Heh Heh

After returning to the Profound Heaven Sect.

Bai Ruoshuang was preoccupied with worries every day.

She knew full well.

Breaking off the engagement was no trifling matter.

It concerned not only her and Jiang Xuan's personal fates.

It could also spark conflict between the elders of both families.

But her mind was already made up.

In her view.

Her path of cultivation still stretched far ahead.

She could not let a single marriage contract bind her future.

After giving it careful thought.

Bai Ruoshuang decided to begin with her father, Elder Bai Moyang.

One day, she came outside Bai Moyang's meditation chamber and called softly:

"Father, your daughter requests an audience."

"Shuang'er, come in."

Bai Moyang's voice drifted out from within the chamber.

It carried a hint of exhaustion.

Bai Ruoshuang pushed open the door and entered.

She saw her father seated on a meditation cushion.

His expression was somewhat haggard.

Her heart ached.

But thinking of her decision, she still gathered her courage and said:

"Father, your daughter has come today to ask something of you."

Bai Moyang raised his head and looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with paternal affection:

"Shuang'er, speak freely. What is it?"

Bai Ruoshuang drew a deep breath and slowly said:

"Father, your daughter wishes to break off her engagement with Jiang Xuan."

Upon hearing this, Bai Moyang's expression changed instantly, and his formerly kindly face turned stern:

"Shuang'er, do you know what you are saying?

This engagement was arranged by you, me, and the elders of the Jiang Family. How can it be broken off just because you say so?"

Bai Ruoshuang's eyes reddened as she said anxiously:

"Father, over these years, your daughter has met quite a few outstanding young talents.

Jiang Xuan's talent may be good, but his temperament truly does not suit your daughter's.

Your daughter does not want this engagement to delay her entire life."

Bai Moyang was silent for a long time.

He knew his daughter's temperament well. Once she had made a decision, it was difficult to change her mind.

Moreover, he understood that in this cultivation world.

If husband and wife did not walk the same path, countless conflicts would inevitably arise in the future.

But this engagement concerned the sect's reputation and its relationship with the Jiang Family, so he had no choice but to consider it carefully.

"Shuang'er, let your father think on this matter further.

Go back first, and under no circumstances may you spread word of this matter."

Bai Moyang finally said slowly.

Joy rose in Bai Ruoshuang's heart.

She knew that her father had already begun to waver.

As long as her father nodded.

This matter of breaking off the engagement would be half accomplished.

She hurriedly said, "Yes, Father. Your daughter understands."

After leaving her father's meditation chamber, Bai Ruoshuang did not simply wait with peace of mind.

She knew full well that Jiang Xuan also had quite a few supporters within the Profound Heaven Sect.

If she did not act quickly.

Then once word leaked out.

It might cause all manner of trouble.

Thus.

She began moving in secret within the Profound Heaven Sect.

She drew in disciples who had closer relationships with her.

She tried to make them speak on her behalf and create an atmosphere of public opinion that Jiang Xuan was unsuitable for her.

These disciples had long admired Bai Ruoshuang for her beauty and talent.

Now that Bai Ruoshuang was asking something of them, they naturally agreed with delight.

For a time, all sorts of claims that Jiang Xuan and Bai Ruoshuang were unsuitable for each other began circulating through the Profound Heaven Sect.

Some said Bai Ruoshuang was arrogant by nature while Jiang Xuan was far too dull, and that the two would certainly never be happy together.

Others said that although Jiang Xuan was highly talented, he was too withdrawn and utterly out of place within Bai Ruoshuang's social circle.

Bai Ruoshuang also deliberately organized several small gatherings and invited these disciples to attend.

At the gatherings, she deliberately and casually mentioned her dissatisfaction with Jiang Xuan, guiding everyone to echo her sentiments.

She even hinted.

That if she successfully broke off the engagement, those disciples who supported her would receive the care of her father, Elder Bai Moyang.

Under her meticulous planning, the tide of public opinion gradually turned in her favor.

At first, Jiang Xuan paid no attention to these rumors and gossip. He devoted himself wholly to cultivation, trying to break through his current bottleneck.

But as the rumors continued to spread, some of his friends began bringing up the matter to him one after another.

Only then did Jiang Xuan faintly sense that something was amiss.