Chapter 3: The Son's Broken Engagement

Lin Xuan was stunned when he heard the name Bai Yuran, but a moment later, he realized exactly who she was.

Speaking of Bai Yuran, one must mention the Huaqing Prefecture above Cloud Mist City. The Bai family is one of the three great families within the prefecture’s capital, and they even possess experts at the three realms of the Supernatural.

Back when Lin Xuan had just left the Jixia Academy, he happened to meet Bai Rong of the Bai family in Huaqing Prefecture, Eastern Province. The two became close companions and eventually best friends. After going through life-and-death trials together, they became sworn brothers. They made a pact: if they both had sons, they would be brothers; if they both had daughters, they would be sisters; and if one had a son and the other a daughter, they would be husband and wife.

In other words, Bai Yuran was the fiancée of Lin Xuan’s son, Lin Fan.

As for Bai Rong, he was Lin Xuan’s sworn younger brother, the youngest son of the Bai family head, and currently the sixth elder of the Bai family, possessing the strength of the late Great Yuan Dan stage.

However, in truth, Lin Xuan had never taken this engagement to heart from the very beginning. At the very least, once the gap between Lin Fan and Bai Yuran became too wide, Lin Xuan felt the engagement was no longer necessary.

The main issue was that Lin Fan’s strength was too meager; if the two were to truly become husband and wife, it would only end in misery.

They needed either equal status or a childhood bond—they had to have at least one of the two.

"Hehe, so it is Niece Bai. Forgive this old man for his poor eyesight; I almost didn't recognize you."

Lin Xuan said with a chuckle, then waved his hand at the second generation of the Lin family nearby. "What are you standing there for? Bring seats for our distinguished guests from the Lingwu Sect."

"Yes."

The two Lingwu Sect stewards and Bai Yuran took their seats, while the dozen or so others stood behind them. A dozen experts at the Small Yuan Dan stage created a very oppressive atmosphere.

Lin Shan, Lin Hai, and the others of the second generation all felt immense pressure.

"It’s been many years. I haven't been to Huaqing Prefecture to visit Brother Bai in a long time. How is your father doing? I hope he doesn't blame me."

Lin Xuan exchanged pleasantries, looking at Bai Yuran with a display of goodwill.

Bai Yuran was somewhat overwhelmed by Lin Xuan’s kindness. She pursed her lips slightly and braced herself to respond

"Uncle Lin, please rest assured. My father originally intended to rush to Cloud Mist City to celebrate your birthday, but unfortunately, half a month ago, he was severely injured in a great battle. Therefore, he could only entrust me to convey his blessings to you."

Bai Yuran was worthy of being a daughter of the Bai family; she appeared very poised, and her speech was extremely proper.

The conversation between Lin Xuan and Bai Yuran shocked the other guests sitting at their respective tables.

Lin Xuan actually had this kind of connection with the Bai family of Huaqing Prefecture!

This was something the other great families had never known.

One must know that Cloud Mist City was subordinate to Huaqing Prefecture, and beneath Huaqing Prefecture, there were seventeen other cities just like Cloud Mist City!

"Brother Rong is injured?!"

Lin Xuan frowned slightly. Given that he and Bai Rong were sworn brothers who had faced life and death together, he naturally felt a deep sense of affection.

Seeing Lin Xuan so concerned for her father, Bai Yuran felt even more awkward and could only quietly reach out to tug at the old man beside her.

"Hehe, Patriarch Lin, I am Yang Chen, a steward of the Lingwu Sect."

"Hehe, I have met Steward Yang."

Lin Xuan smiled and cupped his hands toward Yang Chen.

Both were at the Great Yuan Dan stage; although the other was a steward of the Lingwu Sect, Lin Xuan still treated him as an equal.

"As of now, Yuran has become a direct disciple of our Lingwu Sect."

With Yang Chen’s words, a collective gasp echoed through the Lin residence.

Below, the third generation of the Lin family—Lin Ao, Lin You, and the others—all looked at Bai Yuran with great envy and admiration.

Meanwhile, the people from the Wu, Fang, and Jia families wore ugly expressions.

The relationship between the Bai family and the Lin family seemed good, and with this girl from the Bai family possessing such peerless talent, the days ahead for their three families would not be easy.

Only the people from the Xiao family were merely surprised.

Because the head of the Xiao family was also the City Lord of Cloud Mist City, belonging to the official ranks of the Great Desolate Empire, they naturally had nothing to fear.

Lin Xuan also took a deep look at Bai Yuran.

The Lingwu Sect was one of the five great sects of the Great Desolate and the leader among the giants of the Eastern Province. Being able to become a direct disciple of the Lingwu Sect meant that Bai Yuran’s talent was extremely high. Under normal cultivation, she was someone destined to enter the three realms of the Supernatural, and she might not even stop at the first realm!

"Uncle congratulates you, Niece Bai. Brother Rong is truly blessed to have such an outstanding daughter."

Lin Xuan said with a chuckle, though he had a bad premonition in his heart.

Because he had seen this scenario in many novels from his past life.

"Ahem." Steward Yang Chen also coughed twice, then, thinking of the massive power of his Lingwu Sect, he brushed away his earlier trace of awkwardness.

"It’s just that, Patriarch Lin, our Lingwu Sect’s senior elders have heard that Miss Bai Yuran seems to have an engagement with your Lin family..."

This sentence caused another uproar in the hall.

Everyone was shocked, except for Lin Xuan and his brothers, Lin Wen and Lin Wu.

The members of the three great families, in particular, had their mouths hanging wide open.

Had the Lin family really climbed up to a high branch?

However, those with sharp eyes noticed that the atmosphere in the room was wrong.

"Something’s not right. The Lingwu Sect coming here doesn't look like they're here to celebrate a birthday; instead, there’s a sense of condescension!"

"I hope the Lin family can annul the engagement with Yuran!" Sure enough, a moment later, Yang Chen said firmly.

Lin Xuan’s hands, hidden beneath his wide sleeves, were already tightly clenched.

Although he had already guessed this cliché plot, now that he was experiencing it, Lin Xuan felt extremely annoyed and angry.

In the past, when reading novels, he hadn't paid attention to the feelings of the protagonist's father. Now that he was a father himself, and his only son was facing the embarrassment of being rejected in public, Lin Xuan felt a deep ache for his son, and his face burned with a stinging pain, as if he had been slapped!

The scene was once again in an uproar.

This time, the gazes of the several great families toward the Lin family were filled with mockery and sarcasm.

They really were going to see the show until the very end!

The entire Lin family, who had mostly been unaware of this matter, now knew, and their expressions were far from pleasant.

Although Lin Fan’s talent was poor, he was still a member of their Lin family.

They might secretly disparage their little nephew’s lack of talent, but they would not allow anyone to slap the Lin family’s face in front of all the great families of the city!

Lin Xuan’s mouth curled slightly; it looked like a smile, but he was actually furious.

"Good! Very good!"

Seeing Lin Xuan like this, Lin Wen and Lin Wu immediately came to his side.

"Third Brother, you can't. They are people from the Lingwu Sect," Lin Wen whispered in Lin Xuan’s ear.

There was no help for it; the Lingwu Sect was the hegemon of the Eastern Province. If they angered the Lingwu Sect, the entire Lin family would be wiped out!

Seeing Lin Xuan so angry, Bai Yuran remained silent. She knew she was in the wrong, but she absolutely could not marry a cripple.

Lin Xuan forcibly suppressed his surging blood.

Lin Xuan was not a hypocrite; he knew that a woman would indeed not want to marry someone with mediocre talent.

Lin Xuan had never intended for his son to climb a high branch, but to annul the engagement in public was truly ruining his son’s reputation!

"Fine, Niece Bai, what courage. Brother Rong truly has a good daughter!"

Lin Xuan calmed himself down. What kind of scenes hadn't he seen back at the Jixia Academy?

"Uncle Lin..."

Just as Bai Yuran wanted to say something, Lin Xuan raised his hand to interrupt her.

"Hehe, just call me Patriarch Lin or Family Head Lin. I can't quite afford the title of 'Uncle Lin.' And that’s right, my Fan’er is just as his name suggests—an ordinary person. He is not worthy of a young lady of the Bai family, and even less worthy of a direct disciple of the Lingwu Sect. So be it."

Lin Xuan was even calmer now. He had already unlocked his cheat; one day, his son would be even more noble than the Crown Prince of the Great Desolate!

"Hehe, at least you old guy knows your place!"

At this moment, another Great Yuan Dan stage steward of the Lingwu Sect gave a disdainful laugh.

This steward didn't understand what the point was of dealing with a third-rate family with such pleasantries; they should have just used force to suppress them!

"Ba Tong, do not be rude."

Yang Chen gave a light reprimand, but there was no hint of criticism in his tone.

Hearing Ba Tong’s remark, the members of the Lin family glared at him. This guy actually dared to insult their Patriarch!

Below, the three great families were full of mockery. Now, Lin Xuan’s face was truly lost!

The Lin family’s reputation would fall to rock bottom, which was excellent news for the three great families.

Lin Xuan’s eyes were cold and sharp, but he did not respond to Ba Tong.

"Since it’s settled, that’s great." Yang Chen appeared very happy; he had finally completed the task given by the elders.

"Of course, we won't make it too hard for your Lin family. For this reason, the Third Elder of our Lingwu Sect has prepared a gift of apology for the Lin family."

Yang Chen continued, and as he spoke, he took a wooden box out of his storage bag.

Opening the box, three round, white medicinal pills lay inside.

"This is... Kaiyuan Pills!"

Everyone exclaimed.

The people from the other families were also extremely envious.

These were Kaiyuan Pills; in their Cloud Mist City, they were priceless treasures.

Lin Xuan looked coldly at the Kaiyuan Pills in Yang Chen’s hand and gave a disdainful smile.

Because the quality of the Kaiyuan Pills in Yang Chen’s hand was quite poor. If a martial artist absorbed them, they would likely leave impurities in their body, and the martial artist would then have to use their Yuan energy to force those impurities out.

"Patriarch Lin, what do you think!?"

Yang Chen was slightly smug. In these backwater places, it was probably hard to see things like what he had in his hand.

"Hmph! You can take these things back with you!"

Lin Xuan flicked his sleeves and was just about to see them out when a clear, resonant voice suddenly rang out.

"Father is right. You can take these things back with you!"