Chapter 20: The First Meeting – Tang Yuechan

Wei Xian stood in the moonlit courtyard, his mind heavy with thoughts of his past, his destiny, and the promise he made to himself. But tonight, another matter awaited him—his first meeting with Tang Yuechan.

She had arrived at the Immortal Dao Palace three days before him, and word had already spread. The daughter of the Ancient Tang Family, a prodigy of celestial flames, and his fiancée by an agreement made long before either of them had a choice.

Would she see him as an obstacle? A burden? Or would she be just another arrogant noble, believing herself above him?

Wei Xian didn't care. If she tried to control his fate like everyone else, he would make it clear—no one decides his path but him.

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A Fiery First Impression

As he entered the grand training hall, a powerful presence washed over him. The air shimmered with intense heat, as if the sun itself had descended into the room. At the center of it all stood Tang Yuechan.

She was dressed in crimson and gold robes, embroidered with phoenix flames that seemed almost alive. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes—burning amber with traces of golden fire—locked onto his the moment he entered.

Her expression was unreadable, yet there was something in her gaze—not arrogance, not contempt, but curiosity.

Wei Xian met her gaze without hesitation.

For a moment, neither spoke. Then, Tang Yuechan tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into the barest hint of a smirk.

"So, you're the one I'm supposed to marry?"

Her voice was smooth, but there was an unmistakable fire beneath it.

Wei Xian crossed his arms. "That depends. Are you the one I'm supposed to marry?"

Tang Yuechan raised an eyebrow, surprised by his response. She had expected him to be nervous or dismissive. Instead, he challenged her, matching her presence with his own unshakable confidence.

"Interesting," she murmured. "Most would have either groveled or boasted. But you... you don't seem particularly concerned about this engagement."

Wei Xian smirked. "Why should I be? I didn't agree to it."

A spark of amusement flickered in her golden eyes. "Neither did I."

A moment of silence passed between them, the tension in the air shifting.

Tang Yuechan took a step closer, her phoenix flames flaring slightly around her. "I don't care about arranged marriages. I only care about strength. If you think you're worthy of standing beside me, prove it."

Wei Xian's smirk deepened. "Then I suppose we'll see soon enough, won't we?"

Tang Yuechan studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Good. If you were weak, this would've been a waste of time."

She turned and walked past him, but as she passed, her voice lowered just enough for only him to hear.

"Don't disappoint me, Wei Xian."

And with that, she was gone.

---

A Silent Understanding

Wei Xian exhaled, watching her leave. He had expected arrogance, but instead, she had given him something else—a challenge.

Tang Yuechan wasn't someone who blindly followed fate. She was someone who chose her own path, just like him.

For the first time since hearing of the engagement, Wei Xian felt a small sense of relief.

This wasn't a woman who would try to control him.

No—Tang Yuechan was a storm, and if he wanted to stand beside her, he would have to be one too.

And that, he decided, was just fine with him.