A Strip

That day, the atmosphere within the Profound Heaven Sect was grave.

Numerous elders arrived at the Sect Master's main hall.

To attend this crucial council of elders.

Sect Master Xuan Feng, the True Person, sat upright in the seat of honor.

His expression was stern.

His gaze swept across the elders below.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Bai Moyang was the first to rise. He bowed to True Person Xuan Feng and said:

"Sect Master, I have summoned the elders here today to discuss a matter.

Regarding the marriage agreement between my daughter Ruoshuang and Jiang Xuan, certain changes have now arisen.

After careful consideration, my daughter feels that her personality is incompatible with Jiang Xuan's, and that they may find it difficult to walk the path of cultivation hand in hand. Therefore, she wishes to dissolve this marriage agreement."

The moment those words were spoken, an uproar broke out below.

The many elders whispered among themselves, discussing it heatedly.

Some elders felt that Bai Ruoshuang was being far too willful.

How could a marriage agreement be casually repudiated?

Others, however, believed that matters of the heart could not be forced.

If the two of them truly were unsuitable for one another,

then breaking off the engagement was not necessarily impossible.

True Person Xuan Feng frowned and looked at Bai Moyang.

"Elder Bai, this marriage agreement was jointly made by you, me, and the Jiang Family back then. For Ruoshuang to suddenly request its dissolution now is likely improper.

How are we to explain this to the Jiang Family?

Moreover, this concerns the reputation of our Profound Heaven Sect."

Bai Moyang lowered his head slightly and said:

"Sect Master, I know well that this matter is difficult.

But Shuang'er has already made up her mind. As her father, I cannot bear to watch her suffer in an unhappy marriage in the years to come.

As for the Jiang Family, I am willing to go explain it personally and bear all consequences."

At that moment, an elder named Chen Zheng rose to his feet and let out a cold snort.

"Elder Bai, you make it sound easy enough.

Is the Jiang Family truly so easy to brush off?

That child Jiang Xuan possesses outstanding talent and has quite a few supporters within the sect.

What you are doing may chill the hearts of Jiang Xuan and all those who support him."

Anger flared in Bai Moyang's heart, but he forcibly restrained it and said:

"Elder Chen, feelings cannot be forced.

Ruoshuang has grown up and has thoughts of her own.

I cannot ruin her entire life over this so-called marriage agreement."

The other elders also voiced their opinions one after another.

For a time, the elder council argued without end.

Several of Jiang Xuan's supporters, such as Elder Li and Elder Wang, firmly opposed dissolving the engagement.

They believed that Bai Ruoshuang was simply making an unreasonable fuss.

It would damage the harmonious atmosphere within the Profound Heaven Sect.

Meanwhile, some of Bai Ruoshuang's supporters,

such as Elder Zhao and Elder Sun,

believed that Bai Ruoshuang's wishes should be respected.

After all, for cultivators, one's Dao Heart mattered most.

Amid the dispute, Elder Li, who supported Jiang Xuan, spoke fiercely:

"Elder Bai, what your daughter is doing is truly improper.

Jiang Xuan's talent is exceptional, and his future achievements are immeasurable.

If this engagement is dissolved over such groundless reasons, would that not make the world laugh at our Profound Heaven Sect for breaking its word?"

Elder Zhao, a supporter of Bai Ruoshuang, retorted:

"Elder Li, you cannot put it that way. Marriage should be based on the wishes of both parties.

Since Bai Ruoshuang has already made her stance clear, why must we forcibly push them together?"

As True Person Xuan Feng listened to everyone's dispute, his head began to ache as well.

He knew full well that if this matter was not handled properly, it would bring enormous trouble to the Profound Heaven Sect.

On one hand,

he could not disregard the Jiang Family's dignity.

The Jiang Family wielded considerable influence in the cultivation world as well.

If this matter turned the sect into enemies with the Jiang Family,

it would be detrimental to the Profound Heaven Sect.

On the other hand,

he could not entirely ignore the wishes of Elder Bai Moyang and Bai Ruoshuang.

After all, Bai Moyang held a position of immense importance within the Profound Heaven Sect.

"Elders, let us not argue over this matter for the moment.

How about this? Let us give Jiang Xuan and Bai Ruoshuang an opportunity. Three days from now, they will compete in a match at the sect's martial arena.

If Jiang Xuan wins, proving that he has the ability to protect Bai Ruoshuang, then the marriage agreement will remain.

If Bai Ruoshuang wins, it will show that her resolve is firm, and the marriage agreement will be dissolved from that point onward.

What do you elders think?"

After pondering for a moment, True Person Xuan Feng spoke slowly.

Upon hearing True Person Xuan Feng's proposal,

everyone felt that it was a compromise.

It would both give Jiang Xuan a chance to prove himself and allow Bai Ruoshuang to make her attitude clear.

Thus, they all nodded in agreement.

Though Bai Moyang was somewhat worried, he could only accept helplessly.

He knew his daughter's strength well.

Bai Ruoshuang had already reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

Although Jiang Xuan's talent was outstanding, he was currently only at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Bai Ruoshuang had considerable odds of winning this match.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xuan,

after learning of the elder council's decision, felt a tumult of conflicting emotions.

He had not expected matters to develop to this point.

A single match would decide his future with Bai Ruoshuang.

Yet a fierce fighting spirit also rose within him.

He would prove himself in the match.

He would let Bai Ruoshuang see his strength and win back this relationship!