Breaking Off the Engagement

Inside the Martial Soul Branch Hall's lounge, Xia Yang had remained unconscious and lying there. The old butler, Liu Feng, kept silent watch outside the door.

Perhaps yesterday's Martial Soul Awakening had drained all his energy. The burden brought by the Martial Soul's Malignant Mutation had caused the normally robust Xia Yang to fall unconscious for an entire day, a rare occurrence.

It was not until near noon the next day that Xia Yang slowly awakened from his haze.

Xia Yang braced himself on his arms and tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness suddenly struck him.

He had no choice but to sit back down and rest at the edge of the bed for a while.

Only after the discomfort gradually faded did he Wash Up and push open the door.

"Creak—"

The sound of the wooden door turning woke the old butler, who had stood guard outside all night.

Butler Liu Feng hurriedly rose from the Stone Bench and strode over to Xia Yang, asking with concern, "Young Master, are you feeling any better?"

"Uncle Liu, I'm fine now."

Xia Yang stretched his Muscles and Bones. The exhaustion from yesterday's Martial Soul Awakening had already faded, though a lingering heaviness still weighed on his heart.

"That's good, that's good."

The old butler said repeatedly, though his gaze wandered uneasily.

"Young Master, Just now, a Deacon from Spirit Hall came with a message. Someone from the City Lord Manor has arrived."

"City Lord Zhao came personally, and Miss Yanran came with him."

Xiling Harbor's City Lord, Zhao Tianba, possessed the Fierce Tiger Shark Martial Soul and was a level fifty-three Soul King.

His daughter, Zhao Yanran, was about the same age as Xia Yang. Their fathers had arranged their engagement when the two were still in Swaddling Clothes.

Back then, Zhao Tianba had not yet become City Lord. He and Xia Yang's father, Xia Shi, had ventured across the seas together and forged a deep friendship.

"What are they here for?"

Xia Yang frowned slightly and asked in confusion.

Ever since he was three, he had never seen this fiancée of his in name. Her sudden visit now naturally aroused suspicion.

The old butler Sighed softly. "This old servant guesses it is likely related to yesterday's Martial Soul Awakening."

Xia Yang fell silent for a moment. He had long anticipated this possibility.

On this continent where strength reigned supreme, who would be willing to marry their daughter to a Soul Master with a Wasted Martial Soul and only half a rank of Innate Soul Power?

Xia Yang took a deep breath, suppressed the bitterness in his heart, and said calmly, "Let's go take a look, Uncle Liu."

The old butler looked at the Young Master he had raised since childhood, his heart filled with mixed emotions and endless regret.

The Head of the Family and his wife were both exceptionally gifted Soul Masters. The Head of the Family's North Mystic Black Tortoise and his wife's Blazing Flame Tiger Martial Souls were both among the finest in Xiling Harbor.

Yet the Young Master's Martial Soul had not only failed to inherit his Parents' strengths, but had even undergone a Malignant Mutation...

Fate truly toyed with people.

He silently nodded. When he turned to lead the way, he deliberately slowed his pace.

After crossing the courtyard, the Two people headed toward the Martial Soul Branch Hall's council chamber.

Since Xia Yang's mother, Huo Yang, was the Bishop here, their family often stayed at Spirit Hall.

Thus, they had long regarded Spirit Hall as their second home. That was why Zhao Tianba had come here to find them instead of Head To the Xia Residence in the eastern part of the city.

The council chamber was spacious and bright, yet only three people sat within it.

Seated in the main seat was Xia Yang's mother, Huo Yang. The Middle-aged man in the Guest Seat had long purple hair draped over his shoulders and deep violet eyes. He was none other than Zhao Tianba.

A Young Girl in purple stood beside him, impatience showing Between the eyebrows. She was Xia Yang's fiancée, Zhao Yanran.

"Mother." Xia Yang bowed respectfully.

"Yang'er is here." Huo Yang nodded slightly.

Zhao Tianba set down his teacup and laughed heartily. "Come over and let Uncle Zhao have a look! You brat, you've grown so much in the blink of an eye."

"Uncle Zhao."

Xia Yang responded politely, then walked to his mother's side and stood there, quietly studying the Young Girl across from him.

Zhao Yanran wore Formal Attire. Her skin was fair and her posture tall and straight. She did not resemble a girl raised by the sea at all, but rather the eldest daughter of a great inland family, carefully cultivated from childhood.

For a moment, the hall fell silent.

Zhao Tianba leisurely sipped his tea. Huo Yang sat quietly without speaking, while Xia Yang stood with his eyes lowered.

In the end, it was his mother, Huo Yang, who broke the silence. "Brother Zhao, we have known each other for many years. There is no need to beat around the bush."

"What have you brought Yanran here for today?"

"Aunt Huo, we came to break off the engagement."

Zhao Yanran spoke before her father could, her tone crisp and decisive.

"Yanran!"

Zhao Tianba hurriedly pulled his daughter behind him, guilt on his face. "Sister, I truly..."

"You understand Xia Yang's Martial Soul and Innate Soul Power as well..."

"Father, why say all that?"

"Let's make it clear. My Innate Soul Power is rank six, so I will never marry a worthless man!"

Zhao Yanran shook free of her father's hand. Her voice was clear, yet harsh to the ear.

Zhao Tianba let out a heavy sigh. "Ah! Fate truly plays tricks on us!"

Huo Yang's hand resting on her knee tightened slightly, and the corner of her eye twitched.

She took a deep breath and patted her son's shoulder, finally calming herself.

His mother Huo Yang's voice was unnaturally calm as she said, "Brother Zhao, we have been friends for so many years. I understand your concerns."

"This marriage was arranged before the two children were even born. Since you wish to dissolve it now, I understand."

"Then let this marriage be called off."

"Sister, I'm sorry..." Zhao Tianba said shamefully.

"It's nothing."

Huo Yang waved her hand. "Let us leave things at that today."

Knowing when to leave, Zhao Tianba cupped his hands in farewell and pulled Zhao Yanran away. She was still simmering with indignation as they turned to depart.

When she reached the door, Zhao Yanran looked back one last time, the contempt in her eyes not diminished in the slightest.

Just as Zhao Tianba was pulling his daughter out of the hall, a figure entered from outside and blocked their path.

The newcomer was Xia Yang's father—Xia Shi.

"Brother Zhao, stay."

Xia Shi's voice was not loud, but it carried unquestionable force.

Zhao Tianba paused and turned around. Upon seeing Xia Shi, a smile immediately spread across his face. "So it's Brother Xia!"

"I was just wondering why I hadn't seen you this whole time."

"Right, this is what happened. I have already discussed it with Sister Huo Yang. Yang'er and Yanran's engagement has now been dissolved."

"Ah, brother, I... I have truly wronged you. I'm too ashamed to stay any longer, so I'll take my leave first."

As Zhao Tianba spoke, he tried to step forward again.

"I said, stay."

Xia Shi's arm stretched steadily across the doorway, blocking Zhao Tianba's departure. His body did not shift even slightly.

"Dad?"

Xia Yang could not help calling out.

He frowned at his father, his eyes full of confusion.

Although this broken engagement humiliated him, the root cause was still his own terrible Martial Soul Awakening.

Therefore, Xia Shi could not say he failed to understand the other side's decision.

His half-rank Innate Soul Power was truly as different from Zhao Yanran's rank six as clouds were from mud.

So what if the engagement was dissolved? It was no great matter.

"Old Xia!"

On the other side, his mother Huo Yang also hurried to the doorway. She reached out to tug lightly at her Husband's arm and shook her head slightly.

However, Xia Shi remained steady as a mountain and did not budge in the slightest despite his wife's pull.

Clearly, he was using considerable strength to stop them.