Chapter 2: Two Matters

As the announcement echoed through the hall, the gathered assembly had barely registered its full meaning when a hearty laugh rang out beside them.

“Ha ha! Master Lin, congratulations! Upon hearing of the return of your virtuous nephew, Lin Fan, I came at once.”

With that voice, a figure abruptly appeared at the entrance of the council chamber.

It was none other than Luo Xiu, the current head of the Luo family—one of the four great clans of the Tianfeng Empire. Behind him walked a woman whose every step seemed to tread on clouds, exuding an air of nobility and pride.

When Lin Fan saw her, a flicker of sharp light crossed his eyes. In that single glance, a surge of disbelief welled up inside him.

The girl was no longer the obedient and sensible Luo Qingyi he remembered.

Time had wrought profound changes; people and circumstances were no longer what they once were.

That one look made it clear why the members of the Lin family wore such expressions whenever Luo Qingyi’s name was mentioned.

Luo Qingyi—the girl who had occupied his heart for two years—now regarded him, and the entire Lin family, with cold indifference.

Perhaps sensing Lin Fan’s gaze, Luo Qingyi lifted her head, their eyes locking. Between them lay only estrangement and detachment.

“Luo Xiu, what brings you here?” the Lin family patriarch asked coldly.

“Master Lin, you do enjoy feigning ignorance. Since your nephew Lin Fan has returned, shouldn’t we settle the matter we’ve been delaying for an entire year?” Luo Xiu retorted.

“What matter?” Lin Fan stepped forward, shifting his gaze from Luo Qingyi to Luo Xiu.

“Oh? Master Lin hasn’t informed you yet? Very well, then let me play the villain. Last year, during her training, Qingyi unexpectedly met Zhong Cheng, the top disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect. Upon his strong recommendation, the sect leader accepted Luo Qingyi as a registered disciple. Once she reaches the Yuan Realm, she may enter the Yuan Chu Sect to cultivate and become a personally instructed disciple of the sect leader.

Zhong Cheng has feelings for Qingyi; if he knew she was betrothed, he might not have continued to assist her.

Therefore, the Luo family intends to dissolve your engagement with Qingyi.

Rest assured, the Luo family is not one to take advantage without compensation. To make amends to you—or rather, to the Lin family—the Luo family is willing to cede control of the Shengling Pool located in the southwestern outskirts.

An engagement contract in exchange for the management rights to Shengling Pool—I believe, dear nephew, you understand the value of this, do you not?”

The Shengling Pool was a blessed site granted by imperial favor to the Luo family in earlier years. For warriors within the Divine Elixir Realm, it greatly enhanced cultivation.

Though the Luo family’s top fighters might be somewhat inferior to the Lin family’s, they boasted far more warriors in the Divine Elixir Realm, all sustained by the Shengling Pool.

The path of martial cultivation divided into the Innate Realm, True Spirit Realm, and Divine Elixir Realm—each subdivided into three stages.

The Innate Realm comprises Body Tempering, Qi Guidance, and Innate stages.

The True Spirit Realm consists of Earth Spirit, Heaven Spirit, and True Spirit stages.

The Divine Elixir Realm includes Earth Elixir, Heaven Elixir, and Divine Elixir levels.

Above the Divine Elixir Realm stands the Divine Soul Realm, where the strongest cultivators of the Tianfeng Empire reside.

Beyond that, Lin Fan did not know.

If the Lin family gained control of Shengling Pool, many warriors would quickly ascend to the True Spirit Realm, greatly enhancing their overall strength.

Undeniably, the Luo family’s compensation offer was extremely tempting.

“Qingyi, do you share this view?” Lin Fan did not respond immediately but turned to Luo Qingyi.

Since entering the hall, she had remained silent, exuding an air of cold detachment, as if she had long forgotten the vows they once made.

“I heard you no longer show any sign of cultivation. Now that I see it, it is indeed so. You and I have become worlds apart. Dissolving the engagement is a liberation for both of us,” Luo Qingyi finally spoke, her words resolute, her eyes unwaveringly meeting Lin Fan’s.

Damn it! Lin Fan was speechless inside.

Throughout his torment in the Divine Abyss Realm, the main thread keeping him alive was their promise to be together forever.

But now, the girl who haunted his every thought was telling him outright that he was unworthy and that she wished to sever ties.

This blow was more devastating than any torment from the witch.

“Lin Fan, that Zhong Cheng is one of the Ten Heroes of the Southern Wasteland, with cultivation reaching the Divine Soul Realm—far stronger than even our Tianfeng Emperor. The leader of the Yuan Chu Sect is an existence beyond the Divine Soul Realm. If you persist in stubbornness, you may doom the Lin family beyond salvation,” Luo Xiu warned, attempting to persuade him.

The Ten Heroes of the Southern Wasteland, Divine Soul Realm! Lin Fan was startled, conflicted.

Though he did not fully understand the prestige of the Ten Heroes of the Southern Wasteland, he was keenly aware of how threatening the Divine Soul Realm was to the Lin family.

Moreover, Zhong Cheng had the backing of the sect leader, who surpassed even the Divine Soul Realm.

“Hmph! What nonsense about the Ten Heroes of the Southern Wasteland? My men will never suffer such humiliation! Listen well, first, tear up that damn engagement contract.

Second, whatever it takes, rank first among the Ten Heroes of the Southern Wasteland and trample Zhong Cheng beneath your feet!”

As Lin Fan hesitated, a voice suddenly rang in his mind. At its arrival, he shuddered, a look of terror flashing across his brow.

How could the voice of that female demon reach his mind? Could it be she had followed him out?

Two tasks?

Lin Fan had promised that female demon ten tasks; judging by her temper, he expected her to devise ten extraordinarily difficult and unpleasant assignments.

Unexpectedly, to preserve his dignity, she had only demanded two.

Thinking of this, a strange emotion stirred within Lin Fan.

The woman who once swore eternal love to him now openly humiliated him.

Yet the witch, who treated him like a mere stud and tormented him daily, spared no effort to uphold his dignity with two demands.

In this stark contrast, Lin Fan found a flicker of affection for the witch.

If so, then...

With a decisive wave of his hand, Lin Fan declared, “Patriarch, hand me that engagement contract.”

The Lin family patriarch did not hesitate, retrieving the contract from his chest and walking over to Lin Fan with righteous solemnity.

“Xiao Fan, whatever you decide, the Lin family will fully support you!”

At these words, a warm current flowed through the young man’s heart, and he nodded.

Standing before all, Lin Fan’s gaze was sharp as a blade, his voice brimming with uncontrollable anger and resolve.

His words echoed in the still air, each syllable striking the hearts of all present like a hammer.

“Today, in the name of the Lin family’s young master, I hereby annul Luo Qingyi’s status as my fiancée.”

His voice rose, nearly a roar, flames of fury blazing in his eyes as if to incinerate all falsehood and betrayal.

Taking a deep breath to suppress his rage, he continued, “From this day forth, our paths diverge; no ties remain between us!”

With a ripping sound, the contract was torn into countless fragments, scattering through the air—along with all the feelings he once held for Luo Qingyi.

“Lin Fan, you!”

Luo Xiu’s expression changed sharply, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Dissolving an engagement and tearing up the contract were distinct matters.

If word of this spread, gossipmongers would claim his daughter had been abandoned by the Lin family.

Such scandal would be a grave blow to the reputation of both the Luo family and Luo Qingyi.

Moreover, if Zhong Cheng, one of the Ten Heroes of the Southern Wasteland, learned of this, he might cease supporting Luo Qingyi.

“Lin Fan, do you realize that by acting this way, you may forfeit control of Shengling Pool and earn the enmity of Zhong Cheng, the top disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect?

Your actions have plunged the Lin family into deep peril!

Master Lin, is this madness you will condone?” Luo Xiu challenged.

The Lin family patriarch said nothing but fixed his gaze on Lin Fan, his meaning clear: Lin Fan’s actions represented the family’s stance.

“Now, Master Luo, Miss Luo, please leave the Lin estate. See yourselves out!” Lin Fan said sharply before turning abruptly, denying Luo Xiu and his daughter any chance to respond.

“Hmph, the Lin family...” Watching two Lin family experts, whose cultivation rivaled his own, step forward, Luo Xiu knew it was unwise to linger.

He cast a cold glance at the Lin family plaque hanging in the hall, killing intent flashing in his eyes, snorted coldly, and turned away.

As for Luo Qingyi, before departing, she glanced at Lin Fan’s resolute back and whispered, “We no longer belong to the same world.

This humiliation today, I will personally seek retribution one day!”

“Get out!” The stern rebuke echoed through the hall as Luo Qingyi shot Lin Fan a final, piercing look before walking away.

Only after the Luo father and daughter vanished did the Lin patriarch speak.

“Xiao Fan, this is no fault of yours.

The Luo family is simply not fortunate enough to become in-laws with us.”

Lin Fan nodded and replied, “Master, thank you for your concern regarding the Luo family.

My mind is unsettled now; I wish to return and rest.”

“Do not worry. Even with the backing of the top disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect, the Luo family will not act recklessly in the Tianfeng Empire.

I believe the true dragon of the Lin family will rise again!”

Lin Fan smiled, knowing the source of the patriarch’s confidence.

He bowed respectfully to the elders present and then stepped out of the room.

“Master, should we inform Third Miss of this matter?” the elder asked quietly after Lin Fan’s departure.

If it were merely dealing with the Luo family, the Lin family had no fear.

The real concern was that the Luo family was now supported by Zhong Cheng, one of the Ten Heroes of the Southern Wasteland.

Should he appear in the Tianfeng Empire, the Lin family would undoubtedly face unimaginable peril.

“That would be wise. If Old Third returns, she can also check on Xiao Fan’s condition.”