A Million Gold Soul Coin Dowry, Rejected!

The procession stopped before the gates of Tianshui Academy. Yan dismounted, smoothed his lapels, and cleared his throat. He then used his soul power to amplify his voice, ensuring every person present could hear him with absolute clarity:

"Teachers and students of Tianshui Academy, I am Yan, of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation and personal disciple of the Pope! I have come today for one purpose only: to seek the hand of Miss Shui Bing'er in marriage!"

He paused, then withdrew a long scroll of betrothal gifts from his robes and read aloud:

"I come with the utmost sincerity and have prepared the following dowry: one piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Jade, ten jin of Thousand-Year Cold Iron Essence, various rare soul-guiding materials, and one million Gold Soul Coins! May these humble gifts express my devotion. I implore Tianshui Academy to grant this union, and I beg Miss Shui Bing'er to accept!"

With every item he read, a wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. Spirit Hall was truly extravagant!

"My god! Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Jade! Is Spirit Hall made of money?"

"I've heard of that Yan. They say he's part of the current Spirit Hall Golden Generation. I heard he's already a Soul King at only twenty-one! A true genius!"

"Shui Bing'er is so lucky! To be chosen by a member of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation—she'll never have to worry for the rest of her life!"

"Indeed, though I lack such fortune."

Voices filled with envy, jealousy, and longing rose and fell throughout the crowd. In their eyes, being courted so grandly by Spirit Hall was the greatest of honors.

As for the wishes of Shui Bing'er herself, no one seemed to care.

Listening to the surrounding chatter, the smugness on Yan's face deepened. He was certain that, faced with such a lavish dowry and such a grand spectacle, Shui Bing'er had no reason to refuse him.

Even if she were already betrothed, so what? The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect could not compare to Spirit Hall. He puffed out his chest and stared intensely into the depths of Tianshui Academy, waiting for the figure who had haunted his dreams for six years to appear.

Yet, deep within Tianshui Academy, in the Dean's office, the atmosphere was as heavy as the silence before a storm.

Leng Ningshuang stood by the window, watching the dense crowd and the arrogant procession at the academy gates, her expression grim.

Beside her, Shui Yue'er was stomping her feet in anger, her small face flushed red.

"Shameless! Absolutely shameless!" Shui Yue'er waved her small fists, itching to rush out and beat that Yan to a pulp.

"Who does he think he is? Bringing so many people and making such a scene—isn't he just trying to force my sister's hand? He doesn't care about her feelings at all! He just wants to possess her!"

Leng Ningshuang sighed without speaking. She knew Shui Yue'er was right. Yan's behavior was less of a proposal and more of a show of force. He intended to use the power and wealth of Spirit Hall to suffocate Tianshui Academy and Shui Bing'er until they had no choice but to submit.

She turned to look at Shui Bing'er, who stood quietly by the window with a calm expression, and asked with concern, "Bing'er, are you... really going out there?"

Shui Bing'er turned slowly. She wore a long, water-blue dress today, her hair pulled up simply to reveal a slender, fair neck.

She had not dressed for the occasion, yet that cold, noble temperament made her stand out even in a crowd. There was no anger or panic on her face, only an extraordinary sense of calm.

"Master, there is no hiding from this," Shui Bing'er said, her voice cold and steady. "Since he insists on making this a public spectacle, then I shall make my answer clear in front of everyone."

With that, she turned, pushed open the door, and walked out before Leng Ningshuang could say another word.

Leng Ningshuang watched her back, wanting to reach out and pull her back, but she ultimately did not move. She could only pray silently in her heart that Shui Bing'er would survive this ordeal.

Shui Yue'er hesitated for a moment before hurrying after her: "Sister! Wait for me!"

The vast plaza of Tianshui Academy was packed with people. Every student and instructor had gathered there, watching the aggressive Spirit Hall procession at the gate with complex expressions.

Some of the more timid students were trembling, fearing a conflict might break out.

Just then, the crowd parted to form a path.

Shui Bing'er walked forward slowly.

The moment she appeared, the entire plaza seemed to fall silent. Every gaze was involuntarily drawn to that water-blue figure.

She was like an ice lotus blooming on the peak of a snowy mountain—cold, noble, and detached from the world, as if the surrounding noise and chaos had nothing to do with her.

When Yan saw Shui Bing'er, his eyes lit up instantly. Six years had passed, and she was even more beautiful and moving than he remembered!

That cold temperament and stunning face made the possessiveness in his heart burn like a raging fire.

He stepped forward, wearing what he considered his most dashing and handsome smile, his voice trembling with irrepressible excitement: "Miss Bing'er! It has been six years—how have you been? I..."

However, before he could finish, Shui Bing'er interrupted him.

Shui Bing'er stood in the center of the plaza, stopping about ten paces away from Yan.

She raised her head, her ice-blue eyes fixed calmly on him, her voice cold and clear as it carried across the entire plaza:

"I already know why you have come."

A joyful smile broke across Yan's face, and he was about to speak again when Shui Bing'er continued:

"But I cannot accept."

The smile on Yan's face froze instantly.

In the plaza, everyone was stunned. They had not expected Shui Bing'er to refuse so cleanly and decisively!

In front of two Title Douluo from Spirit Hall, in front of so many people—how could she dare to refuse?!

Yan's expression darkened at a visible rate. He suppressed the rage in his heart, his voice laced with disbelief:

"Why? Miss Bing'er, my feelings for you are genuine! You saw the dowry I brought! Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow, one million Gold Soul Coins! Who else in this world is more worthy of you than I am?"

"Worthy?" A faint, mocking curve touched the corner of Shui Bing'er's mouth. "Young Master Yan, is this what you call 'worthy'—measured by power and wealth?"

She paused, her voice growing colder and more resolute:

"I, Shui Bing'er, may come from humble origins, but I have my own pride and principles. My marriage and my future should be decided by me, not treated like a piece of merchandise to be priced and traded!"

"Furthermore..." She looked up, staring directly into Yan's eyes without the slightest retreat, "I am already betrothed. My fiancé is the Young Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, Ning Xiaochun. I signed this engagement of my own free will; no one forced me. Therefore, Young Master Yan, please conduct yourself with dignity."

Her voice rang out, clear and resonant, echoing across the silent plaza.

Everyone was stunned. They had not expected Shui Bing'er to reject the olive branch from Spirit Hall so firmly, let alone publicly announce her engagement to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect! This was nothing short of a slap in the face to Spirit Hall!

Yan's face had turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails nearly dug into his flesh. He felt a level of humiliation he had never experienced before!

As a member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation and a direct disciple of the Pope, he had arrived with generous betrothal gifts and two Titled Douluo to ask for her hand, only to be rejected in front of everyone! To make matters worse, he had been compared to some brat!