Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land.
Several disciples gathered together, speaking in low voices.
"Have you heard? People from the Nine Heavens Painting Palace have arrived. Nine painted barges are parked outside the mountain gate."
"They even brought ritual officials. I heard the betrothal gift list is very thick."
A middle-aged cultivator dressed as a steward shook his head. "They cannot even be bothered to put on a show. They came straight to go through the formalities."
"Senior Sister Tantai..." A young female disciple looked distressed.
"What else can she do?" an older disciple beside her sighed. "The marriage pact was set by the ancestors of both families. Karma binds it, and gratitude weighs upon it. Though that ancestor of the Painting Palace has already passed into immortality, this debt... our Sacred Land has to acknowledge it."
"But Senior Sister Tantai clearly does not want this..."
"What does it matter if she does not?" the steward interrupted, lowering his voice. "The Painting Palace has already adopted the protocols for the future Saint Son's consort. In their eyes, this matter is settled. Our Sacred Land is merely... going through the motions and sending her over."
The atmosphere fell silent.
Everyone looked toward the main peak's grand hall, their expressions conflicted.
Inside the council hall.
Great Elder Tantai Yuan sat in the seat of honor. He wore a dark brown robe, his face ancient and unadorned, yet his brows were tightly furrowed.
On either side, several Saint elders, including Tian Xing and Jiang Luoshui, sat at separate tables, every one of them grim-faced.
"Great Elder, is there truly no room to turn this around?" A red-faced elder could not hold back any longer. "Mingyue is the Saintess of our Sacred Land's generation, outstanding in both talent and temperament. If she marries into the Painting