Hua Jingshan's words resounded in the council hall, and many elders and advisors nodded in agreement.
The elder, already over sixty, chuckled and said, " Xiao Ji is a young man of composure and maturity, a rare talent. He is more than a match for my Hua Household's Youyue. Moreover, this is a significant event for the alliance between our two nations. I think this marriage is quite suitable!"
Upon hearing this, everyone present was taken aback and glanced at the elder with surprise.
The eldest patriarch of the Hua Household holds a high position and wields considerable influence. Even he strongly approves of this marriage, clearly indicating his intention to facilitate it.
The Second Clan Elder chuckled and said, "Ultimately, this matter should be based on Youyue's wishes. We might as well wait and ask for her opinion when Youyue arrives."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Although the Hua Household was a large and powerful family and the leading cultivation Aristocratic Clan in Raging Fire City, they did not have an overly domineering style of doing things.
Just as everyone was tacitly agreeing and thinking it made sense, a somewhat sharp voice rang out. "How can a young woman decide such a life -Youyue long matter? Although Youyue is exceptionally intelligent, those involved in matters of the heart are often blinded by their own feelings. Besides, young women are naturally sensitive about their reputation. In my opinion, this marriage should be settled as it is, to give Youyue some time to adjust."
Everyone turned to look. The three elders had a faint, cold expression on their faces. They gave a light snort in response to everyone's gazes, but their eyes held a hint of appreciation when they looked at Xiao Ji.
"Are the three elders going to arrange Yue'er's marriage?"
A clear, crisp voice rang out in the council chamber, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Hua Youyue walked slowly forward and respectfully greeted Hua Jingshan, saying, "Father!"
"Elders!" Hua Youyue's actions were impeccable as she greeted the four elders in turn.
Hua Jingshan nodded and said in a deep voice, " Yue'er, stay aside for now. Don't worry, your wishes are the wishes of the Hua Household. Your father will not make things difficult for you. But you might as well listen to what the Grand Preceptor and Xiao Ji have to say."
The three elders snorted coldly and turned their heads away, clearly displeased.
Hua Youyue smiled gently, nodded, and stepped aside, her face always bearing a faint smile. No one could discern her true thoughts from her expression.
The Imperial Advisor chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Today's events are a joyous occasion, so there's no need for everyone to be so solemn. In that case, let Xiao Ji speak."
Everyone's attention naturally fell on Xiao Ji. Even Hua Youyue glanced at Xiao Ji, a strange look flashing in her eyes.
She had never met Xiao Ji before, but had only heard that the Grand Preceptor of the Great Jiang Kingdom had a disciple who was exceptionally talented, and even the King of the Great Jiang Kingdom praised him highly. Now that she had met him, she could see that he was indeed as good as his reputation suggested, at least she could not see any clues on his face.
For some reason, looking at Xiao Ji's Hua Youyue suddenly reminded me of Yang Zhen.
Yang Zhen is different from Xiao Ji. His emotions are almost always written on his face. When he's happy, he's happy; when he's angry, he's angry. Except when he's trying to trick someone, he's very good at pretending. It's very easy to get along with him, and you don't have to guess what he's thinking.
Hua Youyue's face remained expressionless. She couldn't discern anything from Xiao Ji's face, and Xiao Ji, in turn, couldn't possibly know that she was actually thinking of Yang Zhen.
After Xiao Ji stepped out from behind the Grand Preceptor of the Great Jiang Kingdom, he smiled and nodded at Hua Youyue, but received no response, which startled him.
However, this did not affect Xiao Ji. He smiled slightly, looked around, and said, " Xiao Ji is unworthy, but I am grateful for my master's guidance. Now, to fulfill my master's great wish, I have come to propose marriage to Miss Youyue. Upon seeing Celestial Person, I was immediately captivated by her beauty and fell in love with her. Now that all of you seniors are present, is there anyone who objects to this marriage?"
Xiao Ji spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, and everyone present nodded in agreement. Hua Jingshan was also very satisfied, not to mention the Third Elder, who smiled and nodded at Xiao Ji, revealing a hint of praise.
Hua Youyue frowned. At this moment, who would dare to disagree?
Xiao Ji clearly took advantage of the elders present, knowing full well that they wouldn't object because of their status, which immediately aroused his dissatisfaction.
A smile appeared in Xiao Ji's eyes as he said loudly, "Since no one objects, then..."
Who says no one objects?
Just then, a lazy voice came from the doorway, and everyone present changed their expressions and looked in the direction of the voice.
Hua Youyue's expression changed, and a look of Dao Intent surprise flashed in her eyes. She immediately turned her head to look.
" Yang Zhen?"
A plainly dressed, somewhat lazy-looking young man slowly walked into the council hall, a mocking expression on his face. He raised his hand to greet everyone, regardless of whether he knew them or not, with a strange, unintelligible phrase:
Hi, hello!
Everyone's eyes twitched. Who's chatting with you? Do you even know me? Do we know each other?
Of all the people present, only Hua Youyue gave Yang Zhen a deep look before quietly withdrawing her gaze. A meaningful smile appeared on her lips, and even the worry on her face disappeared.
The Elder Yao beside him stared wide-eyed at Yang Zhen, his mouth agape as if he could swallow his fist.
" Yang Zhen? He's the Yang Zhen who killed Yun Jie?"
"To be able to blatantly snatch a World Realm Treasure from more than a dozen Golden Core Realm cultivators... wait, wasn't he only at the Foundation Establishment Realm? How did he become Lesser Vehicle Realm Ninth Stage?"
"Didn't Yang Zhen die inside the Nine Realms Exquisite Pagoda? How come he's here?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, all staring at Yang Zhen in shock, wondering why Yang Zhen had suddenly appeared here and why she had spoken out against the marriage between Xiao Ji and Hua Youyue.
Who does he think she is? Some kid who's gained a little fame through fooling around, and she thinks she can do whatever she wants?
Hua Jingshan frowned, staring at Yang Zhen in silence. Then he looked at Hua Youyue, who was smiling, and was immediately stunned.
He had heard about the relationship between Yang Zhen and Hua Youyue, and he also knew that Hua Youyue valued Yang Zhen highly, even directly giving Yang Zhen the status of a Dark Gold-level Guest Elder.
But as everyone says, wasn't Yang Zhen supposed to have died inside the Nine Realms Exquisite Pagoda? Why is he here?
After the commotion subsided, the entire Hua Household council hall fell into complete silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Yang Zhen or Xiao Ji.
"You must be Yang Zhen?" Xiao Ji asked, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He looked at Yang Zhen quietly and asked, his tone not arrogant, but with a superior air.
The Third Elder scoffed at Yang Zhen. In her eyes, how could a lucky kid from a small sect be worthy of competing with Xiao Ji?
In fact, no one present, including Hua Youyue, was optimistic about Yang Zhen. It wasn't that Hua Youyue looked down on Yang Zhen's background or strength, but the difference between the two was simply too great. If Yang Zhen were given ten years, he might be able to compete with Xiao Ji, but not now.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yang Zhen strode confidently to the center of the council hall, glanced sideways at Xiao Ji, nodded, and said with a serious expression, "That's right, I am Yang Zhen, and you are Xiao Ji, right?"
Upon hearing this, several soft, smacking sounds suddenly came from inside the council chamber, making it impossible to contain oneself.
Xiao Ji's face turned ashen, and he coldly snorted, "Sharp-tongued!"
Yang Zhen curled his lip. "Hypocritical!"
"You... you're putting on airs!"
"I... I'll go to hell!"