Chapter 234: Triumph of Heart and Humiliation

"No way!" Ai Xin shouted, her eyes wide as Hai Tam's words sank in.

She and Hai Tam had never even spoken before, known only by each other's reputations. His sudden proposal was utterly baffling.

Lan An's eyes twinkled with amusement, sipping his tea calmly and giving her a reassuring glance.

Catching his look, Ai Xin huffed, plopping down beside him, forcing herself to calm down and see how her grandfather and the elders would handle this.

Chen Zhi clenched his fists, overwhelmed by helplessness. Even the Third Young Master was vying for his goddess? His face turned ashen.

The room fell silent. Hai Tam smirked faintly, confident the Ai Clan would yield.

Ambitious and cunning, Hai Tam had long coveted his father's position as Sea Palace Master. His elder brother, born centuries earlier, matched his talent and held a high rank on the Golden Ranking, a formidable rival. Outmatched in cultivation time, Hai Tam shifted to building influence, aiming to outshine his brother.

His brother's arrogance alienated many, but Hai Tam's courteous demeanor won over Sea Palace's elders. Yet, he knew this wasn't enough. He needed external allies, and the best support came from a powerful marriage.

Many Sea Continent maidens pursued him, but their backgrounds were unworthy. Ai Xin, however, was different—princess of the Ai Clan, disciple of the Dwarf Clan Chief. Her status was unmatched among her peers in the West Sea Continent, making her Hai Tam's prime target.

He'd planned to court her years ago, but a breakthrough forced him into seclusion, delaying his pursuit. Emerging to learn of Ai Xin's sixth-grade Artificer breakthrough, he was thrilled and alarmed, especially hearing of her ambiguous ties with Lan An and his clash with Chen Jue. Hai Tam seized the chance to visit the Ai Clan.

His true goal was always Ai Xin. The Diamond Ore request was a ploy to provoke Lan An. Thoroughly prepared, he'd studied Ai Guo's situation, believing his offer irresistible. A Mid Fusion Realm breakthrough was a monumental leap, and without it, Ai Guo's death would destabilize the Ai Clan, stripping their top eighth-grade status.

Hai Tam's bait was tantalizing. "Access to Sea Palace's techniques is every water cultivator's dream, Grandfather Ai. Consider carefully," Hai Xiong said, stroking his beard smugly.

He hadn't expected Hai Tam's move to be so brilliant. Though Sea Palace barred outsiders from studying their techniques, Ai Xin's betrothal would make the Ai Clan allies, no longer outsiders. It could also draw Dwarf Island into an alliance, gaining a genius Artificer daughter-in-law. Hai Tam's plan was a masterstroke, aiming for three birds with one arrow.

"Third Young Master's cunning is unmatched. I can't compare," Chen Zhi sighed, lamenting the Chen Clan's subservience to Sea Palace.

Ai Zhen and the elders' faces shifted, caught in deep thought. They saw Hai Tam's triple gambit but couldn't outright refuse. The offer was exactly what the Ai Clan needed.

"I hear Sea Palace's top technique is top-grade Spirit level. Can Grandfather Ai study it?" an elder probed.

"Fourth Uncle!" Ai Xin stomped, furious. Were they really considering sacrificing her for politics?

Though political marriages were common for clan daughters, a spirited and proud woman like Ai Xin despised such arrangements.

Hai Tam laughed, nodding. "The Sea-Suppressing Wrath Art is indeed top-grade Spirit level, open for Grandfather Ai to study."

The elders turned to Ai Guo, awaiting his decision.

Ai Xin clenched her fists, glaring at Lan An, who sipped tea nonchalantly. They hadn't known each other long; expecting him to intervene was unfair. Her face paled with anxiety.

Ai Guo stroked his beard, calm throughout, and said slowly, "I appreciate your kindness, Third Young Master, but these old bones don't fancy traveling to Sea Palace. I prefer cultivating at home."

Silence.

Dead silence.

Hai Tam's smugness vanished, as if he'd swallowed a fly. The Ai Clan elders gaped, baffled by Ai Guo's swift rejection without a moment's hesitation. A Mid Fusion breakthrough was his lifelong dream.

"Hooray, Grandfather! You're the best!" Ai Xin cheered, rushing to hug his arm.

"You're too prideful, Grandfather Ai. Such chances are rare," Hai Xiong said gravely, incredulous at the refusal.

If it were him, he'd trade a granddaughter's happiness for a breakthrough without hesitation.

"You jest, Grandfather Ai. Come to Sea Palace, and we'll treat you as an honored guest, providing cultivation resources. Just agree to my betrothal with Junior Sister Ai," Hai Tam pressed, assuming Ai Guo's pride was the issue.

"No need for more words. Tâm'er isn't a bargaining chip. A youth once told me everyone's happiness is their own to decide. We should respect Tâm'er, especially in matters of the heart," Ai Guo said, glancing at the tea-sipping Lan An.

Ai Xin froze, her cheeks flushing as realization dawned.

Ai Zhen's eyes lit up. This was the Ai Clan's way never trading their daughter's happiness for fleeting gains.

The elders sighed, slightly regretful but respectful of Ai Guo's authority, the clan's highest.

"If so, let Tâm'er decide. If she agrees to the betrothal, I'll have no objections. But whether she accepts or refuses, I don't need Sea Palace's techniques," Ai Guo said firmly.

The crowd was stunned. Why reject such a tempting offer?

"Hmph, we barely know each other, and you propose? Are you mad?" Ai Xin snapped at Hai Tam, dropping her earlier courtesy. His disregard for her, consulting only her grandfather, clearly treated her as a political tool.

Hai Tam's face darkened. His plans unraveled; Ai Guo's staunch refusal was incomprehensible.

"Junior Sister Ai, reconsider. Your grandfather's old. Without a Mid Fusion breakthrough, the consequences are dire. Don't you care for him?" Hai Tam urged, implying her refusal was unfilial, as Ai Guo's lifespan waned.

Ai Xin paled, dreading her grandfather's loss.

"Ahem," Ai Guo coughed, drawing attention. Smiling at Hai Tam, he said, "You misunderstand, Third Young Master. As I said, these old bones prefer cultivating at home."

Before their eyes, he pulled a jade pendant from his robe. Blazing fire and water energies intertwined, cracking the surrounding space.

"What's that?" The crowd gaped. Ai Zhen and the elders were shocked.

Even Hai Xiong stared solemnly, the pendant's aura making his heart race.

Hai Tam's face twitched, sensing disaster.

Holding the pendant, Ai Guo grinned at Lan An. "Little Nam visited us before Elder Hai Xiong. Intrigued by this young genius, I secretly took him to my courtyard to chat. He's a righteous lad, knowing my time is short, and gifted me a top-grade Spirit technique, one for dual fire-water cultivation. Quite embarrassing, haha."

"What? Top-grade Spirit?" The crowd shot to their feet, feeling they were dreaming.

Ai Guo's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "I admire and approve of Little Nam. Shamelessly, I considered matchmaking him with my granddaughter, but his response surprised me."

"What did he say?" Ai Xin asked, her heart pounding, breathless.

The crowd leaned in.

Mimicking a youthful voice with utmost sincerity, Ai Guo said, "Being favored by Grandfather is my honor, but I respect Miss Ai Xin. Her happiness is hers to decide. Let things unfold naturally."

Ai Xin's eyes misted, turning to Lan An, who smiled at her. Her heart melted, steeped in sweetness.

"Little Nam…" she murmured, speechless.

"Silly, I told you to relax. Why worry?" Lan An transmitted, teasing.

"Hmph," Ai Xin huffed playfully, pouring him tea, her eyes never leaving him.

"Well said! That's the spirit. Wooing a girl takes skill!" Ai Zhen slapped his thigh, giving Lan An a thumbs-up.

"Little Nam's right. If I'd had half your heart back then, I wouldn't be single now," an elder said, tears in his eyes, lost in memories.

"Exactly, but I've no granddaughter such a pity," a female elder sighed, half-wishing to marry Lan An herself.

"You can't blame me. I couldn't wait to seclude with this technique, but the commotion here forced me out," Ai Guo said, glancing slyly at Hai Xiong.

The Ai Clan shot odd looks at Hai Tam's group.

"Damn it!" Hai Tam's face twisted, trembling with rage, a surge of blood rising in his chest.

His fists clenched until they bled.

All his scheming, his grand performance, was for naught. Lan An, sipping tea silently, had indirectly slapped him in the face, humiliating him utterly. Hai Tam, the century's greatest fool, felt the world mocking him.

Hai Xiong and Chen Zhi's faces paled, helpless. Their Young Master had flaunted Sea Palace's top-grade Spirit technique, only for the Ai Clan to already possess a supreme-grade one.

The gap in heart, magnanimity, and wealth was staggering.

Ai Xin stood, beaming at Hai Tam, her gloom vanished. "I appreciate your kindness, Third Young Master, but my heart belongs to another. Please respect that."

Hai Tam's eyes reddened, suppressing his humiliation. Hoarsely, he said, "Congratulations, Junior Sister Ai. I have urgent matters and must take my leave."

He fled at top speed, Hai Xiong and Chen Zhi scrambling after him.

In the sky above…

"Pfft!" Unable to hold back, Hai Tam spat blood, roaring venomously, "Today's shame, I swear to repay a millionfold!"