Cannot Retreat

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow, not feeling particularly surprised.

He had no obsession with this engagement himself; he needed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect more as a pillar of support to acquire his subsequent soul rings.

Seeing his calm expression, Ning Rongrong felt an inexplicable sense of stifled frustration and couldn't help but raise her voice, her words carrying clear emotion: "I know you're very powerful now, to the point that even Father, Sword Grandpa, and Bone Grandpa value you so much!

But, just because I, Ning Rongrong, don't like it, I don't like it! I will never forget how you used unscrupulous means during the Elite Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition to snatch away the championship that belonged to Shrek!"

Her words revealed that she was still brooding over that defeat, filled with resentment toward Lin Yi's "sudden emergence" that had stolen the title.

This grievance clearly hadn't dissipated with time; instead, fermented by certain emotions, it had only grown deeper.

In her eyes, if not for Lin Yi, the championship would have belonged to Shrek Academy...

Lin Yi looked at the undisguised resentment in her eyes and understood, feeling, if anything, a sense of relief.

He nodded, his tone remaining calm: "I understand. I cannot make the decision on this matter; you may explain it to Sect Master Ning."

His straightforwardness left Ning Rongrong momentarily stunned, followed by an even more complex emotion surging in her heart—he really didn't care about this marriage at all!

She bit her lip, said nothing more, and turned to walk away quickly, her retreating figure carrying a hint of petulant determination.

Chen Xin watched all of this from the side without intervening.

After Ning Rongrong left, he spoke indifferently: "Rongrong is a spoiled child with shallow thoughts.

She has nothing going on with that Oscar... The Sect Master has investigated it secretly. Never mind, let the engagement follow its course; there is no need to force it. Your focus should be on improving your strength."

Lin Yi watched Ning Rongrong's resentful retreating figure and did not stop her, but after she proposed breaking the engagement, he calmly added: "Rongrong, this matter concerns an agreement between our elders; it is not something you or I can decide easily."

Ning Rongrong's footsteps faltered, but she did not look back, instead walking even faster.

Sure enough, when Ning Rongrong found her father, Ning Fengzhi, and gathered the courage to propose breaking the engagement, she was met with an unprecedentedly stern rebuke.

"Nonsense!" Ning Fengzhi's face was as dark as water, his usual gentle and elegant image replaced entirely by the majesty of a Sect Master. "Marriage is a major life event, not child's play! This engagement was settled long ago by Sword Uncle and me; it concerns the future of the sect. How can you just say you want to break it?"

"Rongrong, Lin Yi is my only disciple. He is gifted and is the future pillar of the sect. This engagement cannot be annulled, whether for public or private reasons. Do not mention this again." Chen Xin's words were like a final verdict, severing all of Ning Rongrong's fantasies.

Facing the combined pressure of her father and Sword Douluo, the two highest authorities of the sect, Ning Rongrong could only lower her head in grievance, swallowing all her resentment despite her immense reluctance.

The budding affection she felt for the food-system soul master Oscar, as well as her old grudge against Lin Yi for "stealing" the championship, had to be deeply buried for now.

In the end, Ning Fengzhi ordered Ning Rongrong to return to her room to reflect on her mistakes, forbidding her from leaving without his permission.

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

Inside the study, Ning Fengzhi's expression softened considerably. He looked at the increasingly steady and outstanding young man before him and spoke after some deliberation: "Lin Yi, Rongrong has been spoiled by us. Don't take her words to heart."

Lin Yi replied respectfully: "The Sect Master is too kind; I understand."

Ning Fengzhi changed the subject, his gaze becoming somewhat profound: "However, I have observed that you seem to be... quite close with Xiao Wu and that young lady Zhu Zhuqing?

If you have someone else in your heart, or if you are unwilling regarding this marriage, you can be honest with me. After all, a forced melon is not sweet."

He was probing, but also giving Lin Yi an opportunity.

The greater the potential Lin Yi displayed, the more Ning Fengzhi valued his feelings, not wishing to cause a rift over a mere piece of paper.

Lin Yi's thoughts raced.

He did indeed have feelings for Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, especially after Zhu Zhuqing's confession and Xiao Wu's shocking "proposal"—it would be a lie to say he wasn't moved. Breaking the engagement was not something he would inherently oppose.

However, he instantly suppressed this thought.

He still needed the banner of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! To hunt high-quality soul rings for his Ice Dragon Martial Soul later, especially for a hundred-thousand-year soul beast like the Titan Snow Demon King, relying on himself and Teacher Chen Xin alone might not be safe; he had to rely on the power of the entire sect.

If he broke the engagement now, it would inevitably create a rift with Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, which would be extremely detrimental to his future development.

This calculation regarding his own strength was his private agenda, one that must never be spoken aloud.

Once his mind was made up, Lin Yi looked up, his gaze filled with a mix of sincerity, appropriate helplessness, and respect: "Reporting to the Sect Master, Xiao Wu and Zhuqing... I have shared life-and-death experiences with them, and there is indeed affection. But marriage is a major event, dictated by the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers. I was raised by my teacher since childhood and view him as a father. This matter... is entirely up to the teacher and the Sect Master to decide. I have no objections."

He pushed the decision-making power entirely onto Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi, expressing respect for his elders while implicitly indicating his willingness to abide by the engagement. At the same time, he did not completely deny his feelings for Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, appearing authentic rather than hypocritical.

Ning Fengzhi scrutinized Lin Yi's eyes, and seeing no trace of reluctance, the last of his doubts vanished, replaced by satisfaction and relief.

He patted Lin Yi on the shoulder, his tone much gentler: "Good child, you understand the big picture. Since you have no objections, then it is settled. You are still young, and there is a long road ahead. Rongrong is just unable to think clearly for the moment; you should take the initiative to talk to her more often. After spending more time together, feelings will naturally develop. For now, your most important task is to cultivate hard and break through to Soul Douluo as soon as possible!"

"Yes, this disciple understands. I will certainly not fail the high expectations of the Sect Master and my teacher!" Lin Yi bowed and replied, his posture extremely humble.

Emerging from the study, Lin Yi let out a soft breath. The engagement was preserved for now, and the core bond with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was even more secure. As for Ning Rongrong's resentment and the complex relationships with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing... he would have to take it one step at a time.

The most urgent priority was still to improve his strength.

He cast his gaze toward the direction of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, feeling the agitation of his soul power at the peak of level 79, his eyes turning resolute...