Underestimation

Underestimation . . . 

"The words of Noble Nephew Huo make sense. Who would have thought that Nephew Lin's sect would be blessed with so many lovely maidens? If they're seeking life partners, we elders can certainly play the role of matchmakers," chuckled an elder, his jovial laughter filling the air.

"I wonder if this young lady already has a marriage arrangement?" inquired a young man, turning his attention to Mo Qingcheng. This gentleman, exuding elegance and pride, believed his lofty status should naturally catch Mo Qingcheng's eye.

However, Mo Qingcheng didn't spare him a glance. She continued to hold Qin Wentian's hand, leaving the young man visibly taken aback. He understood the message behind her actions.

A flicker of jealousy flashed in Huo Yan's eyes as he observed Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng.

At this moment, Lin Shuai approached, his lips curving with evident displeasure. He fully understood the status that his junior apprentice brother, Qin Wentian, held—a status that allowed him to converse on equal terms with immortal kings and even meet the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord himself. It was preposterous for these individuals to make advances on Mo Qingcheng.

Moreover, the women surrounding Qin Wentian were all extraordinary. Purgatory shared a close connection with him, Qin Yao and Ye Lingshuang were his foster elder sisters, while Luo Huan was his senior apprentice sister. Proposing marriage to them? With Qin Wentian present, what right did these strangers have to voice such proposals? Even their junior apprentice sister, Lou Bingyu, possessed an inherently proud disposition. Why would she be swayed by these individuals?

Lin Shuai also knew that the Chen Clan's guests held him in low regard. Yet, did they dare to covet the women in Qin Wentian's circle? None of them were remotely qualified.

"What are all of you doing? My sect came here today to offer congratulations, not to seek marriage partners," Lin Shuai firmly addressed Huo Yan before turning his gaze towards the onlookers.

His bond with Chen Yi was strong, and he cared little for the opinions of the Chen Clan. To him, this wedding was merely a concession to the clan's wishes. Afterward, he and his sect members would venture through the immortal realms, focusing on self-improvement, unburdened by the Chen Clan's views or attitude. However, their treatment of his sect members had crossed a line, prompting him to intervene.

"Lin Shuai, mind your tone. That's your brother-in-law," Chen Yi's elder brother, Chen Ao, coldly reprimanded as he joined them. Huo Yan laughed mockingly, regarding Lin Shuai as if he were a clown.

Curiosity and amusement filled the expressions of those gathered. Chen Ao would indeed become Lin Shuai's elder brother after the wedding, making Lin Shuai and Huo Yan equals as husbands to his sisters. Yet, here he was, chastising Lin Shuai on the day of his grand celebration. It was evident how the Chen Clan regarded Lin Shuai.

"Senior Brother, it's alright," Qin Wentian interjected with a smile. Today was Lin Shuai and Chen Yi's wedding day, and Qin Wentian had no intention of spoiling the festivities. He didn't want Lin Shuai to clash with his in-laws. Nevertheless, he added via voice transmission, "Senior Brother, we're here to extend our best wishes, so we won't escalate the situation. However, if you ever need my assistance, don't hesitate to ask."

Lin Shuai, taken aback, eventually nodded in acknowledgment.

"What's the matter with all of you? Lin Shuai, go get ready. The ceremony is about to begin," interjected another Chen Clan member, emphasizing the importance of the formal proceedings. Lin Shuai nodded, and Chen Yi wore an apologetic expression as she glanced back at Qin Wentian and his group.

"What an attitude," Chen Xue coldly remarked as Lin Shuai and Chen Yi departed, making no effort to lower her voice. Qin Wentian and his group couldn't help but hear her clearly.

"Starting today, that man will be officially tied to the Chen Clan as a son-in-law. Who knows, he might even end up residing in your humble abode and take on the mantle of the clan's master one day," Huo Yan snidely remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"He was utterly disrespectful to you. If it weren't for me trying to keep things civil for the sake of Little Yi, I would have swiftly informed our father to escort him out of our clan," Chen Xue said, her voice laced with disdain.

Huo Yan feigned goodwill, despite the insincerity that hung in the air, saying, "But let's not ruin the festive atmosphere today. It should be a day of joy, after all."

Their conversation reverberated for all to hear, leaving the members of the Battle Sword Sect incensed. It was as if they were invisible, their presence ignored and disrespected. The extent of the Chen Clan's disdain for Lin Shuai was clear.

"We've dedicated countless years to our cultivation. Let's not be quick to anger. Today, we shall not let anything mar the joy of Lin Shuai's wedding," the old ancestor advised, despite his evident displeasure. They were willing to bear humiliation if it meant preserving the serenity of Lin Shuai's special day.

"Let's proceed and witness the ceremony," the old ancestor sighed. Together, they made their way toward the heart of the Chen Clan's residence. The wedding ceremony began with a formal greeting to the Chen Clan's patriarch, followed by the customary serving of tea as a sign of respect to the clan's elders and other esteemed guests.

While the Chen Clan's elders may have disapproved of Chen Yi's relationship with Lin Shuai, they chose not to deliberately obstruct the proceedings due to her unwavering determination. Even Chen Ao, with his stern countenance, accepted their offering of tea and congratulated them.

However, when it came time for Huo Yan and Chen Xue to receive the tea prepared by Lin Shuai and Chen Yi, Chen Xue scowled and refused to extend her hand to accept it.

"I'm not deserving of this tea," Chen Xue stated, her dissatisfaction evident.

"Sister," Father Chen reprimanded her with a grave tone. His daughter seemed intent on creating discord.

"Little Yi, if Lin Shuai and I have fallen short in any way, you should address it directly. Right now, Little Yi would like to apologize to her elder sister and brother-in-law," Chen Yi said, bowing gracefully.

"Little Yi, this has nothing to do with you," Chen Xue waved away her sister's words.

"Little Yi, it's not that we're unhappy with you. We just find it regrettable given your exceptional talents..." Huo Yan sighed, still masking his true feelings with a smile. However, his words were a clear affront to Lin Shuai.

"This scoundrel!" Sword Sovereign Lingtian's complexion turned ashen at the sight of his cherished disciple being deliberately targeted in such a manner.

Ye Lingshuang's expression darkened as she observed the situation. She turned to Qin Wentian and conveyed her thoughts through a voice transmission, "Wentian, Senior Brother Lin doesn't want to exploit your status for his benefit, but these people are simply too disrespectful. They're daring to humiliate Senior Brother just because they have some backing. Can you find a subtle way to support Senior Lin without ruining the wedding atmosphere?"

"Sis Lingshuang, Senior Brother has his own pride. If he's unwilling, I won't impose my wishes on him. It's my way of showing respect, and I've already made it clear that if he agrees, I'll handle the matter discreetly," Qin Wentian replied.

"Very well," Ye Lingshuang nodded. She could only hope that Lin Shuai would reconsider the situation. He didn't want to use Qin Wentian simply to boost his own image, but it seemed the Chen Clan enjoyed bullying him.

Chen Yi, upon hearing Huo Yan's remarks, couldn't conceal her anger. She firmly grasped Lin Shuai's hand and, to everyone's surprise, bypassed Chen Xue and Huo Yan, proceeding to pay her respects to the next in line. Huo Yan's smile froze on his face, and as he felt the mocking gazes from the onlookers, a cold shiver ran down his spine.

Was she deliberately humiliating him?

"Sister, look at that," Qin Wentian remarked with a smile as he witnessed Chen Yi's unwavering determination. He could now understand why Lin Shuai, despite the loss of face in holding the wedding at the bride's clan, chose to marry this woman.

Back when he got together with Qingcheng, he had faced plenty of criticism and disapproval as well.

Chen Xue and Huo Yan wore expressions of displeasure, but Father Chen halted them with a single stern glance, preventing them from acting on their anger.

As the ceremony continued, the attendees offered their blessings in unison as they stood. Father Chen then spoke, "Chen Ao, Chen Xue, please assist with the seating arrangements."

"Of course," Chen Ao and the others replied with nods before heading toward a middle-aged man dressed in opulent robes. They respectfully greeted him, "Senior Fang, please take the VIP seat."

"This isn't necessary. The main seat should be reserved for the bride or groom's family," the middle-aged man declined with a chuckle.

"Brother Wen, there's no need to be so modest. If you don't sit there, who else would be worthy of the main seat?" Father Chen approached and bowed respectfully. This middle-aged man held a distinguished status, hailing from an immensely powerful clan at the level of immortal kings. Their clan's immortal king expert had some sort of connection with Father Chen, which was why he attended to show respect and participate in the wedding banquet.

"If that's the case, I won't decline your gracious offer," the middle-aged man replied, nodding his approval.

Dressed in green robes, the middle-aged man occupied the master's seat, commanding respect from the gathered guests who approached him, eager to engage in conversation.

Chen Ao and Chen Xue diligently arranged seats for the attendees, but Qin Wentian and the Battle Sword Sect were notably disregarded, left standing on the sidelines.

As the seating neared completion, with even the servants finding designated spots at the rear, the Battle Sword Sect still had no place to sit. It was then that Chen Xue and Huo Yan approached, their demeanor oozing insincerity. Huo Yan chuckled, "My apologies, everyone. We weren't aware that Lin Shuai already had a sect, so we didn't prepare enough seats. Would you mind heading to the servant section at the back to see if any seats remain?"

The members of the Battle Sword Sect wore frosty expressions. Ye Lingshuang, unable to contain herself, inquired in a frigid tone, "Is this how the Chen Clan treats its guests?"

"We didn't invite you in the first place, but you've come here regardless. Are you so shameless as to seek seats based on your status?" Chen Xue spitefully whispered. "Do you even know who Senior Fang is? He hails from an immortal-king level clan. Do you think you're qualified to sit alongside someone like him?"

Onstage, Lin Shuai's face lacked the joyous smile one would expect on his wedding day. Today, he cared little for his own pride, but he couldn't believe that the Chen Clan would intentionally make things difficult for his sect. Chen Xue's words rang clear in his ears.

"If the lovely ladies here need seats, I'm sure some of us wouldn't mind squeezing in with them," a young man jeered, his gaze directed at the beautiful maidens of the Battle Sword Sect. His tone dripped with mockery. This young man, belonging to a first-tier clan, held no fear of the Battle Sword Sect, which was merely an ascendant-ranked power.

The senior in the master's seat turned his attention toward the source of the commotion. When he saw Qin Wentian, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He then inquired of Father Chen, "Who is that handsome young man in white?"

"He's from Lin Shuai's sect, likely his junior apprentice brother. However, he seems to have had a stroke of good fortune. Just look at the extraordinary bearing he exudes, and he can retract his aura so completely. As for the two young women by his side, they appear to be at the immortal-foundation realm," Father Chen replied. He didn't pay much heed to a few immortal-foundation cultivators; after all, their Chen Clan had invited many such experts as guests.

"Do you know his surname?" the middle-aged man asked.

"I overheard Lin Shuai addressing him as Junior Brother Qin earlier. Would you like me to confirm with Lin Shuai?" Father Chen offered.

"Qin?" The middle-aged man's heart trembled for a moment. It appeared he hadn't been mistaken. Although his Fang Clan held an immortal-king rank in the Cloud Prefecture, he knew they were as insignificant as ants compared to the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect. How could they dare disregard anyone from such a sect? His Fang Clan had received numerous reports about the sect's prominent figures.

Among those reports was a highly significant individual from the junior generation known as Qin Wentian.

It seemed he should inform his ancestor to make an appearance here. Given Qin Wentian's status, he wasn't even qualified to converse with him!