When Gods Reject Mortals

As soon as the leader of the White Brook Clan finished his speech, Luatelo Rublanda stood up and advanced towards the center of the platform to everyone's greatest surprise.

The astute look of the old man who at the beginning of the ceremony had been attentive, but totally absent of interest, at this moment was filled with a gleam in his eyes only seen by the members of the White Brook Clan, once the 'root of the tree of spiritual dew' had been delivered upon his hands.

"Dear members of the honorable White Brook Clan, on behalf of my Blue Star Clan, I must congratulate you on the sum of talents of this generation, which will undoubtedly enhance the prestige of your clan in the future"

Hearing those words, the glances of most members of the White Brook Clan flashed proudly.

"As my clan has promised, the most outstanding genius of this generation will be taken as a disciple"

The words of the old man took the eyes of everyone to Karma; few were those who managed to put under control his breathing to contemplate that beauty without equal.

"Miss Nan Lan Karma, I ask you to make your preparations, tomorrow at dawn, we will leave for the Eternal Lake, the main headquarters of my Blue Star Clan"

What in the beginning had been a simple lie had ended up becoming a reality... no, it had been it forced to become a reality by Lankareto Karma! Luatelo Rublanda was anxious to present to the great elders and the leader of his clan the matchless jewel he had found, he could almost imagine the praises and rewards with which he would be it covered. No doubt, Lankareto Karma was talented, yet her beauty was simply overwhelming and unparalleled! The young woman was like a living gem to which she could not put price.

"I'm not interested"

The joyful atmosphere was it quickly devoured by absolute silence. The person who should be happiest gave a shocking response in a cold, selfless tone.

"E-excuse me, Miss Nan Lan Karma, I didn't quite understand your words. I-I do not think you are clear about what I am talking about yet"

The first to come out of the stun caused by Karma's response was Luatelo Rublanda himself. The old man's ears were exceptional for his age, he knew exactly what he had heard, but in reality, he did not understand those words, he did not want to understand them, after all… who in the whole kingdom could refuse an invitation from the mighty Blue Star Clan?

"My father spoke to me about his clan's promise, so I know exactly what he is talking about, yet I am not interested" –Karma's response was again cold and without the slightest hint of doubt.

Luatelo Rublanda could clearly see that Karma's gaze was it fixed upon him, yet he felt as if he was seeing through him, as if in those beautiful blue eyes, he simply did not exist. That sensation and the answer given by Karma, for the first time in his life, left completely blank the mind of the old man who was alone below the three great elders of one of the four most powerful clans of the kingdom.

The silence lasted for several seconds; it was as if the blood of the great majority of those present had been it completely frozen.

"S-since this matter has been dealt with, this concludes this year's ceremony" –after clearing his throat, Lankareto Katro broke the silent atmosphere with those words.

To reject such a proposal of the mighty Blue Star Clan, something like that, besides being stupid, would it not be it taken as an offense? This was the kind of thought in most of those present. However, in the mind of the one who had dared to break the silence, Lankareto Katro it was but an unparalleled excellent opportunity.

As in the vast majority of clans in the kingdom, the positions of power within the White Brook Clan were not hereditary, but fell upon the shoulders of the strongest members of the clan.

Therefore, being the strongest spiritual practitioner of the clan, Lankareto Katro was naturally the leader of the clan. In contrast, his only son, Lankareto Kafilo could it only be described as a mediocre spiritual practitioner, so much so that even a fifteen-year-old young had equalized his spiritual realm, not to mention that a young woman who was not yet fifteen had surpassed him by much more.

'If you have no strength, use wealth. If you don't have gold, use influence', following this premise, Lankareto Katro had felt fortunate the day that the second great elder of the Blue Star Clan had proposed that deal to him two years ago. Even if his son was mediocre as far as the spiritual path was concerned, by marrying Luatelo Rilua, his son would inherit the position as clan leader simply based on the influence he would gain.

Faced with the dark reality that had formed around him after the cancellation of the marriage, Lankareto Katro envisioned a new possibility emerging right in front of his eyes. If Lankareto Karma refused to go to the Blue Star Clan and remained in the White Brook Clan, he could negotiate, yield, beg, and offer whatever was necessary to make her his son's wife. Lankareto Karma's talent was unmatched, her beauty was indisputable, if she became his son's wife, and at the very least, his son would be the spouse of the next clan leader!

Therefore, it was that, pushed by this reason, Lankareto Katro had the courage to try to obstruct any possibility of Luatelo Rublanda trying to convince Lankareto Karma to accept his proposal.

To the joy of Lankareto Katro and the despair of Luatelo Rublanda, Karma and her father stood up with the clear intention of leaving.

"W-wait a moment, third great elder!" -Luatelo Rublanda could not afford to lose such a jewel so easily, even if his proud facade crumbled.

Before the call of Luatelo Rublanda, Lankareto Atro stopped his steps and turned in the direction of the old man who no longer showed that haughtiness.

"Is there anything you need from me, elder Lua Rublanda?"

"Y-yes, I would like to make you a marriage proposal, offering my talented grandson as a husband for your talented daughter"

Once again, the world was completely dumbfounded. Luatelo Kruanda's body shuddered slightly. The young man in his early twenties was it filled with an unusual feeling of happiness. That proposal would undoubtedly be unmatched by any member of an inferior clan, so he could already imagine the beautiful young woman standing next to him.

"Elder Lua Rublanda, your proposal is flattering, however, I do not intend to offend you, but I fear I must reject it"

Lankareto Atro's response was quick, he did not even give anyone time to digest Luatelo Rublanda's shocking proposal.

"Is there already a compromise?"

"No, it is simply that my daughter has decided several years ago to dedicate her body and soul entirely to the spiritual path. Therefore, as you will understand, something like marriage is simply an irrelevant matter for her.

Even if that answer seemed like a pretext, it was not it entirely unbelievable. Throughout the world, not a few have renounced bonds, pleasures and riches with the sole goal of reaching the top of the spiritual path. Particularly for all members of the White Brook Clan that answer it seemed to be true in the case of Lankareto Karma. The young woman had lived practically all her life in confinement, and with her present spiritual realm, no one was left in any doubt that she had occupied all the time of that confinement in advancing on the spiritual path.

"S-since that is the case, Miss Nan Lan Karma, your desire to reach the top of the spiritual path is worthy of praise, and as such, I must then insist that you join my Blue Star Clan. The techniques and arts of your White Brook Clan were it based on the water element, as is the case with my Blue Star Clan; however, it is undeniable that the foundation, resources and understanding of my clan's spiritual path are simply incomparable to those of her clan. If Miss Nan Lan Karma aspires to the top of the spiritual path, my Blue Star Clan is the best choice. I am certain that with the matchless talent that Miss Nan Lan Karma possesses, my clan will spare no effort to help her achieve her admirable desire"

Observing Luatelo Rublanda, Luatelo Rilua was very perplexed. She did not remember seeing him lose his composure ever before.

"Talent? My present spiritual realm is only the result of my own efforts and the efforts of my parents. If there were something about me that could be it considered a talent, it would be what stands out in everyone's eyes"

Hearing that answer, especially with regard to the last words, Luatelo Rublanda's body shuddered.

"I sincerely appreciate the concern of elder Lua Rublanda for my goals and future, however, it is something I have not asked for. Between you and me... no, not even among our clans is there a bond that could justify your concern for this young woman, so I respectfully ask you to focus your desires and concerns on those truly close to you"

Even before Luatelo Rublanda could say one more word, Karma added those shocking words that completely silenced not only the old man, but also everyone present.

"Nelua, don't stand there like a statue, come on!"

The profound silence was broken once again by Karma herself, who directed those words towards Lankareto Nelua. The tender and clumsy young woman shuddered upon hearing those words; her mind came out of the daze caused by everything that had happened in less than five minutes between Luatelo Rublanda and Karma. Without turning a single glance at his father due to shame, Nelua ran after Karma.

In the midst of that complicated environment, the third great elder of the White Brook Clan left the place in the company of his three family members and Nelua.

After all that said, Luatelo Rublanda was not the most shocked, Lankareto Katro was totally lost, even before he even started, his plans collapsed once again. There was simply no way that after rejecting Luatelo Rublanda's grandson; Lankareto Atro would even consider the idea of taking Lankareto Kafilo as a husband for his daughter.

"Since Miss Nan Lan Karma has declined to accept my clan's proposal, then we will take the second most talented practitioner of this generation"

After a prolonged silence of several seconds, Luatelo Rublanda finally seemed to recover his composure. However, some irritation was notorious about him.

"Lan Ronevara, we leave at dawn"

Hearing those words, Lankareto Ronevara's body and mind shuddered.

"Now, if you'll excuse us" – the old man addressed those words to the group of members of the White Brook Clan on the platform.

In complete silence and enveloped in an aura similar to that of a fierce wounded red lion, the four members of the Blue Star Clan withdrew.

The words left behind by Luatelo Rublanda for Lankareto Ronevara were not a request but an order! After he being practically humiliated by a young woman who had not yet turned fifteen, the proud old man did not hesitate to abandon all his false humility altogether.