CH-6: The Banquet Night

'It's been a year since I regressed. There weren't many differences other than the ones I made. In my previous life, I mostly lived a life of trash that I couldn't cultivate because of an accident. Only later in my life did I fix my meridians and cultivate.'

' With my physique now in full effect, I quickly rose in cultivation. As I became one of the pillars of the world, the world itself fell. Extraterrestrial demons in a multitude that was never seen before. And after my death, I somehow regressed to just after the incident. '

'I fixed my meridians earlier this time, maybe I could enrol, get stronger faster or be even stronger, enough to protect my mom.'

'My mother raised me alone, barely treating her injuries and giving me allowance with what little she earned. Xianzhou Jiang branch did nothing to help her, they even made it harder for her. After saving what she gave me before and this year, I finally cast my body, reaching Peak Body Building. Now I can go to the Institute and get her out of here.' As I thought about her she came to my room, having a rare real smile on her face.

"Anna! It's good news, you are leaving this place!" 'Huh?' "Apparently Patriarch Jiang and Patriarch Lin made a bet, as Patriarch Jiang lost, Lin Patriarch wanted a heavenly root fiancee for his youngest, and they chose you thinking you were crippled."

'Huuh?' She didn't stop.

"You are to be engaged to Axel Lin, 7th son of Reagan Lin next week and married after his graduation."

'HEEEEH? Who is this Axel Lin kid? He didn't exist in my previous life. Reagan Lin obviously only had six children. Did he die early then but somehow survive now? But how would my regression have anything to do with him? He is suspicious.'

"What about you, mom? I won't leave you behind!"

"Silly girl, I'm coming too. How could I leave you? Now, never mind that. We have to choose your dress and make-up for the banquet next week. Although it has been a long time since I've dolled someone up, I believe it will be good. Now come here darling, hmm~"

'Uh-oh...' I learned that day even a Peak Body Building practitioner can tire themselves out trying dresses...

During the banquet, I stayed where they told me to. After Solomon Lin introduced me he beckoned me to stay near him. That was the first time I met Axel Lin.

I had a white dress with golden linings and cyan decorations, I had a wavy golden crown on my simply done lilac hair. With my lavender eye-shadow highlighting my golden eyes and rose pink rogue I simply looked like a goddess.

'He looks good for a kid, the thin gold crown on his jet black hair looks graceful as if immortals were wearing it, his sword eyebrows matched with his azure phoenix eyes it creates the illusion as if he sees right through you. His white robe with golden linings and cyan belt and decorations fits well to his body, giving off a noble and strong aura- STOP! We have matching outfits?!' Just then Solomon Lin ended his speech and shooed me off.

With nothing better to do, I walked towards Axel. As soon as I arrived that sly guy took me to a secluded garden. 'I knew he was suspicious.' Just then he said

"I'm sorry for what happened, it seems they didn't tell you any of this. I just learned about it too, if you don't like it you can say it to me." Not getting what I expected, I frowned. Then defeated by my curiosity, I asked him.

"Who are you? What is your purpose here?"

I didn't expect a dumbfounded face.

"What do you mean, miss? Did you follow me without knowing who I am? Even if it's Lin Clan grounds, you shouldn't trust a stranger just like that, I'm your fiance by the way."

'Does he really not know anything? Or just playing dumb? Did this brat just call me naive!'

"You know what I mean."

"I really don't. I was just trying to explain things."

"Don't play dumb. Who are you?" Right then, his tone changed, as if it were a chilling sword.

"Look here, Miss Iyana. My patience has limits, too. I can only take this much disrespect. I don't know what you know or heard about me; I suggest you don't count on it. You will be staying here in the Phoenix Pavilion for the time being. If you need anything, you can call the servants. I bid you good night."

P.O.V. CHANGE

How didn't I notice! Pattern was right in front of my eyes! Jiang surname, ostracized eldest miss of the branch family and some kind of disability!

'She surely is someone who either knows about the novel or regressed. If she relies on knowledge that can change with the butterfly effect, she won't live long. I gave her a cue about it but don't know if she will listen.'

As I walked to my quarters I contemplated on my plans again.

'If she is a girl boss protagonist, this would make this novel a romance one, meaning she has some prince of the upper realm wooing her. Those guys are always toxic and are gods amongst men, surely won't let me live after this. Considering how I'm still alive she doesn't have one yet, does that mean this is a luck-stealing novel instead?'

'Sigh... With too many uncertainties, I should focus on getting stronger. Unlike those with systems and those who have male gods chasing them, I only have myself and my talent to count on.'

As the night went on, I meditated to calm myself down. Tomorrow we would be going to an auction with eldest brother. He said he needed a few things before looking for fortuitous encounters, and it would be a good chance for "newly engaged" to bond. As the sun rose I got up and changed into my robes, going to bring my fiancee along.

P.O.V. CHANGE

I woke up to birds chirping, washed my face and thought about yesterday's events.

'Does he truly not know? Sigh, I pushed too hard yesterday. Nothing good would happen from antagonising him. I'm not the Peak Birth Of Self powerhouse I used to be, I will just stay close and observe from now on.' Just then the door knocked, when I opened it he stood in front of me.

"Excuse me for coming without any notice, but my eldest brother Invited us to a local auction, I can take you there if you want." He said as if yesterday didn't happen, I nodded in response. After changing we set out.

'He said eldest brother right?It should be Xander Lin, who graduated as the top student of the Institute during his time as a Middle stage Foundation Establishment Master, and the heir to the patriarch position as the son of Reagan Lin and his Dao Companion, Marilyn Xue.'

'He was a slightly controversial person, vowing to never marry and only pursue Dao. Some say he is indifferent to worldly desires, and is a role model for every cultivator while some say it is because a junior sister he had a crush on died in a mission from the Institute, leaving without giving him a chance to confess, he vowed to not take a wife if it wasn't her and only pursued the Dao.'

As we made our way to main hall, we did not talk once. I couldn't anyways. There we met Xander.

"I'm glad you came, little seventh, and you bringed 7th sister-in-law* too, that's great!"

"Haha you jest brother, why wouldn't we come?"

"Well, I thought you guys might spent last night getting to know each other, nothing I haven't seen before" He had a teasing grin while saying this.

"BROTHER!"

"Alright alright, you don't have to get so worked up you know, unless something did happen." His grin grew wider.

'Who is this buffoon? Where is the role model of all cultivators? We were deceived!'

"Ahem." He continued while stifling his laugh. "We are going to Serene Lotus Lake Auction House. They are located in the Serene Lotus Lake a bit south of here. Lake takes its name from Serene Lotuses that grow in it, they are the main ingredient for Soul Senerity Pill, which clears your mind and helps you when comprehending the Laws."

"Oh, is that why you are going to this auction this time, brother?"

"Yes, after I come back from my outing I will go into closed-door cultivation, I need to have everything ready before then." As he said, he took out his beast pouch and a peak 3rd rank Golden Gale Eagle appeared before us.

"Get on, don't worry she won't bite. We will be there in two hours thanks to this bad girl."

As a 3rd Rank beast, the Golden Gale Eagle boasts incredible flying speed, one of the most popular and expensive choices for a steed. We got on and soared through the sky, everyone below feeling like ants, and arrived at the auction house two hours later.