terrifying. In the cultivation realm, one could become immensely powerful overnight if destiny allowed.
"Father, he is no longer the so-called worthless youth from before… When I retrieved him from Gu Qi City, he had already offended the Han Clan. Not only that, he killed three elders of the Han Clan… I don't know how he became so strong in such a short time, but I certainly can't underestimate him later…"
After leaving the Hua Clan:
'Chen'er, I know this decision will hit you hard… But do you understand that challenging the decree of the highest elders of Sky Hall could trigger major upheavals among the powers of Tian Zhou?'
'Master, I cannot allow them to judge my parents or tarnish their names… I know my mother and father well—how could they have committed the crimes they claim?'
'You are correct… Your parents would never have done such things.'
Xiao Chen paused. "M–Master, who exactly are you? I always thought you were an artifact-born spirit within me… But from recent events, you seem to understand everything… Especially when you learned that I am the child of Xiao Lang?"
'Chen'er, you are indeed extremely intelligent, able to anticipate the moves of others your age… As for my identity, I will keep it secret until your cultivation reaches the Earth Realm…'
'But I know your parents well…'
"C–Can you tell me about them?"
'Not yet, Xiao Chen… One day, I will explain everything… Oh, and soon you will arrive at Shao Yang Forest. Stop by one of the cities along the way and purchase some supplies to ensure your safety in the forest…'
Xiao Chen only nodded, using his body-lightening technique to accelerate his journey.
By the time he reached the third city, he paused to buy the necessary supplies his master instructed him to acquire.
"Do you have identification?" The city gate guard of Pao suddenly stopped him.
"No."
"Then pay ten bronze coins to enter the city."
Xiao Chen didn't take out coins; instead, he presented a second-grade beast soul pearl.
"I only have this…"
The guard's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected money, but a second-grade beast soul pearl, worth five gold coins, given freely!
"T–This… is far too precious… Are you really giving it to me?"
"Yes…"
Entering the city, Xiao Chen finally breathed in the new atmosphere of Pao. But as he searched for a weapons dealer, a young man in a blue robe called out his name:
"Xiao Chen?"