There Was No Backing Down

Lin Yi's brow lifted slightly, but he wasn't particularly surprised.

He hadn't been attached to the engagement in the first place. More than anything, he needed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's support to obtain his future Soul Rings.

Seeing his calm expression, Ning Rongrong felt inexplicably stifled. She couldn't help raising her voice, her words edged with unmistakable emotion. "I know you're powerful now. Even Dad, Sword Grandpa, and Bone Grandpa think so highly of you!

"But I, Ning Rongrong, simply don't like you! I'll never forget how you used every means necessary to snatch the championship that belonged to Shrek at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament!"

Her words showed that she still couldn't let go of that defeat. She resented Lin Yi for having "burst onto the scene" and taken the championship from them.

That bitterness clearly hadn't faded with time. Instead, stirred by some emotion, it had only grown more deeply rooted.

In her eyes, if it weren't for Lin Yi, Shrek Academy would have won the championship...

Lin Yi saw the undisguised resentment in her eyes and understood. Strangely, he actually felt more at ease.

He nodded, his tone still calm. "I understand. This isn't something I can decide. You can explain your thoughts to Sect Master Ning."

His blunt response left Ning Rongrong momentarily stunned. Then an even more complicated feeling welled up inside her—so he really didn't care about this engagement at all!

She bit her lip and said nothing more. Turning, she strode away, her retreating figure carrying a defiant resolve.

Chen Xin watched it all from the side but didn't intervene.

Only after Ning Rongrong had left did he speak. "Rongrong's a little spoiled, and she doesn't think things through.

"She and Oscar don't have anything... The sect master investigated it in secret. At any rate, let the engagement take its course. There's no need to force it. Your focus should be on growing stronger."

Lin Yi watched Ning Rongrong leave, resentment in her wake, and made no attempt to stop her. But after she brought up breaking off the engagement, he calmly added, "Rongrong, this concerns an agreement between our elders. It isn't something either of us can decide so easily."

Ning Rongrong halted, but didn't turn around. Instead, she walked even faster.

Sure enough, when Ning Rongrong found her father, Ning Fengzhi, and gathered the courage to ask him to call off the engagement, she was met with the harshest scolding she had ever received.

"Absurd!" Ning Fengzhi's face was as dark as still water. The warm, refined demeanor he usually wore had given way entirely to the sect master's authority. "Marriage is no child's play! Uncle Jian and I arranged this engagement long ago. It concerns the sect's future. How can you call it off just because you feel like it?"

"Rongrong, Lin Yi is my only disciple. He's exceptionally gifted and a pillar of the sect's future. Whether for the sect or for us personally, this engagement cannot be annulled. Don't bring this up again." Chen Xin's words fell like a final verdict, shattering every one of Ning Rongrong's hopes.

Faced with the combined pressure of her father and Sword Douluo, the sect's two highest-ranking authorities, Ning Rongrong had no choice but to lower her head in wounded frustration, swallowing all her resentment.

Her nascent fondness for Oscar, the food-type Soul Master, and her old grudge against Lin Yi for "stealing" the championship could only be buried deep within her.

In the end, Ning Fengzhi ordered Ning Rongrong to return to her room and reflect on her actions. She was not to leave without his permission.

After dealing with Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi rubbed his brow and summoned Lin Yi to his study alone.

In the study, Ning Fengzhi's expression softened. He looked at the young man before him, who had grown ever more composed and impressive, and chose his words carefully. "Lin Yi, we spoiled Rongrong. Don't take what she said to heart."

Lin Yi replied respectfully, "You're too kind, Sect Master. I understand."

Ning Fengzhi changed the subject, his gaze growing more searching. "Still, I've noticed that you seem quite close with Xiao Wu and that young lady, Zhu Zhuqing.

"If you have feelings for someone else, or if you're unwilling to go through with this engagement, you can tell me honestly. After all, you can't force a melon to be sweet."

He was testing Lin Yi, but also giving him a chance.

The more potential Lin Yi showed, the more Ning Fengzhi valued his feelings. He didn't want a mere engagement to plant resentment in the young man's heart.

Lin Yi's thoughts raced.

He did have feelings for Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. Especially after Zhu Zhuqing's confession and Xiao Wu's astonishing "suggestion," it would have been a lie to say he wasn't tempted. He wouldn't have minded calling off the engagement, either.

But he immediately pushed the thought aside.

He still needed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's backing! Hunting high-quality Soul Rings for his Ice Dragon Martial Soul—especially for a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast like the Titan Snow Demon King—would be risky even with Teacher Chen Xin by his side. He needed the strength of the entire sect.

If he broke off the engagement now, it would inevitably drive a wedge between him, Ning Fengzhi, and Chen Xin, severely harming his future prospects.

This calculation, made for the sake of growing stronger, was his own private motive. He couldn't let it slip.

With his mind made up, Lin Yi raised his head. His gaze was honest, touched with just the right hint of helplessness and respect. "Sect Master, Xiao Wu and Zhuqing... We've been through life and death together, and we do share a bond. But marriage is decided by one's parents and arranged by the matchmaker. Teacher raised me from childhood, and I regard him as my father. This matter... is entirely for you and Teacher to decide. I have no objections."

He left the decision entirely to Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi. This both expressed his respect for his elders and subtly showed that he was willing to honor the engagement. At the same time, he didn't deny his feelings for Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, making him seem sincere rather than disingenuous.

Ning Fengzhi studied Lin Yi's eyes carefully. Seeing not the slightest trace of reluctance, he let go of his last doubts. Satisfaction and relief took their place.

He patted Lin Yi on the shoulder, his tone much warmer. "Good lad. You know how to see the bigger picture and put the greater good first. Since you have no objections, then it's settled. You're both still young, and there's plenty of time. Rongrong just can't see reason right now. In time, go and speak with her more often. Once you've spent enough time together, feelings will come naturally. For now, your most important task is to cultivate hard and break through to Soul Douluo as soon as possible!"

"Yes, I understand. I won't disappoint you or Teacher!" Lin Yi bowed, making himself as humble as possible.

Leaving the study, Lin Yi let out a quiet breath. The engagement was safe for now, and his bond with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's inner circle had grown stronger. As for Ning Rongrong's resentment and the complicated ties between him, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing... he would have to take things one step at a time.

For now, the priority was still to grow stronger.

He turned his gaze toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Feeling the turbulent Soul Power within him, perched at the peak of level seventy-nine, his eyes grew resolute...