The specifics of what happened back then were little known to outsiders. But in recent years, the Dan Yuan Holy Master had remained secluded within her sect, never once visiting the Ling Clan, which had given rise to much speculation. The most widely accepted theory was that the relationship between Xuan Yuan Yue and Ling Tianlin had shattered, and the marital bond no longer existed.
Of course, speculation was just speculation. Both the Dan Yuan Holy Land and the Ling Clan were supreme orthodoxies themselves, and ordinarily, no one would dare provoke them openly.
"Emperor Ling, my Holy Master has prepared a special congratulatory gift for Young Master Ling Xiao. May I trouble you to pass it to him?" A'Jiu raised her head to look at Ling Tianlin on the dais, took out a white jade porcelain bottle from her robes, and bowed.
"Sister A'Jiu, long time no see." But just as Ling Tianlin nodded, about to respond, a light, laughing voice suddenly came from outside the hall.
Immediately, everyone saw a figure in white robes walking in slowly. His straight black hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, his sword-like eyebrows bold and heroic. His long, narrow eyes held a sharpness, like an eagle in the night—cold, proud, solitary, yet domineering. In his solitary stance emanated an overwhelming arrogance that looked down upon heaven and earth.
What a peerlessly handsome young man! Especially complemented by the starlight-emitting white robe he wore, he seemed even more transcendent and uniquely refined, his elegance unmatched!
Even the powerful sect leaders and ancient clan dignitaries present on the dais widened their eyes, looking at the young man in the hall with some disbelief. They had heard that this Ling Clan heir was decent-looking. But they hadn't expected him to be this decent-looking! Even the proud daughters of clans who had come with their elders now had starlight shimmering in their eyes, their delicate faces slightly flushed, clearly captivated by Ling Xiao's appearance.
No wonder, despite this scoundrel's notorious reputation, there were still women willing to throw themselves at him. Just based on his looks, it was easy to make people... unable to resist. Marriage might be out of the question, but a bit of fun was certainly possible.
"Young Master!" A'Jiu turned, saw Ling Xiao, and a smile immediately appeared on her originally cold face. "This is the Holy Master's gift for you. Also, the Holy Master said..." A'Jiu leaned in and whispered a few words into Ling Xiao's ear.
The latter immediately smiled and nodded. "Thank my mother for me."
"Yes, Young Master! If there's nothing else, A'Jiu will take her leave." After speaking, A'Jiu bowed once more to Ling Tianlin and walked out of the hall.
"Xiao'er, why aren't you quickly paying your respects to the esteemed seniors?" Ling Tianlin smiled wryly. This kid always looked so lazy and listless; no wonder he wasn't well-liked. He didn't care much about Ling Xiao's reputation himself. After all, as he often said, strength was a man's true confidence. But his indifference didn't mean others felt the same. These past few days, he'd heard that the Dao Palace's Divine Maiden seemed quite resistant to this marriage.
"Hehe, Uncles and esteemed seniors, your esteemed presence at the Ling Clan to personally attend your nephew's engagement ceremony truly makes me... feel immensely honored." Ling Xiao grinned and bowed to the assembled guests.
"Uncles, shouldn't you present your congratulatory gifts now?"
"..."
The smiles on everyone's faces froze almost the instant Ling Xiao's second sentence fell.
Shameless!
They had come from afar as guests; their backsides hadn't even warmed their seats before being asked to hand over gifts? Moreover, the Divine Maiden Nian hadn't even arrived yet. If they presented gifts now, would they all go to him?
"What are you uncles waiting for? When my fiancée arrives later, the gifts will have to be split with her. Quick, quick..."
Damn!
This bastard actually wanted to keep all the gifts for himself!
Shameless!Utterly shameless!
The slight improvement in their impression of Ling Xiao based on his appearance just moments ago was completely shattered in this brief instant. It thoroughly confirmed the rumors of the Ling Clan Young Master's extreme shamelessness! Even scheming against his own fiancée? Simply devoid of all conscience!
The problem was, for a peerless proud daughter like Nian Qingyun, whoever married her would surely cherish her dearly. But this Ling Xiao... not only was he shameless, he was also a bizarre oddity!
Ahem, cough cough. "Young Master Ling Xiao is indeed unique. This Sovereign, representing the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land, offers the divine sword 'Qiu A.' I hope the Young Master will accept it." In the hall, an old man in black robes suddenly stood up, holding a three-foot green blade in both hands, smiling faintly.
"Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land?" Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly and noticed Ling Tian standing beside the old man, looking somewhat humble.
"So it's the Holy Master of Ten Thousand Swords. Hehe, thank you." Ling Xiao grasped the ancient sword and immediately felt a sharp, keen aura assail him. It was actually a high-grade divine artifact.
"A fine sword! A truly fine sword! Tian-di [Younger Brother Tian], what do you think?"
"Huh?" Ling Tian was stunned, looking at Ling Xiao somewhat at a loss. This bastard... does he want... to give this sword to me? Otherwise... why would he ask my opinion? Hmph, Ling Xiao, don't think that by deliberately currying favor, I will forgive you. Dream on!
"The sword 'Qiu A' is a famous divine sword of the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land. It is naturally excellent," Ling Tian forced himself to suppress the emotions in his heart. He cultivated the Sword Dao and had an instinctive affinity for swords. For this occasion, the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land had truly spared no expense. The divine sword Qiu A was among the top-tier even within the entire Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land. Although the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master had given him a divine sword when he formally became his disciple, it was clearly inferior to Qiu A. But... what was going on with Ling Xiao? Why did he seem like a different person since returning to the clan? Could it be... he had other motives? Had he seen through my Divine Vein and wanted to seize it for himself?!
In an instant, Ling Tian's face turned somewhat pale. The changes in the emotions in his eyes naturally did not escape Ling Xiao's notice.
"Hehe, since Tian-di likes it... that proves this sword is truly good! Sect Master Duan, please give it to Qingchan." Ling Xiao casually handed the Qiu A sword to Duan Wuyong standing beside him.
The expressions on the faces of the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master and Ling Tian both stiffened simultaneously, their faces turning a livid shade more unpleasant than if they had eaten something vile.
"This... hehe, then I will thank Young Master Ling Xiao on Qingchan's behalf." Duan Wuyong clearly hadn't expected Ling Xiao to do something so slappingly disrespectful right in front of the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master. His aged face immediately broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum.
The Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land and his Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect were both sword orthodoxies, often compared. In recent years, the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land had produced several sword prodigies, and their reputation had subtly surpassed that of the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect, which displeased Duan Wuyong greatly. But today, seeing Ling Xiao's casual act make the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master swallow his frustration, Duan Wuyong felt immensely pleased.
"Hehe, on the joyous occasion of the Young Master's engagement, my Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect offers a pair of Glazed Ancient Cups. They can transform Qi into spirit energy and are most suitable for drinking wine. We hope the Young Master will accept them."
"Excellent items! These are truly excellent items!" Hearing this, a sincere smile immediately appeared on Ling Xiao's face. This Duan Wuyong understood him. Divine swords and blades? Did he look like someone short on treasures? Only these peculiar and unusual items suited Ling Xiao's taste best.
However, witnessing this scene, the powerful figures from all the orthodoxies in the hall narrowed their eyes slightly, sighing inwardly, "The rumors are indeed true!!"