When the crowd saw the stunningly beautiful woman in white take the initiative to invite Qin Guan, they seemed to have a sudden realization.
Anyone with eyes could see that the woman in white was the true powerhouse of the evening. Her taking the initiative to invite Qin Guan clearly meant she knew him, and their relationship was obviously far from ordinary.
The only reason Tianbao Pavilion had agreed to Qin Guan's terms was because of her.
Elsewhere, the two walked for a while before stopping. The woman in white smiled at Qin Guan. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Jiang Lianyue."
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Qin Guan nodded. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"I wish to propose a partnership," Jiang Lianyue said, getting straight to the point.
"A partnership? For what?" Qin Guan frowned.
Jiang Lianyue said, "Sir Qin, have you ever heard of Yang Tianni?"
At these words, Qin Guan's expression shifted. "You know of him?"
Jiang Lianyue nodded. "In five days, an ancient Secret Realm will appear in Wanyao Valley. According to my information, this Secret Realm is very likely related to Yang Tianni."
Hearing Jiang Lianyue's words, Qin Guan's heart suddenly stirred with excitement.
He had heard his master speak of Yang Tianni. This man was a prodigy who cultivated both the sword and martial arts, the only martial artist in tens of thousands of years who could practice the Way of the Sword without a Dantian.
It was said he created a unique cultivation method that allowed one to gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to cultivate even without a Dantian.
The Way of the Sword!
This was the pinnacle of martial arts that Qin Guan dreamed of. Influenced by his master since childhood, he had always wanted to become a sword master like him, one who transcended the world.
Who wouldn't want to ride a sword and roam freely, traversing mountains and rivers, unbound by the world? But alas, he was born without a Dantian, destined to be a miserable, earthbound martial artist.
Over the years, his master had constantly searched for traces of Yang Tianni, hoping for Qin Guan to obtain his martial legacy and cultivate the Way of the Sword. But too much time had passed; Yang Tianni had vanished over twenty thousand years ago, leaving not a single clue behind.
Hearing Jiang Lianyue mention Yang Tianni now had truly stirred his heart.
Seeing the change in Qin Guan's expression, Jiang Lianyue continued,
"Many factions have already learned of this. That's why I wish to partner with you, Sir Qin, to explore the Secret Realm together. As for any treasures we find, we'll each rely on our own fortune. What do you say?"
Qin Guan nodded. "Agreed."
"Sir Qin, let's keep our partnership quiet for now. It might give us an element of surprise when dealing with the other factions."
"Mm, understood." Qin Guan nodded.
"Sir Qin, may I ask you a question?" Jiang Lianyue said with a smile, her beautiful eyes arching slightly.
"Go ahead," Qin Guan said.
"With your strength, why would you marry into a minor family like the Nan Family?"
"Don't get me wrong, I'm just curious!"
"Fate," Qin Guan said after a moment's thought.
Hearing this, Jiang Lianyue glanced at Nan Rou in the distance and found Nan Rou looking right back at her, though the latter quickly lowered her head.
"Your fiancée is very beautiful." Jiang Lianyue chuckled and turned to leave.
The people from Tianbao Pavilion left soon after.
Qin Guan, for his part, headed back.
Seeing Qin Guan approach, Nan Shunda suddenly greeted him with a broad smile.
"Haha, you truly are a worthy son-in-law of our Nan Family! Not only is your strength exceptional, but your connections are extraordinary as well!"
Nan Yuantong also chimed in, nodding eagerly.
"Indeed! With just a small display of your power, you've earned our Nan Family a hundred bottles of Qi Refining Powder. Now our clansmen won't lack cultivation resources!"
"Heh."
Qin Guan gave a scornful laugh, glancing at the two of them as if they were idiots.
Nan Shunda and Nan Yuantong smiled awkwardly.
Qin Guan walked over to Nan Rou, took her hand, and led her toward Nan Yunqi and Yang Hongmei. "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, it's getting late. We'll be heading back now."
"Haha, watch your step!" Nan Yunqi threw his head back and laughed, his smile radiant.
"Yes, yes! The path is dark at night, walk slowly!"
Yang Hongmei avoided his gaze. Her previous arrogance and disdain were completely gone, replaced by a look of shame and trepidation.
"Mm." Qin Guan nodded and led Nan Rou away.
Watching the pair in the distance, holding hands and standing so close, Nan Qiao bit her red lip.
In terms of looks, she didn't think she was any worse than Nan Rou. In terms of talent, Nan Rou was far inferior. She had looked down on Nan Rou since they were children.
A weak-willed, sickly girl who never dared to say no had now been given a new lease on life, and she had even found an ideal husband whose eyes were only for her.
And this ideal husband was the very man who had once been engaged to her, the man she had cast aside like trash.
As she thought about it, Nan Qiao suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh. She looked up at the night sky, and when she saw the myriad stars and the bright moon, her eyes suddenly lit up as if she had come to a realization.
The stars and the moon!
One must have a long-term vision and not let momentary illusions cloud one's judgment. So what if he's a 3rd Realm Warrior? Martial artists are destined to have bleak prospects and will never achieve true greatness!
But she possessed a rare special constitution with limitless potential. In the future, she would be an existence that people like them could only look up to.
At this thought, Nan Qiao's spirits lifted. She turned and walked away with firm, determined steps.
Just then, Nan Shunda and Nan Yuantong sidled up to Nan Yunqi, about to speak, but Nan Yunqi didn't even give them the time of day. He just snorted coldly and turned to leave.
"Husband, wait for me!" Yang Hongmei hurried after Nan Yunqi.
On the way, Qin Guan noticed Nan Rou was walking with her head down, silent and seemingly troubled. He smiled and said, "I don't know that woman in white or Old Xu well. We've only met once."
Nan Rou was surprised. "You've only met once? Then why did they back down?"
"Because they can't beat me," Qin Guan said with a smile.
Nan Rou fell silent, lost in thought.
"Don't overthink it." Qin Guan gently pinched her cheek, teasing her.
"I'm not..." Nan Rou protested coquettishly, then hugged Qin Guan's arm tightly and pulled him into a run toward the East Courtyard.
The next day.
News suddenly spread through Luyun City: an ancient ruin would appear in Wanyao Valley in four days.
In an instant, this explosive news swept through every corner of Luyun City.
All the family factions in Luyun City went into a frenzy. A legendary ancient ruin! Obtaining even a single treasure from it could change a person's life, or even the fate of a family. This was a rare and monumental opportunity!
Thus, many family factions began to form alliances in secret. They all knew that a Secret Realm like this would attract competition from many major powers. Banding together was the wisest course of action.
The Nan Family, of course, was no exception. Nan Yunqi nearly ran his legs off, seeking allies everywhere.
But to his great frustration, even the families that were usually on good terms with the Nan Family, some with deep ancestral ties, were unwilling to form an alliance.
"Family Head, you should quickly take out those hundred bottles of Qi Refining Powder from yesterday and distribute them. We should strive to raise everyone's strength in the next few days. Won't that increase our competitiveness when the Secret Realm opens?"
"That's right! We must be united at a time like this and put aside all other thoughts!"
Nan Shunda and Nan Yuantong said in the Nan Family's main hall.
After last night's events, the two had become much more subdued. Upon hearing about the Secret Realm, they had rushed to see Nan Yunqi. After all, Qin Guan's strength was formidable, and he had connections with the upper echelons of Tianbao Pavilion. Now was the time to cling to this powerful backer.
Hearing this, Nan Yunqi couldn't help but sneer.
"Heh, united? Now you want to be united? Why weren't you so united last night when my son-in-law was being pressured by Tianbao Pavilion?"
Nan Shunda replied with an expression of someone who was only thinking of the family's best interests, "Family Head, we were unaware of the situation. Our actions were also for the sake of the family's future!"
Nan Yuantong, at his side, nodded hastily.
Nan Yunqi glanced at the two of them and said platitudinously, "We are all members of the Nan Family, all descended from the same ancestor. Therefore, we should always work together in unity, not harbor our own selfish schemes. Don't you agree?"
"The Family Head is right. It is the teaching of our ancestors, and we naturally hold it dear to our hearts!"
The two immediately nodded.
At this, Nan Yunqi sighed and said,
"For this Secret Realm, many families have already formed alliances. Yet, our Nan Family still doesn't have a single ally. The situation is very disadvantageous for us!"
Hearing this, Nan Shunda quickly asked, "What did our son-in-law say?"
"I asked him this morning. He said he's not familiar with Tianbao Pavilion. As for last night, they were just repaying a favor. He also took back the hundred bottles of Qi Refining Powder from the compensation."
Nan Yunqi shook his head helplessly.
He had gone to see Qin Guan that morning. Qin Guan did indeed tell him that Old Xu and the woman in white from Tianbao Pavilion had helped him to repay a favor. However, Qin Guan had not taken back the hundred bottles of Qi Refining Powder.
He knew very well now that Nan Shunda and Nan Yuantong would not easily give up their power to support him willingly. That being the case, there was no need for him to use resources to support their people, which could end up with him being overthrown.
Hearing this, the faces of Nan Shunda and Nan Yuantong instantly darkened.
"The Secret Realm opens in four days. Our top priority now is to find strong allies. Let's put everything else aside. I must ask you two elders to put more effort into this matter!"
Nan Shunda and Nan Yuantong said nothing in response, leaving the hall with displeased expressions.
Watching their retreating backs, Nan Yunqi snorted coldly.
"Two old foxes. They're more eager than anyone when there's an advantage to be gained, and they run faster than anyone when trouble arises. Truly shameless!"
Meanwhile, in one of the main courtyards of the Nan Family estate, a group of servants bustled about. They were cleaning, hanging red lanterns, and putting up festive couplets. The entire courtyard was filled with a joyous atmosphere.
Qin Guan and Nan Rou, on the other hand, were pulled away by several matrons to be instructed on the etiquette for their wedding tomorrow.
Time flew by, and a day passed in the blink of an eye.
The next day, the street where the Nan Family resided was filled with the sound of gongs, drums, and firecrackers. Nan Yunqi stood in the courtyard early, ready to welcome the invited guests.
Unexpectedly, even as the auspicious hour for the wedding ceremony approached, very few guests had arrived to offer their congratulations.
More than sixty invitations had been sent out, but only a few minor families had come to celebrate.
Finally, Nan Yunqi sent someone to inquire and learned that the previous night, someone had seen Chen Guangling, the master of Tianbao Pavilion, barge into the Nan Family estate with a menacing group of people.
Rumors claimed that the one who had beaten the young master of Tianbao Pavilion yesterday was none other than today's groom, Qin Guan.
No one knew how the matter was resolved, but because of this, most of the invited families, fearing they would offend Tianbao Pavilion, chose not to attend the wedding.
"Tianbao Pavilion clearly came to compensate my Nan Family last night! A bunch of idiots, believing any rumor they hear!"
In the courtyard, Nan Yunqi's smiling face had turned so dark it looked like it could drip water. He had prepared over a hundred banquet tables, and now not even one was full. If word of this got out, the Nan Family would be too ashamed to show its face in public!
"What's wrong, Father-in-law?" Qin Guan, dressed in his groom's attire, suddenly walked over.
"Sigh, last night Tianbao Pavilion came to our Nan Family..."
Nan Yunqi then explained the situation to Qin Guan.
After listening, Qin Guan smiled. "It doesn't matter whether they come or not. The important thing is that you, Father-in-law, are here to preside over the ceremony."
Proofreader: Peter Pan