Upon hearing those words, Mu Yan sneered, "The Jin Yu Sect? In the face of my Kunlun Holy Land, they are nothing but ants."
He dared to speak so boldly because he had unwavering faith in his master's unfathomable power.
His master had transformed his innate fire spirit root into the legendary Flame Saint Physique, and with a mere wave of the hand, could conjure vast, sprawling palatial complexes from thin air.
That alone proved to Mu Yan that his master was beyond mortal comprehension.
Moreover, even the cultivation techniques casually bestowed by his master were of imperial grade—clearly, such things were beneath his notice.
Forget the Jin Yu Sect—even the Holy Lands that had endured for millions of years could not compare in generosity!
To compare a trivial sect like the Jin Yu Sect to the Kunlun Holy Land?
That was a grave insult.
"Hahaha! I hope your boasting holds weight," the Grand Elder mocked. "According to the information I received, your fiancée, Gu Yingluo, is now a core disciple of the Jin Yu Sect—high in status and influence!"
"Not only that, but the descendant of a high-ranking Jin Yu elder has taken a liking to her."
"The Gu family is already planning to arrange a marriage between Gu Yingluo and that young master. Your reputation as a good-for-nothing has caused them to completely abandon you."
"I've heard that within the next few days, Gu Yingluo will personally bring that young man to your clan to annul the engagement."
The Grand Elder's smirk was laced with undisguised scorn and derision. He knew that Mu Yan harbored resentment toward the clan and no longer considered himself one of them.
So, he thought, why not enjoy the spectacle? Let's see how Mu Yan, with all his grand talk of a 'Holy Land,' stands against the mighty Jin Yu Sect.
He didn't believe for a second that the Kunlun Holy Land could compete on the same level.
Sure enough, Mu Yan's expression darkened upon hearing the news.
He and Gu Yingluo had shared a deep bond. Even after he became known as a cripple, though she said nothing, the Gu family's disdain had been palpable.
Last year, Gu Yingluo had joined the Jin Yu Sect and quickly rose to the rank of core disciple.
The Gu family's contempt for Mu Yan had only deepened.
But he had never expected that she would come to break off their engagement?
"Impossible! Yingluo would never leave me!" Mu Yan roared in fury.
The Grand Elder burst into laughter. "Then let's just wait and see. She'll be here within days!"
Mu Yan clenched his fists tightly, rage burning in his chest.
If anything in the world could still shake his heart, it was his father—and Yingluo.
"Fine! Then I'll wait! I don't believe she would really do this to me!" Mu Yan declared, his voice resolute.
…
…
Thousands of miles away from the Mu Clan, a magnificent flying ark sliced through the clouds, bound for the clan's territory.
Harnessed to it were four massive Azure-Scaled Eagles, their wings broad and powerful, each one a peak Foundation Establishment beast.
Wherever the ark passed, it drew curious and awed gazes.
Many with ill intentions harbored thoughts of plunder—until they spotted the eagles.
Then they saw the golden insignia of the Jin Yu Sect emblazoned on the ark's side, and all thoughts of robbery vanished.
In the Heaven Realm, the Jin Yu Sect was a behemoth. Its sect master had reached the Nascent Soul stage, and the sect had stood tall for tens of thousands of years.
Rumors whispered that terrifying ancestors slumbered within the forbidden grounds of its rear mountains.
Given the ark's lavish design, its passengers could only be those of considerable rank.
To cross them was to invite death.
Inside the ark sat a man and a woman.
The man was tall and striking, the very image of elegance. The woman had a fairy-like grace, her skin radiant as jade, her presence suffused with a soft ethereal glow.
"Yingluo, this is a third-grade Scarlet Blood Pill," the man said with a smile, offering the pill like a precious treasure. "It fortifies the blood and tempers the body—I paid a heavy price to acquire it."
But Gu Yingluo did not even glance at it. Her tone was cold and detached: "Jin Hao, there's no need to give me such expensive gifts."
The man was Jin Hao—the son of the Jin Yu Sect's master.
Gu Yingluo harbored deep disdain for him, though she could not show it too openly.
She had once believed that becoming a core disciple of the Jin Yu Sect would launch her toward the heavens.
She hadn't expected it would mark the beginning of her nightmare.
Jin Hao had taken a liking to her and used his status to relentlessly harass her.
Though she had refused him clearly and repeatedly, he only became more aggressive—going so far as to declare publicly that she already belonged to him.
Gu Yingluo despised him and had warned him not to spout such lies, but her protests had fallen on deaf ears.
Among the disciples of the Jin Yu Sect, it was now taken as fact that she was Jin Hao's woman.
What made it worse was that her family, upon hearing of it, had not defended her.
Instead, they urged her to curry favor with Jin Hao—and pressured her into visiting the Mu Clan to annul her engagement.
Though Gu Yingluo was unwilling in every fiber of her being, under pressure from both her sect and her family, she had no choice but to play it by ear.
"I wonder how Brother Mu Yan is doing now… Is he well?"
She thought of the once dazzling prodigy, now derided far and wide as a cripple.
She knew how deeply such a fall must have wounded his proud heart.
Her own heart ached for him—but what could she do?
Jin Hao noticed her indifferent demeanor and instantly knew—this woman was thinking about that worthless wretch again!
"Yingluo, you're a core disciple with a boundless future—perhaps even destined for the sect's upper echelons. Some people simply aren't worthy to walk beside you."
"But I am. I can stand with you. I can help you rise even higher."
"Your family's decision to end your engagement isn't without reason. Don't dwell on it—I'll clear away all obstacles for you."
Jin Hao spoke with gentle confidence.
He'd heard plenty about her so-called fiancé.
Even if Mu Yan hadn't become a cripple, Jin Hao would never have regarded him as a threat.
A brat from a minor clan—how could he compare to someone of Jin Hao's noble pedigree?
Gu Yingluo remained silent.
She had made up her mind—no matter what, she had to find Mu Yan and explain everything.
Even if it meant leaving the Jin Yu Sect, she would not agree to a separation.
Jin Hao, sensing her cold indifference, didn't take offense—he was used to it by now.
But his desire to eliminate Mu Yan grew darker.
"If I kill that brat, what can this little whore do about it? She'll have no choice but to crawl beneath me."
"Better yet, maybe I should just wipe out the entire Mu Clan. That'd be quicker."
He smirked inwardly.
A dark aura of second-stage Core Formation leaked from his body, making even Gu Yingluo instinctively tense with wariness.
At just twenty years old, Jin Hao had already reached such a level—a feat made possible by the countless resources of the Jin Yu Sect.
But even so, his talent was genuine.
Gu Yingluo's heart grew heavier with dread.
"Brother Mu Yan isn't his match… What should I do to keep him safe?"
Her thoughts were a storm of helplessness.
After a long journey, the flying ark finally reached the Mu Clan.
Four powerful Azure-Scaled Eagles descended with the massive ark overhead, casting a shadow over the clan's estate and putting everyone on high alert.
At that very moment, in a quiet corner of the Mu Clan, Mu Yan, immersed in cultivation, suddenly felt a familiar aura.
It was her—his fiancée.
"She's finally come. Yingluo… what will you choose?"
He rose to his feet and strode silently from the room.