Li Xun, watching their intimate exchange from the side, instantly turned ashen, looking like a complete clown.
He secretly clenched his fists, his dark eyes filled with seething hatred!
He had been just one step away. As long as the Qingyun Sect's leader agreed, he could openly claim his beautiful, celestial-looking, unfathomably powerful fiancée—Lu Xueqi!
But then this guy called Lu Jiuyuan had barged in and meddled, and Li Xun simply couldn't swallow his anger!
Watching the two of them together, Yun Yilan furrowed his brow, his expression darkening slightly. After learning Lu Jiuyuan's identity, he couldn't help feeling displeased.
He had assumed the young man had some kind of background, but it turned out he was merely an ordinary disciple!
Still, as the leader of Fenxiang Valley, Yun Yilan decided to let it go for today rather than stoop to arguing with him and lower his own standing!
Watching this warm scene, Shuiyue's cool eyes softened, and the corners of her lips lifted in a faint smile.
"How dare you! You're a Xiaozhu Peak disciple, yet you're so rude. Do you really think Fenxiang Valley is easy to bully?"
"You're just an ordinary disciple, yet you want to ruin Fenxiang Valley's plans? You need to be taught a lesson, or you'll never learn your place!"
The two elders from Fenxiang Valley were about to attack, but Yun Yilan stopped them with a raised hand and a cold, warning look.
Those two fools! They were on someone else's turf and still dared to act so recklessly. The young man was in the wrong, but that was no reason to be so rash!
"Daoxuan Zhenren, forgive the spectacle. Your disciple certainly has a distinctive personality. I rather admire the young man!"
Yun Yilan put on a calm, unruffled air, as though he didn't mind Lu Jiuyuan's insolence toward his elders in the least.
Daoxuan Zhenren understood the implication behind Yun Yilan's words and felt displeased, but he merely chuckled and took the out Yun Yilan had offered.
"Brother Yun, you're truly generous. I'll be sure to give this disciple a thorough lesson later!"
Li Xun, who had been silent for a long while, stepped forward. Afraid that things might get out of hand, he hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed to Daoxuan Zhenren.
"This disciple, Li Xun of Fenxiang Valley, pays his respects to Sect Master Daoxuan. I sincerely love your sect's Junior Sister Lu. I beg you to grant me permission to seek her hand in marriage!
"I swear that I'll be faithful to Junior Sister Lu for the rest of my life, until death!"
Li Xun's heartfelt declaration moved many of the people from Fenxiang Valley, who broke into applause and cheers!
Lu Jiuyuan's face remained expressionless. He swept a cold glance over the people of Fenxiang Valley, snorted, and pulled Lu Xueqi into his arms. Holding her soft, slender waist tightly, he claimed her with a domineering declaration.
"Today, I announce that from this day forward, Lu Xueqi is my woman. Anyone who dares to covet her is my enemy!
"Anyone who disagrees can come challenge me. I, Lu Jiuyuan, will take on every one of you!"
His words sent a wave of uproar through the crowd.
The people of Qingyun Sect were all stunned, then turned toward the people of Fenxiang Valley with amused, mocking looks!
The faces of the people from Fenxiang Valley darkened at once. They all felt Li Xun had been wronged, and countless murderous glares fixed on Lu Jiuyuan.
How dare Lu Jiuyuan be so arrogant? He clearly had no regard for Fenxiang Valley at all. What unbelievable insolence!
Li Xun's expression was just as ugly. His eyes locked on Lu Jiuyuan's arm around Lu Xueqi, and anger and jealousy welled up in him.
Lu Xueqi had always held herself aloof and kept her distance from others, yet she was so obediently letting him hold her. It was a tremendous blow and humiliation to Li Xun's pride!
He was the most outstanding genius among Fenxiang Valley's younger generation and a candidate to become its future leader. At such a young age, he had already reached the early stage of the Shangqing Realm!
Lu Jiuyuan was just an ordinary disciple. What gave him the right to win Lu Xueqi's favor? Was it because he had a pretty face?
Yun Yilan had intended to spare Qingyun Sect's face and let Lu Jiuyuan's offense go!
He hadn't expected the young man to be so ungrateful and press the matter further. What an insufferable wretch!
Lu Xueqi, sheltered in Lu Jiuyuan's arms, was stunned by his actions. She hadn't expected her senior brother to be so domineering in standing up for her, or to challenge everyone from Fenxiang Valley without hesitation!
His domineering gesture set her heart aflutter, making it race like a startled fawn. A faint blush spread across her face, and a misty sheen seemed to gather in her limpid eyes as she looked at Lu Jiuyuan.
"I'm Senior Brother's woman!" Lu Xueqi murmured, her alluring red lips softly shaping the words. Her heart was full of happiness and sweetness!
As she spoke, Lu Xueqi slowly wrapped her arms around Lu Jiuyuan's waist and buried her face against his firm chest. She breathed in his scent and felt the steady thud of his heartbeat.
Hearing her beloved disciple make such a bold declaration, Shuiyue watched the two embrace, a perfect match in both talent and beauty, and couldn't help smiling with relief.
Now this was a truly destined couple, a match made in heaven. What was that boy Li Xun compared to them? He wasn't worthy of her beloved disciple, Lu Xueqi!
Lu Jiuyuan sensed Shuiyue's gaze and turned to wink at her, smiling slightly, as if to say, "Master, just watch what I do next!"
Amused by his expression, Shuiyue couldn't help smiling and gave a small nod. She returned a tender look, silently encouraging him to do well and not let her down!
Yun Yilan's face was expressionless. His voice low and stern, he shouted, "Lu Jiuyuan, how dare you! I gave you a chance, but you refuse to repent. Don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
As he spoke, he turned to Daoxuan Zhenren and said in a grave voice, "Daoxuan, today I'll teach this disciple of yours a proper lesson and show him what it means to respect his elders!"
With that, Yun Yilan's aura suddenly erupted. The overwhelming pressure of the peak Shangqing Realm swept toward Lu Jiuyuan, trying to force him to the ground and make him beg for mercy.
But the scene Yun Yilan expected never came. Lu Jiuyuan stood exactly where he was, utterly unmoved, as though he hadn't felt a thing.
Yun Yilan's heart tightened. A look of disbelief crossed his face as he studied Lu Jiuyuan, confusion and astonishment in his voice.
"You... how did you do that? The pressure of my realm had no effect on you..."
Lu Jiuyuan smiled faintly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Sect Master Yun, did you think you were the only powerhouse in the Shangqing Realm?"
As he spoke, he stopped concealing his aura. The immense pressure of the Taiqing Realm surged out.
In an instant, everyone from Fenxiang Valley felt an unbearable oppression. Their faces turned deathly pale, and their breathing grew labored.
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