Brewing Undercurrents

The ceremonial rights were carried out and the engagement was official. Currently, the couple, Li Tianyan and Huo Lianhua were entertaining the attended members with a toast.

"Thank you for attending." Li Tianyan had reached the area where the group that came with Huo Lianhua from her sect were seated, when he spotted them, he walked over and respectful raised a toast to the group of three.

"Humph. Trash do you think you are worthy of Miss Lianhua?" Among the group, there was an aged man with an imposing bearing, a good-looking young man with a dignified aura and another unremarkable young man that seemed to be a lackey to the dignified young man, the young man with the dignified aura was the one that spoke.

Li Tianyan paused mid-toast, his smile freezing momentarily before it widened, an almost imperceptible flicker of amusement flashing in his eyes. He lowered the cup slightly, turning his gaze toward the dignified young man who had spoken so brashly.

"Worthy?" Li Tianyan said, his tone light but with a subtle edge. "You must be joking. Who in this world could truly be worthy of someone like Miss Lianhua? I consider myself fortunate to even stand beside her."

His words carried a deliberate humility, but the glimmer in his eyes suggested otherwise. He raised his cup again, his smile calm yet unyielding. "However, the engagement is official. If you believe I'm unworthy, you'll have to take that up with both the Li Clan and the City Lord himself. I'm sure they'd be eager to hear your thoughts."

The dignified young man's face darkened, his pride clearly stung by the glib response. "Hmph. A Foundation Establishment trash like you dares to speak so boldly? Do you even understand Miss Lianhua's worth? She's a prodigy who could shake the heavens, while you..." he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain, "...are nothing more than a pitiful genius of a roadside clan."

When Li Tianyan realized that he was showing disdain for his cultivation realm he subconsciously extended his spiritual energy to sense the other party's realm... Third stage of the Core Formation Realm! Li Tianyan having never seen anything like this before was stunned for a moment before turning to Huo Lianhua who was entertaining the elders of the Li Clan... She was already at the fifth-stage of the Core Formation Realm! What kind of concept was this? His idea of a genius was shattered instantly, looking at the emblem of the Blazing Sun on this dignified young man, his respect for the Blazing Sun Sect soared.

Perhaps among the many powers that inhabited the Azure Cloud Kingdom, the Blazing Sun Sect disciples were the only ones bold enough to speak such words to the Li Clan. While the Blazing Sun Sect within the Azure Cloud Kingdom was but a mere branch, the main sect far surpassed it in strength—several hundred times greater, with influence that stretched beyond the borders of any single kingdom. Even as a branch sect, they were untouchable, shielded by the overwhelming might of their main sect, which resided at the very heart of the Qin Dynasty itself. This sacred sect, known throughout the land, was a power that transcended the Six Kingdoms and commanded respect from all corners of the dynasty.

The murmurs among the onlookers grew louder as the tension thickened. Li Tianyan didn't flinch, his smile never wavering. He took a deliberate sip from his cup before speaking again, his voice as calm as still water.

"I understand Miss Lianhua's worth better than anyone," he said softly, yet his words carried a weight that silenced the crowd. "She is unparalleled—an eternal flame that cannot be extinguished. But tell me, what does it say about you, sir, that you feel the need to diminish me in her presence? Could it be that you're worried she might actually see something in me that you lack?"

The young man's face turned crimson with rage, but before he could retort, a clear, melodic voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Enough."

All eyes turned toward Huo Lianhua, who had been standing nearby, observing the exchange with an unreadable expression. She stepped forward gracefully, her presence commanding the room as effortlessly as the wind commands the leaves.

"Zhou Qiu," she addressed the dignified young man coldly, her amber eyes locking onto him. "This is a celebration, not a battlefield. If you cannot hold your tongue, then I suggest you excuse yourself."

Zhou Qiu stiffened, his pride warring with his fear of offending her. He clenched his fists but ultimately bowed his head. "Forgive me, Miss Lianhua. I overstepped."

Huo Lianhua turned her gaze to Li Tianyan, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Young Master Li, please forgive my sect brother's insolence. He lacks the restraint one should possess at such an occasion."

Li Tianyan grinned as he noticed Huo Lianhua's delicate but composed demeanor. His words were teasing but carried a note of playful charm. "Miss Lianhua, we are already officially engaged," he said smoothly, his gaze softening as he spoke. "You might as well call me... my dear fiancé, don't you think?"

Huo Lianhua gave him a brief glance, and though she did not show disdain, there was a cool indifference to her expression. She didn't respond right away, turning instead to engage the other members of the Li Clan with practiced grace. Her gaze flitted over the room, acknowledging them with the poise of someone who had done this many times before.

Li Tianyan's teasing smile remained in place, there was no warmth in her response, but no hostility either. She simply continued with her duties, as if their engagement was just another part of the day's obligations.

Meanwhile, Zhou Qiu, the young man who had previously spoken out, watched the interaction closely, his features hardening with barely concealed jealousy and rage. His gaze shifted between Li Tianyan and Huo Lianhua, the budding hatred in his heart growing with every moment.

The more he watched Li Tianyan's confident and unbothered demeanor, the more his desire to prove his superiority—his right to be with someone like Huo Lianhua—fueled his dark thoughts. If this engagement continued to play out, he knew that Li Tianyan's presence would only deepen the humiliation he felt.

At that moment, Zhou Qiu made a silent vow: he would not allow someone like Li Tianyan to remain in Huo Lianhua's life for long.