Chapter 4: Why Four Years? Two Will Suffice!

This voice, full of youthful vigor, carried a majestic momentum that made people turn their heads to look.

The newcomer appeared slightly youthful in features, yet his eyes were calm and indifferent. He stood nearly eight feet tall, wearing a dragon-shaped necklace around his neck. Though dressed in ordinary robes, they could not conceal his upright stature or his unmistakable temperament.

"Fan'er."

Lin Xuan looked at the person approaching and muttered to himself.

Lin Xuan felt that Lin Fan seemed a bit different today.

"Brother Lin Fan!" Seeing Lin Fan walk over, Lin Xue'er shouted excitedly.

The rest of the third generation of the Lin family also respectfully addressed him as "Little Uncle."

"You are Lin Fan?"

Bai Yuran looked at the young man and asked coldly.

He looked decent enough, but in this world, looks were secondary; talent and strength were what mattered most.

"Lin Family Young Patriarch, Lin Fan, greets Miss Bai."

Lin Fan spoke with a faint sense of distance. Although his words were polite, they were slightly cold—the tone was struck just right.

Before Bai Yuran could speak, Lin Fan turned to look at Lin Xuan and said respectfully

"Father, we might as well do away with this engagement."

The words were like a thunderclap.

The people below couldn't quite figure out this "trash" of the Lin family.

But upon second thought, they figured this Lin Fan was likely just putting on a brave face to save his pride.

"Heh, knowing full well she came to break off the engagement, he’d rather act arrogant to gain some reputation than be dumped in humiliation. This Lin Fan has some schemes."

"Useless. Without talent, this Lin Fan will never amount to anything."

"Heh, I’ve often rejoiced that the Lin family’s young patriarch is a piece of trash."

"I imagine that after today, the news of the Lin family being dumped will spread throughout Cloud Mist City."

"..."

The people from the three great families whispered among themselves, their words filled with undisguised mockery.

Lin Xuan glanced at Yang Chen, while Yang Chen and the others offered a disdainful smile.

Bai Yuran, however, felt as if she had been insulted. How could this Lin Fan look down on her engagement?

People are truly despicable!

"Miss Bai, I can understand you coming to break off the engagement. After all, I am a well-known piece of trash and indeed unworthy of you. My father may not have even taken this verbal agreement seriously. However, you should not have come to break it off in front of everyone!"

Lin Fan’s tone grew heavy as he continued.

"Do you not know that today is my father’s sixtieth birthday? My father and your father are sworn brothers. Is this how you respect your elders!?"

"Does Uncle Bai Rong know about this behavior of yours!?"

Lin Fan pointed a finger directly at Bai Yuran, his tone intensifying.

"Brat, you're courting death!"

A Small Yuan Dan expert behind Bai Yuran shouted and slapped a palm toward Lin Fan.

"Presumptuous!" Lin Xuan roared.

"Boom!"

Lin Xuan sent the Small Yuan Dan expert flying with a single palm strike.

"This is the Lin family! Mind your manners!"

Lin Xuan flicked his sleeves in anger, his tone stern, as he shielded Lin Fan behind him.

Bai Yuran did not speak. She had known it was Lin Xuan’s sixtieth birthday when she came to break the engagement, because only by using such pressure could she force the Lin family to agree!

However, Bai Yuran did not explain; she simply held her head high with a hint of arrogance.

Bai Yuran did not believe for a second that this father and son didn't want to climb the social ladder!

In Bai Yuran’s heart, the Lin family were mere peasants; she assumed they were desperate to tie themselves to her!

"Hmph, I am a direct disciple of the Lingwu Sect. Lin Fan, we are not people of the same world. This engagement must be dissolved today!"

Bai Yuran’s voice echoed throughout the Lin residence.

"Heh." Before Lin Xuan could speak, Lin Fan let out a cold laugh and took a few steps forward.

"Today, it is indeed time to make a clean break. But it is not you, Miss Bai, who is breaking off the engagement—it is my Lin family that does not want you, Bai Yuran!"

The words were another thunderclap!

The entire crowd was in an uproar.

Lin Xuan looked at his son with surprise.

*Damn, he’s finally grown a brain.*

Although he hadn't experienced this scene himself, it felt incredibly familiar.

"What do you mean by that!"

Bai Yuran pointed tremblingly at Lin Fan and shrieked, disregarding her own image.

Yang Chen and Ba Tong also looked on with cold expressions. What kind of trash was he to dare speak like that!?

"That’s right. You are a sharp-tongued, mean-spirited woman. I have no interest in you. Today, I am the one breaking off this engagement!"

Lin Fan’s lips curled slightly as he continued coldly.

"Good!" Lin Xuan laughed heartily and sat back in his seat.

"As expected of my son, well said!"

Not only was Lin Xuan not angry, but he was also smiling and clapping.

Regarding today’s events, the Lin family had reason and logic on their side. Even if the Lingwu Sect was a hegemon of the Eastern Province, they couldn't come looking for trouble.

After all, this was merely a matter between the younger generation.

This was explicitly stipulated by the Great Desolate Empire; no matter how powerful the Lingwu Sect was, they would never dare to oppose the Great Desolate Imperial Family.

Furthermore, if the Lingwu Sect truly angered Lin Xuan, he would shamelessly go find his master and junior sister to see whose backing was stronger!

"You!"

Bai Yuran was so angry that her chest heaved, and her fair fingers trembled.

"Miss Bai, my son’s meaning is very clear. Now, take your things and please leave!"

These words came from Lin Xuan. Since the mask had been torn off, there was no need to hide anything.

As for his friendship with the Bai family, it was essentially over.

"By what right do you break off the engagement!? What are you!?"

Bai Yuran screamed. She was the strongest genius of Huaqing Prefecture, a top-tier talent even in the entire Eastern Province, destined to be on the Great Desolate Dragon-Phoenix List in the future.

Therefore, logically, it should have been her breaking off the engagement, not Lin Xuan dumping her!

The nature of the matter was different.

"Patriarch Lin, your son has gone too far. If a son is not taught, it is the father’s fault!"

Yang Chen stepped forward to defend his own.

Facing such words, Lin Xuan snorted impatiently.

"I made an engagement for the juniors with the Bai family, and now it is being broken—that is a lack of faith. Causing a scene at a birthday banquet—that is a lack of manners!"

"What? With no faith and no manners, you expect me to give you a pleasant face!?"

Lin Xuan’s words were extremely forceful, leaving Yang Chen speechless for a moment.

But Ba Tong, being a crude man, immediately stood up.

"I don't understand your flowery language. I only know that a hard fist is the only truth!"

"Old thing, the engagement is broken, that's that!"

Ba Tong cursed and swore, showing no respect for the Lin family.

These two sentences made the Lin family members flush with rage, and even the usually steady Lin Wen and Lin Wu were ready to draw their swords.

Yang Chen made no move to stop Ba Tong.

Before Lin Xuan and the others could speak, Bai Yuran spoke again

"Hmph, Lin Fan, you have no right to initiate the breaking of this engagement. How about this: I’ll give you a chance. Four years from now is the day the Great Desolate Dragon-Phoenix List is finalized. I will wait for you. If you can defeat me, I will serve you as a slave and maid. But if you lose, you will kneel before me on the spot and accept my breaking of the engagement!"

The Great Desolate Dragon-Phoenix List strictly limited the age of those on it to twenty-two or younger. It was said that many on the list had already reached the three realms of Divine Ability—far stronger than the strongest people visible in Cloud Mist City!

At the very least, Cloud Mist City had no experts in the three realms of Divine Ability.

"Heh, why wait four years? Two years is enough!"

"If I lose, I will not only accept your breaking of the engagement, but I will also submit to whatever punishment you choose!"

Lin Fan’s eyes were firm, making people sigh.

*Does this kid not even know what the Dragon-Phoenix List is?*

Lin Xuan knew what the Dragon-Phoenix List was. In fact, his former junior sister had been ranked second on the list—only because the person in first place had cultivated for two years longer than her. Otherwise, she would have been first.

Of course, Lin Xuan had a system now. Four years should be enough!

As for a mere Dragon-Phoenix List, Lin Xuan already held it in disdain.

"Heh, two years. Then I will wait for you. Oh, right, let me remind you: in the last Dragon-Phoenix List, the weakest were at the Yuan Dan realm. Don't end up failing to even make the list!"

Bai Yuran mocked coldly before preparing to leave the Lin residence.

Yang Chen walked forward as well.

As for Ba Tong, he snatched back the Kaiyuan Pill that had been placed on the table.

"Hmph, a bunch of ungrateful dogs, wasting my time!"

"Little beast, you’d better pray you never leave this place, or you won't even know how you died!"

Ba Tong bared his teeth and shouted arrogantly.

The people from the three great families were even more delighted. The Lin family had now offended a powerful Small Yuan Dan expert like Ba Tong; life would be difficult for them from now on.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, Lin Xuan spoke softly, but his voice resonated throughout the entire Lin residence.

"Does Patriarch Lin have anything else to say?"

Yang Chen looked at Lin Xuan, the mockery in his eyes no longer hidden.

"I let the juniors handle my son's affairs, but now, it is time for our generation to handle ours!" Lin Xuan’s voice was chilling.

"Old thing, what do you want!?"

Ba Tong bared his teeth and yelled.

"Heh, I wish to challenge the two stewards of the Lingwu Sect. I wonder if the two of you would be willing to offer some pointers!"

Lin Xuan stood up, his lips curling slightly, but his eyes were filled with cold, murderous intent.

*Ba Tong, is it? You have already paved your own path to death!*

(End of chapter)