Outside, Jin Hao and Gu Yingluo had already made their appearance, instantly drawing the attention of many within the Mu Clan.
At a single glance, the onlookers recognized the girl—Mu Yan's betrothed, Gu Yingluo.
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, silently confirming the truth of the Grand Elder's earlier claims. Gu Yingluo had indeed come to annul the engagement.
And the man standing beside her—could he be the son of a Jin Yu Sect elder?
Now, the real drama was about to unfold.
Jin Hao cast an aloof gaze across the surroundings, his expression filled with disdain for everything he saw.
Compared to the grandeur of the Jin Yu Sect, the Mu Clan was pathetically meager. Even a single hall of the Jin Yu Sect far outshone the entire Mu estate.
With exaggerated theatrics, he pinched his nose and said disdainfully, "Let's get this over with quickly. This place reeks of poverty—it's offensive to the senses."
"The young master of the Jin Yu Sect has arrived. Why have the heads of the Mu Clan not come to greet him?" a cold, sharp voice called out from an elder beside them.
Immediately, the Grand Elder and the other clan leaders rushed forward, wearing smiles thick with flattery and servility.
"Welcome, Young Master of the Jin Yu Sect. Your presence is the Mu Clan's greatest honor. I am the—"
The Grand Elder bowed low, embodying the very definition of obsequiousness.
But before he could finish, Jin Hao waved him off in disgust.
"Enough. Spare me the nonsense. I'm here for one reason only—to dissolve the engagement between Yingluo and your Mu Clan. I suggest you act wisely."
His tone was icy and commanding.
Beside him, Gu Yingluo paled visibly as she anxiously scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face—Mu Yan's.
The Grand Elder, grinning grotesquely, responded at once, "But of course! But of course! It is Yingluo's great fortune to catch your esteemed eye. The Mu Clan is not worthy to interfere. We have no objections whatsoever to ending the engagement."
"Grand Elder! Where is Brother Mu Yan? I need to see him!" Gu Yingluo cried out, desperation in her voice. She had to speak to him face-to-face.
"Mu Yan?" the Grand Elder scoffed with a sneer.
Just then, a wave of searing heat washed over the space as a young man stepped forth. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried a trace of deeply buried sorrow.
"Yingluo," Mu Yan said coolly, "you've come to end our engagement? Is that truly your wish?"
The moment she saw him, Gu Yingluo's face lit up. Rushing forward, she explained, "Brother Mu Yan, this isn't my decision! I never agreed to any annulment!"
At those words, the burden on Mu Yan's heart lifted. As long as her feelings had remained unchanged, he would stand against the world for her.
But Jin Hao's expression darkened with fury. He glared at Gu Yingluo, rage seething in his chest.
Especially when he saw that radiant smile—the very smile he'd never once received, despite showering her with rare pills and treasures.
She had treated him coldly throughout the journey—yet upon seeing this Mu Clan brat, her entire demeanor transformed?
This shameless woman!
Once he had her in his grasp, he would ravage her mercilessly, reduce her to a panting slave beneath him.
Such was the fate of anyone who dared insult Jin Hao!
But first, he had to deal with Mu Yan.
Looking down from his lofty perch, Jin Hao sized up the youth before him and felt no trace of threatening cultivation. He could crush him like an insect.
"So you're Mu Yan? Here's my advice—stay out of this. The wrath of the Jin Yu Sect is not something you can bear."
His tone was laced with menace.
To everyone's surprise, Mu Yan didn't flinch. Instead, a faint smile touched his lips as he replied, "Oh? And how terrifying is the wrath of the Jin Yu Sect?"
Murderous intent flickered in Jin Hao's eyes. "You're welcome to find out."
With that, an overwhelming pressure exploded from his body—his cultivation revealed: Core Formation Stage, Second Level!
The sheer power stunned the onlookers. This was the might of the Jin Yu Sect?
"Yan'er!" Mu Lei's face was filled with worry. Though he knew his son had also reached the Core Formation stage, it was only the early level.
How could he contend with someone at Jin Hao's level?
Not to mention, Jin Hao was backed by the vast resources of the Jin Yu Sect—he likely possessed countless high-grade techniques and secrets.
Compared to him, Mu Yan seemed hopelessly outmatched.
The Grand Elder and his cohorts were visibly anxious. They didn't care about Mu Yan's life or death, but if he enraged Jin Hao, would the Mu Clan be caught in the crossfire?
"Jin Hao! I never agreed to this annulment. I don't want to be with you! Why won't you just leave me alone?" Gu Yingluo pleaded, panic rising in her voice.
Jin Hao turned and sneered. "Gu Yingluo, are you daft? Do you think this is your decision to make?"
"Everyone in your Gu family is eager to use you to climb into the Jin Yu Sect's favor. Do you think they'll support you? Annul the engagement? Do you even have that authority? Defy me, and you defy the Jin Yu Sect. Can you bear that responsibility?"
His words struck like thunder.
Gu Yingluo's face went deathly pale.
She had considered these things before, but hearing them laid bare filled her with despair.
Was there no way to stop this annulment?
With both the Gu family and the Jin Yu Sect pressing her, she stood alone.
And wouldn't Mu Yan be dragged down with her?
Her eyes turned to him, filled with helpless sorrow.
Seeing the silence around him, Jin Hao smirked with cruel satisfaction. In the face of absolute power, things like dignity and true love were little more than jokes.
He fixed his gaze on Mu Yan, anticipating the moment the boy would beg for mercy.
But what he didn't expect was that Mu Yan remained utterly unmoved—his eyes only grew sharper.
There was something in that look that made Jin Hao, inexplicably, feel a chill of fear.
He involuntarily stepped back.
Realizing that he'd actually been startled by this "cripple," rage twisted his face.
"I've shown you more respect than you deserve. If you insist on seeking death, then don't blame me!"
With a wild laugh, Jin Hao spread his arms. A tempest of violent energy surged from him, sweeping across the courtyard.
The pressure was suffocating. Many of the younger Mu disciples nearly collapsed in terror.
This was the might of a Core Formation cultivator at the second level—utterly devastating.
And yet, Mu Yan stood there unmoved, like an unshakable mountain amid a hurricane. His composure was absolute.