Chapter 23

Outside the main hall was the Welcoming Plaza, paved with pure white marble. A Spirit Screen stood in the plaza, three zhang and three chi tall, two zhang and four chi wide, incomparably magnificent.

Beside the Spirit Screen, Ji Xueyan studied Ye Chen. Only after a long while did she say, "I came here to..."

Ye Chen cut her off and said, "I know."

"You know?" Ji Xueyan was somewhat surprised. In her impression, while he was not stupid, he was definitely not smart either. Yet meeting him again this time, he seemed to have changed a little.

Ye Chen mocked himself. "It couldn't be that you came to see me, right?"

Ji Xueyan shook her head. "Of course not. Whether you guessed it or not, I still have to tell you in person. There's no possibility between the two of us."

"So you came to discuss dissolving the engagement with me. After all, if I don't agree, it'll be very troublesome for you to resolve the engagement on your own. At the very least, you'll face persuasion and obstruction from many elders, especially since you can't face my mother. She has treated you very well, and she and your mother are as close as sisters. But if both of us agree, those elders won't have much to say."

Ji Xueyan opened her mouth, only to discover she did not know what to say. This was different from what she had imagined. She had originally thought he would be furious. No matter how one put it, having the woman come to the door to break off the engagement was a humiliating matter. For that, she had already prepared a way to deal with him, which was to make him understand the gap in strength between them. The two of them were simply not matched, and continuing to entangle himself with her would only be inviting humiliation. But now, those methods had become useless effort, leaving her somewhat caught off guard.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Xueyan realized she had underestimated Ye Chen. At the same time, she felt somewhat stifled, and her tone turned stiff. "That's right. But there is one thing you must remember. Even if you don't agree, I will still dissolve the engagement with you. You should have heard the saying that a dragon does not dwell with snakes. The two of us are not people of the same world at all. I still have a longer road to walk in the future, and the gap between us will only grow wider and wider."

"A dragon does not dwell with snakes!" Ye Chen muttered, then chuckled. "What a fine metaphor. You've made yourself out to be a true dragon, while I've become a little snake. It's just that you're making that metaphor too early. Who the true dragon is still isn't certain. Besides, even if it is a little snake, there's still a chance for it to shed its skin and become a dragon."

Ji Xueyan unconsciously revealed a cold smile. The other party was simply boasting shamelessly. Judging by the current situation, who was the true dragon and who was the little snake was clear at a glance, yet he actually said it was still uncertain who the true dragon was. Did he think that one day he could become a true dragon, soaring through the firmament?

"All right. I have no interest in debating established facts with you. I'll only ask you one thing. Do you agree to dissolve the engagement or not?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ye Chen said, "Why wouldn't I? I agree to dissolve the engagement." Ye Chen was clear about his own potential. As long as he was given time, reaching the True Condensation Realm, the Primal Origin Realm, or even the Star Extremity Realm in the future would not be a problem. Why bother getting entangled with a woman?

Besides, even if he did not agree, what of it? She had even invited an Inner Sect Elder of Jade Valley here. If he refused, that would be inviting humiliation upon himself. Now that he had simply agreed, he had turned passivity into a trace of initiative, preserving his final shred of dignity. Of course, what the other party had given him today, he would definitely return in the future. He would let her know that whether someone was a true dragon was not decided by words, but by real actions.

Both sides fell silent for a while.

A moment later, Ji Xueyan lightly brushed the crystal ring worn on her left hand with the middle finger of her right hand. A faint glow flickered, and a secret manual abruptly appeared in her hand.

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed. A Storage Spirit Ring.

To ordinary people, a Storage Spirit Ring was a legendary treasure, but to high-level Martial Artists, it was a necessary item. Inside the ring was a space of its own that could store large quantities of items, such as gold, pills, herbs, clothes, and weapons, all of which could be placed inside without feeling any weight at all.

He had not expected the other party to actually have a Storage Spirit Ring. One had to know that among the Core Disciples of Flowing Cloud Sect, it seemed only two or three people had one.

"This is a Human-tier top-grade secret manual, Iron Bone Divine Palm. If you can comprehend even a little of it, it will be enough for you to defeat Martial Artists of the same level. But don't worry, this isn't a Martial Arts manual from Jade Valley. It was obtained from a wandering bandit I killed, so there are no hidden dangers. Consider it my compensation to you." Ji Xueyan raised her chin slightly, as if what she was tossing out was nothing more than some ordinary item.

"I'll take what I want myself." Ye Chen refused without another word. What a joke. It was merely a Human-tier top-grade secret manual. There was no need to sell out his self-respect for it. Besides, if he accepted it, it would only make the other party look down on him even more and think he had no backbone.

Ji Xueyan frowned and said, "Do you still not understand? With your talent, who knows when you'll become an Inner Sect Disciple."

Ye Chen said coldly, "You don't need to worry about dissolving the engagement. I do what I say. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first."

After saying this, Ye Chen turned and walked toward the main hall. He needed to report to Luo Xinglie before he could leave.

Ji Xueyan was stunned, then immediately revealed a mocking look. In her view, he was deliberately putting on an act for her to see. Otherwise, how could he let a Human-tier top-grade secret manual go? After all, a secret manual of this level was not a cabbage that one could have just because one said so. Unfortunately, even if he did this, it was all wasted effort. She would never take a fancy to him.

On the way, Ye Xuan stopped Ye Chen.

"Why are you so stubborn? If she gives you a secret manual, just accept it. Why sulk in anger?" Ye Xuan had a great deal of say in the Ye Family, and in the past, Ye Chen had not dared argue with her either.

"Flowing Cloud Sect has plenty of secret manuals. There's no need."

Ye Xuan shook her head. "You've already changed. You've become unreasonable. I know it's because you feel humiliated inside, but to be honest, you and Sister Xue Yan really aren't matched. Her future husband should be someone like one of the Four Great Young Masters, not a little person like you. Of course, I'm not belittling you. Little people have their own way of living too. The advantage is that it's peaceful and practical."

I'm unreasonable? Forget it. Ye Chen did not want to keep talking with these two arrogant women. Sometimes, the more reasonable what you said was, the more the other party would think you were haggling over every detail. If you had no reason, the other party would press you aggressively and describe you as completely worthless. So the best method was to ignore them.

"See you at the Clan Gathering at the end of the year." Leaving behind those words, Ye Chen strode into the welcoming hall.

Inside the main hall.

Mu Fengyuan glanced at Ye Chen. "You at least have some self-awareness. Ji Xueyan is one of the most talented disciples of my Jade Valley. You are indeed unworthy of her."

Ye Chen cursed inwardly. Old bastard, what the hell does whether I'm worthy or not have to do with you? You people of Jade Valley are all the same, arrogant and conceited, thinking you're no longer mortals and can stand high above everyone else. Now even Ye Xuan has caught this strange disease.

One day, I'll defeat the disciples of your Jade Valley one by one and let you know that everyone is human. Jade Valley is nothing so amazing either.

Although Ye Chen thought this in his heart, he would not say it aloud. Talking back to someone at the Late Primal Origin Realm, who was also an Inner Sect Elder of Jade Valley, was the same as thinking his life was too long. It was an act of seeking death.

"Sect Master, I'll withdraw first." Ye Chen bowed to Luo Xinglie.

Luo Xinglie waved a hand. "Since the problem is resolved, go on."

"Yes!"

Turning around, Ye Chen did not even look at Ji Xueyan and left cleanly and decisively.

Beside Ji Xueyan, Ye Xuan curled her lips, feeling a little embarrassed. They were both members of the Ye Family, so how could the gap between them be so large?

Ji Xueyan said softly, "I hope he won't stir up trouble in front of Aunt Hui."

"He wouldn't dare," Ye Xuan said firmly.